It is to build a replica of the magnificent palace used from 1702 by the kings of Prussia. Where there is now wasteland in the heart of Berlin, the plan is to recreate the courtyards and ornate domes which were once fit for Frederick the Great. Or at least, to create the appearance of them. The plan is to build the facade of the old palace on three sides, with a modern interior and a modern fourth side facing the River Spree. The way a country sees its buildings reflects the way it might like to see itself. Berlin's Nazi past has nearly vanished. The pockmarks from bomb shrapnel all over the city have been filled in. The important buildings of the Hitler regime are car parks or they are used to house exhibitions illustrating the misdeeds. But there is a yearning for the grandeur of the 19th Century. As onlookers at the ceremony to lay the foundation stone put it: "It's important for German history to build us this kind of castle. "It's good for the history of Germany to make other people see how it has been here in the past." The mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, told the BBC: "We are rebuilding something that got lost in the troubled history of this city, a city that had to go through two world wars and the communist dictatorship." The original palace survived the bombing of the war - just. It remained standing but damaged. What finally destroyed it was the communist regime of the German Democratic Republic. It decided that a royal palace did not quite fit the zeitgeist, applied dynamite and turned it to rubble, using the flattened site to build its parliament. When communism fell, the new authorities decided that the parliament was a pretty ugly and worthless landmark and demolished that too - leaving a gaping space and so room for the recreation of the royal palace at an estimated cost of about 600m euros (Â£509m; $800m). And that is one reason for the controversy surrounding the scheme. Germany now has a string of big construction projects which are massively over-budget and behind time. Berliners swing between mirth and anger when they discuss the city's new airport. It was supposed to open two years ago but delay after delay means it will not now open until 2014 at the earliest. The cost has soared as steeply as the planes that do not take off from its runways. Currently, the estimate is double the initial budget. On top of that, there are elements of farce such as the trains which have to run to it every day - empty - to keep the lines in good shape (and the money meter clicking away furiously). Then there are the lights in the terminal that cannot be regulated so they shine through the night. Or there is the Elbphilharmonie on the waterfront in Hamburg. This concert hall and five-star hotel in shimmering glass on top of an old warehouse was meant to cost 180m euros and meant to open in

Summary: Amid much grandeur, President Joachim Gauck of Germany has just laid the foundation stone of one of the country's most ambitious post-war projects.


The 2009 world champion, 34, has been vying with Kevin Magnussen, 22, for the right to partner Fernando Alonso. The team plan to make their decision public at a news conference at their Surrey factory on Thursday morning. Spaniard Alonso, a double world champion, has returned to McLaren after five seasons with Ferrari. McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said at the final race of 2014 that a choice between Button and Magnussen would be made on a "clinical and emotionless analysis of the options". Button, who made his F1 debut in 2000, said at an awards ceremony on Sunday: "It's a strange situation but sometimes in life you find yourself in these situations. You just have to deal with it." If the Englishman, who finished eighth this season, misses out on a McLaren drive for 2015, his F1 career could be over. Rival teams have already confirmed their driver line-ups for next year. Alonso's future was decided some weeks ago but Dennis has vacillated over who to choose as his team-mate. He had to weigh up the pros and cons of Button's experience and greater performance in 2014 - he scored more than twice as many points as Magnussen - against the Dane's youth and potential. Financial considerations may also be part of the decision. Button was earning a salary of £12m in 2014, while Magnussen, in his debut season, was on about £500,000. The Dane finished 11th in the standings, having taken second place in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. If Button is axed by McLaren, he has an option to move to the FIA World Endurance Championship, a path followed by his friend Mark Webber when he retired from F1 at the end of 2013. Button, who began his F1 career at Williams, also has a passion for triathlons and could turn his focus in that direction. McLaren's capture of Alonso was sealed weeks before the end of the 2014 season, but the team were waiting to make a decision on their second driver before announcing the complete line-up. Alonso left Ferrari after their worst season for 21 years convinced him they were not capable of winning the world championship in the foreseeable future. The Spaniard believes he has a better chance of success - and a third world title - with McLaren. The team have had a difficult two seasons but their new engine partnership with Honda and a team restructure, which included the signing of key personnel, helped persuade Alonso to join. Alonso endured a difficult single season with McLaren in 2007, leaving just one year into a three-year contract. But his need for a more competitive car and McLaren's desire to sign an A-list driver convinced the two parties to work together again. Alonso is reputed to have signed a deal worth $40m (£25.5m) a year, which would make him the best-paid driver on the grid. The contract is believed to be for two years with an option for one more, but Alonso will almost certainly be able to leave at the end of 2015 if

Summary: Jenson Button's Formula 1 future will become clear on Thursday when McLaren announce their driver line-up for 2015 after weeks of wrangling.


The 45-year-old man from the Swansea valley was riding a Kawasaki ZX 1000 when he crashed into the animal on the A4069 between Llangadog and Brynamman. He was taken to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales after the crash, which happened just before 18:00 BST on Sunday. Dyfed-Powys Police is investigating.

Summary: A motorcyclist is in a critical condition in hospital after hitting a sheep in Carmarthenshire.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 1 July 2015 Last updated at 11:08 BST BBC West has discovered that four out of 10 patients are waiting more than 18 weeks, the government's national target, for treatment at the Bristol Heart Institute. The BBC's Matthew Hill spoke to patient Balbir Kaur Nirwan, who had to wait six months before being treated, consultant Alan Bryan and Dr Kevin Fox, from the British Cardiovascular Society.

Summary: People with heart problems in the West Country could be at risk because of longer waiting times, the BBC understands.


Media playback is not supported on this device The 42-year-old, who passed the mark of Cape Horn on Christmas Day after 48 days at sea, is behind only race leader Armel Le Cleac'h. The Welshman is aiming to become the first Briton to win the race. Thomson had led for the majority of the race but was overtaken by Le Cleac'h when he suffered a damaged foil. The leaders are now well up their South Atlantic ascent and, after rounding Cape Horn, the skippers begin their journey north back across the Atlantic towards the finish port at Les Sables-d'Olonne. Media playback is not supported on this device Thomson regained the lead in the round-the-world race north of the Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean on 30 November, but has since lost ground. He broke two race records prior to being overtaken, as he reached the Cape of Good Hope in record time. The Vendee Globe takes place every four years. Since the first race in 1989, only 71 of 138 starters have completed the voyage, which is known for being one of the most gruelling sporting challenges in the world. Find out how to get into sailing with our special guide.

Summary: Alex Thomson is attempting to overturn a deficit of about 140 miles in the Vendee Globe Trophy, with the leaders now past the halfway point of the race.


GB will play Australia, ranked second in the world, in Saturday's final at 13:35 BST. Sam Ward gave Britain the lead from a penalty corner before Dominic Newman levelled for the Black Sticks. But strikes from Phil Roper and Mark Gleghorne carried home Bobby Crutchley's side. Britain's return to the final for the first time since England lifted the trophy in 1994 was confirmed when hosts Malaysia beat India 1-0 later in the day. "It was a very good performance in stifling heat. I felt we dominated the game," said Crutchley. "If we had a better conversion rate from the chances we created, the scoreline would have been more comfortable." Results, fixtures & tables on the tournament's official website

Summary: Great Britain claimed a 3-2 win against New Zealand in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to become the first British side to reach the final in 23 years.


The incident happened at Dalscone Farm Fun in Dumfries on Saturday night after the park's three wallabies were chased around their enclosure by five boys. Two of the animals escaped the enclosure but the third was so shaken it died. Police Scotland confirmed in a short statement that a 16-year-old boy had been arrested. It added that inquiries were continuing into the incident but thanked the public for their assistance with the investigation.

Summary: A teenager has been arrested following the death of a wallaby at a farm play park in the south of Scotland.


The world number one suggested on Sunday that male players should earn more as they generate more income. But the Serb says he has been in touch with fellow players, including Murray, who criticised his initial stance. "I never had any intention to offend them or come up with any negative connotations," he said. The 28-year-old from Belgrade added: "I don't make any differences between the genders. I am for equality in the sport." Djokovic said he had received a message from Murray on Tuesday and that they had spoken "very openly and frankly" about the issue. The 11-time Grand Slam champion said he had also sent messages to Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic. "I feel very sorry if, in any way, I hurt my female colleague tennis players," he said. "I have a very good relationship with all of them. I have a huge respect for all of them." Djokovic had already apologised in a Facebook post on Tuesday to those people who may have been upset by his comments but went further when he faced the media in Miami on Wednesday. That followed 30 minutes of discussions with Billie Jean King, a former world number one and founder of the Women's Tennis Association. Chris Evert also spoke to Djokovic in Miami. Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, pointed to Djokovic's cultural upbringing as a possible reason behind some of his views. "The Europeans were behind the Americans when it came to accepting equality," Evert said. "I doubt you'd hear that as much from the American men players and I'm sort of applauding America for that." Evert says the men's game has benefitted a lot from the rivalry of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. But the American believes that the popularity of the men's and women's games is "cyclical". "I know the women were bigger draws in certain eras, especially when we had American women at the top and European men at the top," she said. "The last couple of years have been a golden era for the men's game because you've got three of the greatest players of all time."

Summary: Novak Djokovic has apologised to a number of leading female players - and spoken with Andy Murray - following his comments about equal pay in tennis.


Graham Stringer and Andrew Miller fear standards have slipped since the Forensic Science Service shut in 2012. Much of the work is now done by in-house police laboratories, many of which have not been accredited to a recognised international standard. The Home Office said: "We continue to ensure forces have access to the best possible forensic services." Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by The Sunday Post show North West police forces have cut their forensic science budgets by nearly £10m over the past five years. Greater Manchester Police has seen the biggest reduction, down from £18.7m in 2010-11 to £13.8m in 2013-14. Budget projections from Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd reveal plans to cut a further £1.6m by 2017. Lancashire Constabulary, meanwhile, has cut its forensic science budget from £3.3m in 2010-11 to about £990,000 in 2013-14. Mr Stringer, Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton, claimed "murderers and rapists are likely to go free" because of the cuts. He said it was "good news for criminals" and has made "a very bad situation worse". Mr Stringer said the range of forensics services now available through police laboratories and the private sector were limited and it was a "really worryingly situation". Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Mr Miller said: "There's a real fear that somebody is going to end up on the wrong side of the bars, either someone wrongly prosecuted or wrongly acquitted, because of this cost-cutting approach that has been adopted." The Labour MP said there was a lack of transparency on how money was spent, and added: "There is a real risk that in-house police laboratories will undermine the integrity of the whole industry of forensic science." Six of the forensic science services undertaken by GMP and seven of those performed by Cheshire Constabulary do not have accreditation from the International Standards Organisation. In December, a National Audit Office report raised doubts about the effectiveness of Home Office oversight, pointing to what it described as a lack of data on forensics spending by police forces. The Home Office said police reform was working and that "it is for police and crime commissioners and chief constables to decide how to spend their budgets". December 2010: The government announces plans to close the Forensic Science Service (FSS), a government-owned company which employs 1,600 staff. The government says it is losing about £2m a month July 2011: An MPs' inquiry concludes that the government did not consider the wider impacts of closing the FSS, and that financial reasons took precedence October 2011: In its official response to the inquiry, the government argues that allowing the FSS to enter administration would have caused serious damage to the criminal justice system March 2012: The FSS officially shuts its doors, with operations transferred to private companies and in-house police laboratories. July 2013: A follow-up inquiry by the Commons' Science and Technology Committee concludes that major crimes could go unsolved unless the government does more to support forensic science November 2013: The government launches a consultation over plans to boost the powers

Summary: Cuts in forensic science spending risk serious mistakes being made in criminal cases, two North West MPs have warned.


Andy Geggan headed the League One side in front when he met Declan McDaid's corner kick shortly before half-time. Robbie Crawford's dazzling solo run almost brought a stunning second, only for his his shot to be saved. Premiership Kilmarnock saw plenty of the ball but seldom troubled Ayr goalkeeper Jordan Hart. Lee McCulloch's side have not tasted victory at Somerset Park since January 1993, a run that now stretches to five games. The hosts, backed in big numbers in a crowd of 6,417, looked the sharper of the two sides in the first half. Ayr captain Ross Docherty's deflected shot asked an early question of goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald. Then MacDonald had to save again from Jamie Adams' point-blank header before Craig Moore smacked the rebound into the side netting. Kilmarnock had a strong appeal for a penalty kick when Kirk Broadfoot appeared to be pulled down in the box by Adams, but referee John Beaton instead awarded the home side the free-kick. It may have been the first competitive game of the season but the pace was relentless. Kilmarnock's Alan Power raced in at the back post to meet a corner kick, but blasted over. At the other end Adams squeezed a shot between defenders, but MacDonald got down low to palm away. A goal was coming and after McDaid's free-kick was pushed wide, Geggan raced from deep to head in the resultant corner. The game became messy in the second half as the tempo dropped, though Paddy Boyle almost sneaked a shot inside the near post from distance. Ayr were being pushed further into their own half, and Jordan Jones had a close-range shot blocked, but it was the League One side who continued to create the better chances. Moore got his head to a free-kick but could only direct it straight at MacDonald. Then a brilliant slaloming charge from Crawford could have settled the match when he skipped past four players, but saw his shot blocked by the legs of the Killie goalkeeper. Despite those near misses, Ian McCall's men comfortably saw the game out with Kilmarnock struggling to find the energy or accuracy to snatch a late equaliser. Ayr United manager Ian McCall: "I thought all the best chances in the game fell to us. They performed really well, worked their socks off, and it's one for the fans and directors. "Michael Rose will probably be out for four weeks now, he took a hell of a clatter on his ankle. Arguably our two most talented players didn't play - Alan Forrest and Craig McGuffie. "The players worked their socks off and in derbies you have to. "I know Ross Docherty got man of the match but Jamie Adams was just a colossus. He's probably trained three times and played half a game in between working on his farm." Kilmarnock manager Lee McCulloch: "We're bitterly disappointed to lose against our biggest rivals. We won't be taking the result lightly that's for sure. "What cost us the game was our first-half display and switching off at corners. That's not good

Summary: Ayr United continued their 24-year unbeaten home record against rivals Kilmarnock with a 1-0 win in their League Cup Group E opener.


Media playback is unsupported on your device 1 September 2015 Last updated at 17:31 BST Alister Colley, who has a studio in Pateley Bridge near Harrogate, said to hear he had won was "almost unbelievable". The title means he has become the most sought-after and collected artist in the country. Colley said creating the official picture for the Grand Depart had put him on "a whole new international platform". He has now been asked to be official artist for next year's Grand Depart.

Summary: An artist who painted the official picture for the Tour de France's Grand Depart from Yorkshire in 2014 has won the accolade of Best-selling Published Artist 2015.


On Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Dyson called for an easing of immigration laws to keep more overseas engineers. He also said he would vote to leave the EU to avoid being "dominated and bullied by the Germans". The firm has committed £1bn to 100 new products over four years. "Export is vital for Britain to create wealth," said founder and chairman James Dyson. "In order to export you have to have high technology products that are better than those produced elsewhere in the world." To boost UK research and development, engineers who come to study in UK universities should be encouraged to work in the UK after their course has finished, Mr Dyson said. "One important thing we should do is to keep those engineers in Britain. A lot of them come from overseas, in fact, 90% of researchers at British universities come from overseas, and we must encourage them to stay here." "I would change our immigration laws to allow the right sort of people to stay here," he said. In addition, Mr Dyson said he didn't particularly want to stay in the EU. "I think it's a European Union dominated by Germany, and in our particular field we have these very large German companies who dominate standards setting and energy reduction committees, and so we get the old guard and old technology supported and not new technology. "I want to keep EFTA - European free trade - and free movement of peoples, but I don't see that we need to be dominated and bullied by the Germans." Dyson's £1bn investment plan represents a significant increase in R&D spending at the company, which first made a name for itself selling bagless vacuum cleaners. Since then it has produced fans, heaters and powerful hand dryers for public toilets. Dyson also announced an extra £45m investment in research at UK universities. The company has already made a commitment to spend £5m on a robotics lab at Imperial College London, but there was no indication as to which other institutions would receive funding. In January, the firm said it would invest £250m to expand its Malmesbury research and development campus, and create 3,000 jobs. Reacting to Dyson's announcement, Prime Minister David Cameron said it signalled that the company was "looking to the future", and that its investment would "help to cement its leading role on the global stage". Dyson also announced an investment of £200m for manufacturing expansion in South East Asia. A proportion of the investment will go to its West Park motor factory in Singapore. Dyson faced criticism for a 2002 decision to shift its vacuum cleaner manufacturing to Malaysia with a loss of hundreds of jobs. Mr Dyson said; "We manufacture where our suppliers are in South East Asia and Singapore." He added that his family and firm paid UK taxes. In the past there have been reports of schemes being set up in locations including Malta for tax purposes, then wound down. "It's quite clear and quite simple," Mr Dyson said. "Our companies are based here in Britain, I

Summary: James Dyson has told the BBC it's important to keep engineers in the UK to produce hi-tech exports, as he announced a £1bn investment in research and development.


It is widely believed that polling day will be on Friday 26 February. RTÉ reports that ministers had predicted that Mr Kenny would announce his intention at Tuesday's cabinet and go to the country thereafter. Mr Kenny has decided to allow the Irish parliament another sitting day in part to allow for an orderly dissolution. He is aiming to become the first Fine Gael leader to be returned as prime minister. Fine Gael ministers met for two hours on Monday night to sign off on their party manifesto. The outgoing Fine Gael and Labour coalition, which had a huge majority, is set to lose a massive number of seats. However, it hopes to be re-elected, arguing that at a time of economic recovery - fragile though it may be - stability is better than uncertainty. Micheál Martin's Fianna Fáil party and Gerry Adams's Sinn Féin have said the fruits of the recovery are not being evenly distributed. The 32nd Dáil will have 158 seats, eight fewer than the previous one, and the number of constituencies has been reduced to 40 from 43. Fianna Fáil, the party that dominated politics in the Republic of Ireland until the 2008 economic crash, has ruled out both Fine Gael and Sinn Féin as coalition partners.

Summary: Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny is now expected to call a general election on Wednesday.


England won the toss and chose to bat but went from 110-2 to 184 all out as they were dismissed in 40.2 overs. Daniel Bell-Drummond top-scored with 51 but it was in vain as England went 3-0 down in the five-match series. Sri Lanka A reached their target in 37 overs as Shehan Jayasuriya followed up his 5-35 with a knock of 83.

Summary: England Lions have lost their one-day series against Sri Lanka A after being beaten by four wickets in the third ODI in Kurunegala.


It follows 66 Labour MPs voting to extend air strikes to Syria, a policy opposed by party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Mr Morgan told BBC Wales most party members were "very loyal" to Mr Corbyn and "few" backed wider military action. But he said most Labour MPs were "not really Corbynistas", so the party was having to deal with a "new phenomenon". Speaking on the Good Morning Wales radio programme, Mr Morgan said: "In effect we have two Labour parties and this is a bit of a new phenomenon, so we've got to try to let it settle down and work out what's the best way forward." Mr Morgan called a suggestion by the Labour MP and former minister Frank Field that the party should have two leaders was "quite clever" but "not very workable". Mr Morgan's comments came as Labour celebrated victory in the Oldham West and Royton by-election. Deputy party leader Tom Watson called the result "very, very good" for Mr Corbyn, and urged MPs to "swing behind" their leader after a "difficult week".

Summary: Labour is effectively two political parties, due to the split between its MPs and wider membership, ex-Labour First Minister Rhodri Morgan has said.


It says the new rule would apply in cases of "repeated instances of the most serious and deliberate breaches of their licence conditions". The party claims their pledged action would protect consumer interests. But the current regulator, Ofgem, said it already had the power to remove licences from energy firms in certain circumstances. "Where firms fail to meet standards there must be tough and decisive action," said Caroline Flint, the shadow energy secretary. Labour has already promised to abolish Ofgem, and put a new regulator in place. An Ofgem spokesman said it already had powers to revoke licences in "specific circumstances, including where companies have failed to comply with particular enforcement orders." However, a Labour spokesman said the current rules meant a firm could repeatedly break the law as long as it paid the fines issued by Ofgem. "That's the kind of regulatory gap we want to address," he said. Energy UK, the trade body for the industry, said it already had strong penalties for companies found to be in breach of licence conditions. "Having a strong set of licence conditions is essential for the protection of consumer rights," it said. Labour also revealed figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, which it said showed 16 energy companies faced probes into mis-selling, poor customer service and other bad practices. Ms Flint said the figures showed that the current government had "presided over a broken energy market". "On David Cameron's watch, energy bills in Britain have risen twice as fast as inflation, four times faster than wages and faster than almost any other country in the developed world," she added. In response, a Conservative spokesman said the government was already taking action to address the issues raised, including forcing energy firms to simplify bills. "We're carrying out a full, independent inquiry to fix the broken market we inherited," he added.

Summary: Labour says it will give a new regulator power to remove energy firms' licences, if it wins the next election.


The billionaire's 58th floor residence in Trump Tower offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and has been decorated in a "Louis XIV style" decked in gold and marble. Photos of the penthouse, published by the Daily Mail, show enormous chandeliers, plush sofas, and gold-encrusted Corinthian columns. Mr Trump once told biographer Michael D'Antoni about his penthouse, expressing great pride in its construction. "This is a very complex unit. Building this unit, if you look at the columns and the carvings, this building, this unit was harder than building the building itself." And, according to the New York Times, Mr Trump has been speaking with advisers about how many nights a week he would spend in the White House, saying he would like to spend time in New York when he can. The business mogul is reportedly a homebody who flew long hours during the campaign just to sleep in his own bed. It is unclear if Mr Trump, his wife Melania and the couple's 10-year-old son, Barron, who is currently halfway through his school year, will live at the White House. But if he opted out of his presidential quarters he would certainly turn Washington's historical status quo on its head. The White House is seen as a symbol of American history and tradition and has been occupied by every office holder since John Adams, America's second president. In 1902, the president's offices were relocated to the building's second floor, making the commute to a busy job a bit easier. The White House is a quick two miles from the Capitol building where the US Congress is held - Trump Tower happens to be over 220 miles away. Also, if Mr Trump chooses to reside in New York he could greatly disrupt city traffic. New Yorkers frequently take to social media in frustration when President Obama's motorcade disrupts the city's busy grid. Whenever the president travels, roads are blocked, traffic can back up for miles and delays can last hours, but this would be exacerbated in a crowded city like New York. Then there is the issue of security. On election night, the US Federal Aviation Administration established a no-fly zone over midtown Manhattan until 21 January, the day after the US presidential inauguration. The directive cites "VIP movement" as the reason behind the flying ban, which prohibits planes, helicopters and drones from flying below 3,000ft and within a two-nautical-mile radius of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. Secret service flights are exempt. Nevertheless, were Mr Trump to remain in New York, security at Trump Tower would have to be bolstered. The White House has multiple layers of defence, making a veritable fortress. An outer iron fence is reinforced by groups of armed guards at the gates and inside the perimeter. Snipers are perched atop the building and windows have bullet-proof glass. Additionally, infrared alarms, lasers, and missiles are all reportedly part of the building's defence system. For a tycoon accustomed to jetting to lavish residences as he pleases, his new job may be an adjustment.

Summary: Since last week's election upset, rumours have been swirling over whether newly appointed President-elect Donald Trump will leave his $100m (Â£80m) New York penthouse for the White House.


It was a repeat of the Lingfield Oaks Trial 1-2 as the 14-1 winner beat Architecture, ridden by Frankie Dettori for Hugo Palmer. Harlequeen was third, with Turret Rocks in fourth place. Earlier, the £1,000 purchase Mrs Danvers scooped a first prize of nearly £123,000 by winning the Super Sprint at Newbury. Seventh Heaven, a daughter of prolific stallion Galileo, put behind her a below-par display at Epsom to give O'Brien his fifth success in the fillies' Classic. However, his main hope - the Ribblesdale Stakes winner Even Song - was well-beaten despite being sent off the 4-5 favourite. Mrs Danvers retained her unbeaten record when defeating 22 rivals at Newbury. Jockey Luke Morris pushed the Jonathan Portman-trained filly to the front two furlongs out and the 9-2 joint-favourite won by one and a quarter lengths, with Stormy Clouds second and Clem Fandango third.

Summary: Seventh Heaven, ridden by Seamie Heffernan, sprang a surprise to win the Irish Oaks for trainer Aidan O'Brien.


Twenty-two people were killed when Salman Abedi detonated a suicide bomb after a pop concert on 22 May. Lord Kerslake, the ex-head of the civil service, said those affected would have insights "that won't necessarily be available to the emergency services". An interim report should be complete by Christmas, he added. Speaking to Radio 5 live, he said the review - on behalf of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham - would not look into whether the attack after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena could have been prevented. "That's a separate thing... we are focusing very much on the preparedness of Greater Manchester for such attacks and their response in the period, the week-and-a-half or so in which they had to respond. "The issue of whether it could have been prevented is a different review process." He said he would be "very surprised" if his recommendations were not acted upon. "There were thousands who were affected in some way by this terrible, terrible event. I see that as a key part of role as chair to make sure that their voices are heard as part of this review. "They will have insights and ideas that won't necessarily be available to the emergency services, good though they are." He added that he was "very confident" he would get access to information from the security services. "This is a very well-established process: everybody recognises that you get much better results if you're open and honest about the lessons learned." Information will also be collected from reviews conducted by each of the emergency services, he added. "I'm sure there will be a lot of good things that will come out, but also the things that could have been done better."

Summary: The review into the response to the Manchester attack will "give voice" to the victims' families, its chair Lord Kerslake has said.


The NCS aims to prepare teenagers for work through team building activities and community projects. It has run in England since 2011 and a pilot scheme began in Wales in 2014. Mr Cameron, visiting Snowdonia, said it was a "fantastic opportunity" for young people. The intention is that graduates on the scheme, called Teach First, lead teenagers on group activities and challenges like mountaineering, canoeing and abseiling. More than 1,700 graduates joined Teach First in England and Wales this year, and the intention is for all to be involved in the volunteer scheme by 2017. Visiting an outdoor education centre in the Conwy valley on Friday, Mr Cameron said: "NCS is a fantastic opportunity for young people from different backgrounds to come together to gain life skills and give something back to their local community. "Teach First's mission to break down social barriers makes its teachers ideal volunteer mentors to engage with and inspire young people on NCS. "This fantastic partnership will create thousands more opportunities for young people to benefit from NCS." The NCS is a key part of Mr Cameron's "Big Society" agenda, encouraging the growth of volunteering and promoting so-called social enterprises. The prime minister urged the Welsh government to consider taking up the scheme and offering it across Wales. A report on the Welsh pilot - examining whether it duplicates or complements existing schemes - is expected shortly. The UK government has been embroiled in controversy this week after one high-profile charity, Kids Company, closed its doors after ministers said they wanted to recover a Â£3m grant. There have been suggestions that Mr Cameron himself had been "mesmerised" by the charity's founder Camila Batmanghelidjh, and had over-ruled civil service concerns over continued funding for the organisation.

Summary: Graduates who do a two-year teaching scheme will be expected to volunteer with the National Citizen Service (NCS), Prime Minister David Cameron has announced.


Stoke-on-Trent City Council said raising council tax by 3% would pay for extra social care and launched a consultation on its budget proposals. The council, led by a coalition of City Independents and Conservatives, also said 202 jobs could go to save £61m. Labour councillors criticised the budget as "attacking the most vulnerable". More on this and other stories from Stoke and Staffordshire The authority last increased council tax rates in 2012. The 3% rise means council tax for a Band D property would increase from £1,183.46 in 2016-17 to £1,218.96 in 2017-18. The plans could see six children's centres moved into other council buildings or schools, which the council says would save £3m. Other proposals include a £1.5m refurbishment of Hanley market and building a £9.5m multi-storey car park near Stoke railway station and Staffordshire University. It also says raising rates will help to pay for 230 carers to help look after older people, while more than 100 of the planned redundancies will be from the Co-Operative Working scheme set up in February to help vulnerable people. Council leader David Conway said the council was not closing children's centres and that said raising tax rates was "the right thing to do". "We have to save £61m over the next three years - we have to do it, we have to manage the business," he said. Mohammed Pervez, leader of the Labour opposition and former leader of the authority, said the budget would reward more affluent parts of the city instead of helping its poorest residents.

Summary: More than 200 jobs could be lost and council tax could rise under budget plans.


The Wall Street Journal - owned by Rupert Murdoch, who also owns Fox News - reports the network is "preparing to cut ties" with the presenter. Pressure on Fox has mounted since recent reports that five women received $13m in payouts because of Mr O'Reilly. More than 50 sponsors have withdrawn ads from his show, The O'Reilly Factor. US media report that the board of 21st Century Fox will hold a meeting about the matter on Thursday. According to New York Magazine, executives were holding emergency meetings on Wednesday morning to discuss how to get rid of Mr O'Reilly. The presenter, who has been with the network almost since its inception, has denied all of the allegations. On Tuesday evening a lawyer for a former African-American clerical worker at Fox alleged her client had been harassed by Mr O'Reilly in 2008. Lawyer Lisa Bloom said the Fox News host had referred to the unidentified woman as "hot chocolate". "He would leer at her," said Ms Bloom. "He would always do this when no one else was around, and she was scared." Analysis: Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington The sexual harassment charges against Bill O'Reilly aren't new. They've bubbled up before and have been quietly ushered from view, thanks to multimillion dollar legal settlements. Now, however, they appear poised to bring the top-rated conservative talk show host down. So what changed? Was it lurid details of his alleged behaviour? The protests? Commercial sponsors abandoning his show? The impact the scandal could have on 21st Century Fox's attempts to purchase European broadcaster Sky? All probably contributed to O'Reilly's impending exit. The crack in the proverbial dam, however, came when Fox News head Roger Ailes was sacked for his own sexual harassment scandal. If Mr Ailes, who built the conservative television empire, could be laid low by his tawdry behaviour, no one was untouchable - even Mr O'Reilly. Welcome to Fox News in the Donald Trump era. Mr Ailes is out. Mr O'Reilly is nearly gone. Presenter Megyn Kelly has bolted to NBC. The only giant left standing is Trump super-fan Sean Hannity. A network that defined itself by blanket opposition to Barack Obama now appears adrift, challenged by more aggressive conservative media outlets and toxic to the left. It's a tricky position to occupy - a victim of its own success… and hubris. Mr O'Reilly's attorney, Marc Kasowitz, said the latest accusation was part of a "brutal campaign of character assassination that is unprecedented in post-McCarthyist America". Mr Kasowitz said this was being driven by "far-left organizations bent on destroying O'Reilly for political and financial reasons". Protesters - including self-described survivors of sexual assault and harassment - turned up on Tuesday outside Fox News headquarters in New York. They demanded the network fire the host, who recently signed a $20m-a-year contract. Planes flew overhead with banners attached that read: "Fox: #dropOReilly, the sexual predator." Conservative blogger Matt Drudge also weighed in in his first-ever posting on his personal Twitter account, seeming to bid farewell to Mr O'Reilly. "O'Reilly has had tremendous run," he posted.

Summary: Fox News is reportedly about to drop the country's top-rated cable news host, Bill O'Reilly, amid claims he sexually harassed female colleagues.


Customers are being urged not to eat the affected products, made in a factory on Teesside. The biscuits, including cheese thins, shortbread, chip cookies and fudge brownies, were made by a company called Baketime, based in Middlesbrough. "There has been no evidence of any contamination", it said. But Baketime confirmed it had seen "evidence of pest activity" in January and again in March. "We continue to work closely with our local environmental health officer and pest control contractor to ensure that the issue has been properly eradicated and hygienic standards on site are upheld," the company said in a statement. Baketime, based at South Tees Imperial Food Park, said it was recalling all the biscuits and snacks as a precautionary measure. In the meantime they were being taken off sale. The products are sold in Aldi and in small convenience stores around the UK. The FSA said the biscuits and snacks had been manufactured in "unhygienic conditions", and that it was investigating further. The affected products are: Aldi Cheese Thins (10% Cheese) - L16026, L16027, L16055, L16056, L16057, L16073, L16074, L16075 Aldi Cheese Bakes - L16026, L16027, L16032, L16033, L16039, L16040, L16046, L16047, L16053, L16366, L16060, L16066, L16067, L16073 Aldi Oddbites Cheese - L16060 Aldi Oddbites Salt and Vinegar - L16061 Aldi Oddbites Smoky Bacon - L16061 Aldi Ginger Nuts - L16047, L16048, L16061, L16062, L16068, L16069 Bestway Mini All Butter Shortbread L16034 Bestway Mini Brownies L16035 Bestway Mini Cheese Thins L16032, L16033 Bestway Mini Choc Chip Cookies L16035 Happy Shopper Cheese Thins L16026, L16027, L16032, L16053, L16366, L16060, L16066 Happy Shopper Fudge Brownies L16041 Happy Shopper Choc Chip Cookies L16041â€‹ LBV Potato Bakes Korma L16034 LBV Potato Bakes Mild Thai L16034 LBV Strawberry and Vanilla Biscotti L16027

Summary: A number of biscuits and snacks sold in the supermarket chain Aldi may have been contaminated by pests, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned.


Andrew George, who was re-elected Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives in May, is one of four MPs to have tabled an amendment to the finance bill. It follows the government's budget announcement that from 4 January VAT will rise from 17.5% to 20%. Mr George wants the government to assess the impact of such a rise on businesses, charities and households. The other three Liberal Democrat MPs who have put their name to the amendment are Bob Russell who represents Colchester in Essex, Mark Williams who is MP for the Welsh region of Ceredigion and mid-Wales and MP Roger Williams, whose constituency is Brecon and Radnorshire. Mr George said: "I am not trying to trigger nuclear war and break up the coalition, it's perfectly normal for two parties to have different approaches and values. "I just want to express my unhappiness with the move and have an open debate." Mr George also said he hoped a government minister would respond to the amendment on Monday and added he would continue to look for opportunities to press his case.

Summary: An MP from Cornwall is calling for an investigation into the impact of increasing VAT to 20%.


Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was sentenced for attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of having sex with a girl under 13. Sentencing, Judge Alistair McCreath said he could find "no real evidence" that Gadd had atoned for his crimes. The 70-year-old showed no emotion as he left the dock at Southwark Crown Court. Judge McCreath told Gadd it was clear his victims "were all profoundly affected" by his abuse of them. "You did all of them real and lasting damage and you did so for no other reason than to obtain sexual gratification for yourself of a wholly improper kind," he said. Judge McCreath said he assessed the seriousness of the offences by current guidelines, but he was limited to the maximum sentences that were available at the time the offences were committed, when "the sentencing climate was less severe". "The offences for which I must pass sentence today took place many years ago at a time when in particular, in respect of one of them, the maximum sentence was considerably lower than that which is now available," he said. Judge McCreath said the modern equivalent offence of unlawful intercourse with a child under 13 would be equivalent to rape of a child, but said he was not permitted to pass a life sentence. He said the offence of attempted rape was "so serious" as to justify the maximum available sentence under the old regime of seven years, which he noted would be a lenient sentence under modern guidelines. Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC, defending, told the court that Gadd had been subject to a "very high degree of vilification" and "demonification" in the press after being jailed in Vietnam in 2006 for molesting two girls aged 11 and 12. She said he had led "an increasingly isolated life" for the last decade and had been unable to walk down the street "without being the subject of vilification". Gadd, from Marylebone, central London, had denied the allegations against him but was found guilty at the end of a three-week-long trial earlier this month. He had been at the height of his fame when he attacked two girls aged 12 and 13 after inviting them backstage to his dressing room. His youngest victim had been less than 10 years old when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975. Judge McCreath described Gadd's abuse of a girl under 10 as "appalling" and said: "It is difficult to overstate the depravity of this dreadful behaviour." He noted that in 2011 Gadd sought professional help to understand his sexual behaviour but said: "Whatever changes may have been effected in you by this treatment, they did not include any admission at all on your part of the wrong that you had done." The allegations against Gadd came to light only years later when he became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree - the investigation launched by the Met in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. Scotland Yard confirmed that it had received other information

Summary: Former pop star Gary Glitter has been jailed for a total of 16 years for sexually abusing three young girls between 1975 and 1980.


George "Johnny" Johnson was 22 when he took part in the 1943 air raid using experimental bouncing bombs in Germany. Despite being nominated for the New Year's Honours list this year, the 95-year-old was omitted. Oliver Koehler, from the Dambusters Museum in Germany, said "of course" he should be honoured. Carol Vorderman has also petitioned for him to be knighted. A 237,000-signature petition calling for Mr Johnson to be knighted was taken to No 10 by Carol Vorderman and Gulf War veteran John Nichol in January. It followed a petition by campaigner Paul Walmsley, who also wanted the recognition for the former airman. Bomb-aimer Mr Johnson, from Bristol, joined the newly-formed 617 Squadron in March 1943. Two months later, he was one of the 133-strong squadron who dodged anti-aircraft fire, power cables and mountainous terrain to drop the four-tonne skipping bomb on dams in the Ruhr Valley. Codenamed Operation Chastise, eight of the 19 planes were lost, 53 men died and three were captured. Despite Mr Johnson describing it as a "thrilling experience", he said he was "disgusted" Bomber Command had never been given its own campaign medal. "I feel there's been no attempt to recognise the sacrifice these people made," he said. But historian and author of Bomber Command, Max Hastings, said there was "an embarrassment" and "an uncertainty" about how the country "should look back on the bombing". "I do think the reluctance to issue a campaign medal does reflect how controversial it is and the possible upset it could cause in Germany," he said. But Mr Koehler said Mr Johnson was "courageous" and had been "ready at any time" to "risk his life" and should be honoured. The Cabinet Office said it could not comment on individual applications.

Summary: A museum in Germany is calling for the last surviving British member of the Dambusters to be honoured.


The suspects climbed over a fence to access the velociraptors, which were part of an outdoor display. They then beheaded the fibreglass dinosaurs with a handheld grinder or hacksaw, said local police. Authorities are appealing for information on the vandals, whom they have branded "idiots". Police spokesman Rod Anderson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the theft was "a pretty stupid act", and that the perpetrators may have wanted to keep the heads as trophies. "We're expecting these perpetrators, because they're obviously not very smart, will tell people about it... We want people to give us information identifying who these idiots are," he was quoted as saying. The incident took place at the National Museum of Dinosaurs on Saturday night and was only reportedly discovered the next morning by visitors. Museum supervisor Mitchell Seymour told The Canberra Times that children "had been asking their parents: 'Mum and Dad, what's happened to the dinosaurs?'". The museum appears to be a frequent target. In March 2013, a dinosaur was stolen in an apparent birthday prank and found in a local man's home. Months later three other dinosaurs were found vandalised at the museum. The next year, another dinosaur was stolen and later found damaged in a nearby park.

Summary: Australian police are on the hunt for vandals who hacked off and stole the heads of three dinosaur statues from a Canberra museum.


Severe weather warnings are in place for Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. An amber warning for heavy rain has been issued, valid from 21:00 GMT on Tuesday until 07:00 GMT on Wednesday. The warning is the second highest that can be issued and means people should be prepared for disruption. A yellow warning for gale and severe gale force winds is in place from 15:00 GMT until 08:00 GMT on Wednesday. South easterly wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph - perhaps 70 mph along coastal areas - may cause damage to trees and possibly the electricity network. Larges waves will bring dangerous conditions to coastal roads. A yellow warning for rain is also in place from 19:00 GMT to 1500 GMT on Wednesday. Between 20 to 40 millimetres of rain is expected widely, with up to 70 millimetres over the hills and mountains. This comes on top of Monday night's rain and is likely to cause some further flooding. NIE has warning of possible damage to the electricity network, especially in exposed locations. Of the 5,800 homes without power, 4,000 are in the Enniskillen area. NIE said emergency crews were working to restore power to all customers. The Rivers Agency said its engineers have been checking river levels and clearing drains to try to mitigate any possible flooding. Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said many staff in the agency had come off their Christmas holidays to help and were ready to respond to requests for assistance. "Government departments, local councils and drainage authorities are all working closely with many staff put on standby for the next 24 hours," she said. "We will continue to monitor river levels overnight as well as ensuring culvert inlet grilles are clear of all debris. "There is a risk that with strong winds forecast for overnight, wind-blown debris can block rivers and grilles." Andy Sinclair, from the fire and rescue service, said: "Last night was probably unexpected and tonight we've got the weather warnings. "We are prepared as an organisation to ensure that we've got our people that are properly trained with the resources and the equipment to get out there and deal with it. "Our advice to people is to stay away and avoid driving through flood water." Police also issued a warning to motorists: "Due to anticipated severe weather conditions, high winds, heavy rain and predicted high tides over the next 36 hours, motorists should be mindful of the dangers posed along all coastal roads. "The areas of Newcastle promenade, Ards Peninsula and the coastal route between Warrenpoint and Rostrevor should be treated with caution. Please observe all road closed signs." All P&O ferry crossings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled from 13:30 GMT. Stenaline is also warning of possible delays on its route between Belfast and Cairnryan. Services have been suspended and it is anticipated they will resume at 07:30 GMT on Wednesday. A number of roads are closed on Tuesday after heavy rainfall caused flooding on Monday night. In Londonderry, a woman was trapped in her car in the Rosemount area, but

Summary: About 5,800 homes are currently without electricity across Northern Ireland as Storm Frank brings heavy rain and gales in from the west.


Tiler, 18, was due to compete in the women's -69kg category on Sunday. UK Sport cut all funding for British Weightlifting (BWL) because the sport was not a "credible" medal chance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. "Sorry guys, won't be at the British this year on strike till some funding is found. British Weightlifting, thanks for messing my life up," she tweeted. British Weightlifting told BBC Sport that the event had been a success and added: "BWL no longer has the funds to support an elite squad of female lifters training for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the major championships leading up to it, despite the possibility of winning a medal at the Games. "Sport England continues to support BWL, although that funding is ring-fenced for the development of the sport and at grassroots level. A small budget from Sport England has been allocated to support the squad ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games." Tiler finished 10th at the 2016 Rio Olympics and is a four-time European champion. She had previously criticised the sport's governing body, saying that she was living in student accommodation and there was no physiotherapist to treat her sore knees. British Weightlifting responded by saying there was little they could do without the UK Sport funding. Tiler claimed silver in the snatch and finished fourth overall in the -69kg division at the European Championships in April.

Summary: Olympian Rebekah Tiler has missed this weekend's British Championships in protest over funding.


Arguing in Cardiff for a Remain vote, Leanne Wood did not think her side had lost but said: "It's close". She was speaking alongside ex-Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who said the positive case for the EU had been missing from the campaign. But Commons leader Chris Grayling, in Caerphilly, said the Brexit case was an "overwhelmingly positive one". He was campaigning in the south Wales valleys for a Leave vote alongside Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, Monmouth Tory MP David Davies, and UKIP AMs Nathan Gill and Mark Reckless. The two sides have been stepping up their campaigns with just one week to go before the UK's in-out referendum on 23 June. Talking to BBC Wales in Cardiff city centre on Thursday, Mr Salmond agreed the vote was close, describing it as "nip and tuck". "There's going to be a strong remain vote in Scotland as in Northern Ireland," he said. "I'm hoping for a Remain vote in Wales to make it a Celtic triple, as it were. "It's on a knife edge in England." Mr Salmond predicted a "surge of European enthusiasm" as "you go deep into the European football championships". "What the campaign has been missing has been the positive aspect of Europe," he said. Claiming the EU had been a force for peace and prosperity, Mr Salmond urged voters not to "jeopardise what we've built over 60 years". Asked if she had been taken aback by the strength of the Leave campaign in Wales, Ms Wood said: "Yes, I have." "I've been quite surprised by how so many people have been able to be persuaded around this question of fear of immigration. "We've got a week now to try to persuade as many people as possible that it is in Wales' best interests to Remain as a part of the European Union," she added. Earlier, Ms Wood said politicians in Wales wanting the UK to stay in the EU had failed to organise a "proper, decent campaign". She told BBC Radio Wales the assembly election in May had "dominated all of us in Wales on the political scene". "The timing of this referendum was a bit of a disaster from a Welsh perspective," she said. "It's been very difficult and challenging." Mr Grayling and his fellow Brexit vote campaigners gatherer around the Tommy Cooper statue in Caerphilly on Thursday, with drivers tooting their horns as they drove past. "This is a battle between those who don't like the European Union and say we should definitely leave, and those who don't like the European Union but say 'oh well, we should stay'," he said. "I have to say there is little support for the EU anywhere in the United Kingdom." Mr Grayling added: "I know how tough it is in parts of the valleys - I've been here many times before. "I've seen some of the challenges in and around this area. "I've spoken to some of the people who face the consequences of migration into this area." Mr Gill, UKIP Wales' leader, said that Leave had the

Summary: The leader of Plaid Cymru has said she has been taken aback by the strength of the campaign in Wales to leave the EU.


Gordon Irvine, of Broxburn, lifted cash from the back of the ATM at the Lochee branch of Santander before depositing it into his own account. The 33-year-old spent the money on a car and foreign holidays, and gave £250 to a customer before sleeping with her. He was found guilty after a trial at Dundee Sheriff Court and will be sentenced next month. Irvine's lawyer described the crime as "the craziest embezzlement you will ever come across", while prosecutors said he was "living a Walter Mitty lifestyle". The father-of-two paid for trips to New York, Lanzarote and Rio de Janiero in cash - although he could not go on the trip to Brazil because he could not get the time off work. He paid £6,900 for a car, fitted his flat with a pool table and three 50-inch televisions, and investigators found £41,000 in his bank account when he was caught. When one female customer complained about a £25 charge on her account, he credited her £250 before asking to come round to her home that night and sleeping with her. Irvine's accounts were frozen when he was suspended in June 2013. He resigned the following month. He denied a charge of embezzling £89,340 from the Lochee High Street bank between November 2010 and June 2011, but the jury returned a majority verdict of guilty. Sheriff Alistair Carmichael remanded Irvine in custody until his sentencing hearing next month. He said: "You have been found guilty by the jury of a serious charge of embezzling from a bank where you were in a position of trust. "Given the nature of what you have been convicted of, I'm not sure I can trust you to turn up and as a result you will be remanded in custody meantime."

Summary: A Dundee bank manager has been found guilty of embezzling £90,000 from his own branch.


Trudy Taylor was employed as an agency social worker for Lincolnshire County Council until 2015. A tribunal heard she was asked to visit a family where there had been an alleged domestic violence incident between the parents. The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service was told she never made the visits. Read more about this and other stories from across Lincolnshire Social services were asked to make an assessment of the family in January 2015 after an incident between the parents, the tribunal heard. Ms Taylor, who had been a social worker for 10 years, was assigned the case. She recorded visiting the parents and the children at their schools, setting out statements allegedly made by the children and reporting on their demeanour. In March 2015 the case was transferred to another social worker, witness 1, who visited the family. He said the family had made it clear they had not been visited and he then contacted the children's school who also said they had no records of Ms Taylor seeing the children there. He then informed his line manager, witness 2, who confronted Ms Taylor. She said Ms Taylor said she could not remember the visits and described her as appearing flustered, going red and changing the subject. Ms Taylor was suspended by her agency shortly afterwards. She did not appear at the hearing on 8 May but had denied the allegations in an email in February 2016. The panel determined the misconduct, "involving as it did the risk of harm to vulnerable children", meant the only sanction was to strike her name from the profession's register.

Summary: A social worker who lied about visiting two children who were potentially at risk of harm has been struck off.


4 January 2015 Last updated at 10:51 GMT People living near the area reported hearing loud banging noises coming from the Screggagh wind farm for around two days. Debris from the turbine has been scattered over hundreds of metres but no one has been hurt. It's not clear what caused the collapse but bad weather isn't thought to be a factor, as there were no storms or high winds at the time. The company who operate the wind farm are now investigating. Turbine 3 was one of eight turbines on the wind farm and is worth more than half a million pounds.

Summary: An 80-metre tall wind turbine has collapsed on a mountainside in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.


Along with the Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy, he disproved the idea that dance music couldn't sell albums, and helped to establish modern DJ culture. Twenty years later, Fatboy remains the most successful pseudonym of songwriter Norman Cook - whose other projects include The Housemartins, Beats International and Freak Power. To celebrate two decades of dance, Cook opened up his photo album to the BBC. The fun of Fatboy Slim at the start was nobody knew who I was. I was never in the videos and I never had my photo on the cover. It suited me really well to be known as an underground dance producer. The fame I had in the Housemartins didn't sit right with me. So you can probably detect a slight reticence in that photo session. I'm saying, "the whole point of hiding behind pseudonyms was I'd never have to do this again!" And then I met Zoe [Ball - his wife] which just kicked the whole thing out of obscurity into the tabloids... Your t-shirt says "wild style lifestyle". How crazy did it get? It was very wild. About as wild as you can be and still retain your health and your sanity. Did you ever worry you had gone too far? There were worries on the health and sanity things over the years. But at that point, I was definitely pushing the boundaries of altered states of consciousness and behaviour. How did that affect the music? I think it helped it tremendously. When I was having my real purple period, I'd have a big weekend, then come Sunday evening, I couldn't operate heavy machinery or drive anywhere - so I'd just go into the studio. I would sit there with my little samples and, having taken a mental snapshot of the weekend - mental being the operative word - I would try and sum that up in music. I was unfettered by sanity at that point. Do you find it harder now? I do, yeah. The ways I was using in those days are not an option now. Sometimes I do think I'd be more creative if I could still unlock that subconscious part of my brain. But no-one can have a 30-year purple period. It can't be sustained. That's actually my studio wall at the time of [1998 album] You've Come A Long Way Baby. It was a kind of mood board, because I'd spend a huge chunk of my life in the studio. It was something to look at when I was bored. It's lovely because there's tons of old faces there. Ashley Slater [1], who was in Freak Power with me. Rec One [2], the graffiti artist in Beats International who did a lot of my original artwork. There's Lindy Layton (vocalist on Dub Be Good To Me) [3] at the top looking beautiful and waving. My ex-girlfriend, Bella [4] is there wearing the spotty hat. And then Ashley with a very young Davina McCall [5], hanging out with us in Cannes. We had a very funny night out with her. Arpy

Summary: With hits like Praise You and The Rockerfeller Skank, Fatboy Slim popularised big beat in the 1990s.


It was 1993 when Louise Dyson's agency was approached by Sunrise Medical for disabled models to promote its wheelchairs. She was stumped. At that time the Louise Dyson Agency Ltd dealt only in providing flawless models for clients such as Rolls-Royce and Laura Ashley. "We didn't know any models with a disability and I immediately thought that was such an obvious thing for advertising - to be representative of the consumer," she says. "But until that point it had never crossed my mind." The request led to Dyson helping to organise the Sunrise Model in a Million competition - the UK's first professional modelling contest for people with disabilities - which was won by Sharron Murray and Jason Ward who both received modelling contracts. The popularity of the contest piqued Dyson's interest and she put out a call for disabled models and actors interested in representation - she was flooded with more than 600 requests. Emboldened by the response she took a leap of faith, sold shares in her first agency and established VisABLE - an agency for disabled actors, presenters and models. But the doors were not as open as she had anticipated. "Although everybody said all the right things I knew they thought I'd gone mad and no one gave us any business in advertising for a long time. "We really had to make a business case as to why to include disabled people in advertising." It's a situation she is still perplexed by given that the market surrounding disability - known as the Purple Pound - is worth an estimated Â£249bn in the UK. "If you use a disabled actor in a campaign it means not only will disabled people support a company, so will friends and relatives." Crucially, she says, "It's a way of distinguishing against your competition." Signed to Dyson's books is Shannon Murray, the original winner of the Sunrise competition. She took the crown aged 17, three years after she was paralysed from the waist down in a diving accident. Murray had harboured dreams of becoming an actress but gave up on them after her accident "because there weren't any actors in wheelchairs on TV". The modelling career thrust upon her gave her a chance to challenge that. "I loved doing shoots but I wanted to put out a much stronger message, that fashion should be inclusive. "I was very aware that the teenagers I was meeting in the spinal injuries unit were still young, fashionable, wanting to go to nightclubs and had dilemmas over boys but that wasn't what I saw in the media." Her moment in the spotlight, which challenged perceptions, was warmly received, but she says, only because the fashion houses had requested a model in a wheelchair. "If I'd turned up wanting to walk down the runway it would have been a slightly different reaction." It is this exclusive inclusivity that is the challenge facing the industry in 2017. The notion that a fashion house or casting agent would request a woman in her 40s to play a mother, regardless of whether

Summary: Acting and modelling are notoriously fickle industries often trading on perfection, but in the 1990s one woman challenged the status quo by setting up a professional talent agency for disabled people.


The Portugal left-back struggled for first-team football at the Spanish club last season. Former Manchester United manager David Moyes tried to bring him to Old Trafford in September 2013 but a transfer deadline day loan move fell through. The 27-year-old joined Real from Benfica for a reported £25m in 2011. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao has joined French side Monaco on a season-long loan deal.


Paul Massey was shot five times outside his Salford home on 26 July 2015 in what police believe to be a gang feud. No-one has been arrested over the killing of the 55-year-old security boss, who was jailed for 14 years in 1999 for stabbing a man outside a club. A full inquest is expected after police complete their criminal investigation. The victim's partner, eight other members of his family and detectives attended Bolton Coroner's Court for a brief pre-inquest hearing. Jennifer Leeming, senior coroner for Manchester West, asked the senior officer in the case: "I understand these inquiries, the inquiries touching on the death of Mr Massey, are still active inquiries and I understand that there's reason to suppose that charges will result, is that right?" Det Supt Howard Millington, of Greater Manchester Police, replied: "That's right. We are still providing evidence to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service)." Massey was dubbed Mr Big by the late Salford councillor Joe Burrows at a town hall meeting to discuss civil disturbances in 1992. He was jailed in 1999 for 14 years after he stabbed a man in the groin outside a club in Manchester, severing an artery. He was a well-known figure in his home city of Salford and had been involved with security firms operating in Manchester and beyond. A Â£50,000 reward is still on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers. A further pre-inquest hearing was scheduled for 17 May.

Summary: Detectives are still gathering evidence into the death of a convicted criminal once branded "Mr Big", a pre-inquest hearing has heard.


Matthew Tvrdon, 31, of no fixed abode, admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. He also admitted seven attempted murder charges and one of dangerous driving. Prosecutors will consult the victims' families over the next seven days. At the moment Mr Tvrdon is still due to be tried next month. Mr Tvrdon faces a total of 32 charges including counts of actual bodily harm with intent and grievous bodily harm with intent. During the Cardiff Crown Court hearing, he also pleaded not guilty to murder and six counts of attempted murder. His barrister told the court his client was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Ms Menzies, 31, died on 19 October 2012 after Tvrdon ran her over at a fire station forecourt in Ely. Others were injured in the incident which happened during the afternoon school run. She was walking with two of her children when she was killed.

Summary: A van driver has admitted killing mother-of-three Karina Menzies in a series of hit-and-run incidents around Cardiff in October.


As hundreds of people fled Manchester Arena following the explosion, taxi drivers began taking people to safety. Driver AJ Singh said he tried to help wherever he could. "I've had people who needed to find loved ones. I've dropped them off to the hospital. They've not had any money, they've been stranded," he told Channel 4 News. "We should come out and show whoever's done this that it doesn't matter because Manchester, we're glue and we stick together when it counts." Sam Arshad, from StreetCars Manchester asked his drivers to give free rides to anyone stranded after the Ariana Grande concert. "The audience was a very young audience, and there were a lot of people there without their parents," he told the BBC. "And it's then that people were requesting taxis but they didn't have money. "It was at that point that I made the decision that money isn't everything in life and we're part of Manchester and we need to do our part to make sure these people get home safe and sound." Colin Paterson, the BBC's entertainment correspondent, was standing outside as the audience were running out of the arena. "As I was standing there a taxi just pulled over a said 'would you like a lift? I'll take you anywhere'," he said. "There are stories of cab drivers driving over from Liverpool to try and offer people free lifts back to Liverpool. "There were stories of people coming on to the streets of Manchester to offer their spare rooms because people were not able to get back to their hotels." Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, whose two daughters and two nieces were at the concert, praised the "spontaneous acts of ordinary people" of Manchester following last night's attack at a concert in the city. "The spirit that they have displayed is just typical of people in this part of the world," he said. "A taxi driver from Kirkby fought his way through horrendous traffic and got out of his cab to find my daughters and two nieces. I am forever grateful to that person. "While I've got huge relief this morning my girls are safe, there will be parents waking up without children and unfortunately children waking up without parents this morning because of this horrendous act." Praise for these acts of kindness poured in on social media, along with offers of help. As news of the attack spread, locals soon began offering spare rooms on social media, under the hashtag #RoomforManchester. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham tweeted: "If you are stranded in the area you can also follow #RoomForManchester where hotels and local people of our great city are offering refuge." Thousands of people have also turned to social media to find missing relatives and friends - and there are many people who are offering support. Olivia Campbell Hardy has been missing since last night's concert. Her mother, Charlotte Campbell, speaking on Radio 4's Today programme said "she's not been found yet" but "she can't thank people enough" for having helped her since her appeal on

Summary: Stories of acts of kindness are emerging in the wake of the Manchester attack, with many people from the community rushing to help - offering free lifts home and rooms for the night.


Until now, customers could find themselves locked in once the first three months of a deal had passed, unless they paid a penalty fee. Under new rules, they will be able to walk away at any point, if certain conditions are met. Ofcom's new chief Sharon White will outline details of the move. In her first speech since taking the post, Ms White will say people still find it too difficult to cancel contracts and are often frustrated with customer service. "When Ofcom was established, access to a reliable internet connection and mobile phone was a 'nice to have'," she will tell a conference hosted by the consumers association Which. "Now it is essential to the functioning of the economy, to the way people work and live their lives." Which's executive director welcomed the move. "Unreliable broadband speeds drive consumers crazy, so we also welcome the regulator telling providers to give better information on the speeds customers will realistically achieve, and to let people leave their contracts without penalty if they don't get what is promised," said Richard Lloyd. "This is an encouraging start by Sharon White at a time when there are very big challenges facing Ofcom." The new rules apply to internet service providers (ISPs) using digital subscriber line (DSL) technology. That means BT, EE, Sky and TalkTalk are all affected, but not Virgin Media, which uses a cable-based system. When a customer signs up to a deal, an ISP must give a range of speeds a customer can expect - for instance 20 to 40 megabits per second. However, there is an additional measurement the companies refer to less often: the minimum guaranteed access line speed (MGALS). This represents the fastest download speed delivered to the slowest 10% of customers on a similar service. For example, there might be 10,000 homes based 4km (2.5 miles) away from the local telephone exchange. If the fastest speed achieved by any of those in the 1,000 slowest properties was 7Mbps, that would represent the MGALS. Until now, users could abandon their broadband contract without penalty within 90 days of its start if their home fell below the MGALS. Under the revised code of practice, they can do so at any time, so long as they have given the provider a "reasonable" opportunity to fix the problem - for example a few weeks of time and access to their building. The challenge for the public will be to determine if indeed their property falls below the cut-off point. One expert said the move should benefit a "small percentage" of users, but said he still had concerns. "The problem for the consumer is understanding whether switching provider will fix the problem," said Andrew Ferguson from the ThinkBroadband news site. "If you switch and the new provider is using the same technology as the previous one, and the slow speeds are due to the line, then you may just carry on having the same issue." Ofcom can fine companies if they break the rules, but suggested individuals initially direct their complaints to including the Communications

Summary: The broadband industry's watchdog has announced new rules to help subscribers quit their contracts if their speeds are too slow.


The Ivorian's agent, Dimitri Seluk, said this week that he would "listen to any offers on the table" this summer. Pellegrini dismissed the speculation, suggesting the 32-year-old midfielder should "think in the present". "Yaya is mentally absolutely involved in this season, and not thinking about his future," he said. "I know what Yaya thinks. He wants to continue being the same important player that he has been for this team in other years." Manchester City sit third in the Premier League table, one point behind Arsenal and Leicester City, and travel to West Ham for Saturday's late kick-off at 17:30BST.

Summary: Yaya Toure is focused on Manchester City's season and will not be distracted by transfer speculation, according to manager Manuel Pellegrini.


Figures published by holding company Llandarcy Park (Ospreys) Ltd showed a profit in 2014-15 of £143,498 before exceptional items and interest charges. Ospreys chief executive Andrew Hore said: "It just shows what can be achieved and we're really proud." The figures reflect increased revenue from ticket sales and improved funding from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). National Dual Contracts - in which the WRU pays 60% of a player's wage - were introduced during 2014-15, with four Ospreys players signed in that period. It was also the first year funding for the four Welsh regions was increased from £6.7m to £8.7m following the signing of the Rugby Services Agreement (RSA) after protracted negotiations between Pro Rugby Wales and the WRU. The profit compares with a net loss of £123,560 in the previous financial year. Hore added: "A lot of the changes undertaken over the last couple of years actually set us up in a very strong manner for the future, such as changing the RSA and the ability to work more into the community and this kind of thing. "So if we can continue to grow those community links hopefully we can grow revenues in our rugby base as well." Ospreys chairman Roger Blyth said: "These figures are the result of the efforts and hard work behind the scenes, across all departments of the organisation. "We saw a number of new commercial partnerships launched during this period, while the new RSA came into effect, providing a new system to reward national squad contribution more fairly, something which will clearly prove beneficial to the Ospreys given our historic over-contribution to the national cause." Blyth added there was "cautious optimism" about the future, but work remained to be done, particularly improving the domestic Pro12 to compete with the threat of powerful leagues in England and France.

Summary: The Ospreys rugby region has posted a profit for the first time since 2007.


The force said the new approach would allow local teams to focus on patrols, and issues like anti-social behaviour. A spokesperson confirmed most investigations would be dealt with by a "default" team, but said that did not rule out local officers being involved. Critics have raised concerns that fewer officers will be investigating crimes. The changes are part of Leicestershire Police's bid to reduce spending by Â£30m. Under the plans, the force is also reducing the number of local units from 15 to eight and will cut 300 of its 2,200 officer posts over the next two years. Beat officers will now be known as dedicated neighbourhood officers to reflect the changes, which came into effect earlier, bosses said. Half of the 68 officers in the new East County team, which includes Rutland, Melton and Harborough area, will be PCSOs. Shadow policing minister Jack Dromey said the public should be concerned about the changes. He said: "Because there will be far fewer officers investigating crime - more criminals are going to get away with it." Rutland County Council leader Roger Begy said he feared the changes would also lead to longer response times. "We are a very low crime area [in Rutland] but we want to keep it that way," he said. However, Chief Constable Simon Cole said the force was "putting officers where the problems are". "This transformation is the latest in a series of on-going changes in response to reducing budgets and changing public expectation and demand," he said. "This new way of working will allow the teams based in our communities to dedicate their time to working closely with neighbourhoods and partners to resolve issues at a local level."

Summary: Police investigations in Leicestershire are being carried out by a dedicated unit rather than beat officers, as part of changes to working practices.


Gary Stacey died in hospital after suffering head injuries in St James' Street, Newport, on the morning of 14 February. Ryan Cooper, 21, of Alma Road, in Southampton, has been charged with his manslaughter. He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Isle of Wight Combined Court on 1 July.

Summary: A man has been charged with manslaughter over a fatal attack on a 49-year-old man on the Isle of Wight.


A letter has been signed by more than 150 groups before a European Parliament vote on ways to limit their sale. Many tech gadgets such as smartphones use conflict materials, so-called because they are mined in warlike conditions and traded by armed groups. The letter says the law must cover more manufacturers and types of materials, and make firms police supply chains. European politicians will vote on proposals drawn up by the European Commission on 19 May. Signed by Amnesty International. Friends of the Earth, Global Witness, Christian Aid, the Ethical Consumer Research Association and many others, the open letter says the trade in conflict minerals fuels wars and human rights abuses around the world. It says the vote this week is a "landmark opportunity" for Europe to take action to stem the trade and curtail the conflict it engenders. However, it says the current proposals are "weak" and do not go far enough. The big problem with the scheme proposed by Brussels is that it applies on a voluntary basis to most companies, the groups argue. As a result, they say, few firms would be motivated to clean up their supply chains and report on their actions. In addition, the letter says, the scheme only covers four minerals - tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold - in their raw form, and does nothing to address products entering Europe which have been made using conflict minerals. Many smartphones, tablets and other devices made in China are manufactured using these substances. The letter says the scheme does not cover minerals and materials such as diamonds, jade and chromite, which are also known to be sources of conflict. It urges MEPs to reject the plans in favour of a stronger scheme involving a mandatory system to ensure firms vet their supply chain. "Those bearing the cost of our weak efforts to regulate this trade will be some of the poorest and most vulnerable citizens of the world," said the letter. "Now is the time for change." Romanian MEP Iuliu Winkler - the European Parliament's lead negotiator on the plans - has previously said he "largely supported" the plans, adding that the priority should be ensuring that the right incentives are in place to encourage participation. However, Green and left-wing MEPs have criticised the opt-in nature of the scheme.

Summary: Europe's proposed laws on "conflict minerals" will fail to slow trade in the raw materials, claim rights groups.


Theresa Villiers said there was a "thorough consideration" of some key elements of the Stormont House Agreement on Wednesday. This included reform of the public sector to release resources for frontline public services. The talks are to resume on Thursday. "The Northern Ireland parties carried out a thorough consideration of some key elements of the Stormont House Agreement designed to make devolution work better," Ms Villiers said. "We also continued our detailed discussion of finance and welfare issues, including reform of the public sector to release resources for frontline public services. "The differences between the parties are still very significant on these issues, but I do sense a willingness to make progress. "Tomorrow, we focus on the impact of paramilitary activity and legacy issues such as the new Stormont House Agreement institutions to help address the concerns of victims and survivors." Meanwhile, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has addressed the Irish parliament about the political situation in Northern Ireland. He said that "contrary to some recent reports, the institutions for dealing with the past set out in the Stormont House Agreement would not convey an amnesty" for those who had committed a crime. "The new Historical Investigations Unit provides for police investigation and, where there is an evidential basis, the prospect of justice," he added. "The Independent Commission for Information Retrieval, to be established by the two governments, is intended to allow individuals to seek information about Troubles related deaths where there is no realistic prospect of prosecution; information provided to the commission for this purpose would not be admissible in court. "However, the Stormont House Agreement makes it clear that no individual who provides information to this body will be immune from prosecution for any crime committed should the required evidential test be satisfied by other means and this will be reflected in the agreement establishing the body." The round-table talks between Northern Ireland's political parties are aimed at finding a resolution to the crisis at Stormont. The political row was triggered by a police assessment that IRA members were involved in the murder of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan Sr last month. Police said the IRA still existed, but added that it was not engaged in terrorism. Analysis Mark Devenport BBC Northern Ireland political editor There are different things that may bring this talks process to a conclusion. One is that the financial clock continues to tick away under the Stormont Executive. Another is that Peter Robinson stood down for a six-week period and, if there isn't some sort of revolving mechanism dreamt up by the DUP, that should be running out, I think it is 22 October. So that might put a little bit of a back-stop to the talks. Certainly, he wouldn't, I would have thought, want to come back into the job without having seen something from this panel which gives him cause for satisfaction. Three Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ministers subsequently resigned from Northern Ireland's ruling executive, and Peter Robinson, the party's leader, stepped aside as first minister. The DUP and the Ulster Unionists agreed

Summary: The Northern Ireland Secretary has said she senses a willingness among the political parties to make progress despite significant differences on finance and welfare reform issues.


It follows a three year legal battle by Shrien Dewani against returning to the country where his wife Anni, 28, was shot in November 2010. Mr Dewani, from Bristol, denies murder and lost his latest appeal against extradition in March. The couple were held at gunpoint while being driven in a taxi through Gugulethu township near Cape Town. By Andrew PlantBBC News, Cape Town Shrien Dewani is expected to land at Cape Town international airport at 06.15 on Tuesday morning and will then be interviewed under caution, before being charged. He's then expected to be taken to a holding cell before appearing before a judge at Cape Town High Court at about 10:00. He's expected to spend the night at Valkenberg Hospital, a large psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of Cape Town. Doctors there will assess whether or not he is mentally fit to stand trial. South African authorities have 18 months to put him on trial - or return him to the UK. Cape Town ready for Dewani trial Timeline: Anni Dewani murder Mr Dewani was thrown from the car. The body of Mrs Dewani was found the next day in the abandoned taxi with a single gunshot wound to the neck. Three men have already been convicted in connection with Mrs Dewani's death. Prosecutors in South Africa allege Mr Dewani ordered the killing of his Swedish national wife. Mr Dewani's legal team still have the option of applying to the European Court of Human Rights, but so far no application has been received. The businessman, from Bristol, is expected to arrive in Cape Town on Tuesday.. Once on South African soil he is likely to appear before the Western Cape High Court where his legal team could apply for bail. If that is refused, he will be taken to the high-care wing of Valkenberg, a psychiatric facility, the BBC's Karen Schoonbee in Cape Town understands. Ashok Hindocha, Anni Dewani's uncle, told ITV's Daybreak that the family would attend the court hearing. "We want to know what happened to Anni. That is it," he said. Anish Hindocha, her brother, added: "We are just focusing on this case at the moment and it is hard to even start making the grieving process final yet because there are so many questions we need answers to. "We hope we get it and now today he is getting extradited and that is one step closer towards what we are seeking for her - that is justice for her." Mr Dewani is being compulsorily detained in the UK under the Mental Health Act after being diagnosed as suffering from severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting Mrs Dewani and jailed for life. Prosecutors claimed he was hired to carry out the killing. The couple's taxi driver, Zola Tongo, was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Summary: A man accused of arranging his wife's killing on their honeymoon is expected to be extradited to South Africa later.


Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton appears to be ahead of the game in the popularity contest, with dozens of pop stars, rappers and actors hopping aboard the #teamhillary bandwagon. And she's not the only presidential hopeful to court, or be courted, by famous people... Her rival Bernie Sanders is also notching up the stars, as is Republican frontrunner Donald Trump - a man better known for his celebrity status than his political acumen. But their approach to endorsements, and how they are announced, seems to be continually evolving... Hillary Clinton has won serious backing from the mainstream musical establishment, with a large number of pop stars and singers pinning their hopes on her becoming the first woman president of the United States of America. Pop singers Katy Perry and Demi Lovato have both turned out to serenade the former first lady and performed at her many fundraisers. "She's my firework!" Perry told a crowd of supporters in Des Moines, Iowa, in October, dressed in a white strapless gown with Clinton campaign logo attached. Beyonce has also been spotted at a Clinton fundraiser in recent months. Britney Spears appears to be undecided, after editing a post of her and Clinton meeting in Las Vegas this week to remove the #ImWithHer hashtag widely used by Clinton supporters. Sir Elton John has confirmed he'll be headlining a New York fundraiser with Perry after Super Tuesday next month - but it won't be his first appearance, after he gave a musical performance to try to boost her dwindling campaign against Barack Obama in 2008, raising a mammoth $2.5m. Bernie Sanders seems to be doing marginally better among the indie and punk crowd. Last month, the Vermont senator joined indie rock group Vampire Weekend on stage at a rally ahead of the Iowa caucuses ,where he was seen bopping his head and singing along to Woody Guthrie's This Land Is Your Land. The song was reportedly covered by Sanders in a 1987 folk album. Though Canadian, rock and roll musician Neil Young has also admitted to "Feeling the Bern" for Sanders. Red Hot Chili Peppers also hosted a fundraising concert in his honour this month. It was widely reported in August that Clinton was seeking selfie advice from the "queen of selfies", Kim Kardashian. (It wouldn't be a celebrity story without mentioning the K-word.) And her dream seemed to come true because a short while later Kardashian posted a selfie with Clinton on her Instagram account, in which they were photobombed by the one and only Kanye West. "I really loved hearing her speak & hearing her goals for our country!" Kardashian wrote in her Instagram post. West has announced his own plans to run for president in 2020, so perhaps he's hoping Hillary will put in a good word? And it seems the whole Kardashian/Jenner family is getting behind Hillary. Kim's sister, Kendall, this week posted a selfie of herself posing in a Hillary Clinton t-shirt designed by Marc Jacobs. Phil Robertson, the star of American reality TV series Duck Dynasty, is one of the few celebrities

Summary: More and more high-profile celebrities have been speaking out in support of who they think should become the next president of the United States.


Norrie and Claire Aitchison said that Liam's killers should have been kept in custody before and during their trial. The Aitchisons said they will campaign to have the rules changed. On Monday, Johnathan MacKinnon and Stefan Millar, both 22, were convicted of murdering Liam. The two men had lived on Lewis. Following their arrests in December 2011, Millar was allowed bail and moved to Inverness. MacKinnon was bailed in February 2012. A jury at the High Court in Glasgow convicted the two men of murder. The court had heard that Liam was beaten, stabbed and stripped his of clothing during an attack on 23 November 2011. The body of the 16-year-old, from South Uist, was later found in a derelict property in Steinish on Lewis. Following the conviction of the two men, Mr and Mrs Aitchison have spoken out against the right of murder suspects to bail. They said the knowledge that MacKinnon and Millar were out on bail had caused their family distress. Mr Aitchison said his youngest son, Steven, eight, had shared a room with Liam when he stayed at home and was terrified after his older brother was murdered. He said: "The wee fellow wouldn't sleep and thought he was next - we had to move him from the downstairs room to the upstairs room because the downstairs room was by the front door. "He had to watch us lock the door and if I wasn't in he had to wait until I was before he would go to sleep" "We want to head up a campaign to keep anyone that is charged with murder on remand until proven innocent or guilty." The Aitchisons said that they also hope to set up a memorial garden for Liam.

Summary: The father and step-mother of murdered Western Isles teenager Liam Aitchison have called for bail to be refused to people who are charged with murder.


The council will look at proposals to build a new English-medium school to replace those in Gwernyfed and Brecon. It also recommended a new school be built in Builth Wells, replacing the town's existing high school and the one in Llandrindod Wells. If approved, it is hoped the plans will cut costs and tackle the issue of surplus places.

Summary: Plans to overhaul secondary schools in Powys will be discussed next month.


The 28-mile road - previously predicted to cost £347m - was given the green light by Scottish ministers in 2009, but was delayed by legal action. Protesters lost their appeal to the Supreme Court earlier this month. Transport Minister Keith Brown said the "unwanted delays" had resulted in a "substantial increase" in the overall cost of the project. William Walton from the protest group RoadSense, which spearheaded the legal challenge against the construction of the bypass, told BBC Scotland he believed the total cost could be even higher. It is anticipated that construction will get under way in 2014, with completion by spring 2018. In answer to a parliamentary question lodged by Aberdeen Central SNP MSP Kevin Stewart, Mr Brown said the scheme had been costed at £347m in 2008 - an estimate based on 2003 prices. He said that the figure had now risen to £653m as a result of "scope changes, the inclusion of standard risk costs and rebasing to 2012 prices". Mr Brown said inflation had been responsible for a £230m increase in the cost. A scheme to make the A90 a dual carriageway between Balmedie and Tipperty in Aberdeenshire is also expected to cost £92m, giving a total of £745m for the combined project. Mr Stewart criticised the added costs caused by the legal challenges. He said: "Not only has an essential piece of infrastructure been delayed unnecessarily, but inflation has driven up costs. "Now that the legal challenges have been exhausted, we can now move towards construction as quickly as possible." Aberdeen City Council leader Barney Crockett said: "We realised that the cost of the AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) would be roughly what it now is and we have made adequate provision for that. "The economic performance of the area will be underpinned by the AWPR." Tom Smith, chairman of Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef) business development agency, said: "The delays caused by the legal challenges were always going to impact on the costs outlined in 2003. "However, the economic and other benefits of the road are so significant that the cost will still represent a major return on investment for the public purse and people of the north east. "The final mechanics of how they will be paid are still being worked out and there will be delicate negotiations between the Scottish government and our local authorities. "But with the Scottish government paying 80% of the route and the total cost of the fast-link, the north east is getting a great deal in terms of investment in our woefully under-invested roads infrastructure."

Summary: The cost of the Aberdeen bypass has risen to an estimated £653m, it has been revealed.