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38,083,012 | Ysgol Newydd Margam will accommodate 1,455 pupils aged three to 16 and replace Dyffryn Comprehensive and Groes Primary schools on the Dyffryn Upper School site.
Neath Port Talbot council has been given £19m of the total project cost of £37m.
Ms Williams said it would improve accessibility and regenerate the site.
The money has been allocated as part of the Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools Programme, which aims to improve school facilities and resources. | Funding for a new £37m school in Neath Port Talbot has been approved by Education Secretary Kirsty Williams. |
36,130,346 | A new study says that if the extra green leaves prompted by rising CO2 levels were laid in a carpet, it would cover twice the continental USA.
Climate sceptics argue the findings show that the extra CO2 is actually benefiting the planet.
But the researchers say the fertilisation effect diminishes over time.
They warn the positives of CO2 are likely to be outweighed by the negatives.
The lead author, Prof Ranga Myneni from Boston University, told BBC News the extra tree growth would not compensate for global warming, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, ocean acidification, the loss of Arctic sea ice, and the prediction of more severe tropical storms.
The new study is published in the journal Nature Climate Change by a team of 32 authors from 24 institutions in eight countries.
It is called Greening of the Earth and its Drivers, and it is based on data from the Modis and AVHRR instruments which have been carried on American satellites over the past 33 years.The sensors show significant greening of something between 25% and 50% of the Earth's vegetated land, which in turn is slowing the pace of climate change as the plants are drawing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Just 4% of vegetated land has suffered from plant loss.
This is in line with the Gaia thesis promoted by the maverick scientist James Lovelock who proposed that the atmosphere, rocks, seas and plants work together as a self-regulating organism. Mainstream science calls such mechanisms "feedbacks".
The scientists say several factors play a part in the plant boom, including climate change (8%), more nitrogen in the environment (9%), and shifts in land management (4%).
But the main factor, they say, is plants using extra CO2 from human society to fertilise their growth (70%).
Harnessing energy from the sun, green leaves grow by using CO2, water, and nutrients from soil.
"The greening reported in this study has the ability to fundamentally change the cycling of water and carbon in the climate system," said a lead author Dr Zaichun Zhu, from Peking University, Beijing, China.
The authors note that the beneficial aspect of CO2 fertilisation have previously been cited by contrarians to argue that carbon emissions need not be reduced.
Co-author Dr Philippe Ciais, from the Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences in Gif-sur‑Yvette, France (also an IPCC author), said: "The fallacy of the contrarian argument is two-fold. First, the many negative aspects of climate change are not acknowledged.
"Second, studies have shown that plants acclimatise to rising CO2 concentration and the fertilisation effect diminishes over time." Future growth is also limited by other factors, such as lack of water or nutrients.
A co-author Prof Pierre Friedlingstein, from Exeter University, UK, told BBC News that carbon uptake from plants was factored into Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) models, but was one of the main sources of uncertainty in future climate forecasts.
Warming the Earth releases CO2 by increasing decomposition of soil organic matter, thawing of permafrost, drying of soils, and reduced photosynthesis - potentially leading to tropical vegetation dieback.
He said: "Carbon sinks (such as forests, where carbon is stored) would become sources if carbon loss from warming becomes larger than carbon gain from fertilisation.
"But we can't be certain yet when that would happen. Hopefully, the world will follow the Paris agreement objectives and limit warming below 2C."
Nic Lewis, an independent scientist often critical of the IPCC, told BBC News: "The magnitude of the increase in vegetation appears to be considerably larger than suggested by previous studies.
"This suggests that projected atmospheric CO2 levels in IPCC scenarios are significantly too high, which implies that global temperature rises projected by IPCC models are also too high, even if the climate is as sensitive to CO2 increases as the models imply."
And Prof Judith Curry, the former chair of Earth and atmospheric sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, added: "It is inappropriate to dismiss the arguments of the so-called contrarians, since their disagreement with the consensus reflects conflicts of values and a preference for the empirical (i.e. what has been observed) versus the hypothetical (i.e. what is projected from climate models).
"These disagreements are at the heart of the public debate on climate change, and these issues should be debated, not dismissed."
Follow Roger on Twitter @rharrabin | Carbon dioxide emissions from industrial society have driven a huge growth in trees and other plants. |
39,208,668 | The Super Puma 225 came down near the island of Turoey, near Bergen, while it was returning from an oil field.
Iain Stuart 41, from Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, was one of 13 people who died in the crash last April.
The helicopter crashed after the main rotor detached. Part of the gearbox has been found in the sea.
It is now being examined.
An interim report from the Air Accident Investigation Board Norway said the most likely cause was a fatigue fracture within the helicopter gearbox. | Investigators probing a fatal helicopter crash off Norway last year have found what they describe as a "vital" missing part. |
37,462,767 | Setting out for the first time detailed plans to deal with the camp, Mr Hollande said migrants would be given up to four months to seek asylum.
He has faced criticism over the squalid conditions in Calais, which he acknowledged were "unacceptable".
His comments came as other EU leaders met in Vienna to discuss the crisis.
The Jungle camp has become a powerful symbol of Europe's failure to cope with the crisis unfolding from Africa and the Middle East.
Half of the camp was dismantled earlier this year, and with immigration likely to be a key issue in next year's French presidential election, Mr Hollande is keen to close the rest.
More from the BBC on Europe's migrant crisis
Explaining his plans during a visit to a reception centre in Tours, about 150 miles (240km) south-west of Paris, he said reception centres would hold 40 to 50 people for up to four months.
During that time, the migrants can apply for asylum in France. Those who are unsuccessful will be deported.
About 7,000 migrants live in the remaining half of the camp, up from 4,500 in June, according to local authorities. Humanitarian groups put the number closer to 9,000.
"There should be no camp in France," said Mr Hollande, who is expected to visit the site on Monday.
The Jungle has played host to scenes of both squalor and of violence, as migrants attempt to board lorries bound for the UK, clashing with drivers and police in the process.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel travelled to Vienna on Saturday to discuss the migrant crisis with the leaders of countries along Europe's Balkan migrant route.
Mrs Merkel, who suffered an election blow last week brought on in part by her controversial "open-door" policy, met Hungary's premier Victor Orban, Alexis Tsipras of Greece, and Boyko Borisov of Bulgaria.
Mr Orban has been openly critical of Mrs Merkel's approach and taken a hard line against refugees and migrants entering Hungary.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said the aim of the talks was to "accelerate" a solution to the crisis.
"At the moment there is a range of individual measures but no common European line," Mr Kern told the Austrian Kleine Zeitung daily.
EU President Donald Tusk, arriving in Vienna, said that it was necessary "to confirm, politically and in practice, that the western Balkan route of irregular migration is closed for good."
More than 300,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean this year, the UN said on Tuesday, with 3,500 deaths recorded so far. | French President Francois Hollande has said he intends to close the "Jungle" camp in Calais and move 9,000 migrants to reception centres across France. |
36,170,177 | The 35-year-old won 12 major trophies and captained the Rhinos for 13 years before switching codes last November.
Sinfield has announced he will retire after Yorkshire Carnegie's Championship play-off campaign.
"I'm more than interested in doing something with Kev. He has a wealth of knowledge both on and off the field, so we'll tap into that," said McDermott.
Talking to BBC Radio Leeds, the Rhinos boss continued: "Kev would be described as one of the true greats that got there and stayed there.
"Consistently he answered questions asked of him over a number of years, so it is a big moment for the game, a big moment for rugby league. It's big news for British sport.
"Sport needs to take note that he passes over from those that can do, to those that can't anymore, and I'm sure he will find a role somewhere. We are talking about some things that may happen."
McDermott confirmed there is scope at Headingley to have Sinfield rejoin the club in an ambassadorial or coaching role.
Sinfield, who finished second in BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015, left the Rhinos after helping them secure the treble of Grand Final, League Leaders' Shield and Challenge Cup triumphs last season.
He moved to rugby union side Yorkshire Carnegie on an 18-month deal, but this week confirmed his plans to retire at the end of the season after just seven months in the 15-man game.
While Sinfield has previously admitted he would miss playing rugby league "every day for the rest of my life," McDermott said he had never considered the idea of bringing the playmaker back in an on-field role, despite their struggles this season.
Rhinos, third from bottom in the Super League after losing nine of their opening 12 games, lost club greats Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai at the same time Sinfield left and were also hit by an early-season injury crisis.
"There is a version of what we are going through at the moment that is very good for us," said McDermott. "To go get Kev back, to try rescue the situation with him or JP, it would cause that much damage to these young fellas' progression.
"This is where we have to trust where we are at. We have to hold our nerve and see it through." | Kevin Sinfield can have a job at Leeds Rhinos when he retires as a player, says head coach Brian McDermott. |
39,693,591 | The Imps won the National League title on Saturday, eight years after Burton began their ascent up the Football League.
"I think it's realistic [to reach the Championship]," Cooke told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
"I don't see why we can't do that, as long as you put good foundations down."
The 2-1 victory over Macclesfield ended Lincoln's five-year absence from the Football League and capped a memorable first season in charge for manager Danny Cowley and his brother Nicky, who is his assistant.
They became the first non-league team since 1914 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, bowing out at Arsenal, and also made the last four of the FA Trophy.
Cooke estimated a season in League Two could be worth about £1m to the Imps and said the money earned from their success this season could fund another promotion push next term.
He said: "I can't speak for others but, me personally, I want to see us up there in the play-offs as a minimum.
"We've certainly got the management team that are capable of doing that and I also believe that we've got players that are capable of doing that.
"As long as we can back them with what they need, in terms of resources - not just money - then why not?"
Boss Cowley said he had allowed his players a night to let their hair down on Saturday, even though they still have league games at Maidstone and Southport left to play - but admitted he and his brother's celebrations were more low key.
He said: "I was pretty boring to be honest. Nicky and I and our families went for a nice quiet meal, then went home and watched Match of the Day!
"By all accounts the players were having a good time but they deserved a moment to celebrate.
"When you have worked as hard as they have, day-in day-out, it's important you celebrate." | Lincoln City are capable of emulating Burton Albion's run from non-league to the Championship, according to managing director Kevin Cooke. |
39,386,739 | In a letter to the environment secretary, it said there were tensions between some groups on the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime.
The organisation meets to discuss wildlife crime strategies.
The committee also said gaps exist in Police Scotland's understanding of the full extent of wildlife crime.
The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime includes RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association.
Environment committee convener Graeme Dey MSP said: "Wildlife crime, in all its guises and wherever it takes place, is unacceptable and there should be a zero tolerance approach towards such activities and those who undertake them.
"Tackling this issue effectively requires genuine, collaborative working and the committee was disappointed to see the clear distrust and tension which exists between some of those whose participation is so essential.
"The committee is calling for greater partnership working, between all organisations - including Police Scotland, the RSPB and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association - operating within the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime."
The letter to Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said it recognises the tensions which exist between some member organisations and urged them to "build consensus".
The tensions stem from a decision by RSPB Scotland to withhold information about the disappearance of some birds of prey.
The charity said it did so to prevent potential perpetrators from hiding or disposing of evidence.
The committee's letter said RSPB Scotland's chief investigator Ian Thomson admitted to "openly ignoring" the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime's protocols.
However, Mr Thomson insisted this is not the case.
He said: "With regard to the follow up of missing satellite-tagged birds, RSPB Scotland always seek police advice before carrying out a ground search, in line with the PAWS protocol, and there is explicit provision in this protocol 'where the circumstances of the bird's disappearance are suspicious' not to contact the landowner.
"We will work through the police and not through third parties who may in fact be suspects in an investigation. We await the publication of the Scottish Government's review of satellite tagging to see if our concerns about the disappearance of many of these birds are confirmed."
The committee was critical of the way Police Scotland records wildlife crime, noting "a number of gaps" including its intelligence on whether a reduction in some crimes were due to natural changes in animal populations or an indication of persecution.
It called for resources to be prioritised to "get a clear picture of wildlife crime in Scotland".
Det Ch Supt Sean Scott said: "Police Scotland is aware of the content of the committee letter to the cabinet secretary.
"We continue to work with partners to tackle wildlife crime in Scotland."
A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "The Scottish government is committed to tackling wildlife crime and we believe the best approach is effective law enforcement working with the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime. This brings together conservationists, land managers, police and prosecutors.
"We recognise that there can be tensions between different sectors, and we work hard to resolve differences and bring partners together. We welcome and support the committee's call for unity among Scottish wildlife groups.
"Our programme of work includes reviewing wildlife crime prevention, setting up a new police investigation unit and bringing in increased penalties for wildlife crime." | An "alarming distrust" exists between organisations tackling wildlife crime, according to the Scottish Parliament's environment committee. |
38,239,886 | Felicia Sanders, whose son Tywanza died in the 17 June 2015 massacre, said Dylann Roof, 22, was welcomed by the bible study class before opening fire.
She said she initially mistook the shooting inside the Charleston church for an electrical fault with a lift.
If jurors find him guilty, they will decide if he should be put to death.
Mr Roof sat looking at the defence table during Ms Sanders' emotional testimony.
What victims' families told Roof
Assistant US Attorney Jay Richardson told jurors - in a court barely a mile from where the bloodbath unfolded - that Mr Roof had a "cold and hateful heart".
The prosecutor said the accused had turned his gun on the group about half an hour after joining them at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
He fired 70 shots, 60 of which made impact, according to Mr Richardson.
The accused also hurled insults at his victims during the attack, Mr Richardson said, and left survivors "to tell his story".
The assistant US attorney said the accused had planned to inspire a "race war".
Mr Roof "hoped to send a message to other white people to stand up and do something", Mr Richardson said.
Mr Richardson said the jury would hear Mr Roof's two-hour recorded confession to FBI agents following his arrest.
"He admitted that he almost didn't do it, that he almost walked out the door," assistant US attorney said, adding that Mr Roof had chosen the church due to its prominence among African-Americans.
"But in the end he decided that he just had to do it."
The prosecutor said the jury would also see excerpts from the accused's "manifesto", which he allegedly typed on his father's computer hours before the attack.
"His manifesto was a call to arms, a belief that it was not too late take this country back from black Americans," Mr Richardson said.
Mr Roof's lawyer, David Bruck, said he may not call any witnesses because there is little question his client committed the attack.
"He did it," said the attorney. "You're probably wondering, so what we are doing here? Why does there need to be a trial?"
The lawyer said he hoped Mr Roof would be held in prison for the rest of his life, rather than executed by the state.
The accused has said he wishes to act as his own attorney if convicted, once the sentencing phase of the trial begins.
Last week he had asked to act as his own lawyer throughout the case.
But earlier this week he changed his mind, saying he would only represent himself after his guilt or innocence is determined.
The jury comprises two black women, eight white women, one white man and a black man.
Mr Roof is charged with 33 federal counts, including hate crimes. | The man accused of murdering nine black people in a South Carolina church last year is "evil, evil, evil", a tearful survivor said as the trial began. |
37,930,402 | Evidence gathered by the group suggests up to six people from the Shura and Qayyarah sub-districts were shot dead after being detained on suspicion of having ties to so-called Islamic State.
There was no immediate comment on the allegations from the Iraqi authorities.
Pro-government forces launched an offensive to retake Mosul last month.
About 50,000 Iraqi security forces personnel, soldiers, police, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen are involved in the three-week operation.
Amnesty researchers visited the locations where the extrajudicial executions are alleged to have taken place as IS militants retreated, taking with them hundreds of women, children and old men apparently for use as human shields.
According to information they obtained, about 10 men and a 16-year-old boy who escaped being forcibly transferred were tortured after handing themselves over to a small group of men wearing police uniforms in the Nus Tal area on 21 October.
Shortly afterwards, reinforcements arrived and the men were taken on foot to an open desert area between the town of Qayyarah and the Shura area.
Fighters dressed in police uniforms allegedly beat the group with cables and rifle butts, punched and kicked them, and pulled their beards - in one case setting a man's beard alight. They were also made to lie on their stomachs and shots were fired between their legs.
Three men were then separated from the group. Amnesty said men in police uniforms then subjected them to particularly brutal beatings before shooting them dead. Their remains were found in the same area five days later.
The body of a fourth man, who was handcuffed and led away by a group of men in police uniforms after being beaten, was discovered nearby almost a week later, according to Amnesty.
Also on 21 October, another young man was found dead with two bullet wounds shortly after he left a house near the Mishraq sulphur factory, which IS fighters set alight before retreating. He was blindfolded with his torso exposed.
Amnesty said the sixth man was apparently shot dead as he ran towards forces that included men in police uniform while pulling up his clothes to show that he had no explosives.
"When the Mosul military operation began, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi made clear that violations by Iraqi armed forces and its allies would not be tolerated. Now is the time for him to prove just that," said Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for research at Amnesty's Beirut office.
"The Iraqi authorities must immediately investigate these alarming reports of extrajudicial executions and torture. They must remove from active duty all individuals who are suspected of committing war crimes and other serious human rights violations, pending the outcome of judicial investigations." | Men dressed in Iraqi federal police uniforms are reported to have tortured and killed residents of villages south of Mosul, Amnesty International says. |
27,289,401 | They can do so by replying to tweets containing a link to an Amazon product with #amazoncart in the US and #amazonbasket in the UK.
Users will still need to go to Amazon to pay and complete the purchase.
The move comes as firms are looking at ways to use social media platforms as tools to attract customers.
"Ultimately it is all about conversations that people are having on various platforms such as Twitter and Facebook about what interests them," said Sanjana Chappalli, Asia-Pac head of LEWIS Pulse, a firm specialising in digital marketing.
"Brands are keen to tap into these platforms, not least because they have hundreds of millions of active users."
The move also comes just days after Twitter reported a net loss of $132m (£78m) for the first quarter.
The number of active users on the social network reached 255 million in the first three months of 2014, up 5.8% on the previous quarter. However, that growth was below analysts' expectations.
There have been concerns that the pace of growth the Twitter has seen in the past years may be slowing, which may hurt its revenues.
Ms Chappalli said the tie-up with Amazon was likely to help Twitter engage its users better and as result attract more advertisers.
"For Twitter the revenue model is based on not just on the number of active users but also on how much time those users spend on the platform," she said.
"This deal provides them a good chance to leverage on other sites such as Amazon to help push the engagement rates up."
Meanwhile, Amazon said the partnership would make it easier for users to purchase products they saw on their Twitter timeline.
"No more switching apps, typing passwords, or trying to remember items you saw on Twitter," the firm said in a video it posted about the tie-up. | Online retailer Amazon has announced a partnership with Twitter that allows users to add products to their shopping carts by tweeting a special hashtag. |
41,000,496 | "It's very hard on the children," said one mother, whose partner was jailed for 21 months when their son was two.
The charity says the rules, which apply in England and Wales, are cruel and it wants them scrapped.
The Ministry of Justice says it has a "dedicated strategy to help strengthen family ties".
Barnardo's points out that the rules are different in women's jails where Ministry of Justice guidance says "children should not be penalised from visiting or contacting their mother because of their mother's behaviour".
The rules depend on the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme which links extra family visits with improved behaviour.
Some prisoners are allowed only two visits from family members in a 28-day period but, with improved behaviour, this can rise to three or four visits in that time.
The charity was told a year ago that the scheme was under review but says so far, nothing has changed.
Barnardo's chief executive Javed Khan has written to Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah calling for the rules on family visits to men in jail to be brought in line with those for women.
"We're still waiting and children are still suffering. The government must address this now," said Mr Khan.
The MoJ said it recognised the importance of families in helping offenders to reform.
A spokeswoman said: "We are committed to transforming prisons into places of safety and reform and we recognise the need to provide those in our custody with stable environments, as well as opportunities to change their behaviour and turn away from a life of crime.
"Relationships with families can play a key role in this. We have a dedicated strategy to help strengthen family ties, including giving governors flexibility over their budgets to support schemes that help offenders maintain these relationships."
"Sarah" says that for most of his time in jail, her partner was limited to three family visits each month.
The couple already had a toddler and she gave birth to their second child while he was in prison.
She says the visiting restrictions amount to punishing children for their parents' behaviour.
"You are in prison because you have committed a crime and because of that you need to be punished.
"I am completely supportive of that - but you can't choose your parents.
"A child hasn't done anything wrong they are completely innocent in this."
Most of the visits were stressful, she says, with queues and searches on the way in.
She and her partner sat on chairs that were screwed to the floor and the prisoners were not allowed to get up.
It was very hard for the family to interact normally, she says.
However, on two occasions, he was allowed "family visits" of up to six hours.
There were still searches but the prison officers were out of uniform and the prisoners were allowed to move around.
"You could almost imagine you had gone out for the day.
"It was a really positive experience.
"One was held in a prison gym and allowed the prisoners to walk around, play with the children and the families to eat together at a table.
"There was a slide and the children could paint. At another prison, there was a bouncy castle. These visits are less intimidating for the children and make the dads feel more involved." | Children whose fathers are in jail are being punished by rules which limit visits if prisoners do not behave well enough, says Barnardo's. |
35,752,685 | That sparked a sharp sell-off in mining and commodities shares.
The FTSE 100 closed 0.92% lower at 6,125 points. Miners, which had rallied on Monday, were hit, with Glencore down 18% and Anglo American down 15%.
Burberry shares were the main FTSE 100 riser on news that a mystery investor had amassed almost 5% of the stock.
The luxury retailer jumped 6.6% after reports that unnamed investor had built the stake ahead of a possible takeover bid.
Meanwhile, the price of Brent crude oil rose to a three month high of $41.48 a barrel in early trading, but ended the day down 2.9% at $39.67.
On the currency markets, the pound was three cents lower against the dollar at $1.4233, and was down 0.42% against the euro at €1.2900.
Analysts said that uncertainty over the state of China's economy is unsettling investors.
"Global markets have been rattled by the sharp decline in China's exports which reinforced the lingering concerns over the slowing pace of growth in the world's second largest economy," said FXTM research analyst Lukman Otunuga. | (Close): The FTSE 100 fell for the second session in a row, hit by overnight figures showing a 25% fall in Chinese exports last month. |
40,300,364 | All insurers have been ordered to include the previous year's premium in renewal notices, under regulations that began in April.
But the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said Admiral failed to show exactly what customers had paid.
The company has apologised and will contact affected customers who can cancel without a penalty if they wish.
New regulations, brought in by the FCA, were designed to help insurance customers to shop around and to make the rising or falling price of their insurance clearer.
All insurers have had to include the amount paid the previous year in any renewal documents for insurance such as home and motor cover.
However, Admiral - one of the largest insurers in the UK and a FTSE 100 company - failed to give accurate information.
It gave last year's quoted premium, before discounts were applied, rather than the amount that the customer actually paid, the FCA said.
Jonathan Davidson, of the FCA, said: "It is vital that insurers give customers the right information so they can easily compare premiums and make a choice whether to shop around.
"When introducing these measures, the FCA was clear that firms should be ready from April 2017. We will continue to keep a close eye on the industry's response to ensure firms are complying with the new rules and will take action where necessary."
Admiral, which has offices in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, has apologised
"We are amending the way in which these customers are able to compare the price of the insurance policy being offered at renewal with what they paid the previous year," a company spokesman said.
"We are getting in touch with affected customers to ensure they are fully satisfied."
The company has refused to say how many people were affected, but the BBC understands it is tens of thousands. If affected customers choose to go to another insurer, they will be able to cancel without penalty and will have their premium refunded.
The FCA has given the company a deadline of August to ensure all renewal notices are correct.
Ian Hughes, chief executive of market research group Consumer Intelligence, said: "Insurance customers aren't quite getting the transparency the FCA envisioned on renewal disclosure.
"We are just over two months into the new era which was supposed to help shopping around and already there are problems with the likelihood of more to come." | Tens of thousands of inaccurate insurance renewal notices have been sent to customers of Admiral. |
38,918,459 | Lea Ledesma made a series of mistakes which led to Ali Huseyin, 76, being given type AB blood rather than type O at London Heart Hospital.
The 49-year-old confused his details with that of another patient with a similar name, then tried to blame a colleague for her mistake.
She was given an 18-month suspended sentence at Southwark Crown Court.
Ledesma was convicted of unlawful manslaughter by gross negligence in an earlier trial.
Mr Huseyin had been in her care after a successful heart bypass operation in May 2014.
The court heard the nurse, who had worked at the hospital since 2001, got his details confused with that of another patient called Hussain while checking computer records.
It was one of the errors which led to Ledesma choosing the wrong blood from a vending-style machine. Mr Huseyin died following a transfusion.
She initially tried to pass off the error as a colleague's mistake and only admitted to being distracted and flustered while checking the patient's details when pressed further.
Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said: "It's still a mystery to me as to how and why you came to behave in the way that you did, and you remain certain that the details of the other Mr Hussain were shown on the deceased's monitor and I cannot exclude that as a contributory factor."
Ledesma, of Stevenage in Hertfordshire, wept and hugged her family following sentencing.
They formed a prayer circle in the courtroom and could be heard praising God and thanking Jesus. | A nurse whose patient died after she gave him the wrong type of blood has been given a suspended sentence. |
36,886,706 | Mr Machar has not been seen since the clashes, which left 300 people dead and threatened to revive a civil war that has killed tens of thousands.
Mr Machar was replaced by Taban Deng Gai, a former peace negotiator.
The replacement was criticised by Mr Machar's supporters - but others in his party are said to have supported it.
The BBC's correspondent in Nairobi, Alastair Leithead, said the move has complicated an already tense political situation.
He said there were fears that Mr Machar's supporters might claim that a peace deal with President Kiir had been broken.
This could plunge the country back into civil war - unless a majority of opposition politicians decided to back the new appointment.
During the clashes in early July, Mr Machar's forces were outgunned by forces loyal to the president, and many of his bodyguards were killed.
The rebel leader left the capital, Juba, demanding the deployment of a neutral peacekeeping force that would guarantee his safety.
Mr Machar also sacked Mr Gai as mining minister just over a week ago, according to the AFP news agency.
However, scores of other members of Mr Machar's party came out in support of Mr Gai, nominating him as interim vice president in Mr Machar's absence.
Mr Gai has reportedly said that he would step down if Mr Machar returned to Juba and helped "bring peace to South Sudan".
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011 but its short history has been marred by civil war.
The international community played a major role in the creation of South Sudan and has tried to exercise some influence since independence in 2011.
The UN and US had demanded an immediate end to the fighting in July, a call echoed by the East African regional group which brokered a recent peace deal. | South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has removed Riek Machar as first vice president, two weeks after the rival leaders' forces clashed in the capital. |
40,445,210 | This year the competition, which happens in Lincolnshire in the UK, was won by a team all the way from New Zealand.
Nick Hornstein and Robbie Hollander travelled across the world to compete and they won gold!
They took part in the Egg Throwing event which sees teams of two people throwing an egg as far as they can without breaking it.
The pair managed to throw their egg a huge 81 metres, frying both their opposition and the old world record of 76 metres.
Teams from England, Australia and Germany also participated in the games, but Julie Moens of Canada was the championships' most eggs-ceptional competitor.
The Canadian won gold in both the Russian Egg Roulette and the Egg Catapult events.
The Russian Egg Roulette challenge is probably the messiest of the lot. It sees two players take turns to pick from six eggs and smash them on their heads.
The catch is that five eggs are boiled and one is raw - whoever avoids the raw egg is the winner! | We're not yolking there is such a thing as the World Egg-Throwing Championship and as you'd egg-spect it can get pretty messy! |
37,209,440 | Beryl Larkin, 72, appealed to the Welsh Government after Flintshire council rejected her application to remain in her caravan on land at Treuddyn near Mold.
A planning inspector has now granted her lifetime consent.
Plans to bulldoze the caravan were called off last year when Mrs Larkin was taken ill.
Mrs Larkin has twice been prosecuted for failing to comply with enforcement notices and has had several failed planning bids, the latest being in May 2015.
The retired nurse, who is recovering from surgery, said she could not believe the good news.
"I woke at 3am and wondered if it had really happened," she said.
"It is a shame that this decision could not have been made in the first place.
"I like my little house. It's my little bit of heaven and I am looking forward to getting back on my feet and doing all my little jobs."
Mrs Larkin's daughter Helen, said she was "absolutely delighted" with the outcome.
"This gives her peace of mind now that she can live there for her lifetime," she said. | A woman has won a 20-year battle to continue living in her "little piece of heaven" in Flintshire. |
35,820,702 | The Oban RNLI were called into action following reports that a paraglider was in difficulty in Loch Creran, in Argyll, shortly after 19:00 on Tuesday.
A local fish farm vessel also offered its assistance.
However, the volunteer crew called off the search after realising it was a false alarm. | Helium balloons floating in a sea loch have sparked a lifeboat and coastguard rescue helicopter search operation. |
36,601,301 | It has agreed to not call any further industrial action in protest at the introduction of 12-carriage driver-only operated (DOO) rolling stock.
The High Court previously barred Aslef from inducing Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) drivers to take industrial action after a flawed strike ballot.
The union must now pay £250,000 legal costs.
Aslef said it accepts "GTR is contractually entitled to require drivers employed on the Gatwick Express services to drive 12 car DOO".
It had argued the new trains were less safe.
A GTR spokesman said: "We are pleased this matter has been concluded.
"It supports the continued introduction of our new 12-carriage Gatwick Express trains."
GTR said passengers would benefit from better luggage space, air-conditioning, wi-fi and information systems.
The company is involved in a prolonged separate dispute with the RMT union over the role of conductors and DOO services. | The Aslef train drivers' union has dropped its fight against longer trains on Gatwick Express. |
37,422,338 | The Leythers became the first Championship club to climb back to the elite level since the old franchise system was scrapped and a "three groups of eight" end-of-season set-up was introduced for 2015.
Their achievement means one of Hull KR, Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils - three of the four top-flight sides that ended up in the middle tier known as the Qualifiers - will drop out.
Rovers or Giants can ensure their spot with victory in Saturday's "shoot-out" between the pair, while the loser will ponder the uncertainty of the Million Pound Game - a tussle between fourth and fifth in the table to decide the remaining Super League place.
From a purely sporting perspective, the return of promotion and relegation has given the format a new lease of life in 2016, perhaps outdoing Super League itself for excitement and incident.
The quirk of the fixture list to pair Huddersfield and Hull KR in the final game of the campaign has set up a dramatic finale for coaches, fans and players alike.
"These games are the reason we play," Rovers half-back Terry Campese told BBC Sport.
Campese, who has played State of Origin for New South Wales, for Australia and spent 12 NRL seasons at Canberra, has placed great significance on Saturday's encounter.
"The pressure, whoever handles it the best gets through," the 32-year-old added. "It's exciting, nerve-wracking, everything all in one.
"It's not like the loser has a repercussion but if you do lose you're in the Million Pound Game, which is a scary thought."
While the media will lap up the tense excitement and a neutral audience could be enticed into following the game, there is a darker side to the events that could unfold over the next few weekends.
Super League clubs work on Super League budgets, not just in terms of playing staff but behind the scenes from coaching to commercial.
Relegation to the Championship, where the financial rewards are much lower, forces clubs to make financial cuts.
"There's a lot more behind the scenes," Campese added. "There are a lot of backroom staff that also lose their jobs and it's a lot of money you miss out on.
Huddersfield hooker Ryan Hinchcliffe says the end-of-season stakes are huge on a private and professional level.
"We've invested a huge amount," he said after Sunday's win against Leeds kept their hopes alive.
The 31-year-old had been at NRL side Melbourne Storm for six years, winning premiership and World Club Challenge honours, but opted to bring his family to the other side of the world to play.
"This Qualifiers concept is a stressful one and the stress that goes along with it is not a nice thing," he said.
Uncertainty is tough for everyone involved, but particularly the import players.
Some travel thousands of miles with families in tow to continue their careers in Super League, bedding into British life.
"My kids started school over here," Campese said. "They don't grow up with family back home like cousins, aunties, uncles, nan and pops etc. It's a big investment for us.
"We want to put our best foot forward, do right by the club that takes a gamble on us."
Such distractions have prompted Giants boss Rick Stone to try to shield his players.
"Everyone keeps telling you [about relegation]," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "It's hard for the players to get it out of their heads.
"They've got a lot of their life invested in what they're doing at the moment, so we've tried to focus on the process rather than worry about the ramifications."
The notion of relegation is alien to Australian rugby league audiences, with a "closed-shop" National Rugby League and the most high profile feeder leagues in New South Wales and Queensland existing on the fringes.
It makes Saturday's game and the possibility of a one-off match to stay in the division even more significant - even for those who have the experience of playing in the the game's showpiece event in Britain and down under.
"I've played Grand Finals, World Club Challenges," Hinchcliffe added. "There's nothing that compares to playing for your contract, playing for your futures.
"The pressure of that is big, and if anyone says they've not been feeling any pressure I don't think they're telling the truth."
In terms of the table, there is little to statistically separate the teams, with an identical record and only a four-point advantage for Hull KR on points difference.
Rovers, hosts on Saturday, have even been bolstered by the return from retirement of veteran prop, multiple Super League winner and former Man of Steel Jamie Peacock, 38, for the tail end of this critical period.
His presence, added to Campese's return from injury, has given the Robins hope of staving off the drop.
Huddersfield arrive in East Hull having ended Leeds' 100% record in The Qualifiers, bouncing back from a wake-up call defeat by Leigh the previous week.
Campese summed up the situation that faces both sides on Saturday lunchtime: "Everyone knows that if we win we're safe, if we don't we're playing again the following week.
"We have to worry about what is in our hands and work on what we can." | Leigh's promotion to the Super League has been celebrated as a success for the current Super 8s format. |
33,682,203 | In a speech later, he will say today's party would not be able to create the National Health Service.
And he will express his disillusionment with its drift away from voters.
His speech - seen as an effort to get back on the front foot in the contest - comes as a poll suggests Labour is less electable now than under Ed Miliband.
Mr Miliband led Labour to its worst electoral defeat since the 1980s, with the party down to 232 seats at the 2015 general election.
His subsequent resignation sparked the leadership contest, with Mr Burnham, Yvette Cooper, Jeremy Corbyn and Liz Kendall all in the running to succeed him.
The popularity of left-winger Mr Corbyn, who only got into the contest because some MPs nominated him to "broaden the debate", has sparked a row within Labour.
Some MPs have called for the contest to be restarted after "hard left" campaigners and Conservative supporters were reported to be backing him, and with one poll suggesting he was on course to win.
At-a-glance profiles of the four contenders
In a speech marking the 70th anniversary of the Attlee Labour government, Mr Burnham will sound a warning about the state of the modern day Labour Party.
He will say the anniversary should be "cause for joyous celebration, but I mark it with a sad realisation that the modern Labour Party could not have created the NHS".
"It has become frightened by its own shadow and does not have the courage or capacity to do it," he is to add.
The Leigh MP will also warn against "negativity and dire warnings of 'oblivion'" in response to Mr Corbyn's candidacy, saying that such reactions "mis-read the mood of the moment".
"What our members are telling us is that they are yearning for a different style of politics from Labour and a break with the bad habits of the past.
"They are sick of politicians speaking in soundbites, sticking to the script and looking like they don't believe a word they are saying," he will say.
Mr Burnham will set out five challenges he thinks the party must meet, including on housing, jobs, standards of living, schools and care for the elderly.
He will say of voters: "They are not being given any answers by the identikit politicians appearing on their TV screens. The people haven't drifted away from Labour; Labour has drifted away from them.
"I have lived through this and become increasingly disillusioned.
"We've lost the confidence to think big and provide substantial answers to the modern challenges. We will only win again when we inspire people with our ideas."
It comes as a poll for the Independent newspaper suggests that three quarters of people think Labour is less electable than it was at the general election.
An analysis by the Labour-affiliated Fabian Society says the party must broaden its appeal to Conservative voters, rather than "lurching to the left", if it is to have "any chance" of winning in 2020.
On Monday, Mr Burnham said Labour's policy of allowing people to vote in its leadership contest for a £3 fee should be reviewed once the new leader is in place.
He said that while backed the principle of the rule, the party should check it was not "open to abuse".
Mr Corbyn has said he only wants "genuine Labour" backers, after claims Conservative supporters and "hard left" activists have been registering in order to back the left wing MP. | Labour has become "frightened of its own shadow" and lacks the courage or capacity for big ideas, leadership hopeful Andy Burnham is to warn. |
33,411,475 | They were sold for around $40,000 (£26,000) each after their controversial capture last year.
The sale has raised money to help run the Hwange National Park and also slows the growth of the elephant herd, Zimbabwean officials say.
There are concerns elsewhere in Africa that poaching may lead to elephants becoming endangered.
The capture of the animals was criticised by the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF) last year.
In a statement it said that the elephants would be "sentenced to a life of inhuman treatment".
ZCTF chairman Johnny Rodrigues added that the transported elephants were between two-and-a-half and five years old - not old enough to be weaned.
The elephants are due to be taken to the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, southern China, which is home to 20,000 rare animals, according to its website.
Zimbabwe's Environment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere defended the sale to Bloomberg news agency, saying that "there is nothing irregular with this export, this is part of elephant conservation".
There have been concerns that Zimbabwe's growing elephant population was threatening the vegetation in the Hwange National Park and damaging the crops of nearby human settlements.
The authorities have said that exporting the animals is a better than a cull.
But the ZCTF disputes the official figures for the elephant population and has called for a scientific census before any more elephants are transported. | At least 20 elephants from Zimbabwe have arrived in China after being flown there from the capital, Harare. |
35,590,980 | Luke Farley, 19, spotted this animal in the back of a Nissan Micra in Abergele, Conwy county on Sunday.
He said: "I'd just been to McDonald's. As we were leaving in the car I looked to my left and saw something moving... then realised it was a sheep.
"I double glanced. I told my mate to stop the car so I could take a picture."
Mr Farley, from Denbigh, Denbighshire, added: "I was just picturing the scenario of the farmer, I assume, bundling the sheep into the back of that little tin car. I didn't think it was real at first." | Sheep being transported in lorries is a fairly regular sight in rural parts of Wales, but seeing them in a car is not. |
34,556,873 | Haroon Aswat, 41, from Batley, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in New York in March.
He admitted conspiring with radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to set up a camp 15 years ago in Oregon.
District judge Katherine Forrest said Aswat, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, would be returned to the UK on completion of his sentence.
Aswat had also pleaded guilty to one count of "providing material support to al-Qaeda".
The court heard he spent six weeks in Seattle and Oregon in 2000 as part of a plot to set up a training camp for al-Qaeda recruits, who wanted to fight in Afghanistan.
He had been under orders from Abu Hamza, who was sentenced to life in prison in January for a series of terrorism offences.
Speaking after the sentencing, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Carlin said: "Aswat was arrested more than 10 years ago, and his sentence is the result of the tireless and persistent efforts of law enforcement to hold accountable all those who wish to harm the United States, whether at home or abroad, no matter how long it takes."
Aswat was arrested by UK authorities in 2005 at RAF Northolt, and three years later he was transferred from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital.
He fought extradition for several years, with the European Court of Human Rights ruling in September 2013 that he could not be extradited as his mental health could deteriorate.
However, in September 2014 two High Court judges said they were satisfied he would receive satisfactory care in the US.
He lost his final legal battle when in January 2015, when the European Court of Human Rights dismissed a case he brought against the UK government arguing his extradition rested on inadequate assurances from US officials about his treatment.
Aswat's defence lawyer Peter Quijano told reporters he would be requesting his client's transfer to the UK to complete his sentence, and he hoped this would be approved by the Department of Justice. | A British man who admitted plotting to set up an extremist training camp in the US has been jailed for 20 years. |
38,170,600 | Speaking at the CBI Wales annual dinner, Brexit Secretary David Davis called for "cool heads" in a period of uncertainty.
Earlier, he visited hi-tech firm SPTS Technologies in Newport.
He said no Brexit options would be ruled in or out but the UK government would get "the best deal for Britain".
Mr Davis, speaking to 400 industry leaders at the dinner in Cardiff on Thursday evening, asked them to be confident about the future as the UK seeks "not a bitter divorce, but a better relationship" with the EU.
"Our challenge is to navigate a period of inevitable uncertainty with cool heads and a united sense of purpose and confidence," Mr Davis he said.
"Suggestions that the UK might somehow reverse its decision aren't just misleading, they risk undermining our negotiating position and adding to uncertainty.
"And a second referendum would give those on the other side in the negotiations an incentive to give us the worst possible deal to try to force the British people to change their minds.
"The Welsh economy is in good shape for the road ahead and remains fundamentally strong, highly competitive and open for business."
Earlier in the House of Commons, Mr Davis said the UK would consider making payments to the EU after it leaves the bloc to secure the best possible access to the EU single market.
Mr Davis then travelled to south Wales to join a tour of SPTS Technologies, just off the M4, with Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns and Brexit Minister David Jones.
The high-tech firm has grown steadily and now employs 280 on its site at Coldra.
It was an interesting choice for the Brexit Secretary as it is a company that trades globally and has international staff.
In fact, it sometimes has to hire staff from other EU nations because they cannot find the skills here in the UK.
STPS makes the machines that in turn make the leading edge technology that ends up in a range of devices, from sensors in airbags, parts of smart phones and LED lighting.
It exports all over the world, with 30% of customers in the EU. At the moment, if a client within the EU has a problem with one of its machines, a worker flies out to sort it out.
That could change depending on what the UK agrees as part of Brexit.
It is hard to imagine that the company did not spell that out to Mr Davis during his company tour.
"We are facing both challenges and opportunities following Brexit," said Mr Cairns.
"We will deliver a deal that ensures our exit from the EU will be a success for the whole of the UK, including Wales." | Welsh businesses are being urged to help write a "new and exciting chapter in the country's history" after the UK leaves the European Union. |
36,016,173 | A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons found safety at HMP Wormwood Scrubs had deteriorated since a previous probe raised serious concerns.
The jail had "levels of Dickensian squalor", the Prison Reform Trust said.
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) said the prison had "moved forward" since the inspection.
Two inmates at the west London jail who were deemed to be at risk of suicide or self-harm were found to be in cells in which jagged glass remained in a broken window.
Some prisoners used a torn sheet as a makeshift toilet screen, while others stuffed paper in to broken windows to "keep out the weather", the report found.
Inspectors said they saw rats "every day and night"of their visit, and one in five prisoners said they felt unsafe.
Chief inspector of prisons, Peter Clarke, said: "Wormwood Scrubs is a prison that continues to fall short of expected standards, and at the time of our inspection there was little cause for optimism."
Michael Spurr, CEO of NOMS, said the "old, crowded" jail was "challenging to run" but changes were being made.
"Since the inspection the prison is cleaner; more prisoners are going to activities; violence is being tackled; and better support is being provided to vulnerable prisoners", he said.
Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust said: "This shattering report on London's best-known Victorian jail reveals levels of Dickensian squalor which ought to have been consigned to the history books."
The government previously announced plans to close Victorian jails and build nine new prisons, but only HMP Holloway has been confirmed as facing closure.
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said it was "investing £1.3bn to transform the prison estate". | A London jail is rat-infested and overcrowded, with some prisoners too frightened to leave their cells, inspectors have said. |
34,756,773 | The 52-year-old steered the Basque team to 12th spot last season after taking charge on 10 November 2014.
But La Real are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference and Friday's 2-0 defeat at Las Palmas was their fourth in five league games.
A Sociedad statement said they had decided to terminate Moyes's contract.
Assistant boss Billy McKinlay has also been sacked.
Former Barcelona assistant coach Eusebio Sacristan was named as Moyes' replacement, arriving on a deal that runs until June 2017.
The club are 16th and face Europa League winners Sevilla and European champions Barcelona in their next two La Liga games after the international break.
The move to Sociedad was the Scot's first job after he was sacked as Manchester United manager in April 2014 following a 10-month spell in charge.
Moyes, who spent 11 years at Everton before succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, signed a contract to June 2016 and became Sociedad's fourth British manager.
Harry Lowe was in charge for five years from 1930, while John Toshack had three spells in charge, with the last coming to an end in 2002.
Toshack's fellow Welshman Chris Coleman lasted less than seven months following his appointment in July 2007. | David Moyes has been sacked as manager of La Liga strugglers Real Sociedad a day short of his one-year anniversary at the Spanish club. |
36,399,935 | Star Randel-Hanson killed Derick Marney, 70, at a flat in Vernon Terrace, Brighton, in May 2015.
He broke down and confessed to the murder 10 days later he went to tarot reader Jayne Braiden on Brighton seafront.
She alerted police but was told it was a "non-emergency" so she waited an hour with the killer for an officer to come.
Ms Braiden told BBC Radio 5 Live: "By the time we got to the devil card he broke down and started crying.
"It's the first time I've dealt with murder before. It was a shock but you have to be professional and I needed to keep him calm."
Mr Marney died from a six-inch (15cm) stab wound to his side, which punctured his vital organs.
Sussex Police said it was "not clear" what motivated Randel-Hanson - who was jailed for life on 9 May - to carry out the murder.
After gaining the defendant's trust, Ms Braiden asked him whether she could go outside to call the police. He agreed.
She said: "I explained [to the 999 operator] I was a tarot reader and told her a man had confessed to murder.
"She told me it was a non-priority call and I needed to ring the non-emergency number.
"Unfortunately they didn't believe me, but I'm not surprised at that."
She said she then bought Randel-Hanson a drink from a shop next door and waited 55 minutes for police to arrive.
"I asked him if it was ok if I took notes... I took names, places, where he had been stabbed and where the body was," she said.
"I didn't ask him why, and to be fair I don't think he wanted to talk to me about that.
"We joked about the time it took the police to come.
"He was getting tense at that point as I was not only looking for police through the glass doors, he was as well."
Sussex Police later admitted the call had been given the wrong level of priority.
A spokesman said it has been discussed with the call handler concerned and "suitable advice was given". | A killer confessed to his housemate's murder during a tarot card reading as the devil card was dealt. |
33,900,274 | But Thursday's rate of 1% down against the dollar was a smaller margin than the shock cuts earlier in the week.
The bank had on Tuesday announced it would start setting the daily rate based partly on the previous day's trading, bringing the yuan closer to a free-floating currency.
The move triggered concerns over a currency war to boost China's exports.
Recent economic data had seen a decline in Chinese exports, adding to the worries that the world's second largest economy was headed for a prolonged slowdown.
A weaker yuan will make products cheaper abroad, meaning Chinese companies are more competitive on international markets.
Read more: How much control does China now have over the yuan?
Why is China's currency so important?
Karishma Vaswani: The question is not why, but why now?
The Thursday midpoint rate set by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) - the central bank - was 6.4010 yuan for $1, a 1.1% rise from the previous day's 6.3306.
The midpoint is a guiding rate, from which trade can rise or fall 2% during the day.
The national lender again tried to calm concerns over the direction of the yuan, repeating Wednesday's assertion that there was no basis for further depreciation given strong economic fundamentals.
It said the country's strong economic environment, sustained trade surplus, sound fiscal position and deep foreign exchange reserves provided "strong support" to the exchange rate.
But in light of the weak economic data and Tuesday's policy change to set the daily midpoint based on the previous day's trading, market forces could well pull the currency even lower in the next days.
Should the yuan trade in the lower end of its 2% margin below the midpoint, the central bank is likely to lower its reference rate once again on Friday. | China has set the guiding rate for its yuan currency lower for a third consecutive day. |
31,372,548 | Satoru Umeta, 24, was convicted of assaulting Rina Kawaei and Anna Iriyama, now both 19, along with a male staff member.
All three were seriously injured after Umeta lunged forward to slash them with a saw fitted with box cutter blades.
AKB48 holds the Guinness Record for being the world's largest pop group.
"The fear the victims had during the event, where they were meeting with fans, and the mental damage were significant," judge Takehiko Okada said, according to AFP news agency.
Umeta's lawyers said their client had shown signs of schizophrenia, AFP reported. Judge Okada said Umeta was frustrated over his unemployment, Kyodo news agency said.
The number 48 in AKB48 reportedly refers to the original number of singers in the group, although it has since expanded and now numbers about 140 rotating members, ranging from their teens to early 20s.
The group, which was founded in 2005, is hugely popular in Japan and other Asian countries.
AKB stands for Akihabara, the technology district of Tokyo, where the group has its own theatre. Members perform there almost every day.
Every year tens of thousands of fans vote on who gets to join the group from a pool of more than 200 candidates, in an event that is widely covered by national media.
Members have to abide by strict rules set by their management, and are not allowed to date.
When one of its members, Minami Minegishi, was caught spending the night with her boyfriend, she shaved her head in an act of contrition and apologised to fans in an online video. | A man has been sentenced to six years in jail for attacking two members of popular Japanese girl band AKB48 with a saw at a fan event last year. |
39,265,093 | Until last week, no artist had ever had more than four top 10 hits at the same time - but Sheeran smashed that record to pieces, putting nine songs from his new album, Divide, into the top.
The main reason for his success is streaming. Tracks from his album were played 110 million times last week on Spotify, Apple Music and their competitors, sending all 16 tracks from Divide into the chart.
"I don't know if there's some weird thing that Spotify and Apple Music are going to have to change now," the star told BBC Radio 1. "I never expected to have nine songs in the top 10 in my life. I don't know if something's gone wrong but I'm definitely very, very happy about it."
A look at the midweek chart update suggests Ed will continue to overshadow the competition, with six tracks clinging on to their position in the top 10.
The record industry is delighted - HMV says the album "exceeded expectations", while Sainsbury's recorded their biggest week of CD sales since Adele's 25.
"The sheer voracity with which it's been devoured is just incredible," boasted Sheeran's record label boss, Ben Cook, in an interview with Music Week.
But the star's unprecedented one-man takeover of the chart has left people wondering whether the venerable countdown has become redundant.
The problem is that, with Ed Sheeran taking up 40% of the available space, other acts are being pushed out.
Last year saw a shockingly low number of new artists making their Top 40 debut. Even this week, the much-anticipated new single from Lorde only managed to score a new entry at 28, even though it was at number 12 in the download chart.
"The charts have changed dramatically in the last five or 10 years," Official Chart Company boss Martin Talbot told the BBC. "We're constantly reviewing the way that we count those different ways of consuming, and we will continue to do so."
Here are some of the ways the charts could be redrawn to fix the Sheeran situation.
This week, we have the ludicrous situation where 14 of the top 20 singles aren't actually singles. They're album tracks.
It would be pretty easy to exclude all the other songs and bring back a sense of normality to the countdown. But there's a problem: if Ed decides to release Galway Girl as a single later down the line, it's already been bought and streamed 90,000 times. It's very likely the single would be classified as a "flop".
At the minute, every time a song is streamed 150 times, it counts as one real-world "sale". The Official Charts Company recently upped that ratio from 100:1, but even that couldn't stop Ed's chart takeover.
Yet, if you look at the paid-for download chart, Divide doesn't dominate nearly as much. It only accounts for six songs in the top 20, with hits by Rag 'N' Bone Man and Katy Perry holding on to their positions.
The dilemma is that streaming is enjoying exponential rates of growth. Spotify added 10 million customers in the last six months; while Apple Music has attracted 20 million subscribers in less than two years.
One quick fix, suggested by reader Andy Mac, would be to impose a cap on individual users. "Once you hit 150 streams that count as a sale, no more streams from your account count toward the chart," he says. Others have suggested the limit should be just 20 streams.
Whether or not that's viable, the Charts Company needs to be much more nimble, tweaking its formula on a monthly basis to stop streams becoming a flood.
By including streaming data, the modern charts reflect what people are listening to, as well as what they buy.
In theory, this is great. It eliminates the phenomenon of "fan club hits" - where a dedicated group of, say, One Direction fans could send a song to number one on the week of release, only for it to disappear seven days later.
On the flipside, you can argue that lots of Ed Sheeran's streams came from people who didn't even choose to listen to him. A "passive" listener, who simply fires up one of Spotify's curated playlists is likely to hear Ed's music at least once. Its UK Top 50 playlist is dominated by Divide; while Hot Hits UK has three of Sheeran's songs in its line-up.
If it's technically possible (and no-one can quite tell me whether it is or not) passive streams could carry less weight than those generated by a fan typing "Ed Sheeran Divide" into the search bar.
This is a controversial one. UK radio stations, including BBC Radio 1, have long wanted the charts to reflect what's being played on air. It already happens in the US, where radio exposure can send a song into the Billboard Hot 100 long before it becomes popular on streaming services. The figures are carefully weighted to reflect that a song played at 4am won't be heard by as many people as one played at 4pm - and that a station with a large audience has more impact than a smaller rival.
In the UK, including airplay could give a helping hand to new artists - especially given the role that Radio 2 and Radio 1 play in championing new music.
The downside is that commercial radio - with honourable exceptions like Radio X, Kiss and Rinse - is horrifically conservative. A grime artist like Stormzy, who dominated the Top 40 a week before Ed Sheeran, can only struggle to 36th place in this week's airplay chart.
Only kidding.
In fact, Ed's not even the first person to score multiple new entries off the back of a new album. Beyonce, The Weeknd and Stormzy have all done similar things in the past year - albeit on a smaller scale.
And none of the above solutions would satisfactorily address the way big releases overshadow the competition - which gives an idea of the difficulties faced by the Official Charts Company.
The question is, can any of the fixes be worse than the current situation?
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]. | Even Ed Sheeran thinks there's something wrong with the singles chart. |
37,375,388 | The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said women taking some medicines, and remedies containing St John's Wort are affected.
These women should take a double dose of the contraceptive pill, it said.
An information sheet gives more advice.
Levonorgestrel is a hormonal type of emergency contraception which can be used within three days of unprotected sex to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
But scientists have discovered that certain ingredients in other medicines significantly reduce the effectiveness of the levonorgestrel pill.
The MHRA said it was important that women tell their doctor, nurse or pharmacist if they are currently taking medicines to treat any of the following conditions. or have used one in the last four weeks:
It said women affected by the clash of ingredients in their medicines could either use another type of emergency contraception - such as a coil - or take a double dose of the emergency contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel.
Pharmacists will give these women two packs which should be taken together at the same time.
The MHRA has produced a new information sheet advising women what they need to do to make sure they get effective emergency contraception.
St John's Wort is a plant with yellow flowers which is also used as a herbal remedy to relieve low mood and mild anxiety.
The flowering plant grows mainly in Europe, Asia and North America.
The name is thought to have come from its bright yellow flowers that bloom in time for St John's Day in June.
St John's Wort tablets, which are made from the plant, contain hypericin which is used to treat depression, and hyperforin which has antibiotic properties.
Dr Sarah Branch, deputy director of MHRA's Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines Division, said: "Our new patient information sheet provides information on what types of medicines could interfere with how the emergency contraceptive works.
"It tells women what steps they need to take to ensure they receive the correct dose."
She added: "The earlier that emergency contraception is taken after unprotected intercourse, the better it works." | Women taking an emergency contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel are being advised to check the ingredients of other medicines they are taking because they could stop the pill working. |
33,125,728 | The Pretoria High Court says Mr Bashir must stay until it rules on Monday on whether he should be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
President Bashir is in Johannesburg for an African Union (AU) summit.
He is accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide during the Darfur conflict.
About 400,000 people have died and more than two million have fled their homes since rebels took up arms in 2003, the UN says.
Government forces and allied Arab militias are accused of targeting black African civilians in the fight against the rebels.
President Bashir was welcomed by South African officials as he arrived in Johannesburg. After the court announced it would rule on a request to arrest him, he posed for a group photo with other African leaders.
The High Court initially said it would issue its ruling on Sunday. But it later postponed the hearing until Monday, when the summit is due to end.
There are tensions between the ICC and the AU, with some on the continent accusing the court of unfairly targeting Africans.
The warrants against Mr Bashir, who denies the allegations, have restricted his overseas travel. He has, however, visited friendly states in Africa and the Middle East.
South Africa has often shied away from this sort of diplomatic headache, but this time the government has stepped straight, and deliberately, into controversy, courting Western fury by rolling out the welcome carpet for President Bashir.
The South African government must, surely, have foreseen the possibility of a legal challenge. If President Bashir is allowed to return home unimpeded, South Africa's actions will be bitterly condemned internationally - if less loudly within the continent - as a blow against the credibility of the ICC.
And if Sudan's president is detained, or perhaps even arrested, then Pretoria will be accused of luring a fellow African leader into a trap. Some would call that a no-win situation.
But it's clear that South Africa's government has chosen to flaunt its growing antipathy towards "Western" rules, and towards a court in which so many African leaders now appear to have lost faith.
Sudan's bloody stalemate
The ICC relies on member states to carry out arrests.
However correspondents have said the South African government - a signatory to the treaty establishing the ICC - is unlikely to move against the Sudanese leader.
South Africa's governing ANC said immunity had been granted to "all (summit) participants as part of the international norms for countries hosting such gathering of the AU or even the United Nations".
The ANC also said the ICC was "no longer useful for the purposes for which it was intended".
The court, which sits in The Hague, was set up in 2002 to try cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, when national courts cannot handle them.
The official theme of the Johannesburg summit, chaired by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, is women's empowerment and development.
But the political turmoil in Burundi, crisis in South Sudan and recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa were also likely to feature heavily. | A South African court has issued an interim order stopping Sudan's leader Omar al-Bashir, who faces war crimes charges, from leaving the country. |
30,707,297 | Noel Lee, whose firm Monster helped launch Beats by Dre in 2008, says his company was betrayed and its technology "pirated".
He alleges he "lost millions" after Dre and Iovine "improperly took control" of Beats through a "sham" transaction.
After severing ties with Monster, Beats was purchased by Apple for $3 billion (£1.9 billion).
In legal papers filed in California, Lee alleges rap producer Dr Dre was barely involved in creating the headphones that carried his name.
But the range quickly became a highly desirable brand with celebrities and music fans, and Dre's endorsement was key to its success.
When the firm was sold to mobile phone manufacturer HTC in 2012, Dre and Iovine made $100m (£66m) each, Forbes estimated.
But Lee claims the deal forced him to cut his share in the company from 5% to 1.25%. He says he then had no other option but to sell his remaining stake for $5.5m (£3.6m) near the end of 2013.
His legal case describes the HTC deal as "fraudulent" and "a sham" intended to shift ownership of Beats to Dre and Iovine.
HTC later sold its shares back to the Beats.
Lee says if he'd still had his 1.25% stake, he would have received more than $30m (£19.8m) in the Apple deal.
His original 5% stake would have been worth around $150m (£99m).
A statement from Monster's law firm Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy says that Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine "made millions off the work of Monster and Lee, while the plaintiffs lost millions".
There's been no response yet from Dr Dre's lawyer - or from Beats.
It's the second lawsuit against the firm since Apple bought it last year.
The first was brought by the Bose Corporation over patented technology for cancelling noise in earphones.
That case was settled under undisclosed terms in October.
Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine are also being sued by David Hyman, who sold his music streaming service MOG to Beats in 2012.
That court case, filed shortly before the Apple deal was sealed, is taking place now in Los Angeles.
Jimmy Iovine is the co-founder of Interscope Records, a rap music pioneer that branched out to include acts like Lady Gaga and U2.
Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter, BBCNewsbeat on Instagram and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube | Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine are being sued by a former business partner who co-designed their Beats headphone range. |
35,984,162 | A bout of gastroenteritis left the Edinburgh club with "few fit players", with the game rescheduled for 12 April.
Aberdeen, 12 points ahead of third-placed Hearts, visit Tynecastle on Friday evening.
"The players are over the illness and they're ready to go," head coach Robbie Neilson told BBC Scotland.
"They've taken a couple of days, as expected.
"It was a 24 to 48 hour thing and when they run out tomorrow under the floodlights in front of a full house there will be no issue about energy."
Hearts closed their Riccarton training base on Tuesday and Wednesday to prevent the bug spreading further.
"We asked the players to go to their own gyms and do a bit of work themselves," explained Neilson.
"It's not the ideal preparation but it had to be done."
Hearts have a game in hand over Aberdeen and Neilson is confident that his team can overhaul the Dons if they get the better of Friday's contest.
"It's a huge game," he said. "Aberdeen are desperate to win to keep close to Celtic and we're desperate to win to keep close to Aberdeen.
"A draw doesn't do anybody any good.
"We play Aberdeen twice and we have a game in hand. If we win those, the gap is down to three points going into the split and it's going to be tight.
"Yes, Aberdeen are a very good team and expected to finish second, if they can't finish first, so it's up to us to try and nick that sport off them."
Callum Paterson has missed the last five matches with a shoulder injury but Neilson expects the full-back to return against Aberdeen. | All of the Hearts players struck by the illness that led to the postponement of Tuesday's match in Inverness have reported for Thursday's training. |
34,511,999 | Its US owners say the internet has made nudity outdated, and pornographic magazines are no longer so commercially viable, the New York Times reports.
Playboy's circulation has dropped from 5.6 million in the 1970s to the current 800,000, official figures show.
However, the magazine will still feature women in provocative poses - though not fully nude.
The decision was apparently taken last month at a meeting attended by Playboy founder and current editor-in-chief Hugh Hefner.
Magazine executives admitted that Playboy - which was founded in 1953 - had been overtaken by the changes it pioneered, according to the New York Times.
"That battle has been fought and won," Playboy chief executive Scott Flanders is quoted as saying by the newspaper.
"You're now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it's just passe at this juncture."
Gone, too, are the days when interviews with figures of the stature of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Jimmy Carter made Playboy so culturally and politically significant, says the BBC's Nick Bryant in New York.
Playboy's website has already banished nudity, partly to give it access to social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. And its popularity has soared, with web traffic quadrupling.
A brand long synonymous with salaciousness is cleaning up its act, and all with the blessing - apparently - of the 89-year-old Mr Hefner, our correspondent adds. | Playboy magazine is to stop publishing images of naked women as part of its redesign, it has emerged. |
36,406,760 | Sykes had won Saturday's first race and made it two from two after heading home Kawasaki team-mate Rea by just over two seconds in race two on Sunday.
Current world champion Rea, third on Saturday, pushed Sykes all the way but could not force a passing move.
Northern Ireland's Rea leads Sykes by 56 points in the 2016 title standings.
Ducati rider Chaz Davies from Wales made it a British clean sweep of the race two podium, but he drops to third in the overall championship points table.
Fourth went to the Ioda Racing Aprilia of Lorenzo Savadori from Leon Camier on the MV Augusta and Honda's Nicky Hayden.
Davide Giugliano, who was second in race one, finished seventh on the Aruba.it Racing Ducati ahead of Honda rider Michael van der Mark. | Tom Sykes sealed his second win of the UK round of the World Superbikes at Donington Park to close the gap on leader Jonathan Rea to 56 points. |
37,165,186 | On Wednesday, Newsround will be lucky enough to chat to Jack Laugher and Chris Mears, who won gold in the 3m synchronised diving, as well as a silver individual medal for Jack.
We'll also be speaking with Bryony Page, who impressed judges to win a silver in the trampolining.
And we need your questions for them!
Thanks for your questions - this page is now closed. | Great Britain's great athletes have now arrived back in the country - and everyone wants to speak to them! |
30,297,643 | Among the 100 buildings affected are the Joe Louis sports arena, the courthouse and Wayne State University.
Power went at 10.30am but was restored to some of the buildings by the afternoon, said DTE Energy company, promising more coming back later.
A cause for the power outage has yet to be determined.
A murder trial was said to have been paused on Tuesday morning when the lights flickered and went out, the Detroit Free Press reported.
People were seen evacuating the courthouse by stairwells, while Detroit fires stations was reportedly using backup generator power.
More than 1,200 inmates at a local municipal centre were placed on lockdown, and a hospital began transferring trauma patients to other facilities.
And Wayne State University said on its website that multiple buildings on campus were affected but classes were running as normal. | Dozens of municipal buildings, including fire departments and schools, in the US city of Detroit lost power for hours on Tuesday. |
35,322,257 | 1. It has to be carried out in darkness
The two astronauts are fixing an electrical box that regulates voltage from one of the station's solar arrays. It needs to be fixed to get the space station running back on full power.
The repair involves manoeuvring a spare box weighing 90kg (200lbs) out along the truss that spans out from the compartments where the astronauts live and work.
For safety reasons, it has to be done during darkness when the solar panels are not generating power from the Sun.
Royce Renfrew, ISS spacewalk flight director, explains: "We do it during the night pass - that way we're absolutely guaranteed that there's no power flowing through there, because there's no Sun to generate any electricity."
This gives the two Tims 31 minutes to complete the repairs. If they don't finish in one go, they must wait for darkness in the second or third orbit of the Earth to finish the re-fit.
The key task of the spacewalk is to fix the box. But there should be time for other tasks, including laying cables for new docking ports and reinstalling a valve that was removed last year.
2. Tim and Tim may need a toothbrush
The astronauts will work together to replace the faulty component. One crucial step is bolting the new box into position. Past experience has shown that the threads of bolt can get blocked with debris - which can be removed with a toothbrush.
3. Like all spacewalks, it will be a risky business
Working in the harsh environment of space is hazardous. Both astronauts have prepared for spacewalks in astronaut training but things can go wrong. If all goes to plan, Tim Peake will lay cables on the outside of the space station after fixing the faulty box. Tripping over a cable is one risk as is being hit by a small meteorite or getting a hole in your spacesuit. Spacesuits provide protection for the astronauts but their bulk can make it hard to carry out delicate tasks.
As Paul Dum, Nasa's lead spacewalk officer, puts it: "Spacewalking is challenging - you have to wear a spacesuit which is sort of your own independent space ship to protect you from the harshness of the environment.
"So there's a trade off between having as much protection as possible but still maintaining mobility.
"So imagine going out with thick winter gloves on and trying to do anything that takes fine dexterity. That's going to be challenging."
Like rock climbers, the astronauts must always be tethered to space station supports to prevent them floating away.
4. Spacewalks are far from routine but not that rare either
There have been 191 spacewalks for maintenance at the space station, including a similar walk completed in 2014 by US astronaut Reid Wiseman.
The Nasa astronaut will help guide the current spacewalk from mission control in Houston.
The spacewalk will be the first for Tim Peake and the third for his Nasa colleague, Tim Kopra.
5. There's little time to enjoy the view
Tim Peake, writing on his blog, said he felt "exhilarated" by the prospect of walking in space, but had no time to dwell on these emotions.
British-born US astronaut Nicholas Patrick, a spacewalk veteran, said he should find time to enjoy the "majesty of the view" during his trip outside.
Dr Patrick told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "When you float out, it is a remarkable feeling.
"You are used to floating - by this point Tim has been in space for a month, he will know exactly what floating is like - what he won't be used to is being outside the space station with a fabulous view and, perhaps more importantly, with a very difficult set of time-critical tasks ahead of him.
"My bet is that, like me, when he goes out he won't be looking down initially, he will be looking left and right, finding his way around and getting ready for the tasks ahead.
"But it's a great thing to go out, it's really a wonderful experience."
Follow Helen on Twitter
Tim Peake in space: Want to know more?
Special report page: For the latest news, analysis and video
Guide: A day in the life of an astronaut
Explainer: The journey into space and back
Social media: Twitter looks ahead to lift-off | Five things you need to know about Friday's spacewalk: |
34,138,071 | "At this stage, based on the evidence gathered, no formal action will be taken,'' said a statement by New South Wales police.
Photographer Kristi Miller complained to police about an incident outside a cinema on 23 August, saying she thought Gibson was "going to punch me".
The actor's publicist said the star was "satisfied" at the police decision.
Gibson's lawyer in Sydney, Christopher Murphy, was informed of the police decision not to press charges on Thursday.
"Mel Gibson has totally denied from the onset these disgraceful allegations,'' said a statement issued by publicists Rogers and Cowan.
"He is now satisfied that the police, after speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence, have found there is no substance to the claim."
The Daily Telegraph's Miller, 39, claimed Gibson launched into a tirade after she took pictures of the actor and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Rosalind Ross, leaving an Israeli Film Festival screening at the Palace Verona Cinema in a suburb of Sydney on Sunday 23 August.
The Braveheart director, who fell out of favour in Hollywood after a series of public outbursts, is currently shooting World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge in Australia. | Mel Gibson will not be charged over allegations that he pushed and verbally abused a female photographer in Sydney. |
39,757,662 | He was one of eight people detained by police in connection with alleged offences in and around the stadium.
The man has been charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.
Police said they were also aware of an alleged racially motivated incident and inquiries were ongoing.
It is understood someone allegedly made a monkey gesture at Celtic player Scott Sinclair.
The 23-year-old man was expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
Celtic won the game against Rangers 5-1.
A 30-year-old man was also arrested and detained in connection with offences under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.
A 36-year-old man and a 16-year-old were detained for allegedly trying to enter the ground while drunk.
Another 16-year-old was charged in connection with the possession of alcohol within the stadium.
Two men, aged 34 and 53, and a 15-year-old were charged in connection with alleged breaches of the peace.
A Rangers spokesman said: "Rangers does not condone any form of unacceptable behaviour and the matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland."
Asked about the incident of a man allegedly running on to the pitch, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: "I haven't seen it again, there was so much more happening in the game.
"It's not nice when something like that happens, but I only caught the tail end of it, really." | A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a fan ran on to the pitch to confront Celtic captain Scott Brown during the Old Firm match at Ibrox. |
39,840,943 | The government said on Sunday that Dinh La Thang, 57, was no longer part of the top decision-making Politburo.
Mr Thang's alleged misconduct was first leaked on social media last year.
His sacking comes amid a wider crackdown on PetroVietnam, the country's largest enterprise.
It is extremely uncommon for a Politburo member to lose their place in the one-party state. Since Vietnam started economic reforms in 1986, only two other Politburo members have been dismissed.
Mr Thang is said to have committed the violations between 2009 and 2011 while he was chairman of PetroVietnam.
Last September, writer Huy Duc attacked Mr Thang on Facebook with articles accusing the politician of being responsible for a recent huge loss at PetroVietnam.
Although Huy Duc's articles, which seemed to be based on leaked documents, polarised public opinion on the internet, the issues he raised were not reported in state media.
In late April, the Central Inspection Committee, the top watchdog of the party, suddenly announced it had investigated and held Mr Thang responsible for "serious" violations at PetroVietnam.
The party's inspectors accused Mr Thang of allowing PetroVietnam to make loans to the local Ocean Bank that caused "serious losses" to the company.
They also said Mr Thang had advised the prime minister "to designate many bidding packages that failed to meet legal regulations".
On Sunday, a government statement said more than 90% of the party's central committee had voted to remove Mr Thang.
It said he had committed "serious violations in his leadership, command and staff works", which "hurt the Party's reputation" and caused "a loss of confidence" among people and party members.
Mr Thang, a former transport minister, became a member of the new Politburo at the party congress last year and was made the party's chief of Ho Chi Minh City, the country's largest city and commercial hub formerly known as Saigon.
The party is expected to soon name a new party chief for the city, a position always held by a Politburo member.
He was catapulted into political stardom for being unusually outspoken among normally reticent officials, and was known for his forthright rhetoric on state media.
His fall from grace follows other arrests at PetroVietnam and linked companies.
Another former PetroVietnam chairman was arrested in 2015 and later expelled from the Communist Party. Three other senior executives are also facing possible sanctions.
Last year four senior employees at a construction subsidiary of the firm were prosecuted for mismanagement that allegedly cost the company $150m (£116m).
Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, who is effectively the most powerful man in Vietnam, is serving his second term. He has launched an anti-corruption campaign and has issued resolutions aimed at improving ethical conduct among party members.
Critics claim that the recent high-profile arrests and trials are mainly the result of political infighting.
However, Mr Trong's supporters say he is seriously concerned about systemic corruption and wants to do more to combat the problem.
Vietnam is ranked 113 out of 176 on Transparency International's corruption index. | A top Vietnamese official has been sacked for "violations" while running national oil and gas firm PetroVietnam, in a rare public censure by the ruling Communist Party. |
35,410,035 | Media playback is not supported on this device
We'll be hearing honest, heart warming accounts from young people as they share their innermost feelings in the pursuit of being #BodyPositive. And in doing so we hope you feel like you can share your story too.
Nikki is 18. She's at university studying to be a mental health nurse.
Nikki has spent many of her teenage years struggling with body image. She self-harmed and had suicidal thoughts. Helped by her school and GP, she sought treatment for mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
According to the charity Young Minds, young people are often affected by poor body image. This can be due to changes taking place during adolescence and images in the media of what the perceived 'perfect' body should be. While many teenagers can be affected by these issues, those with pre-existing mental health issues may find it even harder to cope with.
This is Nikki's story. | BodyPositive will be following the journey of people just like us in our series of real life stories. |
37,184,484 | Ledson, 19, made one senior appearance for the Toffees in the Europa League against FK Krasnodar in 2014 and has been capped by England Under-19s.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Cambridge United.
"To move away from Everton is a massive step, but I've got to do what's right," Ledson told BBC Radio Oxford. "I'm looking forward to getting started."
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. | Oxford United have signed Everton midfielder Ryan Ledson on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. |
39,917,336 | The 30-year-old, who has an English grandmother, joins another New Zealand-born back, Bristol's Jason Woodward, in attending the Brighton camp.
Also invited are prop Jamal Ford-Robinson and Worcester's Nick Schonert, Jack Singleton and Will Spencer.
No players involved in the Premiership play-offs will travel to Brighton.
Players from Northampton, who have a European Champions Cup play-off to focus on, will also skip the camp.
England face the Barbarians on 28 May before playing two Tests against Argentina next month.
England boss Jones named 15 uncapped players in his 31-man squad for the Argentina tour, including Sale Shark's New Zealand-born cross-code convert Denny Solomona and identical teenage twins Ben and Tom Curry, who will all attend the camp in Brighton.
Forwards: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Will Collier (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Bristol) , Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Will Spencer (Worcester Warriors), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).
Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Mike Haley (Sale Sharks), Willi Heinz (Gloucester), Sam James (Sale Sharks), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester), Ryan Mills (Worcester Warriors), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Jason Woodward (Bristol Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins) | Gloucester's New Zealand-born scrum-half Willi Heinz has been selected in a 26-man squad for a three-day England training camp which starts on Tuesday. |
19,046,332 | John Grainger, 33, was shot before his headless body was found in Wellington Street, Stockport, on 26 January. His head was found by firefighters.
At Manchester Crown Court, Joseph Jenkins, 30, who denied murder, was ordered to serve a minimum of 32 years.
Anthony Jenkins, 34, pleaded guilty and must serve a minimum of 30 years.
Police said the two brothers and Mr Grainger had been drinking at pubs in Stockport on the eve of the attack. The three then continued drinking at Joseph Jenkins' flat in Covent Gardens.
The brothers then attacked Mr Grainger with a hammer, stabbed him in the legs then shot him in the knee and the head.
He was decapitated with an electric jigsaw in the bathroom, the jury heard during the trial.
During the trial of Joseph Jenkins, the court heard the brothers used a can of petrol to set Mr Grainger's body alight in nearby Wellington Street.
His body was found on a verge by fire crews tackling a blaze close by.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the brothers had been stopped by officers in the area because they were acting suspiciously.
Anthony Jenkins was found to have six shotgun cartridges in his pocket and blood on his trainers.
The shotgun said to have been used to kill Mr Grainger was found the next day under a parked car, close to where both had been stopped in the street, the jury heard.
Senior investigating officer Andy Tattersall said: "The Jenkins brothers put Mr Grainger through a horrifically violent and cruel attack before shooting him.
"What followed was nothing short of macabre." | Two Stockport brothers have been given life sentences for shooting dead a man, decapitating him and setting his body on fire. |
32,612,934 | Sainsbury's was the most recent one to report falling sales.
And because big warehouse supermarkets are less profitable than they were - indeed, they're becoming something of a burden - its out-of-town real estate has been written down in value, registering a loss.
With its latest results, Sainsbury's has offered an interesting insight into how those shopping habits are changing.
It says consumers became more savvy through the downturn. They managed household budgets more carefully, with more frequent shops and less waste.
Supermarkets have provided us with more convenience stores because, well, they're more convenient, with reliable stock, which is why we're using them more.
And for the bigger shops with bulkier items, customers have gained in confidence about online shopping and delivery.
Sainsbury's says the supermarket will remain dominant. It cites forecasts that suggest, seven years from now, 60% of spend will remain at the bigger format of store.
But economic recovery has moved things on from the downturn years.
Customers are taking advantage of lower prices, but are also shopping with more confidence about their household budgets.
They're indulging in the treats on which they missed out over recent years - "like eating out more frequently and purchasing big ticket items for the home".
That trend has also fed through to changes in the restaurant business, as McDonald's, for instance, struggles to adapt to the growing casual dining experience of Nando's.
A bit more spending power may also explain the latest retail industry figures, showing the growth of Lidl and Aldi sales, while still much stronger than others, has been slowing down.
Kantar reports that, in the 12 weeks to the end of April, Aldi sales were up 15% to a 5.4% share of the retail multiples takings, with Lidl up 10% to 3.8%.
The biggest loser in these latest rankings was Asda, heavily dependent on huge out-of-town stores for the big family shop - down 2.2% in takings since last year. Its market share fell below 17%, only just ahead of Sainsbury's.
Tesco's sales also fell 1%, with its problems well documented. But it remains king, on a share of more than 28%.
With the move to convenience stores, supermarkets are differentiating between the price-driven family shop and the impulse buy of a sandwich, which turns out to be less price sensitive than most other products.
Likewise with flowers for Valentine's Day.
With fresh product, people are willing to pay for freshness and quality. (Incidentally, Greene King pubs reported this week an 150% increase in Prosecco sales on Valentine's Day).
Morrison's also let us peek into some industry intelligence with its most recent figures.
It cited market research which shows the average British shopping basket now contains 11 items, it costs £15, and there are five such visits each week.
That's bad news for Morrison's, which was late into convenience stores, and has already admitted that it's got them wrong, so has called a halt.
That insight was as it announced a return to staffed express check-outs.
It has realised that customers are looking for value, and shopping around for it. But having found it, they want the personal touch of a real person to relieve them of their cash.
That's a bit confusing for those poor supermarket strategists, as they figure out how to slash prices with lower costs, but have to provide better customer service.
And in the face of so much more shopping around for value, the conclusion reached by Sainsbury's is that they need to build more customer loyalty, including the opportunity to cross-sell away from food. | Britain's supermarkets continue to feel the pain from having to adapt to our changing behaviour. |
40,296,649 | However, businesses should make the most of new international opportunities, Prince Andrew said.
He added that he is "as much in the dark as anyone else" about Brexit.
It's highly unusual for members of the Royal Family to comment publicly on contentious political issues and Prince Andrew is the first senior member of his family to address Brexit.
He told the BBC's Sharanjit Leyl that firms were cautious about Brexit, but that the UK "should be engaging with as many different markets as we possibly can and looking at the best of things rather than necessarily the worst of things".
The prince added: "You can either look at it as a glass half-empty - which is: 'Oh my God, why have we done this?'
"Or you could look at it as a glass half-full, which is: 'Ok, that's where we are. There are opportunities that we've got to make.'
"So... you may lose one thing but you may gain something else.
"The world is your oyster."
There are business opportunities in the 52 Commonwealth nations, as well as China and the US, the duke said.
"We've been concentrating on 27 countries, if you take that as an internal market.
"There's an external market that's a lot bigger, and many businesses hadn't looked over that garden fence to some extent.
"And in my experience recently, businesses that look over the garden fence have gone: "Hmm, [the] grass is not quite as dark and unforgiving as you might expect.
"And actually, getting over the fence, there might be some fresh grass out there."
The Queen's son was in Singapore to attend a Commonwealth science conference.
He was also hosting Pitch@Palace, a programme he started to support entrepreneurs from the UK and around the world.
Prince Andrew was a trade envoy for the UK from 2001 until mid-2011, when he stepped down.
His remit was to promote UK business interests abroad.
Following the general election last week, business leaders said they wanted a new direction for Brexit negotiations, with a renewed focus, and more specifics.
Manufacturers called on the UK government to adopt a more pro-business stance, or face political instability that may force more firms to alter their plans "away from the UK".
In his Mansion House speech on Thursday, which was cancelled following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Chancellor Philip Hammond had been expected to reassure businesses that the government was ready to step in with extra financial support, as the Brexit deal is negotiated, if needed.
And at a joint news conference this week, French President Emmanuel Macron said the possibility of the UK remaining in the European Union is an option until Brexit negotiations have concluded. | UK businesses face several years of uncertainty and upheaval due to Brexit, the Duke of York has told the BBC. |
35,280,462 | Media playback is not supported on this device
This is the BBC's exciting new campaign. Together we'll be inspiring and empowering each other to feel as happy, healthy and confident as we can.
We want to know what makes YOU #BodyPositive. We asked a few well known faces for their ideas and we took to the streets to find out more. Take a look!
We'd love to hear from you on social media. Tweet us, visit us on Facebook and Instagram and get BodyPositive! | Welcome to the launch of #BodyPositive. |
37,252,104 | Rhys Williams went over to put Broncos ahead, but Jermaine McGillvary and Leroy Cudjoe crossed before half-time to make it 10-4 at the break.
Danny Brough set up the next three Giants tries, Cudjoe, Joe Wardle and Michael Lawrence all touching down.
Brough and Aaron Murphy added further tries late on as Broncos stayed fifth, having won only once in the Super 8s.
Huddersfield: Connor; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy; Brough, Ellis; Crabtree, Hinchcliffe, Huby, Symonds, Lawrence, Ta'ai.
Replacements: Leeming, Mason, Roberts, Ikahihifo.
London: Walker; Williams, Hellwell, Kear, Macani; Barthau, Leatherbarrow; Slyney, Cunningham, Ioane, Harrison, Garside, Bussey.
Replacements: Andy Ackers, Offerdahl, Battye, Magrin.
Referee: James Child. | Huddersfield Giants came from behind to beat London Broncos and move second in the Qualifers table. |
38,723,795 | Sports scientist Dr Sherylle Calder has been brought in by England head coach Eddie Jones as the team's visual awareness coach.
Asked if rugby players use mobile phones too much, she told BBC Radio 5 live: "Yes they do, we all do don't we?
"And elite players more than others because they have more spare time."
Dr Calder worked with the World Cup-winning England squad in 2003 and her native South Africa, who won the 2007 event.
She has also worked in numerous other sports including with professional footballers, golfers and cricketers.
"You're really looking in onto a small little screen," she added. "If you think about what they do on this huge field, having to make decisions on what they see, it's not ideal to do that.
"You're losing awareness and we really live in an age of distractions. One of the skills that is really deteriorating is the ability to concentrate and that's probably one of the first skills any coach asks of a player; make sure you concentrate in the first five minutes of a game.
"Because we're in distraction mode all the time and the phone has a role to play in that, that ability to concentrate has deteriorated."
England's Six Nations campaign begins against France on 4 February and Dr Calder has asked players not to use the mobile phone as much, adding: "We would advise them closer to competition on what they should be doing, what habits and behaviours to have.
"The science offers quite a lot of knowledge in that respect." | England rugby union players have been asked to cut down their use of mobile phones and warned their ability to concentrate has "deteriorated". |
36,467,625 | Mariner Street car park, near the train station, will be cleared and replaced with a 725-bedroom student block, complete with nightclub, gym, office space, bars, restaurants and shops.
The 22 storey tower would be the second tallest building in Swansea, next to Meridian Quay.
Construction is expected to start later this year and finish by summer 2018.
A report before Swansea council's planning committee on Tuesday said the tower "will be a bold addition to the city skyline".
The report added there is a growing need for student accommodation in Swansea, with both Swansea University and Trinity Saint David universities expanding in the city.
Swansea council leader Rob Stewart said the project "will be a major step forward" for High Street's regeneration, and will build on "the great work that's already been done." | A £50m tower which would house hundreds of student flats in Swansea city centre has been approved. |
39,453,647 | On 4 May councillors will face the electorate, with all 1,254 seats up for grabs in Wales' 22 county and county borough councils.
Will Labour's low UK poll ratings mean the party will take a big hit in seats here? And will the politics of Brexit hurt - or benefit - the parties?
Labour is the party with the most seats in Wales - 580 - and therefore has the most to lose.
It did well at the last elections in 2012, adding 231 seats to its previous total.
First Minister Carwyn Jones has already warned that the elections will be tough for the party, in what appeared to be an effort in managing expectations.
Labour currently has a majority on ten councils across south Wales - stretching from Swansea to Newport - and also leads the Vale of Glamorgan and Flintshire as the largest group.
But some Labour activists fear it could lose its grip in areas such as Blaenau Gwent, where the party had a scare in the 2016 assembly elections.
And could Bridgend - Mr Jones' local council - slip into no overall control if the Tories gain seats and cut into Labour's majority?
If they have a really bad night, could Labour see numbers fall in north Wales?
Plaid Cymru has the second highest number of councillors at 170.
It had a bad night in 2012 when the party lost a council leader amid the Labour revival.
The party - which has a majority on Gwynedd council - will also be aiming to take overall control of Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, both of which it runs as a minority administration.
Plaid will also be looking for gains in the south Wales valleys.
The party will not discuss targets publicly, but there is potential for the party to do well in Rhondda Cynon Taf - where leader Leanne Wood won a seat at the assembly election last year.
Plaid will also work hard to get a majority on the Isle of Anglesey, where it is currently short by just four.
And could the party rebuild its councillor base in Caerphilly - an authority it has previously led?
The Welsh Conservatives currently stand in third place with 104 seats, and will be hoping it can benefit from Theresa May riding high in the polls.
The party - which runs Monmouthshire with Lib Dem support - could also do well in Swansea and in the Vale of Glamorgan, the local council of both Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns and Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies. Any gains might mostly be at the expense of Labour.
Newport was led by the Tories as a minority administration with the Liberal Democrats from 2008 to 2012, and the Conservatives would undoubtedly think they can take a step forward in the city again.
The 2012 election left the Welsh Liberal Democrats the biggest losers - the party lost 66 seats, leaving it with 75 seats to defend in May.
Being on the losing side of the referendum has re-energised party activists, and they will be hoping to make gains in central Cardiff, where the party had an MP until 2015.
The Lib Dems lost control of Cardiff and Ceredigion at the last local election. Both council areas voted Remain in the EU referendum.
And could the party make gains in Swansea?
It will surprise many how big the independent presence is at local council level. Independents are defending a large number of seats - 325.
They are a significant presence at Flintshire, Wrexham, Powys, Denbighshire, Conwy, Carmarthenshire, Ynys Mon, Pembrokeshire, Monmouthshire and Gwynedd.
And then there's UKIP. Its first AMs were elected in 2016, but its big issue is organisation on a local level. The former Welsh chair of the party, Chris Smart, has claimed the party is unravelling.
With no councillors in Wales currently, any seats won would be a boost.
If there is a natural home for UKIP in Wales, it may be the south east, where the party will want to capitalise on its strong showing at the general and assembly elections in Labour stamping grounds like Torfaen and Newport.
A big question at this election will be whether the EU referendum result will have any impact.
The Lib Dems will hope to rally voters around its strident pro-Remain views.
Plaid Cymru has pushed for years to expand its base in the south Wales valleys, but could its pro-EU stance damage those efforts in areas that voted heavily for Leave?
The same question could be raised of Labour, which is defending its running of councils in such areas.
But those parties may be helped by UKIP's difficulties, and the traditional weakness of the Conservatives in the Labour heartlands.
Most but not all councils count overnight. Nine out of the 22 will not start full counts until the next day.
Overnight counts:
Friday counts:
While laws are made at Westminster and the Welsh Assembly, councils operate services at a local level.
They do not run everything, but what they do run includes:
They also set rates of council tax.
Unlike the assembly elections, all councillors are elected on a first-past-the-post basis.
Voters in multi-member wards, though, would have the chance to select more than one councillor.
If you need to register to vote, you will need to do so by midnight on Thursday 13 April. You can do that at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Alternatively, paper forms can be downloaded or collected from local registration offices and need to be completed and handed in before the offices close that day.
If you want a postal vote and have not had one before, you have to apply by 18 April.
New proxy vote applications need to be made by 25 April. | A year after the assembly elections and the EU referendum, Wales returns to the polls again in the first ballot box test for the parties since the Brexit vote. |
36,085,468 | Archie Lloyd was celebrating the end of his A-Level exams when he was struck by a club promoter after an angry exchange.
The Harrow pupil fell against the curb outside the Cloud Nine venue in Malia.
Coroner Grahame Short ruled the attack was a "deliberate and intentional act" proven "beyond all reasonable doubt".
Recording the verdict at Winchester Crown Court, Mr Short said: "I don't find there was any intention to cause death. But it was the inadvertent consequences that Mr Lloyd was knocked backwards and struck his head, and death resulted.
"It follows that I conclude that this was a death due to unlawful killing."
Mr Lloyd was on the penultimate day of his Interrail holiday on 6 August when a group of quad bike riders sounded their horns as he and best friend Andy Hutchinson walked towards the taxi rank to go home, the inquest heard.
Mr Hutchinson said they had obstructed two women and club promoter Sebastian Trabucatti from riding their mopeds past them.
The hearing heard how Mr Lloyd yelled "one day you'll work for me" seconds before he was hit and how a girl riding one of the mopeds shouted "you deserved that" before making off.
Medical staff, who gave Mr Lloyd the all-clear after a "three-minute" check up, claimed further assistance was refused, but Mr Hutchinson denied this.
He said he put Mr Lloyd to bed and when they woke at midday, he was unresponsive and found with blood on his pillow.
A pathologist estimated he died at around 09:00 GMT.
Mr Trabucatti, who refused to attend the inquest, has been charged with manslaughter in Greece but has yet to enter a plea. | A schoolboy who died after a "10-second" attack outside a Greek nightclub was unlawfully killed, an inquest has found. |
37,220,023 | Media playback is not supported on this device
Tries from James Cronin and Ronan O'Mahony put Munster ahead, but Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies scored a scintillating try before half-time.
Munster's Tyler Bleyendaal and Wales back Rhys Patchell traded penalties, before replacement Ian Keatley kicked Munster into a 10-point lead.
Patchell missed a late kick as Scarlets failed to earn a losing bonus point.
The home side made a promising start to the game with Wales full-back Liam Williams at his all-action best.
Munster suffered an early setback when full-back Simon Zebo hobbled off on 17 minutes after appearing to take a blow to his ribs.
Prop Cronin opened the scoring against the run of play soon after, driving over from close range midway through the first period with Bleyendaal adding a simple conversion.
Fly-half Patchell sent an early penalty kick wide, but then made amends with a straightforward attempt to score his first points for Scarlets after joining from Cardiff Blues.
The game came to life on the half hour mark with wing O'Mahony running in a simple try from 35 metres after poor Scarlets defending at the breakdown.
Scarlets' Davies immediately struck back, sprinting home for a sensational individual try after taking a quick penalty deep in Scarlets' own half.
The Welsh region then allowed Bleyendaal to kick his side further ahead after Scarlets were penalised for not rolling away in front of their own posts.
The former New Zealand Under-20 fly-half missed a shot a goal early in the second half, before trading three points with Patchell soon after.
Wales centre Jonathan Davies came off the bench with half an hour to play after rejoining Scarlets from Clermont Auvergne.
But as both sides made changes it was replacement Munster full-back Keatley who kicked a decisive penalty with 15 minutes remaining to give his side a 10-point advantage.
Patchell had the chance to earn his side a losing bonus point with a late penalty, but he missed the kick.
Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said: "To get nothing out of the game in the first round at home was pretty disappointing.
"We started very, very well... [but] we just let that pressure valve off two or three times in that first half.
"That was frustrating because I thought we played some pretty good rugby in that first half, just discipline at times let us down."
Scarlets: Liam Williams; DTH van der Merwe, Scott Williams, Hadleigh Parkes, Steff Evans; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; Dylan Evans, Ken Owens (capt), Werner Kruger, Jake Ball, Lewis Rawlins, Aaron Shingler, John Barclay, Josh Macleod.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Peter Edwards, David Bulbring, Tadhg Beirne, Jonathan Evans, Dan Jones, Jonathan Davies.
Munster: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Ronan O'Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Dave Foley, Billy Holland (capt) Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, Jack O'Donoghue.
Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Dave Kilcoyne, Brian Scott, Jean Kleyn, Donnacha Ryan, Tomás O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Cian Bohane.
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (SRU), Wayne Davies (WRU)
Citing commissioner: Ray Wilton (WRU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU) | Three-time champions Munster made a winning start to their Pro12 season with a hard-fought win at Scarlets. |
33,362,472 | People spend longer inhaling the delightful aroma of a bouquet of roses than the foul stench of rotting fish.
The results of tests on 36 children, in the journal Current Biology, showed that there appeared to be no such difference in children with autism.
The National Autistic Society said smell could eventually become an additional tool for testing for autism.
Behaviour, social interactions and communication skills are all affected by autism and the disorder affects one in every 160 children globally.
It often takes until a child is at least two before it can be diagnosed.
The children in the trial at the Weizmann Institute of Science took part in a 10-minute experiment.
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A red tube sent either pleasant or unpleasant odours up the nose while the green tube recorded changes in breathing patterns.
One of the researchers, PhD student Liron Rozenkrantz, said children normally altered the depth of their sniffing to the odours.
She told the BBC: "Children with autism didn't show this modulation at all - they took the same sniff for the smell of shampoo as they did for rotten fish.
"This is striking and somewhat surprising."
The team developed a computer program that could detect autism in the group of children with 81% accuracy.
They also showed that the more severe the symptoms of autism, the longer the children inhaled the unpleasant smells.
The earlier autism is diagnosed, the sooner children can get access to behavioural or educational interventions.
The team at the Weizmann Institute of Science said that one of the advantages of a sniffing test was that it did not rely on the child being able to communicate so it may be useful at a very early age.
Miss Rozenkrantz added: "But before we can use it as a diagnostic test, we need to know at what age children start to develop a sniff response in the general population.
"Are you born with it? Do you develop it later in life? No-one has looked at it yet.
"I think what we have an interesting place to start, but we do have a way to go."
The researchers said smells had a role in social interaction and that this may explain the link with autism.
Dr Judith Brown, from the UK's National Autistic Society, said: "Getting a diagnosis is a crucial step to unlocking vital support services which can make a huge difference to people on the autism spectrum and their families.
"We believe that the possibility of developing a single and universal diagnostic test for autism is unlikely.
"However, in future, if these initial findings are confirmed and fully understood, differences relating to processing smell may offer an additional tool in the necessarily multi-faceted process of diagnosing autism." | The way children sniff different aromas could form the basis of a test for autism, suggest researchers in Israel. |
38,017,449 | Mrs Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, was a vocal critic of the property mogul on the campaign trail.
The 44-year-old governor later voted for Mr Trump, lamenting that she was "not a fan" of either candidate.
But she appears to have mended relations with the president-elect, whom she is meeting in New York.
Nikki Haley, the Republican who took on Trump
Born Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa, Mrs Haley is the first minority and female governor of South Carolina, a deeply conservative state with a long history of racial strife.
As the youngest governor in the US and only the second Indian-American to serve at the helm of a US state, she has been touted as a rising star within the Republican Party.
She took a public stand against resettling Syrian refugees in South Carolina and also opposed President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.
Last week, Mrs Haley was elected vice-chair of the Republican Governors Association, paving the way to become chairman of the group in 2018.
The Indian-American, who is in her second and final term as governor, was elected in 2010, riding the wave of the Republican Tea Party with the support of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
Her re-election win in 2014 also marked the largest margin of victory for a South Carolina gubernatorial candidate in 24 years.
Before becoming the Palmetto state's chief executive, she served six years as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.
An accountant and businesswoman, Mrs Haley was raised in a Sikh household but converted to Christianity and attends a Methodist church.
She is married to Army National Guard Captain Michael Haley and has two children.
Mrs Haley attracted national attention last year when she asked the state legislature to remove the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol following a racially charged massacre that left nine people dead at a Charleston church.
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The state has long wrestled with its connection to the divisive flag, which is considered by many as a totem of racism, but defended by others as an important historical symbol.
"Today, we are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will, to say it is time to move the flag from the Capitol grounds," said Mrs Haley at a news conference.
"One-hundred and fifty years after the end of the Civil War, the time has come."
Though she had previously supported preserving the flag's symbolism of Southern Heritage, the governor signed a bill requiring its removal and the flag was taken down in July 2015.
Mrs Haley endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio during the Republican primary election, and later after he dropped out, threw her support behind Senator Ted Cruz - Mr Trump's final rival before he became the party's nominee.
The governor also admonished Mr Trump to release his taxes and criticised his harsh campaign rhetoric throughout the primary election.
In January she was praised by Republicans for her rebuttal to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, in which made pointed remarks which appeared to criticise Mr Trump.
The governor said: "During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation".
Mrs Haley also confronted the then-frontrunner's call to temporarily ban Muslims from the country, adding: "No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country".
Mr Trump lashed out by calling the governor "very weak on immigration" and tweeting she was embarrassment to the state.
She responded in a tweet: "Bless your heart", which is often viewed as condescending dismissal in the South. | South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump to be US envoy to the United Nations. |
36,100,958 | The musician, from Dumfries, made his first appearance in 2014 with an estimated fortune of £30m.
The latest figures put his wealth at £95m which puts him at 27th position on the music millionaires top 50.
The list is topped by Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell with a joint fortune of £760m.
Ian Coxon, who has edited The Sunday Times Rich Lists for 20 years, said: "Calvin is a surprise - he's so successful and gets paid so well.
"People get in fashion and have a great success.
"I don't know whether his success will continue at quite the same rate."
The music millionaires list has been released ahead of the annual Sunday Times Rich List which will be published this weekend. | Scottish DJ Calvin Harris has seen his wealth more than treble in the last two years according to the Sunday Times Rich List. |
38,384,920 | Claire Nagle, 38, was found unconscious at her mother's Derbyshire home after her son Nathan Paton, 22, was discovered nearby covered in blood.
Mrs Nagle's estranged husband Vincent, 44, died when he was hit by a lorry on the M1 about half an hour later.
Inquests into the deaths were adjourned at South Derbyshire Coroners' Court.
Hundreds of drivers were left stranded on the motorway near Trowell services in Nottinghamshire after Mr Nagle was hit by a lorry.
Earlier in the day, Mr Paton was found covered in blood wandering in the village of Borrowash.
He told eyewitnesses he had been attacked with a nail gun and alerted police to his mum who was found unconscious in a nearby house.
Mr Paton remains in hospital.
Officers said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation into all three incidents.
Inquests into both deaths were opened and adjourned separately earlier.
The hearing into Mrs Nagle's death was told the trainee mental health nurse was found with bruising and ligature marks around her neck along with signs of asphyxia.
A provisional cause of death was given as pressure on her neck.
The second hearing was told that Mr Nagle, a plumber and heating engineer, died instantly when he was hit by the lorry.
They were living apart at the time of their deaths, the court was told.
Both hearings were adjourned by senior coroner Dr Robert Hunter while police continue their investigations. | A woman whose murder was connected with her husband's death and a violent attack on her son died from "pressure on her neck" an inquest heard. |
36,642,881 | Huddersfield Giants player Ronan Costello, 17, died on 14 June, three days after being injured during an under-19s game against Salford.
Mr Costello's family said they were "comforted that he has gone on to help five other people live their lives and survive".
His funeral was held on Friday.
More on this and other West Yorkshire stories.
A statement issued by the family said: "In accordance with Ronan's wishes, his family have made the heartfelt decision to donate some of his organs.
"Ronan was a loving and caring lad who was dedicated to his family and friends."
Huddersfield Giants head of youth, Andy Kelly, who is currently performing the role of head coach, said: "What a beautifully courageous act by one of the bravest, most dignified families I have the honour of knowing." | A rugby league player who died after being injured in a game has had his organs donated to five people, his family has revealed. |
29,520,464 | Michael Kearns, 48, died outside Sailor's nightclub in Fore Street, Newquay, in April 2013.
Prosecutors told Truro Crown Court the four had taken Mr Kearns to the ground after he assaulted a man in the club.
Lewis Bowns, 26, Richard Favetta, 30, Ian Harold, 46, and Graham Luty, 35, all denied manslaughter.
The court heard that keen angler Mr Kearns was kept face down on the pavement for about 10 minutes until he lost consciousness in the early hours of 27 April 2013.
Simon Laws, barrister for the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court: "Mr Kearns had been aggressive and they had a right to use force against him initially.
"But when people have to use force as part of their job, it's entirely reasonable to expect they do so professionally and exercise appropriate care."
On the first day of their trial, the prosecution said the doormen failed to show "a basic regard for Mr Kearns' wellbeing".
Mr Laws said: "They continued to use force when it was no longer necessary and Mr Kearns could not breathe."
The court heard Mr Bowns, of Lewarne Road, St Columb; Mr Favetta, of Penmere Drive, Pentire; Mr Harold, of Fernhill Road, Newquay; and Mr Lutey, of Summercourt were working together and should be held jointly responsible for the outcome.
The trial, expected to last for up to four weeks, continues. | A man died after four nightclub doormen held him face down on the pavement until he could not breathe, a court heard. |
26,954,008 | 9 April 2014 Last updated at 09:49 BST
When the two men called each other a 'muppet' and a 'dunce' - lots of you told us what you thought.
Today, the Prime Minister David Cameron and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband face each other in the House of Commons for the first time since then.
Ayshah has been reporting from outside the Houses of Parliament this morning. | Many of you got in touch to tell us you weren't pleased when two of the country's most important politicians called each other names last week in parliament. |
39,849,270 | Richard Broughton died in hospital on 30 April, two days after being knocked down by a car in Barnsley.
Kayne Reece Jones, also known as Reece Thompson, of Christchurch Road, Rotherham, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court charged with murder.
He was remanded in to custody to appear at the city's crown court on Wednesday.
More stories from across Yorkshire
South Yorkshire Police said 37-year-old Mr Broughton had been involved in an "altercation" before being struck by the vehicle in Welland Crescent, Elsecar.
Two other people have been arrested in connection with his death.
John Paul Jones, 23, of Welland Crescent, appeared before Barnsley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with affray and witness intimidation.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 31 May.
A 35-year-old man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder has been released under investigation while inquiries continue, the force said. | A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a man who was hit by a car after an "altercation". |
37,609,816 | The man's body was discovered at the flat in Glen Crescent, Stevenston, at about 10:50 on Saturday. Police are treating his death as unexplained.
They are looking at possible links to an attempted murder a short time later.
Two men, aged 30 and 52, were found seriously injured at a property on Misk Knowes at about 15:15 on Saturday.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Around 10.50am on Saturday, police and emergency services responded to a report of a man having died within a property in Glen Crescent.
"On attendance a 36-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination is due to take place to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.
"Inquiries are ongoing and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."
The incident involving the two other men was reported just over four hours later.
Both men were taken to Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, and the 30-year-old was released following treatment for a serious injury.
The 52-year-old was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Medical staff described his condition as critical. | Police are investigating whether the death of a 36-year-old man at a flat in North Ayrshire is linked to the attempted murder of two other men. |
37,173,969 | But Welsh results are now the same as England as a whole and better than most of its regions.
Top A* and A passes were up slightly (0.2%) to 19.4% and better than northern and midland English regions.
Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said it was "another strong performance".
Teaching unions have warned comparing Welsh and English results is increasingly difficult due to significant changes to exams.
There are wide-ranging reforms to qualifications in Wales and other parts of the UK under way.
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Entries in French were down again this year while the number taking maths in the summer was affected by the start of a new course last September, with the first pupils due to take exams in November.
Ms Williams, on a visit to Cefn Hengoed school in Swansea, said: "Teachers and pupils can be proud that Wales has maintained our record pass rate. I will continue to focus on raising standards and ambitions for excellence across all our schools."
David Reynolds, professor of education at Swansea University, said results have varied only slightly over the past few years.
"There have been similar results and you could say the system is maxed out if you like," he said.
"But that's not true. If you look at the range of variations in schools, there are huge differences still between the top and bottom performing schools, suggesting there is still room for improvement."
New Welsh-specific GCSEs started being taught in schools and colleges last September but they will not be awarded until next summer.
More new qualifications will be rolled out over the next two years.
At the same time there are major changes being introduced in England, and next summer GCSEs there will be graded 9 to 1 rather than A* to G.
Teachers said care needed to be taken when looking at the drop in science results with around 4,000 15-year-olds and under - who would have done BTEC qualifications in the past - now included.
National Association of Head Teachers policy director in Wales Rob Williams said the results came with the biggest policy changes in education in a generation already under way.
"It's really difficult to compare," he said. "You have very diverging policies between England and Wales and there are changes in GCSE in both the countries and there are more coming in.
"Reflecting over the years is going to be much, much harder. For us in Wales it's going to be more important looking at the next three, four or five years and look back at how we're improving ourselves."
The NUT's Owen Hathway said: "That we have seen the record high pass rate sustained yet again, especially against the backdrop of major education reforms, is a fantastic achievement. It is also pleasing to see the pass rate for the very top grades is up".
Qualifications Wales chief executive Philip Blaker added: "The overall GCSE results for Wales this summer are stable, with some small shifts which can be considered normal variation.
"In some subjects, performance has improved, such as French, geography and history whereas, in others it has fallen, for example ICT, religious studies and Spanish.
"This is to be expected since cohorts vary from one year to the next, in both size and ability."
Rebecca Williams, from teaching union Ucac, said: "Comparisons, both with previous years within Wales, and with other nations in the UK, are going to become increasingly difficult - indeed futile, as the changes work their way through the system."
She said the Pisa international test results - due again by the end of this year - could become an increasingly important benchmark.
"It's possible that - for better or for worse - external measures such as Pisa will take on greater importance in measuring educational performance in a comparative context," she added.
The Conservatives said they were worried about a stagnation in A* to C passes, with the results offering "a mishmash of reasons to be both optimistic and downbeat". | The GCSE A* to C pass rate has stayed at 66.6% in Wales for the third year running. |
35,744,476 | Mike Rose, 54, lost the gold band when it slipped from his finger into waves while surfing as Caswell Bay, Swansea.
Despite trawling the coastline with a metal detector, he gave up on finding the heirloom given to him by his dad.
But after he offered a £100 reward, Mr Rose received an email from a beach-walker who found it buried in the sand.
"I honestly never thought I would see it again," said the father-of-two from Killay, Swansea.
But almost five months after losing it, he received the email from fire fighter David Gates, who had seen a poster Mr Rose put up.
He had found it near where Mr Rose had been surfing, buried one foot in the sand.
After giving Mr Gates the £100 and £10 for each of his children, he had the ring re-shaped so it would not slip off again. | A treasured ring that was lost in the sea was returned to its owner five months later after being washed up on a beach. |
18,501,201 | Fitch warned India's growth potential "will gradually deteriorate if further structural reforms are not hastened".
It also added that the government had made little progress on reducing its deficit.
The downgrade comes just days after Standard & Poor's warned that India could lose its investment grade status.
"India also faces structural challenges surrounding its investment climate in the form of corruption and inadequate economic reforms," Fitch said in a statement late on Monday.
India's economy has been going through a rough patch.
It expanded at an annual rate of 5.3% in the first quarter, the slowest pace in nine years. There are fears that growth may slow further in the near term amid increased global volatility.
To make matters worse, consumer prices in the country have remained stubbornly high, making it difficult for the central bank to introduce measures to boost spending.
On Monday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left its key interest rate unchanged despite pressure on it to lower borrowing costs.
It cited high inflation as the key reason behind its decision.
Analysts said that given these conditions, India's policymakers needed to introduce more reforms to sustain growth.
"There is an even greater onus on effective government policies and reforms that would ensure India can navigate the turbulent global economic and financial environment and underpin confidence in the long-run growth potential of the Indian economy," said Art Woo, Director in Fitch's Asia-Pacific Sovereign Ratings group. | Ratings agency Fitch has cut its outlook for the Indian economy to negative, saying the country's growth faces "heightened risks". |
36,265,175 | Ali Haider Gilani was rescued in a joint Afghan-US special forces operation on Tuesday.
He was abducted three years ago while campaigning for elections, reportedly by al-Qaeda-linked militants.
He thanked the Afghan security forces for "their sacrifice for someone from another country".
"That shows the efforts of the Afghan government to bringing peace in the region," he told reporters in Kabul, where he was handed over to Pakistani diplomats.
He also thanked US forces for providing him with food, shelter and medical care.
"I'm just looking forward to being reunited with my family and just getting back to normal life," he added.
He arrived at the defence ministry in Kabul with long hair and a heavy beard, wearing a T-shirt, combat trousers and a baseball cap.
After undergoing medical check-ups at a military base, he was flown home on a chartered aircraft sent from Pakistan with his brother aboard, according to Pakistan's foreign ministry.
The BBC's Pashto Online Editor Inayatulhaq Yasini says the rescue mission by US-Afghan forces may open the door for new contacts between the two capitals.
There have been long-running tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. Afghanistan blames Pakistan for harbouring Taliban militants, but Pakistan says it is itself the victim of militants from Afghanistan.
The Nato-led mission in Afghanistan said he had been rescued in a joint operation in the eastern Paktika province.
"The counter-terrorism mission was planned and launched after evidence of terrorist activity was confirmed," the Resolute Support mission said in a statement.
The force had an "inkling" a hostage was being held there but was not aware it was Mr Gilani, according to Brigadier General Charles Cleveland, spokesman for the Nato-led force.
Ali Haider Gilani's brother, Ali Musa Gilani, told the BBC he had been caught unaware by the release, with the family not told about the operation.
"He [Ali Haider Gilani] called himself from an Afghanistan number, and he just told me, 'I have US military around me, and they have rescued me, and now what are you doing? Who are you getting in touch with to get me out of here?'"
Ali Haider Gilani is the youngest son of Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was prime minister of Pakistan from 2008 until 2012.
He had been contesting a seat in the Punjab provincial assembly in the May 2013 elections, when he was seized from his home town of Multan, by gunmen who opened fire on a campaign rally just a few days before the polls opened.
Suspicion immediately fell on the Pakistani Taliban, which had been openly threatening the governing PPP and other secular parties in Pakistan in the run-up to the election.
But the Afghan envoy to Pakistan said on Tuesday that Mr Gilani had been held by an al-Qaeda-linked group
Kidnapping has frequently been used as a tactic by militant groups across Pakistan, who want the ransom money for revenue and use the hostages as bargaining chips in negotiations with the authorities. | The kidnapped son of Pakistan's ex-Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has returned home to Pakistan, after three years in captivity. |
33,554,774 | Warning buoys have been placed alongside the scaffold-like structure which has emerged following erosion at Hordle Beach, near Lymington.
New Forest District Council said the "difficult and costly" work to remove the metalwork is due to be carried out during low tides in August.
It said people should avoid swimming in the area.
The line of metal scaffold, or trellis, is believed to have been placed in the sea along the New Forest's coast by the Wiltshire Regiment in 1940-41, designed to thwart invading troops and their landing craft.
However, within two tides of being installed, it had sunk into the sea bed by 40cm (16in).
Parts of the structure have emerged over the decades since the war, but the council said more metalwork was now being uncovered at a "rapid rate".
There are also known to be remains of other wartime metal and concrete structures in the sea to the east of Barton beach. | Jagged metalwork, laid to thwart a Nazi invasion during World War Two, has been exposed on a Hampshire beach. |
36,028,297 | The world number 35 rattled the jaw of the pocket against Anthony McGill in the fourth frame of their final qualifying round to level at 2-2.
The miss cost him an £8,500 bonus, plus the £1,000 highest break prize.
He also missed the black on 140 against Neil Robertson in the third round of the UK Championship in December.
The 30-year-old later claimed he did not know that there was a £44,000 prize for a maximum.
Un-Nooh, who has never qualified for the World Championship, currently trails Scotland's McGill 6-3 at the interval.
Media playback is not supported on this device | Thailand's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh missed the final black of a 147 attempt for the second time this season during World Championship qualifying. |
38,460,917 | In 2012, hardworking couple Helen and Tim found themselves at the centre of a debt nightmare that would end up costing them their home.
After a long period of sick leave, which coincided with her mother's death, Helen had to quit her well-paid job at a local hospital.
Almost simultaneously, Tim's income, from his window cleaning job, was cut in half after a change of contract.
And with their monthly income all but annihilated, the couple quickly racked up unmanageable debts.
Over an 18-month period, pressure mounted as they began defaulting on personal loans and credit cards payments, and all the while the interest was adding up.
They found themselves heading straight into the modern day equivalent of a debtors' prison.
"I had default notices, left right and centre," says Helen.
"My mobile phone used to ring constantly and it would be the bank.
"You knew what it was they wanted but you didn't have it.
"And as soon as they knew we were struggling, they hardened their approach."
Recalling her dealings with one bank, she says: "They made life much more difficult and they were brutal on the phone."
"Because we were struggling to pay the mortgage, I was taking cash out on my credit card.
"I kept thinking it was a short term problem - that the solution was just round the corner.
"Also the credit card company kept upping the limit, we must have paid thousands and thousands in interest and charges."
When the couple started to miss payments on their mortgage, it began to dawn on them how serious the situation had become.
Initially the bank agreed to extend the loan period and reduce the monthly payments, but as their money worries deepened, the pair found they were unable even to make the reduced payments.
"I called the bank one day, and the woman on the phone said we were literally a couple of payments away from repossession.
"She said if we did not make the payments due that day, they would take steps to repossess the house."
"I came off the phone and collapsed on the floor in a flood of tears."
Luckily the couple were able to get the money together from family members to pay what was owing that month.
Disturbingly, however, when Helen called back the next day she was told the bank was nowhere near seeking repossession.
But the couple soon realised their only way out was to sell their home and pay their debts, which had spiralled to £40,000 in a matter of months.
Helen estimates that at least 10% of this debt was in interest alone.
"The credit cards are the worst, when you get into debt with a personal loan, there is the odd charge, but with the credit card it just snowballs as the interest mounts up.
"Soon we were even struggling to chip away at the interest."
Although they lost their home, Helen and Tim count themselves lucky.
"If we had had children and they were going to a local school it would have been different."
But they had enough equity in their home to pay their creditors, pay a year's rent up-front and invest in a new business venture, which despite a difficult start is now doing well.
A "breathing space" scheme and free money advice would have been helpful, she says.
"You can't really think when you are constantly being called by creditors".
But apart from the obvious stress and the sleepless nights worrying about how to make payments, she says the worst thing was the way she was spoken to by her creditors.
"People make you feel like a criminal. You are treated as if you have been stealing.
"It wasn't necessarily the words, it was they way they spoke to me.
"I didn't expect to be treated like some kind of social outcast." | As Bank of England figures show personal debt rising to levels seen at the time of the financial crash, a couple tells how their spiralling debts had extreme consequences. |
37,887,942 | Now a pretty Nepali vegetable seller has shot to fame as the internet's new darling.
Kusum Shrestha, 18, was photographed carrying vegetables at a local market.
When the photographer posted the shots online, the hashtags #Tarkariwali and #Sabjiwali - "vegetable seller" - quickly started trending on social media as admirers praised her looks.
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Miss Shrestha comes from a farming family based in Bagling, Gorkha, some 55 miles (90km) west of the capital, Kathmandu.
She told BBC Nepali she is a student in the nearby district of Chitwan, and was helping her parents during college holidays when the snaps were taken.
In one picture, the teenager smiles as she carries crates of tomatoes over a bridge. In another, she is talking on a mobile phone while selling them at a market.
Photographer RupChandra Maharjan told a Nepalese blog, the Gundruk Post, that he photographed Miss Shrestha at the Fishling suspension bridge between Gorkha and Chitwan. He reportedly works for a company that organises rafting on the local Trishuli River.
The young woman told the BBC she had found out about the pictures from a friend.
"First my friend asked me if I am the same girl whose photos became viral on Facebook. But I didn't know," Miss Shrestha said.
"Then she sent me the pictures and when I saw them, I found it was me. On that day, I came to sell the vegetables to help my parents. When I was on my way to sell the vegetables, RupChandra (the photographer) took my picture - but at that point of time, I didn't know that I was being photographed."
Many observers on Twitter and Facebook commented on the teenager's work ethic, with one user, @SabyasachiPuhan, saying she combined "cuteness and hard work".
One fan even suggested the now-famous chai wala and Tarkari wali would make an ideal couple.
In an interview with the BBC, Miss Shrestha said she was thrilled with her newfound fame. Asked if she would like to take up modelling like tea-seller Mr Khan if the offer comes, she beamed and said: "Yes, I will go."
Her father Narayan Shrestha, 43, told Nepalese news site myrepublica.com: "I hear that her photos have become popular on the internet. Who had imagined that she would get such publicity? My daughter has always been a shy girl; she is a girl of very few words."
Mr Shrestha said his daughter was studying management, although she really wants to train as a nurse.
"She is my only child. I should educate her to the extent possible," [sic] he said. "But I also have to consider my financial situation. I could not admit her into a nursing college though she wanted to study nursing."
He told reporters he thought the interest in his daughter showed that the public respects farmers and their hard work.
"This is what I feel. There is nothing else that I expect," he added. | A few weeks ago, social media made an overnight star of blue-eyed Pakistani tea-seller Arshad Khan. |
40,023,720 | Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers pointed out the spending plan double-counts $2tr (£1.5tr).
But White House budget director Mick Mulvaney told reporters: "We stand by the numbers."
Unveiled on Tuesday, the budget proposes deep cuts to welfare programmes.
Mr Summers, also formerly chief economist of the World Bank, was one of the first to spot the apparent mistake.
UN criticises Trump peacekeeper cuts
"It appears to be the most egregious accounting error in a presidential budget in the nearly 40 years I have been tracking them," he wrote on his blog.
He said the spending plan was "simply ludicrous".
The budget forecasts about $2tr in extra federal revenue growth over the next 10 years, which it uses to pay for Mr Trump's "biggest tax cut in history".
But that very same $2tr is then used to reduce the budget deficit.
"My observation is that there appears to be a logical error of the kind that would justify failing a student in an introductory economics course," Mr Summers wrote.
A prominent conservative economist agreed there was a discrepancy.
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, told the Los Angeles Times the numbers "don't seem to match".
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But Mr Mulvaney said during a press briefing on Tuesday that the alleged gimmick was done "on purpose".
"The money can be used to both reduce the budget deficit and offset Mr Trump's proposed tax cuts," he told reporters.
He added: "There's other places where we were probably overly conservative in our accounting."
That is not the only problem with President Trump's $4.1tr federal budget, according to analysts on both sides of the political divide.
It hinges on the country achieving 3% annual growth, but most economists say this is unlikely for the US.
The plan - titled A New Foundation for American Greatness - takes a hatchet to federal programmes for the disadvantaged, such as food stamps, disability payments and healthcare.
Democratic lawmakers have savaged the budget, and even fiscally hawkish Republicans seem taken aback by the magnitude of the cuts.
The austerity measures "are astonishing and frankly immoral", Congresswoman Pramilla Jayapal told Mr Mulvaney as he testified to the House Budget Committee on Wednesday.
"This budget starts by taking away healthcare, then food, then housing, then education, then job opportunities," the Washington Democrat said.
Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said the budget shows an "unimaginable level of cruelty" for millions of Americans and children.
But the spending plan is likely to undergo substantial revisions on Capitol Hill before final approval. | The White House has denied the president's budget proposal contains an "egregious" maths error. |
37,161,480 | These include concerns over a shortage of doctors and other health staff.
The leaked risk register was drawn up by the Department of Health, and sets out a series of possible problems.
The Department of Health said the government was tackling an "unacceptable variation" in standards in care across the week.
The government has promised a "truly seven-day service" by 2020.
The documents, obtained by Channel 4 and the Guardian, also say there is a high risk of "workforce overload" and are said to show that senior officials are concerned over the lack of detailed costings, risk assessment, and limited data supporting the policy.
The BBC has not seen the leaked register in full.
According to Channel 4 News, another document which references a meeting with the 7 Day Services Governance Group, says: "The detailed costs of delivering in hospitals, including accurate estimates of additional workforce requirements are not understood early enough."
And according to a further document called Building The Evidence Base, no advance impact assessments have been done on how seven-day services will affect GPs, hospitals, and urgent and emergency care.
One of the documents expresses fears that the policy may not deliver on its key aim of improving services at weekends.
It states: "It is possible that the programme delivers the planned outputs, but this does not result in the desired change (delivering against the plan but missing the point)."
Creating a seven-day NHS makes a catchy slogan, which is why the Conservatives have made so much of it.
And there is plenty of evidence it would benefit patients.
But implementing it is a whole different matter. You only need to look at the row over the junior doctor contract to see that.
The most fundamental problem - and it is one apparently pointed out in this review as well as by numerous experts previously - is a lack of money.
Yes the NHS is getting extra funds this Parliament but it is still struggling to stand still. Waiting times are increasing and hospital deficits are rising.
Asking the NHS to do more is seen by many in the health service as completely unrealistic.
News that this review has been circulating within the corridors of power will only strengthen that feeling.
British Medical Association head Dr Mark Porter said it had repeatedly raised concerns about the "lack of detail and absence of any plan" for the seven-day pledge.
He added: "To see in black and white that the government has not only ignored these concerns - and those of other leading healthcare organisations - but has also disregarded its own risk assessment's warnings about the lack of staffing and funding needed to deliver further seven-day services, is both alarming and incredibly disappointing."
Labour shadow health secretary Diane Abbott said the leaked document was a "shocking indictment of the Tory government's plans".
She added: "They pressed ahead with their proposals even when campaigners and NHS staff argued they were unworkable.
"It has now been confirmed by the advice the government received from its own civil servants. This is a scandal. The government is undermining the NHS with plans it knew to be unworkable."
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Over the past six years, eight independent studies have set out the evidence for a 'weekend effect' - unacceptable variation in care across the week.
"This government is the first to tackle this, with a commitment to a safer, seven day NHS for patients and £10bn to fund the NHS's own plan for the future, alongside thousands of extra doctors and nurses on our wards." | A confidential review of government plans for a seven-day NHS in England has identified 13 risks, according to the Guardian and Channel 4 News. |
36,893,416 | Located just north of Felixstowe, it is, however, home to Katy Sealy, one of just three athletes who will represent Belize at the Rio Olympics.
Since the 25-year-old chose to represent the nation of her father's birth, she has become Central American heptathlon champion three times as well as breaking the region's record points total.
Her exploits have given Sealy, who only took up athletics seriously at 15, a chance on the grandest stage of all, even though it is in only one of her normal seven events.
"I never dreamt of going to the Olympics. I do the sport because I love it and I always said the Olympics would be a dream or a bonus and it's come true," she told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"I haven't reached the standard for the heptathlon, but Belize have granted me a wildcard place which means that I can represent them in a track event, which is why I'm only doing the 100m hurdles."
Sealy's personal best is a wind-assisted 15.20 secs, a time that would place her just inside the top 100 women in Britain for 2016.
However, knowing her time is a full three seconds slower than the recent world record-breaking run of Keni Harrison at the London Anniversary Games, her motivation is personal improvement, rather than a podium place.
"My first aim is to go and enjoy it. The hurdles is not one of my strongest events, but is not my weakest so I've got a lot of room for improvement.
"Literally everything I'm doing (in the build-up) is hurdles and speed. The aim is to go out there, run a personal best, enjoy it and get Belize on the map at the Olympics," she said.
For some spectators, the most memorable part of an Olympic opening ceremony is seeing the smaller nations walk out along with the massed ranks of competitors from China and the United States.
Sealy was Belize's flagbearer at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and walking out alongside 200m runner Brandon Jones, judoka Renick James and a handful of national suits in Rio will probably be something she won't forget in a hurry.
"I think back to the opening ceremony at Glasgow when I was carrying the flag and what an amazing experience that was; to only imagine the Olympic one is going to be at least twice as crazy as that.
"It'll only be the three of us and some officials, so we'll be very small walking out."
Katy Sealy was talking to BBC Suffolk's Graeme McLoughlin | The tiny Suffolk village of Bawdsey is probably one of the last places you would look for one of Central America's star athletes. |
37,744,062 | The Foreign Office confirmed it was in contact with Spanish officials regarding the death of a man believed to be British.
Father-of-three Eifion Gwynne, 41, was an electrician who had played rugby for Aberystwyth and Llandovery.
Sources said he had flown to Estepona in the Costa del Sol to attend the funeral of a family friend.
He was killed after being hit by a car, according to reports.
Llandovery RFC president Handel Davies paid tribute, describing Mr Gwynne as "one of the nicest people".
"He is one of those rare people who you feel privileged to have known and a lifelong friend to all who knew him," he said.
"Our heart goes out to his wife and children in their immeasurable loss.'' | Tributes have been paid to an Aberystwyth rugby player believed to have been killed in a crash in Malaga. |
30,259,265 | A new study will also look at creating an express-link between Oxford and Cambridge via Milton Keynes.
The news came as work begins to prevent flooding on a stretch of the A34 between Chilton and the A4130 Milton Interchange.
Nicola Blackwood, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, described it as "a real breakthrough in tackling congestion".
However, Labour has criticised the plans, saying they were announced previously.
Technology enhancementson the A34, from junction 13 to junction 9, will include CCTV cameras and screens to warn drivers about delays.
There will also be improvements at Peartree and Botley interchanges.
A study will look at linking Oxford and Cambridge by using existing roads and considering the case for filling missing links.
All of the changes were announced in this year's Autumn Statement and are part of a £15bn nationwide programme.
Ms Blackwood, who said she was given the figure of up to £50m by the treasury, said: "Thousands of my constituents are affected by traffic misery on the A34 on a daily basis yet there has been no major investment for over two decades."
But, Labour shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher said it was "yet another re-announcement" on road improvements.
A six-month drainage programme has also begun on both carriageways of the A34 between Chilton and the A4130 Milton Interchange.
The Highways Agency said the work would mean fewer unplanned road closures for emergency repairs.
A 50mph speed limit will be in place for the duration of the work, while overnight lane closures will also take place. | Journeys around Oxford will be improved by up to £50m of investment in the A34, the Department for Transport has said. |
34,072,454 | They were advised to agree proposals to set up a "waste transfer facility" on a site at Easter Langlee, near Galashiels.
The council's existing landfill site is due to reach capacity in 2017.
Plans to build a plant which would produce energy from the region's waste were scrapped earlier this year.
From January 2021, landfill sites in Scotland will no longer be able to accept biodegradable municipal waste that has not met "stringent pre-treatment processes".
A report to Scottish Borders Council estimated that the new transfer facility will cost £5.5m.
A spokesman for the council said: "The report recommends that the landfill site is closed in 2017, and that a waste transfer station is developed at Easter Langlee to take its place.
"The landfill will subsequently be restored and waste will be transported out of the Borders to alternative treatment facilities in order to comply with the 2021 landfill ban.
"This option is considered to represent the most flexible and cost effective way forward for the council at the current time. It will also provide time for the development of the council's new waste management plan."
About 40,000 tonnes of household and commercial waste is put into the Easter Langlee landfill site by the council every year. | Councillors in the Scottish Borders have approved plans to transfer household waste outside the region. |
32,339,196 | Wisconsin teenager Joshua Furlano decided to do something about it. As a project for high school, he organised an e-waste drive with a nearby recycling company in his hometown, West Salem, and raised nearly $1,000 (£671) for a local charity.
"Many people don't know what to do with the old electronics. The event prevents people from throwing the old electronics in landfills but instead recycling them properly," says Mr Furlano, who gathered up over 6,000lbs (2,720kg) worth of e-waste.
"The turnout for the event was a bit of a surprise. I [didn't] have much advertising before so I did not believe there would be a large turnout. From the start of the event I already had three to four cars lined up in the parking lot," he adds.
The success of grassroots events like this highlights the fact that many of us are still unsure what to do with our old devices.
According to the UN, the world produced 50 million tons of electronic waste in 2012. That's an average of 15lbs (6.8kg) per person.
The constant pressure to upgrade smartphones to the newest model leaves countless older devices on the scrap heap. Here a motley crew of toxins including lead, mercury, cadmium, and barium can leach from electronic components into the environment.
Add the proliferation of fitness trackers, tablets and wearables like the Apple Watch, and we're wearing and carrying more electronics than ever before - all of which will one day be obsolete.
This has inevitably led to the rise of the e-waste management industry. A report earlier this year from Allied Market Research predicts it will be worth $49.4bn by 2020.
Major tech companies are doing their bit too. Apple is now accepting non-iPhones like Android and Windows Phone devices to its reuse and recycle program in the US, Canada, UK, France, Italy, and Germany.
Other big companies offering a similar scheme include Kyocera, which even provides free shipping labels.
Several companies and start-ups have spotted an opportunity.
India's BinBag describes itself as the Uber of recycling.
The Bangalore-based start-up has been in operation for just over six months and has already gathered two tons of e-waste, according to founder and chief executive Achitra Borgohain.
"We have a web platform where people that want to dispose of their waste can log in and get picked up" says Mr Borgohain.
"We typically get stuff like old PCs, old cell phones."
Unlike other companies, BinBag doesn't actually own any recycling plants. Mr Borgohain say it is "only solving the last mile" for the customer by connecting them with recyclers.
E-waste, and waste disposal in general in India has been a particular problem for government, which is drafting new rules to prevent dumping on the streets.
There is also the issue of informal recyclers - illegal businesses with low-paid workers, collecting electronics to break down and sell for parts. Safety precautions to protect workers are often non-existent, as are measures to prevent pollution.
BinBag's aim is to link people up with legitimate recyclers through its notification system.
When a user has something to throw away, a nearby waste collector will receive a notification with details on where to pick it up, ensuring the electronics are recycled safely.
The start-up is only active in Bangalore but has plans to expand to four or five cities in the next year. It also runs recycling awareness events at schools.
BinBag provides its services mainly to individuals but is keen to attract small businesses in the future.
"They are also the ones struggling to dispose their waste."
Mobile Monster in Melbourne in Australia says it wants to help consumers who don't know how to get rid of their old phones.
The Victoria state government recently banned e-waste from landfills to encourage more recycling.
"We wanted to make it as easy for people as possible," says Tim Duggal, managing director of the company, which ships the goods off to a recycling plant. Much like BinBag, the service is a sort of middle man.
People can drop off their devices to the company's location or mail them in and receive a small fee in return.
"They can even send in really old phones, even if they're not worth any money, and we also recycle them and keep them out of landfills," says Mr Duggal.
"We've seen a growth of about 20% to 30% each year in the number of handsets coming in. Typically when the [new] iPhone comes out, the numbers can go up to ten times."
One way to make the general public aware of how to recycle their electronics is by partnering with another company.
Canadian pizza chain Pizza Pizza runs its electronics donation scheme every April for Earth Month, where consumers can trade in devices for a free slice.
"Last year throughout the month we collected and kept nearly 5,300 devices out of landfills," says Pat Finelli, chief marketing officer of Pizza Pizza, who says the scheme is on track to surpass last year's milestone.
The chain has partnered with Ontario-based firm Greentec, which runs e-waste collection and recycling services.
"We would separate what we feel would be suitable for reuse or have some type of reuse component in the item," explains chief executive Tony Perrotta on the process.
"So for example if we had a laptop that didn't power up or something that didn't work on it but the screen was good, not cracked or broken, then for us that would be a suitable item that we could probably repair and get it back into working condition and resell that product."
Greentec receives a lot of phones that are beyond repair but also gets many that aren't too old and can easily be resold.
"An old iPhone 4, there's still a good market for here," he says. Anything older needs to be dismantled for its metals and plastics, and sent on to smelters and other recycling plants.
"Even in the developing countries, they're after the smartphones," says Mr Perrotta. | Getting rid of old electronics can be a hassle when you don't know what to do with them. |
38,498,439 | McDonnell, 30, who is unbeaten in 18 fights with 16 wins and two draws, aims to emulate his twin brother Jamie, who is the WBA bantamweight champion.
"I've seen my brother become a world champion and I'm ready to become world champion," McDonnell said.
Hull pair Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle will feature on the undercard.
London 2012 gold medallist Campbell defends his WBC silver lightweight title against Jairo Lopez, while light-welterweight Coyle fights Kofi Yates.
McDonnell is a former British and European champion but faces tough opposition in Vargas, who is unbeaten in 28 fights with 22 knockouts.
"Vargas' record says that he's a big puncher but we won't know how good he is until we get in there," the Doncaster fighter said.
"He will have to knock me out cold to win it because I really want to make a name for myself in this fight." | British super-bantamweight Gavin McDonnell will fight Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC world title on 25 February at Hull's Ice Arena. |
28,167,389 | Local officials said President Macky Sall had asked Ms Toure to stand down, after less than a year in office.
Ms Toure's Alliance for the Republic (APR) was defeated in key cities, according to preliminary results.
Discontent over economic policies contributed to the party's poor results, correspondents say.
"She was sacked. She is no longer the prime minister," a source close to the presidency told Reuters news agency.
The Senegalese Press Agency reported that Ms Toure had left the government.
Her departure opens the way for President Sall to try to speed up his reform process, aimed at creating more jobs.
In March 2012, election Mr Sall defeated Abdoulaye Wade - who had been president for 12 years - promising to tackle poverty and corruption.
Senegal is seen as a beacon of democracy in West Africa and remains the region's only country never to have had a military coup. | Senegalese Prime Minister Aminata Toure has been sacked after her ruling party's poor results in local elections last Sunday. |
39,197,665 | The Dow Jones lost 0.14%, or 29.58 points, to 20924.76 points. The S&P 500 shed 0.29% to 2368.39 while the Nasdaq Composite was 0.26% lower at 5833.93.
Pharma stocks fell after President Donald Trump said that he was planning "a new system" to increase competition in the industry and bring down prices.
Merck and Pfizer were among the top fallers, losing 1.05% and 0.77%.
Several hospital groups also fell sharply after Republicans announced a proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Despite doubts about the bill's prospects, Tenet Healthcare lost 7.11% and Universal Health Services fell 2.24% over fears they could face cutbacks.
Shares in Snap, the owner of Snapchat, slid further as enthusiasm for the stock continued to wane.
Snap's shares had soared on Thursday last week when they made their debut, but on Monday they dropped 12%.
On Tuesday, they tumbled 9.8% to $21.44 following a lukewarm reception from analysts. | US markets closed lower after weak performances from pharmaceutical firms and private hospital groups. |
33,846,438 | It means "nothing happens" but people often use it reassuringly as in: "Don't worry about it, it's nothing."
When it comes to solving murders, "no pasa nada" is a pretty accurate description.
According to Mexico's statistics institute, 98% of homicides in 2012 went unsolved.
The culture of impunity is frightening.
The 31 July murder of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa along with four women in a middle-class neighbourhood of Mexico City is a crime that many fear will once again go unsolved.
Mr Espinosa worked as a photojournalist in the eastern state of Veracruz for the investigative magazine Proceso, among others.
He had recently left Veracruz for Mexico City because of safety fears.
Veracruz is the most dangerous place to be a journalist in Mexico, which itself is deemed one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.
Nationwide, 88 journalists have been murdered since 2000, according to free speech organisation Article 19.
Fourteen journalists from Veracruz state alone have died since current governor Javier Duarte took office in 2010.
That makes Veracruz the most lethal state for journalists out of Mexico's 31 states and its federal district.
Relations between the Veracruz governor and the media have been tense. In July, Governor Duarte accused some journalists of having criminal ties.
He went on to warn them to "behave", arguing that if anything were to happen to them, it would be him who would be "crucified".
Some local journalists saw this as a thinly veiled threat against them.
Human rights investigator Patrick Timmons says that while Veracruz may currently be the most risky place for journalists in Mexico, other states are not immune from violence against the media.
"We have to understand that what we're seeing in Veracruz has happened in other states and it will happen in other states too," he warns.
Mexican authorities investigating the multiple murder said they were keeping all lines of investigation open, including robbery.
But friends and relatives of Mr Espinosa think he was deliberately targeted, pointing to the execution-style nature of the killing.
All five victims were shot in the head. Mr Espinosa's body showed signs of torture and three of the four women were raped.
So far, one suspect has been arrested.
Investigators said his fingerprints had been found at the crime scene and matched to a database which showed he had a criminal record for rape and assault.
But Emily Edmonds-Poli, associate professor of political science at the University of San Diego and author of a paper on violence against journalists in Mexico, is sceptical.
"That's so old-hat in Mexico, you pick up the nearest criminal and you accuse them of the crime," she said.
"I don't believe anyone is fooled by that," she added,
Many of the journalists killed in Mexico reported on organised crime and drug trafficking, considered inherently risky beats.
But Prof Edmonds-Poli thinks their killings should not be dismissed that easily.
"Many of them have covered corruption beats or politics, they are not necessarily chasing ambulances and trying to report on cartel activities," she argues.
She says that "it's the nexus between drug-trafficking organisations and the government, and that's why this really isn't solely a drug-related issue".
"It's about how the state deals with being exposed," she adds.
The fact that Mr Espinosa was killed in Mexico City after having fled Veracruz, where he had received death threats, is seen by many as a dark development.
Mexico City had for several years been seen as a safe haven, a bubble for journalists.
But that bubble has now burst.
Free speech group Article 19 argues that Mr Espinosa's murder marks a new level of violence against journalists in Mexico.
"If you get pursued into Mexico City, that shows another level of determination on the part of people who are interested in silencing journalists," said Emily Edmonds-Poli.
Ruben Espinosa's murder shows that it is no longer true that in Mexico City "no pasa nada". | "No pasa nada" is a saying you often hear in Mexico. |
32,300,214 | The class action lawsuit, involving almost 900 citizens, aims to force the government to cut emissions faster.
The first hearing opened in the Hague on Tuesday.
It is said to be the first time in Europe that citizens have tried to hold a state responsible for alleged inaction on climate change.
It is also believed to be the first case in the world in which human rights are used - alongside domestic law - as a legal basis to protect citizens against climate change.
The campaigners, led by the Urgenda Foundation, want the judges to compel the Dutch government to reduce its carbon emissions to 40% below 1990s levels by 2020.
The activists also want the court to declare that global warming of more than 2C will lead to a violation of fundamental human rights worldwide.
Among the plaintiffs is Joos Ockels, wife of the late astronaut Wubbo Ockels, along with DJ Gregor Salto and Nasa climate scientist Prof James Hansen.
"Everybody is waiting for the government to take action but the government has done so little. If the case succeeds, they will be forced to take action," Salto told the UK's Guardian newspaper.
The EU has pledged to cut emissions by 40% by 2030, while the US promised last month to reduce its carbon emissions 26-28% by 2025.
However, analysts say the pledges being made ahead of a global deal in Paris in December are not strong enough to stop temperatures rising above the internationally agreed maximum of 2C.
The 2C target was acknowledged at the UN climate convention (UNFCCC) in 2009 as the threshold of dangerous climate change, which scientists say is largely caused by the use of fossil fuels.
Sceptics say the threat from climate change is exaggerated.
Commentators say it remains to be seen whether the Dutch court is able and willing to rule on an issue that is still the subject of scientific debate.
However, Jaap Spier, Advocate-General to the Dutch Supreme Court, was quoted by the newspaper Trouw earlier in April saying that courts could force countries to adopt "effective climate policies". | Campaigners in the Netherlands are taking the government to court for allegedly failing to protect its citizens from climate change. |
35,173,863 | Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday that private cars with even and odd numbers plates would be allowed on alternate days from 1 January.
Emergency vehicles like ambulances, police cars, fire engines and taxis have been exempted from the order.
Delhi has been experiencing hazardous levels of pollution in recent weeks.
The city witnessed its most polluted day of the year on Wednesday, according to a government agency monitoring air quality.
The levels of PM 2.5 particulate, which are very hazardous to health, rose to 295 micrograms. Local laws recommend a maximum of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
Mr Kejriwal requested the city residents to "help him in curbing pollution in Delhi".
"We cannot do it alone, it's everybody's responsibility," he said.
Mr Kejriwal promised that his government would implement this plan only for two weeks, and a review would be held before it is extended.
Critics, however, say the decision is not practical - they say that in a city with an inadequate public transport system and poor last-mile connectivity, the new measures are likely to inconvenience commuters.
But the chief minister said his government has taken measures, like running extra buses. The government has launched an app that people can use to book tuk-tuks to improve last-mile connectivity from the metro stations.
The government has also made several exemptions to make it easier for people to follow the restrictions. The plan will be imposed between 8am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday.
Women will be allowed to drive their cars on all days but they can only be accompanied by women, and children below the age of 12. Cars carrying disabled people will also be allowed on all days.
Two-wheelers have also been exempted. In cases of medical emergency, people will not be stopped from taking patients to hospitals.
Environmental activists have welcomed the decision, saying the situation is so grim that urgent drastic steps are needed.
New car sales are soaring in India, with 1,400 extra cars taking to the capital's streets every day. | The local government in the Indian capital has announced major restrictions on private cars to curb "alarming levels" of pollution. |
40,548,011 | Devon and Cornwall Police said the car was travelling at speed when it hit a wall and six parked vehicles, causing extensive damage.
The man failed a roadside breath test in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Three people were taken to Derriford Hospital in the city just before 05:00 BST, with injuries not thought to be serious.
Eldad Hill was closed for some time, but reopened at around 07:00 BST.
The accident was reported by Devon and Cornwall Police's 'No Excuse' Twitter account.
It tweeted: "7 vehicle RTC somehow not serious injuries, luckily all wearing seatbelt which saved their lives. Only 1 vehicle was moving, guess which 1?"
End of Twitter post by @DC_NoExcuse
The account aims to improve road safety in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset by following seven special constables and two PCs who highlight the 'Fatal Five' factors that cause serious road accidents.
One of the 'Fatal Five' is 'Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs'.
The other four are excess or inappropriate speed, failure to wear seatbelts, drivers using a hand-held mobile phone and careless and inconsiderate driving. | A driver has been arrested after a crash involving seven vehicles on a residential street in Plymouth. |
38,813,758 | Groups of children have been invited to come up with a design that would be wrapped around the four sides of the cabin on the Nevis Range Gondola.
The competition is being run as part of the Highland Haggis Festival at Spean Bridge, near Fort William.
The festival is to be held on 1 and 2 April.
The gondolas system transports visitors to the Nevis Range snowsports centre from 300ft up to 2,150ft on the north face of Aonach Mor, the eighth-highest mountain in Britain. | Artwork on the theme of Scotland's national dish, the haggis, has been sought for one of the cabins on the UK's only mountain gondola. |
29,204,297 | There was an 18% fall in complaints in 2013-14 compared with the previous year, to 123,218, the Consumer Council for Water said.
This was the lowest level since the watchdog was formed in 2005.
However, it said that this momentum could be lost if water companies failed to deliver affordable bills.
Billing and charges still account for the highest proportion of complaints, some 57% of all gripes.
Four companies - South West Water, Affinity Water, Severn Trent Water and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water - reported an increase in complaints.
Southern Water and South East Water, while reporting drops in complaint numbers, were described as remaining "too far adrift" of the rest of the industry.
Darren Bentham, Southern Water's chief customer officer, said: "While our performance in 2013/14 saw a big improvement, we are still lower down the results table than we want to be - and where our customers want us to be. However, we are continuing to make changes which ensure we focus on our customers - from training, to new systems and an improved website."
Steve George, customer services director at South East Water, said: "Although our focus is to prevent problems, when things go wrong for our customers we are always sorry and we endeavour to fix things as quickly as possible."
In August, regulator Ofwat proposed that household water bills in England and Wales should go up less than the rising cost of living in the next five years.
It proposed that bills should be an average of 5% lower, before inflation was applied, by 2019-20.
Although telephone complaints were also falling at the same time as written complaints, these trends could reverse if prices were not set at the correct level, the Consumer Council for Water said.
"Affordability remains a huge challenge for the industry with one in five customers telling us their water bill is not affordable," said Tony Smith, the watchdog's chief executive.
"Water companies and the regulator Ofwat must deliver prices for the next five years that customers can afford and find acceptable or risk a backlash from struggling households." | Written complaints made by customers to their water providers have fallen for the sixth year in a row in England and Wales, figures from a watchdog show. |
30,078,201 | Ahmed Muthana, said 20-year-old Nasser Muthana was not among the 16 jihadists in the Islamic State video.
Mr Muthana, of Butetown, Cardiff, said he had not seen the footage, but was able to confirm it was not his son from images he had seen.
The video announced the murder of US aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig.
The Daily Mail reported that Muthana was in the video and quoted his father as saying: "It looks like my son".
But when he was shown the pictures by a BBC reporter on Monday, Mr Muthana said: "It doesn't look like him, much difference.
"This one's got a big nose, my one has a flat nose."
Mr Muthana said he would not welcome his son back into his home if he returned to Cardiff.
But he would not comment when asked what he thought of his son's alleged actions.
The man who was believed to be Muthana is standing to the right of a Briton thought to be "Jihadi John", who is dressed in black with a balaclava, while the rest of the militants wear army fatigues.
Western intelligence officials are trying to identify those seen in the video.
Assistant Chief Constable Richard Lewis from South Wales Police said reports "regarding the involvement of Cardiff individuals in a mass execution in Syria" were being investigated, and details had been passed to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
He added: "Cardiff has a strong and peaceful Islamic community which has long distanced itself from the extremist views reported."
Muthana, an aspiring Cardiff medical student, 20, came to the attention of the world in June when he appeared in a propaganda video by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham [Isis] urging others to join him.
He was seen alongside another man from Cardiff and a man from Aberdeen.
Mr Muthana's other son Aseel is also thought to be in Syria and has previously said in a BBC interview he had no intention of returning to the UK. | The father of a Cardiff man thought to be pictured in a video showing the beheading of Syrian soldiers has denied it is his son. |
35,078,470 | Ayew drove into the top corner from inside the area to cancel out Fabricio Coloccini's close-range opener.
Both sides had chances to win in the closing stages, with Newcastle striker Georginio Wijnaldum and Villa's Rudy Gestede having shots saved.
Villa, without a Premier League win since the opening game of the season, remain 10 points from safety.
Relive Newcastle's game with Aston Villa
Results and reaction from Saturday's Premier League football
Until recently, Newcastle boss Steve McCLaren had looked in danger of losing his job after failing oversee a win any of his first eight Premier League games.
However, back-to-back victories against Liverpool and Tottenham lifted Newcastle out of the relegation zone and three points on Saturday would have moved them five points clear of danger.
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Key to Newcastle's upturn in form has been a switch to a more counterattacking style of football, but a sodden pitch, coupled with Aston Villa's defensive approach, meant was ineffective against Aston Villa.
They struggled to break Villa down for long periods, with their opener coming from a defensive lapse in concentration from a corner, as Coloccini was left unmarked.
However, when Villa pushed forward after equalising, it played to Newcastle's strengths and they twice went close to snatching victory on the break, with Wijnaldum's and Ayoze Perez's finishing letting them down.
Newcastle remain one place above the relegation zone, but the draw means they are three points clear of Swansea in 18th.
No Premier League team with as few points as Aston Villa at this stage of the season have stayed up, and they would certainly need an impressive upturn in form to rescue their situation.
Villa have kept just two clean sheets in their 17 league games this season and the ease with which Newcastle scored, with Siem De Jong's corner cutting through the defence, will be of concern for manager Remi Garde.
However, their second half performance will give the Frenchman some hope.
In Ayew, they have a striker who is finding his form in the Premier League. He had gone seven games without scoring at the start of the season but, having been employed in a more central role recently, he has scored four goals in his last eight games.
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Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren: "The conditions were horrendous. Get the ball wide and get the ball in the box - it was a game for width.
"Anybody can beat anybody in the league. I said before the match this was a dangerous game. Regarding us, a settled side has helped the momentum. We might not win every game but we've made huge steps forward."
Aston Villa manager Remi Garde: "We didn't play well at all in the first 45 minutes. We were out of the game in terms of impact and intensity. If you are in the position we are in it's difficult for the player to get in the game straight away.
"There's a lack of confidence. It's better to react late then not to react. The fact we got back in the game could be very important. Newcastle have won the last two games, but in the second half we showed we are not far away from this type of team."
Newcastle host Everton on Boxing Day while Aston Villa host West Ham on the same day. | Jordan Ayew's superb second-half goal earned Premier League bottom club Aston Villa a point at Newcastle. |
23,497,560 | Hai was born in Hue in 1987, and moved 400 miles south to Vietnam's commercial capital Ho Chi Minh to find work.
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He lives with a brother and sister in a poor part of the city, the dwelling doubling as a workshop. Making clothes continues long into the night, as the family try to supplement the money that Hai makes working in a large factory for textile company Cartina during the day.
"In general the salary and working conditions here are ok," he says. "No problem. My salary is enough to get by."
Hai has been working in this industry for ten years, starting as a delivery boy at 16, and then moving to bigger manufacturing businesses and onto the factory floor to make the clothes that often sell in the department stores and smart shops of Europe, Japan and the USA.
On a normal day, Hai works a ten-hour shift, starting at seven in the morning and finishing at five in the afternoon. He usually works extra time if he can. There are from two to four hours on top of his normal shift.
Hai lives in a small house built on what used to be a cemetery, with his young sister, her husband and his youngest brother who has just moved to the city for another manufacturing job.
At home, they all work on private garment manufacturing orders to earn extra income to send back to their parents and a younger sister, who has polio.
His immediate wish is for his sister to stay healthy. In the future, he simply wishes to build a family of his own in the city.
"I wish that I had a life with family and all that," he says. "Working as a textile worker like this forever is very tiring." | Mass manufacturing has been the engine driving Vietnam's extraordinary growth in recent years and its success has been built on the efforts of millions of workers like Huynh Van Hai. |
35,506,393 | In March 1914, in the compact surroundings of the Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast, the Irish team had home advantage, and in front of a partisan crowd they felt they had every chance of defeating the Welsh.
Such was the demand for tickets that special trains were laid on for day trippers from Dublin.
Those who could afford first class paid 14 shillings to make the journey north.
The Welsh team arrived in Belfast knowing that a defeat would put an end to any thoughts of winning the championship.
They did not know at the time that this would be the last contest with the Irish team for six years.
Five months later the Great War would begin, and rugby internationals were about to become irrelevant.
The Welsh pack was one of the most feared in rugby circles, and because of the physical way they played the game their forwards had been given the nickname 'The Terrible Eight'.
The game marked an important moment in the lives of two young Irishmen, Jasper Brett and Vincent McNamara.
Nineteen year-old Brett from Dublin, who was educated at Monkstown Park School in Dublin and the Royal School in Armagh, was making his Ireland debut.
As Brett took to the field in Belfast he joined Cork man Vincent McNamara who, like Brett, had caught the attention of the selectors in recent months.
Within the opening minutes, as the rain lashed down, the Irish team decided to get their retaliation in first and the chief agitator was the Ulsterman Billy Tyrell.
As Welsh player Percy Jones recalled: "We did not have long to wait before the fireworks started. In the first few minutes Tyrell got me and everything inside my head rattled."
Tyrell's punch was the first of many that were traded between opposing players. Soon it seemed that every player on the pitch was involved in a fist fight or scuffle.
Tyrell and Jones had a series of fights, and none of the incidents led to penalties or action by the referee.
Rugby correspondent W J Townsend Collins recalled: "Enough happened under the very nose of the referee and in full view of the press to justify the ordering off of half a dozen players.
"Scores of times, men were tackled and flung to the ground when they were yards from the ball; frequently blows were exchanged; there were times when this game was more like a free fight than scientific rugby football."
The game did not go Ireland's way, and in the closing stages they lost two players to injury.
At full-time the visitors had chalked up a goal and two tries against Ireland's sole try, making the Welsh 11-3 winners.
Three of those who played that day would fight in the Great War and never return home.
The Welsh forward Dai Watts, would die in 1916 on the Western Front. His body would never be recovered.
Jasper Brett and Vincent McNamara never played again for Ireland. Brett's appearance in 'The Battle of Balmoral' would be his only Irish cap.
Vincent McNamara joined the British Army and was killed in an explosion in Gallipoli in November 1915 and today his name is commemorated on the Lancashire Landing Memorial.
Jasper Brett fought at Gallipoli and suffered shell shock and was discharged by the hospital authorities, who declared that he was unfit for military service and he returned to Dublin.
On Sunday 4 February 1917, he left the family home and went for a walk.
He walked into a railway tunnel and was hit by a train. An inquest later ruled he had taken his own life.
He and his teammate Vincent McNamara lived similar lives. They were talented sportsmen from an early age, at school, club and international level.
Men who over a century ago played their part in 'The Battle of Balmoral'. | With the Six Nations competition under way, we take a look back at the most violent match between Ireland and Wales. |
14,882,512 | The civil rights campaigner abandoned his bid for Aras an Uachtarain in July, amid controversy over a clemency letter he wrote to Israeli authorities for his former partner Ezra Nawi, who had been convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old boy.
Last weekend, the Sunday Independent claimed that Mr Norris was about to put himself forward once again, following an "consistent outpouring" of public support.
The newspaper said the senator would use an appearance on RTE's Late, Late Show this Friday to publicly state his intention to re-start his Aras campaign.
If so, Mr Norris has just over two weeks to secure the 20 political nominations he needs to get his name on to the presidential ballot paper.
With the 28 September deadline for nominations looming, time is not on his side.
Many independent TDs, who had previously backed the senator have now withdrawn their support, leaving Mr Norris with little other option than to turn to Fianna Fail for help.
However, party sources have indicated they are unlikely to support the former front-runner.
Although they are not running a candidate, many Fianna Fail members believe Mr Norris does not deserve their backing after he turned down their support earlier in the summer.
Unless he can change their minds his latest Aras bid could fall at the first hurdle.
An alternate route would be to secure the support of four county councils, but time is running out.
Despite facing numerous difficulties, Mr Norris does have one ace up his sleeve.
Although, the clemency controversy cost Mr Norris a number of political allies, it did not hamper the public's fascination with the openly-gay, Joycean scholar.
When the letter to the Isreali authorities was released back in July, Mr Norris admitted he made a "human error", but insisted it was borne solely from a sense of love and concern for his former partner.
He bowed out of the race, taking with him much of the public's interest in October's election.
What followed was weeks of speculation about who could fill his shoes.
The electorate's appetite for an equally colourful and charismatic replacement lead to calls for a celebrity to enter the field.
Broadcasters, Gay Byrne and Micheal O'Muircheartaigh considered the idea, before they both backed out and once again quelled the fire of interest in the presidential election.
The re-emergence of David Norris has stoked those flames. Now, the big question is, can he keep them burning? | His departure from the presidential race was met with widespread dismay from the Irish electorate - but David Norris could be on the verge of a come-back. |
35,801,244 | None of the injuries was life-threatening and emergency services were at the scene, the company said in a statement.
There were 128 passengers and 14 crew on board the train when the accident happened just after midnight local time (05:00 GMT).
US Highway 50 has been closed as a result, Reuters reported.
Eight people were killed last May when a New York-bound Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia.
That train was travelling at over twice the speed limit, safety experts say. | About 20 people have been injured in the US after an Amtrak train derailed 20 miles (32km) west of Dodge City, Kansas. |
40,714,615 | Sir Mike said there were more cost-effective ways of running the service, such as ending the use of what he called "very expensive" agency nurses.
There was "no doubt" the NHS needed more money, he said.
But any injection of funds should be used to transform the way the health service was run.
Sir Mike told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There is no doubt the NHS needs more money, because of increasing demand on it and the need to transform services.
"But it's also true, as we have seen, that things can be done better without more money, and that's what we are encouraging alongside saying, 'Yes, we will need more money.'"
Sir Mike called for:
"What we have seen in our inspections is an awful lot can be done, even at times of austerity when the money hasn't been coming through fast," he said.
"We have seen a number of hospitals actually getting better during that time, a number of mental health trusts getting better because they have focused on what really matters to patients, on patient safety and on the whole leadership agenda within these hospitals in order to engage their staff and deliver better care."
Earlier this year, Sir Mike said the NHS "stands on a burning platform", with safety at four in five hospital trusts in England not being good enough.
He told the BBC: "What I meant by that, is the number of people coming to [accident and emergency] departments is going up, the number of people being admitted from A&E departments is going up, the difficulty in getting patients out of hospital again at the other end is going up.
"All of those create a burning platform where we need to transform the way we deliver emergency care.
"We need far greater integration between GPs, hospitals, care homes, community health services, to make that work."
Sir Mike also told Today that Brexit posed a threat to recruitment in the NHS, which had to be addressed.
"If we are leaving the EU, there is a threat to that, which we need to make sure is being dealt with so that we aren't losing staff and we can then replace them and, if necessary, to grow our own, if you like."
Sir Mike is stepping down from his role at the at the Care Quality Commission at the end of the week. | The NHS does not necessarily need more money to improve care, the outgoing chief inspector of hospitals in England, Prof Sir Mike Richards, says. |
37,045,335 | Ward was beaten on a split decision by Carlos Andres Mina of Ecuador.
Ward received two public warnings from the referee during the fight, leading to points deductions at the end of the second and third rounds.
David Oliver Joyce and Paddy Barnes had been eliminated, while Michael O'Reilly was banned due to doping offences.
Ward won the first round 10-9 on two of the judges' scorecards, with the Ecuadorian awarded the round 10-9 on the final card.
However, Mina's lumbering style made things difficult for Ward and at the end of the second round the Ecuadorian was ahead 19-18 on two cards after the first of two point deductions was imposed on Ward.
While Ward fought gallantly in the final round in an effort to save the fight, it was not to be and he will play no further part in the Rio games.
Ballymena's Steven Donnelly will fight in the last 16 of the welterweight division on Thursday. | Light-heavyweight Joe Ward has become the latest Irish boxer to be eliminated at the Olympic Games as he lost his second round bout in Rio on Wednesday. |
36,563,678 | 17 June 2016 Last updated at 17:48 BST
Jo Cox was an MP who died after being attacked on 16 June in Birstall in West Yorkshire.
Lisa Nandy, who worked with Jo in Parliament, said that she "spent her whole life sticking up for vulnerable children".
Watch what Lisa had to say here. | The MP Lisa Nandy has spoken to Newsround about Jo Cox's work helping children around the world. |
36,463,591 | Christopher McDowell, 18, was found at the base of the 120ft (36m) tall bridge near Llangollen, Denbighshire.
At a hearing in Ruthin on Monday, coroner John Gittins said a post mortem examination gave chest trauma as the provisional cause of death.
Mr McDowell, of Cefn Mawr, Wrexham county, was described as "bright and lively".
He had just finished a shift at a nearby McDonald's before heading to the aqueduct with his friend Matthew Breeze.
Mr Gittins, the coroner for north Wales east and central, said Mr McDowell had been identified from his driving licence and by Mr Breeze.
The teenager, who also worked at the Splash Magic leisure centre in Plas Madoc, was described as "well loved and very popular".
The inquest was adjourned for a full hearing in October. | A teenager who fell from Pontcysyllte aqueduct died from chest injuries, an inquest opening has heard. |
26,939,443 | He told his trial in Pretoria he had heard noises from the toilet and thought an intruder was coming out.
"Before I knew it, I had fired four shots at the door," he said.
The trial of the athlete, who could face life imprisonment if convicted of murder, was adjourned until Wednesday after he broke down crying.
By Pumza FihlaniBBC News, Pretoria
Shortly before Oscar Pistorius described in court how he had shot Reeva Steenkamp, his lawyer asked him to demonstrate his height without his prosthetic legs.
Gasps were heard in the overflow courtroom as he slowly walked on his stumps over to the toilet door. His confident demeanour changed - on his stumps he seemed self-conscious. Very few people have seen him like this and it is not an image visible to the world as his testimony is not being televised.
The court heard for the first time that the athlete had spoken to Ms Steenkamp shortly after waking up, to bring in some fans from the balcony. She had asked if he was having trouble sleeping. Another revelation was how he had whispered to her to get down and phone the police after hearing the sound in the bathroom - but there was no mention of her replying.
He also did not mention having an argument with his girlfriend that night, rather describing a quiet, couple's night in. The prosecution argues that he killed her in a fit of rage and neighbours have testified to hearing "loud voices" prior to the four shots Mr Pistorius fired.
Gasps of shock and visceral howls
The 27-year-old double amputee denies deliberately shooting Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
On his first day on the stand, on Monday, he made a tearful apology to Ms Steenkamp's family.
The prosecution alleges that Mr Pistorius killed his girlfriend after an argument with her.
In the early hours of 14 February 2013, he said he had got up from bed to bring in some fans he had left outside, in order to cool his bedroom.
When he heard a window opening in the bathroom, he said, he thought there was a burglar trying to get in.
Wanting to protect Ms Steenkamp, who was not sleeping, he had gone to get his gun in the dark.
"I whispered to Reeva to get down and phone the police," he said.
He said he then went into the passage without his prosthetic legs and, overcome with fear, started screaming, and shouted for Ms Steenkamp to get to the floor.
The toilet door slammed, reconfirming his belief there was a person or people in the bathroom, the athlete said.
"I heard a noise from inside the toilet, what I perceived to be someone coming out of the toilet," he said tearfully. At that point, he shot at the door.
After the shooting, Mr Pistorius said he had smashed in a door panel to get into the toilet, where he discovered what he had done.
"Whilst I leant over the partition to get in, I saw the key, so I took it and I unlocked the door, and I flung the door open, and I threw it open," he said, sobbing.
"And I sat over Reeva and I cried... and um, I don't know how long... I don't know how long I was there for... She wasn't breathing."
As the athlete broke down, the judge adjourned the trial.
Earlier, the athlete described how the couple had spent a quiet evening together on 13 February, Ms Steenkamp doing some yoga as he spoke to his cousin on the phone.
He had then watched TV in bed with his head resting on her stomach and she would occasionally show him photos of cars she was looking at on her phone, he said.
He said that they had bought Valentine's Day gifts for each other. He had bought her a bracelet and they had been due to go the jewellers' to collect it the next day, he said.
Ms Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, reality TV celebrity and law graduate, was hit by at least three bullets while in the toilet cubicle of Mr Pistorius's home in Pretoria.
Known as the Blade Runner, Mr Pistorius holds six Paralympic medals and competed in the 2012 Olympic Games.
There are no juries at trials in South Africa, and his fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.
Even if he is acquitted, South African law stipulates that the court must consider the separate, lesser charge of culpable homicide, or manslaughter.
If convicted on this charge, he could face between six and 15 years in prison.
Mr Pistorius also faces charges of illegally firing a gun in public and of illegally possessing ammunition, which he denies.
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Mr Pistorius said in his statement at the start of the trial that he woke in the early hours and walked on his stumps to the balcony, pulled in two fans, closed the sliding door and drew curtains. He said that shortly before he had spoken to Reeva, who was in bed beside him.
He said he rejected prosecution claims that a witness heard arguing coming from the house before the shooting.
Mr Pistorius said he heard the bathroom window sliding open and believed that an intruder, or intruders, had entered the bathroom through a window which was not fitted with burglar bars.
"Unbeknown to me, Reeva must have gone to the toilet in the bathroom at the time I brought in the fans," he said.
Mr Pistorius said he approached the bathroom armed with his firearm, to defend himself and his girlfriend, believing Ms Steenkamp was still in bed.
Both sides agree four bullets were fired. Ms Steenkamp was hit three times.
Mr Pistorius said he fired his weapon after hearing a noise in the toilet which he thought was the intruder coming out of the toilet to attack him and Ms Steenkamp.
He said he was in a fearful state, knowing he was on his stumps and unable to run away or properly defend himself.
Mr Pistorius said he rejected claims that he was on his prostheses when he shot at the door.
A witness told the trial she woke to hear a woman screaming and a man shouting for help. She said that after the screams she heard four shots.
Mr Pistorius said he went back to the bedroom after shooting at the toilet door, still shouting for Reeva. Lifting himself up onto the bed, he felt over to the right hand side of it and noticed Ms Steenkamp was not there.
Mr Pistorius said this was when he realised she could have been in the toilet.
Mr Pistorius said he went back to the bathroom but the toilet was locked, so he returned to the bedroom, pulled on his prosthetic legs, turned on the lights before bashing in the toilet door with a cricket bat.
Forensics expert Johannes Vermeulen told the court that the height of the marks on the door caused by the cricket bat suggest Mr Pistorius was on his stumps at the time.
Mr Pistorius's defence team say he then called security at the gated housing complex and a private paramedic service before carrying Ms Steenkamp downstairs.
A security guard claimed it was the other way round, and he had called Mr Pistorius first after reports of gunfire. However, phone records shown to the court revealed Mr Pistorius called the estate manager at 3:19am, a minute later he called the ambulance service and at 3:21am he called estate security.
A minute later he received an incoming call - estate security calling him back.
According to police phone expert Francois Moller, Mr Pistorius called his friend Justin Divaris a short time later and just after 4:00am he called his brother Carl. | South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has described the moment he fired the shots which killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home. |
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