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Henry Alden, of St Andrews Road, Portsmouth, was arrested at Edinburgh Airport as he stepped off a flight from Barcelona on 19 May.
He was carrying 11kg of cannabis, which would have had a street value of £110,000.
The 20-year-old was jailed for three years and eight months.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Alden had flown from Luton to Barcelona five days earlier.
Prosecutor Bruce Erroch said the defendant told Border Force officers the suitcase was his, that he had packed it himself and that he was not carrying anything for anyone else.
The case was opened and officers found it contained two T-shirts, a polo shirt, shorts, underwear and 11 kilo bags of cannabis, Mr Erroch said.
Alden has admitted illegally importing and being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug.
Vincent Belmonte, defending, said Alden was approached with an offer that he would get £5,000 if he went to Spain and brought something back.
He said his client had "foolishly" agreed to it. | A drug smuggler has been jailed after he arrived at an airport carrying just a phone charger, a change of clothes, and a suitcase full of cannabis. | 0.690022 | 1 |
Researchers found 75% of men would opt for the big screen version of a story, while 30% admitted they had not picked up a book since they were at school.
Being too busy, not enjoying reading or spending time online were all blamed for reading less.
Men also tended to be slower readers and less likely to finish books.
Of those questioned about their reading habits, 63% of men said they did not read as much as they thought they should, with 46% saying they now read fewer books now than they did in the past.
However, one in five men also confessed to pretending they had read a specific title, in order to appear more intelligent.
Researchers from OnePoll spoke to 2,000 British men and women ahead of World Book Night on 23 April, when volunteers gift hundreds of thousands of free books to "reluctant readers" in their communities.
"We know reading is really important, so we've got to get more people in general, particularly men, to pick up a book," said Sue Wilkinson, CEO of the Reading Agency, which commissioned the survey.
"It seems that men recognise the value of reading books but admit that they don't do it as much as they might for several reasons.
"TV shows and films, and the internet, are competing for people's time these days, especially that of young men, and our focus is to remind them of the pleasure that can be derived from reading a book as well," she said.
A third of men in the study said they preferred to spend their spare time using the internet, while 30% engaged more with film and TV.
Organisers said this year's World Book Night was focusing on targeting men to "show them what they are missing".
Wilkinson encouraged people to think of a man in their community who may benefit from being given a book, adding "reading really can change your life".
The 20 titles being distributed on World Book Night are as follows; | Men prefer to watch film adaptations of books than read the original novel, according to a new study, which found the opposite is true for women. | 1.791178 | 2 |
Santosh Benjamin-Muthiah died in November 2010 after he was overcome by smoke at his home in Wealdstone, north London.
The 36-year-old helped his two daughters to safety through a window.
His daughters - one aged three and the other three months - survived, but he did not escape the house himself.
Coroner Andrew Walker has accepted recommendations put forward by Hertfordshire Trading Standards and London Fire Brigade about the way safety problems are recorded and how irresponsible manufacturers should be punished.
He will now urge the government to reform safety standards.
Lawyers representing Mr Benjamin-Muthiah's family said the changes "would stop manufacturers keeping safety issues secret" and force them to take action.
Mr Walker recorded a narrative verdict at North London Coroner's Court, which blamed a defrost timer on the family's Beko fridge-freezer for the blaze.
The inquest previously heard that Beko, one of Europe's largest white goods brands, had been aware of a possible safety issue with components as far back as 2003 but failed to rectify it.
Mr Walker said he could not be sure what caused the defrost timer to fail and said a product recall to fix the problematic component might not have prevented the blaze.
The family's lawyer, Jill Patterson, said the inquest had highlighted problems with regulating products and product recall.
"The changes could potentially overhaul consumer product safety regulation," she said.
"They put the power back in to the hands of consumers and stop manufacturers from keeping their problems secret."
After the inquest, Mr Benjamin-Muthiah's wife Jennifer said: "Manufacturers, producers and their retailers should be held more accountable for their actions, or their lack of response to consumer safety concerns.
"The value of a human life is priceless." | A coroner will urge reform of safety standards after a father died having saved his children from a fire caused by a faulty fridge-freezer. | 1.491052 | 1 |
The 26-year-old took 25 wickets and scored more than 300 runs to help the Red Rose club lift the trophy in 2015.
In August, Faulkner became only the sixth Australian to take a hat-trick in a one-day international when he achieved the feat against Sri Lanka.
"He's a world-class cricketer, a true competitor. It'll be great to have him back," head coach Ashley Giles said.
Faulkner, from Tasmania, has played one Test, 59 one-day internationals and 21 Twenty20 matches for Australia.
"Finals Day at Edgbaston was one of the best days of my career so hopefully we can replicate the success of 2015 next year," Faulkner said.
"I was blown away by the support I received from the Lancashire fans." | Lancashire have re-signed Australia all-rounder James Faulkner for the T20 Blast competition in 2017. | 0.86866 | 1 |
Labour had the most councillors on the city council after last week's elections.
BBC Scotland revealed that as well as the Conservatives the coalition will rely on the support of three Independents. Labour's Barney Crockett will be the new council leader.
The SNP and Lib Dems will form the opposition on the council.
A new Independent-Conservative administration will run Moray Council.
The Independent councillor for Keith, Stewart Cree, has been chosen as council convener.
Meanwhile, the leader of the SNP group on Aberdeenshire Council has fought off a challenge to her leadership.
At the group's AGM on Tuesday, Joanna Strathdee was ousted as leader by Rob Merson.
BBC Scotland understands that Mr Merson was in post for about an hour before resigning, to be replaced by the former leader.
The SNP is the biggest party in Aberdeenshire and is continuing negotiations to form a coalition. | Labour and the Conservatives have joined forces to form an administration in Aberdeen. | 1.165384 | 1 |
The revelation came during the trial of Hasan Bal, 25, who is charged with providing funding for a foreign terror group.
Mr Bal was refused bail when he made his second appearance before Waterford District Court on Tuesday.
Police objected to bail because of the seriousness of the offences.
They also said the accused was a flight risk.
Det Sgt Donal Donohoe told the court: "He no longer has a permanent address in this country."
He also said that, as part of the investigation, police made inquiries "through Interpol and other police forces, primarily the London Metropolitan Police and the FBI".
Mr Bal is charged with providing funding for a foreign terrorist group on 2 October 2015, and attempting to collect funding for a foreign terrorist group on 23 October 2015.
Mr Bal's solicitor Ken Cunningham said the accused's mother was willing to stand bail for him and allow him to live in her home.
Mr Bal's mother, Dr Caroline Ward-Fahy, said it was "very shocking" to be in this situation.
Insp Tony Lonergan asked her how she proposed to ensure, if her son was granted bail, that he would comply with his bail conditions.
"Since my son was born, when I tell him to do something, he will do it," she said. "He will do that as his duty to God because his mother is a very important part of his faith."
Judge Kevin Staunton said he had no doubt Dr Ward-Fahy was a genuine witness and a believable person, and said he accepted she was "shocked by the turn of events that has led her here".
He said he was "influenced greatly" by Det Sgt Donohoe's evidence about Mr Bal being a flight risk.
Judge Staunton refused bail and remanded Mr Bal in custody, to appear again in the district court on 9 May. | An Irish police investigation into the alleged funding of international terrorism involved the FBI, Met police and Interpol, a court has heard. | 1.31727 | 1 |
According to organisers Camelot, those coming forward said their ticket was lost, damaged or stolen.
It comes after a woman said she washed her winning ticket in a pair of jeans.
Camelot has confirmed the winning ticket was bought in Worcester, but says it will not comment on unverified claims while it investigates.
The prize money up for grabs is half of a record £66m Lotto jackpot.
The rest of the money went to a couple from Hawick who claimed their prize within days of the 9 January draw.
Commenting on the claims of lost, stolen and damaged tickets, a Camelot spokesman said: "Given the interest in the missing £33m ticket-holder, we have received hundreds of claims of this nature.
"All of these are currently being considered on a case-by-case basis, and we will follow up with all claimants directly to advise them whether their claim will be investigated further."
The spokesman also said details of the shop which sold the winning ticket had not been released, nor had any retailer been informed that they sold the ticket.
The operator had the discretion to pay prizes in respect of stolen, lost or destroyed tickets only if the player had submitted a claim in writing within 30 days of the relevant draw, a spokesman said.
If the player could provide sufficient evidence, Camelot would investigate and determine "at its discretion whether the claim is valid, and is able to pay the prize 180 days after the draw".
According to shopkeeper Natu Patel, who runs Ambleside News in Warndon, Worcester, a woman went to his newsagent's with a ticket bearing the winning numbers, but the date and barcode were illegible.
The ticket had the winning numbers 26, 27, 46, 47, 52 and 58.
Even though the prize total was shared, the sum is still the biggest win since the National Lottery was launched in November 1994. | Hundreds of people have come forward to claim they bought a winning National Lottery ticket, worth £33m, which has yet to be identified. | 0.957683 | 1 |
Children were given a probiotic, with a peanut protein, daily for 18 months.
When tested one month later, 80% could tolerate peanuts without any allergic symptoms and after four years, 70% of them were still able to eat peanuts without suffering any side-effects.
Food allergies have risen dramatically in recent decades, with peanut allergy one of the most deadly.
Lead researcher Prof Mimi Tang, of Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, said half the children were consuming peanuts regularly while others were only eating them infrequently.
"The importance of this finding is that these children were able to eat peanuts like children who don't have peanut allergy and still maintain their tolerant state, protected against reactions to peanuts," she said.
Prof Tang said it was the first time a treatment for peanut allergy had been shown to be effective for this long.
The probiotic used is called Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has been associated with preventing certain allergic symptoms.
The Australian research team now wants to assess whether the treatment has improved the children's quality of life, as some 250 million people worldwide are affected by food allergy - a number which has more than trebled in the last 20 years.
Peanut allergy, which is one of the most common causes of death from food allergy, has increased at the greatest rate.
Prof Tang said the findings, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, suggest "the exciting possibility that tolerance is a realistic target for treating food allergy".
She added: "This is a major step forward in identifying an effective treatment to address the food allergy problem in Western societies." | An oral treatment for peanut allergy is still effective four years after it was administered, a study has found. | 3.189868 | 3 |
The Blue Sticks beat Switzerland 5-0 then thrashed Slovakia 11-0.
"We've scored a lot of goals, but defensively it's great credit to the boys at the back that we're holding out," Forsyth told BBC Scotland.
"It's a great start but we need to keep going on Saturday and Sunday."
It is 14:15 BST kick-offs for Scotland against Portugal and Wales this weekend to complete their round one section of the World League in Glasgow.
"For us to host the tournament is great because we get to play in front of friends and family," added Forsyth, who won his 100th cap versus Switzerland.
"It gives us a good vibe and it's easier for the squad; rather than travelling all the time. The squad have deserved the results we've had."
Qualification for round two goes to the top two teams from those four, with Scotland virtually assured progression after picking up six points from six.
Surbiton's Alan Forsyth was named Players' Player of the Year in England last season and topped the England Hockey League goal-scoring charts, but still missed out on selection for the Team GB men's squad who failed to reach the quarter-finals at the Rio Olympics.
His brother David Forsyth plays for Qui Vive in the Netherlands and is desperate for Scotland's men to reach their first ever World Cup in India in 2018.
The chance of qualifying for that comes if the national team gets beyond World League round two in March 2017.
"It's absolutely massive," he told BBC Scotland.
"For Scotland alone the World Cup is the biggest competition and it would be a massive achievement to get there.
"Of course, the Olympics is big but that's Team GB and it's well known we don't have any Scots in that team.
"Even if we get to World League round three we'll be really, really happy. We've got a really good, young, energetic team that's putting 100% into the programme." | Scotland forward Alan Forsyth says the men's national team's defence must be applauded as much as the attack after a blistering start to their World League campaign. | 1.052886 | 1 |
Royal St George's in Sandwich had been one of three clubs on the Open rota with a men-only membership policy.
A "decisive" 90% of members voted in favour of altering the Kent club's rules and allowing women to join with immediate effect.
In a statement, the club said it looked forward to welcoming ladies as junior and full members.
It has hosted the Open 14 times, with the last tournament in July 2011.
Dame Laura Davies, who is one of Britain's most successful golfers, said it was "great to see" the club following in the footsteps of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in allowing female members.
She said: "It would seem to be the correct thing for a club that hosts a big sporting event such as the Open.
"It's such a great course that it deserves to hold prestigious golf events and I'm sure that this will ensure its long future in doing so."
Professional golfer Mel Reid, who has played in the Solheim Cup, also welcomed the decision.
She said: "Women golfers certainly want to be equal to the guys and this is another step towards that.
"Anything like this would always benefit the women's game."
And golfer Jason Barnes, from Kent, said: "Obviously, it is the right decision.
"Golf needs to be brought up to date. I wish them the best of luck with it."
James Bond author Ian Fleming was captain-elect at Royal St George's before his sudden death in 1964.
The course was said to have inspired his idea for a golf showdown in the 007 classic Goldfinger.
Two remaining Open venues in Scotland have male-only membership policies - Muirfield in East Lothian and Royal Troon in South Ayrshire, which has separate men's and women's clubs.
At the end of January, Royal Troon announced that it would "shortly undertake a comprehensive review to consider the most appropriate membership policy for the future". | An Open golf venue in Britain has lifted its ban on female members for the first time in its 128-year history. | 0.975202 | 1 |
Hundreds of candles were lit and placed alongside the floral tributes at the entrance to the halting site.
Five adults and five children died in the fire.
It is understood the blaze broke out at a pre-fabricated building at the site and quickly spread to a nearby unit.
Police are investigating the cause of the blaze, but it is not being treated as suspicious.
A number of people released Chinese lanterns during Wednesday night's vigil, however police stopped this after one lantern got caught in a tree and burned out above the crowd.
Earlier, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council told residents of a south Dublin housing estate that a temporary halting site for survivors of last weekend's fire will be used for just six months.
Those living on the estate met local council officials on Wednesday after they blocked entry to a plot of land earmarked as a temporary accommodation site for survivors.
Residents of Rockville Drive, a cul-de-sac off Glenamuck Road in Carrickmines, have said that they were not consulted on the plans and while they had sympathy for those affected, they were concerned about the lack of discussion in selecting the site and its suitability. | Hundreds of people have attended a vigil at the scene of Saturday's fatal fire in Carrickmines in County Dublin in which 10 people died. | 1.367319 | 1 |
The justice ministry argued that the group had distributed pamphlets which incited hatred against other groups.
Lawyers representing the group reject the claims and say they will appeal.
The denomination says it has 175,000 members in Russia - a country where it was persecuted during the Stalin era.
An estimated eight million people worldwide are part of the Christian-based movement, best known for going door-to-door looking for new converts.
Jehovah's Witnesses at a glance
Practitioners of the faith argue that it means their activities from now on will be criminalised.
The justice ministry urged the court to close the group's national headquarters near St Petersburg, Russian news agencies reported, in addition to banning some of its "extremist" publications.
One pamphlet distributed by the group quoted the novelist Leo Tolstoy as describing the doctrine of the Russian Orthodox Church as superstition and sorcery.
Officials have accused the religion of destroying families, propagating hatred and endangering lives.
Jehovah's Witnesses say the accusations are completely untrue. A spokesman told the AFP news agency that he was "shocked" by the ruling.
"I didn't expect that this could be possible in modern Russia, where the constitution guarantees freedom of religious practice," Yaroslav Sivulsky said.
The Jehovah's Witnesses group was founded in the United States in the 19th century.
They take most of the Bible literally and refuse blood transfusions. They are not seen by traditional Christian Churches as a mainstream denomination.
During Joseph Stalin's reign of terror in the Soviet Union it was outlawed and thousands of members were deported to Siberia. Other Christian groups were also persecuted.
As the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a revival of Christianity in Russia and the ban on Jehovah's Witnesses was lifted in 1991.
Gradually attitudes towards the movement hardened again and in 2004 it was accused of recruiting children and preventing believers from accepting medical assistance.
Human rights group Sova has argued that an "official repressive campaign" has been conducted against the movement for years and many of their members have been physically attacked. | Russia's Supreme Court has accepted the government's request to designate Jehovah's Witnesses as an outlawed religious group, deeming it to be an extremist organisation. | 2.058437 | 2 |
Forty workers have been made redundant at Nelson Packaging's factory in Lancashire.
Managing director Michael Flynn said it was mainly due to "the English bag legislation and corresponding impact on customer and retailer demand".
He also blamed "aggressive overseas competition".
The 5p charge for bags was introduced in England in October and followed the introduction of charges in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
One worker told BBC Radio Lancashire they believed the legislation had a "slight but not a massive impact" on the business, which has been operating since 1975 and was taken over by Cheshire-based packaging firm Intelipac three years ago.
7.6 billion
Number of plastic bags issued by supermarkets in England in 2014
140
Equivalent per person
40 bags on average in every home
£780m expected economic benefit over 10 years because of the charge
£60m savings in litter clean up costs by 2025
80% expected reduction in bags
Union representative Robert Copeland, who had been with the firm since 1986, said staff were told last Wednesday that they were being made redundant and were told to leave the factory immediately.
"It's daunting as I have no interview skills. I'm 49 years old and I've got to now go into a new working environment and start again. It is scary.
"I was 19 when I started and… you were seeing the children of people you have been working with for 30 years starting to come through so you had parents and children [at the factory]."
Campaigners argue that plastic bags blight streets, spoil the countryside and damage wildlife, seas and coastline.
Wales was the first UK nation to introduce the bag charges, followed by Northern Ireland and then Scotland.
A report in 2015 found the number of single-use carrier bags handed out by shops in Wales fell by 71% since charges were introduced in 2011.
Scotland and Northern Ireland introduced their charges in 2014 and 2013 respectively and also saw significant drops in usage.
The number of plastic bags handed out in Scottish stores was slashed by 80% - the equivalent of 650 million carriers - in the first year of the 5p charge.
Similarly, in Northern Ireland in 2014 there was a 42.6% annual reduction following a previous drop of 71%, after charges were introduced.
Does the charge include all carrier bags? | The introduction of a 5p charge for plastic bags in England has been blamed for a packaging firm going into administration. | 1.728368 | 2 |
The 17:10 BST train from Belfast to Derry broke down at Fortwilliam on Friday evening, blocking both the Derry and Larne lines northbound.
Engineers tried to fix the mechanical failure on site before the train was brought back to Yorkgate and passengers were transferred to another train.
It has caused delays and cancellations.
The 20:15 Whitehead to Belfast train service and the 20:25 Larne Harbour to Belfast train services have both been cancelled.
A woman travelling on the Belfast to Derry service told the BBC there was "standing room only" as passengers were stuck on the train for two hours.
Lynne Cooper complained that there was "no level of customer care" for those on board.
"If we were cattle, we would be given some refreshments and water. You wouldn't transport cattle like that. It's totally unacceptable," she said.
A Translink spokeswoman said bus substitutions have been organised for Larne line passengers.
Northern Ireland Railway's (NIR) website said all northbound lines have now reopened but it warned that disruption is expected.
"Normal services will be provided as soon as possible," NIR said. | A broken down train that blocked the Belfast to Londonderry railway line for about two hours has caused major disruption to several rail services. | 1.262136 | 1 |
The week-old mammal was found on Surfers Paradise beach early on Monday, not moving freely.
It had been separated from its mother. Lifeguards and staff from the nearby SeaWorld searched by air and sea but couldn't find the whale's mum.
It took around 50 rescuers to haul the whale back into the water, with the help of two jetskis.
A digger was used to clear a path in the sand, while rescuers poured water over the whale to keep it cool and wet.
Once back in the sea, the calf swam into deeper water, where it's hoped it will be able to find its mum. | A baby humpback whale that beached in Australia has been returned to the sea. | 1.541078 | 2 |
Police have been clearing the scene at Glenwood Street after drums containing a substance were dumped at the site.
"We are concerned that a number of other young people in the area could have potentially come into contact with this substance," police said.
They said symptoms could take up to 36 hours to become visible.
The symptoms could include redness of the eyes, sore throats, coughing and breathing difficulties.
"I would encourage anyone who has concerns about their children to seek medical advice immediately," Supt Andrea McMullan said.
"Any clothing or skin that may have been exposed should be washed to remove residual chemicals that may be left on them."
The boy is currently in intensive care in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. His age is not known.
Insp Laura Kelly said: "We received a call from a member of the public earlier today, who was concerned that their young son, who is currently receiving treatment in hospital, may have come into contact with some sort of substance at the bonfire site.
"We immediately began an investigation into this incident and are working with our Fire and Rescue Service colleagues and partner agencies to identify the source of these containers and have them safely removed."
Community worker Steven Pollock said asbestos had been dumped at a bonfire site nearby last year.
"We had the same thing last year only a couple of hundred metres from here where they were illegally dumping asbestos," he said.
"People just see it as an opportunity and it's generally not people from the area. They come to our area just specifically to dump their rubbish or whatever it is they want to get rid of." | A nine-year-old boy is critically ill after coming into contact with a hazardous substance at a west Belfast bonfire site over the weekend. | 1.649273 | 2 |
Here is his life in pictures:
Minder star George Cole dies at 90
Obituary: George Cole | George Cole, the actor best known for his leading role in the TV's Minder, has died at the age of 90. | -0.236171 | 0 |
The body of Robert Lane, 50, was found in a house on Drage Street on Thursday.
Post-mortem tests were inconclusive and a 35-year-old man arrested over the death has been released on police bail.
Mr Lane stood unsuccessfully in the 2015 general election for North East Derbyshire and intended to run for police commissioner but failed to file papers in time.
Police said further tests were being carried out in an effort to determine the cause of death.
Mr Lane taught at secondary schools across the country for more than 20 years and was a freelance writer. | A man who died in unexplained circumstances in Derby has been named as a former parliamentary candidate. | 0.63419 | 1 |
The 29-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and wounding with intent.
Previously, a 30-year-old, 27-year-old and 20-year-old, all from Rugby, were arrested. All four men have been bailed until the end of April.
It follows an incident on Oxford Street on 17 March in which a 17-year-old was shot and an 18-year-old knifed.
More on this and other Warwickshire stories | Police investigating a shooting and stabbing in Rugby have arrested a fourth man. | 0.54096 | 1 |
Shi-Anne Downer was found by officers in a property in Beckbury Road on Saturday morning.
Kandyce Downer, 35, from Beckbury Road in the city, has been charged with murder/allowing or causing the death of a child, police said.
Ms Downer will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
A man, 37, from Stourport in Worcestershire, and another, 34, from Oldbury have been released on bail pending further inquiries and will return for further questioning next month.
Shi-Anne was taken to hospital having suffered a suspected cardiac arrest but was later pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination was inconclusive and further tests will now be carried out. | The guardian of an 18-month-old toddler who was found dead at a house in Birmingham has been charged with murder. | 0.282787 | 0 |
The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year deal and will link up with his new team-mates in early July before their pre-season training camp in Austria.
Maguire told the Foxes' website: "There were a number of clubs interested, but when I met the manager here, he pretty much swayed it into the direction of this club.
"Leicester are on the up and it looks very promising for the future."
BBC Radio Humberside understands the deal comprises an initial £12m fee with add-ons.
Maguire's former club Sheffield United will also profit as they agreed a sell-on clause with Hull in 2014 - thought to be 10% of any fee over the £3m they received for the defender from the Tigers.
BBC Radio Leicester's Ian Stringer:
The Foxes are in urgent need of reinforcements in the heart of their defence. Captain Wes Morgan and Robert Huth have been brilliant, clearly playing through pain at times, but they need support.
Maguire ticks plenty of boxes. He has Premier League experience, plays plenty of games and does not seem to suffer injury too regularly.
It's a big summer for new boss Craig Shakespeare and this seems a very sensible start.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. | Leicester City have signed Hull City defender Harry Maguire in a £17m deal. | 0.811022 | 1 |
Manager Gary Locke is in England trying to secure the services of a keeper as they wait on the results of a scan on Jamie MacDonald, who was injured in Saturday's 2-1 win over St Johnstone.
Both Conor Brennan and Oliver Davies are unavailable.
"It's a huge worry for us at the minute," said Locke. "His (MacDonald) ankle is badly swollen."
MacDonald was replaced on Saturday by Brennan but he is cup-tied, having played for Stranraer in a previous round.
Loanee Davies is injured leaving Locke desperately short of options.
Kilmarnock loaned teenager Devlin Mackay to Derby County on transfer deadline day and the terms of the cross-border switch mean he cannot be recalled.
"We had an injury to Oliver Davies who was the back-up keeper, so he's had to go back to Swansea which is a bit of a disaster for us to be fair," Locke told the Kilmarnock website.
"We're trying to work on one or two things at the moment because Devlin's down at Derby and we're not allowed to call him back.
"It's a big problem at the minute, a big headache for myself, so we're trying to get something sorted before Wednesday." | Kilmarnock face a goalkeeping crisis ahead of Wednesday's League Cup tie against Hearts. | 0.760066 | 1 |
The Chesterfield striker was cleared of rape at a retrial in 2016. He had been charged with attacking the woman in a hotel room in Rhyl, Denbighshire.
Following the retrial, North Wales Police investigated after the woman's name was revealed on social media.
Anyone who reports being a victim of a sex offence is guaranteed lifelong anonymity.
North Wales Police's temporary Supt Jason Devonport said the publishing of her name was a "serious" offence.
The men, aged between 16 and 23, were from the Sheffield, Derbyshire and Birmingham areas.
All were cautioned after admitting publishing the name of the woman - who has lifelong anonymity under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 - after the retrial verdict.
Supt Devonport said: "This type of offence is fortunately rare, however, I'd like to emphasise all police forces take offences of this nature very seriously.
"We will vigorously pursue and prosecute those who don't respect victims' anonymity."
In November 2012 - following the initial trial - nine people were made to pay compensation to the woman after they admitted naming her on Twitter and Facebook.
Mr Evans, 28, was originally found guilty of rape at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2012, but that conviction was quashed in April 2016. A retrial jury found him not guilty of the offence six months later.
The Chesterfield striker had been charged with attacking her at a hotel on 30 May 2011.
He was found not guilty of the same charge, after a retrial at Cardiff Crown Court, in October 2016.
Mr Evans' former club Sheffield United announced this week it was to re-sign him. | Ten men who revealed the identity of the woman involved in footballer Ched Evans' rape trial have been cautioned. | 0.901805 | 1 |
Wednesday's Championship campaign has been disrupted by the loss of key players in recent months.
"When we lose players who link the game at the same time, we miss something in the team," said the 51-year-old.
"You can't cook well if you don't have fish, and you eat potatoes, it's completely different."
A run of one win in seven matches, including a 1-1 draw with Barnsley on Saturday, has seen the Owls side drop out of the Championship play-off places.
"People ask me why we have changed a little the style of last season," added Carvalhal, who has been in charge at Hillsborough since the summer of 2015.
He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "When we look to the team [who lost the play-off final to Hull City in May 2016], we have been a long time without Tom Lees, Ross Wallace, Kieran Lee, Sam Hutchinson, Fernando Forestieri and Gary Hooper.
"These are players that connect things, and we need these specific points to play the football we like and the fans like.
"If we will cook something, you buy good tomatoes, good potatoes, and good rice, but if don't have the fish, you eat more potato.
"A potato cannot play the role of fish."
Media playback is not supported on this device
"When seagulls follow the trawler it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea." Eric Cantona, after winning his appeal against a two-week prison sentence for kicking an abusive spectator.
"Shall I grab you by your hair? What is your reaction when I grab your hair? Only with sex masochism it is allowed, but not in other situations." Louis van Gaal, complaining about Robert Huth's treatment of Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini.
"Paul Furlong is my vintage Rolls Royce and he cost me nothing. We polish him, look after him, and I have him fine-tuned by my mechanics. We take good care of him because we have to drive him every day, not just save him for weddings." Ian Holloway, on his veteran striker during his first spell as QPR manager. | Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal found a unique cooking analogy to explain the difficulty of replacing injured players. | 1.057839 | 1 |
Simon Anthony's BMW bike was seen going "horrendously fast" on the A47 at Thorney, Cambridgeshire, at about 17:20 BST on 14 August, police said.
Officers said the speed - more than twice the national limit - was "one of the highest" they had ever recorded.
Anthony, 57, of Orchard Mews, Woodston, will also have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £400 costs.
The full-time technical operator admitted speeding in December. The limit along the stretch is 70mph (112km/h).
At Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Gareth Hawkesworth heard there had been few vehicles on the road at the time, it had been a bright day and the ground was dry.
"Driving a motorcycle at 160mph even with dry conditions and in broad daylight, is extremely dangerous," he told him, "not least to you."
He also ordered Anthony to retake his driving test when the ban expires.
More news from Cambridgeshire
Anthony was clocked on a laser device by officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire road policing unit, as they sat in a lay-by off the dual carriageway.
PC Dave Black said at the time: "My immediate thought was, this is going very fast.
"But when I saw 160mph on the laser, I was shocked. He's certainly the fastest person I've ever stopped."
192mph
Shaun Davis filmed himself while speeding in Northamptonshire
157mph Jason Barnard was speeding in his BMW 5 Series on the A46 in Lincolnshire
154mph The speed Seat driver Louie Howlett was caught at in Suffolk
He wrote on Twitter that "this was not a racetrack".
The speed had put both Anthony and the lives of other road users in danger, he said.
A spokesperson for the Probation Service told the court Anthony "took a chance" and was "concentrating on the road and not on the speed he was doing".
The court also heard that Anthony has since sold the motorcycle. | A motorcyclist caught speeding at 160mph (256km/h) has been banned from driving for a year. | 0.605665 | 1 |
The pair, based in Bath, led after the swimming but slipped down to third after the fencing ranking round.
Muir, 22, and Pillage, 19, topped the riding standings to move back up to second ahead of the closing laser-run.
They held their position to hold off the challenge of Hungary and claim silver behind Belarus.
Find out how to get into modern pentathlon with our special guide. | Britain's Jo Muir and Myles Pillage claimed the first World Cup medals of their career with silver in the mixed relay in Cairo. | 0.341241 | 0 |
After losing to the West Indies in their opening match, England chased 230 to beat South Africa and recovered from 57-6 to defeat Afghanistan.
"We have a point to prove after the last game," said right-hander Root.
"We've obviously not performed at our best yet which in a way is exciting because we know that's still to come."
Victory against Sri Lanka in Delhi would secure England's place in the World Twenty20 semi-finals for just the second time since its inception in 2007.
Defeat would enable either Sri Lanka or South Africa - who face each other in the group's final match on Monday - to finish second in Group 1 and join West Indies in the last four.
Root added: "It's a must-win game on Saturday. We can win a game with ball and bat but we need to put them both together consistently. Then we can go all the way in this competition."
James Vince replaced the injured Alex Hales and was the first to fall as England lost five wickets for 15 runs against Afghanistan on Wednesday, but Hales could return to play in Delhi on Saturday.
"Alex Hales is improving with his back and he's feeling more comfortable. He had a training session today (Friday) but we will have to see how he is tomorrow (Saturday) when he gets up," said Root.
Defending champions Sri Lanka have not played since Sunday when they where defeated by the West Indies, and have had one fewer match than England. In their opening game they recovered from a poor start to beat Afghanistan.
"It was a really good break. We discussed what went wrong in the two games. We need to execute our plans and the guys are looking forward to the match," said wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.
"We are struggling with our batting, especially the middle order, but we are working hard in practice and looking forward to do well."
Ex-England spinner Vic Marks on Test Match Special:
"England haven't put together the perfect match yet. England did beat Sri Lanka in the last T20, the only team to do so when they won it.
"That was the match where Alex Hales smashed them for 99. England will want him to be fit to play.
"Sri Lanka are not as fearsome as they were because they have lost key players, but they still have quality spinners." | Joe Root says England are yet to play to their full potential as the side prepares for a "must-win" game against Sri Lanka at the World Twenty20. | 1.010541 | 1 |
The governing body is currently under investigation by UK anti-doping over allegations of wrongdoing in the sport.
It is also awaiting a report into allegations - denied - of bullying and discrimination within the team.
"I am so impressed with what this place has achieved but sad about where we are at the moment," said Chivers.
"We have been very good at high performance but where we have not been so good is high support. Getting that balance right is key."
New human resources boss Chivers has been working for British Cycling as a consultant since November.
In his new role he will bring in "behaviours" workshops and seek to to raise management standards within the organisation. | British Cycling's new "people director" Michael Chivers says he wants to add a culture of "high support" to its excellence in high performance. | 0.988673 | 1 |
The police said a car was set on fire in Main Street, Crumlin, between 03:20 BST and 03:40 BST on Saturday and the blaze spread to the takeaway.
Residents from flats above the takeaway escaped without injury. Other premises on the street have been damaged.
The police said, at this stage, they were not treating the incident as a hate crime.
SDLP councillor Thomas Burns said it was unclear what had actually happened but it looked like the car had been rammed against the shutter of the restaurant.
"This is an absolute disgrace," he said.
"Whether this vehicle has been moved or burnt and has been rammed against the shutters of this takeaway, for the people living upstairs, it could have been an absolute disaster.
"If the blaze had got going, if the people had not got out, the smoke could have killed them, never mind the fire.
"I'm horrified that these Chinese people have been targeted. Why it was them, is a question that is being asked."
Councillor Mervyn Rea of the Ulster Unionist Party said: "That vehicle could have exploded, it could have caused damage where it was parked, it could have caused injury to anyone on the street and, equally so, when it propelled into the shop and set the shop ablaze.
"It could have caused a nasty accident when it was veering across the street."
Anne-Marie Logue, Sinn Féin councillor, said people in the area were "aghast as to why this has happened".
"We are very annoyed for the business involved as well and the family are devastated," she said.
"It's obviously put them out of business for quite a few weeks.
"Opportunists decided to break into the car. The car was put on fire and unfortunately it was directed towards this shop. I'm just glad that nobody has been hurt."
She said £700,000 had recently been invested to upgrade Crumlin Main Street.
The police are treating the incident as a suspected arson attack and have appealed for information. | A Chinese restaurant in County Antrim has been destroyed in an arson attack. | 1.291159 | 1 |
The event will be held at Islandbridge at 12:00 noon.
The ceremony is being held in conjunction with the Royal British Legion.
Approximately 3,500 soldiers from the island of Ireland lost their lives in the battle.
The event will be attended by the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins and the Taoiseach (Irish prime-minister) Enda Kenny as well as representatives from Northern Ireland.
President Higgins is expected to lay a wreath at the ceremony as are the ambassadors of the eight countries that fought at the Somme, representatives from Northern Ireland and the Presidents of the Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland).
The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Robin Newton MLA, will represent Northern Ireland.
He said: "Given the huge loss of life and its impact on our history, it is only fitting that the Battle of the Somme has been marked by a range of events within our society, including at the Assembly two weeks ago.
"With my responsibilities for representing the entire Assembly, it is important that I should be involved in emphasising that the Somme did not just affect one part of our community. I am therefore pleased to be able to represent the Assembly at the commemoration in Dublin.
"The annual event at Islandbridge is traditionally organised by the Royal British Legion of Ireland, but by hosting it during this centenary year, the Taoiseach has demonstrated the importance of remembering the fallen of the Somme by coming together and putting politics aside.
"That is entirely appropriate to recognise that young men on opposing sides of the political divide here went out to fight and die side by side in common cause at the Somme," he added. | The Republic of Ireland will hold a Somme Centenary Commemoration in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens in Dublin on Saturday. | 1.701278 | 2 |
The 49-year-old Filipino man was jailed for life for the murders of two people and the poisoning of 20 others.
It is understood the deaths were suspected poisonings but police did not have enough evidence to prosecute.
Stockport coroner, John Pollard, said there was nothing at this stage to prove any link to Chua.
The inquests were postponed pending the conclusion of criminal proceedings. | Inquests are planned into 11 further deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital following the conviction of nurse Victorino Chua. | 0.730067 | 1 |
Alice Hooker-Stroud took the helm of the party in December 2015. She will be replaced by deputy leader Grenville Ham.
Ms Hooker-Stroud said that the lack of funding for smaller parties in the UK meant it was "untenable" for her to carry on in the voluntary role.
She said: "Parties that have a lot of money can do a lot, and those who have a smaller amount can do less."
Ms Hooker-Stroud, who will step down from the job at the end of March, said that because the party does not take funds from large businesses means members have the "biggest say".
"But it has contributed to my role being effectively a voluntary one, which for me has sadly become untenable," she said.
"The financing of political parties in general needs urgent reform so that politicians aren't just the mouthpieces for big business, and so that alternative voices are heard."
Mr Ham runs a not-for-profit engineering company and is a former Welsh Assembly election candidate.
He is standing in this May's council elections in Brecon. | The leader of the Wales Green Party has resigned from the post. | 1.255049 | 1 |
Eight people started fighting at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on the opening night of the Irish dance show.
Georgina Lynn Sixsmith, 48, has been charged with being drunk and disorderly and assault on a constable, police said.
There were no reports of injuries. The theatre has not commented.
The trouble began in the orchestra stalls during Tuesday's performance of Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games, directed and choreographed by Irish dance superstar Flatley.
The show is described as a high-energy, two-hour fusion of dance styles - from traditional Irish dance to tap and modern - and involves a story of good versus evil, with a Hunger Games flavour.
Ms Sixsmith, of Andrew Street, Middleton, has been bailed to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on 10 May. | A brawl broke out between audience members during a Hunger Games-inspired performance of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. | 0.814127 | 1 |
The Theatre and the Hope were the first and last playhouses built in Elizabethan London.
They join the Rose and the Globe as protected monuments to 16th and 17th Century theatre.
The sites of three bear-baiting pits in the Bankside area have been listed.
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The Theatre was built in 1576-77 by James Burbage on the junction of Curtain Road and New Inn Yard in Hackney and a number of companies, including the Lord Chamberlain's Company which included William Shakespeare, were associated with it.
It is believed to have been the first playhouse in which Hamlet was performed, in 1596 with Richard Burbage as the lead.
Christopher Marlow's Faustus is thought to have first been put on at the theatre in 1592.
After a financial dispute, Burbage's sons dismantled the theatre in late December 1598 and moved reusable parts south of the Thames to Bankside for use in construction of their new venture, the Globe.
The remains of the Theatre now lie beneath a modern mixed-use building in Hackney.
The Hope was the last of the playhouses of the era, opening in approximately 1614 after Philip Henslowe and two partners entered a contract to replace "the Bear Gardens" with a new building that would be a joint theatre and bear-baiting arena.
The first play performed there was Ben Jonson's Bartholomew Fair but animal baiting and other entertainment gradually eclipsed the plays and the acting company left the Hope in 1617.
It was ordered to close down by Parliament in 1643 but continued to operate until it was dismantled in 1656.
The remains of the Hope are located beneath a car park on the southern side of Riverside House on Southwark Bridge Road.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of government heritage agency Historic England, said: "The archaeological remains of the first and last Elizabethan playhouses to be built in London give us fleeting glimpses of a fascinating period in the history of theatre.
"They are where some of the world's greatest stories were first told and it is wonderful that they remain today, bearing witness to our fascinating past.
"Their cultural importance, particularly their connections with Shakespeare and Marlowe, means they deserve protection as part of England's precious historic fabric." | The archaeological remains of two Elizabethan playhouses, one of which saw the first performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet, have been given listed status. | 2.536806 | 3 |
The 7th Earl of Lucan vanished after the death of his children's nanny, Sandra Rivett, in 1974.
An inquest subsequently ruled that he murdered her.
The drama is based on John Pearson's book The Gamblers, which claimed Lucan's wealthy friends helped him leave the country.
Christopher Eccleston and Sir Michael Gambon will also appear in the drama, which will begin filming in London in August.
Writer Jeff Pope has penned a number of true crime dramas for ITV, including Mrs Biggs, and acted as executive producer on Appropriate Adult and The Murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Sandra Rivett was found dead at the home of Lord Lucan's estranged wife in the Belgravia area of London in 1974.
Lady Lucan was also attacked but managed to escape.
Lord Lucan disappeared and his car was later found abandoned and soaked in blood in Newhaven, East Sussex.
A year later an inquest jury ruled that Lord Lucan had killed Rivett, whom many believe was mistaken by the aristocrat for his wife Veronica.
Lord Lucan was officially declared dead by the High Court in 1999. Since his disappearance there have been numerous "sightings" around the world.
Executive producer Francis Hopkinson said the drama would bring "new insight and revelations which will surprise the audience".
Kinnear, the son of actor Roy, played Bill Tinner in the Bond films Quantum of Solace and Skyfall and can be seen this weekend in Channel 4 drama Southcliffe.
His first play, The Herd, has its premiere at the Bush theatre in London in September. | Skyfall actor Rory Kinnear is to play aristocrat Lord Lucan in a two-part ITV drama marking the 40th anniversary of his mysterious disappearance. | 1.293307 | 1 |
Police said the woman went outside her home at 23:00 BST on Friday to check on a noise when the gang burst in.
She was tied up and dragged upstairs before being threatened into revealing where her safe was.
A valuable diamond bracelet was taken along with cash from the house in Bingley Road.
The gang also tried to steal the woman's car from the driveway but they were unable to start the vehicle.
Det Insp Phil Jackson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "This was clearly a really frightening experience for the victim and we are currently carrying out extensive inquiries to trace the men responsible. | A 77-year-old woman was tied up and threatened by a gang of men who barged into in her home in Menston, West Yorkshire. | 0.380853 | 0 |
The show is the culmination of three months work in a variety of lens-based art media and will include a large zoetrope inside the courtyard, as well as a camera obscura inside a caravan pitched on the green.
The pictures shown here were all taken in the woods at Castell Coch on very old expired film stock.
To prove the basis of an idea can come from virtually anywhere, Pountney told me that this work was inspired by the glass bedknobs on Lady Bute's bed in the castle. The glass bulbs refract the light, giving Pountney the idea to find new ways of seeing and displaying the work. The woodland images are to be projected onto screens in Lady Margaret's bedroom.
"By pushing the technical capabilities of the lenses and film, I've hoped to illustrate the timeless nature of the wood," said Pountney.
"I bought ten expired (mid 1980s) slide films, and really pushed them, using over and under exposure, lens flare, and shooting the same film twice to achieve serendipitous double exposures. The Zuiko 35mm and 50mm lenses were wide open to give a soft and dreamlike effect.
"My aim was to re-introduce the idea of the woodland as a magical and unexplored place, almost in an Arthurian sense, reflecting the architectural pastiche of the castle.
"This project builds on previous collaborative work between myself and Cadw and our shared belief in both the benefits of and connection between art and heritage. I hope people will see Castell Coch in a new way after they visit my exhibition."
Art in the Castle can be seen at Castell Coch, Tongwynlais, Cardiff, Wales, on 13 and 14 of August | Photographer Jon Pountney has been exploring the woodland around Castell Coch in south Wales while working as Cadw's artist in residence ahead of an exhibition. | 1.517045 | 2 |
Lennon will face charges of adopting an aggressive attitude towards Morton boss Jim Duffy, Kudus Oyenuga and match officials in the 0-0 draw last month.
However, due to the non-availability of Hibernian's solicitor, the hearing was moved to 25 April.
That frees Lennon for the Hampden clash on Saturday 22 April.
A challenge from Morton's Oyenuga on Hibs' Darren McGregor sparked angry scenes in the Scottish Championship clash.
Duffy also faces a charge by Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan of misconduct for entering the Hibs technical area and adopting an aggressive attitude to Lennon.
Morton's hearing will go ahead on 20 April as planned. | Hibernian manager Neil Lennon will be in the dugout for his side's Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen after his disciplinary hearing was postponed. | 0.679331 | 1 |
Gascoigne "humiliated" a black security guard assigned to protect him during An Evening With Gazza in Wolverhampton, Dudley Magistrates' Court heard.
The ex-player was fined £1,000 after he admitted using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour".
Gascoigne, 49, asked Errol Rowe "can you smile please, because I can't see you?"
District Judge Graham Wilkinson also ordered Gascoigne to pay Mr Rowe £1,000 in compensation.
Mr Wilkinson told Gascoigne "You sought to get a laugh from an audience of over 1,000 people because of the colour of Mr Rowe's skin."
The triumphs and tears of Paul Gascoigne
He praised the Crown Prosecution Service for taking the case to court, saying Gascoigne's comment at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 30 November was an example of "insidious" racism which needed to be challenged.
For more on this story and other Birmingham and Black Country news
The judge told Gascoigne: "Mr Rowe was clearly humiliated on stage, as part of an act.
"As a society it is important that we challenge racially-aggravated behaviour in all its forms.
"It is the creeping 'low-level' racism that society still needs to challenge.
"A message needs to be sent that in the 21st century society that we live in, such action, such words will not be tolerated.
"It is not acceptable to laugh words like this off as some form of joke."
He told Gascoigne what happened was a "stain on his character".
Gascoigne, whose career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers, changed his plea to guilty before the first witness was called to give evidence.
On his way into court, the retired star stopped to sign autographs, including on a man's chest. | Ex-England footballer Paul Gascoigne has pleaded guilty to racially aggravated abuse over a joke at a show. | 1.262773 | 1 |
Nearly 2,000 new houses are needed over the next five years for homeless people in the Derry City and Strabane District Council areas.
The Executive aims to build 1,255 by 2019, but this will not meet the housing needs for Londonderry alone.
1,200 households are accepted as being homeless in the council area but 700 have been turned down.
The figures were revealed at a Derry City and Strabane District Council meeting held on Tuesday.
One homeless single mother told BBC Radio Foyle that she was private renting until it became too expensive.
The woman, who did not want to be named, is now living with her sister-in-law's family.
"Its hard because times you feel you're in someone else's house, you don't feel comfortable," she said.
"You feel you are just in their way and that you are a burden. It's a nightmare, I'm constantly sick with worry and I can't sleep at night.
"The anxiety it causes is just ridiculous, I am depressed and its all to do with my living arrangement," she added.
When you apply for housing in Northern Ireland, a housing officer will award points based on your personal, housing and social circumstances.
The more points you have, the better your chance of getting an offer.
Independent councillor Darren O'Reilly said there is a serious housing crisis in Londonderry.
"That's a normal case," said Mr O'Reilly. "Four or five times a day I would be in the Housing Executive and you are dealing with a lot of stress.
"A lot of that stress is brought on by the living arrangements. People who were normally well and healthy before they went into this process.
"I think we need to look at this in a wider approach and see how much negative mental health is being caused by housing stress," he said.
The situation is the same, if not worse, in Strabane, according to Independent councillor Patsy Kelly.
"I did ask why the figures were not broken down for Derry and Strabane but they couldn't do that.
"Seeing the amount of new homes being built on the Skeoge road or Creggan in Derry, there is nothing like that here.
"We haven't had social housing built in Strabane in years and there is huge demand," said Mr Kelly. | The Housing Executive has warned that the demand for social housing in the north-west far outstrips supply. | 1.757281 | 2 |
Defenders Brad Barry, Jamie Sendles-White and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill plus forward Jordan Stewart will all leave.
Iandolo, 19, netted once in 15 appearances in all competitions this season for the Robins.
Swindon were relegated to League Two on 22 April with one game remaining, before finishing 22nd in the table. | Relegated Swindon Town have taken up a one-year option on midfielder Ellis Iandolo's contract, but are set to let four other players leave the club. | 0.48301 | 0 |
A review for the Commission on Local Tax Reform said there was no "magic bullet" to cure defects in the system.
It said the council tax had built-in problems "from day one" but a failure to modify it had stored up more difficulties for policy makers.
The commission, set up by the Scottish government and council body Cosla, will report back later this year.
Prof Kenneth Gibb, from the University of Glasgow, was asked to review different systems of local taxation across the world.
He found that a tax on property was used by almost all OECD countries and was seen by academics as a "good tax" because it was stable, difficult to avoid and could have a desirable impact on housing markets.
But it also generated confusion with taxpayers unclear whether it was a tax on wealth or a charge for services such as refuse collection.
Some felt it was unfair because it was not linked to current income.
Prof Gibb noted that a local income tax, used by many countries, was generally perceived as fairer.
But he found such a system created difficulties for local authorities because it meant their income fluctuated. There was also little opportunity to vary tax rates to reflect local priorities.
He said: "It is clear there is no magic bullet.
"Past experience from the UK and across the world shows that reform is always going to be difficult and will inevitably be bound up with the previous experiences and traumas of past reform.
"So whilst the current council tax has many deficiencies, change and reform is a major undertaking."
The commission now intends to hold a public consultation across Scotland before publishing its report in the autumn.
A Scottish government spokesman said ministers consider the current council tax system "as a whole to be unfair".
He added: "That is why, along with our local government partners, we have established the cross-party Commission on Local Tax Reform to examine fairer alternatives.
"The Scottish government awaits the commission's report, which is due in the Autumn." | Replacing or reforming the council tax in Scotland could prove challenging, according to a study. | 2.319793 | 2 |
"I could hear it because I knew what the words were," Andrew Davies, best known for his hit adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, told RadioTimes.com.
But his wife, Diana, couldn't. "She said, 'Do you mind if we have the subtitles on?'"
The BBC received 243 complaints after the show's first episode on 25 May.
It comes a month after more than 2,000 viewers complained to the BBC over "mumbling actors" on Jamaica Inn.
"It's a funny thing, mumbling," Davies told Radio Times. "It's a bit to do with actors, a bit to do with modern, flat-screen televisions and both my wife and I are of an age where our hearing is beginning to go."
He added that there was "often a problem with the people in production" who already know the plot.
"When you know what the lines are, there's a tendency to think you've heard them alright," said Davies. "Whereas if you didn't know the thing, maybe you wouldn't."
Following the initial complaints, a spokeswoman for the BBC said: "A wide range of factors can influence audibility and we will continue to work with the industry on this important subject."
Based on the novels by Booker Prize-winning author John Banville, Quirke stars Gabriel Byrne in the title role as a Dublin pathologist.
The noir series, set in the 1950s, also stars Sir Michael Gambon, Geraldine Somerville and Colin Morgan.
A second series remains in the balance, said Davies.
"I hope it'll be on again. I'm not sure whether I'd be writing it. We'll have to see what happens." | The writer of BBC drama Quirke has admitted to watching the series with subtitles on after his wife complained she could not hear the dialogue. | 1.018534 | 1 |
That's five successive seasons the Sons - a part-time club - have preserved their place in Scottish football's second tier.
Quite a feat in a Championship that's contained the likes of Hearts, Rangers, Hibernian and Falkirk over the last couple of years.
Stevie Aitken's men did it with two games to spare, thanks to Livingston's defeat at Queen of the South and a screamer of a winner against St Mirren by Sons' striker Garry Fleming.
And there to watch it all...six 'Swiss Sons' who had travelled over 1,000 miles from Zurich to watch their beloved team.
"We've had bad days with Dumbarton, but that's definitely one of the best," said one. "Forget about Cristiano Ronaldo, we've got Garry Fleming!"
Manager Stevie Aitken, who will take his side to Hibernian on Tuesday before finishing their campaign at Alloa, admits Saturday's crucial win over St Mirren brought relief after a challenging season.
"It feels fantastic because it was a tough ask," he said. "This league's the hardest it's been for years; it's so competitive.
"We didn't want it to go to the last game of the season, we wanted to finish it in front of our own supporters. Financially, to be in the Championship is terrific for this club.
"It's so difficult for part-time teams in this division. The players have all got jobs and apart from Alloa, every week we're going up against teams who are full-time and who spend three hours a day together working on things."
For the players, another season in the Championship - Dumbarton are eight points clear of ninth-placed Livingston, with only two games left - should mean renewed deals for the majority of the squad.
"Hopefully it means that the contracts are going to be there for most of the boys," said midfielder Mark Docherty, who was at Alloa last season.
"Players will come and go - that's how football works - but I think all of the boys have had a great season and worked hard together and got there in the end.
"The last few years I've been involved with part-time clubs in the Championship and it's tough. It's looking like Dundee United are going to be in it next season - another big club - along with Hibs or Falkirk." | Dumbarton are staying up, again. | 0.751281 | 1 |
The move is a victory for campaigners who demanded an end to what they saw as sexist pricing on the high street.
Last year campaigners highlighted the higher price of many toiletries marketed at women compared to the lower price of similar goods for men.
All of the big four supermarkets were criticised.
In this case, Tesco was charging twice as much for a packet of women's razors compared with ones for men.
In a letter to the Labour MP Paula Sherriff, Tesco said: "Following an internal review and discussions with our suppliers, we have acted on concerns about the difference in price of our female and male disposable twin-blade razors".
Tesco said the previous price disparity was driven by the fact that men's razors were produced and sold in significantly higher volumes, which reduced the price it paid for them.
A Tesco spokesman told the BBC: "We are guided by doing what is right for our customers and by our commitment to offering clear, competitive and transparent pricing".
A newspaper investigation last year claimed women and girls were charged, on average, 37% more for clothes, beauty products and toys.
Research by the Fawcett Society in July 2016 looked at a basket of supermarket own-brand products including triple-blade disposable razors, shaving cream, spray-on antiperspirant deodorant and body spray.
The Society said the "sexist pricing" for products varied widely, ranging from 22% more in Asda to 56% more in Morrisons.
Last year, Boots reduced the price of "feminine" razors to bring them in line with male equivalents.
MP Paula Sherriff said on Twitter that campaigners were "chipping away at gender pricing bit by bit" and warned other stores they needed to act as well.
"Watch out retailers, I'm onto you!" she tweeted. | Supermarket chain Tesco has cut the price of women's disposable razors to match that of a similar product for men. | 1.387246 | 1 |
Plans for urban development and slum demolition have been a violently contested issue in Port Harcourt.
Amnesty is warning that continued development may leave as many as 200,000 people homeless.
Sprawling and chaotic, the city of Port Harcourt is Nigeria's oil capital in the Niger Delta.
Africa Have Your Say
Its shanty towns and slums are home to tens of thousands of people all scraping a living in a city pumping billions of dollars worth of oil.
In 2009, the Rivers State government began plans to rebuild parts of the city.
They are demolishing slums on the waterfront as part of the "Greater Port Harcourt master plan".
Forced evictions regularly spark demonstrations there and police have even fired live rounds at protesters. Several civilians have been killed.
The local government hopes to develop the area to create jobs, stimulate the local economy and build better roads - all of it urgently needed.
They hope to build an eight-screen cinema, a shopping mall and hotels.
They are following a buy-out scheme, paying those who own the properties to move.
But most of the residents on the waterfront are poor tenants who get no compensation and have nowhere to go.
Many of them now sleep outdoors under bridges and in the streets.
Amnesty is now warning that as many as 200,000 people could end up homeless if alternative housing is not found for them.
"These planned demolitions are likely to plunge hundreds of thousands of Nigeria's most vulnerable citizens further into poverty," said the group's Africa deputy programme director, Tawanda Hondora.
"The government should halt the waterfront evictions until they ensure they comply with international human rights standards." | The rights group Amnesty International has criticised Nigeria's government over mass evictions in the oil-rich Niger Delta. | 1.936575 | 2 |
He has swooped after Keystone Group, which ran the operation, went into receivership and put the franchise up for sale.
Mr Oliver said he was "excited" about bringing the six restaurants back in-house.
The TV-chef has 42 restaurants in the UK and more than 25 abroad run under his name.
Financial adviser Ferrier Hodgson, which is handling the sale, said Mr Oliver was the preferred bidder and that his return would be the "ideal outcome".
Mr Oliver said the Australian restaurants - located in Sydney and nearby Parramatta, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide - were among the best performing of his global chain and that he planned putting more money into them.
"This will be a really exciting moment for me personally and I know the guys will be ecstatic to be back in-house," he said.
"It will allow us to invest even more time and money in people and restaurants, celebrate great Aussie produce and be even more creative."
Collapsed Keystone Group's other venues include a range of pubs, restaurants and hotels across Australia, some of which have already been sold since the firm went into receivership in June after failing to renegotiate loans with its investors.
It partly blamed strict alcohol and lock-out laws in Sydney for the failure of some of its ventures. | British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is set to buy back his Jamie's Italian restaurants business in Australia. | 0.932936 | 1 |
The council's director of social care, health and wellbeing said Kent had seen a significant increase in numbers.
Andrew Ireland said the county had about 350 unaccompanied minors this time last year and now had about 830.
He said a national scheme was needed to avoid burdening one authority.
"If we see a significant increase in arrivals without a national scheme in place, it is going to place a huge burden on one particular local authority," he said.
Mr Ireland also told the home affairs sub-committee children as young as six had sought asylum in Britain.
"For the cohort that come through Kent, I'm often left to wonder... the number of countries that these young people have passed through, some of whom clearly are well under the age of 18," he said.
Mr Ireland said the increase in young people arriving had created "enormous pressure" in providing accommodation and placements.
He added: "My concern... is that we are at the beginning of the season where the number of arrivals traditionally starts to increase."
After the committee hearing, council leader Paul Carter said the authority also had a continuing duty of care to support those who had reached their 18th birthday, which brought the number nearer to 1,400.
"We're over saturation point," he said.
"We are hoping the government will introduce new regulation to give the powers to the secretary of state to have a national dispersal system."
He said other authorities would need to be reassured they would have adequate funding if there was to be a national dispersal system, which would need to be clarified by national government. | All councils should be responsible for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children under a national agreement, Kent County Council representatives have told a Lords committee. | 1.549491 | 2 |
Evans, from Cardiff, admitted unlawfully wounding Michael Wilson after they had been drinking at a Gloucestershire pub for "several hours".
Mr Wilson spent four days in hospital following the incident last October with a broken jaw and a displaced nose.
Evans, 24, was told he could face jail and sentencing was adjourned.
He is the current Olympic silver medal holder at welterweight after he was runner up at the London 2012 Olympics.
Mr Wilson told the court he was "shook up still" and "frightened and nervous".
Judge Jamie Tabor QC ordered a pre-sentence report and bailed Evans until 12 October. | The Olympic boxer Fred Evans has admitted punching his cage fighter friend at a pub, a court has heard. | 0.660007 | 1 |
The threat was made by the Dutch data protection agency (DPA), which said Google had broken local laws governing what it could do with user data.
The search giant has been given until the end of February 2015 to change the way it handles personal data.
Google said it was "disappointed" by the Dutch data watchdog's statement.
"This has been ongoing since 2012, and we hope our patience will no longer be tested," Dutch DPA chairman Jacob Kohnstamm told Reuters.
The row has blown up over the way that Google combines data about what people do online in order to tailor adverts to their preferences.
Information about keywords in search queries, email messages, cookies, location data and video viewing habits are all used by Google to build up a profile on each of its millions of users.
Dutch laws said Google should tell people about this data-gathering activity and get permission from them before it was combined or analysed, said Mr Kohnstamm.
A Google representative said "We're disappointed with the Dutch data protection authority's order, especially as we have already made a number of changes to our privacy policy in response to their concerns.
"However, we've recently shared some proposals for further changes with the European privacy regulators group, and we look forward to discussing with them soon."
The Dutch DPA was one of a group of six European data regulators that looked at Google following changes made in early 2012 to unify its privacy policies around the world. | Google has been threatened with a fine of up to 15m euros (£12m) if it does not do a better job of protecting the privacy of Dutch citizens. | 1.931314 | 2 |
Dimitrov, seeded 15th, won 6-3 6-2 6-4 to reach his second major semi-final - the 25-year-old made it to the same stage at Wimbledon in 2014.
He next plays the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic, which gets under way at 08:30 GMT.
Roger Federer will play Stan Wawrinka in the first semi-final on Thursday.
Dimitrov, who works with Dani Vallverdu, former coach of Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych, began the year with a title in Brisbane and has won 10 matches in a row.
"The last two years have been a rollercoaster for me, but I'm happy with the way it happened," he said.
"I'm appreciating things much better now. To be back in the semi-finals of a Slam means too much for me right now." | Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov remains unbeaten in 2017 after beating Belgian 11th seed David Goffin to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open. | 0.970478 | 1 |
The 25-year-old, who has won 27 caps and can also play at centre, will join the Falcons following the World Cup.
"I'm really excited about the move. It is a big experience for me and my family, and I can't wait," he said.
Venditti made his international debut during the 2012 Six Nations and played all five games at this year's tournament, scoring two tries.
"Giamba is a strong player with quick feet and good hands who likes to attack space," said Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards.
"He is also strong in contact and is going to give us plenty of options next season with his ability to play both centre and wing."
Venditti is Newcastle's fifth signing for next season following props Jon Welsh, Taione Vea and Ben Harris, and back row forward Nili Latu.
The north-east club have only won four of their 20 Premiership games so far this season and are next to bottom of the table. | Newcastle Falcons have signed Italy wing Giovanbattista Venditti from Zebre on a two-year contract. | 0.906962 | 1 |
Harry Studley remains in a critical condition in Bristol Children's Hospital after being shot on Friday.
Jordan Walters, 24, and Emma Jane Horseman, 23, of Bishport Avenue, have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm.
They have been remanded in custody to appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Police were called to a flat in Bishport Avenue in Hartcliffe at about 16:10 BST.
Harry's parents, Amy Allen and Edward Studley, said in a statement issued through the police: "We would like to thank everyone for their continuing support at this time.
"Harry is still very poorly and we would reiterate that our request for privacy be respected as we and our family come to terms with what has happened."
They said they were "concentrating our focus on our son Harry's recovery". | Two people have been charged after a one-year-old boy was shot in the head with an air rifle in Bristol. | 0.623308 | 1 |
Saints had an offer for the 22-year-old accepted at the end of May, but the player's summer holiday delayed completion of the transfer.
"This is a great club who are where they belong [in the Premier League]," Rodriguez told Southampton's website.
"It's a squad I want to be a part of. The sky is the limit."
He has a hungry and enthusiastic attitude, with a desire to work hard in the positive environment that we have at Southampton
A string of Premier League clubs, including Everton,Aston Villa and Wigan, had been linked to the former England Under-21 international over recent months.
But newly-promoted Southampton were the only club to meet Burnley's valuation for the youngster, who had a year left on his contract and scored 21 goals last season.
They had been pursuing the striker for more than a year and failed with bids last summer and in January.
Burnley-born Rodriguez started his career at his hometown club, scoring 41 goals in 128 appearances overall.
"Jay is an exciting young English prospect, so I am really happy he is our first signing of the summer," said Saints boss Nigel Adkins.
"There has been a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes on several fronts and we are delighted Jay has signed for us as we get ready for our pre-season schedule.
"He has demonstrated a superb attitude and, when we met him, it has only confirmed what our research has told us.
"He has a hungry and enthusiastic attitude, with a desire to work hard in the positive environment that we have at Southampton where he will be able to develop his talent."
Rodriguez added: "As an outsider, you look at the club from where it started, and the drive they have to move up the leagues in quick succession is amazing.
"They want to push on even higher, and carry on the way they're going." | Southampton have completed the signing of Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez on a four-year deal for a reported club record fee of around £7m. | 0.853565 | 1 |
12 November 2015 Last updated at 18:20 GMT
The two Greater Manchester Police officers were sent to the home of Fred Thomson and his 95-year-old wife Doris in Middleton.
GMP Middleton tweeted: "Just dealt with a 95 year old couple who called the Police as they were lonely.
"What else could we do but make them a brew and have a chat."
Mr Thomson told BBC North West Tonight how he and his wife enjoyed their company and was grateful for their help. | Police officers came to the aid of an elderly couple who dialled 999 because they were lonely - and made them both a cup of tea. | 0.606286 | 1 |
An arrest warrant was issued for Trevor Devamanikkam, 70, from Oxfordshire, when he did not appear at Bradford Magistrates' Court on 6 June.
Police forced entry into his home and found him dead, with apparently self-inflicted stab wounds.
The former churchman, from Witney, was accused of abusing a teenage boy.
He faced six charges relating to sexual assaults alleged to have taken place between March 1984 and April 1985, while Mr Devamanikkam was a vicar in Bradford.
Coroner Darren Salter told Oxford Coroner's Court that the former vicar died from blood loss stemming from multiple stab wounds and cuts.
The death was not being treated as suspicious, Mr Salter said.
Mr Devamanikkam was last seen at 07:00 BST on the day of his scheduled court appearance.
His body, which was found after 16:00 at his home at Otters Court, Priory Mill Lane, was identified by PC Paul Daniels, who had "dealings with him around a year ago", the court heard. | A former vicar who failed to turn up in court to face child sex charges is thought to have killed himself earlier the same day, a coroner has said. | 0.757849 | 1 |
Colin Skilbeck, 41, from Edinburgh, was found at an address in Gibson Terrace on Sunday, having suffered a serious injury.
Police Scotland want to hear from anyone who was in the street between 20:00 and 21:00 that day.
Mr Skilbeck's family said: "We are utterly devastated at Colin's death."
They added: "We are are still trying to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer with us.
"All of us loved Colin dearly and his passing will leave a huge hole in all of our lives.
"To all of those who have already come forward to provide comforting words and support, we are extremely grateful."
Det Insp Susan Balfour, of Police Scotland, said: "Our inquiries into Colin's death are continuing and we remain keen to hear from anyone who was in Gibson Terrace or the surrounding area between 20:00 and 21:00 on Sunday 12 March.
"Anyone with information that can assist with our ongoing inquiries is asked to contact police immediately."
Three people arrested following Mr Skilbeck's death have been released pending further inquiries. | The family of a man who died after being found with serious injuries in an Edinburgh flat have said they are "are utterly devastated". | 0.517954 | 1 |
You have been sharing your pictures of the storm and here is a selection of them.
Video filmed in New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland by Rex Dressler.
Compiled by Sherie Ryder | Many parts of the UK have been affected by Storm Frank, with floods causing considerable damage and power cuts. | -0.028858 | 0 |
In the first, a young child was approached by a man near the city's Drakies Primary School on 8 December.
At 18:20 on Tuesday, a man sitting in a car parked on Union Road spoke to a child on a nearby footpath.
Police said the man was with another man in a white, four-door car with red and white checkerboard livery.
The men were described as having tanned complexions.
A police spokesman said: "Police Scotland would seek to reassure the public that extensive inquiries have been carried out into the matter and these remain ongoing at this time."
In the incident earlier this month, a man approached a child and tried to speak to them.
The man was described as being between 30 and 40 years old, about 5ft 6in tall, white with facial stubble.
He was wearing a black beanie hat, brown zipped jacket and blue jeans. | Police have appealed for information following a second incident in Inverness involving a child being approached by a stranger. | 0.731263 | 1 |
Weeping Window has been on display at Woodhorn, Ashington, for seven weeks.
The poppies, cascading from a pit wheel at the former mine, represent British and colonial soldiers killed in World War One.
The display will close for the final time at 17:00 GMT and be transported to Liverpool in the coming days.
Director Keith Merrin described it as "a huge honour" for Woodhorn to have been the first venue after the Tower of London to host Weeping Window's 5,000 handmade poppies.
He said visitor numbers were equivalent to the museum's usual annual total.
"We wanted to create something that really spoke to local people. The fact it cascades from a pit wheel has given it a whole new meaning.
"It looks spectacular, but also really resonates with people who see the pit head as a symbol of the North East.
"Suddenly the poppies became about the North East and about its role in the First World War."
Weeping Window last year formed part of the Blood-Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation, which saw 888,246 poppies on display in the Tower of London's moat.
Along with a piece called Wave, it was bought by charities and gifted back to the nation.
It will go on show outside Liverpool's St George's Hall on Friday, 7 November until 17 January, 2016.
Both it and Wave will tour the UK until 2018. They will then be permanently homed at the Imperial War Museums in London and Manchester. | Thousands of ceramic poppies, previously on display at the Tower of London, have attracted about 120,000 people to a Northumberland museum. | 2.233132 | 2 |
The 18-year-old from Eltham, south London, was held after the crash in Sir Thomas Longley Road, Medway City Estate, Strood at 22:16 BST on Friday.
Four men with serious injuries, aged between 20 and 50, were taken to King's College Hospital, London.
Another five people were taken to Medway Maritime Hospital.
Four people were injured but did not require hospital treatment.
Police said none of the injuries was life-threatening.
Officers were already at the scene dealing with reports of a disturbance involving nuisance vehicles when the accident happened.
"We are conducting numerous enquiries into this incident and would like to speak to anyone with information who has not yet spoken to officers," said Sgt Scott Lynch.
"A lot of people were in the area at the time and we believe that some of them may have video or pictures of the collision.
"I would like to encourage anyone with footage to get in contact with us as it could be vital for our investigation." | A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after 13 people were injured when a car ploughed into a crowd on an industrial estate. | 0.657989 | 1 |
Paintings and Victorian marble statues held at Carbisdale Castle, a former youth hostel near Ardgay, have been valued at a total of ??500,000.
The art is to be sold at an auction in London next month.
Organisers of the petition on the website change.org want the works should remain in the local community.
They said because the castle and its contents were gifted to SYHA, the association should not be selling off the art to make a profit.
More than 700 people have signed the petition so far.
SYHA shut Carbisdale Castle in Sutherland four years ago because of rising repair costs.
A former stately home, it was known as Castle of Spite because of the part it played in a family feud. The property is also said to be haunted by a ghost called Betty.
SYHA said it would invest money raised from the sale of the castle's artworks in its network of youth hostels.
The 17 sculptures and 36 Italian and Scottish 19th Century paintings will be offered for sale at an auction in London on 20 May.
Auctioneers Sotheby's have put a combined value of ??500,000 on the art.
White marble sculptures from the 1800s to be sold include Andromeda by Florentine sculptor Pasquale Romanelli and Nymph at the Stream by Scottish artist David Watson Stevenson.
It will be the first time in more than a century that the Victorian sculptures have been put on the market. | A petition has been started opposing the sale of artworks by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA). | 1.495039 | 1 |
25 November 2015 Last updated at 12:29 GMT
The waiters had to balance trays of glasses and bottles filled with water, while running down a 300 metre course.
The waiter who won, Kento Sasamoto, took just 49 seconds to complete the race.
Watch this clip of the waiters racing. | More than 120 waiters have taken part in this year's Waiters' Race in Japan. | 0.399829 | 0 |
After a rain delay, Shiv Thakor top-scored with 60 as Derbyshire reached 209-8 from their allotted 36 overs.
Set a revised 218 from 36 overs on the Duckworth-Lewis method, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (63) and Daryl Mitchell (67) helped the visitors to a strong start.
Ed Barnard and Ross Whiteley then got them home with 24 balls to spare to secure a sixth win from eight matches.
Derbyshire, who could not qualify for the knockout stages following Sunday's defeat by Leicestershire, were put into bat and reached 34-1 after 10.3 overs before rain struck.
After play resumed at 17:00 BST with the game reduced to 36 overs per side, Barnard (3-37) and captain Joe Leach (2-43) helped Worcestershire take regular wickets to restrict the home side to 5.8 runs per over.
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon took 1-31 on his Worcestershire debut, after arriving as cover for compatriot John Hastings, who is now part of Australia's Champions Trophy squad for the next month.
Openers Kohler-Cadmore and Mitchell then broke the back of the chase with an opening stand of 90, before contributions from Tom Fell (24) and Brett D'Oliveira (18) helped them on their way, despite Hardus Viljoen's taking 3-55 with the ball.
Derbyshire fast bowler Hardus Viljoen told BBC Radio Derby:
"We are a young team. We've shown in patches in this competition that we can play good cricket but we are also still learning.
"You need to strike up front early on but the guy who scored 63 came in and played a knock out of his socks.
"That is going to happen. You can't take any credit away from him. He played well."
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes told BBC Hereford & Worcester:
"I'm delighted for the players and the staff who put in the work and time to try and get that home semi-final.
"It's going to be a nice pay-day for the club and I'm very proud of what the team have done in finishing top of the group,
"We're a small club and we like to play our young academy players. We don't venture off too much with the non-English players and it's a nice feeling to finish top." | Worcestershire secured top spot in the One-Day Cup North Group and a home semi-final with a win over Derbyshire. | 1.030223 | 1 |
It said it had imported chicken and pork from Shanghai Husi Food, the Chinese firm that allegedly supplied out of date meat to fast food firms.
China has suspended operations of Shanghai Husi after local media reports claimed it re-processed expired meat.
McDonald's had removed nuggets from its menus at its Japanese outlets earlier this week over the same issue.
It said on Wednesday that about 20% of its chicken nuggets sold in Japan came from Shanghai Husi.
McDonald's said that nearly 500 stores in Japan had removed chicken nuggets from their menu, adding that sales were expected to resume after it switches to other suppliers in China and Thailand.
McDonald's has also stopped selling its McSpicy chicken filets, chicken and green salads, fresh corn cups and iced lemon tea at its outlets in Hong Kong.
The move came after Hong Kong's food safety regulator suspended all imports from Shanghai Husi Food.
The regulator added that any food products from Husi already imported into Hong Kong would be marked, sealed and banned from sale, pending the results of the ongoing investigation by Chinese authorities.
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency quoted McDonald's as saying that it had imported certain products from Shanghai Husi between July last year to June this year, but no food items from the Shanghai supplier remained in stock.
"We reiterate that until today, all the food sold at McDonald's restaurants conforms to the food safety standard under Hong Kong legal regulations," the firm said.
Shanghai Husi is the Chinese unit of US-based food supplier OSI Group.
Its other customers in China include Yum Brand owned KFC, coffee chain Starbucks and Burger King.
Japanese convenience store operator, FamilyMart, has also admitted that its "Garlic Nugget" imported from the Shanghai firm was sold at nearly all of its 10,000 outlets across Japan. | Fast food chain McDonald's has suspended sale of chicken nuggets and some other products in Hong Kong. | 1.428507 | 1 |
Keith McConnan, 21, and Orla O'Hanlon, 20, faced a number of charges, including making a bomb in a bungalow in Forkhill.
Mr McConnan, from Tievecom Road in Forkhill and Ms O'Hanlon, Church Road, Forkhill, denied all the charges.
After listening to final submissions, the judge said she wanted time to consider before giving her judgement.
The trial at Belfast Crown Court heard that police officers acting under the Justice and Security Act searched their home in December 2013.
During the search several items, including an industrial grinder and a complete timer power unit were seized, along with crushed ammonium nitrate fertiliser.
The prosecution alleged the grinder had been used to grind down the ammonium nitrate fertiliser.
The prosecution also made the case that the combination of the items and explosives found in the premises indicated that the occupants of the house - Mr McCannon and Ms O'Hanlon - were "committing acts ... for the preparation of manufacturing explosives and making a bomb".
Closing the prosecution case, the judge was informed that two charges that the couple initially faced - namely making explosives with intent to endanger life, and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life - were no longer being proceeded with.
During the trial, Mr McConnan gave evidence and claimed that he did use a grinder on two occasions but claimed he sabotaged any plans to make explosives as he did not want to be involved in something that could kill.
He also made the case that he was acting under duress from a man he would only name as Mr X.
Ms O'Hanlon, who declined to give evidence, admitted knowing about the presence of the grinder in her home and owning it - but her lawyer argued that there was no evidence to suggest she was present when the ammonium nitrate was ground up.
The barrister said that in the case of his client, the prosecution had "failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt" that Ms O'Hanlon was in possession of any of the "offending articles".
After listening to final submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, the judge said she wanted to reserved her judgement until a later date. | Judgement has been reserved in the trial of a south Armagh couple accused of terrorist offences. | 0.874053 | 1 |
In the video for Animals, Victoria's Secret supermodel Behati Prinsloo, frontman Adam Levine's wife, is stalked by his character who is a sociopathic butcher.
The singer is seen taking secret photos of her and storing them in a meat fridge.
Smeared in blood, Levine fantasises about having sex with her.
The storyline shows him approaching her in a club edited together with blood-soaked sex scenes.
One US anti-sexual assault group, RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network), has released a statement about what it calls the "dangerous depiction of a stalker's fantasy" in Animals.
"No-one should ever confuse the criminal act of stalking with romance," it reads.
"The trivialisation of these serious crimes, like stalking, should have no place in the entertainment industry."
Lyrics to Animals include: "Baby I'm preying on you tonight. Hunt you down eat you alive".
On Friday, a voluntary scheme will see music videos get film-style age ratings in a new pilot to protect children from unsuitable content.
Maroon 5 are yet to respond to the complaints.
Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube | One US support group is criticising Maroon 5's new music video claiming it promotes violence against women. | 0.965216 | 1 |
Kainoa has autism, a condition where people see, hear and feel the world differently and can sometimes find it difficult to communicate and form relationships with other people. In Kainoa case he finds being touched uncomfortable and even painful.
His mum brought him to a 4 Paws For Ability centre in Ohio, an organisation who provide service dogs to disabled children and veterans.
Animals are sometimes used by doctors - including here in the UK - to help people come to terms with physical problems and to help them talk about their feelings.
After struggling for years to form any sort of connection with anyone outside of his family, his mum says he's finally managed to find a new friend. | A young boy who can't be touched or hugged by anyone has connected for the first time - with his new doggie pal. | 2.186693 | 2 |
The party will field about 32 candidates in June. In Clwyd West, local members chose not to challenge the Brexit Tory minister David Jones.
UKIP AM David Rowlands said: "Any small party would find it difficult to keep funding these elections."
UKIP has no MPs but won 13.6% of the vote in Wales in 2015, third highest behind Labour and the Tories.
"It's simply the timing of it, to be quite honest with you," Mr Rowlands told BBC Wales.
"It's £500 per candidate," he added, referring to the required deposit which is only repaid if a candidate receives at least 5% of the vote.
"You're talking about £20,000 overall, plus obviously the leaflets," which he estimated were around £700 for each candidate.
"You're talking about quite sizeable amounts of money to be raised in a very short period of time," the South Wales East AM said.
While UKIP stood in all 40 Welsh constituencies in 2015 but did not win any seats, at the 2016 Welsh Assembly election it won seven seats due to proportional representation, with 13% of the vote for the regional lists.
Sorry, your browser cannot display this content.
Enter a postcode or seat name | UKIP has said timing and money are the main reasons it is not standing in all 40 Welsh seats at the general election. | 1.08714 | 1 |
The man, who was armed with a knife, entered the bedroom of a flat in Ireton Street on Friday at about 14:45 BST.
He threatened the woman and stole her laptop. Police have said there were two other burglaries in the area on the same day.
A knife was left behind following a burglary at a house on the same street.
On this occasion, a games console and games were taken. A tablet and camera were also stolen from a house in India Street. | A 19-year-old woman has been threatened by an armed man in her south Belfast home. | 0.522134 | 1 |
Teacher Neil Bantleman and his Indonesian colleague Ferdinant Tjiong were jailed for 10 years in April.
Both men had denied the charges, and their supporters said the case was riddled with legal errors.
Their lawyer said on Friday the verdict was thrown out because of a lack of evidence and they would soon be freed.
Hotman Paris Hutapea told reporters in Jakarta the high court had ruled there was "no evidence of sodomy".
The school, now known as the Jakarta Intercultural School, had continued to support the men, and said the ruling was "very good news".
"The lawyers and families are now working through the necessary paperwork to release (them) from prison," headteacher Tim Carr said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
Hopes of a release for Mr Bantleman and Mr Tjiong were raised earlier this week when the South Jakarta District Court threw out an attempt by a parent to sue the school.
The woman had alleged her six-year-old child was abused at the school in a separate case, and was seeking damages of $125m (£80m).
But the court said there was no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the school. | A British-Canadian and an Indonesian jailed for sexually abusing children at an exclusive private school in Jakarta have had their convictions overturned. | 1.3372 | 1 |
The Category B listed Poosie Nansie's Inn in the East Ayrshire town of Mauchline was a favourite haunt of the ploughman-poet.
Scotland's national poet lived and worked in Mauchline between 1784 and 1788.
The house he shared with Jean Armour is now a museum in nearby Castle Street.
Twenty-five firefighters from Mauchline, Kilmarnock and Cumnock attended Poosie Nansie's shortly after noon on Sunday.
They were supported by a Heavy Rescue Vehicle from Easterhouse and a Major Incident Unit from Clydebank. No-one was injured.
Firefighters were "shoring" up the damaged end of the building to secure it, in order to prevent any further collapse. The area was cordoned off.
Mossgiel Farm in Mauchline was home to Burns when he was ploughman-poet and wrote many of his best loved works. | Firefighters have been working to secure a historic building with links to Robert Burns after a partial wall collapse. | 2.081252 | 2 |
Harvey Spencer Stephens, 46, lashed out at two cyclists after getting out of his car following a dispute on 21 August last year, a court heard.
He admitted two counts of ABH and causing criminal damage in the attack on Toys Hill, near Westerham, Kent.
Stephens, of High Street, Edenbridge, was handed a suspended prison sentence at Maidstone Crown Court.
Stephens sprang to fame playing the role of devil child Damien Thorn in the Oscar-winning cult horror film alongside stars including Gregory Peck.
The film became one of the highest grossing of 1976, raking in about £50m at the box office.
Stephens later went on to work in the City after finishing school.
In court, prosecutor Kieran Brand described how Stephens started sounding his horn when two riders, Mark Richardson and Alex Manley, were side-by-side on the road as one overtook the other.
Mr Richardson flicked his middle finger at Stephens, who then overtook the pair and pulled over.
Mr Brand said Stephens punched Mr Richardson, knocking him unconscious, prompting Mr Manley to intervene.
Stephens responded by asking Mr Manley: "You want some do you?" before punching him twice, causing him to fall on his back.
Stephens held him down and punched him six or seven times, causing dental injuries and damaging his helmet, Mr Brand said.
Defence counsel Ben Irwin said Stephens, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and accepted he "behaved poorly".
Judge Martin Joy sentenced him to 12 months jail, suspended for two years, for the ABH charges. He was given two months, suspended for two years, for the criminal damage charge.
He said: "This was undoubtedly a serious case of road-rage and quite clearly it has had an ongoing effect on the victims." | The actor who played Damien in the film The Omen has been sentenced for a road rage attack. | 0.903965 | 1 |
Mitchell Starc took 4-36 after captain Steve Smith hit 165 as Australia declared their first innings on 624-8.
Australia had 68 overs to force a win. They reduced Pakistan to 91-5 at tea before sealing victory in 53.2 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was fined 40% of his match fee and the rest of his team 20% for a slow over rate.
"It finished a lot better than it started," Starc said. "It's fantastic for us to get that result. The belief was there and it was a fantastic way to finish.
"We knew we only had two sessions to get those 10 wickets and together as a bowling unit we've done really well."
The third Test starts in Sydney on 3 January but Misbah has not committed to playing in the match after a poor series so far.
The 42-year-old, who was dismissed for a two-ball duck after managing just 11 in the first innings, only scored nine runs in total in the first test in Brisbane.
"I haven't decided about that [Sydney] but let's see," he said. "[If I'm not contributing] there's no point in hanging around." | Australia bowled Pakistan out for 163 in Melbourne to win the second Test by an innings and 18 runs on day five. | 0.870689 | 1 |
Gordon Henderson, the Conservative MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, posted a picture of his injuries on his Facebook page.
He said he had used a "small amount" of petrol to light a bonfire in an enclosure in his garden.
The MP said he was treated at a specialist burns unit and is now recovering at home in Eastchurch.
Mr Henderson used the post to warn others about the dangers of using petrol to start garden fires.
He said: "My hair caught fire and I was badly burned on my face, back, sides, chest, both arms and right leg.
"In fact, my left leg was the only part of my body to escape relatively unscathed.
"Thankfully there was a hosepipe close by, positioned for just such an eventuality, and my wife Louise had the good sense to immediately douse me with water for 10 minutes.
"If she had not taken such immediate action then I might well be dead, and that is not being over dramatic."
Mr Henderson was taken to a minor injuries unit and later transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead after the accident last month.
He added: "I have posted a photograph showing the outcome of my accident.
"It is not a flattering photograph, but I have posted it because I very much hope it will show, in graphic terms, the affect that one moment of thoughtlessness can have on any one of us."
Mr Henderson concluded his post: "So, to anybody out there who is in the habit of using petrol to start a bonfire, or is tempted to do so in the future, I would urge you to resist such temptation.
"Think of what happened to me and remember that the same thing could happen to you.
"Your skin could end up looking like mine did, or, worse, you could end up DEAD!" | An MP has used social media to describe suffering burns to 30% of his body after lighting a bonfire with petrol. | 1.245867 | 1 |
This week the theme is "creativity" to mark the BBC's Get Creative weekend.
Find out how you can join in and submit your images and videos below.
If you have a picture you'd like to share, email us at [email protected], post it on Facebook or tweet it to @BBCEngland. You can also find us on Instagram - use #englandsbigpicture to share an image there. You can also see a recent archive of pictures on our England's Big Picture board on Pinterest.
When emailing pictures, please make sure you include the following information:
Please note that whilst we welcome all your pictures, we are more likely to use those which have been taken in the past week.
If you submit a picture, you do so in accordance with the BBC's Terms and Conditions.
In contributing to England's Big Picture you agree to grant us a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and otherwise use the material in any way that we want, and in any media worldwide.
It's important to note, however, that you still own the copyright to everything you contribute to England's Big Picture, and that if your image is accepted, we will publish your name alongside.
The BBC cannot guarantee that all pictures will be used and we reserve the right to edit your comments.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws collecting any kind of media. | Each day we feature a photograph sent in from across England. | 0.850119 | 1 |
Thousands of homes and businesses in the region were damaged when Storm Eva battered the north of England during December's floods.
Organisers said it was an opportunity for the whole community to have a proper party.
The event features six snow machines and Christmas trees.
There will also be a Christmas lunch for volunteers who helped when the floods hit, with an unseasonal visit from Santa and a festive-themed market with live entertainment, including brass bands and choirs.
Organisers said: "It is our way of saying thank you to all the volunteers who helped on Boxing Day, and in the weeks that followed."
About 500 people are expected to attend a Christmas lunch event at Riverside School in Hebden Bridge.
During the December floods, a bus was swept down the street and sandbags were ripped up due to the force of the water running through the town. | People in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale are celebrating "the Christmas that never was", six months after flooding devastated the area. | 1.342858 | 1 |
Shots were heard in the main city Abidjan, the capital, Yamoussoukro, and the western cities of Man and Daloa.
The latest unrest comes as the government has started paying soldiers who mutinied earlier this month a bonus of $20,000 (£16,000) each.
The gendarmes are believed to be demanding a similar payment.
The government agreed to pay off mutinous soldiers - for the most part former rebels who helped President Alassane Ouattara come to power in 2011, and were then integrated into the army.
This seems to have provoked jealousy among those who were not part of the deal agreed on Friday.
The development highlights the divisions in the country's security forces and raises fresh concerns about its stability, says BBC World Service Africa editor James Copnall.
A resident of Yamoussoukro told the Reuters news agency that he was was confused by the incident.
"I don't know why they are shooting, but we ran to get home. I live next to the camp; I can see them walking around inside the camp."
Another resident told the Associated Press news agency that the initial gunfire in the capital lasted about 20 minutes.
"There were shots, and now the traders have gone. They've closed up their shops in the city centre."
The AFP news agency is reporting that one soldier has been killed in the trouble in Yamoussoukro. | Paramilitary forces in Ivory Coast have fired shots into the air in several cities in what seems to be the start of a new mutiny. | 1.18565 | 1 |
John Kerr, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, was asked by the boy's mother to look after the child on 6 November 2015.
On leaving a pub and returning to the house after a one-hour absence, Kerr found police had been alerted after the tearful child had called 999.
Kerr admitted wilfully abandoning a child in his care in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard that the boy dialled 999 after he could not find Kerr.
The seven-year-old was tearful when he told an emergency operator that he only had his pets for company.
Officers went to the property and were able to re-assure the schoolboy before one climbed in through a window and comforted him.
Kerr later returned under the influence of alcohol and claimed he had gone for food for the child.
He later conceded he had visited a bar and had stayed away longer than he had intended. | A 50-year-old man has been fined £280 for leaving a seven-year-old boy at home to go to the pub. | 0.642069 | 1 |
The trio were all on the orthopaedic surgery ward and were screened after another patient there had the bacteria, called carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE).
The first patient did not require treatment for it and was discharged.
The ward has been closed to admissions "as a precaution", the hospital said.
Read more stories from the Black Country and Birmingham
Enterobacteriaceae are sometimes harmless and live in the gut.
CPE is another type of the same group of bacteria that have become resistant to strong antibiotics called carbapenems which are used to treat the most serious infections, the NHS choices website said - a so-called superbug.
The hospital said none of the three patients found to have the organism from their latest screening were unwell with it and "no specific treatment was required or being given".
A hospital spokesman said "this type of very resistant bacteria was becoming more common across the UK and around the world.... because of the overuse of antibiotics."
He said washing hands regularly was the "best defence". | Three patients have been diagnosed with a "very resistant strain of bacteria" prompting a ward closure at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital. | 2.647556 | 3 |
The 10-member Association of Southest Asian Nations (Asean) ended a meeting in Cambodia without issuing a joint statement for the first time in its 45-year history.
It had earlier adopted key elements of a code of conduct on maritime issues.
China has overlapping claims with four Asean members in the South China Sea.
Asean foreign ministers and their regional counterparts from 16 countries, including China, met in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh for a regional forum. Tension in the South China Sea topped the agenda.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei contest parts of the resource-rich South China Sea area with China.
The Philippines and Vietnam want Asean to resist Beijing's insistence that the disputes be handled on a bilateral level only. Asean officials said the two countries wanted the joint statement to include references to their territorial disputes with China.
The Philippines has accused Cambodia, a close ally of China, of blocking any mention of the dispute.
But Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said that all Asean members were responsible for the failure to issue a statement.
"I requested that we issue the joint communique without mention of the South China Sea dispute ... but some member countries repeatedly insisted to put the issue of the Scarborough Shoal," he said.
"I have told my colleagues that the meeting of the Asean foreign ministers is not a court, a place to give a verdict about the dispute."
China and the Philippines had a maritime stand-off in the Scaborough Shoal in April, with China denying reports it was preparing for war at the height of tensions in May. Both sides accused the other of trespassing on territorial waters.
Vietnam was also angered by a recent call from China for oil exploration in a disputed territory.
Earlier this week, Asean forum ministers adopted key elements of a code of conduct on rules governing maritime issues, and presented the proposal for China's agreement.
The Chinese foreign ministry had said that China would consider the proposals if the conditions were right.
Asean was set up in 1967 by Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Brunei joined in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Burma in 1997 and Cambodia in 1999. | South-east Asian countries have failed to reach an agreement on how to deal with China's claims on disputed territory in the South China Sea. | 2.099761 | 2 |
Perseids are shooting stars or space debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet.
Every year, the Earth passes through this field of debris and it is possible to see about 100 meteors or shooting stars per hour during the peak.
This year, that could double as experts predict a rare meteor "outburst", according to Armagh Observatory.
The Swift-Tuttle comet revolves around the Sun once every 130 years on average, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
A meteor outburst is produced "when the Earth passes close to or through one or more of the dense dust trails produced during a previous revolution of the comet around the Sun," according to the observatory.
It is opening its doors to the public for a free event on Thursday evening, in the hope that star-spotters will be able to enjoy the celestial show.
As always, however, the view is weather-dependent and BBC Northern Ireland's forecasters have warned that cloudy skies could obscure visibility during the peak of the shower at around midnight.
Ideal conditions for a shooting star show include cloudless skies with little or no moonlight or light pollution and this year, a waxing moon could also steal some of the limelight.
"If possible, look away from any nearby light pollution and always allow time for your eyes to become accustomed to the dark," Armagh Observatory advised stargazers.
"This means you may have to wait up to 20 or 30 minutes before seeing your first meteor."
The observatory added that this year's view "includes the planets Venus, Mercury and Jupiter setting low in the west soon after sunset, and then Saturn and Mars low in the south-southwest after dark".
Elsewhere, Astronomy Ireland is organising a "national Perseid count" via its website, where members of the public can record how many shooting stars they spot with the naked eye from the island of Ireland.
"These simple counts will have real scientific value as no one is sure how much stronger the shower will be this year," said David Moore, editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine.
The organisation is predicting the 2016 shooting star show "is going to be two-to-three times more spectacular than usual". | Stargazers turn their eyes to the skies this time every August for the annual Perseid meteor shower, but this year it could be more spectacular than usual. | 3.266636 | 3 |
The drugs have been shown in clinical trials to extend the lives of kidney cancer sufferers by several months compared with existing treatments.
Nivolumab and cabozantinib were accepted after being reviewed by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).
The body also approved two other medicines for use, but rejected another because the costs were too high.
All the drugs being considered went through the SMC's patient and clinician engagement (Pace) process.
Dr Alan MacDonald, chairman of the SMC, said: "The committee is pleased to be able to accept four new medicines for routine use by NHS Scotland.
"We know from the evidence given by patient groups at our Pace meeting for nivolumab and cabozantinib that these two medicines will be valuable additions to the treatment currently available for patients with terminal renal cancer."
Kidney cancer patient Joe McCann, from Toryglen in Glasgow, was offered cabozantinib under an early access scheme.
The 60-year-old told BBC Scotland that previous treatments had been effective only for a short time.
"They told me after that there weren't any further treatments on the national health so I carried on without any treatment at all."
Mr McCann was then moved to a hospice for palliative care before being offered cabozantinib.
"It's made every difference. I was actually told by my oncologist he didn't think I'd last to Christmas, so I wouldn't be speaking to you now if it wasn't for this drug," he said.
The other two drugs accepted were obeticholic acid - used to treat liver disease - and aprepitant, which is used in combination with other medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting in children undergoing chemotherapy.
But the committee did not accept pertuzumab, a breast cancer treatment, because of the high cost.
Dr MacDonald added: "We know this decision will be disappointing to patients and their families as we understand how devastating breast cancer can be.
"However, when we make our decisions we have to take account of the needs of all patients who require treatment by NHS Scotland, not just those who would benefit from the medicine under consideration." | Two new drugs for the treatment of incurable kidney cancer have been approved for use by NHS Scotland. | 2.002955 | 2 |
Napoli are six points behind Juventus with six games remaining.
Manolo Gabbiadini headed Napoli ahead in the 33rd minute and Lorenzo Insigni scored a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Verona's Samuel Souprayen was sent off for a professional foul on Jose Callejon.
Callejon tapped home the third goal on 70 minutes.
Juventus remain clear favourites to claim the Italian title after they beat AC Milan 2-1 on Saturday. | Napoli maintained some pressure on Serie A leaders Juventus with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Verona. | 0.454935 | 0 |
Police cordoned off an area of woodland in Barton-on-Sea after the remains were discovered by a member of the public on Tuesday morning.
They have been monitoring the scene around Long Meadow off Willow Walk, but have only just given any information about the investigation.
A spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary said no further details were available.
An eyewitness said there had been a "continual" police presence, with seven police vehicles and a helicopter as well as investigators in white overalls on the scene. | A woman's remains have been discovered near a recreation ground in Hampshire. | 0.724279 | 1 |
The trade gap narrowed to $45.61bn (£29.1bn), from a revised $45.63bn in July, the Commerce Department said.
However, the politically-sensitive trade gap with China widened to a record high.
US imports and exports both slowed in the month as the weakening in the global economy took hold.
For August, exports slipped by $95m to $177.6bn, as sales of expensive industrial items like cars, aircraft engines and oil field equipment all declined.
Imports fell by $111m to $223.2bn.
China gap
With China, which the US has accused of keeping its currency artificially low, imports into the US reached a record $37.4bn.
Between January and July, the US trade deficit with China was running 10% higher than the same point last year - when the trade gap between the two ballooned.
On Tuesday, the US Senate passed a bill that would mandate the imposition of tariffs on some Chinese goods if the US Treasury determines that China is manipulating its currency.
Earlier this week, Congress also approved three free trade agreements - with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. | The US trade deficit with the rest of the world narrowed in August to the smallest gap in four months, official figures have shown. | 1.743033 | 2 |
Sutton resigned in April, ending a 14-year involvement with British Cycling.
He had been suspended by the sporting body amid claims of sexism and discrimination towards elite cyclists, although he denies the allegations.
"It was a hard few days when he first left and it was tough for the whole programme," said James.
"But we had to move on and I had to knuckle down and get on with my training, knowing it would be a journey without him but I still had to get in the best possible form before Rio."
Welsh sprinter James, 24, is particularly grateful to Sutton for the role he played in keeping her in the sport during a torrid two-year spell that saw her overcome serious knee and shoulder injuries and a cancer scare.
Having won world keirin and sprint titles in 2013, James almost quit in 2015.
"Shane was the one who always believed in me getting back," said James, who also missed London 2012 because of illness and injury.
"He said to me: 'You don't have to do this. You have already achieved a lot and you can be happy with what you've done.'
"That gave me that bit extra to want to come back. He was the one who could see it, when I couldn't. He kept me on the programme, kept me working hard."
James also admitted that Sutton's "straight-talking" could upset others but said she did not think he was a bully.
"He's always been brutally honest with me but the truth is better than lies," she added.
Media playback is not supported on this device | British Olympic cyclist Becky James believes the team will miss former technical director Shane Sutton at the Games in Rio this summer. | 1.047546 | 1 |
Jamaica-born Gordon, 24, part of the Bears teams that won the T20 Blast in 2014 and One-Day Cup this season, has not had his contract renewed after reaching the end of his current deal.
He made only five County Championship appearances following his first-class debut in April 2013.
But he was a regular one-day player, appearing most often in T20 cricket.
He played in five T20 group games, as well as the quarter-final win away to Essex in 2014, then 13 of the 14 group games when the Bears again made the final in 2015 but, on each occasion, he was not chosen to play on Finals Day.
Often used as a death bowler, he played a further six T20 matches this season and took his tally of One-Day Cup group game appearances to 12, but not being required at Lord's.
Gordon, who first represented the Bears at under-15 level, signed for Warwickshire ahead of the 2012 season, having come through their Development of Excellence programme.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed the last five years representing my home county and playing with so many fantastic cricketers," he said.
"I'd like thank Warwickshire for giving me the opportunity to become a professional cricketer." | Warwickshire have released fast bowler Recordo Gordon after five years' service to the Birmingham-based club. | 0.917386 | 1 |
Until now, same-sex couples could only adopt a child if it was the offspring of one of the partners.
But in a historic ruling on Wednesday, the court instructed adoption agencies not to discriminate against gay men and lesbians.
It said gay couples could adopt just as heterosexual couples could, as along as all legal requirements were met.
The court reached its ruling in a 6-2 vote after hours of debate.
It said that excluding gay couples as possible adoptive parents "limits children's right to a family".
"A person's sexual orientation or gender are not in and of themselves indicative of a lack of moral, physical or mental suitability to adopt," said the chief justice of the Constitutional Court, Maria Victoria Calle Correa.
Same-sex couples in Colombia are allowed to enter into legal unions but in 2013 Congress rejected a proposal to fully legalise gay marriage.
Activists welcomed Wednesday's decision but opponents promised to appeal, Reuters news agency reported. | Colombia's constitutional court has lifted restrictions on same-sex couples adopting children. | 2.379519 | 2 |
Paul Briggs, 43, of Merseyside, suffered a brain injury in a crash in July 2015.
His wife Lindsey told Manchester Court of Protection her husband would have seen living in a minimally conscious state as "hell".
Doctors treating him at the Walton Centre in Liverpool are opposing the application to withdraw treatment.
PC Briggs from Wirral, suffered a bleed on the brain and five fractures in his spine in the collision and is being kept alive through medical intervention.
In closing submissions, Victoria Butler-Cole, representing Mrs Briggs, asked the judge Mr Justice Charles to respect the previous wishes of the police officer and allow him to die.
She said even in the best case scenario, PC Briggs would not have a quality of life which he would have previously felt was worthwhile.
Ms Butler-Cole said: "He has pockets of consciousness in which he may, if things are going well, be able to press a buzzer in response to a question."
Medical experts have told the hearing PC Briggs could emerge from the state he is in, but would remain severely physically disabled and would not regain the mental capacity to fully understand his condition.
Vikram Sachdeva QC, representing the official solicitor acting on behalf of PC Briggs, asked whether he should be deprived of a "reasonably content future" even if it was a situation he would have been "appalled" by before the crash.
Conrad Hallin, representing Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust and the Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group, said PC Briggs was not likely to be tormented and trapped psychologically by his condition but withdrawing artificial hydration and nutrition would cause him to starve to death and likely to cause him pain and distress.
The hearing has finished and the judge will make his judgment at a later date.
Chelsea Rowe, 26, was given a 12-month prison term in July after admitting causing serious injury to PC Briggs by dangerous driving. | A judge has been asked to respect the previous wishes of an injured police officer and allow him to die. | 1.357445 | 1 |
Jose Joao Santos Silva, 21, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving while Jeronimo Vieira Santos, 29, and Luis Carlos Alves Cardoso, 19, are charged with dangerous driving.
Vitor Fernandes, 22, was killed in a car crash on Victoria Avenue at First Tower on 30 December 2013.
All three cases were referred to the Royal Court on Thursday.
The men will appear again at Jersey Magistrates' Court on 23 May. | Three men have appeared together in court in connection with a fatal crash in St Helier over the Christmas period. | 0.629637 | 1 |
The Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur medals were awarded to Ernest Frobisher, 96, from Eastbourne and Arthur Burrett, 90, from Seaford at the town's British Legion.
Mr Frobisher said: "It's something I never dreamt of getting."
Arthur Burrett said he was also receiving the award for his father who fought in the Battle of the Somme.
"I'm here for my father as much as myself," he said.
Mr Frobisher said: "It's something I never dreamt of getting. A lot of the places that I went to I didn't know where I was going.
"You just keep following the lorry in front.
"On the first trip to France after the war, I was walking along with some of my pals when a little lad came along and held my hand and said 'thank you'. That really choked me."
"I know they respect what we accomplished for them."
"I'm really chuffed."
Arthur Burrett said: "I mainly want to receive this because of my father who rescued two officers in the First World War, and there was no recognition, just a piece of paper."
"I was only 17 and 18 during the war," he added.
"I was on the landing craft mainly, in France and Italy and going over the African coast taking the troops over," Mr Burrett said.
"We were picking up a lot of displaced people and had them all on our ship. At the end of the war we took the ship back to America and came home on the Queen Mary. " | Two D-Day veterans have been awarded France's highest military honour for service during World War Two. | 1.458497 | 1 |
The US based Center for Inquiry said that she arrived in America last week.
It said she was "specifically named as an imminent target" by the same extremists who killed three secular bloggers this year in Bangladesh.
Ms Nasreen recently tweeted that she was not safe in India.
"Was threatened by Islamists who killed atheist bloggers in B'desh. Worried," she tweeted.
"Wanted to meet GOI (government of India) but no appointment. Left. Will be back when feel safe."
A strong critic of fundamentalist Islam, the 52-year-old feminist writer was forced to leave Bangladesh in 1994 after receiving death threats from radical Muslim groups who condemned a number of her writings as blasphemous.
She spent a decade in Europe and the US before India granted her a temporary residential permit in 2004.
The Center for Inquiry (CFI) in a statement said that it helped Ms Nasreen to move to the US in order "to alleviate the immediate threat to her life".
"Her safety is only temporary if she cannot remain in the US, which is why CFI has established an emergency fund to help with food, housing and the means for her to be safely settled," the statement said.
"Dr Nasreen arrived in Buffalo, New York on Wednesday and was met by CFI staff."
The CFI says that it has also heard from several other writers and activists in Bangladesh who have also been been named as murder targets because of their "secular advocacy".
Last month Bangladesh outlawed the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) after a blogger - the the third to be murdered this year - was hacked to death. The ABT is the sixth Islamist militant group to be banned.
Police say that in each case, the attackers carried out their assaults on a busy street.
The first blogger to be killed - in February - was Bangladeshi-born US citizen Avijit Roy, who was killed in the capital, Dhaka.
In March blogger Washiqur Rahman was also hacked to death in Dhaka.
In May another blogger, Ananta Bijoy Das, was stabbed to death in the northern city of Sylhet.
A few years ago, hardline Islamists in Bangladesh demanded a blasphemy law to stop bloggers they perceived as being anti-Islamic from writing about Islam.
Bangladesh is officially a secular country but more than 90% of its 160 million population are Muslim. | Award-winning Bangladeshi writer and human rights activist Taslima Nasreen has fled from India to the US after she was named as an al-Qaeda murder target, a rights group has said. | 1.757515 | 2 |
The justice secretary told MSPs that Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern had officers who were routinely armed.
He said Police Scotland had adopted the approach across the country since its launch in April last year.
Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Alison MacInnes said Holyrood should have been told of the routine arming of police.
A political row over specially trained officers routinely carrying side arms started earlier this month when Independent Highlands and Islands MSP, John Finnie, raised concerns.
Mr Finnie said there had been a change of policy from firearms officers having to retrieve their weapons from locked safes in armed response vehicles with permission from a senior officer.
He said there had been occasions when firearms officers had supported unarmed police on routine duties, such as dispersing late night crowds from outside pubs and clubs.
Mr MacAskill told the Scottish Parliament that Police Scotland took a decision to follow an example previously set by Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern Constabulary.
He said it was necessary for trained firearms officers to be readily available to respond quickly to "urgent and unexpected threats".
Mr MacAskill said Police Scotland has 275 firearms officers - 1.6% of Police Scotland's personnel - and they were deployed on a shift pattern basis.
He added: "Consequently, only a small number will actually be deployed across our communities at any one time."
The justice secretary also said that the police authority and police investigation and review commissioner could review the deployment of firearms officers.
Ms MacInnes said the routine arming of officers represented a "substantial change of direction" and parliament should have been informed.
Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins told BBC Scotland: "They are police officers first and foremost and it's only right that they contribute to the policing plan in addressing the greatest concerns of the community.
"The fact that they are carrying firearms and a Taser, to this point, there has been no negative public reaction to it." | Three Scottish police forces allowed specialist officers to routinely carry guns before the launch of the new single force, Kenny MacAskill has said. | 1.534352 | 2 |
Sue McAllister is the first woman to hold the most senior position within a prison service anywhere in the UK.
The 51-year-old mother-of-two will take up the post at the beginning of July and be paid an annual salary of £100,000.
She replaces Colin McConnell, who is leaving to take up a post as head of the Scottish Prison Service.
Mr McConnell announced his departure in March, after just over a year in the job.
Mrs McAllister, oringally from south Yorkshire, has 25 years experience in the prison service, including working as a governor of both a prison and young offenders centre.
She is familiar with the challenges the she faces as she was part of a review team which produced a
highly critical report on Northern Ireland Prison Service after the suicide of Colin Bell
.
Mr Bell he took his own life in Maghaberry Prison in July 2008. He was on suicide watch at the time.
Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed Mrs McAllister's appointment.
"Sue joins the Northern Ireland Prison Service at a crucial stage of the reform programme," he said.
"She brings a wealth of experience to this demanding post and I know that she is committed to driving forward the change agenda."
Mrs McAllister said: "It is a great privilege to be appointed the Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and to lead this proud service through a period of fundamental reform.
"I do not underestimate the scale of the reform programme that will be delivered over the next few years, one of the most challenging undertaken by the public sector anywhere in the United Kingdom." | The Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced the appointment of a new director general. | 1.084846 | 1 |
Reports from the US suggest that Mr Blatter is being investigated by the FBI as part of a corruption inquiry.
He resigned in a surprise news conference on Tuesday night, but strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Mr Nelson said it was time for people within Fifa to begin to bring reform to the organisation.
US prosecutors launched a criminal inquiry last week, with seven Fifa officials arrested in Switzerland, part of a group of 14 people indicted.
Two days after the arrests, Mr Blatter was re-elected president of Fifa.
"We felt it was time for change last week, we feel it's time for change this week and the fact that Mr Blatter has actually seen that at last - I'm not quite sure why's it's happened this quickly - but the fact that it has happened this quickly, I think is a cause for us to think positively."
Mr Nelson said it had been made clear to Fifa that change was needed.
"I think what we need to focus on now is how Fifa does reform itself and what sort of new president it actually chooses," he said.
"The eyes of the world are on Fifa at the moment. There was a clear enough message last week that change is required.
"Now it's up to people like ourselves as members and voters within Fifa to make it very clear that Fifa cannot be run in that way."
Mr Nelson said that while outside help could be a benefit, it was important that Fifa reformed from within.
"If Fifa started to bring on independent members to the global executive, I think that would be very helpful," he said. | Sepp Blatter's resignation from Fifa is good for football, Irish Football Association (IFA) chief executive Patrick Nelson has said. | 1.168513 | 1 |
Labour MSP James Kelly has brought forward a Member's Bill to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.
The law came into force in 2012 after the SNP used its majority in the last Scottish Parliament to pass the Act.
But after losing its majority at the last Holyrood election, the government faces defeat on the issue.
All of the other parties at Holyrood have called for the bill to be scrapped, with MSPs uniting in November to back a motion calling for its repeal by 64 votes to 63.
Opponents of the law say it is poorly written, unnecessary in light of existing legislation and unfairly targets football fans, with the Fans Against Criminalisation campaign group staging protests against it.
But the Scottish government has defended the law, arguing that opponents have not put forward any viable alternatives and that scrapping it would send out the wrong message on prejudice and offensive behaviour.
It has also insisted the legislation has "delivered real improvements", with a decrease in crimes of offensive behaviour at, or in relation, to football matches in Scotland.
But Mr Kelly said he was confident that next season will be the last one with the legislation in place.
He added: "Every other party opposed it. Academics, lawyers, football clubs and football fans opposed it, yet the SNP wouldn't listen and used its majority in the Scottish Parliament to railroad the Football Act through."
Parliament officials will next week agree a timetable for debating the Member's Bill next week, with the first vote likely to happen before the end of the year. | A bid to scrap a controversial law aimed at tackling sectarian behaviour at football has been officially lodged at the Scottish Parliament. | 0.959756 | 1 |
The current agreement between Cricket Australia and the country's top players expires on 30 June and no new deal has been struck.
"It is extremely likely that as of 1 July we'll be jumping over the cliff together," said Dyer.
"The fundamentals of the deal are nowhere near to being resolved."
Former Test wicketkeeper Dyer added: "We will be assisting in whatever way we possibly can in that but they're unemployed."
In March, Cricket Australia proposed salary increases for men and women as part of a revised memorandum of understanding, but that meant players would no longer receive a percentage of the organisation's revenue.
This was rejected by the Australian Cricketers' Association, who also turned down a recent revised pay offer.
The dispute has put a question mark over the Australian men's team playing a two-Test series in Bangladesh scheduled for August, while they are scheduled to host England in the Ashes from 23 November to 8 January, 2018.
The women's team is currently in England for the Women's World Cup and are under contract until the end of the tournament. | More than 200 of Australia's senior cricketers will be "unemployed as of 1 July", says Australian Cricketers' Association president Greg Dyer. | 1.315214 | 1 |
Owners Hanwha Chemical Corp said the blast happened during welding work to expand a waste water disposal facility.
"Gas from the waste water, which had piled up inside the tank, was apparently ignited by the welding torch", a fire official told AFP.
An investigation into whether negligence was the cause of the explosion is under way.
The plant makes polyvinyl chloride used in wide range of products, such as cling film. | At least four people have been killed in South Korea in an explosion at a chemical plant in the city of Ulsan. | 1.677474 | 2 |
Zakia Medkour, now 43, met Maxime Gaget, 37, over the internet in 2007 and he moved into her Paris studio flat some months later.
But within months he had lost his job and she had taken away his credit and identity cards.
Cigarettes were stubbed out on his skin and he was forced to swallow sponges and window-cleaning fluid.
The case, seen in France as helping to lift a taboo on domestic abuse suffered by men, came to prominence when Mr Gaget wrote about his experiences in a book, My partner, my torturer.
French campaign groups say abuse by men against women is three times more common, but say as many as 7,000 men complain of abuse every year.
Domestic abuse claims the lives of one woman ever three days and one man every 13 days, they estimate.
Mr Gaget described how his life soon turned into a nightmare when he moved in with Medkour, who lived with her two children in a 25 sq m (270 sq ft) flat.
Threatened with being labelled a paedophile by his partner if he complained, he was forced to sleep on the floor near the front door and barred from using the bathroom as well as being burned with a white-hot knife.
Prosecutors had called for a five-year jail term for Medkour, describing her actions as "beyond violence".
She was given 18 months in prison with another 18 months suspended and a fine of €200,000 (£140,000).
Mr Gaget was eventually rescued by his parents after his partner's brother raised the alarm and later had eight hospital operations because of his injuries
He said he had expected a longer sentence than 18 months but accepted his ex-partner's sentence.
"I'm finally going to be able to turn the page," he said.
Medkour's lawyers blamed her addiction to alcohol and she apologised for her actions. "I'm not heartless," she was quoted as saying. | A French woman who enslaved and abused her ex-boyfriend for more than a year has been jailed for 18 months. | 1.10225 | 1 |
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