The Blues went ahead when Cesar Azpilicueta turned in fellow full-back Branislav Ivanovic's low cross. Craig Gardner's skimming shot levelled, but it seemed Chelsea had done enough when Gareth McAuley prodded Willian's cross into his own net. But when the home defence failed to clear McClean made them pay with a pinpoint shot into the bottom corner. The Republic of Ireland international's leveller was the final twist in an often ill-tempered game with Chelsea striker Diego Costa at the centre of several flashpoints, including a confrontation with several West Brom players after the final whistle. Relive the action from Stamford Bridge After only four goals in his first 21 games of the season, Costa has come to life in the wake of Jose Mourinho's departure as manager - doubling that tally in his past four appearances. But, even at his best, the Spain international bristles with aggression as well as attacking threat. From gliding past Jonny Evans and rifling over the top in the first minute, he was never far from incident - exchanging words and clashing shoulders with Jonas Olsson and Claudio Yacob and picking up a booking himself for a crude challenge on Craig Gardner. He forced Boaz Myhill into a sprawling save with his side 2-1 up deep into the second half, but he could not deliver a third goal that would have killed off the contest and wrapped up the points. A Stamford Bridge corridor bore the brunt of Costa's frustration as he punched a tunnel wall as he headed back to the dressing room. Chelsea's title win last season - in which they were out-scored by second-placed Manchester City - was based on a steely defence. But that, along with many other aspects of their play, has deteriorated sharply this term. Despite the imposing pairing of John Terry and Kurt Zouma at centre-half, supported by 6ft 6in goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the hosts never looked comfortable when the ball was played into their box from out wide. After allowing Craig Dawson and McClean to win headers in dangerous positions earlier in the match, their lack of conviction was punished as McClean threaded an 86th-minute shot into the bottom corner after a bout of penalty-area pinball. That goal - combined with Pedro's cheap concession of possession and Zouma's failure to close down Gardner for West Brom's first - will give Blues interim boss Guus Hiddink plenty to muse on as he tries to shore up his rearguard and Chelsea's position in the table. After their Boxing Day defeat by Swansea, West Brom were just three points from the relegation places, but home wins against Stoke and Newcastle followed by this point at Stamford Bridge have improved that cushion to more comfortable nine. Tony Pulis' tactics - his side have played the highest proportion of long passes in the top-flight this season - have been criticised, but his record of never having been relegated as a manager looks unlikely to be spoiled by this typically well-drilled and solid Baggies side. Salomon Rondon, well supported by McClean, was a willing runner

Summary: James McClean's late equaliser earned West Brom a share of the points as they refused to accept defeat at Chelsea.


Workshops are being held at the the city's Royal Cornhill Hospital using specially modified goggles, gloves and other equipment to simulate symptoms. It is aimed at carers and those who have friends or relatives affected by the condition. Staff say the equipment frequently leaves people with a completely new understanding of the disease. Participants are asked to fulfil basic tasks such as getting into bed, writing their name or buttoning up clothing. Julia Wells, an older adults mental health nurse consultant with NHS Grampian, said: "With the number of people living with the disease expected to double over the next 10 years, it's vital that we do everything we can to raise awareness of dementia. "Dementia Awareness Week in general and workshops offer a great platform to do just that. "It also helps to reduce some of the stigma that still exists around the disease."

Summary: A kit which allows people to experience what it is like to have dementia has been introduced in Aberdeen.


England won the day-night Test - the first game in the three-match series - by an innings and 209 runs inside three days at Edgbaston. West Indies have not won a Test in England for 17 years. "Every time they have arrived in England, they seem to have got worse," Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special. West Indies lost 19 wickets on Saturday to be bowled out for 168 and 137 in reply to England's 514-8 declared. Their squad is without established stars Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy after a disagreement with Cricket West Indies over selection. However, their decline from the all-conquering side of the 1980s can be traced back to the mid-1990s - they have not won a series away from home against a team other than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe since 1995. "There are a lot of young players in the West Indies side and you need to give them time, but I find it difficult to think they can go on without any senior players," said Vaughan, who captained England in 51 of his 82 Tests. "There is no one there to teach them. I really fear that this series could be one of the saddest for Test cricket." England, who were rated as the worst team in the world in 1999, drew a three-Test series in West Indies as recently as 2015. "I don't think this era of cricket is any different to any other era," said England coach Trevor Bayliss. "There have always been strong teams and one or two that are struggling. "West Indies are going through a rough time but 20, 40, 60 years ago there were other teams that were going through rough periods." England captain Joe Root said West Indies' display should not detract from the performance of his side, who beat South Africa 3-1 in their previous Test series this summer. "We talk about being ruthless," he said. "We played some really good cricket and it's important we look to back that up." Jermaine Blackwood, who scored an unbeaten 79 off 76 in the first innings, was the only West Indies batsmen to pass 40 in a game in which England's Alastair Cook made 243 and Root 136. West Indies skipper Jason Holder said: "We just weren't up for scratch. "We lacked consistency when we bowled and we didn't put up any runs in either the first or the second innings. "Each player has to look themselves in the mirror and see in what way they can improve. "It's important for us to regroup. This series is not lost. It's important we don't drop our heads. Obviously I believe. I have to believe." The day-night Test, the first to be held in the UK, was arranged partly to help England prepare for the Ashes, where they will meet Australia in a floodlit Test in Adelaide. "To have a taste of it before the Ashes is important," said Root. "The visuals of the ball, getting used to batting at different points in the day, there will be different challenges that lie

Summary: The remainder of England's series against West Indies will be "sad to watch", says former England captain Michael Vaughan.


Parklands High School in Speke will shut in August following consultations with parents, staff and students, Liverpool City Council said. It was placed in special measures following an inspection by Ofsted in December. Students will transfer to other schools and the council said it would look at alternative employment for staff. Exam results are lower than other Liverpool schools with 32% of pupils getting five GCSEs including English and maths, compared to 58% across the rest of the city, the council said. Parklands High School opened in 2002 as a replacement for Speke Comprehensive. There are currently 198 pupils at the school, which has capacity for more than 900, and only 34 children applied for places in September. Councillor Jane Corbett, cabinet member for education, said: "We are now at the stage where the numbers are so low that it is not able to offer a full curriculum and this is simply not in the best interests of the pupils." Pupils will transfer to others schools in the area including ESLA (Enterprise South Liverpool Academy), St Julies and Gateacre. Councillors will give final approval of the school's closure at a cabinet meeting on 21 March.

Summary: A Liverpool school branded "among the lowest of all schools in England" by the education watchdog is to close.


The seven-time Grand Slam champion said Williams was "the best female player ever" but against men it would be an "entirely different story". Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, responded to McEnroe, asking him to "respect me and my privacy". McEnroe, 58, said: "I've got a solution. Men and women play together." "Then we don't have to guess," added the American. "I'm sure the men would be all for it." Dmitry Tursunov - the male player ranked 701 in the world - also said on Tuesday he believes he could beat American Williams, who is due to give birth in autumn. "I would hope that I would win against Serena," he told BBC World Service Sport. The 34-year-old Russian, once ranked as high as 20th in the world, said he did not think McEnroe was "trying to talk women's tennis down" but said "the reality" was that "men are stronger in general". "Physically I might not be in the best shape of my life but as an overall package I'm much better than my ranking would suggest. She is pregnant, and I'm not. Media playback is not supported on this device Williams, 35, who is the most successful female player of the Open era, confirmed her pregnancy in April, just 12 weeks after winning her record 23rd Grand Slam singles title. "Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based," said Williams on Twitter. "I've never played anyone ranked "there" nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir." The world number two expects to be back on court as early as January 2018. Tennis matches between men and women have occurred before, mostly notably back in 1973 when Billie Jean King took on fellow American Bobby Riggs. Riggs, the world number one in the 1940s, retired in 1951 and at the age of 55 believed he could beat any of the top female players. King originally declined to play Riggs and Australian Margaret Court - at the time the top female player in the world - stepped in. Riggs won 6-2 6-1. But later that year, the top-ranked women's player King - 26 years younger than Riggs at 29 - took him on in an exhibition match at the Houston Astrodome and won 6-4 6-3 6-3. A third 'battle of the sexes' match took place in 1992 between American former world number one Jimmy Connors, aged 40 at the time, and Czech/American Martina Navratilova, who was 35. The match took place under special rules to make it more competitive - Connors was allowed only one serve per point, and Navratilova was allowed to hit into half the doubles court. Connors won 7-5 6-2.

Summary: John McEnroe has proposed a men v women contest to prove his claim that Serena Williams would be ranked "700 in the world" on the men's circuit.


Mr O'Malley, who is also a former mayor of Baltimore, joins Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in the primary race ahead of the 2016 US election. "I'm running for you," Mr O'Malley told a crowd of around 1,000 people in Baltimore on Saturday. He also pointed to his work as governor on issues such as gay marriage, immigration and income inequality. "My decision is made. Now you will all have a vital choice to make next year, for the good of your families, and for the good of the country you love and carry in your hearts," he added. The Democratic National Committee said it welcomed a candidate who had shown "solid commitment" to social justice. Mr O'Malley, who endorsed Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful run for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 election, said that his party deserved a wide choice of candidates. "The presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth between two royal families,'' he said, referring to Republican and Democratic nominees Jeb Bush and Ms Clinton. He said that he was joining the race for nomination because there was "urgent work" needed "to rebuild the truth of the American dream for all Americans." US 2016: Meet the possible candidates A few demonstrators gathered near his speech to protest against Mr O'Malley's criminal justice policies as Baltimore mayor. "He's claiming to be this saviour of Baltimore, but he's not," protestor Duane Davis told The Associated Press. Mr O'Malley has defended his previous "zero-tolerance" policies, saying that they helped tackle violent crime. Critics have said that they contributed to the distrust between the police and the local black community. Riots erupted in the city in April after the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.

Summary: Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has announced his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.


The minor injuries unit at Tenby Cottage Hospital was closed as part of a shake-up of health services back in 2013 leading to public demonstrations. Hywel Dda University Health Board hopes the new nurse-led walk-in service will open in July. The board said the unit would provide "convenient access" for residents. St John Ambulance Service will provide treatment for minor injuries over the Easter period.

Summary: Plans to open a new minor injuries unit in Pembrokeshire have got a step closer - four years after protests against the closure of the previous one.


The 25-year-old former Ipswich Town youngster has made more than 230 appearances for the U's, but was hampered by injury last season. Contract options have also been taken up for defenders Lewis Kinsella, Kane Vincent-Young and winger Drey Wright. Wright, 22, has featured 101 times for the U's, while Kinsella, also 22, joined from Aston Villa last summer. Vincent-Young, 21, featured 23 times last season for the U's.

Summary: Colchester United defender Tom Eastman has signed a new two-year contract with the League Two side.


They told the militants "to kill them together or leave them alone", a local governor told Kenyan media. At least two people were killed in the attack, near the north-eastern village of El Wak on the Somali border. The Somali based al-Shabab group is the main suspect for the attack. It has not said if it was responsible, but often carries out attacks in Kenya's north-east. The bus was travelling from the capital Nairobi to the town of Mandera. When al-Shabab killed 148 people in an attack on Garissa University College in April, the militants reportedly singled out Christians and shot them, while freeing many Muslims. Last year, a bus was attacked near Mandera by al-Shabab militants, who killed 36 non-Muslims travelling to Nairobi for Christmas celebrations. "The locals showed a sense of patriotism and belonging to each other," Mandera governor Ali Roba told Kenya's private Daily Nation newspaper. The militants decided to leave after the passengers' show of unity, he added. An employee of the Makkah bus company, who had spoken to the driver involved in the attack, confirmed to the BBC that Muslims had refused to be separated from their fellow Christian passengers. One of the victims was shot dead after trying to run away from the militants after passengers had been forced off the bus, the same employee told the BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in Nairobi. Al-Shabab has been at war with Kenya ever since Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in an effort to crush the militants. Kenya's north-eastern region has a large population of ethnic Somalis.

Summary: A group of Kenyan Muslims travelling on a bus ambushed by Islamist gunmen protected Christian passengers by refusing to be split into groups, according to eyewitnesses.


The company behind the project at Woodburn Forest, near Carrickfergus, is set to formally end its application for a court order to stop alleged trespassing and obstruction, according to a lawyer in the case. Lawyers for InfraStrata had issued High Court proceedings against 10 people after a notice was issued for opponents to vacate the site last week. At one stage, a judge had warned that he would ban them from going near the area if they blocked work getting underway. However, with contractors able to move in without obstruction, the case had been adjourned to Friday for a further update. It was indicated that the legal application is set to be formally discontinued. Outside court, solicitor Mark O'Connor, representing some of the protestors, said: "My clients are delighted with the resolution to this matter, where they are no longer to face injunction proceedings. "They don't believe this case should ever have been brought in the first place." The Stop the Drill campaign group is objecting to a controversial borehole to search for oil and gas in the area, saying it is part of the catchment for a reservoir supplying water to homes in Belfast and Carrickfergus. They claim chemicals used in the drill process could leach into the water table. But Northern Ireland Water, which leased the site to InfraStrata, insists the project will not compromise the water supply. Groundwater will also be protected by measures, including the drill shaft being encased in steel and concrete, according to the firm. Last week, Mid and East Antrim Council approved a waste management plan - effectively paving the way for four months of work on the site to begin. During a previous hearing, a lawyer for InfraStrata said a protest camp was in operation since March. He claimed groups of up to 25 people gathered during earlier, preliminary stages in the project. At one stage cars were used to block off the entrance to the site, he said. Any further disruption will have financial consequences for a project costing Â£8,000 a day, the court heard. It was argued that the company has a right of way on private land and was only taking the minimal step of seeking an injunction at this stage. A lawyer representing some of the 10 defendants insisted his clients had neither trespassed nor caused obstruction. He also stressed the international concern at what he described as a world-first attempt to drill in a water catchment area. But with the case now apparently settled, Mr O'Connor said both sides will bear their own legal costs.

Summary: Anti-drilling protesters are no longer facing injunction proceedings over an exploratory oil well site in County Antrim.


Warnings are being displayed at bus stops, Tube stations and roadsides in the capital because of "high pollution levels". Mr Khan said the warnings would help Londoners take "appropriate measures to protect themselves". Under previous mayor, Boris Johnson, air pollution alerts were available through a subscription text service. Anyone experiencing discomfort is advised to consider reducing their activity, particularly outdoors. "This is particularly crucial for Londoners who are vulnerable, such as asthma sufferers," Mr Kahn added. According to official statistics from the Mayor of London, 9,400 people die from air pollution in London each year. The alerts are being displayed at 2,500 bus stops and river piers, the entrances of all 270 Tube stations and on 140 signs next to the busiest main roads into London with instructions to switch engines off when stationary to reduce emissions. The mayor has proposed a series of measures to tackle the problem, including introducing charges for the most polluting vehicles in the Congestion Charge Zone. King's College London's air quality network describes air pollution in London as "high" due to an area of high pressure over the UK resulting in calm, settled and cold conditions and poor dispersal of local pollutants. Dr David Green of King's College London said: "Letting people know about the problem is very important. "The more information, the more action people can take to protect themselves and the more well known the problem the less likely people are to buy that diesel car in the future."

Summary: Air quality alerts have been issued across the capital by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for the first time.


Bradley Onfroy and Josie Hollis are accused of killing Jordan Hill. Mr Hill died in hospital after being found with injuries at a flat in Southey Avenue, Sheffield, on 23 March. Mr Onfroy, 31, of Badger Close, Sheffield, and Ms Hollis, 24, of no fixed abode, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court and were remanded in custody to stand trial on 20 October. They also denied robbery. More stories from across Yorkshire

Summary: A man and a woman have denied the murder of a 21-year-old who was stabbed.


The authorities expressed concern over the incident and called for both countries "to do more" to contribute towards peace. But Beijing did not condemn North Korea's actions. Apart from issuing a couple of bland statements, the authorities here have said nothing. That is not surprising. When it comes to North Korea, Beijing almost never criticises its neighbour, no matter how troublesome it proves. The state-run media has followed suit. It has not pointed the finger at Pyongyang and gave play to North Korean claims that the border exchange was triggered by South Korea. One newspaper editorial even praised Pyongyang for showing what it called "toughness" during the skirmish. Beijing, however, finds itself in a difficult position. It is North Korea's main ally, supplying much of the country's food and fuel. It is also a relationship that was forged during the Korean War and has now lasted more than half a century. When the reclusive North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, needs foreign backing, he boards his train and heads to China. He has been in the country twice this year. Once after the sinking of a South Korean warship, which a team of international investigators said was caused by a North Korean torpedo. And then ahead of a major military parade in which his son, Kim Jong-un, was unveiled as his likely successor. Beijing views the country as a buffer state against a democratic South Korea and American forces stationed there. And if the North Korean regime were to collapse, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of refugees would cross the border. In recent years, however, the relationship between the two countries has been strained. After North Korea detonated a nuclear device for the first time in 2006, Beijing voted to impose UN sanctions on the country. It was a rare moment when China sought to publicly punish the regime. With China now a world power some Chinese see their country's continued support of North Korea as something of an embarrassment. Indeed, the West hopes that Beijing can exert its influence in Pyongyang to ease tensions. But for all the help the authorities here give their neighbour, it is unclear how much leverage China actually has over North Korea. While in public the Chinese authorities will not be criticising North Korea, in private, there will be deep concerns in Beijing that Pyongyang's actions could threaten regional stability. This latest attack may strengthen those in Beijing who view the country as more of a liability than an asset.

Summary: While Western leaders and editorials have condemned North Korea's artillery barrage of its southern neighbour on Tuesday, in China the response has been more muted.


The Co Wicklow fighter beat Victoria Torres of Mexico on a unanimous decision to make the semi-finals. All four semi-finalists in Kazakhstan qualify for August's Olympics. Middleweight Savannah Marshall became the 10th British boxer to book a place in Brazil by outpointing Chinese third seed Li Qian in her quarter-final bout. Taylor, 29, who is guaranteed at least a bronze medal, impressed in Tuesday's quarter-final with a clinical display and is aiming for a sixth world title. The Bray boxer beat Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden and Argentina's Dayana Sanchez in Astana before prevailing against Torres over four rounds. Taylor was surprisingly beaten in the Olympic qualifier in Turkey last month. Azerbaijan's Yana Alekseevna handed Taylor her first defeat in five years at the European Olympic qualifiers to leave the five-time world champion still seeking Rio qualification. Alekseevna's victory in Samsun was Taylor's first defeat in 63 contests. Meanwhile, Marshall, 25, will next face Dutch fighter Nouchka Fontijn for a place in the final. Compatriot Nicola Adams kept on track for the first world gold of her career as she squeezed through against Yu-Ting Lin of Chinese Taipei in their flyweight bout. Adams, who has already qualified for the Olympics, goes up against home favourite Ahaina Shekerbekova on Thursday, and knows she will not have to fight big rival Ren Cancan, who withdrew with food poisoning. Great Britain's Sandy Ryan missed out on a world medal in the non-Olympic light-welterweight division as she lost on a unanimous decision to China's Wenlu Yang.

Summary: London 2012 gold medallist Katie Taylor will defend her lightweight title in Rio after securing an Olympic Games berth at the World Championships.


The typical price of Â£260,000 grew at the fastest rate for nearly four years. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said prices rose strongly across the UK, with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all picking up pace. London, where prices were up 18.7%, remains the driving force behind the housing revival. But excluding London and the South East of England, the cost of a home was still 6.3% higher than 12 months before. The governor of the Bank of England said he would take prompt action, if action was needed. Writing in the Bank's annual report, Mark Carney said: "We will not hesitate to take further proportionate and graduated action as warranted," Carney said. He added that the Bank's Financial Policy Committee, which is meeting today, had announced measures in November to reduce stimulus to the housing market." In March, the ONS calculated that the annual rate of increase had fallen back slightly to 8%, so the April figures shows the market accelerating once again. April house price inflation was 10.4% in England, 3.3% in Wales, 4.8% in Scotland and 2.6% in Northern Ireland - all higher than the previous month. First-time buyers continue to experience more rapid price increases than people moving house. A rise in London house prices of 18.7% in the year to April is more than 20 times as fast as the average rise in pay (up 0.9%). Even if you strip out London and the south-east of England, prices nationally are up 6.3%. BBC housing calculator We need a reliable measure of what house price inflation is doing to the cost of living. Do we have it? Not exactly. The ONS leaves housing costs out of its Consumer Price Index on the grounds that a house is an asset, not something you consume. But for many people - especially younger people - housing costs are by far their biggest single cost. The ONS answer until now has been to produce another statistic, CPIH, which includes housing costs. Yet, even as house prices roared away, CPIH didn't rise but actually dropped, from 1.6% to 1.4%. How? Because it measures owner-occupiers' housing costs by looking at what they would pay if they rented. Not the mortgages people actually pay. And the numbers assume that housing costs make up just 15% of the average expenditure. But ask young people whether they spend just 15% on housing - and you'll get a funny look. Many older people may have paid off their mortgages. The statistics mask gaping differences between the generations. Perhaps younger people could use an alternative measure of the cost of living that reflects their reality - where housing costs are by far the biggest burden. Campbell Robb, the chief executive of Shelter, said: "Each rise in prices means more people stuck living in their childhood bedrooms, or trapped in the cycle of moving from one expensive rented home to the next. "This is a problem that the government can fix. We need a new generation of quality part-buy, part-rent homes, and to make sure that small builders can

Summary: House price increases accelerated in April, rising by 9.9% compared with the same month a year ago, according to official figures.


NUS lawyers have written to Business Secretary Sajid Javid, demanding he properly considers the equality impact of the move. Plans to scrap grants were announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his budget in July. The government said it would respond to the letter in due course. Currently, students whose family income is below £25,000 are eligible for full grants worth up to £3,387 plus a loan of £4,047 if they live away from home outside London. Partial grants on a sliding scale are available for students whose family income is below £60,000. The government wants to replace the grants with loans for new students from next year. In its judicial review pre-action letter, the NUS identifies "a serious and unlawful failure" in the government to discharge a duty set out in the 2010 Equality Act to consider the impact of the policy on the poorest students. "The abolition of maintenance grants will cause a very significant increase in debt for the poorest students; from £40,500 to around £53,000 at a time when the impacts of the 2012 recent reforms remain to be properly analysed and understood," says the letter. NUS President Megan Dunn called the government's plan "reckless", citing "strong evidence" the change would mean higher education "becomes less accessible to minority groups". She added: "We know the huge damage that this change will have if it is allowed to happen. It is obvious that the government is attempting to rush through these changes with no consideration on future generations of students." Salima Budhani of legal firm Bindmans said the NUS was calling upon the secretary of state "to halt plans to abolish maintenance grants and to gather information to enable him to properly consider the complex equality considerations at stake. "An open minded reconsideration of the policy should then take place." A spokeswoman for the Department for Business Innovation and Skills said students would not have to pay back anything until their earnings rose above £21,000. The maintenance loan for all students would also rise from next year to £8,200 for students living away from home outside London: "the highest amount of support ever provided", the spokeswoman added.

Summary: The National Union of Students (NUS) has taken the first step in legal action over government plans to scrap maintenance grants in England.


That was better than the 3% pace that economists had been expecting and follows the 4.6% growth rate recorded in the April-June quarter. Strong export growth and higher government spending helped to boost growth in the third quarter. In a sign of confidence in the US recovery, on Wednesday the Federal Reserve ended its stimulus scheme. The fall in the unemployment rate to a six-year low has helped to boost that confidence. "Today's number represents a return to a healthy-looking trend. The most recent IMF forecasts suggest the US economy will grow 3.1% next year and 3.0% in 2016, and these could be revised further upwards in the coming months," said Ben Brettell, senior economist at Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers. The report was the first of three estimates of gross domestic product, so the figure could be revised up or down, over the coming months. Growth was lifted in the third quarter by a sharp increase in government spending, which itself was boosted by a surge in defence expenditure. Exports were another area of strength, they rose at an annual rate of 7.8%. But there will be a question over whether that pace can be maintained as important export markets for the US are struggling. Growth in many European countries is stagnant and the Chinese economy is slowing down. Consumption growth was relatively weak in the third quarter, running at an annual rate of 1.8%, but economists expect that to improve. "Conditions are in place for a pick-up in the pace of consumption growth," said Paul Ashworth, chief US economist at Capital Economics. "Real personal disposable incomes increased by a healthy 2.7% in the third quarter and, with the prospect of further big gains in employment and the impact of the slump in energy prices, real incomes should enjoy an even bigger gain in the fourth quarter." Overall it has been a volatile year for US growth data. In the first quarter the economy contracted at an annual rate of 2.1% after severe weather hampered economic activity. But the second quarter saw a rebound, growing at an annual pace of 4.6%. Taken together the latest two quarters are the strongest consecutive quarters of growth since the second half of 2003. On Wednesday the US Federal Reserve announced the end of its quantitative easing (QE) stimulus programme. QE started in November 2008 amid the financial crisis and fears that the US, and the rest of the world, might be facing another great depression. Since then the Fed has bought $3.5 trillion of US government debt and bonds created out of home loans or mortgages. It began to phase out the scheme last year and a fall in unemployment to 5.9% has encouraged the Fed to end it altogether. However, interest rates will remain at a record low for a "considerable time" according to the US central bank.

Summary: The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5% in the July-September quarter, the Commerce Department has said.


Michael Gove and Boris Johnson said the pledge was "corrosive of public trust" while Britain remained in the EU. But Number 10 said their claim was an "attempt to distract" from the fact that an EU exit would be "disastrous". It comes amid growing Tory turmoil over the EU, with some MPs threatening a post-referendum leadership challenge. Meanwhile, a survey of economists has suggested that nine in 10 of those who responded believe leaving the EU would be damaging. There are less than four weeks to go until the UK decides whether to stay in or leave the European Union on 23 June. John Pienaar: Tory division escalates EU referendum: All you need to know Issues guide: Explore the arguments Immigration is one of the key battlegrounds in the referendum debate - and it is the focus of an open letter to Mr Cameron, published in the Sunday Times, by Mr Gove and Mr Johnson, who say the government's pledge to get migration below 100,000 was unachievable. Net migration - the difference between the number of people coming to the UK for at least a year and those leaving - rose to 333,000 in 2015, according to Office for National Statistics estimates. The figure for EU-only net migration was 184,000, equalling its record high, and 188,000 for non-EU. This issue covers immigration and free movement within Europe. Mr Johnson and Mr Gove said: "Voters were promised repeatedly at elections that net migration could be cut to tens of thousands. "This promise is plainly not achievable as long as the UK is a member of the EU and the failure to keep it is corrosive of public trust in politics." They also said they were "particularly concerned about the impact of free movement in the future on public services". "Class sizes will raise and waiting lists will lengthen if we don't tackle free movement," they wrote. In response to the letter, Number 10 said: "This is a transparent attempt to distract from the fact that the overwhelming majority of economists and businesses believe leaving the single market would be disastrous for jobs, prices and opportunities for people." By John Pienaar, deputy political editor The Brexiteers point is that EU open borders make immigration control impossible. Its effect, though, is to accelerate a descent into internecine warfare which now threatens to make the Conservatives ungovernable if the referendum ends in anything but a decisive victory for the Remain campaign. So bitter has the conflict become, so taut the tension between the rival factions, that angry Eurosceptic Tories talk privately of challenging the prime minister's position even if Britain votes to stay inside the European Union. Read more from John Pienaar The row over the migration target comes as the Conservative in-fighting over the EU referendum intensifies. David Cameron and most of his cabinet are campaigning for a vote to stay in the EU, but about half of his MPs support an exit. Conservative Leave campaigner Andrew Bridgen told 5 live's Pienaar's Politics that as many as 50 Tory MPs were ready to back a

Summary: David Cameron must accept the failure of the government's manifesto pledge to reduce migration into the UK, two leading Vote Leave MPs have said.


Pro-democracy activists have staged huge protests, the most recent on the 1 July anniversary of the day Hong Kong was handed back to China from Britain. They have threatened to occupy parts of the city if their demands are not met. Public discontent in Hong Kong is at its highest for years with concern over Beijing's influence over elections. The city's police estimated Sunday's turnout at more than 110,000 people, but a specialist polling group based at the University of Hong Kong put the figure at around 80,000. "We want to let the world know that we want peace, we want democracy, but please, do not threaten us, do not try to turn this place into a place of violence," Robert Chow, co-founder of the pro-government Alliance for Peace and Democracy told AFP. Political rallies are a common sight in Hong Kong, a special Chinese city with a high level of freedom. But large-scale demonstrations supportive of the Chinese government in Beijing are extremely rare. The demonstrators -- much older than their pro-democracy rivals and clearly mobilised by dozens of pro-China clan organisations -- carried signs opposing the civil disobedience movement called Occupy Central. Questions have been raised about the legitimacy of the demonstration. Hong Kong media reports have suggested some companies and business groups had asked their employees to take part. Despite those controversies, Johnson Yeung, a pro-democracy activist who organised the recent 1 July protest, told BBC News the rally was indeed an historic event. "For the first time since the handover in 1997, the central government has organised a mass rally of this scale. It really shows their commitment against Occupy Central." The large turnout is a reminder there is still no consensus in the battle for Hong Kong's political future. In the other camp, pro-democracy activists from the "Occupy Central" group have said they would mobilise protesters to take over some of the busier areas of the central business district if electoral reform is not put in place. City authorities say such an occupation would be illegal however, and argue that it could tarnish Hong Kong's reputation. Hong Kong's next elections will take place in 2017, and China says it will introduce universal suffrage for the vote. However the current Chief Executive of Hong Kong CY Leung was elected by a committee largely loyal to the Chinese government. The pro-democracy protesters fear that the shortlist of candidates to replace him will be a similar group also loyal to Beijing. The chief executive is currently elected by a 1,200-member election committee. A majority of the representatives are viewed as pro-Beijing. The Chinese government has promised direct elections for the leader, known as the chief executive, by 2017. However, voters will only have a choice from a list of candidates selected by a nominating committee, and Beijing has said all candidates must be "patriotic". Activists fear China will use the committee to screen out candidates it disapproves of.

Summary: A major pro-government rally in Hong Kong is drawing in thousands of supporters, in response to civil disobedience campaigns by activists.


Kayley Olsson, a 20-year-old student hairdresser in Waterloo, Iowa, posted on Facebook on Tuesday about a girl who came into her salon with densely matted and tangled hair. "Today I had one of the hardest experiences - I had a 16-year-girl come in who has been dealing with severe depression for a few years now," Kayley wrote in the post, which has been shared over 55,000 times. The teen had explained to Kayley she "felt so down and so worthless she couldn't even brush her hair, she only got up to use the restroom." The teenager had a school photograph scheduled and she asked the salon to cut off all her hair because she couldn't face the pain of combing out the matted knots and tangles. But Kayley and her colleague Mariah Wenger, who are both beauty therapy students, refused to shear the teen's waist-length hair. "Cutting her hair was absolutely not a option for me. "I knew right then and there that we had to keep as much hair as possible," Kayley told the BBC. "Shaving was a last resort and something none of us going in wanted to do," Mariah added. The women untangled and combed the teenager's hair for 10 hours, spending two days with her. "It took a lot of encouraging words, reassurance, and just plain conversation to take her mind off of the pain involved in removing the matting and to boost her self esteem and confidence. "I was able to very closely relate to her mental health problems and the daily struggle that comes with them, due to my struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety," explained Mariah, who has two children. "I understood how it felt to feel worthless - a child should never feel like that. "I knew I had to help her, just like people helped me. We all deserve to feel beautiful," Kayley said. After detangling it as far as shoulder height, Kayley and Mariah cut and shaped the teenager's hair. "Let's just say we both let out tears of joy! "Her last words to me were, 'I will actually smile for my schools pictures today, you made me feel like me again,'" Kayley explained. The post has received nearly 60,000 comments (at time of writing), including women relating their own experiences of mental health problems. "It's happened to me - I suffer with bipolar and had an episode and didn't brush my hair or take care of myself - just remember beautiful girl you're not on your own," wrote Sarah-Lee on Facebook. "I work with mental health and good for you. I see this daily it's sad but so true," said Renay St Amand. "I've been in this position and I can't tell you how comforting and important it is for a hairdresser to be kind and understanding. I wasn't judged either and got my hair back to being beautiful," wrote Claire McDonald. "I have been struggling with my depression and suicidal thoughts. It's hard to even get out of bed but I try to fight everything negative. Plus you are beautiful

Summary: Beauty rituals may not be the first thing you think about in relation to mental health, but when an American hairdresser told her story about a teenage client with depression, thousands responded.


The writer, who had cancer, died in Los Angeles on Christmas Day his son, Paul Johnson, said. Johnson also penned the first Star Trek television episode, shown in 1966. But he was best known for Logan's Run, which was made into a 1976 film starring Michael York and was nominated for two Oscars. Set in a dystopian future and co-written with William F Nolan, the story told of a society where young people live idyllic lives, but are executed when they reach the age of 30 to prevent overpopulation. York played Logan 5, a so-called Sandman who tracks down those who try to escape their fate. Jenny Agutter, Peter Ustinov and Farrah Fawcett also starred in the film. The film was nominated for best cinematography and art direction Oscars and won a special achievement Academy Award for its visual effects. It also spawned a short-lived US TV series in 1977 starring Gregory Harrison in the lead role. 'Loved his fans' Johnson was revered among fans of the sci-fi genre for his work, which also included a collaboration with Ray Bradbury on the 1962 Oscar-nominated animated short film Icarus Montgolfier Wright. "Please emphasise how much he loved his fans, and judging by the overwhelming response I've received, from hundreds of people, known and unknown, he made quite an impact on them," Paul Johnson told The Associated Press. Prior to Logan's Run, Johnson created several episodes of 1960s TV series The Twilight Zone. They included Kick the Can, where a group of elderly care home residents turn back their biological clocks and relive their childhoods by playing a children's game, and Nothing in the Dark, which starred a young Robert Redford as a kindly version of the Grim Reaper. The writer also penned the story of Ocean's 11, the 1960 film about a Las Vegas casino heist which starred Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin. It was remade in 2001 starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon and paved the way for two sequels, released in 2004 and 2007. As well as his son, Johnson is survived by a daughter, Judy Olive, and his wife, Lola Johnson.

Summary: Science-fiction writer George Clayton Johnson, who co-wrote the 1967 dystopian novel Logan's Run, has died aged 86.


The 21-year-old scored one try in two appearances for the Welsh region but crossed eight times in 26 games for Welsh Premiership side Cardiff RFC, who come under the umbrella of the Blues. Bath have also handed a new two-year contract extension to back row Levi Douglas, 20, who joined the English Premiership club's academy in December. He has made three senior appearances since signing from French side Oyonnax. On Tuesday, Bath announced Argentina wing Horacio Agulla will leave the club at the end of the season. Mike Ford's side are ninth in the table ahead of their final match of the season against Leicester Tigers on Saturday,

Summary: Bath have signed Cardiff Blues' Welsh wing Harry Davies ahead of next season.


More mothers now need surgery to deliver a baby due to their narrow pelvis size, according to a study. Researchers estimate cases where the baby cannot fit down the birth canal have increased from 30 in 1,000 in the 1960s to 36 in 1,000 births today. Historically, these genes would not have been passed from mother to child as both would have died in labour. Researchers in Austria say the trend is likely to continue, but not to the extent that non-surgical births will become obsolete. Dr Philipp Mitteroecker, of the department of theoretical biology at the University of Vienna, said there was a long standing question in the understanding of human evolution. "Why is the rate of birth problems, in particular what we call fetopelvic disproportion - basically that the baby doesn't fit through the maternal birth canal - why is this rate so high?" he said. "Without modern medical intervention such problems often were lethal and this is, from an evolutionary perspective, selection. "Women with a very narrow pelvis would not have survived birth 100 years ago. They do now and pass on their genes encoding for a narrow pelvis to their daughters." It has been a long standing evolutionary question why the human pelvis has not grown wider over the years. The head of a human baby is large compared with other primates, meaning animals such as chimps can give birth relatively easily. The researchers devised a mathematical model using data from the World Health Organization and other large birth studies. They found opposing evolutionary forces in their theoretical study. One is a trend towards larger newborns, which are more healthy. However, if they grow too large, they get stuck during labour, which historically would have proved disastrous for mother and baby, and their genes would not be passed on. "One side of this selective force - namely the trend towards smaller babies - has vanished due to Caesarean sections," said Dr Mitteroecker. "Our intent is not to criticise medical intervention," he said. "But it's had an evolutionary effect. " The researchers estimated that the global rate of cases where the baby could not fit through the maternal birth canal was 3%, or 30 in 1,000 births. Over the past 50 or 60 years, this rate has increased to about 3.3-3.6%, so up to 36 in 1,000 births. That is about a 10-20% increase of the original rate, due to the evolutionary effect. "The pressing question is what's going to happen in the future?" Dr Mitteroecker said. "I expect that this evolutionary trend will continue but perhaps only slightly and slowly. "There are limits to that. So I don't expect that one day the majority of children will have to be born by [Caesarean] sections." The research is published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Commenting on the study, Smithsonian paleoanthropologist Dr Briana Pobiner said there are "probably many other biological and cultural issues that factor into the Caesarean sections rate, which varies widely across the developed and developing world". And Daghni Rajasingam, a consultant

Summary: The regular use of Caesarean sections is having an impact on human evolution, say scientists.


The image, a parody of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, was found on Hanover Place near the city's harbour. Girl with a Pierced Eardrum incorporates an alarm box as the model's earring. On Tuesday, the work was found with dark paint thrown across the bottom of the woman's face. Banksy's last work in the city was Mobile Lovers, which appeared in a doorway in Clement Street in April. A row broke out over who owned it, with Bristol City Council arguing the work was on its land. However, Banksy wrote to Broad Plain Boys' Club saying it was theirs and the club sold it to a private collector for Â£403,000. But the anonymous graffiti artist's new mural is not the first to have been vandalised in his home town. In 2009, red paint was thrown over Mild Mild West on Stokes Croft prompting calls for the piece - one of Banksy's most famous - to be protected with a clear plastic covering. And months later the Hanging Man, at the bottom of Park Street, was damaged with blue paint. Both pieces were successfully restored. But one work that could not be saved was painted close to the Bristol Royal Infirmary. The image, featuring a police sniper about to be surprised by a boy bursting a paper bag, was painted over after black paint destroyed the image.

Summary: A new mural by street artist Banksy in Bristol has been vandalised less than 24 hours after the work appeared.


Liverpool came from behind to win, Arsenal had a dramatic and controversial late goal at Burnley to thank for three points, while Chelsea beat Hull City. Stoke moved off the bottom thanks to a draw at Manchester United and Leicester City were held by Southampton, while Sunderland, Watford and West Ham drew with West Brom, Bournemouth and Middlesbrough respectively. Do you agree with my team of the week? Or would you go for a different team? Why not pick your very own Team of the Week from the shortlist selected by BBC Sport journalists and share it with your friends? Pick your XI from our list and share with your friends. It was only his second appearance in top-flight football and his performance was super. He showed absolutely no signs of nerves and always looked in command. This was by no means a virtuoso performance by Stoke but their current position in the table demanded a result and it was Grant's performance that was the determining factor. If substitute Anthony Martial had not entered the fray and produced such a spectacular finish Manchester United would still be playing now without scoring, such was their wastefulness in front of goal. But you can't blame Lee Grant for that. I don't think I saw Manchester City winger Jesus Navas go past Walker once in the 65 minutes he was on the pitch, and eventually Walker saw him off. Walker is so full of running and confidence at the moment it's scary. It was his interception that started the move that resulted in Tottenham's penalty. I must say Walker's athleticism reminds me of my former team-mate, ex-Spurs and England full-back Danny Thomas. Now there was an athlete. Alderweireld was outstanding against Manchester City. His tackle on Fernandinho five minutes into the second half was a statement of intent. It was a clear that Spurs were determined to start the second half the way they had finished the first and that was to remain totally in control of the match. Last season when Spurs went on their impressive run of games, it was Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen who stood out at the back. They now have Kyle Walker and Danny Rose alongside them and both have a year's more experience under their belts. Let's see if it makes a difference. This was a Tottenham side without Harry Kane or Mousa Dembele and they still managed to batter Manchester City. The main reason was due to the performance of the two centre-backs, Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. I would never have believed that Spurs could have kept a clean sheet against City the way they have been playing this season under Pep Guardiola. Granted, City were without their talisman Kevin de Bruyne but if Guardiola hadn't been so obstinate and hard-headed, he'd have left the door open for Yaya Toure to return to the team and who knows what might have happened. No Manchester City manager, however celebrated, can have a player of Toure's ability and justify his exclusion with a result, not to mention a performance, like

Summary: Manchester City's 100% league record was emphatically ended by a defeat at Tottenham, who remain unbeaten so far this season.


But pay remains lower than at Aldi and Lidl and overtime pay on Sundays and Bank Holidays is being cut. Currently Tesco workers are paid £7.62 an hour, which will rise to £8.42 an hour by November 2018. The pay rise will put Tesco workers' pay above the £7.90 level that the National Living Wage is expected to reach by 2018. The National Living Wage is the effective minimum wage for adults aged 25 and over, and is currently £7.50. Those under the age of 25 are entitled to a lower minimum wage rate. Statutory minimum pay rates will continue to rise until at least 2020, according to recent government Budgets, and companies are planning for those changes, as well as striving to remain competitive with rivals in order to recruit and retain staff. Wage growth in the UK has been slow in recent years, but inflation has risen and other supermarkets have increased the wages they pay. Aldi recently announced a rise in hourly pay to £8.53 an hour; Lidl's website says it pays store staff £8.45 an hour. Tesco said it would increase hourly pay in three stages: to £8.02 in November 2017, then to £8.18 in July 2018 and to £8.42 in November 2018. "This reward package sees our biggest investment in store pay for a decade, and gives colleagues a sustainable pay deal that rewards them for everything they do, while allowing us to also attract new talent," said Tesco UK chief executive, Matt Davies. The retailer said maternity pay terms had also been improved. But extra pay for Sundays and bank holidays will be reduced from time-and-a-half to time-and-a-quarter after July 2018. "This is designed to meet the government legislative requirement around the minimum wage. "As expected, most of the businesses who have had to face up to this rise have had to reduce premiums and other perks that employees benefitted from in order to meet the core wage rises," said retail analyst Steve Dresser.

Summary: Hourly pay rates for Tesco store staff will rise by 10.5% over the next two years, the supermarket has said.


Tree surgeon Jon Sterkel told the BBC he used an explosive rifle target which sent blue smoke billowing into the air. The blast was reportedly so loud that it was heard nearly 5km (3 miles) away. Mr Sterkel has apologised after causing a police alert. He said that he was not aware his actions were illegal. "The explosives I bought are readily available in most department stores, and even most law enforcers I have spoken to are not aware that they are illegal," he told the BBC. He said that he had detonated exploding targets before on his remote farmland west of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, without upsetting anyone. How are new babies celebrated around the world? He said that Saturday's explosion contained blue smoke - caused by chalk powder - to tell the outside world that his wife Ashley is expecting a baby boy. Mr Sterkel, 26, can be heard proclaiming "it's a boy!" on the video of the explosion which has been widely featured on numerous US websites. But the blast was so loud that police in nearby Scottsbluff were alerted, with some residents concerned that a major disaster had taken place. Mr Sterkel said that he immediately called the local sheriff to explain what had happened in addition to apologising for his actions. "I would like to say sorry for all of the confusion," he said. "I am a man of character and will willingly go to court if the district attorney chooses to prosecute me. "This was just our way of announcing what gender our baby was." Mr Sterkel faces charges for detonating the explosive without a valid permit. There was no damage or injury but he could be punished with a prison sentence and a fine of $1,000 (Â£800). Police told the Omaha World Herald that although exploding targets, which are detonated when shot with a high powered rifle, have recently become popular, people who use them need to follow the correct procedures. Mr Sterkel told the BBC that he does not plan any more spectacular blasts once the baby, his first child, is born around 16 June. And the baby's name? "Possibly Wesson, in honour of the rifle maker Smith and Wesson," he said.

Summary: A US man who celebrated news that his wife was expecting a baby boy by setting off an explosion in Nebraska is facing police action which could result in a year in jail and a fine.


Owner Tom Forrest also featured the phrase "man + woman = marriage" on the site for Cromasaig B&B in Kinlochewe. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in Scotland had begun action to seek a court order. However, it said this had been halted after Mr Forrest agreed to remove the phrases voluntarily. The website said the guest house was "heterosexual friendly" and included a pictorial version of the statement "man + woman = marriage". The commission said it was concerned that these phrases were potentially discriminatory. It initially wrote to Mr Forrest asking for them to be removed after receiving complaints. When no action was taken, the commission sought a court order which would require the phrases to be removed. That legal action has been halted after the statements were deleted voluntarily. Lynn Welsh, of the EHRC, said: "I am pleased that the owners of Cromasaig B&B have agreed to remove these phrases. "Removing the phrases will have no negative impact on their business, and alleviates EHRC's concerns." EHRC added that while the case had been "concluded successfully", the case raised questions surrounding the "continued prevalence of homophobic discrimination" which exists in Scotland. Owner Mr Forrest sparked controversy in 2004 when he refused a gay couple a double room at the guest house. The couple, from London, were told they could only book a twin room because their relationship was "unnatural". As a result, the B&B had its recommended status removed by tourist authority VisitScotland.

Summary: A Highlands bed and breakfast which was described as "heterosexual friendly" on its website has removed phrases after being threatened with legal action.


The 24-year-old was found dead at his home in Skellow on 14 August. South Yorkshire Police believe Mr Siddall was assaulted in the VDKA bar in Silver Street the night before. A post-mortem examination concluded he died of a head injury. Blue Horrobin, 22, of Highfield Road, Askern, has been charged with manslaughter and released on bail. He will appear at Doncaster Magistrates' Court on 1 March.

Summary: A man has been charged in connection with the death of Lewis Siddall in Doncaster.


The Snowdon Partnership launched a consultation on Thursday, outlining the ways it wants to promote and safeguard the area. It follows concerns about visitor numbers, litter and strains on rescue teams, facilities and the environment. Snowdonia National Park Authority said it hoped to create the "best plan possible for the area". According to the partnership, Snowdon is the third most visited attraction in Wales with 582,000 visitors and the busiest mountain in the UK. John Harold, the director of The Snowdonia Society, said the mountain has seen "a dramatic increase in visitors to the area over the last few years". "There are issues surrounding the pressures of use. We are looking at litter, at footpath erosion, the need for people to be aware of their responsibilities and the challenges they are setting themselves when they set out on the mountain, at sustainable transport," he said. "We celebrate the mountain - people do value it and enjoy their time here - so we are not interested in turning people away. "We are looking at the positives and putting the limited resources that the partner bodies have to get the best outcome." The partnership also wants to build on the success of tourism, saying about Â£69m is directly spent by visitors in local communities. Tracey Evans, chief executive of charity The Outdoor Partnership, said: "Outdoor pursuit tourism is the biggest income generator in the area and it's about managing it properly, identifying those honey pot areas and dealing with the challenges. "There is no one single answer. Do we need to look at an improved sherpa [bus] service, do we need a tourism tax where hoteliers and caterers come on board and the money is reinvested into the area? "This partnership approach should go some way to addressing these issues." Helen Pye, Snowdonia National Park Authority's partnerships manager, said: "People's views and ideas are extremely important to us which is why we're providing this opportunity for people to give their feedback on the draft plan. "Ensuring input from others is so important so that we can produce the best plan possible for the area, and the plan as a result will evolve and be adapted as appropriate." The online consultation runs until 7 July.

Summary: A drive is under way to protect the future of Snowdon following a rise in visitors to the mountain.


Martin Johnson, 56, from Harlow, Essex, made the threats on an easyJet flight from Bristol to Malaga in April. Bristol Crown Court heard he bought two bottles of duty free wine and drank one before boarding and the other on the aircraft. The flight had to turn around and return to Bristol. The court heard cabin crew found an empty wine bottle in the toilet and that someone had urinated all over the cubicle. Johnson became abusive after they announced the flight would be returning to the departure city. "If the pilot turns us around I am going to stab him and I am going to hit him," he said. "I'm going to stab an air hostess and kill everybody on the plane." Johnson, originally from Scotland, was arrested when the flight landed after it had turned back 25 minutes into its journey. The court heard his behaviour caused disruption to many of the 153 passengers on board, whose holidays and travel were delayed, and it cost easyJet tens of thousands of pounds. Representing himself, he denied he had threatened to stab anybody and said he was not violent. Sentencing him, Judge Michael Longman said his behaviour would have caused "fear and alarm" to passengers. "The vast majority of aircraft passengers are sensible and law abiding and when people act irresponsibly and idiotically like you did, sentences of imprisonment will always be required. "I take into account there was no physical violence although the oral threats were bad enough. "In the circumstances there must be a sentence of immediate imprisonment." Johnson, also known as James Kelly, has been given a lifetime easyJet ban.

Summary: A drunk aeroplane passenger who threatened to stab the pilot and everyone on board has been jailed for eight months.


Hemmings scored 24 goals for Cowdenbeath last season, including two hat-tricks, and was named Scottish Championship Player of the Season. Barnsley manager Danny Wilson said he did not believe the 22-year-old would struggle to adapt to English football. "He has got good pace and is a very good finisher as the stats will tell you," said Wilson. "He can play in a number of positions, but more importantly he's down the middle and has got goals in him, which is what we want to bring into the team." Hemmings began his career at Tamworth before moving to Rangers, for whom he made 10 appearances, and then joined Cowdenbeath in the summer of 2013 after a successful loan spell. He is Barnsley's second signing since being relegated from the Championship, following the arrival of ex-Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Adam Davies.

Summary: Relegated Barnsley have completed the signing of striker Kane Hemmings from Cowdenbeath on a free transfer.


Emergency services were called to the Fernways unit on Cecil Road, Ilford, at about 22:20 BST on Saturday to reports of an assault. Two people found with stab wounds were pronounced dead at the scene. A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody at an east London police station. Police believe the victims and the man arrested knew each other, but said they were not related and were not staff at the unit, which is part of the care provision of Redbridge Borough Council. Officers say they know the identities of the deceased and their next of kin have been informed. Post-mortem examinations on the pair will be held later, the Met said.

Summary: A woman in her 50s and a man in his 80s have been stabbed to death at a sheltered housing unit in north-east London.


The arrangement will see Glasgow-based Clyde Space build two small satellites called CubeSats to observe the changing biology of the surface ocean. Scientists believe it has implications for the marine food chain, fisheries and climate scientists, among others. Clyde Space said the collaboration could be a "game changer". The project is being led by John M Morrison, Prof of Physics and Physical Oceanography at the University of North Carolina. It also involves scientists from other organisations such as Nasa and the Hawk Institute for Space Sciences. Clyde Space chief executive Craig Clark said: "We're extremely excited to be involved in this mission. "Previous missions have used large satellites which come with a big price attached whereas the CubeSats are flexible, low-cost and economically viable." Clyde Space specialises in producing small satellite, nanosatellite and CubeSat systems. It built the UKube-1 which was launched into space from Kazakhstan in July last year.

Summary: The company which designed and built Scotland's first satellite has teamed up with US-based scientists to develop new technology to study ocean biology.


Manager Roberto Martinez wants greater attacking options after selling Steven Naismith to Norwich and Aiden McGeady also possibly going out on loan. Everton's top target was Dynamo Kiev forward Andriy Yarmolenko but they have been frustrated in that pursuit. Senegal striker Niasse has 12 goals in 21 games for his club this season. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Everton have made an approach for Lokomotiv Moscow forward Oumar Niasse and hope to tie up a £13.5m deal before Monday's transfer deadline.


Michael Ellerton said steroid hormones prednisone and prednisolone appeared in his system because of mouth ulcer medication he was taking. UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) refused his retrospective application for a therapeutic use exemption. But Ukad added it was "satisfied Ellerton did not act intentionally". Ellerton tested positive in an in-competition test at the Port Talbot Wheelers Cycling Club's annual 25 Mile Time Trial on 11 September 2016. A ComRes poll for BBC Sport released earlier this week of more than 1,000 members of sports clubs and teams found more than a third (35%) of amateur sports people say they personally know someone who has doped.

Summary: A 55-year-old amateur cyclist has been banned from all sport for two years after testing positive for banned substances at a race in September.


Media playback is not supported on this device The Swiss, 35, won 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 to reach his 11th Wimbledon final, having last won the title in 2012. He will face Croatia's Marin Cilic after the seventh seed beat American 24th seed Sam Querrey 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 on Centre Court on Sunday. Cilic, 28, is into his second major final after winning the 2014 US Open. "It's unbelievable," said Cilic, the second Croat to reach the men's final after Goran Ivanisevic won in 2001. "I've been playing really great tennis." Federer has already added to his lengthy list of achievements by reaching a record 29th Grand Slam final, becoming the second-oldest man to do so after the 39-year-old Ken Rosewall reached the 1974 Wimbledon final. Having waited five years to win his 18th major title at this year's Australian Open, Federer could make it 19 only six months later. "I feel very privileged to be in another final," he said. "I've got the pleasure to play on Centre Court another time. I can't believe it's almost true again. I'm happy to have a day off to reflect on what I've done at the tournament." Media playback is not supported on this device Federer had won his past seven matches against Berdych, and 18 of 24 in all, but the Czech made him work for number 19. There were just three breaks of serve over two hours and 18 minutes, two for Federer, who hit 53 winners to Berdych's 31 in a high-quality contest. After dropping only one point on his serve as he eased 4-1 clear, Federer offered up two double faults that allowed Berdych to peg him back and earn a tie-break. Again Berdych came back from an early deficit to trail 4-3 but a forehand error returned the advantage and Federer capitalised to clinch the set. It was a blow for the Czech, but he fended off break points early in the second and kept pace with the seven-time champion. Federer needed to produce a magnificent dipping forehand winner to hold serve at 3-3, and it was the same shot that would dominate the second tie-break. Four brilliant forehands in a row gave the Swiss a 5-1 lead that proved enough for a two-set lead, and there was more magic off that wing in the third. Berdych saw a chance to extend the contest disappear when Federer saved two break points with successive aces before breaking in the next game. At 5-3, the Swiss produced a stunning forehand flicked pass that had the 15,000 spectators on Centre Court gasping, and moments later he served out victory in his 42nd Grand Slam semi-final. Federer saved a match point on his way to beating Cilic in last year's quarter-finals, and said: "Last time we had a brutal match - I was two sets down. I had to get lucky to win. "Marin is a great guy. He's a lovely guy, in his first Wimbledon final. "He crushed me at the US Open a few years ago. I

Summary: Roger Federer is one win from a historic eighth Wimbledon title after beating Czech 11th seed Tomas Berdych in straight sets in the semi-final.


The 23-year-old, who can also play in defence, made 56 league appearances for the Spireites. He has signed too late to feature in Saturday's home game against Walsall. Boss Kenny Jackett told the club website: "We have brought in a bright and energetic young player. He has a very good left-foot and adds versatility to our squad." Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Portsmouth have signed Chesterfield midfielder Dion Donohue for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.


Neil Patterson, 55, of Horsham, West Sussex, was jailed for four-and-a-half months suspended for two years. Exeter Crown Court heard he repeatedly threatened to kill Samantha Millson. Charges of assaulting his ex-partner, Katherine Hooper, were dropped after she fell 80ft (24m) from Haytor. Exeter Crown Court heard that when Ms Millson told Patterson their relationship was over he grabbed a 9in (23cm) kitchen knife and thrust it towards her. "You and I are going to die tonight," he told her and then stabbed the knife into his leg and withdrew it covered in blood. The court heard from a probation worker that Patterson was deemed to be "low risk". But Jacinta Wainwright of domestic abuse charity Stop Abuse For Everyone told the court: "I find it extremely concerning that the view is that someone who would use a knife as a weapon and threaten to harm them is low risk. "It's well known that when someone is behaving in that way it's a very high risk situation." Three years ago Patterson faced an assault charge against his then partner Katherine Hooper, 24, which he denied. Ms Hooper later jumped off Haytor on Dartmoor with the couple's eldest son Joshua on her back. A coroner said she took her own life. Both died and charges against Patterson were dropped by prosecutors. Former Det Sgt Andy James, who led the investigation into the deaths, said: "It's an opportunity lost. The accused should go there and face that accuser and if for whatever reason that is thwarted that is disappointing. "I would have liked to have seen Kat in court. I think she would have been robust, honest and truthful." Patterson was also handed a restraining order protecting Ms Millson.

Summary: The ex-partner of a mother who jumped to her death from a Dartmoor tor with her five-year-old son has been spared jail after admitting threatening a subsequent girlfriend with a knife.


The A43 Corby relief road has been open for 12 months and has seen daily traffic levels rise from 8,000 to 11,300 since it opened last May. But many lorries and cars are still taking the old road through Geddington. Michael Clarke, from the county council highways department, said: "Old habits die hard and some sat-navs have still not been updated for the new route". He is pleased more vehicles are now choosing to use the new road, which was expected to carry 25,000 vehicles a day. Poor signage has also been blamed for the lack of cars. "It's developing just like the M1 when it opened. It had little traffic at first but is now well used," Mr Clarke said. "When the penny drops and drivers use the road they realise how quick it is." He said the road formed part of plans for new roads which bypass the villages of Flore and Weedon near Daventry. Mark Rowley, chair of Geddington Parish Council, said the road is making some difference to congestion in the village. He wants the county council to do more to persuade local transport companies to use the new relief road. Andrew Howard, managing director of a logistics firm at King's Cliffe, said his drivers were encouraged to use the road from the day it opened. "It is faster and less stressful for our drivers. We made them aware of its advantages straight away," he said. "It's a faster route to customers in the north of England."

Summary: Out of date sat-navs have been blamed for motorists' slow uptake of a new £35m road in Northamptonshire.


The 20-year-old singer was pictured in the Sun newspaper walking on crutches after returning to the UK. "Hey guys I know most of you have seen those pics today! Yes I've had major knee surgery, a much larger surgery than first anticipated," he tweeted. "But i would like to tell u , it was a complete success! Considering the scale of it." One Direction are due to tour later this year, with their UK dates starting in May. "All I ask of you guys is that you would respect my privacy as I try to recover... for the Where We Are tour," he wrote on Twitter. Earlier this week bandmate Liam Payne apologised for a picture taken of him balancing on a ledge. The photo had been posted on Twitter but has since been taken down. The singer tweeted: "You may have seen a photo of me today taken on top of a building. I regret being there and having a photo taken. "It was a stupid and irresponsible thing to do. I am sorry, and do not endorse any fans trying to repeat this, as it is extremely dangerous." It has also been announced that the band will release two books in 2014. The group have signed a deal with HarperCollins to publish an official autobiography and One Direction: The Official Annual 2015. Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter

Summary: One Direction singer Niall Horan has confirmed that he has had an operation on his knee in the US.


It comes after police in Shandong announced last month they had arrested a mother and her daughter accused of buying and selling vaccines illegally. The estimated $88m (Â£61m) worth of vaccines were not properly refrigerated or transported. The illegal vaccine ring, said to have been in operation since 2011, has sparked widespread anger in China. The scandal has led to a crackdown, with checks ordered on vaccine makers, wholesalers and buyers. The vaccines were bought from a variety of sources, both licensed and unlicensed, then sold on to both illegal agents and legal local disease control and prevention centres at inflated prices, reported the Xinhua news agency. The ring is alleged to have involved hundreds of people across 20 provinces, it said. Though authorities had known about it since April last year, they only made the news public late on Friday when they issued a call demanding that suppliers come forward to help them trace potential victims. The delay has angered many people in China who questioned why the authorities had not alerted the public earlier. Local authorities have now been given a deadline of Friday to identify who bought the medicines. Three pharmaceutical companies are being investigated, Xinhua reports, citing people handling the case. One, Shandong Zhaoxin Bio-tech Co, has been ordered to suspend operations, it added. The China office of the World Health Organization (WHO) said vaccines needed to be handled properly or they can become less effective. But it stressed that improperly kept vaccines did not in themselves present much danger. "It is important to note, however, that improperly stored or expired vaccine seldom if ever causes a toxic reaction. Therefore there is likely to be minimal safety risk in this particular situation,'' the WHO said.

Summary: Thirty-seven people have been arrested in eastern China over a huge vaccine scandal, state media report.


A stark warning issued by the UN's humanitarian office, Ocha, said the malnutrition situation is "alarming". It added that nearly one million Somalis, one in 12 of the population, "struggle... to meet their food needs". The drought in Somalia has been partly caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon which has affected east and southern Africa. Africa Live: BBC news updates Does Ethiopia need aid to cope with drought? The worst-affected areas of the country are parts of Puntland and the self-declared republic of Somaliland. Many of those in need of help are people who have been displaced by years of conflict in the country. In all 4.7 million people, nearly 40% of the population, need some sort of humanitarian assistance. As the drought is intensifying there "many more people risk relapsing into crisis," said the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia Peter de Clercq. Highlighting the condition of the children, he said that 58,300 will die "if they are not treated". Mr de Clercq appealed for more funds so they can be helped quickly. In neighbouring Ethiopia more than 10 million people need food assistance following the failure of the rains. And Zimbabwe has declared a state of disaster in some drought-affected areas of the country.

Summary: More than 50,000 children in Somalia "face death" because of the ongoing drought there, the UN says.


Last night, Rotherham MP John Healey met government business minister Anna Soubry to ask the government for a further £4.5m to match the cash. It will be used to help retrain some workers and also to support those jobs affected in the local supply chain. In July, Tata Steel announced 720 job losses, most of which will go in Rotherham. In October it announced a further 1,200 job losses in Scunthorpe. Ms Soubry, Conservative minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise, said she could see no reason why the government could not match the funding if a strong bid was made by Sheffield City Region local enterprise partnership (LEP). Mr Healey said Sheffield City Region expected the government to match local resources as has happened elsewhere in the country, such as a £9m deal for Scunthorpe. He said: "It's down to us in South Yorkshire to pull our finger out and get the plans together to put to government. "South Yorkshire MPs must then lean on the government to say, 'do your bit'." A Sheffield City Region LEP task force will shape the overall plan. Councillor Chris Read, Rotherham Council leader and member of Sheffield City Region, said: "Workers in Rotherham facing redundancy will want to know we are doing everything to support them and help them back to work. "I am determined that we will do all that we can. Companies in the supply chain will feel the impact too, and we will also be working to support these businesses, and their employees, as a key part of this plan." Ms Soubry said she had already asked officials to see if £1.5m for training and skills could be made available more quickly.

Summary: Sheffield City Region has announced £4.5m to help hundreds of steelworkers facing redundancy in South Yorkshire.


The mandarins in Whitehall call it The Settlement - as if funds were being bestowed by some aged aunt on her poor country cousins. Of course, in the town halls they see it the other way around - business rates collected in the shires of England on behalf of the squire, who might deign to pass some back to help education or the care of the poor. This year devolution has rocketed the process into the modern world. Councils are asking for flexibility and the ability to plan ahead. So Secretary of State Greg Clark is offering a four-year deal and has loosened restrictions on the deals councils can do. Now they can behave like any modern corporate body, choosing whatever they want to invest in, borrowing money at market rates, even varying the rates of pay for their staff. By the end of the four years councils will keep 100% of business rates collected, but that grant from central government is getting a lot smaller, in many cases disappearing altogether. For some that won't matter. East Hampshire District Council is blessed with the opportunity to build new houses, especially around the former military camp of Bordon. The New Homes Bonus payments, plus income from charges and investments means it can cut council tax this year by 2%. Leader Ferris Cowper says this is a statement of intent: "Our financial strategy is radical and unique. "Where many councils cope with a drop in income by raising taxes or cutting services we have decided to go a different way." At the other extreme the Isle of Wight Council says it simply cannot provide services required by law on the settlement announced this week. Leader Jonathan Bacon, an Independent leading a ruling Independent group, welcomed Greg Clark's promise to visit the island as part of a review. "I cannot see any way the council can set a lawful, balanced budget for 2017/18 based on the current planned funding allocations from government. The review must, therefore, be completed in the next six months for the council and the island to have a sustainable future and must result in us receiving the funding we currently lack," Mr Bacon said. Labour picked up on the extra money for shires, claiming 85% of additional funding was going to Conservative councils. But the claim was rejected by Hampshire leader Roy Perry. He said: "Under the initial allocation announced just before Christmas, the Revenue Support Grant for Hampshire was just £139.80 per dwelling - a reduction of 37% on the previous year, whereas Metropolitan areas such as Barnsley were allocated £288.70 per dwelling, and Manchester £441.23. " The Secretary of State Greg Clark is something of a smiling assassin, conducting the debate to win parliamentary approval in the face of a threatened Conservative rebellion with the easy charm of a game show host. We have the call from the banker who's found £300m pounds to buy off dissent. Deal, or no deal? The next decision councils face is whether to risk the four-year deal or continue to negotiate an annual

Summary: The annual sharing out of cash for local services is always fraught, and never seen as fair.


Michael Coe, 35, stopped driving and allegedly confronted the 16-year-olds, demanding to know if they were Muslims. When they lied and told him they were not, he grabbed the boy around the neck before throwing him to the floor. At Southwark Crown Court Mr Coe, a Muslim, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery. He admitted assaulting the 16-year-old boy in Wilson Road, Newham, on 15 April but claims it was self-defence. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court he was hugging his girlfriend goodbye when Mr Coe shouted "let that little schoolgirl go". He said Mr Coe grabbed him by the throat, causing him to black out. He said: "I woke up - there was blood on my hands and I could feel blood on my face, my head was throbbing and I was very dizzy and also felt sick." The court heard schoolteacher Boutho Siwela went over to help the pair when Mr Coe also allegedly attacked him. Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay told the jury: "This case is about what started as unpleasant bullying with religious overtones in the street, followed by an attack by this 35-year-old man on a 16-year-old schoolboy. "This was completely unpleasant and utterly unwarranted - this is a grown man on a child."

Summary: A "bully" grabbed a schoolboy by the throat and called a teenage girl a "whore" after spotting them cuddling in east London, a court has heard.


A judge made the ruling last month. A case had been taken by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission against the Department of Justice. The judge said there should be exemptions in the law for women who were the victims of sexual crime and in cases of fatal foetal abnormality. He said the current legal provisions in Northern Ireland breached the European Convention on Human Rights. Unlike other parts of the UK, the 1967 Abortion Act does not apply to Northern Ireland, where abortions are illegal except where the life or mental health of the mother is in danger. Anyone who unlawfully carries out an abortion could be jailed for life. The judge's ruling did not change the law but had placed an onus on the Northern Ireland Assembly to legislate on the issue. John Larkin QC, the attorney general, said at the time he was "profoundly disappointed" by the decision and was considering the grounds for appeal. Amnesty International, the human rights organisation, said it would resist any attempt to overturn the judge's ruling. Its Northern Ireland director, Patrick Corrigan, said: "The assembly must bring Northern Ireland's abortion laws into the 21st Century and into line with international law as a matter of urgency."

Summary: The attorney general has lodged an appeal to a High Court ruling that found Northern Ireland's abortion legislation to be "incompatible" with human rights law.


The Oceanic whitetip has seen its numbers decline dramatically in recent years because of overfishing for fins. Campaigners said the move to record and regulate all trade in the species was historic, and that they believed two other sharks would also be protected. However, the decisions could still be overturned on appeal at the meeting. An estimated 100 million sharks are killed by commercial fishing every year, researchers have recently reported. They blame a huge appetite for shark-fin soup in China and Hong Kong for stimulating the trade. The Oceanic whitetip and the two other species for which campaigners are seeking further protection - the Hammerhead and the Portbeagle - are highly valued for their fins. The conservation meeting will also decide whether to regulate trade in two types of manta ray hunted for their gill plates, which are used in some Chinese traditional medicines. After a tense debate, delegates voted by 92 votes to 42 to upgrade the Oceanic whitetip to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). Appendix II lists species which are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but which may become so unless trade is closely controlled. Campaigners were delighted with the outcome of the vote, but cautioned that it could still be overturned before the end of the meeting. Dr Susan Lieberman from Pew Environment Group said it was a big day for the convention. "It is a great victory for conservation, but it is a great victory for Cites as well. It is 40 years old, it is a real coming of age," she told the BBC. Many attendees say the move is highly significant because it is the first time that Cites delegates have voted to protect a commercially valuable species of shark. "It does set a tone that countries are finally ready to accept that we need Cites listings for commercially valuable, highly-traded highly-threatened shark species," said Sonja Fordham from Shark Advocates International. Even though the vote was 92 to 42 in favour, it barely reached the two thirds majority needed to become part of Cites regulations. Two other species of threatened shark will be voted on later on Monday. "The momentum is building," Dr Liebermann said. "I'm optimistic that the Hammerheads will go through as well." China and Japan strongly oppose the moves to upgrade the three shark species, and there had been much talk about undue pressure being brought to bear on developing countries. Many believe their underlying concern is about Cites having power over commercial fishing. But in the end it was European Union money that might have played a crucial role with the Oceanic whitetip vote. The head of the EU's delegation told the meeting that extra cash would be made available to help poorer countries change their fishing practices. "If there's a need for it the funding will be available," Feargal O'Coigligh said. Whatever the outcomes of the other votes, all of them can be overturned in the final, plenary session of this meeting. However, re-opening a proposal requires

Summary: Delegates at the Cites conservation meeting in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, have voted to extend the protection to a threatened species of shark.


Roedd Megan Davies o Bwllheli yn blogio'n aml gan rannu ei phrofiadau o frwydro'r canser gyda chynulleidfa iau. Wedi iddi gael gwybod ychydig fisoedd wedyn ei bod hi'n glir o ganser, eleni mae stori Megan am gael ei droi'n ddrama lwyfan. Bydd cwmni theatr y Frân Wen yn teithio 'Mwgsi', sydd wedi ei sgwennu gan yr awdur a dramodydd Manon Steffan Ros, yn ystod yr hydref eleni. Mirain Fflur sy'n chwarae'r brif ran, gyda Catrin Mara a Ceri Elen hefyd yn perfformio'r ddrama. Wrth siarad gyda Cymru Fyw ym mis Rhagfyr 2015, fe soniodd Megan am sgil-effeithiau'r cemotherapi gan gynnwys colli ei gwallt, a chael gwybod bod yn rhaid iddi gael triniaeth IVF er mwyn rhoi cyfle iddi gael plant yn y dyfodol. Mae'r cyfarwyddwr Iola Ynyr yn addo "drama creulon o onest ond llawn hiwmor tywyll", ac mae Megan a'i ffrind, Gwenllian, wedi chwarae rhan ganolog yn siapio'r ddrama. "Mae wedi bod yn lot o hwyl bod yn rhan o ddod a bob dim at ei gilydd," meddai Megan, sydd bellach yn astudio Nyrsio ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd, wrth drafod y ddrama. "Dwi 'di bod yn darllen llyfrau Manon ers blynyddoedd, yn enwedig pan roeddwn yn astudio ar gyfer fy Lefel A, felly roedd o'n brofiad gwych gallu datblygu'r stori hefo hi. "Dwi'n teimlo'n falch fy mod yn cael y cyfle i rannu fy stori mewn ffordd fwy eang, er mwyn codi ymwybyddiaeth o ganser ymysg yr ifanc," meddai'r ferch 20 oed. "Mae Manon wedi defnyddio fy stori i fel ysbrydoliaeth, a da' ni wedi ceisio gwneud y ddrama mor abstract â phosib, gan ddefnyddio fy mlog fel sylfaen. "Dwi'n gobeithio gwneith y ddrama ysbrydoli pobl eraill i siarad - siarad am ganser, salwch ac iechyd meddwl. Dyda ni ddim yn siarad digon." Am fwy o wybodaeth am y ddrama 'Mwgsi', ewch i wefan Cwmni'r Frân Wen.

Summary: Bron i ddwy flynedd yn ôl, bu Cymru Fyw yn siarad ag un ferch ddewr o Ben Llŷn wedi iddi gael gwybod fod ganddi Hodgkin Lymphoma.


Raymond Dempster raped a 42-year-old woman in her home in Glasgow's east end and days later attacked a 19-year-old student in the city's west end. Dempster, who has 110 previous convictions, had denied the charges. At the High Court of Glasgow, Judge Norman Ritchie QC deferred sentence for background reports. The court heard how the 38-year-old raped the first victim in her home on 20 June, three days after his release from prison. The victim has since died, and her police statement was read out as evidence in court. She told how she was locked out of her home in her nightclothes. When Dempster came along at first she thought he was a Good Samaritan. She had said: "He told me once we were inside 'you've got a nice wee flat here'." He then grabbed her by the arms and pushed her into the bedroom, removing her clothing and raping her. The court heard that Dempster bit his victim and punched her on the face during her ordeal. Dempster's other victim was walking home alone along Kelvin Walkway in the early hours of the morning on 23 June. He followed her, then grabbed her, forced her to the ground and put his hand over her mouth. The woman fought back kicking Dempster in the face, and he ran off to the hostel he was living in. She said: " I believe his intention was to rape me." Police found CCTV footage which showed Dempster in the vicinity of the attack and his victim identified him. The prosecutor said that Dempster was jailed for five years in 2003 for rape and has breached the condition of the sex offenders' register five times. His 110 previous convictions also included dishonesty and violence. Judge Norman Ritchie QC said: "A man with his record is simply shown the door and then within a handful of days has attacked two women." He told Dempster he would be considering whether to make an order for lifelong restriction.

Summary: A convicted rapist has been found guilty of raping a woman and attacking another just days after being released from prison in June last year.


As the former intensive care nurse adjusted to life with a colostomy bag 10 years ago, one of the things that upset her was no longer being able to fit into the fashionable underwear she loved. "I could always see my bag sticking through at the top or bottom," says Ms Dames, now 39. "[Then] I realised the problem wasn't me, it was the underwear." Annoyed by the lack of decent underwear for women in her position, she decided to create her own - fashionable, but with a pouch to carry a colostomy bag. And so her business Vanilla Blush was born in 2008. To get the company up and running from their kitchen table, Ms Dames and her husband Simon remortgaged their Glasgow flat to raise £11,000, and started selling 12 products for women. Today, they sell more than 200 garments for both men and women, ranging from underwear to swimming costumes and sportswear. In addition to a shop in Glasgow's East End, orders come from around the world via Vanilla Blush's website, and the business is on target to start turning over more than £1m a year. "We've come a long way," says Ms Dames. While Ms Dames' story is certainly inspirational, she is actually just one of numerous entrepreneurs around the world who have been inspired to set up successful businesses following a brush with serious illness. New Yorker Jon Loew, 44, was facing death when he came up with his idea for KeepTree, an online system that allows users to capture, securely store, and schedule video messages for release in the future. A bad reaction to an antibiotic meant that, within a month, he went from a healthy dad to his body gradually shutting down. Doctors were puzzled, and Mr Loew was contemplating his imminent demise. With children of eight and five at the time, he was worried that they would grow up with few memories of him. Mr Loew says: "I'd be this guy that they vaguely remembered, so I started recording videos... and labelling them with the dates when I wanted my wife to give them to our children, because I wanted the videos to be appropriate with things going on in their lives." When doctors got his condition under control, the idea of using videos as a means of communicating from beyond the grave stuck. On a 2011 business trip for his TV company, Mr Loew mentioned it to his now co-founder Hiroshi Nakata, who raised a few hundred thousand dollars overnight. KeepTree has now raised more than $5m (£3.5m) from investors and has offices in New York and Tokyo. It's a profitable business and it isn't just used by people who are terminally ill. Instead, users do everything from recording a birthday wish to be delivered in a month's time, or filming a bedtime story for your children while you are away with work, or sending a video of a singing grandchild to proud grandparents. KeepTree has also indentified new areas for growth and recently launched Vift, a video gift messaging service for online

Summary: It was needing to have her large intestine removed that inspired Nicola Dames to start her own underwear business.


United ended a run of four derby defeats with a convincing 4-2 win at Old Trafford that left City with their sixth loss in their last eight games. Pellegrini, 61, said: "It is my responsibility and the only way we can change this is by winning games. "I am not talking about my position. It is not important." City won the Premier League title last season and were level on points with leaders Chelsea in January, nine points above rivals United. But they are now four points below United in fourth and face being dragged into a fight to secure Champions League football next season as Liverpool could close the gap to just four points with victory against Newcastle United at Anfield on Monday. Pellegrini added: "The only way to explain our run is that we don't have the results. We lost many points, not only in this game which was a very difficult one, but in others too. "We played very well for 20 minutes but we must not play just for 20 minutes, we must play for the whole game in the same way. "We are concerned but now we must try to win the next game at home to West Ham. We have been first or second the whole year and now we are fourth but United and Arsenal have to play against Chelsea. We have 18 more points to play for. We must not be dramatic." City faded after taking the early lead through Sergio Aguero and Pellegrini conceded that United's stirring comeback may have affected his team's fragile spirit. "Maybe it is something we can be concerned by," he said. "It is easy when you are two goals in front to play with more trust than the team that is two goals behind. "We made important mistakes for the second goal and the third was offside but the result was a fair one."

Summary: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini took full responsibility for his side's alarming slump but refused to discuss his long-term future.


Bodelwyddan Castle re-opened on Friday with 45 new garden lodges a new lounge, dining area and entertainment facilities. Owner Warner Leisure Hotels said the work provides capacity for an additional 10,000 guests to stay each year. Landscaped gardens and ponds have also been created.

Summary: One hundred new jobs have been created following a £7m investment at a Grade II-listed hotel in Denbighshire.