Pearce, 26, was also fined Aus $125,000 (£65,000), of which Aus $50,000 (£26,000) was suspended for two years. He admitted he had a "problem with alcohol" and entered rehab after the footage emerged in January. "Now this has been decided, I can get on with my rehab and work each day on making the right choices," he said. The sanction, which will mean Pearce can return against the Newcastle Knights in the last week of April, was agreed upon by the Roosters and the NRL. "This was a complex and unprecedented matter that required careful consideration," Roosters chief executive John Lee said. "It was paramount we delivered the appropriate level of discipline, but neither could we ignore the player welfare component." Pearce, the son of rugby league legend and NRL commissioner Wayne Pearce, was stripped of the Roosters captaincy after the incident.

Summary: Sydney Roosters have suspended scrum-half Mitchell Pearce for eight National Rugby League games after he was filmed committing a lewd act with a dog.


Anaya Ellick from Chesapeake, Virginia, does not use prosthetics. To write, she stands to get the proper angle, holding a pencil between her arms. Her principal, Tracy Cox from Greenbrier Christian Academy, describes her as an "inspiration". "She does not let anything get in the way of doing what she has set out to do," says Ms Cox. "She is a hard worker and has some of the best handwriting in her class." The girl reportedly beat 50 other competitors to get the special-needs category prize at the National Handwriting Contest. This category rewards students with an intellectual, physical, or developmental disability. Competition director Kathleen Wright told ABC News that her "writing sample was comparable to someone who had hands". This is what her winning entry looked like: Sponsors of the contest Zaner-Bloser said they planned to award each student $1,000 (Â£690). They tweeted a picture of the student, happily holding her trophy. Having no hands was also not an obstacle to 30-year-old pilot Jessica Cox. In 2013, we reported on her inspirational example. Also born without hands, she has been able to drive a car, fly a plane and play piano - all with her feet.

Summary: A seven-year-old student born without hands has won a US national handwriting contest.


About 150 workers had to leave the building on Tuesday morning as the fire took hold. No injuries are reported. The hotel - which is famously where Princess Diana spent her last evening - is currently closed for renovations and there are no guests staying there. The operation will take "a long time" as the fire is difficult to access, a fire service spokesman said. The alert was raised at 07:00 local time (06:00 GMT) and about 60 firefighters and 15 fire engines were sent to the scene. The blaze started on the seventh floor, took hold in the attic and spread to the roof. Paris police tweeted that there was a "major fire", and advised motorists to avoid the Place Vendome area. The area was blocked off at the height of the morning rush hour, while firefighters on cranes sprayed the flames. Fire captain Yvon Bot said the fire was unusually difficult to access and control. "There is no longer any risk of it spreading, but the operation will still take a very long time," he said. "We are having to go metre by metre from the roof. It is too small to access from the interior." He said a "large" section of the building was affected. The hotel is a historic building in central Paris. Princess Diana dined there on 30 August 1997. Later that night she and her companion Dodi al-Fayed were killed in a car crash. He was the son of the hotel's owner, Egyptian billionaire and Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed. It was also the hotel of choice for Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway. The Ritz was due to re-open in March after a three-year closure for multi-million euro renovations. The Ritz name, used for hotels around the world, comes from a Swiss hotelier called Cesar Ritz, who set up the Paris Ritz and the London Ritz more than a century ago. Both hotels are now independently owned. The Barclay brothers - newspaper owners Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay - bought the London Ritz in 1995.

Summary: A fire on the top floor of the five-star Ritz hotel in Paris has been brought under control.


Ecotricity wants to build 16 turbines on land near Duns in Berwickshire where there is an "isolated landscape" and "high wind speeds". Councillors have also been asked to reject plans for an eight-turbine development at Larbrax Moor, near Leswalt in Wigtownshire. However, planners have recommended they approve proposals for a nine-turbine wind farm near Glenluce. Ecotricity will apply to the Scottish government for permission to build at Inch Moor, near Duns. The firm said it wants to build turbines that measure 126.5m (415ft) in height. It claims the project could meet the energy needs of about 36,500 homes. Meanwhile, Dumfries and Galloway Council planners have recommended that Brookfield Renewable's plans for Larbrax Moor are refused. They claim it would have a "significant and adverse impact on the landscape". There are 10 wind farms either operational or under construction within a 30km (19 miles) area of the site. Scottish Natural Heritage has also raised "significant and serious concerns" about the impact of the project on the landscape. In papers submitted to the council, the developer claimed the project would generate 20MW of electricity over its 25-year lifespan. The turbines would be 100m (328ft) high and they would stand on a 558 hectare (1,379 acres) site. The application has drawn 59 letters of objection, including those from the South Rhins Community Development Trust and Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce, and 134 in support. Plans for the wind farm near Glenluce are expected to be approved by the same council. Under plans submitted by WilloWind Gass, the turbines would fill a gap between the operational Artfield Fell wind farm and the Airies wind farm, which has been approved but not implemented. Planners have recommended it is approved, subject to strict conditions.

Summary: Plans for three wind farms in the south of Scotland have been revealed.


By the close, the benchmark FTSE 100 was up 170.6 points, or 3%, at 5,707.6. On Thursday, the index fell 2.4%, while US and European markets also posted sharp declines amid continued anxiety about the state of the global economy. Friday's biggest gains came from mining giant Anglo American after an uptick in base metals prices and an oil price rally. Aerospace firm Rolls-Royce also saw big gains, rising 16% after the firm announced annual profits of Â£1.35bn, although it added that it would be cutting its dividend by 50%. Share indexes in Frankfurt and Paris also rebounded by more than 2%. On the commodities markets, Brent crude was up 9.3% at $32.86, while US light crude rose 12.0% to $29.36. On the currency markets, the pound was up 0.74% against the euro at â‚¬1.2878. The currency was also 0.15% lower against the dollar at $1.4454.

Summary: (Close): London's leading share index has closed 3.06% higher, rallying after Thursday's big losses.


The report was commissioned after passenger concerns over the vessel. Naval architects Houlder found it "well suited to operating in the English Channel", but "teething problems are expected with any new vessel". It also suggested changes to improve the ride, the handling and berthing performance of the ferry. The States of Jersey and Guernsey have welcomed the report's findings. Houlder was commissioned to carry out an investigation by Condor Ferries and the States of Guernsey and Jersey. It followed concerns raised by passengers about the vessel, which started serving the Channel Islands to Poole route in March. Report's conclusions Report's recommendations Problems in its first two weeks led to the company issuing a public apology in April and further issues, including with its loading ramp, led to the review in May. Captain Fran Collins, executive director of operations for Condor Ferries, said: "Condor Liberation is a superb ship and, whilst we recognise that there are still opportunities to improve, we are delighted to have her as part of our fleet. "This independent verification of her safety, suitability and performance is obviously very welcome. "We accept all of the report's findings and will implement its recommendations." Deputy Kevin Stewart, chairman of Guernsey's External Transport Group, said it was extremely pleased the report had "categorically confirmed the safety and suitability of the Condor Liberation for operation between the UK and the Channel Islands". Senator Lyndon Farnham, Jersey's Economic Development Minister, said he hoped passengers were "reassured by the report's findings".

Summary: A report into the safety and suitability of the Condor Liberation ferry has ruled there are "no concerns" about its stability.


Mr Deby took power in a coup in 1990 and later introduced elections. A referendum in 2005 scrapped a clause restricting presidents to two terms, but Mr Deby said that if he gets re-elected he will reinstate it. In the last year, Burundi, Rwanda and Congo-Brazzaville have all changed their constitutions to allow their presidents to run for office again. Africa Live: BBC news updates Mr Deby said on Tuesday that reinstating term limits would provide "vitality" to the democracy. "We must limit terms, we must not concentrate on a system in which a change in power becomes difficult," he told the ruling party. "In 2005 the constitutional reform was conducted in a context where the life of the nation was in danger," he added. Africa's longest-serving leaders: The arrogance of power The Mobutu and Gaddafi effect

Summary: Chad's President Idriss Deby has announced he will run for a fifth term in April's elections.


The research found that catastrophic collisions would likely occur every five to nine years at the altitudes used principally to observe the Earth. And the scientists who did the work say their results are optimistic - the real outcome would probably be far worse. To date, there have been just a handful of major collisions in the space age. The study was conducted for the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. This is the global forum through which world governments discuss the issue of "space junk" - abandoned rocket stages, defunct satellites and their exploded fragments. The space agencies of Europe, the US, Italy, the UK, Japan and India all contributed to the latest research, each one using their own experts and methodology to model the future space environment. They were most concerned with low-Earth orbit (that is, below 2,000km in altitude). This is where the majority of missions returning critical Earth-observation data tend to operate. All six modelling groups came out with broadly the same finding - a steady increase in the numbers of objects 10cm and bigger over the 200-year period. This growth was driven mostly by collisions between objects at altitudes between 700km and 1,000km. The low-end projection was for a 19% increase; the high-end forecast was for a 36% rise. Taken together, the growth was 30%. These are averages of hundreds of simulations. For the cumulative number of catastrophic collisions over the period, the range went from just over 20 to just under 40. Somewhat worryingly, the forecasting work made some optimistic assumptions. One was a 90% compliance with the "25-year rule". This is a best-practice time-limit adopted by the world's space agencies for the removal of their equipment from orbit once it has completed its mission. The other was the idea that there would be no more explosions from half-empty fuel and pressure tanks, and from old batteries - a significant cause of debris fragments to date. "We're certainly not at 90% compliance with the 25-year rule yet, and we see explosion events on average about three times a year," explained Dr Hugh Lewis, who detailed the research findings at the 6th European Conference on Space Debris in Darmstadt, Germany, on Monday. "It is fair to say this is an optimistic look forward, and the situation will be worse than what we presented in the study," the UK Space Agency delegate to the IADC told BBC News. "So one message from our study is that we need to do better with these debris-mitigation measures, but even with that we need to consider other approaches as well. One of the options obviously is active debris removal." Research groups around the world are devising strategies to catch old rocket bodies and satellites, to pull them out of orbit. Previous modelling work has indicated that removing just a few key items each year could have a significant limiting effect on the growth of debris. Most ideas include attaching a propulsion module to a redundant body, perhaps via a hook or robotic clamp. One UK concept under development is a harpoon. This

Summary: Unless space debris is actively tackled, some satellite orbits will become extremely hazardous over the next 200 years, a new study suggests.


Wiltshire Police said it happened just before 1800 BST on Wednesday at the junction with High Street in Codford. The motorbike was travelling south towards Salisbury when it was in collision with the car, police said. The motorcycle rider was a 49-year-old man and the car driver was a 61-year-old man. Both were local, and were pronounced dead at the scene. The road was closed for six hours while police carried out an investigation.

Summary: A motorcyclist and a car driver have been killed in a crash on the A36 near Warminster.


Major international artists include Hermann Nitsch, Melvin Moti, Dieter Roth and Rachel Mayeri. There are new commissions from Susan Philipsz, Andrew Miller, Emily Speed, Kevin Harman and Anthony Schrag. There are also retrospectives of acclaimed artists such as Ian Hamilton Finlay, Leslie Hunter and John Bellany. Scots-born sound artist Philipsz, who won the Turner prize in 2010, will bring Timelines to the capital - a multi-site installation, developed in response to one of Edinburgh's famous One O'Clock Gun. The gun is fired every day, except Sunday, from Edinburgh castle. Philipsz's voice will call out each day in response to the firing of the gun, creating a domino effect as speakers sound along the timeline from Calton Hill to Edinburgh Castle. Other new commissions include a pavilion made from salvaged materials and artworks made from rubble in skips. As well as the commissions, the festival will feature new exhibitions by international artists such as Rachel Mayeri. The Los Angeles-based artist collaborated with comparative psychologist Dr Sarah-Jane Vick to develop Primate Cinema: Apes as family. It is a two-screen video installation that presents a drama written for chimpanzees and performed by human actors alongside the reactions of an audience of chimps. It was researched and partly filmed at Edinburgh Zoo. Dutch artist Melvin Moti is holding his first UK solo show, at the National Museums of Scotland. One Thousand Points of Light features a new film focusing on light-reactive minerals and objects the artist has chosen from National Museums of Scotland's collections, ranging from fluorescing fossils to a glowing jellyfish. There will also be several "summer blockbuster" exhibitions, with one exploring Picasso's lifelong connections with Britain, at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Another major exhibition will feature the work of Van Gogh and Kandinsky, at the Scottish National Gallery. As well as the major artists, there is an exhibition by TV presenter Harry Hill, who will also be performing during the Fringe, entitled My Hobby. Edinburgh Art Festival was founded in 2004 and will run until 2 September.

Summary: Edinburgh's art festival has begun its "most ambitious" programme yet, with 45 exhibitions showing in 30 of the city's museums and galleries during August.


Mrs Foster said: "We would like to see the petition of concern got rid of". Any vote in the assembly can be made dependent on a petition of concern if it is supported by 30 MLAS - meaning the motion will only pass if it has cross-community support. The purpose is to protect one community from legislation that would favour another. Mrs Foster added: "I think we need to talk about, maybe after the election, getting rid of the petition of concern altogether." If a petition of concern is presented to the assembly speaker, any motion or amendment will need cross-community support. In such cases, a vote on proposed legislation will only pass if supported by a weighted majority (60%) of members voting, including at least 40% of each of the nationalist and unionist designations present and voting. Effectively this means that, provided enough MLAs from a particular community agree, that community can exercise a veto over the assembly's decisions. A valid petition requires the signatures of 30 MLAs. Introduced as part of the Good Friday Agreement, the procedure was originally designed as a way to safeguard minority rights in the assembly. However, its use has become controversial, and the DUP have been criticised for using the mechanism to stop votes on same-sex marriage being passed, and for preventing motions of no confidence going through. According to figures compiled by an investigative website, The Detail, over a five-year period from 2011 to 2016 the petition of concern procedure was used 115 times. The DUP was the only party with more than 30 MLAS so it presented petitions without other party support. Over the five years, they signed 86 petitions, while the SDLP and Sinn FÃ©in signed 29. The Green Party endorsed four, Alliance three, and the Ulster Unionists two. Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster made it clear that she wanted to see change "We talk a lot about the petition of concern and our opponents talk a lot about the petition of concern," she said. "We would actually like to see the petition of concern got rid of for everything, but I think our opponents would like to keep it for the things they want to to use the petition of concern for and not allow us to use it." Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has called for reform of the petition of concern. She said the veto was the main reason developments such as same-sex marriage had not yet been introduced in Northern Ireland. "We need to get it back to its original intent and away from what it has become, which is used and abused to protect parties' selfish interests," Mrs Long said.

Summary: DUP leader Arlene Foster has told the BBC she would like to see the petition of concern scrapped at Stormont.


The Secretary of State for Communities, Sajid Javid, has told the region's council leaders that time to implement a devolution deal is running out. Elections for directly-elected mayors are due to be held in a number of areas of England in May 2017. However, critics say the plan will not deliver the promised benefits. In a letter sent to the councils which make up the North East Combined Authority, and which has been seen by the BBC, Mr Javid said: "I reaffirm the government's commitment to implementing the North East devolution deal in full. "[However] without an elected mayor the deal cannot progress. "There is a significant risk now that we will run out of time to implement the deal unless you publish your governance review and scheme, and move forward with the consultation immediately." The deal is part of the government's Northern Powerhouse programme to help Northern towns and cities compete with those in the South for investment. Council leaders from Labour-led Durham County Council, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland met earlier to discuss the way forward, but it is understood divisions remain. Gateshead previously voted against the deal. Teesside has its own plans for an elected mayor. Implementation of the plan would see the region receive £30m government funding for the next 30 years as well as new powers on transport, skills and training. Nick Forbes, Newcastle City Council leader, said: "Other parts of England like Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool will press ahead and if we don't get alongside my fear is the North East will be overlooked and left out. "There's a very real chance our region's economy will suffer." The union Unison is among opponents of the plan. Regional secretary Clare Williams said: "To have one person representing Berwick down to Barnard Castle can't be good for democracy. "We have local councils who are elected by their communities, so we're against being told by this government we have to have an elected mayor."

Summary: The North East risks losing £900m of investment because of delays approving plans for a directly-elected mayor, the government has warned.


The benchmark US crude oil price is also at a four-year low, after losing $2.57 to close at $74.28. The price has fallen sharply since the summer and is 30% below its June price. The drop comes as traders believe members of the Opec oil exporting countries, which control about 40% of world oil exports. will not cut production. Opec's 12 member countries will meet later this month to discuss the global oil market. Lower oil prices typically prompt Opec nations, which include the biggest oil exporting nation in the world, Saudi Arabia, to rein back output in order to limit supply and boost prices and income. Most need higher oil prices to fund rising government spending. But recent comments by oil ministers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait suggest the group is unlikely to agree to a cut. The US energy department said this week that it expected low fuel prices to last into next year.

Summary: The price of Brent crude oil has fallen $3.60 - 4.4% - to $77.52, its lowest level for four years.


The girl said during a TV interview the child would be "like having a doll". Experts criticised Mr Pinera's comments as having no scientific foundation. Mr Pinera supports Chile's abortion laws, which outlaw the practice in all circumstances. His critics want it legalised in cases of rape, and want the girl to be allowed an abortion. The 11-year-old girl appeared in a TV interview on Monday, saying: "I'm going to love the baby very much, even though it comes from that man who hurt me. "It will be like having a doll in my arms." The girl was raped repeatedly over a two-year period by her mother's boyfriend, who has since been arrested. Mr Pinera said he had asked the health minister to personally look after the girl's health. "She surprised us all with words showing depth and maturity when she said that, despite the pain caused by the man who raped her, she wanted to have and take care of her baby," he said. Forensic psychologist Giorgio Agostini said the girl would not have the mental or emotional capacity to understand her situation. Sources: World Health Organization, Guttmacher Institute "What the president is saying doesn't get close to the psychological truth of an 11-year-old-girl," he told the Associated Press news agency. "It's a subjective view that is not based on any scientific reasoning." The girl's case has already sparked a public debate about abortion. Campaigners argue that the laws, which date back to the authoritarian rule of Gen Augusto Pinochet, should be changed to allow for abortions in cases of rape or when the mother's health is at risk. Michelle Bachelet, the likely presidential candidate next year for the left-leaning opposition, supports the campaign. Ms Bachelet earlier commented that the 11-year-old girl need to be protected. "I think a therapeutic abortion, in this case because of rape, would be in order," she said. Chile is one of seven Latin American countries where abortion is completely banned. Last month, the case of a seriously ill woman in El Salvador made international headlines when the courts upheld the ban on abortion even though the woman's life was at risk and the foetus was unlikely to survive. She was eventually allowed to have a caesarean section.

Summary: Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has praised as "brave and mature" a pregnant 11-year-old rape victim who said she was happy to have the child.


Among them were customers at the Salt House Bar in Galway, who were celebrating when something out of the ordinary happened. "I was cleaning up glasses and felt a drip on my head and we noticed that it was raining from the roof," said Liam McEvoy, who was working in the bar. He went upstairs to the storeroom and discovered a keg had burst. "When 20 litres of beer comes out of the keg there's a lot of it, so it spread across the floor upstairs and started to come through in a few different spots," he said. Liam said staff cleared up the spill pretty quickly, but that did not stop some of the beer from raining down on customers in the bar. "It was unfortunately just over two tables of girls, so we just gave them umbrellas and let them get on with their day," he said. "At first everyone was a bit unsure what was happening, but it was St Patrick's Day so nobody was really going to complain or go home and they got a bit of a laugh out of it, getting served with umbrellas up in the pub even if it's bad luck. "I think beer from the roof was strange enough, let alone having superstitions." Eventually the drips subsided, but the female drinkers had got quite used to the novelty of using umbrellas indoors. "I think the girls started to enjoy it so they kept them up for about half an hour, even though they probably only needed them for a few minutes," he said.

Summary: Irish people around the world raised a glass or two in honour of their patron saint on St Patrick's Day.


It marks the 20th anniversary since the start of the campaign to preserve Gwrych Castle, near Abergele. It was 1997 when 12-year-old Mark Baker began his campaign to safeguard the building's future. Since then he and volunteers have saved sections and signed a lease to look after a large part of the grounds. Gwrych Castle was built between 1812 and 1822 by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh as a memorial to his mother's ancestors, the Lloyds of Gwrych. By 1989 it was sold to an American and although there were plans for its future, it began to fall into decline. Travellers moved onto the site for two years before finally being forced to leave in 1997. Mark Baker, now Dr Baker, an architectural historian, said he felt compelled to try to save it after walking by it daily on his way to school. His campaign to set up Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust attracted the attention of the local newspapers and won support of community leaders. Today, the registered charity has a 25-year lease for five acres (two hectares) of the site. This has enabled it to begin restoration of the first section of the castle, the Countess's Writing Room in the Gardener's Tower. Although the formal gardens are regularly opened, from this month visitors can explore the grounds themselves for the first time. Dr Baker said public access had always been his "main aim". To celebrate the trust's 20th anniversary, other events are also being held, including a Medieval festival on 19-20 August.

Summary: A Conwy county castle being restored by a community group after years of neglect is opening its doors daily to the public throughout August.


Southgate, 46, has just concluded a four-game stint as interim manager following Sam Allardyce's departure. He will be interviewed at St George's Park by a panel including FA chairman Greg Clarke, chief executive Martin Glenn, technical director Dan Ashworth, as well as League Managers' Association chairman Howard Wilkinson and former England defender Graeme Le Saux. The FA insists there is no time frame on when an appointment will be made, with England's next game a friendly in Germany in March, and the final decision will be taken by Clarke, Glenn and Ashworth. The organisation is determined not to be rushed into an appointment and wants to conduct a thorough process, although no other interviews are currently scheduled and Southgate is firm favourite to take over on a full-time basis. He is ingrained in the FA system through his work as England under-21 coach and has impressed with his demeanour off the pitch as well as the manner in which he has taken big footballing decisions, including dropping captain Wayne Rooney for the World Cup qualifier in Slovenia. Southgate has left England top of their World Cup qualifying group after victories against Malta and Scotland at Wembley and a goalless draw in Slovenia. He also presided over Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Spain, in which the visitors scored twice in the closing moments. England next play in March, with a friendly against World Cup winners Germany in Dortmund, followed by a home qualifier against Lithuania. The FA will want Southgate to deliver his vision for England's future following a series of failures in major tournaments. There is also likely to be a review of his brief stint in control of the national team. FA chief executive Glenn said after Southgate's final game in interim charge: "Clearly his candidacy has become much stronger. We just need to weigh up the facts and take time to make the right decision." He added: "His candidacy is not just based on one or two matches, but because of what we've seen over the last couple of years. "He's got renewed confidence and is a different manager to what he was two years ago. So it is not all about assessing him on a few games."

Summary: Gareth Southgate will meet the Football Association hierarchy on Monday for what is effectively his interview for the England manager's job.


Senator Ben Cardin called the move "an important step". If carried out, the move could pave the way for the two countries to reopen embassies. US President Barack Obama is also expected to meet Cuban leader Raul Castro formally for the first time. Both leaders will be attending the 35-nation Summit of the Americas in Panama on Friday and Saturday. It will be the first time a Cuban leader attends the Organization of American States (OAS) summit, which is usually dominated by the United States. Cuba is one of four countries still on the US list of countries accused of repeatedly supporting global terrorism; Iran, Sudan and Syria are others. Cuba was first put on the list in 1982 for offering sanctuary to militant ETA Basque separatists and Colombian Farc rebels. "The State Department's recommendation to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the result of a months-long technical review, is an important step forward in our efforts to forge a more fruitful relationship with Cuba," Senator Cardin said. If Mr Obama opts to accept the state department's recommendations, Congress would have 45 days to decide whether to override him. There are vocal critics in Congress of Mr Obama's efforts to reach a diplomatic detente with Cuba. US Senator Ted Cruz, a Cuban-American Republican, has been among President Obama's biggest critics on the issue. Correspondents say removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism will throw a stark light at the OAS summit in Panama on the US's relations with Venezuela. The Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hopes to bring a petition signed by 10 million of his citizens urging Mr Obama to remove an order imposing sanctions against seven Venezuelan officials accused of human rights abuses in an opposition crackdown. Oil-rich Venezuela has many friends at the summit and other Latin American nations have criticised the order, which calls Caracas a US national security threat. President Obama has tried to reduce tensions with Venezuela ahead of the summit, saying the US did not perceive the country as a threat. "But we do remain very troubled by the Venezuelan government's efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents." he told the Spanish news agency EFE.

Summary: The US State Department has recommended that Cuba be removed from its list of states said to sponsor terrorism, a member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee says.


Two girls aged 17 and 18, were taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with respiratory and abdominal issues. Christopher Wardle, 25, formerly of Barrack Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Spencer Benham, 23, of Wilberforce Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon. They were sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on 15 July. More on this story and others from Staffordshire Twelve people, who were inside the restaurant at the time, were also examined by paramedics after reporting "varying degrees of respiratory and stomach irritation", West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

Summary: Two men who set off a canister in a fast-food restaurant have been jailed for 10 months each.


The number of jobs created was well above analysts' forecasts of about 225,000 new jobs in the month. US employers have added at least 200,000 jobs for 10 months in a row, the longest period of jobs growth since 1995. The number of jobs created has averaged 241,000 a month this year. The Labor Department added that 44,000 more jobs were created in September and October combined than the government had previously estimated. But as in the UK, stronger job creation has yet to lead to a significant increase in salaries. Analysts said the US economy would continue to improve, despite lower global growth expectations. They added that companies hiring temporary workers for the winter holidays could be providing a boost to the overall jobs figure, The US economy is less dependent on exports than Germany, China and Japan, but is more reliant on domestic consumer spending. Delivery firms have announced ambitious recruitment plans. UPS has said it expects to add up to 95,000 seasonal workers, up from 85,000 last year. FedEx plans to hire 50,000, up from 40,000. The National Retail Federation estimates that seasonal retail hiring could grow by about 4% to as much as 800,000. Most recent figures suggest Americans are buying more cars, which is likely to keep factories busy in coming months. Auto sales last month rose to their second-fastest pace this year. Car sales are on track to rise 6% this year from 2013. The economy is expected to slow in the final three months of the year to an annualised growth rate of 2.5%, down from 4.3% from April to September. Meanwhile, the US trade deficit fell slightly in October, as exports rebounded, while oil imports dipped to the lowest level in five years. The deficit edged down 0.4% to $43.4bn, as against a revised $43.6bn in September, the Commerce Department reported. Exports climbed 1.2% to $197.5bn, recovering after a September dip. Imports also rose by 0.9% to $241bn, but that increase was tempered by a 0.6% fall in imports of petroleum, which dropped to the lowest level since November 2009.

Summary: The US economy added 321,000 jobs in November, while the unemployment rate stayed at 5.8%, official Labor Department figures show.


Yahoo said it would launch a "clean, modern and immersive design" search engine for Firefox users starting in December. The news comes as Google's arrangement with Firefox maker Mozilla nears an end after a decade-long partnership. Market leader Google accounts for 67% of searches from US desktop computers. That compares to about 20% for Microsoft and 10% for Yahoo, according to research firm comScore. Yahoo chief executive Marisa Mayer called the five-year deal with Firefox "the most significant partnership for Yahoo in five years". "At Yahoo, we believe deeply in search - it's an area of investment and opportunity for us," she added. Firefox users in the US will be automatically directed to search results on Yahoo's website when they enter a subject into the small box that appears at the top of the browser. Firefox, however, does lag behind Google Chrome in the US browser market. It accounts for about 10% of browsers on desktop computers, mobiles and tablets compared to over 33% for Google Chrome in October, according to tech data firm StatCounter. Along with ending its partnership with Google in the US, Mozilla is also directing Firefox to Baidu's search engine in China and Yandex in Russia. "Our new search strategy doubles down on our commitment to make Firefox a browser for everyone, with more choice and opportunity for innovation," said Mozilla chief executive Chris Beard. Meanwhile, just last month, Google chairman Eric Schmidt had said that the firm's biggest rival in online search was e-commerce giant Amazon and not competitors like Yahoo. Globally, Google accounts for about 90% of the online search market.

Summary: Tech giant Yahoo will now replace online leader Google as the default search engine on Firefox's internet browsers in the US.


Ednane Mahmood, of Plane Street, Blackburn, is accused of disseminating a terrorist publication. The 19-year-old, who was arrested after allegedly trying to travel to Syria, is also accused of engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism. At Manchester Crown Court he denied both charges and was bailed until his trial date on 26 October. The teenager is accused of providing a service to others to enable them to obtain, read, listen to or look at a terrorist publication between 1 June and 25 November 2014. He is charged with providing links to poems and other propaganda, and at the time of doing so was allegedly reckless as whether his conduct would be a direct or indirect encouragement to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Mahmood is further charged with the intention of committing acts of terrorism on 21 September 2014 in that he planned to travel to Syria in order to engage in acts of terrorism.

Summary: A teenager from Lancashire has denied trying to travel to Syria to engage in acts of terrorism.


The Pirates were bottom after losing their first two games but Tom Lockyer headed them into a 55th-minute lead before Billy Bodin struck twice to secure their first points of the season. Jermaine Beckford and Nicky Ajose scored consolations in stoppage time but the scoreline flattered a woeful Bury side. Beckford and Harry Bunn tested Sam Slocombe in the first half but otherwise Rovers played some fine football, with Bodin firing wide as they racked up 26 shots. Ellis Harrison and Tom Nichols were then denied by Bury keeper Joe Murphy before Chris Lines fired over. Nichols and Ollie Clarke also went close before the break but 22-year-old centre-back Lockyer - in his 200th appearance for Rovers - then headed home from Lee Brown's corner. The hosts offered little in reply and Bodin headed home from Joe Partington's 72nd-minute corner before poking in from close range after 86 minutes. Beckford headed home from Tsun Dai's late corner while Ajose converted Greg Leigh's cross in stoppage time but Bury could not avoid a second straight defeat. Match report supplied by the Press Association. Match ends, Bury 2, Bristol Rovers 3. Second Half ends, Bury 2, Bristol Rovers 3. Goal! Bury 2, Bristol Rovers 3. Nicky Ajose (Bury) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Greg Leigh. Tsun Dai (Bury) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Liam Sercombe (Bristol Rovers). Goal! Bury 1, Bristol Rovers 3. Jermaine Beckford (Bury) header from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tsun Dai with a cross following a corner. Corner, Bury. Conceded by Ryan Sweeney. Attempt saved. Liam Sercombe (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Goal! Bury 0, Bristol Rovers 3. Billy Bodin (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lee Brown following a set piece situation. Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Dominic Telford replaces Tom Nichols because of an injury. Corner, Bury. Conceded by Liam Sercombe. Attempt missed. Tom Nichols (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from very close range is too high. Attempt saved. Rory Gaffney (Bristol Rovers) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Attempt saved. Tom Nichols (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Foul by Callum Reilly (Bury). Dominic Telford (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Hand ball by Rory Gaffney (Bristol Rovers). Goal! Bury 0, Bristol Rovers 2. Billy Bodin (Bristol Rovers) header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Joe Partington. Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Stuart Sinclair replaces Chris Lines. Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Rory Gaffney replaces Ellis Harrison. Foul by Zeli Ismail (Bury). Liam Sercombe (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Harry Bunn (Bury) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Ollie Clarke (Bristol Rovers). Attempt saved. Ellis Harrison

Summary: Bristol Rovers brushed aside their poor start in League One by cruising to an impressive 3-2 win at Bury.


Both men will contest the opening Superbike and Senior TT races on the SG5 Norton machine. Donald, a two-time winner who has represented the team since 2014, said Norton have made a "huge amount of progress in that time". Fellow countryman Johnson, who made his TT debut in 2010 winning the Newcomers Trophy, is a rising star of the sport. The Adelaide racer said: "It is going to be an incredible experience riding a Norton around the Isle of Man Mountain Course, and with Cameron Donald as my team-mate is a massive honour. "I'm really stoked and will give it my best shot." Stuart Garner, chief executive of Norton Motorcycles, added: "We've made incredible progress since taking Norton back to the TT. "This was always going to be a long-term project and we're definitely on the next stage of our evolution. Running a two-man team will give us the best opportunity to move things forward."

Summary: Norton have signed the Australian duo of Cameron Donald and David Johnson for the 2016 Isle of Man TT races.


Sports Direct employs at least 3,500 agency workers at its site in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. While filming in the town, the BBC was shown houses "carved into flats", including one with rooms partitioned down the middle of its windows. Bolsover Council admitted it was caught off guard by the influx of workers. Figures obtained by the BBC also show 46 housing complaints relating to overcrowding, repairs and conditions were made from April 2015 to 21 December last year - up from 16 in 2005-06. The Sports Direct agency workers, largely employed in the company's warehouse, come mainly countries such as Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Albania. There are 500 permanent staff at the site. The council estimates 1,500 people have moved to Shirebrook - which has a population of more than 13,000 - in the last four years, with many renting rooms in houses near the company's headquarters. Police community support officer (PCSO) Steve Cathcart said: "There's been an influx of Eastern Europeans and the landlords that own the houses are carving these houses up into flats. "Our concern is the fire risk, the safety to these people that are moving in." Police said more than 30 properties in the area were a particular worry. The police said one of the occupants in the house where two rooms had been visibly partitioned up to the windows works at Sports Direct, but added the resident had "no fire doors". Bolsover councillor Karl Reid, who is responsible for community cohesion, admitted the authority had not adequately prepared itself for the sudden increase in Shirebrook's population. "[On the window dividers] that is not acceptable and that will be investigated," he said. "It was a gradual thing, then suddenly there was a massive spurt. I think that's where we may have got it wrong or we weren't on the ball for it, and I have to accept that." The authority said it had introduced public spaces protection orders to stop people drinking and urinating on the town's streets. It said it was also closing off a footpath near Sports Direct because of anti-social behaviour, including human defecation. Since November, it said 20 fines have been handed out - 19 for drinking and one for urinating - to people in breach of these orders. Mr Reid added Sports Direct's senior staff was working with them for the first time in more than a decade. The company - which has declined to comment - are part of a multi-agency group called Shirebrook Forward. "They've changed their tack," Mr Reid said. "They've now - over the last six months - come to us and engaged with us on a senior management level." Sports Direct said in December they will be reviewing all agency workers' terms and conditions. It follows a BBC Inside Out investigation last October into the company's warehouse working practices. The review will be overseen by majority shareholder Mike Ashley - who also owns Newcastle United Football Club. Inside Out is broadcast on BBC One East Midlands at 19:30 on Monday 22 February and nationwide for 30

Summary: Police say they have safety concerns about overcrowded houses in the town where one of Europe's largest sports retailers is based.


Stenny beat Rangers under-20s 3-1 while Turriff's Andrzej Kieczkowski got the only goal against Montrose. The Fifers' tie with hosts Arbroath went to extra-time but Paul McManus' penalty secured them a 3-2 win. On Tuesday, Airdrieonians, Albion Rovers, Brechin, Celtic U20, Elgin, Forfar Athletic, Queen's Park, Peterhead and Stranraer all progressed. At Central Park, on-loan Hearts forward Nikolay Todorov put League Two Cowden ahead but Jack Aitchison levelled for Celtic U20 before Paul Crossan fired the winner, with Chris Turner then sent off for the hosts. Aberdeen U20 also had a player dismissed, Sam Roscoe red-carded early in their 3-1 defeat by Forfar with Josh Peters netting twice for the visitors. Andy Jackson scored a brace in Brechin's 4-1 defeat of Cove while Leighton McIntosh completed Peterhead's comeback as they recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Brora 3-2. Elgin beat Hearts U20 2-0 and Albion Rovers were winners by the same score against Hamilton U20. Airdrieonians beat Motherwell U20 while Craig Malcolm netted four of Stranraer's seven goals at home to Spartans, who scored one in reply. Partick Thistle U20 led Queen's Park through Michael McMullin but John Carter scored on 88 minutes to force extra-time. The hosts had David Syme sent off before penalties ensued, Gregor Fotheringham netting the decisive kick for the Spiders. Colin McMenamin and Alan Cook scored for Stenhousemuir against Rangers U20 before Robby McCrorie's own goal and Ryan Hardie's consolation. Aberdeen U20 1-3 Forfar Athletic Brechin City 4-1 Cove Rangers Elgin City 2-0 Hearts U20 Peterhead 3-2 Brora Rangers Partick Thistle U20 1-1 Queen's Park (aet, 5-6 pens) Albion Rovers 2-0 Hamilton Academical U20 Cowdenbeath 1-2 Celtic U20 Motherwell U20 1-2 Airdrieonians Stranraer 7-1 Spartans Arbroath 2-3 East Fife (aet) Turriff United 1-0 Montrose Rangers U20 1-3 Stenhousemuir

Summary: Wins for East Fife, Stenhousemuir and Turriff United completed the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.


The report into claims made in a BBC NI Spotlight programme has been complete for more than seven months. Publication has been delayed by a legal challenge from Iris Robinson's solicitor. A reference to the legal challenge is contained in an annual report from the Assembly's standards watchdog. The Spotlight programme, broadcast in January 2010, detailed how Mrs Robinson had obtained thousands of pounds from property developers to help her teenage lover to set up a business. Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain investigated the allegations, but his report has not yet been published. "My investigation into the referral relating to the allegations made in the BBC Spotlight programme broadcast in January 2010 was completed in November 2013," he said. "However, submission of my report to the committee has been delayed by a legal challenge to its contents by a person referred to in the report." Iris Robinson's solicitor, John McBurney, told the BBC he had concerns about the impact upon his client of the production of a range of documentation included with the draft report. Those concerns relate to the relevancy of the material to the inquiry, Iris Robinson's privacy and the impact publication might have on her health and recovery.

Summary: A legal challenge has delayed the publication of an official report into allegations about the conduct of First Minister Peter Robinson and his wife.


After losing Adam Lyth cheaply, Ballance (55) and Andrew Gale (31) led the champions to 106-2 at lunch. Steve Magoffin (2-33) removed Gale after the break and Ballance and Jonny Bairstow soon followed. Jack Leaning (36) and Adil Rashid (53) added 72 for the seventh wicket after a rain delay, but Sussex reduced the hosts to 241-7 at stumps. Needing to gain nine points from the game to guarantee survival in Division One, the visitors made a good start when England discard Lyth was trapped lbw for three by Chris Jordan in the fourth over. Lewis Hatchett (2-47) picked up his first wicket when Alex Lees was given out leg before, but Gale and Ballance prevented any further damage before the interval. As has so often happened in recent seasons, Magoffin was the man to break a partnership for Sussex, but Rashid and Leaning threatened to regain the initiative before Hatchett had Leaning caught at slip, and Chris Liddle (2-44) removed Rashid in the final over of the day. Yorkshire have already secured their second successive County Championship title, having amassed a record 265 points this season.

Summary: Sussex dominated the first day against Yorkshire to improve their hopes of retaining their Division One status.


Nine laptops were taken during a break-in to Pitcoudie Primary School on Sunday 20 November. Police said two men aged 24 and 22 were detained and charged in connection with the theft following inquiries by local officers. They are due to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court later.

Summary: Two men have been charged after an £8,000 raid on a Glenrothes primary school.


16 September 2014 Last updated at 07:25 BST Leaders from both sides have been touring the country and encouraging people to vote. Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond, who is leading the campaign for the "Yes" vote, tells Newsround what he thinks being Scottish means.

Summary: There are only a few days left until the people of Scotland decide whether or not to become an independent country.


Next time the planet is under threat though the likes of Thor and Captain America could be joined by Spider-Man. A deal has been agreed between Sony Pictures and Marvel that will see Spidey appear in an as-yet-unspecified film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's not clear when that'll be, but Marvel is due to release its latest Captain America venture next year. The deal doesn't mean Sony Pictures will be giving up the film rights to the character though. After his Marvel debut Sony will then release the next instalment of its own Â£2.63 billion Spider-Man franchise. The terms of the contract mean we could see some Marvel Cinematic Universe favourites popping up in those films too. Spider-Man has been part of Marvel's world for more than 50 years and this new deal puts an end to years of speculation as to whether Peter Parker would ever join the other Marvel superheroes on the big screen. "Spider-Man is one of Marvel's great characters, beloved around the world," said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, which owns Marvel Entertainment. "We're thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building." It's not clear who'll play Spider-Man in his first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance. In a statement Sony does refer to "the new Spider-Man", which may mean Andrew Garfield, who has played the character in the last two Sony films, is out. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter, BBCNewsbeat on Instagram and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Summary: In 2012 it took an elite team of superheroes to save earth from an alien army planning to enslave humanity.


The grant is being cut from Â£6.7m to Â£5m by 2020, but most of S4C's funding now comes from the BBC licence fee. The debate, in the Commons, will be led Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Conservative MP Simon Hart. In December, Broadcasting Minister Ed Vaizey said S4C was well funded, with a "guaranteed income" of Â£90m a year.

Summary: MPs will debate later how Welsh language TV channel S4C should be funded in the future, as its grant from UK ministers continues to shrink.


The riverboat had left the city of Iquitos on Wednesday with around 30 tourists on board to see towns along the river, local media reported. When the boat anchored in the middle of the river for one stop, the gunmen boarded it and stole goods worth around $20,000 (Â£15,000). None of the tourists, most of them American, were hurt. The robbery happened early in the morning. The gunmen arrived on a small boat and boarded the riverboat, threatening the crew and tourists with small calibre weapons. The boat's captain was hit with a pistol handle but was not seriously injured. None of the rest of the crew were hurt. The police arrived soon after the incident and all the tourists were evacuated to a safe location.

Summary: Eight masked gunmen in Peru have robbed tourists enjoying a luxury riverboat cruise on the Amazon.


Dubbed Scotland's Route 66, NC 500 loops around the north Highlands' coast and interior. The seven included Commonwealth Games cyclists Lee Craigie and Anne Ewing and British 24-hour mountain bike champion Rickie Cotter. The time trial over Saturday and Sunday started and finished in Inverness. The other riders were author and travel blogger Emily Chappell, transcontinental cyclist Gaby Leveridge, plus Zara Muir and Jo Thom, winners of the women's pairs event at this year's Strathpuffer endurance ride near Strathpeffer. Their time sets a new record for cycling the route. Scottish endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont previously completed the NC 500 solo in 37 hours 58 minutes. The NC 500 features several challenging ascents and descents, including the Bealach-na-Ba at Applecross. The unclassified road rises to about 626m (2,053ft) over about four miles (8km).

Summary: Seven women cyclists have set a time of 36 hours to complete the gruelling 518-mile (833km) North Coast 500 in a non-stop team time trial.


The Rt Revd Philip North turned down the post following objections to his stance against ordaining women priests. He said he had withdrawn for "personal reasons" but added the "attacks" against him were "extremely hard". The archbishops said the incident had raised concerns within the Church. When he stepped down, Mr North said: "It is clear that the level of feeling is such that my arrival would be counter-productive in terms of the mission of the Church in South Yorkshire and that my leadership would not be acceptable to many." In a joint letter, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, said the events surrounding the appointment raised questions about the Church's 2014 commitment to the consecration of women bishops. They said: "The recent events surrounding the nomination of Bishop Philip North as Bishop of Sheffield, including his withdrawal from the process, have understandably raised great concern amongst many in the Church of England. "The status of the House of Bishops' Declaration, of June 2014 has been questioned by some and its meaning has also been challenged. "We have therefore written to Sir Philip Mawer, the Independent Reviewer under the Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests, (Resolution of Disputes Procedure Regulations) 2014, to address the concerns that have arisen in the Church following these recent events." It asks Sir Philip to examine five areas, including what efforts have been made to educate clergy and the public about the declaration and whether the nomination of Mr North was consistent with its terms. The archbishops also used the letter to call on all those in the Church to "pray for those with whom they disagree, demonstrate mutual love and overcome those those things which in ourselves we find so divisive".

Summary: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the failed appointment of a new Bishop of Sheffield.


Twenty years ago today, Craig Brown's side faced England at Wembley at Euro 96 and encountered the kind of cruel fate that leaves a lasting regret. Scotland were undone by misfortune and brilliance; two momentary interventions that extinguished their hopes. The performance overall was not bereft, which was in keeping with the tournament as a whole since Brown's team drew 0-0 with the Netherlands in the opening match and went on to defeat Switzerland 1-0. Even so, the game still stands out in the long history of encounters between the Auld Enemy, for its circumstances, its drama and, to an extent, its heartache. England needed to recover from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opening game that exacerbated the criticism of the players. Manager Terry Venables had taken the squad to Hong Kong prior to the tournament, where some were pictured out drinking heavily. Damage caused to the plane on the journey home brought further condemnation, while also building a siege mentality amongst the players and Venables, who had already announced he would be standing down after Euro 96 and would be succeeded by Glenn Hoddle. Scotland were buoyed by holding the Dutch to a draw and although underdogs at Wembley, there was no sense of inferiority. Of the team that started the match, Colin Calderwood was at Tottenham, Colin Hendry had won the Premier League the year before with Blackburn (alongside England striker Alan Shearer), Gary McAllister was at Leeds and John Spencer was at Chelsea. The rest of the team was made up of players from Aberdeen, Celtic and Rangers. For Scotland, naturally, the tie stirred memories of past excursions to Wembley and the fans mobilised en masse to London with a sense of living up to the zealous spirit of their predecessors. The occasion worked with and against Scotland, though, since the England players were fired up by the historical significance of the game as much as the need to establish their worth at Euro 96. Before kick-off, England full-back Stuart Pearce could barely look at the Scots as they shook hands. "You've got no friends when you play against a team like that," he later recalled. It was a measure of Scotland's first-half performance that England used the interval to change their line-up. The game was still tied at 0-0, which suited Brown's side because the longer the game remained in the balance, the more doubt would enter the minds of the England players. Venables was too wily to be outfoxed, though. Recognising that his side was not dominating possession enough to threaten, he brought on midfielder Jamie Redknapp at half-time. Eight minutes into the second half, Redknapp was involved in the move that resulted in Gary Neville crossing for Shearer to open the scoring with a header. Scotland were not subdued by the goal, and Gordon Durie's header forced David Seaman to desperately claw the ball away. Durie was involved in the next key moment, when he reached Stuart McCall's cross ahead of Tony Adams and was knocked over by the Arsenal defender's sliding challenge.

Summary: It remains a game that Scotland cannot escape.


Last week a judge rejected Camille Cosby's attempts to avoid testifying, after she claimed she was protected by a marital disqualification law. But on Tuesday, he agreed to a postponement, saying it would be unfair to deny her the right to appeal. However, if the appeal fails, a hearing should happen soon after, he added. A lawyer for the women said he expected to eventually be allowed to question Mrs Cosby, who has been married to the comedian for more than 50 years is also his business partner. Mr Cosby's accusers' legal claim alleges he and his representatives sought to tarnish their reputations after they went public with their claims of sexual misconduct. The star has filed a counter legal claim, contending the women are "engaged in a campaign to assassinate" his reputation and character. The 78-year-old is also seeking unspecified monetary damages and said the women inflicted emotional distress. He has denied the accusations. Last week, prosecutors in Pennsylvania charged the comedian with an alleged sexual assault in 2004. It is the first time Mr Cosby has been charged with any offence after months of accusations by dozens of women. He is currently on $1m (Â£675,000) bail.

Summary: Bill Cosby's wife will not have to give evidence on Wednesday in a defamation case filed by seven women accusing the comedian of sexual assault.


Police found a man, thought to have been cut with a knife, in Bracebridge Drive, Bilborough, at about 15:00 BST on Thursday. A short time later the PCSO, who was involved in looking for the suspects, was attacked. Two men were arrested and have been bailed pending further inquires. The stab victim was taken to hospital but has since been released.

Summary: A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has been assaulted while trying to catch a man believed to have been involved in a stabbing in Nottingham.


Celebrities eager to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the festival walked the red carpet for the opening ceremony. They included Bella Hadid, Kirsten Dunst, Uma Thurman and Julianne Moore. Drama Ismael's Ghosts, starring Marion Cotillard, was the first film to have its premiere at the Palais, the heart of the action during the 11-day event. Jessica Chastain, on the jury deciding the key award winners, hugged Thelma and Louise actress Susan Sarandon on the red carpet, while British Oscar nominee Naomie Harris was there for the first main event of a packed festival. If you're not one of the thousands of industry professionals, budding actors or media in town for the festival, here's what you might have missed from its opening scenes. Among the stars who turned heads and set the paparazzi bulbs flashing included Julianne Moore and Susan Sarandon, Bella Hadid (and her plunging neckline) and Elle Fanning. It's fair to say Will Smith is pretty chuffed at being on the Cannes jury alongside the likes of Paolo Sorrentino - even though he said seeing three films a day was something he'd not done since he was a teenager. He almost bounced into the jury press conference, giving a whoop before seeing his name badge set on the desk and announcing he would be "playing the part of Will Smith today", then jokingly called security on a photographer getting a little too close. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air star joked he would wear 32 outfits during the festival, after he was told previous juror Kirsten Dunst had worn 28 during her stint. But he conceded that it was too hot in the resort to be sexy and that being comfortable was key. "I started off wanting to be sexy - really south of France Cannes sexy, but that really went out of the window today," he said. There was no word on his thoughts on jury president Pedro Almodovar's maroon tracksuit and shades that he wore for the press conference. Being chosen as the opening film of Cannes may be a coup for the crew and cast - but that doesn't save it from being critically mauled. Ismael's Ghosts, directed by Arnaud Desplechin, is about a woman returning to her film director husband after being missing for 20 years, but finding him with a new lover. It was described as "time-wasting" and "self indulgent" by The Guardian. While The Hollywood Reporter is a little kinder, it says the film "won't be an easy sell". But it clearly left a nasty taste in Variety's critic Peter Debruge's mouth, as he wrote: "If Ismael's Ghosts were a meal, it would be a massive slab of off-tasting meat alternative, wrapped in fake bacon, cooked in margarine, then covered in dairy-free imitation cheese." The reviews for Loveless, which was also screened on Wednesday, were much better. Matt Anderson of BBC Culture described it as "brilliant - but heavy and relentlessly grim". He said: "After his last film, Leviathan, the director Andrei Zvyagintsev came in for a lot of criticism in Russia for the dark

Summary: It may have only been the first day of the Cannes Film Festival, but it was packed with glamour as stars descended on the sunshine-soaked resort.


Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire wrote to festival organisers asking them to warn people how such substances could be dangerous. He also said drug laws would be changed so temporary bans could be introduced on "emerging substances" while scientific advice is sought. Letters were also sent to councils and police forces in festival areas. Mr Brokenshire said: "During the festival season we know that people may be tempted to try potentially dangerous new drugs, particularly when they are advertised as 'legal' or 'herbal'. "That is why we are asking festival organisers and police to work with us to send out the message that these substances may not be safe and could contain illegal drugs. "We are going to change our drug laws so we can respond quickly to emerging substances by introducing a temporary ban while we seek full scientific advice." Some drugs previously sold as "legal highs" have now been banned, including mephedrone, now a Class B drug. The Home Office said that the drug naphyrone is branded as NRG1 and sold as "plant food" or "bath salts", but may contain one or more illegal drugs. The government said it will not permanently ban a substance without receiving full advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. In the letter sent to festival organisers, Mr Brokenshire said: "As part of your preparations for this year's event I ask you to review the measures you have put in place to ensure that your festival is as safe an environment as possible, to help protect the public, especially young people from the potential harms and risks of all drugs." The government's advice has been welcomed by Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, which stages the Latitude, Big Chill and Reading and Leeds Festivals. He said: "I can confirm that we do not allow legal high traders to trade at any Festival Republic festival and fully support the minister's view."

Summary: Organisers of this summer's music festivals have been asked by the government to warn about "legal highs".


The money is to help "build the global reach of the World Service" to half a billion people and "increase access to news and information". Director general Tony Hall said he "warmly welcomed" the announcement. The government will provide £34m between 2016-17 and £85m a year from 2017-18 for digital, TV and radio. The next review of this funding will be in 2020. "This new funding is the single biggest increase in the World Service budget ever committed by any government," said Lord Hall. "The millions announced today will help the BBC deliver on our commitment to uphold global democracy through accurate, impartial and independent news reporting. "The World Service is one of the UK's most important cultural exports and one of our best sources of global influence. We can now further build on that." He added: "The funding will also help speed us on to our target of reaching half a billion people globally." The BBC currently reaches 308 million people worldwide, and its goal is to reach 500 million people by 2022. Announcing the new funding in its document the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review, the government said: "The BBC World Service reaches into some of the most remote places in the world, providing a link to the UK for individuals and societies who would otherwise not have this opportunity. "We will invest £85 million each year by in the BBC's digital, TV and radio services around the world to build the global reach of the World Service and increase access to news and information." The announcement on page 49 of the Government's Strategic Defence Review makes it very clear what this money is all about - soft power. Britain's reputation, values and influence around the World. In 2010, the coalition government decided the £253 million spent on the World Service was coming to an end. The BBC would have to absorb the cost out of the licence fee. Five years later, Chancellor George Osborne has, partially, reversed that cut in return for the BBC expanding services in to North Korea, Russian speaking areas, the Middle East and Africa. Areas described as suffering from a "democratic deficit" - a shortage of impartial news. And while the Government will be helping to pay the bills - editorial control remains entirely with the BBC. And there is also another factor which may have influenced this decision to promote Britain abroad - the rapid growth of rival international news services from Russia, China and the Middle East. The BBC's radio services around the world are in decline - the new cash will help the switch towards more TV, mobile and online services as the BBC seeks to grow its global reach from around 300 million at the moment to a target of 500 million. The list of services to be expanded using the funding include enhanced TV services for Africa, new radio services for audiences in North Korea and radio and digital services for Ethiopia and Eritrea. Details of which languages the BBC will broadcast in to Ethiopia and

Summary: The government is to invest £85m a year in enhancing BBC services around the world including in Russia, North Korea, the Middle East and Africa.


Media playback is not supported on this device Wendie Renard glanced in a header from a corner deep into injury time to consign Mark Sampson's side to a cruel defeat in Pennsylvania. Marie-Laure Delie had headed France level with 10 minutes to go after Jordan Nobbs' 25-yard opening goal. England's second game in the four-team tournament is against hosts the United States in New Jersey on Saturday. They then finish with a game against Germany in Washington on 7 March. Wednesday's result means England are still waiting for their first victory in the SheBelieves Cup, having drawn one and lost two in last year's event, and are without a win over the French since 1974. Sampson's team are the lowest-ranked side in the event, with World Cup holders USA first, European and Olympic champions Germany second and France third. The USA later beat Germany 1-0, with Lynn Williams scoring for the hosts. Match ends, England 1, France 2. Second Half ends, England 1, France 2. Goal! England 1, France 2. Wendie Renard (France) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Amel Majri with a cross following a corner. Corner, France. Conceded by Demi Stokes. Foul by Amandine Henry (France). Jill Scott (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Wendie Renard (France) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Amel Majri with a cross following a corner. Corner, France. Conceded by Jill Scott. Karen Bardsley (England) is shown the yellow card. Foul by Amandine Henry (France). Nikita Parris (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Marie-Laure Delie (France) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Millie Bright (England). Substitution, England. Isobel Christiansen replaces Jordan Nobbs. Foul by Eugénie Le Sommer (France). Lucy Bronze (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Amel Majri (France) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Nikita Parris (England). Substitution, France. Amel Majri replaces Griedge Mbock Bathy because of an injury. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match Griedge Mbock Bathy (France) because of an injury. Sarah Bouhaddi (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Ellen White (England). Goal! England 1, France 1. Marie-Laure Delie (France) header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Élodie Thomis with a cross. Marie-Laure Delie (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Jade Moore (England). Offside, France. Amandine Henry tries a through ball, but Wendie Renard is caught offside. Eugénie Le Sommer (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Lucy Bronze (England). Substitution, France. Élodie Thomis replaces Gaëtane Thiney. Hand ball by Eugénie Le Sommer (France). Delay over. They are ready to continue. Substitution, England. Alex Scott replaces Rachel Daly. Substitution, England. Nikita Parris replaces Ellen White because of an injury. Delay in match Ellen White (England) because of an injury. Substitution, France. Eugénie Le Sommer replaces Kadidiatou Diani because of an injury. Delay over.

Summary: England conceded a 95th-minute goal as they suffered an agonising defeat by France in their SheBelieves Cup opener.


Media playback is not supported on this device And that is why he chose Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford ahead of Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater. Hodgson, speaking before Thursday's final friendly against Portugal at Wembley, said his selection was "tilted towards an offensive approach". He added: "It became a question of do I take the extra attacker or midfielder? That's how Rashford came about." Hodgson's side begin their Group B campaign in France against Russia on 11 June, before meeting Wales on 16 June and Slovakia on 20 June. Eighteen-year-old Rashford's rapid rise into the England squad, scoring on his debut against Australia last week, was described as "incredible for his age" by captain Wayne Rooney. And Hodgson added: "Rashford's had that fantastic end to the season and it will be very interesting to see in a squad of 23 whether he can bring those qualities at a higher level." Hodgson, 68, has been criticised for picking just three recognised central defenders but he is confident England will be solid in defence. "We believe defending is very much a team job and we can't just rely on a back four and a goalkeeper," he said. "We need great mobility and great running power to defend in that way. With this squad they've got the ability to give us that. "Often in a tournament the players that get injured or suffer a lack of form are the guys at the cutting edge, the guys who make the difference or score the goals." He added he was happy he had so many good players to put on the field. "Systems win you nothing and football players win you games," he said. "If they perform anything like they're capable of we'll be a tough team to beat." Who do you think should start at Euro 2016? Step into Roy Hodgson's shoes and pick your XI - and then share it with your friends using our brand new team selector.

Summary: Manager Roy Hodgson says his final 23-man England squad for the European Championships is based on attack.


Dean Holdsworth's Sports Shield consortium and Ken Anderson's Inner Circle bought the club from Eddie Davies earlier this month. Trevor Birch and Terry Robinson have also left the club, having helped facilitate the sale. Bolton had a winding-up petition closed at the High Court on Monday after they paid their tax bill. Warburton said the change of ownership and death of former chairman Phil Gartside last month prompted his decision to leave. "It has been a privilege to serve on the Bolton Wanderers board for more than 25 years," Warburton told the club website. "Eddie's decision to sell his shares, coupled with Phil's sad passing, seemed to mark a watershed and the right time for me to stand aside and resign as a director. "I would like to wish both Ken Anderson and Dean Holdsworth every success as they strive to forge a successful future for this great football club." Bolton, beaten 6-0 by Bristol City on Saturday, are bottom of the Championship and 12 points from safety with eight matches remaining.

Summary: Bolton Wanderers vice-chairman Brett Warburton has resigned following the recent takeover of the club.


Titled "Albert Finney was never a member", it debunks myths while also celebrating past events at the venue. Project manager Leslie Holmes said: "Our plaques are a bluey green, to be a bit different from the official English Heritage scheme." It is being held in conjunction with the Manchester International Festival. Mr Holmes said: "Whenever I go to London, I'm always amazed by how many blue plaques there are about the lives of the rich and famous, but hardly any in Salford, so I thought it would be good to change this - even for the weekend - and put 20 plaques here at Salford Lads Club." He said the exhibition's title was "a humorous way of putting the record straight" on a myth that Salford-born actor Finney, who appeared in Skyfall and The Bourne Ultimatum, was a member when he was a boy. The plaques, designed by the artist Amber Sanchez, will be on display at the venue until Sunday afternoon.

Summary: A display of spoof blue plaques on celebrities' links with Salford Lads Club, which famously appeared on an album by The Smiths, has gone on show.


Mae'r RSPCA yn dweud bod 11 o bobl wedi eu herlyn am beidio cadw at eu gwaharddiad yn y tair blynedd ddiwethaf. Ond maen nhw'n pryderu y gallai'r ffigwr fod yn llawer uwch. Yn ôl yr elusen gallai cofrestr ganiatáu i berchnogion siopau anifeiliaid a chanolfannau ail gartrefu anifeiliaid weld beth yw cefndir person sydd eisiau prynu anifail. Mae Llywodraeth San Steffan yn dweud bod yna system gofnodi yn bodoli yn barod gan yr heddlu, ac y gall unigolyn ofyn i swyddog i wirio os ydyn nhw'n pryderu. Maen nhw hefyd yn pryderu y gallai cofrestr agored "annog pobl i gymryd y gyfraith i'w dwylo eu hunain". Mae'r RSPCA yn dweud bod 228 o bobl wedi eu herlyn yng Nghymru am droseddau yn erbyn anifeiliaid ers 2013. Ond mae'n rhaid i'r cyhoedd fod yn ymwybodol bod y troseddwr wedi eu gwahardd rhag cadw anifeiliaid yn y lle cyntaf, ac yna rhoi gwybod i'r elusen am y mater. Byddai cofrestr yn ffordd effeithiol o wneud i bobl feddwl ddwywaith cyn troseddu ac yn atal dioddefaint anifeiliaid, meddai'r mudiad. Ym mis Ionawr cafodd Frank Lewis, 18 oed o Groeserw ger Port Talbot ei ddedfrydu am ddwyn cathod o warchodfa er mwyn i'w gŵn allu eu hela a'u lladd. Roedd wedi dwyn yr anifeiliaid o warchodfa Tŷ Nant. San Steffan Yn ôl yr Aelod Seneddol lleol Stephen Kinnock, mae angen gwneud yn siŵr nad yw pobl fel Frank Lewis yn troseddu yn erbyn anifeiliaid eto. Mae wedi gofyn cwestiwn ysgrifenedig i'r adran berthnasol o fewn llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig am y mater. "Mae angen i ni wneud yn siŵr ein bod ni'n gallu atal rhywbeth fel hyn rhag digwydd eto. Mae'n rhaid bod 'na ffordd o wneud hyn, bod gyda chi gofrestr ond eich bod chi ddim yn torri'r gyfraith diogelu data." Mae'r RSPCA yn dweud bod yna dystiolaeth o'r UDA sydd yn awgrymu bod cysylltiad rhwng troseddwyr sydd yn cam-drin anifeiliaid ac yna yn troseddu yn erbyn pobl, mater sydd hefyd yn pryderu Mr Kinnock. "Oherwydd hynny fe fyddai'n beth da o safbwynt atal trosedd i gadw cofrestr fel eich bod chi'n gallu bod yn llym ynglŷn â chosbi pobl sydd yn troseddu yn erbyn anifeiliaid, a hefyd cadw golwg arnyn nhw rhag ofn eu bod nhw'n troseddu yn erbyn pobl," meddai. Mae galwadau hefyd wedi bod i gael cofrestr yng Nghymru gan yr AC Plaid Cymru, Bethan Jenkins. Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran adran amgylchedd, bwyd a materion gwledig Llywodraeth y DU bod yr heddlu yn cadw cofnod o droseddwyr trwy system gyfrifiadurol genedlaethol, ond bod angen gwneud "gwell defnydd o'r gronfa ddata" a rhannu gwybodaeth yn well. Mae'r llefarydd hefyd yn dweud bod modd i berson ofyn i'r heddlu os oes ydynt yn poeni, a bod yr heddlu yn gallu edrych ar y system i weld os yw'r unigolyn wedi cyflawni troseddau yn erbyn anifeiliaid.

Summary: Mae elusen wedi galw am sefydlu cofrestr er mwyn cofnodi enwau pobl sydd wedi cyflawni troseddau yn erbyn anifeiliaid, yn dilyn beirniadaeth nad oes ffordd glir o orfodi gwaharddiad ar y troseddwyr.


There are political reasons for that, but there is concern that the delays will hit foreign investment, which is a problem for the current account. It's not very fashionable to care about the current account, but there are particular reasons to be looking at it now. The current account is worked out by adding up the goods and services a country exports and the income earned for the UK by overseas investments (that's things like profits, dividends and interest payments). Then you subtract the goods and services the UK imports, income paid overseas for investments in the UK and payment of things like international aid. The figure you get is the current account, and if the answer is negative then you have a current account deficit. The UK has had a continuous current account deficit since 1984. Since 2011, it has widened considerably. In the first three months of 2016, it was 6.9% of national income or £32.6bn. A current account deficit means a country depends on being able to borrow money overseas and on foreign companies wanting to invest in the UK. That hasn't been a huge problem so far. In 2014, there was £27.8bn of foreign direct investment in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics, which was mentioned during the referendum campaign as about £880 a second. About 18 months ago, former BBC economics editor Robert Peston warned that the current account deficit was "the UK's Achilles heel", but added that the silver lining was "that the latest figures show a big increase in the profits of foreign-owned UK companies". Sushil Wadhwani said when he was a member of the Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee that current account deficits "appear not to matter until, well, they suddenly do". And what would make them suddenly matter would be something that happened that made overseas companies think twice about investing in the UK. Or if there were a reduction in other countries' confidence in the pound - confidence is important if you are running a big current account deficit. If you try to run a current account deficit without confidence then you get a sterling crisis and the value of the pound falls further. The good news is that a weaker pound makes imports more expensive and exports cheaper, which should narrow the deficit, but you wouldn't want it to fall too far. Chancellor George Osborne has spoken about the economy being in a good state to cope with the challenges ahead because the budget deficit has been falling. But the current account deficit has been growing, and on Monday, Mr Osborne said: "It is already evident that as a result of Thursday's decision, some firms are continuing to pause their decisions to invest or to hire people." He blamed the uncertainty about the UK's future relationship with the European Union for those delays. In the context of the current account, some certainty sooner rather than later would be desirable. Read more: The facts behind claims about our relationship with the EU

Summary: There is no sign of anybody triggering Article 50 to begin the UK's process of leaving the European Union.


The incident happened shortly after 19:00 on the A9 Inverness to Thurso road, on the outskirts of Thurso. The driver of a Ford Fiesta was pronounced dead at the scene. The female driver of a Nissan Qashqai was unhurt. The road was closed in both directions at the crash site for a police investigation. Sgt Donnie MacKinnon, from the Road Policing Unit, said: "Tragically this collision has resulted in the driver of the Fiesta sustaining fatal injuries and we are currently trying to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident. "Anyone who was on the A9 just outside Thurso at around 7pm on Thursday evening and witnessed what happened should contact police immediately."

Summary: A male driver has died after he was involved in a two-car collision in the Highlands.


20 October 2016 Last updated at 14:40 BST In a short speech, Prof Hawking said: "The rise of powerful AI will be either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity. We do not yet know which." Read more: Stephen Hawking - will AI kill or save humankind?

Summary: Prof Stephen Hawking has discussed the potential pitfalls of artificial intelligence, at an event in Cambridge marking the opening of the Centre for the Future of Intelligence.


Penarth Pier Pavilion's Room 617 has been opened, which marks the resort's links to Dambusters and local hero Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Other test events will follow until the pavilion reopens fully in December. Director Dr David Trotman says the pier's community use would help it survive in the future. The launch of the Room 617 was attended by members of the armed services and representatives from the current 617 squadron who flew down from Scotland especially. The honour has been given to the revamped pavilion's seaward facing Observatory Room and in part remembers Gibson, who led the famous Dambusters' raids on two German dams in World War II. Gibson married a local woman and lived in Penarth before the raids. "He was one of those iconic figures who a lot of people still recognise," said Dr Trotman. "One of his favourite pastimes when on leave was to play golf at Penarth's Glamorganshire Golf Club. "It was here that he heard the news that he had been awarded his Victoria Cross (for the Dambusters' raids)." The room will also have a future use in helping those from the services with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The event on Friday was also attended by members of local support groups for PTSD. Dr Trotman said the reception showed their commitment to support service veterans of conflicts ranging from WWII to the current day Afghanistan who have the condition. Plans to restore the art deco-style pavilion on Penarth pier were given the go-ahead in March 2011. The pier originally opened in April 1895, and drew hundreds of visitors, many of whom arrived there by paddle steamer. A wooden pavilion was built originally but burnt down and the current structure first opened in 1929. In WWII the pavilion played matchmaker to the US troops who met their partners there. In the 1950s and 1960s, it became a nightclub hosting acts like Tom Jones, Petula Clark and Gene Vincent. But in the 1970s, the pavilion's fortunes began to wane and a campaign later started for public funding for the current revamp. Dr Trotman said at the heart of the new pavilion which will be serving the community of Penarth, the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff. He also has plans to reignite the kind of old fashioned tourism which Penarth, and neighbouring Barry, used to be famous for, with visitors arriving there by train. A community based cinema will have silver screening and Saturday morning cinema. There will also be a gallery for hosting exhibitions and events like concerts and musical evenings and a learning space which will provide a programme of work with local children, young people and disadvantaged groups, among them people with Alzheimer's and dementia. The target is for 50,000 visitors to the pavilion in the first year. "I suppose you could say we are bucking the trend of what's happened to many piers around the country," said Dr Trotman. "But there's an amazing amount of good will and I'm confident it can work."

Summary: A first event has been held at a Victorian pier pavilion in the Vale of Glamorgan after a £4.2m refurbishment.


Wiltshire Police said there had been an increase in the number of the patterns appearing in fields in the county. A spokesman said creating a crop circle was criminal damage and an offence. Damage caused means a loss in revenue to the farmer and landowner. Wiltshire remains one of the hotspots for the formations, which appear every summer in the English countryside. Wheat farmer Tim Carson said his land at Alton Barnes near Marlborough was first used for a crop circle 27 years ago. For a time he would charge visitors to see them. He said: "At the time it was the first one that had ever occurred anywhere in the world. Little did we know we would get hundreds more after that. "It was a one-off but the press seemed to go for it, and people just started turning up. Thousands of people came into that formation." However, he is now trying to discourage crop circle enthusiasts using his land as it creates harvesting problems. The farmer, who currently has a crop circle in one of his fields, estimates a loss of about Â£120,000 in lost or damaged crops. Mr Carson said: "This is quite a small formation compared to some of the ones that we've had in the past. "The wheat is completely flat on the floor now, it's unlikely we'll be able to get the combine low enough to harvest it."

Summary: Farmers have been urged to report crop circles made on their land to police after a recent spate of them.


It has launched a plan to update and co-ordinate national tax laws. There was criticism in the UK earlier this year when it emerged that Google, Starbucks and Amazon paid little tax despite having big UK operations. Following that criticism Starbucks agreed to pay more tax. The OECD came up with the plan at the request of the G20 group of leading nations. Finance ministers from the G20 are meeting in Moscow. OECD secretary-general Angel Gurria said: "International tax rules, many of them dating from the 1920s, ensure that businesses don't pay taxes in two countries - double taxation. By Andrew WalkerBBC World Service Economics correspondent It's a plan to produce a plan. At a time when there's much controversy about corporate tax, the OECD has certainly succeeded in grabbing the headlines. But will it produce any real results? There is significant political support for the idea of a crackdown on tax evasion and avoidance. The British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and several other European finance ministers have been pushing this agenda. In the United States there is political capital to be earned by being tough on multinationals. Nonetheless, the OECD still has to come up with the detailed proposals and then governments have to choose to implement them. Some probably will be co-operative. But the OECD has no power to compel those who are not. "This is laudable, but unfortunately these rules are now being abused to permit double non-taxation." It is calling for greater international co-operation to close gaps that allows income to "disappear" for tax purposes. The OECD also said that tax income should reflect the economic activity it generates. That would address some of the criticism aimed at big companies. Earlier this year, Google was fiercely criticised by UK MPs for routing Â£3.2bn of UK sales through Dublin and paying little tax as a result. Starbucks has been questioned for transferring money to a Dutch sister company in royalty payments. And Apple's chief executive Tim Cook was questioned by US lawmakers about the billions of dollars his company keeps in its Irish divisions. The companies point out that these schemes are legal and they have a duty to their shareholders to minimise their tax bills. British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" the OECD had produced the report. "Taxpayers, governments and businesses all suffer when some companies manipulate the tax system to avoid paying their fair share of taxes," he said. The OECD hopes its recommendations will be put into action over the next two years and is working on an international legal structure that would help countries introduce the new rules quickly. "Multinationals still have not grasped that tax honesty is an integral part of corporate responsibility," said Florian Wettstein, professor of business ethics at the University of St. Gallen, based in Switzerland. "As a result, the public increasingly perceives them as hypocritical and untrustworthy." Campaigners say that aggressive tax policies are particularly hard on poorer nations, who need all the tax revenue they can generate. ActionAid tax campaigns manager Chris Jordan said:

Summary: Existing tax rules need updating as they can be "abused" by multinational companies, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).


The UK PM met outgoing US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and four other European leaders in Berlin for talks. Mr Obama urged them to work with his successor Donald Trump on the basis of shared "core values". The PM also told Mrs Merkel that the UK's Brexit plans were "on track". It came as the Supreme Court confirmed that Scotland and Wales's top legal advisers would be allowed to take part in an appeal hearing brought by the UK government against a ruling that it alone cannot trigger Article 50 - the formal process of leaving the EU - without a vote by MPs. But BBC correspondent Jenny Hill said there were a number of issues on the agenda that took precedence over Brexit, including Syria, Russia's relationship with the West, international terrorism and climate change. In a joint press conference with Chancellor Merkel on Friday, Mrs May said: "On Syria, looking at Aleppo, we are united in our condemnation of the atrocities that are taking place there. "We agree on the need to keep up the pressure on Russia, including the possibility of sanctions on those who breach international humanitarian law." US President-elect Mr Trump has criticised Nato and has spoken of his hopes of warmer relations between the US and Russia - but on Thursday Mr Obama warned him to stand up to Moscow if it deviated from US values. Mr Obama has been on a farewell trip to Europe at the end of his two terms as US president. On Friday he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mrs May, French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy in Berlin. The White House said Mr Obama had "affirmed the importance of continued cooperation through multilateral institutions, including Nato" and "agreed on the necessity of working collectively to move the transatlantic agenda forward, particularly on bringing stabilisation to the Middle East and North Africa, as well as securing diplomatic resolution to the conflicts in Syria and eastern Ukraine. On Brexit, Mrs May said: "Our work is on track, we do stand ready to trigger Article 50 by the end of March 2017. "I want to see this as a smooth process, an orderly process, working towards a solution that is in the interests of both the UK but also in the interests of our European partners too." The meeting comes as German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble told the Financial Times the UK may have to continue paying into EU budgets for more than a decade after it leaves the union. He said Britain will "certainly have to fulfil its commitments" to the EU until its departure - and possibly after. He added: "Possibly there will be some commitments that last beyond the exitâ€¦â€‰even, in part, to 2030."

Summary: Theresa May has said the US and Europe are "united" in condemning atrocities in Syria and has warned Russia of the possibility of more sanctions.


Connie Jennings, 96, died following the crash on Friday morning, near Murthly on the A9. Ms Jennings was from West Yorkshire. She was a passenger in a Mazda CX5 which collided with a D&E Coaches single-decker bus. The driver of the car, a woman in her 60s, sustained less serious injuries. No one else was hurt in the crash.

Summary: Police have released the name of a woman who died after a collision between a car and a bus in Perthshire.


He is backed by 152 constituency parties, with Andy Burnham in second place with 111, then Yvette Cooper with 106 and Liz Kendall with 18. The supporting nominations have no weight in the vote but give an insight into the views of active party members. Mr Corbyn also has the backing of the UK's two largest trade unions. All registered Labour Party supporters and affiliated supporters who join before midday on the 12 August can vote in the contest. Voting will begin on 14 August. Who are the Labour leadership candidates? Could Jeremy Corbyn be Labour's next leader? How influential are the unions? Leadership candidate Andy Burnham has told the Guardian the Labour Party is at risk of splitting because of the provocative language used by supporters of left-wing candidate Mr Corbyn. Union leader Dave Ward described Blairites in the party as a "virus" to which Mr Corbyn was the antidote. But Mr Burnham said the comments should sound "alarm bells" to the party of the danger of a return to the early 1980s, when a bitter rift between left-wingers and centrists led to the creation of the Social Democratic Party. Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman told the BBC that whoever won the contest there "must not and would not be a split in the Labour Party". "In a hotly contested leadership race stakes run high and things get said which raise the temperature and they shouldn't," she said. "What we need is a proper debate." A poll by Research Now found Mr Burnham was the preferred Labour leader among members of the public. Of the 1,001 people questioned, 30% of those who expressed an opinion picked Mr Burnham as the best leader. Mr Corbyn and Ms Cooper both got 24%, and 21% chose Ms Kendall.

Summary: Jeremy Corbyn is the most popular candidate for Labour leader among local constituency groups, according to the latest party nomination figures.


The change is effective in both divisions and aims to encourage better pitches for four-day cricket. "It is a bit of a rubbish rule," Raine told BBC Radio Leicester. "Hopefully it doesn't last too long. I'm not sure why the rule has been brought in. "It's against the spirit of cricket and against the rules of the game." The rule change means that Foxes skipper Mark Cosgrove will have the chance to decide if his side will bowl first in their opening County Championship match of the season against Glamorgan in Cardiff on 17 April. England's limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan has said the move may benefit the game long-term, allowing younger players to develop different skills on better quality pitches. Raine argues that the toss had little bearing on any of Leicestershire's County Championship results last season. "I don't think there were too many pitches last year where the toss did really affect the outcomes," he added. "The two games we did win, we did bowl first but there are plenty of times where we bowled first and lost."

Summary: Scrapping the mandatory coin toss in county cricket is "against the spirit of the game", says Leicestershire all-rounder Ben Raine.