Gerard Devlin, of Donegall Road, and Nathan Finn, of Malone Road, were each given a three-year sentence for taking more than £5,700 from the woman. Their 80-year-old victim was left "deeply traumatised" by the theft at the Kennedy Centre in Belfast last year, the court heard. The men will serve 18 months in prison with the remaining period on licence. The court heard that the pensioner had withdrawn her life savings on 31 October 2014, the day of the theft, and had planned to use the money for home improvements. She then visited a coffee shop in the shopping centre. As she was queuing, Finn, 22, distracted her. Devlin, 25, reached into her handbag and stole a plastic bag containing £5,709 in cash. The money was never recovered, the court was told, and while the two men admitted the theft they have not said what happened to the money. The judge said there was "no doubt" the men they had "deliberately targeted" the woman. She added that the woman has "suffered a great deal" as a result of the theft. Finn committed the offence within days of being released on licence for a previous matter, the court heard. The judge said Devlin had written a letter to the woman earlier this year, but she questioned whether the remorse the two men had expressed since the offence was genuine.

Summary: Two Belfast men who stole a pensioner's life savings have been jailed for their "despicable" behaviour".


The song, which translates from the Hindi as "My country is great", is nearly seven minutes long. Critics are upset with lines that seemingly compare Mr Modi with Mahatma Gandhi, a charge Mr Nihalani denies. Social media users also pointed out shots of "Indian development" in the video were really from other countries. "I have said [in the film] that the dream Gandhi had seen... it's film language. Gandhi had the dream of making India clean and Modi is fulfilling that dream," Mr Nihalani told BBC Hindi's Vineet Khare. "The dream has to be fulfilled with co-operation from everyone. People who think I have made comparisons do not want to see the country's progress," he added. Mr Nihalani's efforts were termed "so bad it's good" by the DNA newspaper, while the Hindustan Times called it a "cringe fest". The video shows, among other things, delighted schoolchildren spotting Mr Modi sitting on a snow-capped mountain in a lotus pose. But a comparison to Mahatma Gandhi is not the only issue that critics have with the song. The film also shows shots of skyscrapers, modern motorways and space shuttles to "showcase India's development". However, social media users were quick to point out that many of those were not even Indian. Mr Nihalani, who was appointed the head of the Central Board of Film Certification of India in January this year, said the use of these shots was deliberate. "There are 160 shots in the film. Only five shots show what India's future would look like. Every filmmaker has visual imagination...what's the big deal in that?" he asked. "I have shown an India of the future," he added.

Summary: Indian film censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani has defended a music video he has made glorifying Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


Janet Norridge, 34, was reported to Cardiff Prison governors after being spotted in the crowd by a colleague at the 2011 tournament event. The inquest in Newport heard she was suspended from work and took her own life after losing an appeal. The hearing was told her parents later won an employment tribunal. A coroner is writing to the director of Her Majesty's Prison Service demanding a review of the way officers are treated during disciplinary proceedings. The inquest heard Ms Norridge had ambitions of becoming a prison governor but was hit by a health scare - a relative had died of bowel cancer and she tested positive for a gene which gave her an 80 per cent chance of also getting the disease. The inquest was told she went to the doctor and was given three weeks off work to come to terms with the shock. But Ms Norridge went out with friends to see a live TV screening at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff of a 2011 Rugby World Cup match where she was seen by the colleague. Friend Rebecca Rolls told the inquest: "She was interviewed by her employers who charged her with misconduct and lost her job. "This destroyed Janet. She was so proud of her job and her profession." Ms Norridge's mother Joanne said her daughter was "right in her feeling that she was unfairly dismissed" and that she suffered "unbelievable cruelty" by the prison authorities. An employment tribunal in London two years later found in favour of Mrs Norridge and her husband John, ruling that prison officials had made an error in law by sacking their daughter, the inquest was told. Gwent coroner David Bowen, returning a conclusion of suicide, said: "The tribunal ruled her dismissal was unfair however at the time of her death that ruling was in the future and not known to her. "She felt she had been unfairly dismissed - that was the matter that playing on her mind." A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Janet Norridge following this tragedy. "We have noted the coroner's comments and will respond to his recommendations in due course." If you have been affected by the issues in this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or find support online.

Summary: A prison officer killed herself after being sacked for watching a Rugby World Cup match while on sick leave, an inquest has heard.


The authorities in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Spain carried out the arrests and seized 250 items of IT equipment and mobile phones, Interpol says. Those arrested are aged between 17 and 40. The operation follows cyber attacks on Colombian and Chilean websites. Interpol says the websites of the Colombian Ministry of Defence and the presidency, Chile's national library, and the Chilean electricity company Endesa were attacked. Spanish authorities say four people were arrested as part of the operation in Spain, in Madrid and Malaga. Two of them remain in custody, while the other two, including a minor, were released on bail. Spain's interior ministry said that one of the four arrested was the alleged manager of Anonymous' computer operations in Spain and Latin America. Anonymous is a loose international network of online activists which describes itself as an "internet gathering". Its protests often take the form of disrupting websites and services. Many Anonymous protests tackle issues of free speech and preserving the openness of the net.

Summary: Police in Latin America and Europe have arrested 25 suspected members of the Anonymous hacking group, according to Interpol.


Media playback is not supported on this device Paula Radcliffe, Jonathan Edwards and Colin Jackson are among "collateral damage" says European Athletics taskforce chair Pierce O'Callaghan. But he told BBC Radio 5 live: "There is a bigger picture out there." All pre-2005 records could be rewritten under the new rules, which need to be ratified by governing body, the IAAF. O'Callaghan said: "Apologies to the athletes, we never intended to damage their reputation and legacy. It is intended to give the public belief and credibility in what they are watching in the sport." It's going to affect everybody - and it lumps us all in with the cheats But BBC athletics commentator and former world 1500m champion Steve Cram called the proposals an "easy route out" and "a PR exercise". Cram set world records for the 1500m, mile and 2,000m in the space of 19 days in 1985, and still holds the European records for the latter two distances - although under the proposals those pre-2005 European records would join world records in being reset. He added that the measures are "not going to stop people cheating". Media playback is not supported on this device The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) has only stored blood and urine samples since 2005 and current records that do not meet the new criteria would remain on an "all-time list", but not be officially recognised as records if the IAAF accepts the proposal. European Athletics president Hansen said he would encourage the IAAF to adopt the proposal at its August council meeting, while IAAF president Lord Coe said the changes were "a step in the right direction". The world records to fall would include Edwards' triple jump mark of 18.29m - set in 1995 - and Jackson's 1994 indoor 60m hurdles world best of 7.30secs, as well as Radcliffe's marathon time of two hours 15 minutes 25 seconds, set in 2003 using two male pacemakers. O'Callaghan compared the changes to English football introducing the Premier League above the First Division in 1992 and rugby union's Five Nations becoming the Six Nations in 2000, and said the records will be "recalibrated". "We hope people look at it in that vein, rather than stripping great athletes like Paula of their records," added O'Callaghan, who said he had spoken to Radcliffe and Edwards. "Unfortunately Paula ran her records in a golden period that happens to be two years before the technology moved on. "People should not look at Paula's records and throw them in with doping records - she achieved her performance, as did Jonathan, with 100% integrity. "This is about the bigger picture of reform in athletics and ensuring the public in events like the London World Championships [in August 2017], that they can believe what they are watching." Media playback is not supported on this device If the proposals are accepted by the IAAF, a world or European record would only be recognised if it meets all three of the following criteria: More than 100 Olympic athletes who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Games have

Summary: British athletes who may lose their world records have received an apology from the man responsible for the controversial anti-doping proposal.


Mary Susan Torley, 60, from Workington, was found guilty by West Allerdale magistrates, of assaulting a resident in her care in October. The 54-year-old resident with onset dementia was dragged by her clothing against her will causing her to fall. Torley was sentenced to a monitored curfew for 12 weeks, Â£620 costs and a Â£60 victim surcharge. She cared for three vulnerable adults at a private care facility, which has since closed, on Windmill Close in Cockermouth. A co-worker in the home witnessed the incident and reported it to Cumbria Police.

Summary: A private care home worker who assaulted a vulnerable resident with Down's Syndrome has been sentenced.


Dean Saunders, 25, died at HMP Chelmsford, Essex, in January 2016. He had been arrested after he stabbed his father during a paranoid episode. Kathy Goodchild, clinical team leader at the prison, told the inquest into his death that psychiatrists were not always present during reviews of care given to vulnerable prisoners. LIVE: For more on this and other Essex stories She told how when she was involved in a review of Mr Saunders' care on 20 December 2015 he eventually told her he did not intend to harm himself. However, she said better psychiatric cover was needed and there was "not always a psychiatrist on call" for things like approving medication. She wrote on 20 December that Mr Saunders should be seen by a psychiatrist the next day but that did not take place. "Any review," she said, "should be done by people who actually have got the information." She said Mr Saunders' family - who have strongly criticised the prison service for not watching him more closely - had raised concerns about him harming himself with her. However, she said: "I can't put people on constant watch because of families, it has to be on presentation or harm." The hearing continues.

Summary: Better psychiatric cover is needed at a prison where an inmate was found electrocuted in his cell, an inquest has heard.


His comments came on the eve of the 99th anniversary of the mass deportation of Armenians in 1915. Turkey denies Armenian claims that up to 1.5 million people were killed and that it constituted an act of genocide. Mr Erdogan said the events of 1915 had "inhumane consequences," and expressed hope that those who died were at peace. By Guney YildizBBC World Service Prime Minister Erdogan is not under political pressure in Turkey to apologise. But by offering these unprecedented condolences, he will go down in history as the first Turkish prime minister to do so. Previously, Mr Erdogan has gone a step further and apologised for the genocidal massacres against Dersim Kurds. He sees these killings as the crimes of secularist nationalists and does not link them to his government. The Armenian government has yet to respond to the latest statement. But some think it will not change the status quo as it fell short of acknowledging the Armenian deaths as a massacre and accepting the Ottoman government's role. Turkey's rapprochement attempt with Armenia collapsed just after it started in 2009. The border between the two countries has remained closed since 1993. This statement needs to be accompanied by concrete actions to bring about a thaw in relations between the governments in Ankara and Yerevan. Turkey maintains that many of the dead were killed in clashes during World War I, and that ethnic Turks also suffered in the conflict. The exact nature of what happened remains highly contentious and has continued to sour relations between Turkey and Armenia. In his message, Mr Erdogan stopped short of using the term "genocide" to describe the mass killings. Mr Erdogan struck a conciliatory tone in his statement on Wednesday, in which he offered Turkey's condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives in 1915. In the statement, which was translated into nine languages including Armenian, he described the events of World War I as "our shared pain". "Having experienced events which had inhumane consequences - such as relocation - during the First World War, (it) should not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes among towards one another," he said. He said "millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives in the First World War". But he said it was "inadmissible" for Armenia to use the 1915 events "as an excuse for hostility against Turkey" and to turn the issue "into a matter of political conflict". It is the first time a Turkish leader has formally offered condolences for the mass killings. He also repeated calls to set up a joint historical commission into the events surrounding the killings - a request that has so far been denied by the Armenian authorities. There has been a slight thaw in relations between Turkey and Armenia in recent years. The governments of the two countries agreed to normalise relations in October 2009, but peace efforts have since stalled and the border remains shut. Last year, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called the 1915-16 events a "mistake" during

Summary: Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered condolences for the first time for the mass killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule during WWI.


Jones, 33, announced his retirement after being left out of Wales' 2015 Six Nations squad. Gatland says he would have "preferred" Jones to delay his decision until after the 2015 Rugby World Cup. "I was as surprised as anyone when Adam made the decision to retire," said Gatland. Media playback is not supported on this device "I would have preferred it to have been perhaps after the World Cup because he wasn't out of contention in our minds in terms of the World Cup." Tight-head Jones made 95 appearances for Wales, winning three Grand Slams, and played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions over two tours in 2009 and 2013. The former Neath and Ospreys player's last appearance for Wales was the 38-16 defeat by South Africa in the first Test of their June 2014 tour. His Test future was cast in doubt after he was replaced by Samson Lee after just 30 minutes of that game, having struggled in the scrum. He was then left out of Wales' autumn 2014 series and was placed on standby for the Six Nations in case of injury. Gatland at the time said that the door was open for Jones to force his way back into the squad for the World Cup, but the prop said that he made up his mind before Christmas that if he was not chosen for the squad he would retire. Jones is set to continue playing for Cardiff Blues, who he joined on a one-year deal in August 2014 after his Ospreys contract expired. Wales, meanwhile, kick off their Six Nations campaign at home against England on Friday, 6 February. "As a coach you've got to make some hard calls sometimes and we've been very pleased with the progress in particularly Samson Lee over the last 12 months," explained Gatland. "But sometimes you make that call when you're looking for some depth in certain positions. "He's [Jones] made that decision to retire and we have to respect him for that."

Summary: Wales coach Warren Gatland says he was surprised by the timing of prop Adam Jones' retirement from international rugby.


And that is largely down to the chief executive Simon Stevens. His five-year forward view in October 2014 set out some big numbers, which were widely seen as realistic and then in turn adopted by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in the general election campaign. But are those numbers quite what they seem? One former minister in the coalition government now claims the financial projections were amended after intervention by Downing Street. David Laws, the Lib Dem MP who lost his seat in the 2015 general election, said Mr Stevens was "lent on" to reduce the amount of money he would call on the government to chip in. The plan set out by Mr Stevens and senior NHS colleagues predicted a £30bn gap in 2020 between expected demand and what the NHS could deliver. He said £22bn could come from efficiency savings, leaving £8bn above inflation needed from the government. Mr Stevens acknowledged the target for efficiency savings was very ambitious but argued that it was achievable. But David Laws said Mr Stevens had originally argued that a maximum of £15bn of efficiency savings could be delivered, with £15bn more needed from government. Mr Laws told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday: "The problem seems to be that when he then took that figure to the Conservatives in Number 10 they said: 'You must be kidding. There is no way the chancellor and the prime minister will sign up to that figure, you better get that figure down if you want it to be taken seriously, you better increase the efficiency savings'." The request went in for £8bn of extra money in the end. NHS England has in turn argued that in the autumn of 2014 a range of financial projections were discussed based on different scenarios. A spokeswoman said: "We stand by the analysis and were not lent on. "David Laws was not part of the discussions. Simon Stevens has been more publicly outspoken in arguing the NHS's corner than any previous serving NHS chief executive." Senior NHS sources don't deny there were negotiations, but they reject the idea that Mr Stevens had his arm twisted by Downing Street. They argue that the purpose of the five-year forward view planning was to model different assumptions about the level of productivity gains that could be delivered. Mr Laws' intervention comes at a sensitive time in the debate over NHS funding in England. Some authoritative voices across the service are questioning where the £22bn of savings will come from and calling for more government funding than has been pledged so far. The idea that the £22bn might have been seen at an early stage as too ambitious will no doubt fuel this discussion. Mr Laws has set out his version of events in his new book Coalition. He said the NHS "almost completely collapsed over Christmas" in 2014 and "came very close to preventable deaths in unsafe hospitals". Money for the NHS, he said, dominated political debate between the coalition partners at that time. Mr Laws, as a Lib Dem, has a

Summary: The question of how much extra money NHS England needs to meet rising patient demand has dominated recent political argument over the health service.


The House of Lords spent two days debating the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, with many members voicing their concerns. But it rejected an amendment aimed at wrecking the bill by 242 votes, moving it a step closer to becoming law. The BBC's Norman Smith said plans were on course for the first same-sex weddings to take place next summer. The bill would allow couples, who can currently form civil partnerships, to marry. If it passes into law, religious organisations would have to "opt in" if they wished to offer gay weddings, except the Church of England and Church in Wales, which would be banned in law from doing so. Peers were allowed a free vote on the amendment, tabled by crossbench peer Lord Dear, which would effectively have wrecked the government's plans. It was defeated by 390 votes to 148. Shortly afterwards, the bill - also backed by Labour leader Ed Miliband - was given a second reading without a vote taking place and will now go forward to more detailed scrutiny by peers. The result was greeted with cheers from supporters of same-sex marriage gathered outside Parliament. During the debate, Lord Dear insisted the change would "completely alter the concept of marriage as we know it". The bill was "ill thought through", had no democratic legitimacy and was "fatally flawed", he said. But equalities minister Baroness Stowell of Beeston called the legislation a "force for good" which would strengthen marriage. She said it protected both religious freedom and freedom of speech. Baroness Royall, Labour's leader in the Lords, said marriage had a "special status in our society": "I firmly believe that our society will be strengthened when more couples are able to choose to make a lifetime commitment to each other and when all members of our communities are able to celebrate their identity and relationships within the institution of marriage." After the vote, Culture Secretary Maria Miller posted on Twitter: "Great result in @UKHouseofLords tonight, overwhelming support from Peers from all sides." Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the gay rights group Stonewall, said he was delighted, adding: "Britain's 3.7 million gay people don't deserve to be second class citizens in their own country. "A tough fight lies ahead and we'll continue to work tirelessly every single day to get equal marriage through the Lords." Peter Tatchell, who co-ordinates the Equal Love campaign, said: "This is a victory for love, marriage and equality. "We are another step closer to our goal of equal marriage. It signals that the House of Lords accepts the principle that we should all be equal before the law." But Colin Hart, campaign director for the Coalition for Marriage, said that 148 peers had "chosen to register their profound opposition to the gay marriage bill". He added: "The government may have won the vote today but what was clear from the debate was the huge opposition to almost every part of the bill. "We will continue to campaign to save traditional marriage and today's vote and the concerns expressed by many peers mean we will be

Summary: Peers have voted by more than two to one to back government plans for same-sex marriages in England and Wales.


A police investigation has been launched into the death of the 67-year-old - a wanted man in Russia, and an opponent of President Vladimir Putin. A former Kremlin power-broker whose fortunes declined under Mr Putin, Mr Berezovsky emigrated to the UK in 2000. Thames Valley Police said the death, at a property in Ascot, Berkshire, was being treated as unexplained. The area around the property has been cordoned off to allow the investigation to take place, the force said. The inquiry was at a very early stage and more details will be released when available, it added. A South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it had been called to the property at 15:18 GMT. "We sent a number of ambulance officers and an ambulance to the address. The 67-year-old male was confirmed deceased at the scene," she said. Last year, Mr Berezovsky lost a Â£3bn ($4.7bn) damages claim against Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich. Mr Berezovsky claimed he had been intimidated by Mr Abramovich into selling shares in Russian oil giant Sibneft for a "fraction of their true worth". The allegations were completely rejected by the London Commercial Court judge, who called Mr Berezovsky an "inherently unreliable" witness. By Steve RosenbergMoscow correspondent, BBC News Russians have little sympathy for oligarchs, whether alive or dead. That's because while Boris Berezovsky - and the tiny number of other tycoons - were striking rich in the 1990s, millions of people here were sliding into poverty. As he gained in power, many Russians saw Berezovsky as the "grey cardinal" in the Kremlin - exerting huge political influence for his own benefit. Having fled to London, he became a vocal Kremlin critic and pledged to work from self-imposed exile to depose President Putin. But back home in Russia, many of Mr Putin's opponents blamed Berezovsky for having engineered the transfer of power from Yeltsin to Putin. Boris Berezovsky will be remembered as a towering figure of the 1990s and as one of the most powerful men in Yeltsin's Russia. BBC world affairs reporter Richard Galpin said sources have told him that Mr Berezovsky was depressed after the loss of the court case and was under financial pressure. The tycoon's wealth is thought to have considerably diminished in recent years, leaving him struggling to pay debts in the wake of costly court cases. Mr Berezovsky had made his fortune in the 1990s selling imported Mercedes as well as Russian-made cars. He was one of the first Russian oligarchs - a tiny group of tycoons who at the end of communism used their connections to become rich almost overnight. Later owning Sibneft, the national airline Aeroflot, and as primary shareholder in Russia's main television channel, he supported Boris Yeltsin's rise to power, enjoying huge influence during this era. Mr Berezovsky survived numerous assassination attempts, including a bomb that decapitated his chauffeur. During the later years of Yeltsin's presidency, Mr Berezovsky was part of the leader's inner circle as deputy secretary of Russia's security council. "Boris Berezovsky was one of the most powerful men in Russia back in the

Summary: Exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky has been found dead at his home outside London.


In the capital, Hanoi, demonstrators sang patriotic songs and held up placards opposite the Chinese embassy. Tensions have been running high after Vietnamese ships clashed with Chinese vessels guarding an oil rig in a contested area of the South China Sea. The protests appear to have the Vietnamese government's approval. The country's communist authorities have broken up previous anti-China demonstrations because of fears that they may be hijacked by pro-democracy activists, says the BBC's Asia Pacific editor, Charles Scanlon. Nevertheless, he says, Hanoi has also used the demonstrations to communicate its anger over what it sees as Beijing's aggressive infringement of Vietnamese sovereignty. The protesters opposite the Chinese embassy on Sunday included war veterans and students. "This is the largest anti-Chinese demonstration I have ever seen in Hanoi," a war veteran named Dang Quang Thang told the AFP news agency. "Our patience has limits. We are here to express the will of the Vietnamese people to defend our territory at all costs. We are ready to die to protect our nation," he is quoted as saying. Large anti-China protests were also seen in other Vietnamese cities. Earlier this month, ships from the two countries collided near a Chinese oil drilling platform in the South China Sea. China has warned Vietnam to withdraw its ships from waters, off the disputed Paracel Islands, that it claims as its own. But Vietnam - which also claims that stretch of sea - accused China of having sent 80 vessels, including navy ships, to support an oil drilling operation. It released video footage to back its claim that Chinese ships had rammed Vietnamese vessels. The US has accused China of provocation, and warned that the dispute could destabilise the region. The issue was also discussed by foreign ministers at the 10-member ASEAN summit of south-east Asian Nations in Myanmar (also known as Burma). .

Summary: Hundreds of people across Vietnam have protested against China's role in a sea dispute - the largest rallies of their kind recently in the communist country.


In the case of Baldock Town, that job has this season fallen to injured defender Liam Kenna. But his updates from the dugout during their FA Cup preliminary qualifying round tie against North Greenford United came to abrupt halt when he was sent on as a substitute with 10 minutes remaining. And the absence of his tweets prompted him to post an apology on behalf of the club the following day, which quickly went viral. "The secretary used to do it, but he left at the end of last season and because I have a bad back I've been doing it," the 29-year-old told BBC Sport. "I tweet every chance, every goal, every yellow card, I do it constantly." Kenna, from Llanelli, has not played this season because of his injury, but after only two or three light training sessions he was named among the substitutes. "There was a 90% chance I wasn't going to get on, but the centre-half got injured with 10 minutes left and we'd already used the other two subs," Kenna continued. "When I went to see the linesman to get my studs checked, I still had my phone in my hand. He said 'you can't go on with that mate'." The South Midlands League Division One side were 3-1 ahead when Kenna joined the action and held on to win by the same scoreline, but his lack of recent game-time took a physical toll. "I only touched the ball two or three times. I couldn't get round the pitch and couldn't breathe afterwards," he said. Former England striker Kevin Phillips and ex-Arsenal midfielder Ian Allinson both played for the original Baldock Town, which eventually folded in 2001. The current club was formed two years later and are now tenants at Arlesey's Town's Armadillo Stadium five miles away, having previously ground shared with Hitchin and Stotfold. Their reward for beating North Greenford is a home tie against Thame United of the Southern League over the weekend of the 9-10 September. And the FA have offered to do Baldock's tweeting for them so Kenna can concentrate on playing. He is no stranger to glory after captaining former club Welwyn Garden City to a league and cup double in 2014-15, but is doubtful about whether he will be match-fit. "I'm seeing a physio once a week privately, but it's more than likely I'm going to be on the bench again," he said. "But I'd better be careful because after Sunday's game, the manager fined me £10 for having my phone in the dugout."

Summary: Such is the reach of social media these days, even non-league football clubs provide their supporters with blow-by-blow updates via Twitter.


Mason has joined Championship rivals Wolves on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Hudson played alongside Mason, who scored 22 goals in 60 league starts since joining Cardiff from Plymouth in 2011 "I wouldn't want to see him leave my squad," Huddersfield's Hudson said. Former Republic of Ireland Under-21 forward Mason had been a target for Wolves in the summer. "For me it's a strange one why they would need to sell to a rival club, especially another team looking to push into the play-offs," Hudson added. "I think he's a great player, his movement and the way he ghosts in and out of games. He always hits the target when he gets a chance. "If he's playing week in, week out I think he's probably going to be one of the top-scorers in the league." Wolves' Wales midfielder Dave Edwards, who will be out for 12 weeks after having surgery on a foot injury, says Mason would be a "much needed addition" to the squad. "We're a bit low on numbers at the moment, especially in the forward areas," Edwards told BBC Wales Sport. "I've always been impressed every time I've seen him. "I thought he played very well at Molineux a few weeks ago when we were beaten 3-1 [by Cardiff]. "He works hard for the team and hasn't got a bad goalscoring record either. He'll be great for us."

Summary: Former Cardiff City captain Mark Hudson does not understand why striker Joe Mason has been sold to Wolves.


Southwark Crown Court heard she was raped by Sgt Edwin Mee at the Mitcham Barracks Army Careers and Information Office in Croydon. She said when she told him about the pregnancy he said: "Oh, I did not think you would get pregnant." She later miscarried. Mr Mee, 45, of Tavistock Road, Croydon, denies a string of sex assaults. Mr Mee is charged with 17 counts of sexual assault, three rapes and one count of assault by penetration against 11 victims between 2010 and 2011. The woman, aged 27, broke down as she told the jury how she was raped, later miscarried and felt she had no-one to turn to about her ordeal. Speaking from behind a curtain, she said Mr Mee made her feel "uncomfortable" during the recruitment process but she felt she had to attend his appointments because she wanted a job in the Army. She only later became able to say what had happened once an investigation was launched and she later got married, the jury heard. Her husband found out about the alleged rape through a family friend and "told me not to be scared, he gave me the courage to come here today," she said. On the night of the alleged rape, she was nervous after Mr Mee had organised an evening appointment and told her he "liked her". She told the jury: "He said 'there is no other way out. The front door is locked. There is no camera in here and this door is closed - so you have to choose. You have to give me sex. If you do not want to do it then you cannot leave. You have to choose and then you cannot say anything to anyone." The woman said she did not feel as if she could escape: "Everywhere was closed... I tried and tried to get to the main door but he said 'that door is already locked'." After the alleged assault, she said, he took her out the back door and dropped her off in his car so she could catch the bus home. The trial continues.

Summary: A woman has told a court she became pregnant after an Army recruitment sergeant raped her in a locked room.


Yn ystod wythnos Euskara, bydd nifer o gyngherddau'n cael eu cynnal gan artistiaid Basgaidd a Chymreig mewn gwahanol leoliadau ym Machynlleth a Thal-y-bont ger Aberystwyth. Ddydd Sadwrn, bydd siopau a chaffis yn y dre yn cynnig prisiau gostyngedig i drigolion sy'n mentro cyflwyno'u hunain ac archebu drwy Euskara, iaith Gwlad y Basg. Mae staff a disgyblion Ysgol Bro Hyddgen wedi paratoi canllaw cyfieithu i'w cynorthwyo. Mae dwy arddangosfa'n cael eu cynnal fel rhan o'r wŷl. Bydd gwaith yr artist Juan Gorriti i'w weld yng nghanolfan MoMa Machynlleth, ac arteffactau a lluniau o ffermydd a phentrefi Nafarroa i'w gweld yn Senedd-dy Owain Glyndŵr.

Summary: Bydd blas o ddiwylliant Gwlad y Basg yn dod i'r canolbarth yn ystod yr wythnos nesa, wrth i ŵyl arbennig gael ei chynnal.


It has been a year since Northern Ireland's 26 councils were reduced to 11 - with the new bodies given wider responsibilities. Fiona McCandless told the BBC's Inside Business programme the Planning Service was pleased with the transition. "The councils were sufficiently resourced to deal with the applications transferred to them," she said. "They had the necessary skills and resources to deal with that. "Time have proven that the backlog cases that the department previously dealt with have been really significantly reduced. "The councils now are dealing with the cases that have been submitted, more since 1 April last year." You can hear more on Inside Business on Radio Ulster at 13:30 BST on Sunday.

Summary: The chief planning officer has said the transfer of planning powers to the new super councils has been a success.


The cockpit voice recorder from the accident off Shetland in 2013, in which four people died, was recovered by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Prosecutors have not been able to access vital data to examine whether anyone was criminally responsible. The ruling will be issued at midday. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has the right to initial access to the cockpit voice recorder but it routinely chooses not to hand over the material to other bodies - in this case the Crown prosecutors. The BBC Scotland news website revealed last year an order was being sought at the Court of Session to access the data. It is a rare legal move. A total of 18 people were on board when the Super Puma crashed on its approach to Sumburgh. Helicopter passengers Sarah Darnley from Elgin, Gary McCrossan, from Inverness, Duncan Munro, from Bishop Auckland, and George Allison, from Winchester, lost their lives.

Summary: A ruling into a bid by Scotland's top law officer to try to get air accident investigators to hand over the black box from a North Sea helicopter crash is to be issued.


An "alarming" gap between rich and poor is risking the health of the youngest generation, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report warns. It calls for bold action on smoking, obesity and child poverty. The Scottish government said it was committed to ensuring the best start in life for children. And it hailed progress in changing relationships with tobacco and alcohol, with the report showing a decline in the number of young people smoking and drinking. Critics said the report proved that "dramatic action" was needed to safeguard the health of children in Scotland. The key findings of the study include: The report looks at 25 health rates including asthma, diabetes and epilepsy, as well as obesity, breastfeeding and mortality, to provide a snapshot of health and wellbeing. It says Scotland leads the way with high vaccination rates, few cases of tooth decay and a decline in suicide rates among young people. But the report adds: "Child health in Scotland is amongst the poorest in western Europe." It found that children who live in poverty in Scotland are more likely to be overweight or obese, have a mother who smoked during pregnancy, and be exposed to alcohol or drug misuse. 210,000 Children live in poverty in Scotland 400 Children and infants die each year - a "significant" number are potentially avoidable. 27% of all children in Scotland are overweight or obese. 29% of pregnant women in deprived areas are smokers. 15.4% of mothers in deprived areas were exclusively breastfeeding after six weeks. Dr Steve Turner, RCPCH officer for Scotland, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We are making progress. Children are healthier now than they were 10, 20 years ago but compared to other countries in the EU, we're not doing so good. "Our improvements are slower. And the focus here has to be on the inequalities. We live in a society where the health of children in the most affluent communities is remarkably good and comparable to the best levels of health anywhere else in the world. "But if you look at the state of health of children in our poorest communities, the story is pretty rubbish. We have to do better for these children." He highlighted Scotland's good vaccination rates and a falling number of suicides. But he added: "The overall picture is rather bleak and there's an awful lot the government needs to do." Dr Turner said government should consider children every time they put a new policy in place and he called on ministers to implement more child health targets. "I would encourage them to consider setting other targets which can be measured and have a deadline," he said. "So for example, a target to reduce obesity by a certain proportion by 2020, a target to reduce child deaths by 2020. We can't just sit tight and watch these numbers going the wrong way." He said government, health care services, social services and individuals needed to take responsibility for improving children's health. "Doing nothing is not an option," he said. "We have to

Summary: The health of children in Scotland is among the worst in Europe, according to a major new study.


Neilston, south-west of Glasgow, polled best in Scotland, Morriston in Wales and Craigavon in Northern Ireland. Royal Mail said the study, conducted by the Centre for Economic and Business Research, looked at green spaces, affordable housing and commuting times. Seven northern locations, including Dalton-in-Furness in Cumbria, were in the top 10 in England, the survey said. Bebington residents, who live near the River Mersey and Port Sunlight model village, "enjoyed the ideal balance" of living close to their workplace, good schools and high employment, according to the report. By Phil Cooper, BBC Radio Merseyside, in Bebington Situated less than 10 miles from Liverpool, Bebington has been attracting people for well over a century with its laid-back charm. Villagers boast of a rural lifestyle combined with plenty of jobs and cultural highlights on their doorstep. The nearby Port Sunlight village, built at the end of the 19th Century to house workers at the Lever soap factory, is now home to an art gallery and museum. Unilever still employs about 2,000 people in the area. A future prime minister, Harold Wilson, studied here as a teenager and many of the schools retain their reputation for high academic achievement. Throw in a fine choice of pubs and restaurants and good links to the historic city of Chester, and residents say the "Most Desirable" title is fully deserved - this is a place they never want to leave. In Scotland, semi-rural areas on the outskirts of cities fared best "thanks to the affordable cost of living, lower levels of crime and better schools". They were also judged to have better transport links than more remote locations. Morriston, just to the north of Swansea, was praised for its "mix of low unemployment and reasonable house prices". Meanwhile, Craigavon in County Armagh - a planned settlement built in the 1960s - was described as having "lower than average commuting times and fewer people working over 50 hours a week".

Summary: Bebington in Merseyside is the most desirable place to live in England, according to a Royal Mail survey.


Celtic had offered United £250,000 to take winger Mackay-Steven, 24, now rather than wait until the summer, a move that had already been agreed. And the Glasgow club agreed a deal for both players of £2m plus add-ons. "I'm delighted to be here and to have signed on at such a massive club," Armstrong, 22, told BBC Scotland. Mackay-Steven added: "I'm absolutely delighted to be here and to get everything done and dusted today. It's been a crazy few hours but I'm over the moon." Celtic's increased £1.6m offer for Armstrong had been rejected on Sunday before further talks took place on Monday. The Scottish champions had a £1.5m offer for the Scotland Under-21 international rejected last week and Burnley also had a bid turned down. The £250,000 offer for Scotland cap Mackay-Steven was £100,000 more than they had previously offered. Armstrong, who has signed until 2018, and Mackay-Steven, whose deal runs until 2019, will be ineligible for Celtic's Scottish Cup meeting with Dundee on Saturday and next month's League Cup final meeting with their former club. United defeated Aberdeen 2-1 at Hampden Park in Saturday's semi-final, with Celtic recording a 2-0 victory over Rangers the following day. And United will ask for at least 17,500 tickets for the 15 March showpiece. The Tannadice board will also request that tickets outside of the corporate and main stand be priced at a maximum of £25 for adults and £10 for concessions. One director told BBC Scotland: "We want to ensure as big a crowd as possible for the game, which we are sure the sponsors would want too. "The game is being played in winter and, to make sure the game attracts as big a crowd as a possible, we will ask for tickets to be priced at a reasonable level. "That is very important for the fans of both clubs when money is tight." It is believed that United will also ask for the Toryglen end of the stadium to be reserved for their fans at a planning meeting on Tuesday with the Scottish Professional Football League about the final. However, BBC Scotland has learned that the SPFL will stick with tradition and allocate that end of the ground to Celtic fans.

Summary: Midfielder Stuart Armstrong and winger Gary Mackay-Steven have joined Celtic from Dundee United after the clubs agreed deals on transfer deadline day.


The 24-year-old Mali international missed most of last season with a cruciate ligament injury, but has played 19 matches this term. Head coach Paul Lambert told the club website: "He has been great since I have been here having come back from a long-term injury. "And he is still only a young guy. He has his whole career in front of him." Dicko scored 15 goals in 40 appearances for Wolves in the 2014-15 season, but his injury lay-off meant he played just six matches last season. His only two goals so far this term came in the EFL Trophy victory over Crewe in October. Lambert added: "Players like Nouha are really difficult to find, with such genuine speed. "He is a major threat to opposition defenders with his pace and now I think he just needs to get a goal under his belt."

Summary: Striker Nouha Dicko has signed a new deal which will keep him at Championship club Wolves until 2020.


The 36-year-old previously spent three seasons with the Spitfires before joining Sutton in May 2015. He scored 11 goals for the club and has also previously played for Woking, Crawley Town and Newport County. McAllister will go straight into the Eastleigh squad for their National League home match against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Striker Craig McAllister has rejoined National League club Eastleigh from Sutton United.


16 February 2017 Last updated at 08:27 GMT The four pups are from Newquay Zoo in Cornwall and they are learning how to swim. The four young Asian short-clawed otters are being taught by their parents and four uncles. They were born in October last year and we think they're otter-ly gorgeous!

Summary: How cute are these otter pups?


The directive, which came into force last weekend, was widely condemned and ridiculed across the country. Affecting women in eastern Libya, it prohibited those under the age of 60 from travelling abroad without a male guardian. The authorities had said the ban was for security, not religious, reasons. A military official claimed it was because some women travelling abroad were in contact with foreign intelligence. The authorities presented no evidence to back up this claim. The freezing of the travel ban was announced by the director of East Libya's civil society commission, Abir Mneina, who had held talks with the military chief of staff of Libya's eastern region, Abdelrazzak al-Naduri, on Tuesday. She told the BBC that officials had been asked to cancel the ban but agreed only to freeze it temporarily and carry out a review. "He [Mr al-Naduri] said... there are security implications that need to be considered. We said fine, if there are specific security issues then we understand and support that because we are in a state of war and this is an important matter for us all," said Ms Mneina "So that's why we finally agreed that the directive will be reviewed to ensure that there are no violations against rights and freedomsâ€¦ Our main aim is to get the order cancelled completely. "I think we are headed on the path of it getting cancelled. We said that if it is not cancelled we are already preparing a legal statement that will be taken to court." A source in the office of Eastern Libya's chief of staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the BBC that the order had been frozen. He said the ban was being reviewed because "it may have generalised the matter too much". Libya has been in chaos since Nato-backed forces overthrew Col Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011. Eastern Libya is governed by an administration based in al-Beyda that is not recognised by the international community. It is is under the control of commander Khalifa Hafter who is leading the battle against Islamist militias. Libya's internationally recognised government is based in the capital, Tripoli. The travel restrictions highlighted the growing political divide in Libya, with each side enforcing its own rules in the area it controls.

Summary: The authorities in eastern Libya have ordered a temporary freeze on a controversial travel ban on Libyan women under the age of 60.


Johnson was found guilty of sexual touching but cleared of one charge relating to another sexual act following a trial at Bradford Crown Court. The court was told the grounds for appeal had been lodged on Thursday. The former Sunderland winger is in court awaiting sentencing. Johnson previously admitted grooming the girl and one charge of sexual activity. Judge Jonathan Rose previously warned him he faced a "substantial prison sentence".

Summary: Ex-England footballer Adam Johnson is to appeal against his conviction of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.


Police in Tamaulipas state said the hole, which had been hidden by bricks, was up to five metres (16ft) deep. They said it was unfinished and no one has escaped. In 2015, one of the country's biggest drug lords, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, escaped via tunnel from Altiplano prison. He was recaptured after six months on the run and later extradited to the US. The latest hole was in a jail in Reynosa, a city close to the US border. It was found after authorities used geothermal technology to detect activities underground, according to local media. In March, 29 inmates escaped via a tunnel from a prison in the Tamaulipas state capital Ciudad Victoria. One of the prisoners who fled was involved in the 2012 kidnapping and murder of Karen Alejandra Rodríguez. He was later recaptured, but the victim's mother, Miriam, who had been campaigning for justice for Mexico's missing people, said she lived in increased fear after the escape. She was shot dead in her home last week by an unknown assailant. Mexico also saw another major prison break in the country's north-west in March. Juan José Esparragoza Monzón, son of one of the country's other drug kingpins, escaped from a jail in Culiacán, Sinaloa state, alongside four other inmates. His father, Juan José Esparragoza, was a long-time partner of El Chapo in the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the country's biggest crime syndicates. Monzón remains on the loose. Tamaulipas police said on Sunday that they were conducting a search for further holes after the latest tunnel was discovered on Saturday night. They said that Reynosa prison was operating as normal and visiting hours had resumed.

Summary: A tunnel has been discovered in a Mexican prison, stashed with drugs, alcohol and sharp tools, according to local authorities.


"The joke has worn thin. I'm tired of having your opinions ascribed to me. Pls tweet under your own name. Thanks", the author had tweeted to the account. The handle with more than 30,000 followers adopted a "faux Rushdie persona" and engaged in debates with right-wing accounts. The owner immediately capitulated and changed his handle to @IndiaExplained. "It gave me a chance to pay homage to Rushdie and other writers while being able to reflect and comment on things that matter to me", the owner of the account, Rohit Chopra told Indian news website Scroll.in. But many Indians online have taken exception to Sir Salman's stance, accusing him of both lacking a sense of humour and clamping down on freedom of expression. With its new name, the account has promised to provide "satirical and political commentary on India". It is just one among a number of Indian parody Twitter accounts which have courted controversy with those tried to send up. In one instance, the office of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Twitter to block the account of @PM0India (which used a zero instead of a 'O') because of "objectionable content", which "could be mistaken as the official account of the PMO and have serious ramifications."

Summary: Salman Rushdie has been pilloried by Indian tweeters after confronting a parody account @RushdieExplains.


The former "It Girl" and reality TV star said she began receiving treatment in January for a non-malignant growth in her pituitary gland. Ms Palmer-Tomkinson, 44, told the Daily Mail: "I got terribly frightened. I started thinking, 'I'm going to die.'" The tumour has been successfully reduced by the treatment, she said. Ms Palmer-Tomkinson said the tumour was discovered after she went for blood tests after feeling ill in the summer of 2015. She said: "'I actually feel very lucky. My growth was non-malignant but it affected the production of prolactin. I've been with people who have malignant brain tumours so I don't want to be like, 'Hey look at me'. "I have been - touch wood - luckier. I've taken medication and, thankfully, it seems to have gone away for now." The pituitary is a pea-sized gland on the underside of the brain which controls the release of hormones in the body. A prolactinoma is normally a benign, slow-growing tumour in the pituitary gland, but its effect on the secretion of the hormone prolactin can cause infertility. Ms Palmer-Tomkinson was also diagnosed with an auto-immune condition, which causes tiredness, joint pain and acute anaemia. Having been treated for cocaine addiction in the past, she has criticised media coverage which had blamed her frailty on drugs. "That's always their take on it... cocaine. That was so many years ago. But not many people can contemplate Tara's life without it," she said.

Summary: Socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has revealed that she feared she was going to die when she learned she had a brain tumour.


The 26-year-old Durham paceman fractured a bone in his ankle during a County Championship match against Surrey last month. Wood had already been forced out of the current Bangladesh tour. He is set to miss the five Tests against India, the first of which begins on 9 November, and the one-day series that follows in the new year. England's national physiotherapy lead Ben Langley said the new injury is unrelated to the problems that required two operations last winter. "It was only when we got him in for a second scan that we discovered he'd been playing on despite having fractured a bone," he said. "There's no reason to think that when he's had this bone fragment removed, he won't be able to get back to bowling as well he has for Durham, England Lions and England in the second half of the 2016 summer."

Summary: England bowler Mark Wood is to have a third ankle operation and is likely to miss the Test series in India.


A group has called for a protest at Parliament on 8 October against legislation banning baring your buttocks. The tongue-in-cheek event, scheduled one day after the full moon, calls for the right to bare bums. Police said: "The only moon we want to see on Parliament House is the 8 day old moon in the October lunar cycle." An amendment included in an overhaul of sexual offence laws specifically bans "mooning or streaking". First-time offenders face up to two months in jail while repeat offenders could spend six months behind bars. Disgruntled mooners set up the protest as a Facebook event on Monday. "Following the recent banning of the royal moon in Victoria, we have decided to show our [disgust] and [devastation] of this new law," the group said on social media. However, Victoria Police responded asking the members to keep their pants firmly around their waist. "We suggest keeping your pants on and shut this page down or potentially risk criminal charges," the Facebook post by Victoria Police read.

Summary: Victoria Police have urged Australian mooning enthusiasts to keep their pants on or risk criminal charges.


Froch told BBC Radio 5 live's Friday Sports Panel that he is set to play "wing man" to Hollywood actor Jason Statham in a three-part crime series. The four-time world super-middleweight champion says he is undergoing acting lessons to prepare for the role. "I'm dipping my toe in the water for a bit of acting," the 38-year-old said. "I've just been reading the script this morning, so it may come to fruition or it may not. "It's crime in London, it's all going off and there's terrorists going off, and Jason's tackling it through the Metropolitan Police." Four-time world super-middleweight champion Froch retired in July 2015, 14 months after his last fight, when he knocked out George Groves at Wembley Stadium to retain the WBA and IBF titles. Froch's only defeats in his 35-fight professional career over 13 years came against Mikkel Kessler in 2010 and American Andre Ward in 2011, although he beat the Dane in a 2013 rematch. The Nottingham fighter still believes he could win another world title, but says family commitments and the prospect of 12 weeks of hard training have persuaded him to rule out a comeback. "I think about a comeback every day, but I am realistic," he told Friday Sports Panel. "I am 40 years old next year. It is not just the fight, it is the 12-week training camp, the intensity, the dieting, and then being away from my kids." "But as a retired athlete I still look at the super-middleweight division and think: 'James DeGale - I can beat him. George Groves - I beat him at Wembley in front of 80,000 people.' Froch, who is also set to appear in a Terry Stone film called "Once Upon a Time in London", follows a long tradition of sporting stars who have appeared on the silver screen. His mini-series co-star Statham, who starred in the action thriller "The Transporter" trilogy, competed for England in the diving competition at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson played a cameo role in the Hollywood film "The Hangover", while Irish former middleweight champion Steve Collins held a minor part in the British action film "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". Former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona won critical acclaim for a series of roles in French independent cinema, and in the 2009 Ken Loach film "Looking for Eric", while a number of US sports stars, including wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, and former American football star OJ Simpson, have appeared in Hollywood films. Former Wimbledon and Leeds United footballer Vinnie Jones is arguably the most successful sportsman-turned-actor that Britain has produced. Jones, 51, made his big-screen debut in "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" in 1998, then starred in the 2001 film "Mean Machine", the British remake of the Burt Reynolds movie "The Longest Yard". Jones also starred alongside action stars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2013 thriller "Escape Plan".

Summary: Former world champion Carl Froch says he will not reconsider his decision to retire from boxing, but hopes to build a career in acting instead.


24 August 2016 Last updated at 17:01 BST These are little beads made of plastic that can be found in face scrubs and other cosmetics. They can cause lots of harm to the environment and wildlife. Jenny's been finding out more.

Summary: Politicians in the UK have said that plastic microbeads should be banned across the world.


The 37-year-old and two girls aged 13 were found at a property in Grove Road, Chadwell Heath at 13:10 BST on Tuesday. Shighi Kotuvala and sisters Niya and Neha Rethishkumar had not been seen since Sunday. Their father, Pullarkattil Rethish Kumar, 44, who was missing from the address, was found hanging at Woodford Reservoir in Walthamstow. Formal identification is yet to take place. Post-mortem examinations are due to take place later, but Scotland Yard said the three female bodies had no signs of visible injuries. The family's neighbour, Zoya Habibani, 24, described the family as "really friendly" and garage owner Bobby Singh, 41, said they were "very reserved" and "polite". He said: "I hope someone finds out the answers. I hope they rest in peace as well." The Metropolitan Police said it was initially called to the property on Monday night after concerns were raised about the family's welfare. There was no response or signs of a disturbance at the house so the officers left. They returned on Tuesday and broke into the property and found the bodies of the woman and the two girls. Det Supt Kenny McDonald said: "At this stage in our ongoing investigation we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. "We are making extensive enquiries to trace next of kin, who we believe to be outside of the UK." The Met said as part of its "routine" it had referred its response to the Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Summary: A mother and her twin daughters have been found dead at a house in east London, police have said.


The testimonial, usually held to honour a player's long service at a club or to mark retirement, are supposed to be light-hearted, non-competitive affairs that raise millions of pounds for charity. But that has not always been the case. From celebrities and brawls to handsome pay-offs and injuries, BBC Sport takes a look at the dos and don'ts of hosting a testimonial. Testimonials began as a way to set up a player for retirement, back when wages paled in comparison to those today, with money made from the game paid to the player. Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman made £600,000 tax free from his match in 2001. The recent trend has been for a player to donate the proceeds to charity, which began with former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland striker Niall Quinn. Quinn gave an estimated £1m raised at his benefit match to charity. Rooney has followed suit and said proceeds from the game on 3 August will be split between the NSPCC, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Claire House Children's Hospice and Manchester United's own foundation. Former Coventry defender David Busst suffered one of the worst injuries in football in 1996 against Manchester United, which forced him into retirement aged 29. The Sky Blues granted Busst a testimonial match against United to benefit him and his family. The match was memorable for being Eric Cantona's last game for United, the Frenchman retiring from football two days later. Didier Drogba, retired Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher, Lothar Matthaeus, Andriy Shevchenko and Philipp Lahm all turned out for former Germany captain Michael Ballack's testimonial in 2013. Cristiano Ronaldo could be returning to Old Trafford for Rooney's testimonial while the England striker made his return to Goodison Park for Duncan Ferguson's testimonial in August. Then there were the stellar line-ups involved in Portugal legend Deco's benefit match in 2014 at the Estadio do Dragao. The match was between Porto's 2004 Champions League winners and Barcelona's 2006 European champions, both teams that Deco had played for and players on show included Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, and Edgar Davids. But the stars are not always guaranteed to turn up. George Best reportedly snubbed Manchester United team-mate Bobby Charlton's testimonial against Celtic in 1972 and spent the night drinking. The match at Old Trafford still attracted a crowd of 60,538, which was then a British record for a benefit match. By August 2012, full-back Tony Hibbert had played 308 times for Everton, but had never scored for the Toffees. He made amends in his testimonial, scoring a stunning free-kick in a 4-1 win over AEK Athens. And still after 15 seasons it remains his only goal for the club. "The lads were saying to me in the changing room that it was like a fairytale," he said afterwards. Former England striker Alan Shearer had injured his knee three weeks before his testimonial in 2006 so could not play a full role but he kicked the first and last ball of the match. The Premier League's all-time top scorer came off the bench to score a

Summary: When Wayne Rooney starts planning his testimonial game for next summer he may want to heed a few lessons from previous benefit matches.


He turned the country into one of the most repressive states in the world. The acting president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev - who has also held on to his position as prime minister - will almost certainly win. Uzbekistan has never had free and fair elections, and it is common for the incumbent to receive more than 90% of the vote. Although Mr Mirziyoyev is running for the first time, being acting president gives him access to so-called "administrative resources" - which are often used to guarantee a landslide victory on polling day. The three other candidates pose little challenge, even though two of them competed during the last election in 2015. The head of the Senate was supposed to become the interim leader after the death of Mr Karimov. But he opted out in favour of Mr Mirziyoyev - illustrating who holds real power. The leaders of neighbouring countries have also openly supported Mr Mirziyoyev's candidacy. Islam Karimov's eldest daughter, Gulnara Karimova, was once among the most powerful people in the country, and regarded as a possible successor to her father. But she fell from grace several years ago, when US and European authorities launched a corruption probe against her. Uzbekistan's prosecutors also named her in a separate investigation. In the aftermath, she disappeared from the public eye. Some local media even reported that she has been poisoned and buried in an unmarked grave. But her son, in a recent interview with the BBC, denied the rumours and claimed that she is still under house arrest in Tashkent. Islam Karimov Jr told BBC Uzbek that the authorities may try to "eliminate" Ms Karimova by poisoning her. "They are not interested in freeing her since they will have to answer a lot of questions then," he said. Local media reports also suggest that the sons-in-law of would-be president Shavkat Mirziyoyev have begun taking over businesses belonging to the family - in this case, from the husband of Karimov's other daughter, Lola Tillayeva-Karimova. BBC interview: 'Show the world my mum is alive' To boost his popularity, Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reversed some of the unpopular policies adopted during the rule of Islam Karimov, and has begun improving tense relations with neighbouring countries. He proposed and signed laws that have a clear populist agenda - on fighting corruption, improving protection of citizens' rights, and simplifying business registration. He also suggested liberalising currency transactions - one of the most hated policies - as people cannot freely exchange currency in Uzbekistan. But critics say these changes are just temporary moves to help Mirziyoyev gain legitimacy. Maintaining the current repressive system would ensure that he stays in power, in the same way Islam Karimov remained as president for nearly three decades. Once Mr Mirziyoyev fully consolidates power, analysts believe that he will use fear and coercion more openly in order to secure his presidency from any potential rivals. However, there could still be some economic changes. Uzbekistan wants to attract foreign investment - which would help to ease social discontent. The peaceful transition since the death of Islam Karimov suggests

Summary: Uzbekistan is voting to elect a new president following the death of Islam Karimov, the only leader the country has known since the fall of the Soviet Union.


Hampshire Police posted a photograph of a red car on its side, asking people to "retweet for a Hyundai i20 or FAV for a Vauxhall Corsa". Some people called the tweet "inappropriate", but it was also described as "moronic". "We were simply trying to show the impact of the crash. We didn't mean to offend," the @HantsPolRoads responded. "Getting some negative replies to crashed car tweet. "The driver was not injured in this incident. We were trying to highlight how much a car can be damaged in a crash." No one was seriously injured in the crash on Wednesday on Redbridge Road, Southampton. A number of people called the post "inappropriate", "irresponsible" and "making light of someone's traumatic experience." Ian Taylor said: "Not inappropriate in the slightest. Absolutely moronic." Alex Oates said: "A game out of a crash? What's next? 'did the driver/cyclist/pedestrian live? RT yes, FAV no?'." Wayne Herridge said he had reported the post to Twitter as an inappropriate tweet. A spokesman for Hampshire Police said two vehicles were involved in the collision and the driver of the red Hyundai had to be freed by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. Nobody was seriously injured in the crash.

Summary: People have attacked a tweet by a roads policing unit asking readers to identify the brand of a crashed car.


Brown, 75, led Scotland to Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup as manager and believes Wales can shine in France. Next summer's finals will be Wales' first appearance at a major tournament since 1958. "When you see the Welsh team play, they're excellent. I think they've got a very good chance," said Brown. "They won't surprise me, but they could surprise a few folk." Wales will not face the Republic of Ireland, who reached the finals as ex-Wrexham striker Jon Walters scored both their goals in the victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday night. The Republic are set to join Wales and Northern Ireland in pot four for the Championship draw. Assistant manager Osian Roberts says Brown's insights and advice have been valuable. "Craig Brown has been a great help to us and Chris [Wales boss Coleman] knows him very well," Roberts said. "I was out with him at a conference in Russia last week. We had a couple of hours going through all the details, which I've brought back and shared. "There's people with a wealth of experience we can tap into, so we're doing that. Media playback is not supported on this device "It gives us a great insight into how to go about it because it's a learning curve for us." The draw for the Euro 2016 pools is scheduled to take place in Paris on 12 December, with Wales among the lowest seeds. Coleman's men hope to finalise their training base for next summer's finals in France before the end of 2015. Euro 2016 matches will be played in Paris, Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Saint-Denis and Toulouse. An under-strength Wales side lost their first pre-Euro 2016 friendly to the Netherlands 3-2 in Cardiff on Friday. Wales' next friendly window will be in March and the ramifications of the draw will be considered before a list of suitable opponents is drawn up.

Summary: Wales have sought the advice of former Scotland manager Craig Brown to help their preparations for the Euro 2016 Championship in France.


Yvonne Davies, 46, was found stabbed in the kitchen at the property in Meadway Road, Cheadle Hulme, on Friday. Post-mortem tests found she died from multiple stab wounds and Andrew Davies, 45, was deemed to have died of asphyxiation due to hanging. Paying tribute, Ms Davies's family said they were "heartbroken". "Yvonne was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend. "She had a successful career but still managed to be a devoted mother who raised an amazing, beautiful daughter who is an absolute credit to both her parents." Ms Davies was a magistrate at Manchester Magistrates' Court and head of communications and PR at the Central University Hospitals Trust in Manchester, where she had worked for more than 20 years. Greater Manchester Police said they did not believe there was any "third-party involvement" in the deaths. A statement from Mr Davies's family said he was an "incredibly loving father who took five years out of work to spend time caring for his daughter. "What happened that day was totally out of character for Andrew and none of us, family or friends can believe what has happened. "Our hearts go out to Yvonne's family, we are devastated for them." Mr Davies's family also said: "We are also heartbroken for our niece Emma, who has lost two loving parents."

Summary: The family of a magistrate who died in a suspected murder-suicide at a house in Greater Manchester have said she was "a devoted mother".


The 33-year-old, who made 27 Premier League appearances for the Canaries in 2015-16, has signed a two-year deal. The former Middlesbrough and West Ham United man, who began his career at Portsmouth, has won promotion from the Championship with four different clubs. "Gary is a really good signing for us, who adds everything we need to our midfield," head coach Lee Johnson said. "He may have just turned 33, but he's still fully mobile and very fit. He's a really good decision maker who can be a coach's eyes and ears on the pitch." O'Neil helped QPR to promotion via the play-offs before his move to Norwich in 2014 and has played more than 200 top-flight games. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Bristol City have signed midfielder Gary O'Neil on a free transfer from recently relegated Norwich City.


Pendleton, 35, had been unseated from the same horse at Fakenham on her National Hunt debut 12 days earlier. But the double Olympic cycling champion, who has been riding for just over a year, jumped well and led all the way to win by 29 lengths. A decision on whether she rides in the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival will be made next Monday. Media playback is not supported on this device "I will do some more point-to-points and see what the experts around me decide and I will go with their choice," said Pendleton. "But I will definitely be riding for the rest of the season." Pendleton, who had come second in a flat race at Ripon last summer, stayed clear of trouble as she made all the running on the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding to comfortably win the hunter chase from the veteran Big Fella Thanks. 5 live In Short: Pendleton on "incredible" first win She will again partner the nine-year-old Pacha Du Polder if she gets the go-ahead to compete at Cheltenham on 18 March. Pendleton added: "In cycling, my performance was so monitored. I knew exactly my power output, the speed I'd try to be maintaining - everything was so specific, calculated and planned. When you get on a racehorse, everything else goes out the window. "I really wanted to get round and give the horse the ride he deserved. I feel honoured to ride such a wonderful horse." It looks increasingly likely that barely a year after taking up riding, and taking on the challenge of lining up at jump racing's Cheltenham Festival, Victoria Pendleton will contest the Foxhunter Chase. A much more polished, less nervy performance at windswept Wincanton, leading all the way and never close to being unseated, saw her banish the memory of her recent fall. No final decision about Cheltenham has been made but the endorsement of Pacha Du Polder's trainer Paul Nicholls that she is now "more than qualified" seems pretty ringing to me.

Summary: Victoria Pendleton won her first race as an amateur jockey on 5-4 favourite Pacha Du Polder at Wincanton.


The 60-metre steel tube was called "dirty" and "gross" by critics, after Kapoor was quoted as saying it signified "the vagina of the queen who took power". The vandalism was discovered on Wednesday, and the work is currently being cleaned. Kapoor called the incident "a tragedy". Speaking to Le Figero, he said the vandals represented "a small fraction of people who have been told that any creative act is an endangerment of a sacred past, revered to the extreme." The installation, called Dirty Corner, sits in the grounds outside the palace, the home of Marie Antoinette, the 18th Century queen of France. He stressed to the newspaper he had never used the word "queen" to refer to the subject of the sculpture, and claimed he had been mis-quoted. Kapoor was originally quoted in a French interview saying the work signified "the vagina of the queen coming into power" - but later said the work was open to interpretation. "Inevitably, one comes across the body, our bodies and a certain level of sexuality. But it is certainly not the only thing it is about," he said. In a statement, the artist added: I am aware of the power of art and its ability to offend. Dirty Corner is in some ways itself an act of artistic violence. "It attempts to lay bare the tidy surface of Le Notre's Versailles... It looks under the carpet of Le Notre's "Tapis Vert" and allows the uncomfortable, even the sexual. Kapoor is a former Turner Prize-winner whose work has been shown around the world. He is perhaps best known for the Orbital Tower at the heart of the Olympic Park in east London and for his Marsyas sculpture in the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern in London.

Summary: Vandals have sprayed-painted a controversial Anish Kapoor sculpture on display in the gardens of France's Palace of Versailles.


The result moved Stranraer off the bottom of the division while Airdrie's visit to Brechin City was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. Queen's Park moved into the top four with a 2-0 win over Stenhousemuir, who slipped to bottom on goal difference. And Peterhead drew 1-1 with Albion Rovers in the other League One game. Alloa Athletic v East Fife had previously been postponed due to the Fifers' Scottish Cup meeting with St Mirren. East Fife lost 3-2. At Ochilview, on-loan Hearts forward Dario Zanatta fired Queen's Park ahead and although the Spiders had Ross Millen sent off for two bookings, Anton Brady added a stoppage-time second for Gus MacPherson's side. They are two points in front of Brechin, who have a game in hand, and a point off Alloa. Eighth-placed Peterhead led Albion Rovers through Rory McAllister's cool first-half finish but Ross Stewart swept in an equaliser in the second half. The two sides are level on points - four ahead of Stranraer and Stenhousemuir. Livi, who threatened through Scott Pittman at home to Stranraer, are 11 points clear of Airdrie and 12 ahead of Alloa.

Summary: Scottish League One leaders Livingston were held to a 0-0 draw with Stranraer while nearest challengers Airdrieonians saw their game postponed.


Humberside Police said Daniel Hatfield, 52 and Matthew Higgins, 49, died "after suffering significant multiple injuries". Their bodies were found at a house on May Street on Friday. Two women, aged 27 and 36, and a 38-year-old man are being held in police custody. Det Supt Matt Hutchinson said police were keen to find out more about the movements of the two men in the week before their deaths. "We also want to speak to people who know anything about the murder or have information about people attending or leaving May Street in the week prior to the men being discovered," he said. "It is important to re-iterate that these murders are being treated as an isolated incident, however high visibility patrols will continue in the area to provide additional reassure to the local community."

Summary: Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the bodies of two men were found in the garden of a house in Hull.


The 15-year-old, from Bideford, Devon, was on a six-month "trip of a lifetime" in India with her family when she was killed. Left in Goa in the care of her 25-year-old tour guide boyfriend Julio Lobo while the rest of her family went travelling, Scarlett's partially-clothed body was discovered on Anjuna beach in Goa in February 2008. Mr Lobo was questioned by police but has not been charged in connection with Scarlett's death. Initially Goan police said she had accidentally drowned, but following a sustained campaign by Scarlett's mother, Fiona MacKeown, a second post-mortem examination revealed she had been drugged, raped and killed. The cause of death was drowning. India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation and Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho were arrested the following month. After being charged on five counts - culpable homicide, grievous sexual assault, destroying evidence, assault with criminal force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and administering drugs with intent to harm - the pair were bailed. The men, now aged 34 and 46, who have denied the charges, went on trial in Goa's Children's Court in March 2010, however less than a year later prosecutor SR Rivonkar resigned. A new prosecutor was assigned and although some 30 witnesses - including Scarlett's mother - have now given evidence, many more are still to do so. The prosecution is also waiting for permission to depose [examine under oath] via video conferencing, British man Michael Mannion, who claims to have 'witnessed' the attack on Scarlett. Mr Mannion, who was living in Goa but has since returned to the UK, said he would not return to India because of threats made against him - because of what he saw. "It's ridiculously frustrating, but no matter how long it takes, I'll keep fighting for justice because I have to," Ms MacKeown told BBC News. "Going through the witness list, witness by witness, it's been estimated it could take another six years. "In the meantime D'Souza and Carvalho can still carry on with their lives and that's not fair. "I don't know if they think I'll go quietly away if it goes on and on, but I can tell you that's not going to happen." In September, the latest hearing took place in the Children's Court to confirm Scarlett died from drowning. "The trial has moved on - but it is moving at a snails pace," Ms MacKeown's lawyer Vikram Varma told BBC News. "The perception with the Indian Criminal Justice system is that 'justice must be done', but the concept that it must be done in reasonable time is clearly an unacceptable burden to the state. Mr Varma said all he and Ms MacKeown can do is "wait and watch". The linearity of India's judicial process will ensure a verdict, the lawyer insists, although he fears the delay could be "many more years". "Every prosecutor across the world knows that a delay in the trial is always an advantage to the accused," he said. "Witnesses forget years later what they had seen or said - evidence

Summary: As Scarlett Keeling's family spend their sixth Christmas without her, their lawyer says the trial of two men accused of killing her is progressing "at a snail's pace".


Scientists and celebrities were among those who turned out for the first March for Science, part of a string of events across the UK and the world. Organisers said the growth of fake news and misinformation made it crucial to highlight science's "vital role". It took place on Earth Day, which promotes environmental protection. Supporters gathered outside the Science Museum in Kensington, bearing placards on which double helices and chemical symbols sat alongside political slogans. Thousands then marched to Parliament Square passing institutions such as the Royal Society. Many of them were protesting against what they see as a trend among politicians for discrediting scientific research. Concerns that rhetoric threatens to override research flared in the UK last summer when former cabinet minister Michael Gove claimed during the EU referendum campaign that the public had "had enough of experts". In the US, President Donald Trump has previously called climate change a "hoax", raising concern in the scientific community there that the public were beginning to doubt the facts provided as scientific evidence. Organisers said the events were also a celebration of science and a call to support and safeguard the scientific community. Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi and comedian Robin Ince were among those who joined activists in London. Mr Ince, who hosts the scientific podcast The Infinite Monkey Cage, said: "I think there are many reasons people are out here. "I think we're worried about the fact there seems to be a reigniting of parochialism in politics... "I think the idea of deriding experts, the idea of deriding people that spend their entire life researching and experimenting, is a return to charlatanism if we start doing that." The Commons Science and Technology Committee this month stressed the importance of allowing scientists and experts to come to the UK following Brexit. It followed a host of warnings from influential figures in the scientific community that divorce from the continent could have a crippling impact on research and provoke an exodus of talent. In March, Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse said: "I don't think there's anything in Brexit that helps universities, either in teaching or research, but we are where we are... we have to make the best of it." Parallel marches were hosted across the UK, including in Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff and Edinburgh. A government spokesman said: "As we prepare to exit the EU we will maximise our potential by building on our achievements so we remain a leading destination for the brightest and best minds at all stages of their careers."

Summary: Thousands of people have gathered in London to join a celebration of science amid fears research is under threat from a "post-truth" age and Brexit.


The latest Bank of Scotland purchasing managers index (PMI) found activity in the private sector dipped in November. There had been modest growth in the previous month. The bank's headline index, which measures changes in output in both manufacturing and services, fell to 49.8 from 50.9 in October. Any figure below 50 suggests economic contraction. The report found that the decline stemmed from the manufacturing sector, where the rate of contraction was the sharpest in just over three years. However, service providers reported a slight rise in business activity. The survey also indicated a fall in incoming new orders linked to a slowdown in the oil and gas industry. Despite this, the number of people employed in Scotland's private sector grew, although the rate of job creation was said to be "weak". Alasdair Gardner, Bank of Scotland regional managing director for Scotland, said: "The headline index fell below the crucial 50 mark in November as a slowdown in the oil and gas industry veered the Scottish economy into contraction. "The drop in activity stemmed from declining new orders, which was affected by unfavourable exchange rates. "However, this did not discourage firms from further adding to staffing numbers."

Summary: The Scottish economy contracted slightly last month as a result of a downturn in the oil and gas industry, according to a report.


About 76 properties at Lakeminster Park, near Beverley, were granted planning permission as holiday homes. Retrospective permission for people to live there all year-round was refused in 2012 by East Riding Council. That decision was upheld at an inquiry in 2013 but an error by a planning inspector meant the government ordered a new inquiry. The planning inspector had failed to take into account the National Planning Framework. East Riding of Yorkshire Council said its refusal of planning permission and enforcement notices remain in force. More than 120 people will no longer be able to live in the chalets permanently if the fresh inquiry rules in the council's favour. The new inquiry is expected to last up to 12 days.

Summary: A second inquiry into the future of people living in holiday chalets all year round in East Yorkshire has begun.


The £12m January signing from West Bromwich Albion has yet to score for the Potters in nine appearances. But Hughes told BBC Radio Stoke he is backing the 23-year-old to justify the transfer fee Stoke paid for him. "Next season is when we feel Saido will have the maximum impact," said Hughes. "It's always difficult coming in half-term, so to speak, during the January transfer window, but he's integrated well within the squad - there's no issues in terms of that." After missing so much football during the 16 months between Albion turning down his move to Tottenham in August 2015 and his eventual move to Stoke, Berahino made only his fifth Stoke start in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool. "He hasn't played a lot of football and is still getting up to speed, it's fair to say," said Hughes. "But these games between now and the end of the season will be invaluable in terms of him understanding what we are about and what he needs to do. "We want to get him scoring and get him off and running - that will be good for him. Then we'll see a marked difference next season in terms of his impact." It is now over a year since Burundi-born former England Under-21 international Berahino scored his last goal - in Albion's 3-2 home win over Crystal Palace in February 2016.

Summary: Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says that fans should give January signing Saido Berahino time to make an impact in the Potteries, and that he should be truly judged from next season.


The victory parade started at Jubilee Square in the city with the team later taking to the stage at Victoria Park. Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri said it was "unbelievable" the whole city had seemingly turned up to celebrate. Rock band Kasabian, who formed in Leicester in 1997, also performed for the crowd in the park. Ranieri added: "I think this [the crowd] is because the team won but also they played with the heart, with the soul and I think the people understand this." He later cried "keep dreaming, don't wake up", during an on-stage interview to thunderous roars from the approving crowd. The champions were 5,000-1 to win the title at the start of the season. But the Foxes overcame any doubters when they were presented with the trophy after their final home game of the season against Everton on 7 May. Highlights of the club's season, including goals from striker Jamie Vardy and PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez, as well as memorable quotes from Ranieri, were played on the park's big screens during the evening's celebrations. Dave Wade, BBC News Online Cancel Glastonbury. We've already had this summer's best festival. Victoria Park was a sea of blue and white as almost a quarter of a million people came out to see the fantastic Foxes parade their trophy. "A once in a lifetime experience" was how people described it to me again and again. "It's absolutely fantastic - I wouldn't have missed this for the world," said Laura Day, there with her family and two young boys. Gulab Mistry said: "It's been a brilliant day - we'll never see anything like this ever again." The thing that struck me most was just how joyous the atmosphere was - everyone was out for a good time. Flags waved furiously and the crowd noise rose to deafening levels as the team arrived on stage. As Vardy's 11 goals in 11 straight games were replayed on the big screen the cheers were as big as when they were actually scored. And then - surprise. Kasabian. Fittingly, the band who have stuck close to their Leicester roots, started their set, saying: "This one is for the underdogs." I'll leave the last words to Lee Jobber, a man who's famous for drumming at the King Power, who summed it up better than I could. "I'm struggling to hold back the tears," he said. "If this doesn't pull the city together, nothing will." Earlier, there was travel disruption across the city, with all park and ride sites shut and road closures brought forward early. Hundreds of train commuters were also seen queuing in the Leicestershire village of Narborough, with CrossCountry forced to apologise due to the "extremely busy" network. The city council had warned people to expect disruption and to travel in advance of the parade. Leicester became champions of England for the first time in their 132-year history on 2 May when Tottenham failed to beat Chelsea.

Summary: More than 240,000 people lined the streets to watch Leicester City parade on open-top buses in celebration of their Premier League title win.


But some will be waiting to see whether he changes long-standing US policies on major issues and crises in the region. BBC correspondents have been gauging the reaction. On the ground in the battle for Mosul, the fight to recapture Iraq from so-called Islamic State, Donald Trump's election will make little difference. The military campaign is advanced, and IS in retreat. Despite his criticism of the strategy used against IS, in Iraq at least, it is delivering results. In Syria, it is a different case. Mr Trump has already questioned the US partnership with moderate rebels. Across the Middle East, he is encouraging more co-operation with President Bashar al-Assad's staunch ally, Russia. In the short term, some suggest it might encourage Moscow to begin its bombing campaign on rebel-held Aleppo sooner rather than later. The balance of power in Syria's war - a proxy war, as much as a civil war - may be about to change dramatically. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Donald Trump, describing him as "a true friend of the State of Israel". Mr Netanyahu said he was looking forward "to working with him to advance security, stability and peace in our region". The mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, was one of the first Israeli officials to send his congratulations. Mr Trump's campaign said his administration would recognise the holy city as the "undivided capital of the State of Israel". That would antagonise Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Mr Trump, hoping that "just peace" would be achieved during his term. Yet much uncertainty remains. Donald Trump has said he would support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also that peace will only be possible when "Palestinians renounce hatred and violence". A spokesman for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, said: "The Palestinian people do not count much on any change in the US presidency because the US policy towards the Palestinian issue is a consistent policy on the basis of bias. Nevertheless, we hope that US President Trump will re-evaluate this policy and rebalance it on the Palestinian issue." Israelis from the hard-right meanwhile hope that Mr Trump will not speak against the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett put it quite bluntly: "The era of a Palestinian state is over." For many Iranians, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are cut from the same cloth, although they were surprised to see the latter elected. One political activist said the reaction was similar to when the UK voted to leave the European Union. Many here believe a Trump presidency could be more problematic for Iran as far as the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers is concerned. Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said during the election campaign that the Republican candidate was a bullying and dangerous man who had no principles. But some Iranian politicians believe Mr Trump lacks Barack Obama's ability to influence the international community and will therefore

Summary: Many Middle Eastern leaders have congratulated Donald Trump on his unexpected victory in the US presidential election.


But Alan Hunt does. Every Friday and Saturday night, between 19:30 and 04:00, you will find the cheerful pensioner in a back office at Blandford Forum police station in north Dorset. His "job" is to monitor footage from four CCTV cameras covering the centre of Blandford, a bustling market town notable for its distinctive Georgian buildings. At closing time, with people making their way to and from Tiffany's, the town's only nightclub, Alan comes into his own, scrutinising a bank of TV screens for signs of trouble on the streets. He is patched into the police radio system and alerts officers when they're needed on the ground. "Somebody bit somebody's ear off," says the 73-year-old, recalling the worst thing he's seen in the five years he has been doing the role. "There was a chap with a knife once," he adds. The retired builder and road-sign maker is Dorset Police's most prolific volunteer. The unpaid work he does for the force fulfils an ambition he has nursed since childhood. He says: "When I left school that was my original intention - to go into policing, as a student. But unfortunately we were not a very rich family so my mother said, 'You've got to stay at home and earn some money.'" There are 400 other police volunteers in Dorset. Half work in staff roles, like Alan Hunt; half are special constables, with the full powers of police officers. Martyn Underhill, the area's police and crime commissioner, wants to increase volunteer numbers and expand what they're able to do. He says: "I see it as a fantastic resource. As Robert Peel said, 'The public are the police, the police are the public' - this brings diversity, it brings additionality, it brings great scope to policing I believe in". The Home Office also wants to extend the role of police volunteers. A consultation closed in October on plans to give them a wider range of powers and create the volunteer equivalent of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The proposals are expected to be included in the Policing and Criminal Justice Bill later this year. Theresa May, the Home Secretary, writing in the consultation document, says unpaid police staff play a "vital role in community safety" but there is "more that volunteers can do". Mrs May says she wants to encourage people to get involved in policing if they have "skills in particular demand" such as accountancy and IT, in order to help forces investigate cyber-crime and fraud. I met Adam, 37, one of this new breed of police volunteers at the central London offices of the National Crime Agency (NCA). He didn't want me to know his surname because of the sensitive nature of what he does. His paid job is a security adviser for an insurance company that allows him to attend NCA meetings and carry out special projects - it builds up his experience, improves his CV and helps the NCA catch criminals. "Because I've got quite a lot of experience in IT, I see things maybe somewhat different to how they

Summary: Most people don't choose to spend their weekends at a police station.