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39,148,849 | The 20-year-old was due to compete in the 400m and 4x400m relay, alongside identical twin Laviai.
She has suffered a "stress response" - the stage before a stress fracture - on a fibula and has withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
Eilish McColgan has pulled out of the 1500m after suffering from illness but will still race in the 3,000m.
The championships start on Friday and run through to Sunday.
Men: 60m: Richard Kilty, Andrew Robertson, Theo Etienne; 800m: Guy Learmonth, Kyle Langford; 1,500m: Tom Lancashire; 3,000m: Nick Goolab; 60m hurdles: Andrew Pozzi, David King, David Omoregie; High jump: Robbie Grabarz, Chris Kandu, Allan Smith; Long jump: Dan Bramble; Combined events: Ashley Bryant, Liam Ramsey.
Women: 60m: Asha Phillip; 400m: Eilidh Doyle, Laviai Nielsen; 800m: Shelayna Oskan-Clarke; 1500m: Laura Muir, Sarah McDonald; 3,000m: Laura Muir, Eilish McColgan, Steph Twell; High jump: Morgan Lake; Long jump: Lorraine Ugen, Jazmin Sawyers; Shot put: Rachel Wallader; 4x400m: Eilidh Doyle, Laviai Nielsen, Philippa Lowe, Mary Iheke. | Great Britain's Lina Nielsen will miss the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade with a leg injury. |
39,781,260 | The 17-year-old has made 11 first-team appearances, nine of them this season.
His only goal so far came on his debut last term, when he scored against Sheffield Wednesday when aged just 16 years 11 months and 15 days.
"I've been in and around the first-team this season and that's my goal, to play regularly for the team," midfielder Dozzell told the club website.
"It was hard when I wasn't involved over the first half of the season but I can see why I wasn't.
"The Championship is a tough league and it's difficult to throw someone of my age into those types of games but I've been working hard in the gym to become bigger and stronger," the England Under-17 international added.
He is the son of former Ipswich forward Jason Dozzell, who remains the youngest goalscorer in the top-flight of English football, having netted on his debut in 1984 aged just 16 years and 57 days. | Ipswich Town teenager Andre Dozzell has agreed a contract extension with the Championship club to run until 2020. |
37,300,579 | The rule means only three players who play outside Wales can be picked.
Robert Howley will deputise for Gatland, who will take charge of the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
"A couple of big names and big players are going to miss out in the autumn," Gatland said,
"That's going to be quite dramatic.
"Everyone's been questioning whether we're going to stick to that policy, and I can guarantee you that that's going to happen. The players have been informed."
Wales host Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in November.
Jamie Roberts, George North, Rhys Priestland and Luke Charteris are among the players who play in England, while Leigh Halfpenny is with Toulon in France.
In August, 2014, the Welsh Rugby Union and Wales' four professional regions signed a £60m, six-year deal that settled a long-running dispute over the sport's future.
That deal included rules that mean players based outside Wales could be overlooked in favour of home-based talent.
The policy ruled no player based overseas should represent Wales, although Gatland is able to make exceptions. | Warren Gatland has said some players will miss out on being selected for Wales' autumn internationals under the so-called Gatland's Law. |
36,102,842 | Kandyce Downer said most of the "day-to-day" care of little Keegan was down to her son and three younger children.
Birmingham Crown Court was told post-mortem tests showed Keegan had suffered more than 120 separate injuries.
Asked by prosecutor Nigel Power QC to name the "prime candidate" for her daughter's death, she replied: "My eldest."
The court was told that on finding her 18-month-old "unwell" in her cot, she delayed calling 999 and instead drove off to dump the child's old blood-spotted mattress near a skip.
The 35-year-old also admitted leaving Keegan alone in her bedroom to take her natural daughter out on the day of the toddler's death.
Ms Downer, of Beckbury Road, Weoley Castle, Birmingham, became Keegan's legal guardian in January 2015 following a formal court hearing.
Cross-examining, Mr Power asked why she failed to call 999 when she found her daughter unwell.
He said: "Did you think she was so unwell, that she might die? Downer replied: "Yes."
He then asked: "But it was more important to you was it, to get rid of the mattress than to try to do something to avoid her dying?"
Downer, who denies murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. replied: "Yes," before adding: "I loved her."
The trial continues. | A mother accused of murdering her 18-month-old daughter said her eldest son may be to blame for the fatal injuries. |
36,894,212 | Allegations of military abuses in the south, home to a longstanding Muslim insurgency are nothing new.
But there has been a sharp increase in the use of criminal defamation laws against government critics in recent years, BBC correspondent Jonathan Head says.
Rights groups condemned the charges.
The trio face up to two years in prison if found guilty of defaming the military, and a further three years if they are found to have violated the country's computer crimes act.
Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, Anchana Heemmina and Somchai Homlaor published a lengthy report in February based on accounts from 54 people who had allegedly been tortured while in military detention.
The torture methods alleged included sensory deprivation, physical violence, threats at gunpoint and "partial suffocation".
Army officers, who denied the claims were true, had demanded the report's sources be named.
The researchers refused, citing safety concerns.
Amnesty International secretary general Salil Shetty said the charges made a mockery of the Thai government's pledge to introduce anti-torture legislation.
"It is a cruel paradox that they are harassing activists for exposing the abhorrent practice," he said in a statement.
Pornpen Khongkachonkiet serves as the chairperson of Amnesty International in Thailand.
Last year, a court acquitted a Thai and an Australian journalist of similar charges after they had reprinted a news report alleging complicity between the Thai military and human traffickers.
More than 6,500 people have been killed in the southern insurgency since 2004, with bombings, beheadings, shootings and assassinations common. | Three Thai human rights activists have been charged with criminal defamation over a report alleging torture by soldiers in southern Thailand. |
33,085,994 | Media playback is not supported on this device
In a repeat of the 2011 final, which Japan won on penalties, the Nadeshiko could not live with their stronger and quicker opponents, who went 4-0 up when Lloyd scored an astonishing third from the halfway line.
The American midfielder put the 1991 and 1999 champions two goals up within five minutes in a stunning start to the match.
Lauren Holiday volleyed in after Azusa Iwashimizu's woeful header and Lloyd then caused pandemonium among the huge contingent of US supporters inside BC Place when she lobbed Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori.
The 2011 winners retaliated thanks to a Yuki Ogimi strike and a Julie Johnston own goal, but Tobin Heath made it 5-2 before 60 minutes had elapsed and despite further pressure, English coach Jill Ellis's USA side held on.
The majority of the 53,341 fans inside BC Place erupted in joyous celebration at the final whistle before Confederation of African football (Caf) president Issa Hayatou, standing in at the final for Fifa president Sepp Blatter, presented the World Cup trophy to former captain Christie Rampone and veteran striker Abby Wambach.
Chants of "U-S-A" reverberated around the ground when they lifted trophy.
The pulsating finale to an entertaining tournament was the highest-scoring final in the tournament's history, and matched the highest scoring men's final, when Brazil defeated Sweden by the same scoreline in 1958.
Japan, who made it to the final after beating England courtesy of Laura Bassett's own goal, were outclassed from the start and could not cope with the USA's set-pieces.
But they also suffered from a familiar foe as Lloyd added to the two goals she scored against Japan in the 2012 Olympic final between the two teams.
Her third-minute opener was the quickest goal in a Women's World Cup final as she latched onto Megan Rapinoe's perfectly directed corner. The 32-year-old added another after Japan failed to clear a free-kick.
It got worse for Norio Sasaki's side when Iwashimizu gifted Holiday a goal when her clearance header merely looped up in the air and the USA midfielder took advantage.
Lloyd's wonder goal, which completed a first Women's World Cup final hat-trick and made her the tournament's joint top scorer along with Germany's Celia Sasic, appeared to have ended the game as a contest.
Such was the manner of Iwashimizu's display that the Japan defender she was withdrawn after 33 minutes to be replaced by former captain Homare Sawa, who was competing in her sixth World Cup.
Although former Chelsea forward Ogimi turned and fired in before the break and Johnston's second-half own goal gave Japan hope, Heath took advantage from more poor Japanese defending to score the USA's fifth.
Japan were determined not to give up as substitute Mana Iwabuchi caused problems for the US defence. But they could find no way past a resolute US side, who became the first team to win the Women's World Cup for a third time. | Carli Lloyd scored an incredible 13-minute hat-trick as the United States thrashed Japan to win their third Women's World Cup title. |
35,153,273 | Scarlets' open-side flanker John Barclay will return after two weeks out with a shoulder injury, while blindside Aaron Shingler is rated as 50-50.
"One of our goals is to be the top Welsh region," Pivac said.
"So that has huge significance if we can get the win."
The Scarlets are top of the table with eight wins out of nine while the Ospreys have only four victories after a slow start.
"It'll all be part of the motivation when you get these games," Pivac added.
"You want to be the best Irish team, Scottish team or Welsh team."
The west Wales region have been without a specialist open-side for most of the last two matches with injuries to Scotland international Barclay, James Davies (foot) and teenager Tom Phillips (concussion) forcing 21-year-old number eight Jack Condy to provide emergency cover.
"Getting John back, a seasoned player and experienced player, brings a lot in terms of our defence as well as what he does in attack and at the breakdown," Pivac told BBC Wales Sport.
"He's a good communicator and a good leader so we welcome him back."
Pivac believes there is no significance to the lack of tries in Scarlets' 9-6 home defeat against Glasgow, compared to the eight on offer in Ospreys' 33-27 reverse in Bordeaux.
"I think they are playing very well at the moment, trying a few things in good conditions and playing some good rugby," added the New Zealander.
"They're going to be a big threat to us with some class players.
"Dan Biggar is a class player and we're obviously aware of his abilities, but if you start targeting one player then it opens up for others.
"We won't be setting any particular plan for Dan Biggar, but we're aware of his capabilities." | Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac says Boxing Day's derby against Ospreys will be of "huge significance" in the battle to finish as the leading Welsh region in the Pro12. |
36,854,205 | McDonald signed a new one-year deal to remain at Fir Park earlier this month after scoring 14 goals last season.
"Scott is an extremely important part of our plans as we believe he is one of the very best strikers in the country," said Motherwell manager Mark McGhee.
"It's obvious Scott has a deep affinity for the club and wants to try to help us in this new season."
McDonald moved to Fir Park for a second time in February 2015 after spells in England with Middlesbrough and Millwall. His first stint at Motherwell was followed by a successful spell at Celtic, where he won a league title and a League Cup.
McGhee says the club were surprised to receive the bid for the striker given he only signed a new deal three weeks ago.
"Alan Burrows (Motherwell CEO) and I chatted with the player for some time on Wednesday and there was a lot of common ground," McGhee added in a statement on the club's website.
"The actual interest came fairly out the blue and the prospect of a return home is obviously intriguing for anyone in that scenario, however, it was also clear he still feels there is unfinished business in the SPFL, which was great for us.
"That meant, when an official did eventually come in during the night, it was a fairly simple one for us to politely reject." | Motherwell have rejected an offer from an Australian A-League club for striker Scott McDonald. |
38,611,570 | In a statement, St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral said it had received a number of "offensive messages on Facebook and other platforms".
It added that they had been reported to Police Scotland and they were grateful for the support of the force.
Police Scotland confirmed that officers were investigating the messages.
A spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland will not tolerate any form of hate and encourages all communities to take action to ensure no-one feels threatened or marginalised."
Earlier this week, the senior clergyman at the cathedral defended the use of the Koran during the service which took place over Christmas.
The cathedral had been criticised because the verses that were read contradict Christian teaching about Jesus.
The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said the reading was part of efforts to build relationships between Christians and Muslims in Glasgow.
He said: "Such readings have happened a number of times in the past in this and in other churches and have led to deepening friendships locally, to greater awareness of the things we hold in common and to dialogue about the ways in which we differ." | Police are investigating online abuse aimed at a Glasgow cathedral after it emerged that a passage from the Koran had been read during a recent service. |
35,640,891 | Star point guard Stephen Curry scored 36 points to help the Warriors to a 102-92 victory over Atlanta Hawks.
Monday's win meant they reached 50 victories from only 55 games, one fewer than the 1995-96 Bulls side.
Warriors are now chasing a second Bulls record, the Chicago side being the only team to win 70 games in a season.
Their 72-10 record in 1995-96 was the pinnacle for a side that dominated the sport in the 1990s, winning six titles in eight years.
"Fifty wins is great but we've got to keep plugging away and staying hungry, because nobody wants to talk about that in June," Curry said. | Golden State Warriors eclipsed a record set by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls as they became the fastest side in NBA history to 50 wins. |
38,586,996 | In a double signing, the managerless League One side have also signed young midfielder Callum Guy on loan from Championship club Derby County.
Guy, 20, and Eagles, 31, who has been released by Accrington, are both at Vale Park until the end of the season.
Eagles shone for Vale's reserves as a trialist at Bradford on Monday, making three of the goals in a 4-0 win.
The pair are the first signings made by caretaker manager Michael Brown, who took over on Boxing Day following the resignation of Bruno Ribeiro.
Meanwhile, Vale have ended defender Sam Hart's season-long loan from Liverpool.
Hart, 20, returns to his parent club having made nine League One starts in his overall tally of 16 appearances.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page or visit our Premier League tracker here. | Port Vale have brought in ex-Manchester United, Burnley and Bolton winger Chris Eagles on a short-term deal. |
31,384,525 | Scientists at the Messerli Research Institute's Clever Dog Lab in Vienna trained dogs to associate pictures of happy or angry faces with a reward.
In a subsequent test, the scientists showed the dogs images of human faces they had not seen in their training.
This suggested that dogs could spot the difference between the expressions.
This study, published in the journal Current Biology, is part of a larger project studying how humans and their canine companions interact.
"The main focus [of our research] is the big question of communication," lead researcher Prof Ludwig Huber said.
"How is it that dogs are so adapted to humans, and what's happened during the process of domestication?"
The scientists repeatedly showed 20 dogs half pictures - either the lower mouth region or the upper eye area - of happy or angry human faces.
Half the dogs received a treat when they touched an angry face with their nose. The other half were rewarded for touching happy faces.
Just over half the dogs learned the task well enough to be tested, and there were then a number of different tests to find out if they could tell the difference solely on the basis of facial expression.
"[In one test condition], we showed them new faces - faces they've never seen before," Prof Huber told BBC News.
"In another, we showed them different parts of the faces."
Showing dogs the opposite half of the face to the half they had learned to recognise in their training, showed they could "transfer their knowledge" of human facial expressions
"So, for example, in the training, they see the mouth region of the happy face," said Prof Huber, "and they associate that with what the eyes would look like."
Dr Kun Guo, a psychologist and expert in human-animal interaction from the University of Lincoln, said: "Showing dogs only half of the face and then the other half separately means they can't rely on the shape of the eyes or the mouth - they must have some sort of template in their mind.
"So it looks like they can really discriminate between happy and angry."
But, he added, this did not show that dogs understood the meaning of those emotional expressions.
Prof Huber agreed but added that the dogs that had had to touch the angry face to be rewarded, in the training, had taken three times as long to learn the task.
"It seems as if they don't like to touch an angry face," he said.
"So here we have some suggestive evidence that they interpret those pictures, and maybe they really understand an angry face to be something they don't like." | Research is now suggesting something dog-lovers have long suspected - man's best friend can tell the difference between our happy and angry faces. |
36,567,018 | Chris Bryant, shadow leader of the House of Commons, said preventing another attack on a MP "can't be guaranteed" but all precautions must now be carried out.
It follows the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, 41, who was stabbed and shot in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday.
Mr Bryant, MP for Rhondda, called for a "proper risk assessment" to be made.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he said: "A lot of us have been arguing, I've been arguing in Parliament for quite some time that... the real risk in many cases would be to a MP in their constituency.
"Of course, nobody wants to lose that precious jewel in the British democratic system which is that... you can go and see your MP, in many cases without even having to make an appointment, you just turn up.
"Every single one of us wants to preserve that. But I think there needs to be a proper risk assessment around the country. I'm aware that, especially since November last year, there have been a very large number of individual threats [to MPs]."
He added: "The truth is we all know that we can't guarantee that something like this won't happen again but we need to make sure that we have taken all the precautions."
Asked how he felt that despite his warnings, action had not been taken, a visibly upset Mr Bryant said: It's very, very difficult for anybody when they lose a colleague, especially somebody like Jo, and it's always very, very difficult for us to get the policing arrangements right that fit every single circumstance.
"But I'm just aware that probably every MP in the land will have had over the years five, six, seven different forms of death threats, maybe attacks.
"Knowing which ones to take really, really seriously, which ones just to ignore, which ones to brush off and so on, that's a really difficult thing to do.
"I hope now that all the security services, all the 43 police services in the land, will come together and say 'you know we are going to make sure we do this properly'."
Mr Bryant said he did not know a MP who had not "ended up with a stalker".
"It has been particularly bad in the last few months, in particular for women MPs," he said.
"I would hate the idea that there be a young person of real talent out there who is thinking of going into politics who would be frightened of doing so."
Meanwhile, vigils are being held across Wales on Saturday in memory of Mrs Cox, including in Llangefni, on Anglesey, and a multi-faith vigil in Newport.
On Friday, hundreds of people attended a vigil at the Senedd in Cardiff, with 150 in Swansea at similar event. | Warnings over the safety of MPs were repeatedly made in Parliament, a Welsh MP has said. |
34,246,119 | They say their review of 61 studies provides the "most conclusive evidence to date" that portion size affects how much we unwittingly eat.
The team at the University of Cambridge also said smaller plates, glasses and cutlery helped people eat less.
Experts said people were "reluctant" to leave a plate with food on it.
Their data, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that when people are offered more food they will eat it.
And the team warns that in recent decades portion sizes have been increasing.
On average between 1993 and 2013:
Source: British Heart Foundation - Portion Distortion report
About two in three adults in the UK are either overweight or obese, which increases the risk of heart problems, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
The findings, which are based on 6,711 people taking part in a wide range of clinical trials, suggest that eliminating "large portions" could cut up to 279 calories a day out of people's diets.
Dr Ian Shemilt, from Cambridge's Behaviour and Health Research Unit, told the BBC News website: "This is the most conclusive evidence to date that people consistently consume more food and drink when given larger portions, packaging or tableware.
"Consumers do have a role to play - for example, all of us can reduce the size of plates or glasses we use and put pressure on the pubs and restaurants we visit by asking for a smaller portion."
The team also says government measures to force smaller packs to offer better value for money and upper limits on the size of energy-dense foods would help people lose weight.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "This study clearly demonstrates that reducing portion sizes is a successful way to cut calories.
"It's important to keep an eye on portion sizes when cooking, shopping and eating out to avoid overeating and help maintain a healthy weight."
Prof Brian Ratcliffe, emeritus professor of nutrition at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, said: "People seem to be reluctant to leave or waste food and so consume what they are served or find larger portions more attractive.
"A limited number of restaurants and food outlets already offer more than one portion size with appropriate pricing differentials and this seems to be a way forward to help people to avoid overconsumption." | Reducing the portion sizes offered in supermarkets, restaurants and at home would help reverse the obesity epidemic, say researchers. |
30,645,462 | He signed the Rome Statute, the ICC's founding treaty, at a Ramallah meeting.
Membership could see the Palestinians pursue Israel on war crimes charges, and the move was quickly condemned by Israel's prime minister.
It follows the rejection of a UN Security Council resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by late 2017.
Eight members of the 15-strong Security Council voted for that resolution, while the US and Australia voted against.
The resolution, condemned by Israel as a "gimmick", needed the support of at least nine members in order to pass.
The Rome Statute was among some 20 international agreements signed by Mr Abbas at the meeting in Ramallah, in the West Bank. Signing up to the statute is seen as the first move to joining the ICC.
"We want to complain. There's aggression against us, against our land," Mr Abbas was quoted as saying.
"The Security Council disappointed us."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded quickly, saying Israel would take "steps in response and defend Israel's soldiers".
Israel, which is not a member of the ICC and does not recognise its jurisdiction, says joining the court would expose the Palestinians to prosecution.
"It is the Palestinian Authority - which is in a unity government with Hamas, an avowed terrorist organisation that, like ISIS, perpetrates war crimes - that needs to be concerned about the International Criminal Court in the Hague," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.
The US state department released a statement condemning what it called "an escalatory step" on the part of the Palestinians, saying negotiations between the two sides were the only "realistic path" towards peace.
"Today's action is entirely counter-productive and does nothing to further the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a sovereign and independent state," it said.
Palestinian chances of joining the ICC were improved in 2012 after the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade their status to that of a "non-member observer state" in November of that year.
Membership is not guaranteed but correspondents say the application is a highly political move that carries great symbolism.
Less than 24 hours after the Palestinian Authority failed to bring about a UN vote to end the Israeli occupation, President Mahmoud Abbas has made good on his promise of a different approach - joining the International Criminal Court, and threatening Israel with charges of war crimes.
Instead of negotiating his way to statehood, he hopes that pressure from international bodies will bring it about.
It's been a bloody year for Palestinians and Israelis - the war in Gaza, kidnappings, and murders in Jerusalem. There's little hope of peace.
Internationally, there is a growing sense of frustration that bilateral talks have made little progress.
The last attempt at peace negotiations, led by the US Secretary of State John Kerry, collapsed earlier this year, having achieved almost nothing.
Mr Abbas had been under increasing domestic pressure following months of heightened tension and violence after the collapse of peace talks in April.
More than 2,100 people, mostly Palestinians, died in a 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in the summer, according to UN figures. Israel said 67 of its troops and six civilians died.
Analysts say signing the Rome Statute could stir up tensions with the US and other major donors to the Palestinian Authority - as well as a response from Israel.
Based in The Hague, the ICC can prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed since 1 July 2002, when the Rome Statute came into force.
Earlier this year Mr Abbas signed applications by the "State of Palestine" to join 15 UN treaties and conventions, beginning with the Fourth Geneva Convention. | Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has signed papers to join the International Criminal Court (ICC). |
32,363,886 | Media playback is unsupported on your device
18 April 2015 Last updated at 13:40 BST
He said a Labour government would set up a task force to target firms that encouraged low skilled migration and undermined the minimum wage.
The Conservatives said Labour was "in denial" and "nothing" being proposed would help to control immigration. | Labour leader Ed Miliband has pledged to end an "epidemic" of worker exploitation during a major speech on immigration. |
35,625,310 | Macaulay Campbell, known as Mac, was driving a Volkswagen Lupo which collided with a BMW on the A3057 between Nursling and Romsey late on Saturday evening.
He was pronounced dead the scene.
A family statement said he was "a truly loving and active young man in the prime of his life."
The male driver and female passenger of the BMW 520 were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have appealed for witnesses.
Mr Campbell's family said he had won a match playing for Romsey Rugby Club earlier on Saturday.
"He enjoyed his work as an apprentice fitter with Sparkes of Totton and he loved his sport, especially rugby," a statement said.
Romsey Rugby Club issued a statement which described him as a "bright and loved Romsey star".
"He was an excellent player and a great guy around the club," it added. | A 20-year-old man who died in a two-car crash near Southampton had been man of the match for his rugby team earlier in the day, his family has said. |
31,106,605 | Chinese President Xi Jinping met visiting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday. The president reportedly said he was looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to China in May.
Papers and experts say it is "rare" for a top Chinese leader to meet a visiting foreign minister, and the meeting shows that Mr Xi has attached huge importance to Beijing's relations with Delhi.
Ms Swaraj on Sunday also met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as part of the RIC (Russia, India, China) group's summit.
Commenting on the trilateral meeting, Xinhua News Agency describes India's diplomacy as "pragmatic" and one which has the "intention to seek a balance".
"For India, which aspires to become a leading player in both regional and global arenas, it pays off by adopting a pragmatic approach in diplomacy. Instead of purely looking to the West..., India also attaches great importance to relations with its neighbours," says the state-run agency.
An article in the Chinese edition of the Global Times dismisses speculation in India's papers that the rare meeting between the Chinese president and Indian foreign minister shows that Beijing is feeling "insecure and anxious" over warmer Delhi-Washington ties.
"Such comments reflect a narrow perspective on China-India ties and overlook the dynamism of the bilateral development," it says.
It adds that that despite "sensitive border issues", leaders of both countries are "looking at the bigger picture" and have "obviously improved their ability to deal with risks".
Echoing similar views, Wang Yusheng, former ambassador to Sri Lanka, says India "will not be like Japan which tails after the US".
"On the important international issues, China and India are mostly on the same page and are co-operating well. As for the differences over the unresolved historical problems, they can be managed," he writes in the Liberation Daily.
Meanwhile, air pollution is back in the media spotlight after environment authorities announced the names of China's most polluted cities.
According to the China Daily, almost 90% of China's major cities have failed to meet air quality standards.
Among the top 10 most-polluted cities of 2014, seven are located in Hebei, an industrial province in northern China.
A commentary in the Bandao Net website points out that it is necessary to push for new measures to change the current situation.
"Some cities always top the list. The authorities should put pressure on these cities and give them a timeline to improve their air quality," it says.
An article in the Beijing News, however, says the ranking is "unfair" as the environment and level of industrialisation between the southern and northern regions in China are different.
"Even if there is an improvement of air quality in the most polluted cities, people will still not be able to feel it. On the other hand, the top 10 cities with good air quality may not need to do much to clean up the air as their problems are not so serious," the article argues.
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook. | Chinese papers describe India's diplomacy as "pragmatic" and look forward to warmer Beijing-Delhi ties. |
35,061,085 | The singer could not attend the ceremony, but sent a message saying: "That's amazing. I've only just put out new music. I'm so chuffed."
Irish singer Hozier won song of the year for the dramatic ballad Take Me To Church - the show's only public vote.
And One Direction opened the show, in one of their last public performances before taking a year-long hiatus.
Surrounded by pyrotechnics, the four-piece played their number one hit Drag Me Down, to huge screams from the audience.
Earlier, the band had braved torrential rain outside Birmingham's Genting Arena to pose for photos with fans.
Asked by host Chris Evans if they were really taking a career break at the height of their success, Liam Payne replied: "It sounds like a stupid plan but, yes, it's true."
Other performers included Ellie Goulding, who played a sweeping, orchestral version of her 50 Shades Of Grey theme Love Me Like You Do, backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Little Mix played their hit single Black Magic, while country duo The Shires performed a special duet with former beautiful South stars Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot, including the songs The Austerity of Love, Nashville Grey Skies and Leaving on a Jet Plane.
And Rod Stewart closed the show with the songs Please and Sailing.
Taylor Swift won the best international artist prize - accepting her trophy, a golden vintage BBC microphone via a video from Australia.
"Oh my God, this is really heavy," said the star. "I really appreciate you guys shipping this out, because it must have cost a lot."
Hozier also commented on the hefty trophy, joking: "You could kill a man with it. I think they're going to put it in the new edition of Cluedo."
The singer, whose 1989 world tour has been one of 2015's top earners, added that playing Radio 1's Big Weekend in Norwich had been "an amazing highlight of my year".
And Jack Garratt picked up the BBC Introducing Award, recognising a newcomer who has risen through the ranks of the BBC's new music strand.
"It's a weird feeling being validated for potential," he said. "A lot of these things are saying, 'you might be good next year' which is an incredible compliment to receive - but there's a certain pressure to it."
But the evening really belonged to Adele, whose new album 25 has become the year's biggest seller on both sides of the Atlantic after just three weeks on sale.
"Sorry I'm not there," said the star in her video message. "I'm absolutely gutted but thanks so much for my award. I hope you're all having a wonderful evening."
Other acts appeared to be in awe of the singer.
"She stepped into 2015 near the end and smashed everything out of the park," James Bay told the BBC. "She's an incredible artist so it's well deserved."
"You can't touch Adele," said Little Mix star Perrie Edwards.
"She will always be at the top, just sitting there comfortably," added Leigh-Anne Pinnock. "No-one will ever touch her."
Live coverage of the ceremony and the TV broadcast is continuing on BBC Music's dedicated live page.
The full list of winners and nominees is as follows: | Pop star Adele has dominated the second BBC Music Awards, winning best British artist and best live performance. |
36,183,914 | Adam Lyth was out to the first delivery, while Gary Ballance and Root fell in successive balls, as Jake Ball (3-40) reduced Yorkshire to 24-3.
Alex Lees (91 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (29) led a recovery and put on 83 for the fourth wicket.
After a lengthy rain delay, Yorkshire closed 91 runs behind on 170-4.
Notts have England bowler Stuart Broad and Australia's Jackson Bird in their line-up, but it was 25-year-old Ball who took centre stage in the morning session.
Ball, who toured this winter with England Lions, trapped Lyth leg before wicket with the day's first delivery and then dismissed two more England batsmen in his fourth over.
Ballance edged behind to Chris Read for seven, before Root was caught low by Riki Wessels at first slip a ball later.
Bairstow hit four fours in 71 minutes at the crease but was lbw to Harry Gurney for 29.
Captain Andrew Gale (21 not out) joined Lees with Yorkshire on 107-4 and the pair added 15 before the lunch break with the visitors on 122-4.
Rain then delayed play until 17:45 BST and Yorkshire added 48 runs before close, as Lees and Gale took their fifth-wicket partnership to an unbroken 63.
Yorkshire were particularly indebted to the resilience of Lees, who has 12 fours to his name in an innings that has so far lasted for 130 balls. | Joe Root was dismissed for a golden duck in his first game since the World Twenty20 final, before Yorkshire recovered against Nottinghamshire. |
25,033,638 | The blast happened in a market in the town of Saadiya, in the religiously mixed province of Diyala.
The attack comes a day after at least 29 people were killed and dozens wounded in a series of bombings across the capital.
Sectarian violence has surged across Iraq in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008.
The bomb went off at about midday (09:00 GMT) in a neighbourhood populated mostly by Shia Kurds, officials told the French news agency AFP.
Witnesses told police that the bomb was on board a truck of vegetables.
No group has claimed responsibility for the violence, but Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda often carry out such attacks to undermine confidence in the Shia-led government.
Officials have voiced concern that the conflict in neighbouring Syria has emboldened these militant groups.
According to figures released by the UN at the beginning of this month, a total of 979 Iraqis were killed and another 1,902 were wounded in acts of terrorism and violence in October.
There are fears that the violence could escalate to the levels seen in 2006-2007, when tens of thousands died. | At least 25 people have been killed in a car bomb attack north-east of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, officials say. |
26,242,960 | Researchers have found that two diseases harboured by honeybees are spilling over into wild bumblebees.
Insects infected with deformed wing virus and a fungal parasite called Nosema ceranae were found across England, Scotland and Wales.
Writing in the journal Nature, the team says that beekeepers should keep their honeybees as free from disease as possible to stop the spread.
"These pathogens are capable of infecting adult bumblebees and they seem to have quite significant impacts," said Professor Mark Brown from Royal Holloway, University of London.
Around the world, bumblebees are doing badly.
In the last few decades, many species have suffered steep declines, and some, such Cullem's bumblebee (Bombus cullumanus) in the UK, have gone extinct.
Scientists believe that the destruction of their habitats - particularly wildflower meadows - has driven much of this loss, but the latest research suggests that disease too could play a role.
The researchers looked at two pathogens commonly found in honeybees and found they can also infect adult bumblebees.
In honeybees, deformed wing virus (DWV) causes significant problems. Its severity seems to be exacerbated by the presence of another widespread parasite, the varroa mite, causing entire colonies to collapse.
Bumblebees do not carry the varroa mite, but the scientists found that those infected with DWV had a dramatically shortened lifespan. The fungal parasite has also been shown to have an impact on bumblebee longevity.
Prof Brown said: "A significantly shorter lifespan in the field would impact on their ability to go out and collect food and look after other bees."
The researchers found the diseases were already prevalent among wild populations.
Looking at 26 sites across Great Britain and the Isle of Man, the researchers found that about 11% of bumblebees were infected with DWV and 7% were infected with the fungus. By comparison, about 35% of honeybees carried DWV and 9% had the fungus.
"A geographical patterning provides us with the information that transmission is occurring among these animals - they are sharing parasite strains," said Prof Brown.
"We cannot say it definitively, but because of the epidemiology, the most likely explanation is that the honeybees are acting as the source of the virus for the bumblebees."
The team suspects that the same pattern will also be found around the world - and says that controlling disease in honeybee hives is vital to stopping the spread.
"We have to, at national and international levels, support management policies that enable our beekeepers to keep their bees as free of diseases as possible," Prof Brown said.
"The benefits are not just to the honeybees, they are to the wild bees as well."
Dr David Aston, president of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), said: "By employing good husbandry practices, beekeepers can take steps to reduce the impact of pests and diseases on honeybee colonies using biotechnical controls and practices such as apiary hygiene, regular brood comb changes, ensuring the colonies are strong and well-nourished and the use of authorised treatments."
But he added: "Beekeepers need new effective medications and other biotechnical controls to help in the management of bee pests and diseases and these should be a high-priority action."
The researchers also want to investigate whether neonicotinoid pesticides are playing a role in problem.
A recent paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal suggested that the chemicals are affecting the immune systems of honeybees, making them more susceptible to pathogens.
"If bumblebees were exposed to neonicotinoids and had the same effect, you would expect the bumblebee viral load to be going through the roof. This is something we are hoping to test later," said Prof Brown.
In the European Union, neonicotinoids have been banned for two years because of fears that they may be harmful to bees. But the British government strongly opposed the plan, rejecting the science behind the moratorium. Both Syngenta and Bayer, which manufacture neonicotinoids, are now taking legal action against the European Commission in an effort to overturn the ban.
Follow Rebecca on Twitter | The beleaguered bumblebee faces a new threat, scientists say. |
32,155,969 | At about 18:00 BST on Wednesday, a man forced a woman out of her car at Union Street in the city centre.
He drove off but crashed into a parked vehicle a short distance away. He then ran off.
About 35 minutes later in north Belfast, a man armed with a knife threatened a driver who had stopped at traffic lights on the Antrim Road.
He ordered the motorist to sit in the passenger seat then drove off, but after travelling for a short distance, he drove into a garden fence at a house.
The hijacker ran off after crashing the car.
The man whose car was hijacked was still in the car when it crashed.
He is said to be shaken by his ordeal but was not injured.
Police have appealed for information. | Police are investigating whether two car hijackings in Belfast are linked. |
34,811,488 | The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 202 points, or 1.2%, to 17,245
The broader S&P 500 dropped 22 points, to 2,023, while the Nasdaq index slid 77 points, to 4,927.
The Commerce Department said retail sales rose by just 0.1% from the month before, compared with analysts' forecasts of a 0.3% increase.
There was a surprise fall in car sales, which dropped 0.5% in October after a 1.4% rise the month before.
Shares in department store chain Nordstrom dived 15% after it cut its profit and sales growth forecasts.
The disappointing news came after rival department store chain Macy's also cut its profit forecast earlier this week. Macy's shares were down for a third day, falling another 4.2%.
Cisco shares fell nearly 5.8%, after the network equipment maker's forecasts for second-quarter profit and revenue growth fell below expectations.
"Our guidance reflects lower-than-expected order growth in the first quarter, driven largely by the uncertainty of the macro environment and currency impacts," said Cisco chief executive Chuck Robbins. | (Close): Wall Street had its worst week since August following a report of weaker than expected October sales growth. |
28,243,287 | BBC Sport has taken a look at the expected formations, line-ups and pen pics of each player likely to start, as well as the coaches.
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This tournament has helped Manuel Neuer cement his reputation as the world's number one goalkeeper.
An expert at the 'sweeper keeper' role because of his ability on the ball and willingness to come out of his area to clear any danger, he recorded an incredible 21 touches outside his 18-yard box against Algeria.
Remarkably, he has lost only three times in 51 appearances from Germany since his 2009 debut.
Did you know? Only Costa Rica's Keylor Navas (91.3%) has registered a better save percentage than Neuer in this World Cup (85.2%).
Described by club coach Pep Guardiola as "the most intelligent player I've coached", the experiment at this World Cup of copying his switch from right-back to a deep-lying defensive midfield role like he has done at Bayern Munich was not a disaster by any means, but Germany have looked more solid in defence and fluid in attack since he returned to full-back for the quarter-finals. The final will be his 20th World Cup appearance for Germany.
Did you know? No player has attempted more short passes than Lahm at this World Cup (450).
He started the tournament at right-back but has moved into the centre of defence because of a combination of injuries and Lahm's switch back to defence. He picked up two injuries earlier in the tournament, but is one of the first names on Joachim Low's team-sheet. He faced his half-brother, Kevin-Prince of Ghana, in the group stages for the second successive World Cup.
Did you know? He has started in each of Germany's last 11 World Cup games.
Not assured of a starting spot in central defence before the start of the World Cup, he is a contender for the team of the tournament thanks to a series of powerful displays at centre-back. Offensively, the Borussia Dortmund man has also been a key weapon, having scored two towering headers against Portugal and France. All this while battling off a nasty bout of flu.
Did you know? His mother was the first female to commentate on a football match on German TV.
A centre-back at club side Schalke, he has helped fill Germany's troublesome left-back spot with aplomb. Very much a squad player prior to this tournament, he has started every game in Brazil as coach Low started with four centre-halves across the back four. Just before the World Cup began he was in a car accident at a Mercedes event involving F1 driver Nico Rosberg, but emerged unscathed.
Did you know? Howedes has made more tackles than any other Germany player during this World Cup (15).
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After tearing his cruciate ligament in November, Khedira's World Cup dream looked in tatters.
But anyone who doubted Joachim Low's faith that the Real Madrid midfielder could last the tournament were made to look silly by his brilliant performance against Brazil.
Since he has been restored alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger, his midfield partner in crime from the 2010 World Cup, in time for the quarter-finals, Germany have looked a more solid and dangerous side.
Did you know? Khedira recorded an assist and goal in a World Cup match for the first time against Brazil.
After an injury-plagued season for Bayern Munich, he picked up a knee problem at a pre-World Cup training camp to further disrupt his preparations for this tournament. Coach Joachim Low left him out of the starting line-up for the first two matches, but Germany's vice-captain has returned to the side and bossed proceedings from central midfield in the extraordinary win over Brazil.
Did you know? Schweinsteiger has played 19 World Cup matches; only three players have played more for Germany (Lothar Matthaus, Miroslav Klose and Philipp Lahm).
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Debate may rage over Muller's best position, but whether he plays as a 'false nine', a central striker or a right-sided attacker, he will always score goals.
The 24-year-old is within reach of a remarkable second consecutive Golden Shoe award, helped hugely by his hat-trick in the opening game against Portugal.
He is already only the third player in history after Teofilo Cubillas and team-mate Miroslav Klose to score five or more goals in two different World Cups.
Did you know? Muller has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in just 12 World Cup matches.
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Often underrated for the quiet and efficient way he gets the German and Bayern Munich midfields ticking over, his performances at this tournament have brought him firmly to the fore.
His brace against Brazil were his first World Cup goals and came in a dazzling man-of-the-match performance.
He has played in all but two minutes of Germany's six matches so far and looks certain to be named in the team of the tournament.
Did you know? Kroos has had more touches than any other player in this World Cup (606) including an incredible 135 against Algeria.
Arsenal's record signing has not exactly been an overwhelming success in Brazil, with many back in Germany such as Paul Breitner arguing that he should be dropped. Spurning a good late chance to make it 8-0 against Brazil has probably not helped. He took to Twitter after the 7-1 semi-final win to say that he hoped the scoreline had not destroyed Brazil's pride. Doubt it.
Did you know? No Germany player has created more chances for his team-mates at this tournament than Ozil (15).
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It was written in the stars that Klose would secure the mantle as the World Cup's all-time record scorer from Brazil's Ronaldo, against the Brazilians, in Brazil.
When he scored with a typical close-range finish in the semi-final against the hosts it gave him his 16th World Cup goal.
Germany's leading goalscorer with 71 goals in 136 games, he is the third player to net at four World Cups and Germany have never lost a game in which he has scored.
Did you know? He has played in 23 World Cup matches which puts him second on the all-time list with Paolo Maldini, behind compatriot Lothar Matthaus on 25.
He may have been unspectacular as a player, but Jurgen Klinsmann's former assistant has helped oversee Germany's transition from efficient (read boring) to one of the most entertaining national teams on the planet. However, after losing in the semi-finals or final of the past three tournaments, the pressure might be on if he returns empty-handed again.
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Goalkeeper was seen as a problem position for Argentina going into the tournament.
After all, Romero made only a handful of appearances on loan for Monaco last season.
Worry not, the 27-year-old has conceded just three goals in six games in Brazil and saved twice as his team reached the final with a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands.
Did you know? Romero is the first Argentina goalkeeper to keep four clean sheets at a World Cup tournament.
The popular Manchester City right-back missed out on the 2010 World Cup but he has been a key player in defence for Argentina in Brazil. The 29-year-old posted a selfie of himself after the semi-final victory on Wednesday wearing a blue wig and a bandage covering a facial cut sustained after an accidental collision with Dirk Kuyt.
Did you know? Zabaleta has made more passes in the final third at this World Cup than any other Argentina defender (64).
Another Manchester City player gearing up for a World Cup final appearance, the 33-year-old did not figure at all during the group stage of the competition or the round of 16 victory over Switzerland. He started the last two games alongside Ezequiel Garay and looks considerably different to what most Premier League fans might recall having had his ponytail cut off.
Did you know? Demichelis made eight interceptions against the Netherlands, five more than any other player for Argentina.
Close to joining Manchester United last summer, Garay caught the eye in the semi-final against the Dutch when he made a thumping clearance while holding one of his boots in his hands. Like Zabaleta, he also took a blow to the head against the Dutch, this time in a collision with fellow defender Ron Vlaar.
Did you know? Has made more headed clearances (36) than any other Argentina defender. Garay has also won 19 aerial duels, 10 more than any other Argentine player.
The Sporting Lisbon defender played for coach Alejandro Sabella at Estudientes back in Argentina. He has been linked with both Liverpool and Chelsea and was on the scoresheet in Brazil when he scored the winner in the group game against Nigeria, converting a free-kick with his knee.
Did you know? Rojo has made more tackles than any other Argentina defender (17), as well as creating the most chances from the back (7).
Very different in style to skipper Lionel Messi but arguably just as crucial to his team, his importance was encapsulated by a brilliant last-ditch block to prevent Arjen Robben from scoring during Wednesday's semi-final. The former Liverpool man, who was his team's skipper in South Africa in 2010, is the shield in midfield - despite playing at the back for Barcelona.
Did you know? Javier Mascherano has attempted a competition-high 509 passes so far. He has also made the most tackles so far - 28.
The 28-year-old, who plays for Lazio in Italy, had to be content with a bit-part role for his team's first four games of the tournament, coming off the bench in each fixture. But the midfielder has started the last two fixtures and is set to figure on the right of a midfield three in Sunday's final.
Did you know? Lucas Biglia completed 90% of his passes against the Netherlands, the highest rate of any Argentina midfielder to attempt more than three passes.
Industrious and hard-working, the Benfica midfielder is yet another player at the World Cup to find himself linked with Manchester United. The injury to the unfortunate Angel Di Maria gave Perez the chance to start against the Dutch and he did not disappoint. He was the player of the year in Portugal last season.
Did you know? Enzo Perez has completed 90 minutes just once in his 10 appearances for Argentina (v Slovenia).
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Nicknamed Pipita, the Napoli striker scored the only hat-trick at the 2010 World Cup and was third behind Messi and Luis Suarez in terms of goals scored in South American qualifying.
Came off the bench in the opening game against Bosnia-Hercegovina and provided an assist for Messi's winning goal.
Scored the only goal of the game in the nervy quarter-final victory over Belgium.
Did you know? Higuain has scored fewer goals in this World Cup than in 2010 despite playing two more games (one goal in 2014, four in 2010); firing in fewer shots in this tournament too (10, 13 shots in 2010).
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Claimed four man-of-the-match awards in his team's first four games and scored four goals, including brilliant winners against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran.
He also netted twice against Nigeria as the Barcelona forward showed signs that he would cement his claim to be the world's best player with a dominant World Cup.
But the 27-year-old was a largely peripheral figure against the Dutch and it has been questioned whether he is running out of steam.
Did you know? Lionel Messi has created 21 chances for his teammates, more than any other player at the World Cup.
Almost quit football to become an electrician after being rejected by Boca Juniors aged 16, Lavezzi is now on the cusp of playing in a World Cup final. The stocky winger has a tattoo of Diego Maradona on his left hip - the very same man who left him out of his 2010 World Cup squad. The cheeky Lavezzi was caught squirting water in the direction of coach Alejandro Sabella during their match against Nigeria.
Did you know? Lavezzi has fired in just two shots at this World Cup, fewer than any other Argentina forward.
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Once of Sheffield United and Leeds United, Sabella cuts a very different figure on the touchline to predecessor Diego Maradona.
He might look like a touch schoolmasterly but the 59-year-old has been a steady figure in Brazil and his willingness to build his team around the talents of Messi has seen them progress to Sunday's final. | Germany will face Argentina in Sunday's eagerly awaited World Cup final. |
36,463,457 | The 39-year-old, who won 62 caps, has managed in Finland since his long playing career ended in Scotland at Hibernian in 2013.
After a spell at FC Honka, he is currently in charge at PK-35 Vantaa, who are bottom of the Veikkausliiga.
Vale have been without a manager since Rob Page left to join Northampton Town.
Aside from a brief trial with Wolves under Colin Lee, Kosovo-born Kuqi's long career in Britain started at Stockport County in January 2001.
He scored 114 goals in 438 appearances for the Hatters, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich, Blackburn, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Swansea, Derby, Newcastle, Oldham and Hibernian.
Port Vale had been strongly linked with Portuguese Jose Morais, 50, who was part of Jose Mourinho's backroom team at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Morais was made favourite by leading bookmakers to take over from Page.
But he has now slipped to second favourite behind Kuqi - and BBC Radio Stoke have now been advised that he is unlikely to get the job. | Former Finland striker Shefki Kuqi is the leading contender for the manager's job at League One side Port Vale, reports BBC Radio Stoke. |
36,803,031 | They were deregistered by the firm following a regionwide review.
Now new services have been registered for Hawick, Peebles and Selkirk along "similar routes" to those previously operated.
Perryman's Buses will run services in Hawick town centre, Bannerfield to Galashiels and a school bus between Oxton, Lauder and Earlston High School.
The announcement follows the decision by Peeblesshire firm BARC Coach Hire to operate the Peebles town services on a commercial basis.
Negotiations are continuing regarding other services which First identified as part of its review.
All the new services will start on 15 August.
Councillor Gordon Edgar said: "I am pleased that the council has managed to work with local bus operators to ensure a number of vital services will continue.
"Going forward, the message is now that communities must support these services in order for them to have a future.
"Otherwise we could be faced with a similar scenario in future years."
Claire Lark, operations manager at Perryman's Buses, said it was committed to "providing a reliable bus service in and around the Scottish Borders".
"We are pleased to be introducing a number of new routes in Hawick, Selkirk and Galashiels and look forward to quickly establishing good working relations with the towns and their people," she said.
She added that the company would be investing about £500,000 in new vehicles. | New bus services have been secured for a number of Borders routes which have been cut by operators First Group. |
35,515,112 | Sturridge, making his first league start since October, headed home before James Milner's free-kick crept in after being missed by keeper Mark Bunn.
Emre Can rifled in a shot, Divock Origi slotted home and Nathaniel Clyne bundled in to add to the Reds' lead.
Kolo Toure headed in a sixth as Villa were punished for a poor performance.
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The home side's disgruntled fans started streaming out of Villa Park following Liverpool's fifth after 65 minutes and there were plenty of empty seats at the final whistle.
It is the first time Villa have conceded six at home in a league game since October 1983 and leaves the Midlands side eight points from safety with 12 games left.
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Sturridge was making his first league start since manager Jurgen Klopp took over in October in only his eighth appearance of an injury-hit campaign.
He was not mentioned by Roy Hodgson when the England manager was speaking about his striking options on Match of the Day on Saturday.
Sturridge did not take long to remind people of his qualities as he nodded in for his fifth goal of the season, while he also had an effort well saved by keeper Bunn following a good move.
The 26-year-old certainly gave Liverpool a greater cutting edge in attack and Klopp had the luxury of taking him off after 62 minutes as he eased him back with the League Cup final against Manchester City on 28 February in mind.
"It was great to be back but it was more important that the team won," said Sturridge. "It was great to get so many goals."
Villa went into the game in better form than Liverpool, with eight points from their last six league outings compared to five for the Reds.
However, any hope it was the start of some kind of great escape quickly dissolved.
Villa had a doomed look about them as the game became a damage limitation exercise with their crowd booing their side off at the break and the final whistle.
Their performance was littered with poor defending, a lack of discipline and individual mistakes, with Remi Garde's team letting in four goals in 13 second-half minutes.
A consolation goal even deserted Villa when Scott Sinclair's late curler hit the woodwork in their heaviest defeat of the season.
Liverpool not only had the boost of having Sturridge back but the return of Philippe Coutinho was also an important factor.
The Brazilian playmaker has also returned from injury this week and provided two assists as he gave the visitors a constant menace in attack.
Liverpool had a look of strength with Sturridge, Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in attack and Jordan Henderson, Can and Milner in midfield.
"It makes a difference having both Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge are on the pitch," said Klopp. "You can only play them when they are fit and available."
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "We are not in the most easy moment at Liverpool. That is not pessimistic, that is the truth.
"It is hard work and you need to be ready for it. We want to change things with work and this was good for the soul. We have needed 26 games to get a positive goal difference."
Liverpool are next in action when they resume their Europa League campaign with a trip to Augsburg on Thursday, 18 February for the first leg of their last-32 tie. Aston Villa play again on Saturday, 27 February when they visit Stoke. | Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring for Liverpool as the Reds thrashed bottom club Aston Villa to move up to eighth in the Premier League. |
40,648,112 | The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) has sent the case of Wendy Graham to the court after obtaining fresh evidence.
The commission said the evidence suggested her responsibility may have been diminished.
Graham was convicted of killing Mark Thomson in Edinburgh in December 2008.
Jurors at her trial heard that the 50-year-old had repeatedly stabbed Mr Thomson, leaving him bleeding to death from 10 wounds at his flat in the Inch area of the city in June 2008.
She told a friend in a text message: "I hate him. I have got to get him out of my life for once and for all."
Graham, who was then 42, has always admitted responsibility for the killing.
In a statement, the SCCRC said: "It appeared to the commission that her conviction for murder, rather than culpable homicide, may have been a miscarriage of justice."
The case will now be referred to the High Court of Justiciary for appeal. | A woman jailed more than eight years ago for murdering her boyfriend is to have her conviction examined by the appeal court. |
36,284,810 | Rivers died days after she suffered a cardiac arrest while undergoing a procedure to examine her throat.
Her family had claimed the Yorkville Endoscopy centre performed unauthorised procedures on the comedian.
It also alleged the clinic failed to take appropriate action when her vital signs weakened.
The family said it was pleased with the settlement but did not reveal the amount of compensation.
Joan Rivers's daughter, Melissa, filed a malpractice suit in January 2015, alleging doctors posed for selfies with her mother while she was unconscious.
In a statement, she said the settlement allowed her to "put the legal aspects of my mother's death behind me and ensure that those culpable for her death have accepted responsibility for their actions quickly and without equivocation".
The Rivers' lawyers said the doctors had not denied responsibility.
Shortly before the lawsuit was filed, a government health agency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, cited the Yorkville clinic for failing to follow standard protocols during its treatment of Rivers.
After the settlement was announced, the Yorkville clinic said: "Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the Rivers family.
"We remain committed to providing quality, compassionate healthcare services that meet the needs of our patients, their families and the community." | The family of Joan Rivers has settled its legal case against a medical clinic in New York which it blamed for her death in 2014. |
35,942,004 | Duncan Haldane, 41, from Glasgow, was caught within seconds of entering the William Hill store in the city's Saracen Street on 14 December 2015.
He admitted the robbery bid and using a knife to rob £700 from Q Save Grocers, in the same street.
Haldane has previous convictions for theft, violence, drugs and firearms offences going back to 1991.
Jailing him at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Lord Bannatyne told Haldane: "These are matters which are terrifying for people in shops and the court have to protect shop workers."
Haldane was told that but for his early guilty plea he would have been jailed for seven and a half years.
The court heard that Haldane was wearing a mask when he walked into the William Hill bookmakers.
He did not notice police officers in hi-visibility yellow vests who were carrying out a licensed premises check at the time.
The court was shown CCTV of Haldane walking up to the counter.
He placed plastic bags under the screen and shouted at the employees working there: "Fill them up...or I pull this out".
The court was told that Haldane gestured towards his right hand which was still in the pocket of his hoodie, indicating that he had a weapon.
At that point, the police officers emerged from behind the counter, grabbed Haldane, put him on the ground and handcuffed him.
A search revealed he had no weapon.
The court was also told that Haldane was known to all the staff in the grocery shop he robbed.
His defence lawyer said the offences "occurred because of his involvement with drugs". | A man in pyjamas who failed to notice police inside a bookmakers he tried to rob has been jailed for five years. |
40,047,652 | There was the line about how not a single member of the cabinet supports the prime minister's immigration cap, followed by the scoop about her swivel on social care.
Given his 20 years in politics, including six as chancellor, by my calculation Mr Osborne has roughly 17,000 further scoops in his head, with which he will no doubt be entertaining readers of the Standard in weeks to come.
He has had a very lively news agenda in his first weeks as an editor, with not just the election and now the horror in Manchester, a city he championed, with a constituency nearby, but also Donald Trump's novel experiments in modern public administration.
The tougher test will come when, inevitably, the news agenda is quieter - perhaps in August, for instance.
Alas for him, his news supremo, deputy editor Ian Walker (one of two deputies on the paper, together with Charlotte Ross, who overseas Features and ES Magazine), is leaving.
I can reveal that Walker is heading to Mail Online, where he has been appointed executive editor by Martin Clarke, Mail Online's editor.
Walker, who worked with Clarke years ago, will focus on the news operation. After nearly 17 years at the Standard, he is leaving despite, and not because of, Mr Osborne's sprightly entry into journalism. He will start the new role in September.
Walker's departure doesn't strictly create a vacancy at the Standard, where an internal solution is likely to be found.
At Mail Online, Walker will spend less time thinking about London, but more time responding to howls of outrage on social media.
Search for "Daily Mail" on Twitter and you'll see a range of stories in the aftermath of the Manchester terror attack that have met with fury.
Of course, it's in the nature of social media that we hear more from those who are angry about a particular story than those who agree with it.
And these controversies tend to have one effect above all, which is to increase web traffic for the world's most widely read English-language website.
Walker is entering a new world and his appointment is a signal that Mail Online is serious about breaking hard news stories, as well as generating traffic through its notorious sidebar of shame. | There's been a lot of "fair play, George Osborne" on Twitter in recent days, commending him for breaking a series of agenda-setting political stories. |
27,697,006 | The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway said the project would create two jobs and safeguard more than 150.
The new station will increase railway visitor numbers by around 5,000 a year and building work could start at the end of the year.
The heritage railway's Porthmadog Harbour Station recently reopened after a £1.3m rebuild.
"The railway held two public consultation town earlier this year and has incorporated ideas and suggestions made by local residents and visitors into the proposed design, which will include retail, catering and display areas covering two floors," said Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway in a statement.
"The £1.2m project to provide a new station at Caernarfon will create new jobs and safeguard existing ones in addition to generating extra traffic and revenue for both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway and the local economy.
"Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway already provides significant benefits to the wider local economy, generating an estimated £25m each year and creating more than 400 jobs." | An historic steam railway in Gwynedd has unveiled plans for a new £1.2m station in Caernarfon. |
36,867,383 | David Wright was a big fan of The King and fashioned the shrub in his likeness at his Derbyshire home 20 years ago.
Wife Bridget has attempted to maintain the garden feature since her husband's death, but admitted it now bears little resemblance to the rock star.
Her garden, in Milford, near Derby, is open to the public later to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.
Mrs Wright said people regularly pass by and point at the bush but have to ask who the face is meant to be.
"Over the years I suppose he has aged and doesn't look much like Elvis," she added.
Mrs Wright said her husband liked to do "quirky things" and keeping the bush meant his legacy lived on.
He died four years ago, 14 years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. | This unusual topiary might leave you All Shook Up - but only if someone told you it is meant to be Elvis Presley. |
25,727,704 | Planning wedding proposals is a relatively new business for me and for Hong Kong. We have plenty of wedding planners, but Hong Kong men are busy and women are keen on romance so increasingly people want planners to help with the proposal as well.
My day is long. It starts at about 10:00. I also work for an advertising company - who are very happy for me to develop my proposal planning business.
People always do the same old thing: they pop the question over dinner at a restaurant, there are flowers and a ring. This is not enough for some here who want a bigger display of sincerity. Most of my clients are from Hong Kong or mainland China.
It isn't your typical nine-to-five job - a lot of it is about when you get inspiration or an idea to make somebody's proposal really special. Sometimes I just get inspiration looking out of the window.
I work on about two or three proposals each month- the ideas occupy me throughout the day.
An insight into the lives of people around the region
My day: Maternity nurse
My day: Cosmetic surgeon
My day: Busker
My day: Fashion designer
My day: School teacher
My day: Casino croupier
My day: Tug master
My day: Genealogist
It all started with a YouTube video where a music band helped a man propose in a restaurant - it was so popular and went viral. That's what gave me the idea. After I first launched the business, it took about a month before somebody got in contact.
That first proposal was a real learning experience. The girlfriend was a flight attendant who was due to go to Frankfurt. He wanted me to plan a proposal there.
We arranged for her hotel to give her a card telling her to get into a waiting limousine. That would take her to a restaurant which had been decorated with photographs of the two of them and flowers - the proposal location. But the girl never showed up. She told me later that they had already broken up.
I learned a lot from that - to get much more detail in order to make sure a proposal can actually happen.
Our starting price is HK$6,000 (£470) but people are increasingly spending about $8000. I spend a lot of my day thinking up ideas and organising the event - we need to employ photographers, videographers, all sorts of people involved in the process.
Most of the work planning proposals happens in the late afternoon and early evening when it is easiest to meet the client without their partners suspecting anything is up.
I meet my clients in cafes and we scope out places with atmosphere - these meetings are when we brainstorm to come up with big ideas and talk about the role-play side of things.
Sometimes they know exactly what they want. I remember one client asked me to write "marry me" on the beach in fire.
Once we created snow on a beach. We rented a snow machine, put LED candles to create a romantic atmosphere at night and got a friend to bring our client's girlfriend to the beach on a pretext. Once she was on the beach we began the snow. She was so surprised. We put up a dome with lots of flowers and her partner was waiting there to propose. She walked along a pathway lit up by LED lights. She said yes.
My time at night is also important. At night there is more silence. I have more time to think of romantic ideas. I watch television and I watch videos and that's how I get these ideas. Sometimes I don't finish working and preparing for a proposal until midnight.
Once we arranged a proposal for a woman who worked as a waitress at a restaurant. We enlisted the help of her colleagues who told her a company was having an event and to prepare drinks and snacks. During this "event" we sent restaurant staff out, saying the company needed some private time.
We then decorated the room with balloons and when the staff returned her boss took her to the middle of the room and everybody - all 40 people in the room - sang a line of a song for her. She kept crying. She was so tearful. Her boyfriend then came out to sing the chorus.
This was one of those ideas that came to me late at night after I met the client for a brainstorming session.
Romance doesn't come easily to people in Hong Kong in my view - they worry about security, property and money. The most expensive proposal I had was to decorate a home, to fill it with flowers and balloons - that actually cost $30,000.
But still I'm not sure there is enough of a market in Hong Kong for planning proposals to be a full-time job. Most people in Hong Kong take a bad view of this. There are comments like: "why waste money on this when you can save it for your wedding?"
I've had a few women make inquiries, but in the end shyness overcame most of them and they pulled out.
My husband proposed to me in the car. He played me some music on his phone, gave me some drawings, I thought it was a lazy Christmas gift but then he opened my car door and spoke some romantic words. I wasn't aware it was a proposal.
Even when I don't have a proposal on the go I am always working and thinking of ideas right down to the shape of the ring box - these details matter. I want people to have romance in their lives.
Ann Fong was talking to the BBC's Samanthi Dissanayake in Hong Kong | Ann Fong, 28, works as a proposal planner, helping lovers in Hong Kong orchestrate the perfect way of popping the question. |
37,482,950 | In a speech to conference, Mr Watson said that attacking Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's governments "is not the way to enhance our brand".
"We won't win elections like that. And we need to win elections," he said, as he appealed for party unity.
Leader Jeremy Corbyn has been critical of parts of New Labour's record.
In other Labour conference developments:
Acknowledging the bitter infighting and splits in the Labour Party of late, Mr Watson said it "hasn't been the best few months of my 30 years in the Labour Party".
"We can't afford to keep doing this," he appealed, and said the British public could not afford for Labour to carry on as it has been either.
Referring to the recent disunity, he added: "I don't know why we've been focussing on what was wrong with the Blair and Brown governments for the past six years but trashing our record is not the way to enhance our brand.
"We won't win elections like that. And we need to win elections," he said, to prolonged applause and cheers.
He said the prime minister could call an early election at any time, and urged Labour: "Now is the time to be proud of our party. We have to believe we can win and remember how much we achieve when we do."
He said the 11 years of Labour government between 1997 and 2008 saw an "unbroken period of economic growth", and quoted at length the party's achievements.
In response to a heckler in the audience who shouted "What about Chilcot?", Mr Watson turned around to Mr Corbyn who was seated on the stage behind him and said: "Jeremy, I don't think she got the unity memo."
Appealing for change, Mr Watson said: "Capitalism is not the enemy, money is not the problem, business is not bad. The real world is more complicated than that."
He added: "I don't say this because it's what wins elections. I say it because it's true and people know that it's true. And that is why it wins elections.
"The British people need that from us," he adding, saying the Tories had been in power for seven years and would be for even longer unless Labour got its act together.
Mr Watson also aimed fire at the prime minister in his speech, claiming that Theresa May "isn't up to the job".
He accused her of "shambolic prevarication" over major policy issues, such as Hinkley Point, grammar schools and airport expansion and said she was "ducking responsibility" over Brexit.
"Ducking and diving, humming and hahing is not what you want from a prime minister," he said, adding: "Theresa May, or Theresa may not, who knows. But everyone knows you can't run a country like that."
He also said Mrs May - who took over from David Cameron as Tory leader and prime minister - had "no mandate".
"Nobody has voted for Mrs May to be prime minister and that's a pretty flimsy basis on which to try and hold the Tories together, never mind the country." he added. | Labour should stop trashing its record in government and start focusing on winning elections, deputy leader Tom Watson has warned. |
35,396,599 | It is a round that has rarely failed to deliver drama and excitement over the years.
Last season Queen of the South ended holders St Johnstone's dream of making it two-in-a-row, Raith Rovers shocked Rangers at Ibrox and Spartans took Berwick Rangers to a replay.
Ahead of Sunday's live game between East Kilbride and Celtic, BBC Scotland takes a look back at six classic last-16 clashes in Scotland's premier cup competition.
Although the second half of the 1960s was to become a happy one for Celtic, in 1962 the team were struggling to get their hands on silverware. After winning the league in 1953/54 they would have to wait 12 years before they would claim it again.
Their luck in the Scottish Cup was not any better. Winners in 1954, they would lose the final four times before finally seeing it in green and white ribbons again in 1965.
Hearts had enjoyed a more profitable few years. League winners in 1958 and 1960, they had also lifted the cup for the fifth time with a 3-1 win over Celtic in 1956. A few months after this game they would win the League Cup, though what they did not know at the time was that would be their lot until 1998.
The Jambos had added incentive having lost that season's League Cup final in a replay to Rangers, and over 35,000 fans packed Tynecastle for the clash with Celtic, with just one point separating them in the league table at the time.
After Bobby Blackwood cancelled out a John Divers opener for Celtic, Johnny Hamilton gave Hearts the lead to set up an enthralling last 20 minutes.
Stevie Chalmers and Divers had Celtic leading again, Danny Paton levelled, but Pat Crerand's late penalty settled it.
Hearts: Marshall, Kirk, Holt, Ferguson, Cumming, Higgins, Rodgers, Wallace, Paton, Blackwood, Hamilton.
Celtic: Haffey, McKay, Kennedy, Crerand, McNeill, Price, Chalmers, Jackson, Hughes, Divers, Carroll.
After playing second fiddle to Aberdeen and Dundee United for much of the 1980s, the Old Firm were back to going head to head at the top of the table, at least for a few years. From Celtic winning the double in 1988, it took a Joe Miller goal in the 1989 Cup final to deny Rangers the treble.
However, in 1989/90 the fortunes differed vastly for both sides. Graeme Souness' Rangers were embarking upon their record equalling nine-in-a-row run of league titles, though another tilt at the treble had been put to bed by a League Cup final defeat to Aberdeen.
Celtic on the other end were to finish a distant fifth, and needed to win the Scottish Cup if they were to avoid the ignominy of failing to qualify for Europe.
Tommy Coyne, at the time a much maligned £500,000 signing from Dundee, was the hero when he pounced on the rebound after goalkeeper Chris Woods parried Joe Miller's shot just before half-time.
Rangers threw everything at Celtic in the second half but could not find a way through. It was a rare high point in a poor season for the Parkhead faithful, and their hopes of making Europe failed when they lost the final on penalties to Aberdeen.
Celtic: Bonner, Morris, Wdowczwk, Galloway, Elliot, Whyte, Grant, McStay, Dziekanowski, Coyne (Walker), Miller.
Rangers: Woods, Stevens, Munro, Ferguson, Spackman, Butcher, Steven, Walters (Vinnicombe) (Dodds), McCoist, Johnston, Brown.
The two sides meet on Sunday in a much anticipated showdown at Tynecastle. For those clad in maroon, though, the 90 minutes will have to go some way to beat the 1994 derby win at Easter Road.
It was the day Hearts celebrated getting the key to the door. It had been 20 derbies - and five years - since the Hibees had managed to beat their capital rivals.
Hearts were 32 years without a trophy. Hibs were smarting from Ally McCoist's overhead kick that settled the season's League Cup final.
John Robertson, so often the hammer of Hibs, opened the scoring in the second minute. But Hibs fought back and Keith Wright had them level.
With four minutes to go and a replay looking likely, Wayne Foster raced onto a long ball, squeezed between two Hibs defenders, and smacked the ball through the goalkeeper's legs.
Hearts went on to make it 22 in a row without defeat against their Edinburgh rivals before their famous run was finally stopped in August that year.
Hibernian: Leighton, Miller, Beaumont, Farrell, Tweed, Lennon, McAllister, Hamilton, Wright (Evans), Jackson, O'Neill.
Hearts: Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, Berry, Millar, Colquhoun, Mackay, Robertson (Foster), Johnston, Leitch (Weir).
This was the low point of a depressing period for Aberdeen fans. Bottom of the league and fighting to avoid relegation for the first time, club legend Willie Miller had been sacked weeks earlier.
Roy Aitken's first game in charge was a 2-0 win over Rangers. However, six days later and they were brought back down to earth with an incredible bump at Ochilview Park.
Despite the Dons boasting a line-up including internationals Theo Snelders, Eoin Jess, Duncan Shearer and Billy Dodds, it was dairy farmer Tommy Steel who grabbed the only two goals of the game in one of the great Scottish Cup shocks.
Both sides lifted trophies the following season. Aberdeen winning the League Cup against Dundee, and Stenhousemuir humbling Dundee United in the Challenge Cup final.
Stenhousemuir: Harkness, Clarke, Donaldson, Armstrong, McGeachie, Christie, Steel, Fisher, Mathieson, Hutchison, Sprott.
Aberdeen: Snelders, Wright, Glass, Kane, Inglis, Smith, Jess, Shearer, Miller, Dodds, McKinnon.
It was not often that Andy Goram conceded eight goals in a four days, however it was a taxing week for a Steelmen in an otherwise impressive season, where they were strutting their stuff at the top end of the table and only missed out on European qualification by two points.
The other team in Ayrshire, Kilmarnock, had made the journey to Fir Park in midweek and scored four times.
If any extra incentive was needed for the Honest Men when they had their turn, that was it.
The sides shared six goals in a frantic first half; Gary Teale with a double and Neil Tarrent scoring for Ayr, with Lee McCulloch, Don Goodman and Ged Brannan finding the net for the Steelmen.
The question was, could First Division Ayr keep it going for another 45 minutes? They answered that by pegging Motherwell into their own half and taking the lead again before the hour mark through Tarrent, but then had Michael Reynolds sent off just four minutes later.
However, Motherwell could not find an equaliser and Ayr went on to make it as far as the semi-finals.
It was the tie that brought us the "Broony" and a confrontation that still has us asking what Ally McCoist said to Neil Lennon on the touchline.
In the first game at Ibrox both sides finished with 10 men in an enthralling contest. Jamie Ness had the hosts in front within three minutes, but Kris Commons equalised before Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster was sent off as he conceded a penalty, which was scored by Steven Whittaker.
Scott Brown levelled with a curling shot, then turned and taunted nemesis El-Hadji Diouf.
Steven Naismith got a second caution for simulation and the game went to a replay at Celtic Park, which was to be even more controversial.
Rangers had three players sent off as tempers boiled over; Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra, followed by Diouf after the final whistle for a second yellow card - his first coming after squaring up to Celtic manager Lennon.
Mark Wilson's goal settled the game in Celtic's favour, but even at the final whistle the action did not stop, with McCoist and Lennon pulled apart while shaking hands. | Potential giant killings and an Edinburgh derby await this weekend as the Scottish Cup reaches the last 16. |
22,351,887 | Anne, who wrote Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, died in Scarborough in 1849 after succumbing to tuberculosis at the age of 29.
But her headstone in St Mary's Churchyard gave her age as 28.
A new plaque on her grave has been officially unveiled during a service of dedication.
Anne is the only member of the famous literary family who is not buried at their home in Haworth, West Yorkshire.
She travelled to Scarborough because she loved the resort and hoped that the air may improve her condition. But she died just three days after arriving.
Her death came during a bleak period for the Bronte family. Brother Branwell had died eight months earlier, followed by Emily, who had written Wuthering Heights.
Anne's original gravestone was refaced three years after her death, when Charlotte returned to discover five errors on it. The other mistakes were corrected but the age was not.
The Bronte Society has installed the new plaque alongside the original, which has deteriorated over the years.
"Anne was the quietest Bronte and can still sometimes be overlooked in favour of her sisters Charlotte and Emily," said the society's Sally McDonald.
"In some ways, though, she is now viewed as the most radical of the sisters, writing about tough subjects such as women's need to maintain independence, and how alcoholism can tear a family apart.
"It is a pleasure to honour her in this modest way... in the coastal town she loved so much."
Often left alone together in their isolated Haworth home, Charlotte, Emily and Anne began to write stories at an early age
Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are now hailed as British classics, while The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a huge bestseller.
Charlotte continued to write after her siblings' deaths and later married, only to die herself in March 1855. | Author Anne Bronte, the sister of Charlotte and Emily, has been given a new gravestone after 164 years to correct an error on the original. |
40,760,770 | The Blades, back in the second tier after six seasons away, went in front just before half-time when skipper Sharp headed in Leon Clarke's cross.
Sharp might have had another after the break when he tapped in a rebounded free-kick but was ruled offside.
Brentford rallied and had chances but were unable to find an equaliser.
There will have been extra satisfaction at this result for manager Chris Wilder, not only as a boyhood Blades fan but also as it was his first experience of the Championship as a manager.
Bramall Lane was suitably buzzing with 26,746 fans and it was a happy coincidence for the home support that another fan in Sharp netted the key goal.
Brentford, who had not won on the opening day in five attempts, saw that run extended despite a much improved second-half which saw Nico Yennaris, Lasse Vibe and Neal Maupay all denied.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder:
"We've had it tough in this city, a football city as it is. That is a reward for the outstanding support, loyalty and love of their football club that they've shown through thick and thin.
"The atmosphere was right up there today. Outstanding effort against a brilliant Brentford side. The roar that greeted us, the positivity allowed the players to lift their game at times when they were very, very tired.
"Billy's goalscoring record speaks for itself and I think we've created chances today. We didn't play particularly well with the ball - we can play a lot better."
Brentford boss Dean Smith:
"A disappointing result, probably not what our performance deserved. I thought first half was a bit of a nothing game, it looked a little bit slow and the pitch slowed up.
"We didn't move the ball as quick as we normally do and I don't think they did either.
"There wasn't a lot of goalmouth action in the first half. I thought we had a couple of good chances. Billy Sharp's had one chance and scored but that's what he does."
Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Brentford 0.
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Brentford 0.
Offside, Sheffield United. Kieron Freeman tries a through ball, but Caolan Lavery is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Neal Maupay (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Ollie Watkins.
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Chris Basham.
Attempt missed. Neal Maupay (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ollie Watkins.
Foul by John Egan (Brentford).
Richard Stearman (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Caolan Lavery (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Leon Clarke.
Neal Maupay (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United).
Foul by Neal Maupay (Brentford).
John Fleck (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Neal Maupay (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Woods.
Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Jota.
Substitution, Sheffield United. Caolan Lavery replaces Billy Sharp.
Substitution, Brentford. Neal Maupay replaces Josh McEachran.
Ryan Woods (Brentford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Billy Sharp (Sheffield United).
Foul by Lasse Vibe (Brentford).
Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Sheffield United. John Lundstram replaces Samir Carruthers.
Ryan Woods (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Paul Coutts (Sheffield United).
Attempt blocked. Lasse Vibe (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ollie Watkins with a through ball.
Foul by Ollie Watkins (Brentford).
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Lasse Vibe (Brentford) header from very close range is just a bit too high.
Nico Yennaris (Brentford) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box.
Attempt saved. Jota (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Henrik Dalsgaard with a headed pass.
Attempt saved. Nico Yennaris (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jota.
Substitution, Brentford. Ollie Watkins replaces Florian Jozefzoon.
Substitution, Brentford. Nico Yennaris replaces Kamohelo Mokotjo.
Attempt missed. John Fleck (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Kieron Freeman.
Hand ball by Andreas Bjelland (Brentford).
Henrik Dalsgaard (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Enda Stevens (Sheffield United).
Offside, Sheffield United. John Fleck tries a through ball, but Billy Sharp is caught offside.
John Fleck (Sheffield United) hits the left post with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Paul Coutts following a set piece situation.
Foul by John Egan (Brentford). | Striker Billy Sharp scored the only goal to ensure Sheffield United made a winning start to life back in the Championship against Brentford. |
25,857,296 | It counts forehands and backhands, serves and smashes. And when play is finished, the coach compares your stats with existing tennis data that it has easily to hand.
But this coach is not kitted out with tracksuit and trainers. Rather it relies on sensors and chips.
It sounds futuristic but technology like this is already available, embedded in one of the newer tennis racquets on the market - the Babolat Play Pure Drive.
Packed with sensors detecting string vibration and movement, the device works with a smartphone (over Bluetooth) or plugs into a computer (via USB). The company says it is the first connected racquet in the world.
"We integrated sensors inside the handle of the racquet, but it does not change the specification. And these sensors will analyse your tennis game, so your swing - your motion - and all this information will be collected by the racquet," Gael Moureaux, tennis racquets products manager at Babolat's HQ in the French city of Lyon, tells the BBC.
He adds: "During the development process of the racquet, we did a lot of lab tests with a lot of players around the world to make sure the data is accurate and to have the right data for the player."
Babolat's take on personal sporting analytics has the potential to greatly impact professional tennis.
That is because it is the first company to put a connected racquet through the International Tennis Federation (ITF) approval process.
The ITF, aware of the growing influx of hi-tech equipment into the sport, has set up a programme called Player Analysis Technology (PAT) to regulate such "virtual coaches" as the Babolat racquet.
It defines PAT items as being "any equipment that collects, stores, transmits, analyses or communicates information on player performance, and may be a standalone device or incorporated within existing equipment".
Successful approval from the ITF would mean that top players could use the French racquet in Grand Slam tournaments such as the French Open this spring at Roland Garos in Paris.
But why is an approval process needed at all?
A quick delve into tennis history shows technology consistently at the heart of the game, and innovation has generally moved at a quicker pace than the game's regulators can keep up with.
Over the past 50 years, wooden racquets were replaced by metal, then carbon fibre mixed with other materials, and now computer-connected models.
This time round the governing body wants to be calling the shots on where and how innovation can be used, as in the past it has found itself having to ban some products already on the market and in use, such as the so-called "spaghetti-strung" racquets (with double stringing).
Since the profound impact of the metal racquet, testing has been carried out with the idea of ensuring every player has a fair chance of winning - with approved equipment.
Machines at the ITF's high-tech lab at Roehampton, south-west London, strenuously test racquets and balls for approval on the court.
"One of the biggest revolutions in tennis was when a gentleman called Howard Head discovered you could make racquets with bigger faces and larger frames using a material other than wood," says Stuart Miller, of the ITF.
Players using metal racquets would have the advantage over equally skilled opponents using wooden frames.
This was because a metal racquet enabled the player to have a greater hitting area. They would be more likely to hit the ball and less likely to hit it on the frame.
"Eventually racquets became lighter and could be swung faster, generating the kind of serve speeds and spins that we're seeing in today's game," adds Mr Miller.
"That was a fundamental shift, and no matter how much some people would like to think that the wooden racquet has a place in tennis today, I'm afraid there's no going back now."
It is this delicate balance between tradition and technology that remains particularly relevant to the tennis world.
In conjunction with its PAT approval programme, the ITF has also brought in a new rule - Rule 31 - to reflect the growing use of connected equipment, and its possible role in tournament play.
The ITF's existing rules currently ban touchline coaching, and to now prevent hi-tech "coaching" - in this case players potentially studying their strokeplay data between games - the new regulation has appeared.
It states that a "player may not have access to data collected by Player Analysis Technology during play, except when play is suspended and coaching is permitted".
But despite the innovations coming thick and fast, one trainer does not think he is in danger of being upstaged by a smart racquet.
"I think that it's great for feedback but you still need someone to analyse it. At the end of the day it's the practice and the ability of someone that makes the player, not necessarily the equipment in their hand," says Nik Snapes, racquets manager and tennis pro at Roehampton Club.
With the player analytics revolution come the consequences that might arise from using this technology.
Approved devices need to be secure and protected against unauthorised access, to prevent "sporting espionage'" whereby data could be stolen. Knowing when an opponent's right hand gets tired during the second set would be a huge advantage.
Player analytics, like the metal racquet, is here to stay.
But though it will have a huge impact on the evolution of tennis, the game should remain as popular as ever - provided players have the opportunity to compete on skill and strategy alone. | Imagine having a virtual "tennis coach" that knows exactly where your racquet hits the ball. |
35,925,826 | The nation likes to date much of its identity from the revolution that created its written constitution, and changing it requires the support of both houses of parliament, plus three-fifths of the joint Congress.
That would be achievement enough for a president in the flush of a political honeymoon.
For Francois Hollande and his deeply divided Socialist Party, it has proved a step too far.
The bill, announced in the wake of the November attacks, set out new, more specific conditions for declaring a state of emergency, but the fiercest debate was reserved for a proposed article on stripping French nationality from those convicted of terrorist offences.
Under the original terms of the article, only those holding dual nationality would be stripped of their French passports, but after criticism that it would create a "two-tier system" - with some French citizens more equal than others - the wording was changed to embrace everyone, the idea being that those with nowhere else to go would simply have their rights as citizens removed.
It passed, but not before the split in President Hollande's cabinet had erupted into the open, with Justice Minister Christine Taubira resigning in protest.
Now the Senate has demanded that the wording be changed back to the original format, meaning the law would affect only dual nationals, and threatening to reopen the bitter debate on the left about discrimination.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls has admitted that the proposed measure was more symbolic than practical.
Those threatening France with terrorism, it was pointed out, were unlikely to be dissuaded by the possibility of losing their passports.
Now, it seems, the government has concluded that the benefits offered by the bill are more trouble than they are worth.
Speaking after his cabinet meeting this morning, Mr Hollande said that "compromise was beyond reach" and that he was "closing the discussion" around the proposed bill.
But the high-profile failure has also shone a spotlight on the political quagmire surrounding the president, just a year before the country chooses a new leader.
Mr Hollande's tough response to the November attacks brought him a brief uptick in approval.
He and his prime minister have been pushing back against the left wing of his party, in a bid to show he can deliver leadership and change.
With fractures running through both the Socialist Party and the centre-right opposition, and many French voters complaining of stasis at the heart of their political establishment, this is one defeat he could do without. | It is a brave leader who sets out to change France's constitution. |
38,465,632 | The BBC's in-house cartoonist Kirtish Bhat picks five news events to give his humorous take on 2016.
Two news events in February were all about freedom. One firm launched the world's cheapest smartphone, priced at 251 rupees ($3.67; £3), and called it Freedom 251. At the same time, police arrested some students in Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University for allegedly raising anti-India slogans, and demanding "freedom" for Kashmir from Indian rule. The students denied the allegations, but they were charged with sedition. Later, they were freed on bail.
India's flamboyant businessman Vijay Mallya made his fortune selling beer under the Kingfisher brand and branched out into aviation, Formula1 racing, and Indian cricket. But he incurred huge debts because of the failure of his airline. Many have criticised banks for their inability in recovering the debt from Mr Mallya, who denies any wrongdoing. He is currently living in the UK, and hasn't returned to India despite repeated summons by the authorities.
When the chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, promised during his election campaign that he would ban the sale and consumption of alcohol if elected, not many thought he would actually do it. But then he proved everybody wrong!
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, he promised to change the country. But his critics say that he has been concentrating more on foreign policy, and travelling the world.
In one of the biggest surprises of 2016, Mr Modi on 8 November announced the scrapping of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to crack down on corruption and illegal cash holdings known as "black money". The sudden announcement made many people's cash worthless. | In India, 2016 has been a year of political surprises, alcohol ban and heated debates about nationalism, and plenty of other news in between. |
22,975,481 | The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill states that no religious organisation can be compelled to marry gay couples.
But crossbencher Lord Singh said they could fall foul of equality laws and be bullied by public authorities which provide them with services.
But minister Lord Wallace said anybody doing so would be "acting unlawfully".
The controversial bill has been backed by the Commons and is now being debated in detail by peers.
The bill, if passed, will allow same-sex couples, who can currently hold civil ceremonies, to marry.
Religious organisations would have to "opt in" to offering weddings, with the Church of England and Church in Wales being banned in law from doing so.
But independent peer Lord Singh of Wimbledon told peers stronger safeguards were needed. He argued that those organisations who did not sign up to same sex marriage could find themselves disadvantaged by equality laws.
"We all know those in authority can and often do misuse their authority to intimidate or bully others in employment or those who approach them for goods and services," said Lord Singh.
"There is a real danger that if this legislation comes into force some will use it to try and convert those who believe in traditional marriage to their way of thinking."
Another crossbencher, Baroness O'Loan, who argued there was a risk that religious bodies which did not opt in to same-sex marriage could be treated "less favourably" by public authorities for issues like funding.
And former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton asked for further assurances that ministers refusing to carry out religious blessings for same-sex couples would not get into trouble with the law.
But former Conservative cabinet minister Lord Deben said the bill was not about blessings and church leaders should not try to load the legislation with all sorts of unnecessary "bits and pieces".
Labour's leader in the Lords, Baroness Royall, said the existing bill was "absolutely clear" and amendments aimed at strengthening religious protections would be confusing.
For the government, Advocate General for Scotland Lord Wallace of Tankerness said it was "absolutely right" that organisations and people should be free to decide whether or not to conduct same sex marriages "without fear or repercussion or penalty of any kind", protected by the Bill.
"As the law stands a public authority would in fact be acting unlawfully if it attempted to rely on the public sector equality duty to treat a religious organisation adversely simply because that organisation did not wish to conduct same sex marriages as explicitly allowed under this Bill."
Peers also discussed Labour peer Lord Harrison's call for humanist weddings, which are legally invalid in England and Wales but legal in Scotland, to be recognised in law for same-sex and heterosexual couples, | Some peers have suggested plans to legalise same-sex marriages could allow town halls to "bully" organisations who refuse to conduct services. |
34,676,733 | Air New Zealand and Qantas shook on the agreement following a humorous exchange on Twitter ahead of Saturday's game.
Qantas crew will have to wear New Zealand rugby jerseys on Monday if the All Blacks win. Air NZ pilots, however, will have to announce Australia's win.
It followed an earlier suggestion that the losing airline repaint their fleet in the opposition colours.
Air New Zealand began the exchange on Twitter by sending the Australian airline a digitally altered photo of a Qantas passenger plane painted completely black, with slogans including "team All Blacks" "bound in black" and "simply the best".
"We've been thinking about this wager. How about you paint your planes like this?" the airline said.
Qantas responded with their own image of an Air New Zealand plane in bright Australian gold, saying they "think it needs a golden touch".
Air New Zealand responded: "We wouldn't want to slow our planes down … with all that extra paint", to which Qantas quipped: "We wouldn't think you'd be in a hurry to get here when you lose."
Qantas planes usually fly in a white-and-red colour scheme, while Air New Zealand usually fly white aircraft with a black tail.
The exchange was well-received by rugby fans and Twitter followers, prompting both sides to suggest the more realistic wager on the outcome.
"How about this? On Monday in the air, your crew wear our jerseys," Air New Zealand suggested earlier today.
"It's on! But let's not leave the pilots out!" Qantas agreed.
Both companies then agreed to "take this offline" to formalise the bet.
Neither have said if they are still considering repainting their entire fleet by Monday. | The national airlines of Australia and New Zealand have agreed a wager on the outcome of the Rugby World Cup final. |
39,715,792 | Father-of-two Adrian O'Kane was on a stag do in Magaluf at the weekend.
He was returning to his hotel in the early hours of Sunday when he was hit by a driver whom the local council said tested positive at the scene.
Mr O'Kane, from Birmingham, did not have travel insurance, say friends fundraising to bring his body home.
Read more on this and other Birmingham stories
A page on the JustGiving website has already raised more than three times the £8,000 originally hoped for.
Mr O'Kane's sister, Stephanie, said: "The holiday was booked by others and he would never have thought about the travel insurance side of things.
"He was a very easy-going, lovely, lovely man. He loved a laugh.
"It just should not have happened. He's not even a big drinker, he was on his way home.
"Everyone is in complete shock. We're devastated."
Any money leftover from the fundraising efforts will be given to Mr O'Kane's two daughters, Stephanie said.
A spokesperson for Calvia Council in Majorca said: "The driver was arrested after testing positive for drink and drugs at the scene "
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who sadly died in Majorca on 23 April and are in contact with the local police." | Relatives of a Birmingham man who died after being run over by a driver on drink and drugs in Majorca say they are desperate to return him home. |
35,163,241 | Murray Dewar, 45, attacked Jack Wemyss in the Tesco Express store in Dundee's Strathmartine Road.
An argument between them started after Dewar blocked the path of Mr Wemyss's mobility scooter.
Dewar, from Dundee, pled guilty to the attack on 20 November.
Fiscal depute Muhamad Sadiq told Dundee Sheriff Court that Dewar had hit the 83-year-old in the face with the basket, leaving him cut above the left eye.
Police issued CCTV images of Dewar, who later handed himself in.
Defence solicitor Emma Sommerville said: "He suffers from severe anxiety and has had a panic attack today, so is not in the dock.
"He is not in a fit state to come into court, but wishes me to tender a guilty plea on his behalf."
Sheriff Richard McFarlane deferred sentence until January for social work background reports. | A man who left an 83-year-old double amputee seriously injured after hitting him with a shopping basket during a row in a supermarket aisle is facing a jail term. |
38,968,958 | Here are five facts you need to know about Prue:
1. She grew up in South Africa and helped to start a cooking college there, now called 'Prue Leith's Chefs Academy'.
2. She went to the famous Le Cordon Bleu cookery school in London.
3. But she's not just a cook, she opened her first restaurant in 1969 and she already knows what it's like to be on TV... She spent 11 years as a judge on BBC Two programme The Great British Menu. She's also a writer and has written seven novels so far.
4. She loves her mad dog Meg, a rescue mongrel, and her beautiful cat Magnificat (known as Mags).
5. And she's received a couple of royal awards, an OBE in 1989 and a CBE in 2010.
So there are a few facts about Prue Leith. We'll let you know if she does end up joining Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off.
Channel 4 said it would be announcing the programme's line-up "in due course". | There are rumours that 76-year-old food critic and campaigner Prue Leith could replace Mary Berry when The Great British Bake Off starts on Channel 4, but who is she? |
30,323,997 | A 64-page report, "Three Inspirational Days", details the benefits of staging the start of cycling's biggest race.
Crowds at the roadside for the three English stages totalled 4.8m, with 3.5m individual spectators.
Those fans generated £128m in total revenue, with £102m in Yorkshire alone.
"We are delighted the event brought so much money to the county," said the man whose idea it was to bid for the Grand Depart, Welcome to Yorkshire's Gary Verity.
"There are also benefits which are impossible to measure - the profile of Yorkshire around the world has never been higher and this will have a lasting impact for years to come."
With Yorkshire staging the build-up to the race that likes to call itself the world's largest annual sports event, as well as the first two stages over a stunning weekend, the region won the biggest share of the Grand Depart's benefits.
But the Tour's third stage from Cambridge, through Essex, and into London on 7 July attracted a crowd of 1.5m and brought in £30.5m in additional revenue.
"The Tour in London was the most fantastic spectacle of sport, which delighted and entertained crowds across the capital," said Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
"The economic benefit of hosting such prestigious sporting events is clear, with images of our brilliant city beamed around the world."
But it was the weekend in Yorkshire that provided some of the most remarkable crowd shots in the race's 111-year history: scenes that prompted the Tour's race director Christian Prudhomme to describe it as the "grandest Grand Depart".
It had been hoped that the Tour's fourth visit to these shores would match the impact of the only previous time it had started here, the 2007 Grand Depart in London and Kent.
This led to crowd estimates of 2-3m, and economic benefits of £100m - numbers which were considered optimistic at the time.
But with cycling booming in this country thanks to the Tour-winning exploits of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, as well as Mark Cavendish's numerous sprint victories, the 2014 edition surpassed all expectations.
The report states that one in four people in the Yorkshire and Humber region saw some of the race, and economic benefits for the area could reach £150m in years to come thanks to increased tourism and business opportunities.
Some caution should be noted at this point, as economic impact reports have a tendency to err on the optimistic side - and some experts will find the crowd estimates hard to swallow - but these numbers will be gobbled up by the local authorities in Yorkshire that backed Verity's vision back in 2012. They put up £11m of the total £27m budget.
But the government will also be delighted with its return on investment.
Liz Nicholl, the chief executive of the elite-funding agency UK Sport, said: "The Tour showcased the UK's event-hosting capabilities and passionate fans at their best.
"Through National Lottery funding, the nation will continue to benefit from the many impacts of hosting major sporting events on home soil."
One of those benefits should be a boost in participation.
The report states that 2m of those who saw the race were inspired by it to ride more frequently, with a follow-up study finding that half of those had actually got on their bikes more often.
Confirmation of this effect should come next Thursday when Sport England produces its next set of grassroots participation figures.
Cycling has been the big participation success story in recent years but the Yorkshire region bucked the overall trend in the last Active People Survey with no growth for cycling. It will be a huge surprise, and major disappointment, if it fails to show a significant lift next week. | What looked like a huge success at the time has now been officially confirmed: this summer's Tour de France Grand Depart was a smash hit for Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex and London. |
36,955,260 | The black eagle of Albania is on display all over the capital, Pristina. On the other hand, in Mitrovica, the Serbian shield flutters defiantly at the north end of the notorious New Bridge, which splits this ethnically-divided town.
But eight years on from the unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia, the official flag of the Republic of Kosovo remains - at best - a distant second-favourite for much of the population.
The unlovely design does not inspire devotion. It looks like the diplomatic fudge it almost certainly was - an inoffensive shade of blue (Albanian red was out of the question), with a graphic representation of the country's borders (a warning against any future changes) and six stars (symbolising Kosovo's major ethnic groups).
But in Rio, this flag will fly at the Olympic Games for the first time. And it will be carried by an athlete who is a strong favourite for a gold medal in her event.
Majlinda Kelmendi is a double world champion judo player - rated as the best in any weight category in 2014 - and has just reclaimed her European title, after injuries prevented her from competing for much of 2015.
"It was a hard year, but I came back good," she says after a training session at the spartan Ippon dojo in the hills above her home town, Pec (known as Peja among the ethnic-Albanian residents).
This will not be Majlinda's first time at the Olympics. In London, she represented Albania but did not make it through to the medal rounds - leaving her with mixed feelings about carrying Kosovo's flag in Brazil.
"I just want to represent Kosovo as a new country and promote it. But I don't want to talk about this - I want to focus on my fight.
"In London I was good enough - prepared and strong. But I thought too much about what people would say if I won or lost. Afterwards we can talk about how it felt to be the flag-bearer!"
Regardless of Majlinda's determination to keep a lid on her feelings, this is a big moment for Kosovo. Its independence remains unrecognised by more than 80 UN member states, including China, India, Russia and, indeed, the host nation of this year's Olympics.
Participation in Rio is only possible because the International Olympic Committee accepted Kosovo as a member at the end of 2014. That encouraged other sports governing bodies to follow suit - most recently Fifa and Uefa.
But Kosovo's political leaders are keen to acknowledge the role played by the world champion from Pec.
"Majlinda is a better ambassador than me and all the other diplomats combined," says Deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi.
"There are great sportsmen and women in Kosovo - isolating them is unfair and dangerous. Open hearts and minds aren't born in isolated states. We will use the results on the sports field to ensure that if we can have our flag in the Olympics we can have it in other things."
Sport plays a key role in Kosovo's campaign to gain greater recognition of its independence. "We will use membership of Fifa and Uefa to expand our portfolio of lobbying arguments," says Mr Selimi.
Kosovo win first full international
Kosovo & Gibraltar become Fifa members
Kosovo profile
Long-term observers of the Western Balkans see recent developments as crucial to maintaining momentum.
"Recognitions have slowed significantly in recent years," says James Ker-Lindsay, senior research fellow on the politics of Southeast Europe at the London School of Economics.
"In the absence of recognition at state level, one of the key ways to legitimise Kosovo is integrating it into international sporting organisations and events.
"A few years ago a diplomat said Belgrade will finally accept Kosovo as an independent state when it sees Kosovo playing football in the World Cup - and I think that's an accurate statement. By taking part in the World Cup and the Olympics, Kosovo is really cementing its place on the international stage."
This legitimisation applies as much to its own people as an external audience. The lack of a team to cheer at international events has led many ethnic-Albanians to shout for Albania instead.
And the absence of many of the other symbols of statehood - from an international dialling code to membership of the United Nations - has added to a sense that Kosovo is far from a fully-formed country.
Besa Luci, editor-in-chief of Kosovo 2.0 magazine, was behind Kosovo Wants To Play - a campaign for sporting recognition. She says the opportunity to represent Kosovo is crucial to the country's health.
"Otherwise you're just paving the way for Albanian nationalist sentiment to grow.
"People want to feel for Kosovo and see it represented internationally. What we saw with the first friendly football match against Haiti was people with Kosovo flags and T-shirts - people for the first time embracing and accepting the state symbols of Kosovo.
"The moment you have the opportunity to represent your country internationally, you will also start demanding more from your state. Ultimately it enables people to be citizens of a country, state, republic, where everyone should be treated equally. Sport has that kind of power."
In Rio, it will be Majlinda Kelmendi representing Kosovo - and she certainly has the power to bring joy to her compatriots.
"If athletes from Kosovo are successful at the Olympics, it will help the country a lot," she says.
But then she narrows her focus - in the way that champions do.
"Whether I win or lose is my responsibility. I only have to be responsible to my coach - I don't need to think about what the prime minister or the president will say." | Flying the flag can be a vexed question in Kosovo. |
21,592,368 | Local authorities say the curfews are necessary to prevent noise, litter, and vandalism, much of it fuelled, they claim, by underage drinking.
The resort of Interlaken became the first town to bring in a curfew, back in 2006. Today community police officer Hans Peter Buhlmann says it is a big success.
"This was where the problem was," he says, pointing to a big park in the town centre. "In summer it's beautiful, you can see the Alps, and lots of people come here, they sit down, they drink beer."
So is this a problem? It is, it seems, for Interlaken, where many residents were offended by the sight, and sound, of teenagers drinking alcohol in the park on long summer nights.
"In every town you can see teenagers and young people drinking beer and other things," explains Mr Buhlmann, "but it's not a thing we like to see here in Interlaken, that's clear."
In fact, drinking alcohol under the age of 16 is already illegal in Switzerland. But Interlaken decided that was not enough, and it needed an additional measure: after 22:00, under-16s are not allowed out.
"They are not allowed to visit the city, the public places, the streets, alone," says Mr Buhlmann. "They can only go out if they are with their parents."
Interlaken says it has seen a marked reduction in late-night noise and vandalism since the introduction of the curfew, and since then a number of towns have followed suit.
"It's absolutely a trend," says Felix Graf of Berne's Young Socialist Party.
"I think it's really dangerous for young people, they want to do things but then the older people come and say no that's forbidden, you mustn't do that, everywhere in Switzerland it's the same problem."
Now young people are fighting back.
When Kehrsatz, a small commuter town close to the capital Berne became the latest community to introduce a curfew this year, local teenagers braved sub-zero temperatures to stage an after-ten-at-night party in the open air.
"I think this is just not fair," said one 15-year-old girl. "Lots of us have friends over 16 and we want to go out with them. Why should we have to leave just as the fun is starting?"
"I don't think this curfew is necessary," adds a boy. "And anyway, it should be the parents who decide, not the town council. This law will just make new problems."
And, a common refrain: "They are punishing all of us just because of a handful of troublemakers."
And although, in Interlaken, the authorities claim adults at least are happy with the curfew, many parents do have questions.
"What happens if one of my sons is coming home from the cinema, or football training, just after ten?" asks one mother. "Does he get arrested?"
"I think it's basically fair," says another mother. "If they want to prevent noise and graffiti. It's all about balancing rights and responsibilities."
In fact arrest is unlikely, because in most towns with curfews, Swiss police are not actively enforcing it. Instead the local authorities have employed private security firms.
Kehrsatz has hired Broncos Security, a company which has its origins in a motorcycle club of the same name.
"The start of our company was actually a motorcycle club, Broncos MC," explains company manager Roland Steiner, "like the Hell's Angels, or the Bandidos, or the Outlaws."
But while this history has raised eyebrows in Kehrsatz, Mr Steiner insists the security company and the motorcycle club are now "completely separate". And he points to the success his teams have had in reducing late-night noise and graffiti in the communities they work in.
"We talk to the young people," he explains. "We ask them what are you doing, where are you going, do they have alcohol with them, how old are they, we ask to see ID.
"And most of the time we get it because we do it in a friendly way. It's just, if you provoke us, there's a limit, and if you go over the limit, there's the end."
So what is the end exactly? Under Swiss law, the Broncos can restrain and even handcuff a youngster, but from there, the police must be called.
"I think it's a waste of taxpayers' money to employ security guards to impose a blanket curfew," says one father. "If there is really a problem with noise or vandalism, they should identify the culprits and deal with them."
And Swiss teenagers also complain that the real problem is lack of space for young people. Most clubs are either barred to under-16s, or simply too expensive. That is why, the under-16s say, so many of them socialise outside, especially in summer.
Many suspect the mere sight of large groups of young people outside on the streets angers "the grown-ups", and that this is what is behind the curfews. Some suggest it is a desire to return to a Switzerland of old, where everything had its place, and rules were obeyed.
But in 21st Century Switzerland, things are different. Last June an impromptu street party in Bern, called Tanz dich Frei (English: Dance yourself Free) attracted more than 25,000 young people, who danced through the streets all night long.
"It was a demonstration for more room, for more free time and space for young people," says Felix Graf. "A very strong sign that we don't want new curfews."
This summer Tanz Dich Frei will happen again. Meanwhile, more curfews are being planned. | A growing trend among Swiss towns and villages to introduce curfews for the under-16s is causing anger and frustration among the country's teenagers. |
38,333,015 | "No discussions" had taken place about him joining the cabinet and no meetings were planned with him in the coming days, Mr Jones told BBC Wales.
Plaid has warned it will end its co-operation deal with Labour if it appoints another AM from outside the party to the Welsh Government.
Lib Dem AM Kirsty Williams already sits in his cabinet as education secretary.
Lord Elis-Thomas quit Plaid in October, accusing the party of not being serious about supporting stable government.
Adding him to the Welsh Government would secure Mr Jones a working majority in the Senedd, with 31 out of the 60 seats in Cardiff Bay.
Asked if Lord Elis-Thomas was joining the cabinet soon, Mr Jones said: "No, because he's just announced that he's leaving Plaid Cymru.
"We've had discussions with him about how we might work together in the future but not that, no."
He said: "Where there's common ground between us we would look to see if we can secure his support and vice-versa, as we do with everybody in this chamber."
The first minister also emphasised that "the structure that is already in place with Plaid Cymru will stay there".
"There have been no discussions... as far as him joining the cabinet," he said.
"It's been a question of talking to him about how he might look to vote in the future and working with him.
"The first thing you have to do is to work with somebody as an individual, and see then if you can secure their support for what you're trying to do.
"We don't go beyond that." | First Minister Carwyn Jones has denied rumours ex-Plaid Cymru leader Lord Elis-Thomas is joining his government. |
33,998,002 | Officials said three officers were attacked by two men on a motorcycle.
The interior ministry said police in the city, 140km (90 miles) south of the capital Tunis, had launched a vast search for the gunmen.
Tunisia's tourism industry has suffered badly since the Sousse beach killings and an attack in Tunis in March.
"Three policemen were the target of gunshots fired by two men on a big motorcycle," a statement from the interior ministry said.
"One of them died during transport to the hospital, the other two were not affected," it added.
Sousse is still trying to recover after a gunman killed 38 tourists on a beach in the city on 26 June in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.
Officials say more than 3,000 Tunisians have left to fight with IS in Iraq and Syria and increasingly in neighbouring Libya.
The gunmen in the Sousse massacre and an attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis on 18 March were trained in militant camps in Libya.
Tunisia emerged as a model for democratic transition in the Middle East after an uprising in 2011 ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali - but it has faced a growing militant threat. | A Tunisian police officer has been shot dead in the beach resort of Sousse, where 38 people, mainly British tourists, were killed in June. |
26,219,468 | Under the proposed legislation, those convicted of homosexual acts could face life imprisonment.
The law would also make it a crime not to report gay people.
Mr Museveni last month refused to sign the bill but on Friday indicated that he would approve it shortly, after receiving scientific advice.
Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said a team of Ugandan scientists asked by the president for a report on homosexuality had told Mr Museveni that "there is no definitive gene responsible for homosexuality".
He told the AFP news agency this meant "homosexuality is not a disease but merely an abnormal behaviour which may be learned through experiences in life".
Mr Opondo said the president was under strong domestic pressure to sign the bill.
The private member's bill originally proposed the death penalty for some offences, such as if a minor was involved or the perpetrator was HIV-positive, but that clause has been dropped.
Uganda already has legislation banning gay sex between men, but the proposed law sharply tightens restrictions - and covers lesbians for the first time.
Promotion of homosexuality - even talking about it without condemning it - would also be punishable by a prison sentence.
The US is one of Uganda's largest foreign aid donors, and in 2011 a small number of American troops were sent to help the Ugandan military fight the rebel Lord's Resistance Army.
But President Obama, who once referred to the proposed law as "odious", says this relationship would become more complicated if it is approved, describing it as an affront, and a danger to, Uganda's gay community.
America's National Security Adviser, Susan Rice, said on Twitter that she spoke at length with the Ugandan President Museveni on Saturday night to urge him not to sign the bill.
President Obama's statement didn't limit criticism to Uganda, noting an increase in reports of violence and harassment of homosexuals from Russia to Nigeria.
A month ago, President Museveni refused to approve the controversial bill after it had been passed by parliament.
At the time, his spokesman said that the president believed that gay people are sick but that he did not believe they should be killed, or jailed for life.
"What the president has being saying is that we shall not persecute these homosexuals and lesbians. That is the point," said Tamale Mirudi.
Mr Museveni has been trying to reach a compromise with MPs, because if he refuses to sign the bill, parliament can still force it through with a two-thirds vote.
In a letter written to the parliamentary speaker when he blocked the bill in January, he disputed the view that homosexuality was an "alternative sexual orientation," reasoning that "You cannot call an abnormality an alternative orientation. It could be that the Western societies, on account of random breeding, have generated many abnormal people." | President Barack Obama has warned Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni that enacting an anti-gay law would complicate relations with the US. |
30,932,032 | The 27-year-old goalkeeper arrives after the Iron lost both Sam Slocombe and Jamie Severn to broken arms in the
Daniels played just three times for the Baggies in an 11-year spell, but has made a total of 119 career appearances.
"He's a quality goalkeeper that's been on our radar for a while. He was top of our list," said manager Mark Robins. | Luke Daniels has joined Scunthorpe from West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee, on a two-and-a-half-year deal. |
31,002,236 | The DJ's signed a three-year deal with Abu Dhabi-owned hospitality company Hakkasan Group.
The 31-year-old will hold residencies at three of the group's Las Vegas venues and is their music consultant.
"I am excited to be able to play a part in this next chapter of its story," the DJ said speaking about the deal.
"Its venues are some of the best in the world for dance music and the opportunity to be part of the wider group as it develops into other markets and sectors is a really exciting prospect for me as an artist.
"We have some great ideas up our sleeves."
Calvin Harris will split his time between Hakkasan Nightclub, Wet Republic at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino and the soon-to-open Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace.
As Hakkasan's music consultant he'll be in charge of the brand's 'sound' and coming up with new experiences and events over the next three years.
Neil Moffitt is the CEO of Hakkasan, which owns restaurants and nightclubs across North America, Asia, India and the Middle East.
He said: "We are excited to continue our partnership with Calvin Harris as he extends his exclusive residencies with Hakkasan Group.
"He is a truly sensational artist and we look forward to what he will bring to our most acclaimed venues over the next three years".
Calvin Harris released his fourth album Motion in November.
He was named best electronic artist at the MTV EMAs.
Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter, BBCNewsbeat on Instagram and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube | He's one of the world's most powerful celebrities, worth an estimated $66m (£40m) and now Calvin Harris looks set to get even richer. |
35,141,482 | Scoot Ferries earlier posted a message on its website saying it had received "some very unfestive news" and all services had been cancelled.
It has issued a statement saying it had to "suspend operations with immediate effect" after buyout talks failed.
Chief executive Zoë Ombler said she was "devastated" by the news but was still hopeful the company could recover.
The statement said that David Meany of Ashtons Recovery LLP has been appointed as official receiver and will be applying for a Company Voluntary Arrangement with immediate effect.
Ms Ombler added: "I very much hope that this is not the end for Scoot and believe there is an immediate opportunity to find the necessary investment to allow us to continue to operate."
Earlier in the day customers posting on social media asked the company for more information and complained they had booked journeys and were left waiting.
The firm started running services between Yarmouth and Lymington, as well as Portsmouth and Cowes, earlier this year.
Matt Green posted on Facebook: "Stuck waiting in Portsmouth with absolutely no info until a kind member of the public directed me to this update.
"Why no info at the waiting area for all the stranded passengers? Unacceptable really. How do we get refunds for the cancelled trips?"
Anna Pocock said: "We only booked a ticket at 10.45 this morning and there was no warning on the website. Turned up at Cowes jetty to find no boat and no news."
Ollie Phillips posted on Twitter: "My wife's birthday surprise is ruined this evening. Please refund my money immediately."
Others offered their support to the company, including Richard Walters who said on Facebook: "I hope that you are able to sort things out."
Ferry services to and from the island are also run by Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink. | A new Isle of Wight ferry company has announced it has gone bust after suddenly cancelling all its sailings. |
39,055,696 | She succeeds Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who announced his retirement last year.
Ms Dick, previously the national policing lead on counter-terrorism, said she was "thrilled and humbled".
But her appointment was criticised by the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was wrongly shot dead during an operation she led in 2005.
The Brazilian electrician was killed two weeks after the 7/7 London Bombings when he was mistakenly identified as a terror suspect.
A jury later found the Met had broken health and safety laws, but found there was "no personal culpability for Commander Cressida Dick".
Ms Dick, 56, left the Met for the Foreign Office after 31 years of service in December 2014.
Londoners' to-do list for the new chief
She was chosen for the commissioner's job ahead of National Police Chiefs' Council chairwoman Sara Thornton, Essex Police chief constable Stephen Kavanagh and Scotland Yard's Mark Rowley.
Her appointment means that for the first time all three top policing jobs in the UK are held by women: the Met commissioner, the head of the National Crime Agency and the president of the National Police Chief's Council.
Ms Dick's statement said: "This is a great responsibility and an amazing opportunity.
"I'm looking forward immensely to protecting and serving the people of London and working again with the fabulous women and men of the Met.
"Thank you so much to everyone who has taught me and supported me along the way."
By Danny Shaw, home affairs correspondent
The new commissioner will find that when it comes to leading the Met, there's no off-switch. It's a policing organisation like no other in the UK, with a budget of £3bn, a workforce of 43,000 and responsibility for keeping everyone in London - from Barking to Buckingham Palace, from West Norwood to Westminster - safe.
The leader of Britain's biggest and most influential police force will come under pressure to make early decisions: on whether to roll out controversial spit-guards, on how to police the Notting Hill Carnival and if Tasers should be extended to all officers.
She'll face intense scrutiny from the media, which has a tendency to escalate stories of local difficulties into ones of national importance. And she'll be expected to provide regular updates to the London Assembly, MPs on the home affairs committee, the mayor of London and the home secretary.
Five challenges for the new chief
Theresa May said Ms Dick had the "exceptional qualities" needed to lead the Met.
"Her skills and insights will be crucial in shaping the Met as the job of police reform continues, co-ordinating the national response to the ongoing threat of terrorism and serious criminality as well as keeping Londoners safe," the prime minister continued.
"In addition, I know she will be a champion for the most vulnerable who the police are there to protect."
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said Ms Dick was taking on "one of the most demanding, high-profile and important jobs in UK policing, against the backdrop of a heightened terror alert and evolving threats from fraud and cyber crime".
Sir Bernard said his replacement would be "a brilliant beacon for women within and beyond this force".
And London Mayor Sadiq Khan said she was the "best possible person" to take the Met forward.
"She has already had a long and distinguished career, and her experience and ability has shone throughout this process."
But Mr de Menezes' cousins Patricia Armani and Alex Pereira said her appointment was "offensive" to his memory and sent "the message... that police officers can act with impunity".
Ms Armani said: "Our family is disappointed that she has now been appointed for such an important role at a time there are many more threats to public security in the form of terrorism.
"What are the guarantees that more innocent people won't be killed by the police in London?"
Ms Dick's new post commands a salary of £270,648, plus benefits.
She first joined the Met in 1983 after a brief spell in accountancy following her graduation from Oxford University.
In 2009, she became the first woman to be appointed an assistant commissioner at the force, later becoming the national lead for counter-terrorism across the UK.
Her work also included leading the reinvestigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the police response to the killing of soldier Lee Rigby.
In 2014, she left Scotland Yard to take up a highly sensitive and undisclosed director-general post at the Foreign Office.
Her other experience includes taking on internal reforms of Scotland Yard and being one of the two senior officers in charge of security at the London 2012 Olympic Games. | Cressida Dick is the new Metropolitan Police commissioner, becoming the first woman to take charge of London's police force in its 188-year history. |
25,783,574 | The Swedish capital has withdrawn its bid for financial reasons.
"Bidding for the Olympics in the current situation would entail too much speculation with taxpayers' money," Christian Democrat leaders Ewa Samuelsson and Erik Slottner said.
The decision leaves five cities still in contention: Almaty (Kazakhstan), Beijing (China), Krakow (Poland), Lviv (Ukraine) and Oslo (Norway).
Stockholm hosted the 1912 Summer Olympics and was bidding to become the first city to host both versions of the Games.
It was considered unlikely to win the vote in 2015 because the Alpine ski events would have had to be staged in the northern Swedish resort of Are, more than 400 miles away from the capital. | Stockholm is out of the running to stage the 2022 Winter Olympics. |
35,678,727 | He finished third with a score of 79.33. Japan's Yuki Kadono won with a phenomenal 90.66, just ahead of Canada's Max Parrot who scored 90.33.
It is a first X Games medal for Morgan, who became the first person to land a 1800 degree jump in 2015.
"I've always seen X Games as one of the biggest, raddest things out there," he said, after his 1440 triple cork.
"So to be on the podium and compete with so many riders I look up to is amazing."
Big air makes its Winter Games debut in PyeongChang in South Korea in 2018.
Morgan, who finished 10th in slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, only returned to the snow in December after having knee surgery in April.
Britain, who won their first ever Winter Olympics medal on snow with Jenny Jones' slopestyle bronze two years ago, are aiming to add to the medal tally in big air in South Korea.
There are a number of world class snowboarders and freestyle skiers in the medal zone, including Katie Ormerod, Aimee Fuller, Jamie Nicholls, Katie Summerhayes, Isabel Atkin and James Woods. | British snowboarder Billy Morgan has won a bronze medal in big air at the X Games in Oslo. |
30,549,723 | The former Nova Centre in Prestatyn shut in February after the trust running it had its funding pulled by Denbighshire council.
It has confirmed the revamp will take place from 5 January after agreeing £4.2m in funding in October.
Three promenade-side retail units will also be built as part of the plans.
"The redevelopment of the Nova Centre is an important piece of the jigsaw in our vision to develop the leisure offer on the coast," said councillor Huw Jones, cabinet lead member for leisure.
The work is expected to be complete by July. | Work on a new gym, cafe and pool-side changing rooms is due to start at a Denbighshire leisure centre in January. |
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Dibben, 22, won the final two sprints to reach 48 points - the same score as Andreas Graff - but crossed the finish line of the 160-lap race first.
Earlier, Andy Tennant edged out fellow Briton Owain Doull by 0.175 seconds to win bronze in the men's pursuit.
Laura Trott, who won GB's first gold medal on Thursday, helped the hosts win another bronze in the team pursuit.
But it was the talented Dibben who stirred the 8,000 crowd into a thunderous roar as he attacked on the final sprint to win a four-man battle for gold.
"I'm lost for words," Dibben told BBC Sport. "I came into this to give it my all. I rode it like an omnium points race. For 100 laps I was at my limit and in the last 20 everyone else just died off."
So impressive was the Team Wiggins rider's performance, the European omnium bronze medallist has given the British selectors an Olympic dilemma.
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The celebrated Mark Cavendish finished on 84 points after three events in the omnium, an excellent performance in the elimination race on Friday night boosting his chances of a medal.
British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton has said the Manxman has to finish in the top three to secure his spot for Rio.
Even if the 30-year-old achieves that aim in London, the selectors face a conundrum as Cavendish's inclusion in the omnium would mean having to select him as part of the five-man team pursuit, and his coach Heinko Salzwedel has admitted the rider has a "long way to go" to reach the required standard.
His main rival for a place in the team is Dibben, who is currently the stronger of the two in the team pursuit and is a classy omnium operator.
"That's going to put him right back in contention for the omnium," said Boardman. "I wouldn't want to be a selector with Cavendish doing so well in the omnium."
But Cavendish, who is hoping to balance his road commitments with his quest for a first Olympic gold, is well placed with the kilo, flying lap and points race remaining on Saturday.
In the day's two other events, he finished sixth in the 15km scratch and 13th in the pursuit, his weakest event.
Boardman said the Briton rode a "fantastic" strategic race in the elimination.
Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy added: "He's been off the track for a while but you could see his brilliance coming back at the end. He can't afford to have a bad event now. He has to be consistent. The points event is a good race for him - he's got to make sure he's not outside the top three or four in each event."
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Britain's quartet of Trott, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne and Joanna Rowsell Shand put Thursday's disappointing qualifying display behind them with two superb rides on Friday.
They broke the British record with a time of four minutes 16.350 seconds to qualify for the bronze medal race and went on to beat rivals New Zealand by nearly four seconds to secure third place in 4:16.540.
Trott, the women's scratch world champion, said the team wanted to "prove people wrong" after a ragged ride on Thursday.
"We were disappointed at how we rode and to come back fighting and post 4:16 in two races was better than we thought we were going to do," said the double Olympic champion.
Trott, who could end these championships with a hat-trick of medals as she competes in the gruelling six-event omnium over the final two days, said Friday's performances had given her momentum.
In the last competition before the Olympics, this week's team pursuit offered a glimpse at how closely contested the event will be in Rio with the United States going close to breaking the world record in the semi-finals and dipping below 4:17 to win gold in the final.
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Team-mates Tennant and Doull produced a sensational finish with just a 10th of a second separating the pair as Tennant won in 4:18.301.
Welshman Doull, 22, hauled himself back into contention in the closing stages, but was pipped by his fellow Team Wiggins rider.
"That's the icing on the cake for me," said 28-year-old Tennant. "To come away with individual bronze medal - if you'd asked me three weeks ago, I'd have been betting against myself."
Italy's Filippo Ganna (4:16.141) secured gold, beating Germany's Domenic Weinstein (4:18.275) in the final.
Olympic champion Jason Kenny qualified in second place as he made a strong start to the individual sprint competition.
The 27-year-old has endured a lean few years since winning two gold medals at the London 2012 Games but showed promising signs by advancing serenely to the quarter-finals.
Team-mate Callum Skinner joined him there by beating defending champion Gregory Bauge.
Kenny was just 0.001secs behind fastest qualifier Matthew Glaetzer of Australia while Skinner was fifth fastest in 9.824. | Jon Dibben won Britain's second gold of the Track World Championships with a superb ride in the men's points race. |
39,769,163 | The 23-year-old was also given a formal written warning following his comments to FDJ's Kevin Reza at last week's Tour de Romandie.
Team Sky held a disciplinary hearing on Monday and later released a statement confirming the sanction, which includes attending a diversity awareness course.
"Gianni recognises that his behaviour was wrong," Team Sky said.
"He apologised to Kevin Reza after the stage and again to him and his team the following morning, and this apology was accepted.
"Gianni knows that there is no excuse for his behaviour and that any repeat will result in termination of his contract," the statement added.
Moscon was allowed to complete the race on Sunday, two days after the incident occurred at the end of Friday's stage.
The race was won by Team Sky's Elia Viviani.
They said the decision to allow Moscon to complete the race was taken after speaking "at length" to Reza and his team.
Reza's team-mate Sebastien Reichenbach tweeted about an incident of racial abuse in the peloton on Friday, but did not name Moscon.
He wrote: "Shocked to hear idiots still using racist insults in the pro peloton. You are a disgrace to our sport."
The UCI, cycling's world governing body, said any complaint of racist abuse would be investigated.
Team Sky told BBC Sport on Monday they had not been contacted by the UCI, but they would co-operate fully with any investigation. | Team Sky have suspended their Italian rider Gianni Moscon for six weeks after he racially abused a rival. |
34,416,186 | The Dow Jones fell 0.08% to 16,272.01 points, while the S&P 500, which had spent most the day in the red, edged 0.2% higher at 1,923.82 points.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq index rose 0.15% to 4,627.08.
General Motors rose 2.2% and Ford 0.74% after both companies reported September car sales that beat expectations.
Data on US manufacturing activity showed near-flat activity in September, while construction spending rose to a seven-year high in August.
Some oil shares looked set for solid gains at the start of trading, but Chevron closed down 0.68% and Exxon Mobil was 0.39% lower.
Footwear firm Crocs was the second biggest loser on the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
Its shares fell 14% after the firm cut its third quarter revenue forecast, citing a strong dollar and its decision to hold back about $6m of orders to some distributors in China.
Another big loser on the Nasdaq was Dunkin Brands Group, which owns the Dunkin Donuts chain.
Its shares ended down 12.24% after it announced the closure of 100 stores during this year and next.
Thursday marked the first day of the fourth quarter and investors were hoping an improvement on the previous three months - which was the worst quarter for the stock market in four years.
"Historically, the third quarter tends to be a difficult quarter and the fourth quarter tends to be the best quarter of the year," said Randy Frederick, from stockbrokers Charles Schwab.
A report on Thursday showed that new claims for unemployment insurance rose by 10,000 to 277,000 in the week ending 26 September.
Friday brings the closely watched non-farm payrolls report, which will show how many jobs the US economy created in September. | (Close): Wall Street ended little changed as investors digested mixed economic data and awaited Friday's jobs figures. |
34,670,042 | The Intelligence and Security Committee said it would not be assessing the legality of the strike, saying this was a matter for Parliament and Number 10.
The government has described the strike as "an act of self defence".
Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Human Rights has announced a separate inquiry into "government drone strikes".
Reyaad Khan, 21, from Cardiff, and Ruhul Amin, from Aberdeen, were killed in a precision strike in Raqqa by a remotely piloted aircraft on 21 August.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the men were linked to so-called Islamic State and had been planning terrorist attacks on UK soil.
The RAF strike was the first targeted UK drone attack on a British citizen.
Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve, chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, said an "immediate priority" was to look at the intelligence behind the strike.
He said it was "mindful" that the committee "can't look at issues that concern current operations" but he hoped it would be able to start its work "as soon as possible".
Explaining its terms of reference, he said: "It would not be the legality or the political decision making [of the strike] - that is a matter for Parliament and Number 10.
"What we can and will want to look at is the intelligence that underpinned the decision that this was a strike that had to be carried out.
"We should be in a position to get that information."
'Kill policy'
The RAF strike in Syria is being legally challenged by Green Party parliamentarians Caroline Lucas MP and Baroness Jones, who claim "targeted killing" is unlawful.
Welcoming the Human Right's Committee inquiry, Ms Lucas said: "I'm glad our challenge has pushed this issue up the political agenda.
"This inquiry must urgently work to clarify the legal framework in which the UK is acting. In the meantime the government should suspend its targeted kill policy." | MPs are to investigate the "intelligence basis" for a UK drone strike which killed two British Islamic State jihadists in Syria. |
26,610,750 | Media playback is not supported on this device
It's a remarkable prospect for a man who was contemplating giving up the game less than 12 months ago.
And it's all the more remarkable considering he was rejected as a 16-year-old after being told he was "too small", and was playing non-league football as recently as May 2012.
Last season - his first after his £1m move from Fleetwood Town - was tough.
2011/12 - Fleetwood Town:
Goals 31, Appearances 36
2012/13 - Leicester City:
Goals 4, Appearances 26
2013/14 (Up until March 15) - Leicester City:
Goals 15, Appearances 33
He was struggling for confidence, not scoring, not reaching anywhere near the sort of form that prompted his move and getting plenty grief on social media.
The support of Foxes manager Nigel Pearson - the man who made Vardy the most expensive non-league player in history - and his assistant Craig Shakespeare convinced him to battle through the self-doubt, and the growing number of doubters.
"Yes I did [nearly give up] to be honest with you," Vardy told BBC Late Kick Off Midlands.
"But I had a few chats with the gaffer and they constantly told me I was good enough and they believed in me and stuck by me. I am glad to be showing the faith they showed in me on the pitch.
"I also know a lot of hard work has gone into it on my behalf as well as people believing in me. The gaffer has always said that he believes in me, even last year when I was at a bit of a low. And I am repaying him now.
"It was a big learning curve last year and I have done a lot of work in the off-season. I have come back this year fighting fit and it is paying dividends for me and the club."
It certainly is. This season, Vardy has scored 15 league goals in 33 games to help Leicester to the top of the Championship table.
Last season he managed four in 26 league appearances.
"It was tough," Vardy recalled. "I came into a dressing room with a lot of big names in and I wasn't used to it whatsoever. It did take a lot to get used to and I obviously have now."
Vardy's goals and impressive strike partnership with David Nugent has provided the cutting edge to a team brimming with confidence and quality. Nugent has scored 17 league goals in 35 games.
Barring a complete capitulation, City will be playing top-flight football next season.
Following Saturday's 3-1 victory over Blackpool, the Foxes are 17 points clear of Derby County and QPR, who are third and fourth respectively.
They are also seven points clear of second-placed Burnley, with a game in hand.
The Clarets seem the only realistic challengers for the title, but with eight wins from their last 10 games, it's not as if Leicester are showing signs of letting the pressure get to them.
"It is brilliant," Vardy said. "Obviously the confidence is sky high. We are reaping the rewards of working hard on the training field and transferring it onto the pitch and that is what has got us into the position we are at the minute."
Vardy seems all the more appreciative given the fact his football success has come the hard way.
He was released by Sheffield Wednesday as a teenager and that nearly ended his career.
"As soon as that happened I never thought I would play football again," he said. "It was a real heartache as a kid.
"The reason I got released was I was too small. I wasn't physically built enough. It does hit you hard. I was very angry and upset and that is why I stopped playing for a year."
We know if we carry on playing as we are, then we will be in the Premier League next season. I keep pinching myself all the time because I never thought it would happen but it's on the cards now if we keep doing what we are doing on the pitch
But he resumed his career at a lowly non-league level and by 2010 he was scoring regularly for Halifax. Within a year Vardy was signed by Fleetwood, whom he helped win promotion to the Football League.
"I have had to go the long way back into it," Vardy said. "But I am happy I have done that because I have learnt a lot of things on the way and it has got me to where I am today."
Following his rejection by the Owls, Vardy was also charged with assault after getting involved in a fight in a pub. He had to wear an electronic tag and was often forced to race back from games to beat a curfew.
"I did get into a bit of trouble back then," he said.
"I am obviously not proud of what happened but it happened so I think things happen for a reason and I have turned my life around now and I am happy the way I am."
The next part of the journey seems to lead towards the Premier League. And although Vardy does not want to dream too much about facing Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and the rest, he cannot help reflect a little on the progress both he and the club have made.
"We know if we carry on playing as we are, then we will be in the Premier League next season," Vardy added.
"I keep pinching myself all the time because I never thought it would happen but it's on the cards now if we keep doing what we are doing on the pitch.
"Being in the Premier League would be a dream come true."
You can see the Jamie Vardy feature from BBC Late Kick Off Midlands on BBC iPlayer. | Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is on the verge of the Premier League and the 27-year-old seems to need a few seconds to take it in. |
33,150,035 | The service personnel were collected by cabbies who then drove in convoy from South Holmwood, near Dorking, Surrey, to Worthing, West Sussex.
More than 110 cabs parked up on the promenade once they arrived.
The annual trip has been organised by the London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled since 1948.
During the day, the veterans were treated to a fish and chip lunch at Worthing Civic Centre.
Chelsea Pensioner Trevor Thomson, 76, who is originally from Hollingworth, Cheshire, said: "We enjoy it very much, just getting out of London and seeing green fields again, which is wonderful. It's a really nice day."
"It's nice that we have got so many cab drivers who appreciate us. I think they deserve a medal," said Roy Nash, 84, from Chingford, north-east London.
It was a "time-honoured tradition" for the people of Worthing to welcome these "brave men and women" to the town each year, according to council leader Daniel Humphreys.
Paul Davis, of the London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled, said: "The drivers give up their time for nothing, they don't get paid for it, but they make friends over the years." | More than 200 armed forces veterans from across the South East have been treated to a trip to the seaside by black cab drivers from London. |
41,041,645 | The filly led the one-mile-and-four-furlongs race at the Ebor Festival from the start and jockey Frankie Dettori guided her to a five-lengths win.
The 1-4 favourite finished in front of Coronet (16-1), with Queen's Trust (12-1) in third.
"If you try and keep up with her she'll break your lungs," Dettori told BBC Sport.
Trainer John Gosden says she will now to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on 1 October.
Dettori, who will be seeking his fifth Arc win, said: "She's easy for me to ride; great temperament, unbelievable stamina, uncomplicated, takes everything in her stride and I'm as impressed as you guys.
"She's top drawer, keeps on delivering and she's capturing people's imaginations."
And speaking to ITV, Gosden added: "There are some good fillies but she is special."
BBC Radio 5 live's racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght
The way in which Frankie Dettori rode Enable - not arguing with her and letting her stride on - was a new tactic that was in theory potentially risky.
She was up in front, providing a target at which the others could aim, but as Dettori put it so well "she'll break [opponents'] lungs", in your language and mine "they didn't have a prayer".
What this victory - her fourth in an Oaks after Cheshire, Epsom and Ireland - demonstrates is that she does not appear to have any chinks in her armour. Wow. | Odds-on favourite Enable recorded her fourth successive Group One victory by winning the Yorkshire Oaks. |
38,530,906 | It comes just weeks before the church marks another milestone - with the consecration of its first woman bishop.
On 11 January 1997, 61 women became priests at services across Wales.
It was a campaign that had lasted over a century, since the first woman was made an Anglican deaconess in Usk, Monmouthshire, in 1884.
"Today it's impossible for me to think of a church in which we don't celebrate and welcome the equal ministry of women," said Bishop of St Asaph Gregory Cameron.
"We really can give thanks for the huge step forward that the Church in Wales took in 1997. We've been greatly enriched by the dedication, service and insight of so many women over this period. May God continue this blessing."
As part of the celebrations, the church has commissioned a special logo containing the names of all the women priests first ordained 20 years ago.
One of those first in the St Asaph diocese was the Reverend Margaret Harvey, who had been a deacon-in-charge near Corwen in Denbighshire at the time.
"For me the most exciting part of that weekend in January 1997 was what happened the morning after ordination at the end of my first Sunday morning Eucharist as priest," she said.
"As usual people gathered around the font to chat about the service. Someone said we didn't think it would be different - but it was."
But the road to ordination as priests in the Welsh Anglican church was long and winding, as the publication 'Crossing Thresholds' recounted, examining the role of women in the church in Wales over the past 130 years.
In its foreword, the Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan said: "The whole notion of women not being allowed to be ordained in any capacity seems as old‐fashioned and fuddy‐duddy as carrying wives over thresholds and tying them to the kitchen sink."
But for a time in the 1990s, the old fashioned attitudes prevailed.
Just weeks after the first women priests were ordained in the Church of England, a bill to ordain women in Wales was defeated by the clergy - despite the unanimous support of bishops and the overwhelming support of lay members of the Church in Wales.
The Reverend Canon Jenny Wigley recalled the shock of losing the April 1994 vote in Crossing Thresholds: "I came out of the hall in Lampeter, walked up to the nearest TV camera and made my first campaigning speech," she said.
"As far as the people of Wales were concerned, and indeed most of the media, it was so obvious: 'The church' was wrong and we were right.
"We were hugely encouraged by their response and the next two years were empowering and often exhilarating - even when we were meeting on wet Saturday afternoons in the church hall in Llanidloes!"
Two years later, in September 1996, another vote and this time victory for those supporting women clergy.
Kathy Ferguson was ordained along with seven other deacons in Bangor Cathedral in 1997 but, like many others, it was the journey back to her parish that really mattered - and taking her first Holy Communion.
"I truly can remember just about every detail of that morning, even to the butterflies in my stomach as I sang the priest's part of the service for the very first time," she wrote.
"Then, for me, came the crowning moment when my broadly‐smiling vicar presented me with the beautiful silver home‐communion set which was the parishes' gift to me to mark the occasion. It has had much use over the years since then and I treasure it still."
But it was to be another 16 years before the Church in Wales finally agreed to allow women to become bishops - at the second time of asking - in September 2013.
And it will be 20 years and 10 days when the very first woman to become a Church in Wales bishop is consecrated, when Canon Joanna Penberthy becomes Bishop of St David's Diocese on 21 January. | Services of celebration were held at Wales' six Anglican cathedrals to mark 20 years since the Church in Wales first ordained women priests. |
21,956,439 | The wild beaver had been spotted at the Loch of the Lowes in August.
Staff have managed to catch the animal, which has been identified as a two to three year old male European Beaver.
The aquatic mammal was taken to Edinburgh Zoo for a proper health check and DNA testing, before being released back into the reserve.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), along with the Tayside Beaver Study Group, has been monitoring the animal at the Loch of the Lowes since it was first spotted last summer.
Staff placed a humane trap, baited with carrots and apples, near the beaver's lodge.
Once caught, it was taken to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) vet in Edinburgh, where the male beaver was given a full check for diseases and a sample of DNA taken.
The animal was re-released on the reserve later the same day, where staff said "he ambled happily down to the water's edge" and swam back to his lodge.
A spokesman at the reserve said: "We intend, of course, to continue monitoring the beaver at Loch of the Lowes and his behaviour, as well as any impact he has on the reserve's ecology.
"He is a charming animal who has provided us with some very funny moments on camera.
"So far there are no confirmed sightings of a second animal here, but it is possible that our male may attract a mate, we will be continuing to monitor him to follow the story."
Beavers became extinct in the UK towards the end of the 16th century.
The current wild beaver populations in Scotland either belong to the government-licensed Scottish Beaver Trial in Knapdale in Argyll, or are the descendants of escapees from private collections in Angus and Perthshire over the past decade. | The first wild beaver in more than 400 years has been trapped at a Perthshire nature reserve in order to perform health checks and a DNA test. |
35,795,175 | But what else happened in Europe? Here are the stories you may have missed.
FC Rostov have never finished higher than sixth in the Russian Premier League but they could be on their way to an unlikely title triumph.
Saturday's 2-0 win over CSKA Moscow took them above CSKA to top of the table, with 10 games to go, thanks to their superior head-to-head record.
Rostov, based in southern Russia, did win the country's domestic cup competition in 2014 to gain a place in the Europa League.
But they have been plagued by financial problems in recent years and operate with a fraction of the budget of Russia's biggest teams.
Last season they survived a relegation play-off to stay in the top flight, but do have a proven winner in charge as manager.
Kurban Berdyev, 63, twice led Rubin Kazan to the Russian Premier League title and famously master-minded their Champions League win at Barcelona in 2009.
It's been quite a weekend for goalkeepers young and old in Italy.
While Juventus' 38-year-old Gianluigi Buffon beat Dino Zoff's club record of 903 minutes without conceding in Serie A, it was a different story for teenager Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The AC Milan youngster, who has been a revelation since making his debut last October, spent part of Sunday in hospital.
An unfortunate clash with Chievo's Fabrizio Cacciatore saw the 17-year-old taken off with what appeared to be a head injury with less than 20 minutes on the clock.
Christian Abbiati arrived in his place as the Rossoneri were unable to break down a resilient Chievo side, drawing 0-0 and stay sixth in the table, 19 points behind leaders Juventus with nine games remaining.
Vincent Janssen could be one to watch following a spectacular debut season in the Dutch top flight.
The striker, a Netherlands under-21 international, joined AZ Alkmaar from second tier side Almere City last summer.
On Saturday, Janssen, 21, scored for a sixth successive game in a 2-0 win at Willem II, taking his total for the season to 19 and making him the club's first player to score six in a row since Sweden international Rasmus Elm in 2011.
Janssen's mother is former 200m freestyle world champion and Olympic medallist Annemarie Verstappen.
It must be in the genes.
They say there's no substitute for experience but it didn't help Deportivo La Coruna stop the rot.
With only one win in 15 La Liga games, Deportivo picked 40-year-old defender Manuel Pablo for their trip to Atletico Madrid.
Pablo, who helped Deportivo win the title way back in 2000, wore the captain's armband on his first league start of the season.
But the former Spain international lasted less than an hour before being substituted as Atletico cruised to a 3-0 win.
When it comes to long service, the efforts of former PSV Eindhoven steward Piet Adriaan will take some beating.
Adriaan worked as a steward on match days at the club's home for a remarkable 52 years.
Now seriously ill, the 88-year-old was taken to Saturday's game against Heerenveen on a stretcher, where he was given a guard of honour by fans.
PSV tweeted: "Thanks for everything Piet!" | Paris St-Germain wrapped up the French league title in emphatic style and Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus all took further strides towards winning their respective leagues over the weekend. |
32,927,193 | Lewis Cook and Marie-Ann Wykes, both 16 and from Marston, were involved in the collision on the old A421 Bedford Road, near Brogborough, just after midnight.
Genevieve Reason, 32, from Woburn Sands, who was also in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene along with the teenagers.
Two other men were taken to hospital and have been discharged.
The road remains closed between Brogborough and Marston Moretaine and is unlikely to reopen for a few hours, Bedfordshire Police said.
The force appealed for anyone who saw the collision to get in touch. | Two teenagers and a woman who were killed in a crash between a car and a lorry in Bedfordshire have been named. |
37,446,468 | The result meant heartbreak for rivals Somerset, who needed the match to be drawn to take their first-ever title.
After Dawid Malan (116) and Nick Gubbins (93) put on 198, Middlesex made a contrived declaration on 359-6.
It left Yorkshire to score 240 off 40 overs for a third-successive title, but they were all out for 178 in the 36th.
A compelling final day ended in dramatic fashion as Roland-Jones had Azeem Rafiq caught behind hooking at the end of one over and then bowled Andrew Hodd and Ryan Sidebottom with the first two deliveries of his next to finish with 6-54 and match figures of 10-127.
Their third defeat of the summer left Yorkshire in third place in the final table.
The home side began the day on 81-2 and Malan and Gubbins appeared in no particular hurry as they batted through the morning until the latter was caught and bowled by Rafiq off a leading edge shortly before lunch.
At that stage they were only 81 runs ahead and after Malan reached his century off 203 balls, a strange interlude followed as Stevie Eskinazi took 27 balls to score his first run, with some spectators baffled by Middlesex's tactical approach.
After only five overs with the new ball, however, Yorkshire turned to Adam Lyth and Alex Lees to provide some easy pickings and a rapid acceleration occurred as 120 came off the next 8.5 overs before the declaration.
Lees seemed embarrassed by the wickets of Malan and John Simpson (31), the former caught one-handed by Jack Brooks at square leg, and the innings came to an end when James Franklin (30) literally gave his away by soft-batting an unmissable return catch to Lyth, leaving Eskinazi on 78 not out.
Seeking to emulate their Yorkshire counterparts that won the title three times in a row from 1966-68, the last team to do so, the White Rose county suffered an early setback when Lyth (13) edged Roland-Jones to first slip.
Lees (20) and David Willey (11) then fell to Tim Murtagh, but first-innings centurion Tim Bresnan did his best to revive their fading hopes with a 44-ball fifty, including two sixes.
When he was lbw to Roland-Jones for 55, they needed 87 off the final 10 overs and the task was beyond their lower order as the Middlesex paceman, included in an England Test squad earlier in the summer, took the Championship trophy back to the home of cricket with 28 balls remaining in the match.
Middlesex, who finished second to Yorkshire in 2015, have now won the title 11 times, and shared it on two further occasions.
BBC Radio London's Kevin Hand: "A few negotiations happened very quickly, with Andrew Gale going off three times.
"Yorkshire felt that perhaps Middlesex would gamble before the new ball, lost wickets and then they could have gone through the rest with the new ball. It didn't happen, so when the new ball became available, Yorkshire went to Middlesex and said 'what do you want?'
"There is nothing controversial for me because this has always happened in cricket. I'm sure there will be annoyance, upset and anger at Taunton - but Somerset would have done the same thing."
BBC Radio Leeds' Dave Callaghan: "I understand why it happened and I'm not against it today because we wanted to see a wonderful end to this game, but on a personal level I don't like it at all.
"These two teams have been terrific in this match and it was a means to an end and it set us up for a thrilling two and a half hours.
"All's fair in love and war and Somerset have taken criticism for the quality of some of the pitches they have prepared in recent matches."
Middlesex captain James Franklin: "I had a look at the cup after warm-ups and thought there was a slim chance but to be holding it is unbelievable.
"We've remained unbeaten and that was something we were very proud of going into this game.
"We just wanted to put a good show on. We were on the back foot for pretty much the whole game.
"To finally get over the line is testament to our group of players, our coaching staff, the belief - we just grew from last year and here we are holding the cup."
Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie: "We're obviously disappointed to lose a game of cricket and not have that opportunity to win the Championship.
"But it was really the only opportunity to chase a target so Gayley and James Franklin got together and set that up and it was just a case of we needed to go out there and score the runs.
"We needed someone to get a significant score - probably an 80-plus and some other contributions if we were going to be anywhere near." | Middlesex won the County Championship for the first time since 1993 when a Toby Roland-Jones hat-trick sealed a 61-run win over Yorkshire at Lord's. |
18,017,349 | Seven of the group's albums entered this week's Billboard 200 chart, with their debut 1986 record Licence to Ill the highest entry at number 18.
The trio's albums collectively sold 55,000 copies in the two days after Yauch's death, compared to 4,000 the previous week.
The rapper, better known as his alias MCA, died on 4 May of cancer aged 47.
The other albums to return to the chart included compilation Solid Gold Hits at 51, Paul's Boutique at 56 and Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 at 107.
The band's fourth album, 1994's Ill Communication also came in at 109, with Check Your Head at 124 and The Sounds of Science at 141.
In terms of digital downloads, the group also sold 151,000 tracks - up from 14,000 the week before.
The most popular track was Brass Monkey from Licensed to Ill with 15,000 downloads.
Online music streaming site Spotify also said it saw a 17-fold increase in people listening to Beastie Boys songs after Yauch's death.
Figures only account for the first two days after the rapper's death as Nielsen SoundScan - the company which tracks US music sales - collects weekly data until Sunday.
Sales for the group's music is expected to be higher next week. | The Beastie Boys have returned to the US album charts following the death of band member Adam Yauch last week. |
30,892,021 | Media playback is unsupported on your device
20 January 2015 Last updated at 01:15 GMT
The airline controls nearly a fifth of the domestic air travel market, but recently had to be bailed out by the government.
Air India says the restructuring will save it more than $200m (£132m). Ashleigh Nghiem reports from Mumbai.
Watch more reports on Asia Business Report's website. | State-owned Air India has announced that it will be making multi-million dollar cuts after the Indian government told it to improve its finances. |
32,335,548 | Jenny Agutter, Helen George and Jessica Raine, from BBC One's Call the Midwife, were among those who took part in the fair with a difference in London this week.
The aim of the event - and the Inspiring Women campaign that organised it - was to show teenage girls that there are many different careers in the arts field and performing isn't the only possibility.
Ms Agutter, who plays Sister Julienne, was keen to find out what teenagers Nicola and Daniella really wanted to do with their lives.
"I enjoy acting," said Nicola, 14, but admitted, "when I was five I wanted to be in charge of an ice-cream van."
"That's a good one," said Ms Agutter.
"That's non-sexist which is pretty good because you could be a man or woman in charge of a really good ice-cream van," she added.
Yes, but what about acting? The film star had a warning for the girls: "Enjoying acting is not the same as being in the business of acting."
Ms Agutter was one of 150 women at the Tate Modern to broaden the perceptions of 850 teenage girls from state schools about careers in the arts sector.
The Railway Children star, who was talent-spotted at the age of 11, told the girls she was probably not a great person to ask about how to become an actor, "because I kind of fell into my work".
"What I have learned though is that you need a very thick skin, you need to be able to take rejection, you are at the mercy of everyone else.
"As an actor you are very much at the end of it all, but if you are driven to act, if it's the only thing that you feel that you want to do, then it is a wonderful job," she added.
The event was about helping girls find a place for themselves in the arts, according to Amanda Berry, chief executive of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta).
"It's not just about being in front of the camera but about all the jobs that happen behind the camera as well," she pointed out.
Ms Berry acknowledged that in some areas, for example the games industry, there were still very few women.
"Games are used equally by males and females and yet the percentage of females working in games is absolutely tiny, because girls, for some reason, don't see it as a career for them," she said.
Ms Berry was also concerned that girls whose families did not consider careers in the arts or the media as "proper jobs" should not give up their dreams of working in the industry.
"If your parents want you to be a lawyer or an accountant, then study law or accountancy and you can become a production accountant or a production lawyer across film, television or games," she pointed out.
The event also gave the teenagers the chance to talk to women in the early stages of their careers.
One such person was Rosie Ball, 24, who is a games producer with a company called Chucklefish.
It employs just 13 people, of whom just under half are women.
"The job I'm doing now didn't exist 10 years ago," Ms Ball said.
She pointed out that the games industry was changing, with smaller companies more likely to employ women than the established ones that produce the "big titles".
"They were really keen to know more about it because it's such a fun place to work," she said of the young girls who spoke to her.
"I get to work with my friends every day and make amazing things and I get to draw all the time - it's the kind of thing I used to want to do when I was their age.
"So it was nice seeing their positive response to the fact that it's a job," she added.
Ms Ball believes that in the past some girls might have been put off careers in games because they thought they would have to know how to programme computers.
Programming wasn't on the curriculum when she was at school, meaning she had to teach herself.
Her career started by studying games art and design at Norwich Arts University.
There she won Bafta's award for young games designers and went to work as a games artist for Disney for three years, before joining Chucklefish.
She says she has not experienced sexism, but has occasionally worked in places where she has been uncomfortable.
"I haven't felt respected and I was a bit afraid of what it would be like to stay working there," she explained.
"So my advice to any of those girls I met today, if you ever come across bullying or discrimination, either about your gender or about your ideas, or anything, just keep looking because there will be people who you connect with."
Persistence, along with flexibility, was also a key piece of advice for the girls from Amanda Berry.
"You don't start where you want to end up. Looking back I can see that every job I have done has helped me do the job I am doing today.
"So do dare to dream, but, if you don't get there immediately, don't worry because everything you do will help," she said. | "Speed-dating" careers fairs may be fairly common - but they don't usually feature actors from a leading TV show. |
38,950,931 | She was third in the 1,000m in Minsk - 0.233 seconds behind winner, China's Han Yutong (1min 31.008 secs), with Dutch skater Rianne de Vries second.
Gilmartin also won bronze a week earlier, in the 1500m in Dresden.
Team-mate Elise Christie missed Minsk after suffering concussion but expects to be at next month's world championships in Rotterdam. | British short track speed skater Charlotte Gilmartin has won her second consecutive World Cup bronze medal. |
32,245,007 | Flames were seen shooting into the air after the blaze started at Recycling Lives on the Redscar estate.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue said it was "a huge fire" and that it had 15 fire engines tackling the blaze in Longridge Road, with crews coming from neighbouring towns including Blackburn.
Emergency services were called to the estate shortly after 21:30 BST.
BBC reporter Steve Saul said roads in the area had been closed and 80 firefighters were at the scene.
The fire service said on Twitter: "The cause of the fire is unknown and firefighters will continue to work into the daytime on Friday to put the fire out." | A large fire has broken out at a recycling centre on an industrial estate in Preston. |
38,634,289 | North Wales PCC Arfon Jones also warned businesses were "most at risk".
The North Wales Police Cyber Crime Team said ransomware crimes - where hackers encrypt files and demand thousands of pounds to unlock them - were being reported to the force "each week".
Mr Jones said: "The front line is now online."
He went on: "Technology has provided criminals with new tools and different methods to perpetrate crime.
"Traditional crimes such as burglary, shoplifting and theft have seen a reduction over the last decade but the number of offences hasn't reduced - it has moved online.
"The playing field has changed and we need to work more effectively in partnership to prevent the newer crimes, such as cyber-crime, from being committed."
He issued the warning to members of the North Wales Business Club on Monday.
It heard how one firm in Wrexham nearly folded after it had 15 years' of accounts data encrypted.
Det Sgt Peter Jarvis, of the cyber crime team, said businesses that do not have data back-ups were "left with some difficult decisions".
"It's very unlikely you will find the person responsible, they don't leave a footprint, so it's vital to have the right security and to follow the right procedures and to make sure your staff do as well," he added.
ONS figures released in July showed almost six million fraud and cyber crimes were committed in England and Wales in 2015. | More crimes are being committed in cyberspace in north Wales than on the streets, its police and crime commissioner has claimed. |
36,661,039 | Intense pressure finally paid off with Shay Logan's close range volley putting Derek McInnes' side in front.
Julien Klein drew the visitors level after a corner was not cleared, and Ash Taylor had two goals disallowed.
But McGinn's late shot squirmed home, before Rooney converted a penalty.
This was potentially the easiest tie in Aberdeen's quest to reach the Europa League group stage but proved a genuine test, as will the return leg in Luxembourg.
Stefano Bensi's shot off the post in the first half was a real scare, while Taylor saw the first of two goals ruled out after Jonny Hayes' cross has gone out of play.
The home side's second half approach suggested Aberdeen would take some sort of lead with them; laying siege on their opponents goal with Taylor almost netting within minutes of the restart.
McGinn saw a free-kick parried, a shot blocked then a close range header palmed behind.
Substitute Rooney somehow couldn't net from a couple of yards, then struck a post form close range as the visitors looked like completely capitulating.
When Logan's goal hit the net there was only one winner in most observer's eyes - if it was a boxing match it might have been stopped - but Fola Esch stunned Pittodrie with an equaliser.
Poor defending from a corner allowed the ball to be cut back to captain Klein and he confidently powered the ball home.
That knocked Aberdeen's confidence a little and Jakob Dallevedove found space to test Lewis but his shot was parried.
Aberdeen regained their superiority and Taylor again had the ball in the net only for the referee to rule it out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
And they thought they had been a denied when the flag went up after McGinn's shot slipped through, but this time the Danish referee overruled his assistant.
Their passage to the next round was made considerably easier when Rooney confidently netted a penalty deep into the seven minutes of injury time.
It was a fantastic spectacle, a genuine test for Aberdeen and they'll be mightily relieved to have achieved a two goal advantage at the end of it. | Stoppage time goals from Niall McGinn and Adam Rooney left Aberdeen with a far more comfortable Europa League return leg after a night of tension and drama at Pittodrie. |
23,982,411 | Third seed Murray went down 6-4 6-3 6-2 in two hours and 15 minutes to ensure he will not repeat last year's victory at Flushing Meadows.
The Briton, who won his second major title at Wimbledon two months ago, had reached the final at his last four Grand Slam tournaments.
"I don't know if I'm meant to win every Grand Slam I play or be in the final," said Murray, 26. "It's just very, very difficult just now. With the guys around us, it's very challenging.
"I have played my best tennis in the Slams the last two, three years. I lost today in straight sets, so that's disappointing. I would have liked to have gone further but I can't complain.
"If someone told me before the US Open last year I would have been here as defending champion, having won Wimbledon and Olympic gold, I would have taken that 100%.
"So I'm disappointed, but the year as a whole has been a good one."
Murray admitted there had been something of a comedown after the high of winning Wimbledon, but insisted he had been focused and well prepared in New York.
"When you work hard for something for a lot of years, it's going to take a bit of time to really fire yourself up and get yourself training 110%," said the Scot.
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"That's something that I think is kind of natural after what happened at Wimbledon.
"But I have been here nearly three weeks now. I practised a lot, and played quite a lot of matches as well, so I gave myself a chance to do well because I prepared properly."
The world number three struggled to get going at Flushing Meadows this year, and an unusual schedule and variable weather did not help.
"You guys can see for yourself how the schedule worked out," said Murray, who had to wait until the night session on day three to play his first-round match.
"When you play the first round over three days, it's tough."
Murray's next event is Great Britain's Davis Cup tie in Croatia from 13-15 September, which will involve a change of surface.
"I need to take a few days' rest and then get practising on the clay courts and hopefully we can win the match," he said.
Ninth seed Wawrinka is through to his first Grand Slam semi-final and said he was most proud of being able to handle the pressure.
"Normally I can be a little bit nervous and I can lose a few games because of that, but today I was just focused on my game," said the 28-year-old from Switzerland.
"It was really windy, not easy conditions, but my plan was to push him to be aggressive because I know that Andy can be a little bit too defensive.
"I like it when he's far back from the baseline and today I did it well."
Wawrinka added that compatriot and five-time US Open champion Roger Federer had texted him after the match, saying: "He told me congrats, that's for sure." | Defending champion Andy Murray looked to his recent successes at Grand Slams after losing to Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals of the US Open. |
33,164,169 | The report - involving experts from 24 nations - said bioenergy had the potential to be a key driver in delivering a low-carbon future.
It added that concerns that growth in the sector would increase food insecurities were misplaced.
The details were outlined in Brussels as part of EU Sustainable Energy Week.
The report, Bioenergy and Sustainability, was led by researchers from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation, Brazil.
The authors said: "Bioenergy derived from plants can play an essential role in satisfying the world's growing energy demand, mitigating climate change, sustainably feeding a growing population, improving socio-economic equity, minimising ecological disruption and preserving biodiversity."
Energy definitions
•Biomass - biological material that can be used as a fuel or for industrial production, such as wood, plant or animal products
•Bioenergy - energy generated by combusting solid, liquid or gas fuels made from biomass feedstocks
(Source: UK Bioenergy Strategy)
The 779-page study considered the current bioenergy landscape, technologies and practices and considered their social, economic and environmental impacts.
The publication looked at liquid biofuels, bioelectricity and heat, and biogas. It also considered areas such as energy security, food security as well as climate and environmental security.
"The resources and technologies are within our reach but achieving the critical contributions needed from modern bioenergy call for political and individual will," the authors observed.
Close scrutiny
Although it was once hailed by politicians and environmentalists as the green alternative to fossil fuels, bioenergy - particularly biofuels - has come under close scrutiny in recent years.
Questions have been raised about the level of greenhouse gas savings it delivered, especially when rainforests were being felled to allow biofuel crops to be planted instead.
Concerns were also raised about food security as people asked whether it was more profitable to plant energy crops rather than food crops on arable land.
This was reflected at a policy-making level. In 2012, the EU changed its policy on biofuels, encouraging production from waste materials rather than from food crops. It imposed a 5% cap on food-based biofuel allowed to be used in transportation fuel.
In the same year, the UN called for a renewed debate on the merits and impacts of biofuels and the CEO of a global food producer said that the growth in the global biofuels sector was increasing food prices.
However, the assessment published on Wednesday in Brussels challenged this assertion by suggesting that modern bioenergy could "help improve food security by optimising land productivity and agricultural management".
It added: "About 70-80% of food insecurity problems occur in rural [areas] where energy insecurity or energy poverty are also concentrated."
"Bioenergy can be a driver to transform the way we use resources and land," it concluded.
"Inefficiently used land, extensive pastures, degraded lands and excess agricultural capacity and residues can be used for energy production and to bring added value and resilience into agricultural economies and human wellbeing." | A global bioenergy assessment has said biofuels could meet up to a third of the world's transportation fuel needs by the middle of the century. |
35,929,399 | The talks are aimed at ending more than five decades of armed conflict. Here, we take a closer look at the discussions ahead.
Yes, the ELN and the government first announced their intention to start formal peace talks at a news conference on 30 March 2016.
They had originally been expected to start in May 2016, but did not go ahead.
Later, the two sides said the negotiations would start in the Ecuadorean capital, Quito, on 27 October, but that date also came and went.
A new date was set for 7 February 2017.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said that a precondition for the talks was the release of hostages the ELN was holding.
The ELN has long used kidnapping for ransom as a means of financing itself. It also considers the kidnapping of soldiers and police officers a legitimate tactic.
The rebels eventually agreed to free a soldier they had recently seized and former Congressman Odin Sanchez in exchange for a pardon for two of its jailed members.
The move finally paved the way for formal talks to start.
However, future delays cannot be ruled out as the ELN has been reluctant to hurry the negotiations along.
In an answer to an open letter by Colombian intellectuals asking the rebels to negotiate speedily, ELN leader Nicolas Rodriguez said that "for the ELN, setting a deadline for peace means obstructing it".
President Santos has set his aims high. He says he wants to "achieve complete peace".
The ELN says it also wants peace but Mr Rodriguez, better known as Gabino, says he does not want the negotiations just to be between the government and the ELN but for civil society to be involved, too.
The six points on the agenda are currently rather vague. They are:
The group was founded in 1964 and follows a Marxist-Leninist ideology.
It was inspired by the Cuban revolution of 1959 with an aim to fighting Colombia's unequal distribution of land and riches.
It feels particularly strongly that the country's oil and mineral riches should be shared among its people rather than exploited by foreign multinationals.
Over the decades, the guerrilla group has attacked large landholders and multinational companies. It has repeatedly blown up oil pipelines.
In the talks, its representatives are likely to call for social change to achieve more equality and for the inclusion in politics of Colombians whose voices they say have gone unheard for too long.
The ELN is believed to have fewer than 1,500 active fighters, according to intelligence reports seen by Colombian media.
They are backed up by a larger number of "militants" or sympathisers who provide logistical support and back-up.
Its strongholds are in rural areas in the north and on the border with Venezuela, and also in the provinces of Casanare, Norte de Santander and Cauca.
The ELN is made up of regional commandos which have a certain degree of autonomy, which could make implementation of any deal hard to achieve.
Both sides say they are completely committed to the negotiations succeeding.
The government would like to see a deal signed before the presidential election in May 2018 but the ELN has said it will not be rushed.
Observers of the peace process think the ELN may prove harder to negotiate with than Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc, with whom the government signed a peace deal in November.
That is because the ELN is less hierarchical in its structure and its members are believed to be more wedded to their Marxist ideology than the Farc.
The ELN also has not yet sworn off kidnappings for good, something the government says it will demand.
Previous peace talks with the ELN failed. But analysts say the current talks will benefit from the experiences gained from the successful negotiations between the government and the Farc.
After a ceremony marking the beginning of the formal peace talks on 7 February, the two sides are due to get down to the business of negotiating on 8 February.
The opening and closing rounds are scheduled to take place in Ecuador, but the current plan is for the other rounds to take place in the other countries acting as guarantors: Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Norway and Venezuela.
However, the head of the government delegation has lobbied against this plan, arguing it will cause too much disruption and delay the process unnecessarily. | The National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia's second-largest rebel group, has entered into formal peace talks with Colombian government negotiators. |
32,693,998 | There were 4,748 reports of sexual abuse against adults with disabilities over the past two years, information from 106 councils in England found.
The NSPCC said the cases were "the visible peak" of a much larger problem.
The Local Government Association said councils "work hard to ensure support is available".
The Victoria Derbyshire programme submitted Freedom of Information requests to 152 councils with adult social services responsibilities (CASSRs) in England, asking how many reports of sexual abuse of disabled clients they had recorded over the financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15, up to 16 February 2015.
Data received from 106 of the 152 councils showed that 63% of the 4,748 reported cases were against those with learning disabilities, and 37% against those with physical disabilities.
No comparable figures have previously been collated.
Jon Brown, head of sexual abuse programmes at the children's charity NSPCC, described the 4,748 cases of reported abuse as "the visible peak" of a much larger problem.
"We know with sexual abuse that many victims find it difficult to speak out," he added, suggesting the real figure may be much greater.
While the Freedom of Information request related just to adult cases, he explained: "We know from research that disabled children and young people are three or four times more likely to be abused and neglected than children and young people who are not disabled.
"Abusers are often very adept at identifying vulnerabilities. And, importantly, we know that it's less likely for children and young people to be believed as well."
Noelle Blackman, chief executive of the charity Respond, said she had seen "some horrendous cases" among the young people who have been referred to it for help. "Certainly from the age of 13," she added, "but sometimes younger".
She continued: "What we're really noticing at the moment is young people being abused by other young people."
"Often the perpetrators don't have a learning disability, and often there will be gangs of boys who don't have a disability who are grooming girls who do, which is a really worrying trend."
Both charities believe more needs to be done to tackle the problem. Respond calls for more resources to be placed into raising awareness of the issue, while the NSPCC believes better training for professionals and parents is required to ensure more young people are willing to report abuse.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said "keeping people safe, including people with learning disabilities, is one of the most important things councils do".
It added that "councils work hard to ensure support is available when cases of abuse are referred".
Asha Jama runs Beverly Lewis House - a refuge for women with learning disabilities who have been the victim of sexual, as well as financial, abuse.
She takes referrals from all over the country and supports women in the most severe cases.
"Some of the women that stay here have had a lifetime of abuse," she explained. "Maybe they've been [victims of abuse] in care, or suffered abuse in their families.
"A number of the women have been exploited by their boyfriends. They might have just met them and been told they're already in love, that they're going to be married, have a white wedding dress.
"They'll trust that person... and actually they might be exploited for their finances, they might be sexually exploited, they might also be abused by gangs," she added.
"[Their boyfriends] say things like, 'If you love me, you'll sleep with my friends, you'll do me a favour, it'll show me you love me.'
"They may be forced into prostitution. They might be locked in flats for months on end. It could be up to 12 men coming into the flats and paying for sex with her, and she will never receive any of that money," she explained.
Watch Victoria Derbyshire weekdays from 09:15-11:00 BST on BBC Two and BBC News Channel. Follow the programme on Facebook and Twitter, and find all our content online. | Thousands of disabled adults across England have been sexually abused, figures obtained by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme suggest. |
37,011,673 | Today in a global city, there are stations without trains and any semblance of reliability on Southern rail evaporated months ago.
Hour upon hour has been lost with commuters stuck on trains and what is most alarming is there seems very little chance of this mess being sorted out.
As the transport experts at London Reconnections have pointed out, this dispute has been compounded by many historic problems including a driver shortage, rolling stock issues and capacity at London Bridge.
The joke amongst Southern commuters is they won't notice any difference in service levels due to this week's strike.
And there doesn't seem to be much light at the end of the tunnel.
Two more unions, ASLEF & TSSA, are also balloting for strike action.
Politicians have called for the franchise contract to be taken away from Southern.
But the government now looks like it will front this strike out.
"We don't think it is as simple as changing the operator," a Department for Transport spokesman has said.
The crux of the dispute is the changes to the role of guards.
The company wants the driver to close the doors and dispatch the new trains using CCTV. It says that Driver Only Operation (DOO) has been used for many years, on parts of the network.
The union says expanding it is a safety issue. Others say the unions are protecting jobs.
But the new rotas for the guards changing roles are due to be introduced on 21 August.
That means the high levels of sickness we've seen are unlikely to drop and so the unreliability in the service will not improve.
One union official said to me in years working on the railways he'd never seen industrial relations as bad as they are at Southern.
This needs a negotiated settlement and at the moment both sides are locked in animosity and are entrenched. | Four years ago, London's transport was hailed as a huge Olympic success story. |
34,176,733 | The 67-year-old was giving evidence to the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) about St Patrick's Training School in Belfast .
He said when he first heard "the vile accusations against these men, I was completely stunned".
He said he did not not know how to repay them for their guidance.
"As opposed to facing charges or courts, I consider that we should be awarding them the highest honour for their contribution to society," he said.
The pensioner was a resident in the west Belfast school in the 1960s.
Earlier, the De La Salle Order challenged claims of sexual and physical abuse by another former resident at St Patrick's.
The man, who is now 68, said he suffered serious sexual assaults and claimed the school had "a very violent regime".
He also claimed he was sexually abused during trips away from the school.
However, the order has told the inquiry that, in a number of instances, the names of alleged abusers provided by the witness were of people who were not at the training school at the time.
The inquiry also heard of inconsistencies between some evidence provided by the witness to the inquiry and to police.
The man has lodged a civil claim against the De La Salle Order.
The HIA inquiry was set up in 2013 to investigate child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period, up to 1995.
In total, the inquiry is expected to hear from more than 300 witnesses during the course of the public evidence sessions.
It is required to complete its hearings and all investigative work by mid-summer 2016, and has to submit its report to the Northern Ireland executive by 17 January 2017. | A former resident of a boys training school has said "the highest honour" should be awarded to the De La Salle Brothers who taught there. |
18,549,182 | How do those sports work? How did the superstars get started and how can you have a go yourself?
With expert analysis, rules, history, ones to watch and an explanation of each sport's unique appeal, BBC Sport provides comprehensive guides alongside details of how to try them out.
You're going to get such excitement - archery is very fast-paced
Want to know how to hit something the size of a beermat from a distance of seven bus-lengths? This is the place.
Meet the GB archer heading to her sixth Olympics, discover which Asian nation dominates the sport, and use Archery GB's club finder to work out where you can pick up a bow for the first time.
ARCHERY: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Team GB's athletes are set for their best Olympics ever
Did you know? Marathon runners burn up almost twice the average person's daily calorie allowance in one race.
Now, you may not want to take things to that extreme, but UK Athletics has a 'Grassroots' scheme to get new athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers into the sport. Here, find out where to find one near you, plus the equipment you'll need and the history of Olympic athletics.
ATHLETICS: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Badminton players are super-fit, super-fast and have super reactions
Not many sports hit speeds of up to 200mph - but badminton does. Or the shuttlecock, at least.
It'll take you a while to hit it that fast but if you want to learn, there are more than 2,200 clubs in the UK. Use our guide to find one near you plus find out where Britain's medal hopes might lie at London 2012.
BADMINTON: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Basketball has the most well-rounded athletes in the world
More than 300,000 people play basketball each month in Britain. If you're at school, the 'Try Basketball' scheme can get you involved - if you're over 25, 'Ball Again' is the scheme for you.
Get all the details you need to play basketball here, as well as John Amaechi's expert verdict on London 2012 and Britain's basketball hopes.
BASKETBALL: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Watch for 10 minutes and you'll realise how incredible these athletes are
Hang on, how many tonnes of sand? Immerse yourself in the summery sport of beach volleyball here. And yes, even in blustery Britain, taster sessions are available.
Head here for more information on how the 'Go Spike' campaign can get you involved, as well as our guide to the basics ahead of the London 2012 competition on Horse Guards Parade.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Only GB and Russia have the full quota of three women boxers
Don't try this at home. Instead, try it at your local club - where you'll the right equipment and vital supervision as you develop the physical and mental discipline needed in boxing.
Our guide has full details of clubs in the UK as well as an explanation of the weight divisions at the Games, a look at how scoring works in amateur boxing, and BBC experts' predictions for Team GB.
BOXING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
In canoe slalom, something is always on the edge of going wrong
You could fill 75 bath tubs per second with the water coursing down the Lee Valley slalom course. So it's probably an idea to start somewhere else.
Happily, there are clubs all over the UK with equipment you can borrow and slightly calmer waters on hand. Our guide has all the details plus all the rules of slalom canoeing - like gates and penalties - explained.
CANOE SLALOM: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Team GB are expected to win a couple of medals here
Head down and paddle as fast as you possibly can - over 200m, 500m or a full kilometre. But beginners can find it tricky enough just getting in the boat without capsizing.
Help is at hand. Our guide covers place to start paddling in the UK, plus we explain the various classes of Olympic sprint canoe racing and rate British hopes at London 2012.
CANOE SPRINT: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
BMX is a fast-paced sport that is made for television
Bumps and berms abound in Britain. There are more than 50 BMX tracks in the UK to choose from if you fancy yourself the new Shanaze Reade.
Our guide tells you where to find them all, what the sport's about, who the Olympic favourites are and how the rules shape the event at London 2012. Maybe skip the part about the broken collarbone if you're just about to start out.
BMX: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Czech star Jaroslav Kulhavy is a huge man but he seems to defy physics
There are four types of mountain bike race - cross-country, the Olympic one, is probably a good place to start. Downhill can be something to aim at for later. Helmet, knee pads and so on? Essential.
British Cycling offers various ways into MTB and we've got them covered in our guide. We also take a look at the top British riders and explain the rules of Olympic cross-country mountain biking ahead of the Games.
All British hopes will be pinned on super-sprinter Mark Cavendish
Britain's roads reverberate like never before with the whirring wheels of weekend warriors on their road bikes. Fancy joining them? We'll explain how initiatives like Sky Ride can help out. You don't have to compete - simply going for a ride counts.
However, there's a lot more at stake this summer for the best British road cycling team in generations, if not ever. Our guide picks apart the rules and riders for the London 2012 road races and time trials.
Young British star Laura Trott will win the hearts of the crowd
After the Olympics there will be a shiny, new velodrome waiting for you. But what skills do you need? Why stay indoors instead of pedalling out on the open road? And doesn't always going left get boring?
Our guide answers these questions and can help you find a track near you. British hopes are high for more track cycling success this summer, so we also preview the London 2012 track cycling programme.
Divers look like they are performing magic with their twists and turns
Diving tones a wide variety of muscles, engaging the lower body, back, shoulders, abdominals and arm muscles. Don't underestimate this sport - as you get better, it becomes a full-body workout.
Don't underestimate the best of British, either. Tom Daley is a household name but our guide introduces you to a few more Team GB names as well as ways to start out in the sport in the UK.
DIVING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Watch out for Charlotte Dujardin, who is a young talent in dressage
Riding a horse is probably less expensive and tricky than you think. Lessons are available all over the country and our guide tells you where to try the sport for the first time.
This is actually three sports in one: eventing, dressage and jumping. We explain which is which, how the skills you need differ between the three, and what to expect in each at London 2012.
EQUESTRIAN: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Who doesn't want to watch two people fighting with swords?
Fencing is a sport that will tone muscles, build core strength and reward agility and all-round fitness. There are 300 or so clubs in the UK waiting to hear from you, while even toddlers can get involved using foam swords.
Our guide has all those details as well as an overview of the three types of fencing at the Olympics - epee, foil and sabre - and some suggestions for names to watch.
FENCING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
For Britain's women, the Olympics are as big as the World Cup
There are all kinds of ways to start playing football in Britain. To help you on the way, our guide has links to all the right places to find advice and locations near you.
Olympic football can also be confusing - there are unique rules about age in the men's game and this is the one place you will find a GB football team, so we explain more about that and pick some teams to watch at the Games.
Hardly anyone has the skill to pull off the feats you will see at the Games
Bad news. You can't get a perfect 10 any more - that scoring system faded some time ago - but it turns out 16.375 is the new 10.0, so you'll just have to aim for that when you sign up at one of the 1,600-plus gymnastics clubs in the UK.
Our guide gives you all the links you need to make a start, as well as explaining how anyone gets to a score of 16.375 (or higher) and who from Team GB might do just that this summer.
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Gymnasts have to be supple, strong and possess wonderful hand-eye coordination
Ribbons, hoops, clubs and balls are the tools of this trade - plus flexibility, agility and, of course, rhythm.
Our guide explains how to try rhythmic gymnastics for yourself as well as explaining what to look out for when you watch the Olympic group and individual finals. What are the rules? How is it scored? And what are the hopes of the British team at London 2012?
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
The margin for error is so slim - one small movement can finish you
Most people have had a go on a trampoline, but moves at the top level are astonishingly complex - not to mention lasers measuring how long you spend in the air, to the millisecond, all of which counts towards your score.
If you want to get bouncing then our guide will put you in the picture, while explaining what happens in an Olympic trampoline final and picking the protagonists who may have a spring in their step this summer.
TRAMPOLINE: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
The Olympics is a unique opportunity for people in Britain to see handball
Handball never used to be big at all in Britain, but with a home Games that is changing. There are nearly 100 clubs to join across the UK and our guide will help you find the one nearest to you.
But how do you play? Is it more like basketball or football? And how come Iceland are so good at it? We explain all that and more, plus we introduce the British teams for London 2012.
HANDBALL: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
More goals are being scored and skill levels are massively improved
Want to try hockey? Now could be the right moment, with the two GB sides looking the strongest they have in years. England Hockey and the home nations' other governing bodies run programmes like Hockey Nation to get newcomers involved.
Our guide provides useful links to those projects as well as looking at the rule changes designed to speed up the game at London 2012, and the main contenders for gold.
In judo, technique can and does often overcome power
Don't get in the way of Teddy Riner. France's 6ft 8in heavyweight judo star has five world titles to his name and looks to be a certainty for Olympic gold at London 2012.
With a bit of luck, he won't turn up to your judo taster session. Our guide tells you where to find a club near you, explains the rules of the Olympic event (including the categories) and looks at Britain's brightest hopes.
JUDO: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
In one day, pentathletes will use some of London 2012's most iconic venues
Swimming and running is a good place to start here. Then try your hand at shooting. After that, you only need to acquaint yourself with showjumping and fencing, and you're a modern pentathlete.
This is a sport with plenty of nuances and some important rule changes for London 2012 - involving laser guns, primarily, so you'll want to read on. Our guide explains the sport, it's history, and where to find out more.
MODERN PENTATHLON: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
You are going to get medals galore if you tune into the rowing
Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent helped to establish Britain at the top of global rowing, but there's nothing to stop the rest of us going for a weekend outing on the UK's rivers.
Our guide explains the different rowing boat classes, links to more useful information on getting started, and asks whether Team GB can maintain its fine medal record in the sport this summer.
ROWING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
This is one of the most challenging ways you can win an Olympic medal
Britain is a sailing nation and the Olympic sport takes in everything from dinghies to windsurfers (and, from Rio 2016, kiteboarding).
We explain the different regattas of the Games in our guide, alongside a full preview of leading British names - like three-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie - and ways to get started in the sport.
SAILING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
The level of concentration among the top shooters is extraordinary
Keep an eye on double trap shooting at this year's Games for the best chance of British success. And if you're looking to try the sport yourself, our guide includes links to introductory courses where you'll get to experience the different weapons and learn basic safety.
We also go through the Olympic events and explain a scoring system that, unusually, goes up to 10.9.
SHOOTING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
I think there should be a British woman in every final except the breaststroke
Wil Rebecca Adlington win gold again? Who will come out on top between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte? And is there a swimming pool nearby?
All valid questions and our guide can help with each, boasting details of various British Swimming programmes alongside analysis of this summer's main event at London 2012 and the top Britons hoping to win medals.
SWIMMING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
The athletes train so hard, putting in 10-hour days at least five days a week
Nowhere else in the Olympic Games is being able to hold your breath such a valuable skill. Synchro may look dainty and balletic, but you need considerable fitness levels and coordination to succeed.
Find out where to get started with our guide, plus get the lowdown on the most likely candidates for Olympic gold in one of only two sports at the Games limited to female participants (the other being rhythmic gymnastics).
SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
China should sweep the medals, but their athletes can crack under pressure
Millions of people play table tennis in Britain. Our guide will also tell you it's a favoured sport of Susan Sarandon, George Clooney and Bill Gates, but - more importantly - we have all the information you need to start playing.
At the Olympics, table tennis is dominated by China. We also take a look at the sport's Olympic history and the prospects of a six-strong Britsih contingent this summer.
TABLE TENNIS: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Taekwondo is easy to understand. It's two people trying to kick each other
Britain's four-strong team - excluding the world number one in his category, Aaron Cook, you will recall - has a good chance of medals at London 2012.
But how do you win those medals? How is taekwondo scored, why are kicks to the head so important, and how has technology in the sport developed? Plus, how do you get started in the sport? Our guide has all the answers.
You are going to see tennis in a different light, passion from the word go
Just weeks after Wimbledon, tennis is back on the same grass courts for the Olympic Games - as are some of the biggest names in the sport, not least Britain's own beaten Wimbledon finalist Andy Murray.
Did you know that there are more than 500 venues across the UK where you can play tennis for free? Our guide has all those details as well as a run-down of the Olympic tennis tournament and ones to watch.
TENNIS: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Jessica Ennis gets a break in the heptathlon - these guys don't
Britain's Brownlee brothers are hot favourites for a one-two in this summer's Olympic men's triathlon. They started out by fell-running in Yorkshire but there are plenty of other ways to get into this sport of swimming, cycling and running.
Our guide outlines how to start out in triathlon, provides some background on the Brownlees and sizes up their opponents inside Hyde Park at London 2012.
TRIATHLON: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Four years ago, China's women attracted TV audiences of 370 million
This sport was supposedly devised as a gentler alternative to basketball - tell that to the teams at the Olympics. And then find out for yourself by taking part in the Go Spike campaign and getting involved in the game.
Our guide has the details you need to sign up plus more background on the sport, an asssessment of Team GB's hopes at London 2012 and a look at ones to watch from other nations.
VOLLEYBALL: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
Anything goes under the water as players gain whatever advantage they can
Great Britain won four of the first five Olympic water polo tournaments. That, it seems, was apparently enough as no GB team has qualified for any Games since 1956. This summer, both GB's men and women will compete as the host nation.
Water polo is a tough sport, requiring endurance and physicality. Read our guide to get started and find out more about the sport at London 2012.
WATER POLO: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
The technique and strength on show from the athletes is phenomenal
Teenage British weightlifter Zoe Smith has proved you don't have to be the size of a house to make a career out of weightlifting - or even a hobby.
If Smith has inspired you, our guide can help you find the nearest of the UK's 50 or so weightlifting clubs. We also explain the sport's basics, look at some of the key names heading to London 2012 and profile the chances of Brits lifting a medal.
WEIGHTLIFTING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved
It can be over in a second or last three gruelling two-minute rounds
One famous Olympic wrestling bout lasted an incredible 11 hours - if you fancy having a go, chances are your first try might be over a little sooner. Our guide has all the information you need to help you pick from the 40 wrestling clubs in the UK that can get you going.
Britain has one wrestler at the Games. Meet her in our guide, read up on the rules that separate this from pro wrestling, and size up some of the superstars coming to London for the Games.
WRESTLING: BBC Sport event guide and how to get involved | The greatest sportsmen and women from around the world are in London, competing in events ranging from archery to wrestling, badminton to volleyball. |
33,842,820 | The Ghana captain, 25, joined the Swans in June having spent his career so far at French club Marseille.
He made an early impact with a goal in a 2-2 draw at the champions on the Premier League's opening weekend.
"The Swansea players have really helped me out. They're really helping me to prove what I can do and they're pushing me," said Ayew.
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"I feel at home already. I know with a few games to come I will get better and better as I get to know the league and the players.
"Marseille was a whole different thing for me. I grew up there, went to the academy, so it was home.
"Here is a different league, a different challenge."
A former BBC African Footballer of the Year with 62 caps for Ghana, Ayew was the Swansea's highest-profile signing of the summer.
His composed finish against Chelsea helped Swansea earn a creditable draw at Stamford Bridge.
"We had a good result. We knew what we were coming for and we managed to get what we wanted," he added.
"We showed a lot of quality and spirit. We worked as a team.
"What's important is that Swansea move forward. We will work hard because we know the season is long." | Swansea City forward Andre Ayew says he feels "at home" at his new club after scoring on his debut against Chelsea. |
32,218,076 | Nine years on, Brent Sancho can look back on the moment that sent both players into the footballing history of two small Caribbean islands with a bit of pride and dry humour.
There were eight minutes left of the goalless group match between England and Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when Crouch, then a Liverpool striker, used the defender's dreadlocks to help lever himself up to head home a trademark David Beckham cross.
Despite the clear infringement the goal stood.
"It is folklore here in Trinidad. It is one of those things that anywhere I go, people will always remind me," Sancho told BBC Radio Kent.
"Everyone has their spin on it - where they were when it happened and their dislike for him."
Crouch's goal saved England's embarrassment and Steven Gerrard added another goal in stoppage time to seal a 2-0 win.
England had almost slipped up against the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, and a squad containing 15 players who played in England or Scotland.
The Three Lions went on to exit the tournament at the quarter-final stage, losing to Portugal on penalties, while Trinidad and Tobago finished bottom of the group.
However, Sancho, who was then at Gillingham, has not rued what might have been and is proud to have been part of the first Trinidad and Tobago squad to play at the World Cup.
"I remember the game very vividly - holding off the English for 82 minutes until Peter scored that infamous goal," the 38-year-old added.
"Those things are part of football. I hold no animosities towards Peter - I think he is an absolutely fabulous player.
"It was such a brilliant fight from the guys. We really held our own and we walked out of that game being able to hold our heads up high.
"The performance against England, as a Trinbagonian and one of the 11 participants on the field, is something we can always look back at as something that was truly magnificent.
"We have struggled with our crime rate here in Trinidad and during games in the World Cup, crime went to practically zero. It is a testament to sports and what sports can do."
Sancho has not followed a traditional path since retiring from playing. Rather than go into coaching, management or punditry, the giant defender is now Minister for Sport in the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
"It is a lot different walking the streets of Gillingham to the offices of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
"It is a bit of a change but at the same point in time it is such a great achievement to be able to continue to represent my country.
"I got involved in the administration side of football when I finished playing. Politics was nowhere near my agenda.
"I don't view myself as a politician. I view myself as a sportsman with a task of implementing and changing the projection of sports in this country.
"I am very proud of being part of this government. I think the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has done a tremendous job in putting sports at the front and changing the scope of sports in this country.
"That was one of the things that really attracted me to the job."
Sancho believes his playing career in Britain - including spells at Dundee and Ross County - has played its part in his move into politics.
"My life experiences in the UK in general, living in Scotland and Maidstone and playing for Gillingham, has contributed heavily towards who I am now," he said.
"Being able to meet various people, living in the English culture and being part of the professional set-up in England has paved the way for me, in terms of where I am now.
"It is a lot different to being here on the island. The professionalism, mentality and work ethic of the English and the Americans has really sculpted me as an individual.
"It has probably put me on the platform for this new career I am just starting in."
Interview with Brent Sancho by BBC Radio Kent's Matt Cole. | "I think Peter Crouch is probably the most hated Englishman in the history of Trinidad and Tobago because of that goal." |
38,939,794 | Mr Modi took the northern state, which is home to over 200 million people, when he won the 2014 national election.
But the state election is being seen as a referendum on his decision to ban high value banknotes in the country.
The move led to a cash shortage, hurting individuals and businesses.
Voter turnout at the close of polls on Saturday was estimated to be about 63% of 26 million eligible voters. Polling was mostly orderly and peaceful, officials said.
Voting in the state is taking place in seven stages between Saturday and 8 March. Results are expected on 11 March.
Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is competing against an alliance of two young leaders - Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party, and the state's Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav.
Mr Yadav and his Samajwadi Party have criticised the prime minister's currency reforms and predicted the BJP will be rejected by the voters.
"This result is going to give him [Mr Modi] a big jolt," Mr Yadav said on Saturday in the state capital, Lucknow.
Mr Modi,for his part, has played a high profile role in the election campaign, urging voters to participate in a "huge festival of democracy", while also encouraging them to reject corruption which he says is endemic in the state.
"Criminals rule the roost in UP," the prime minister said. "There is so much lawlessness all around," he said in a speech on Saturday.
Analysts say the election will be an important reflection of public opinion in relation to Mr Modi's demonetisation policy.
The move to scrap 500 ($7.60) and 1,000 rupee notes in November was intended to crack down on corruption and so-called black money or illegal cash holdings.
However, the government has admitted that the withdrawal of high value banknotes, which was met with shock in India, has had an "adverse impact" on the economy.
Mr Modi has defended the currency move, which he said was made in the interests of the poor.
He hopes a strong showing at the polls will strengthen his chances of a second term in 2019.
The polls currently suggest that the BJP is tied with Mr Yadav's Samajwadi Party and Congress. | India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing his biggest electoral test since gaining power, with voters heading to the polls in the country's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh (UP). |
15,757,456 | Officials say the falcons were brought from Qatar by a member of its royal family without proper documentation.
Members of Gulf royal families routinely bring in such falcons for hunting birds and other animals in Pakistan, with government sanction.
Wildlife officials say that some of the birds they hunt are endangered.
Among them is the Houbara bustard - believed to be widely prized throughout the Middle East as a quarry for falconers because its meat is valued an aphrodisiac.
Arab and local government officials, however, deny hunting any endangered species.
"The documentation provided by the embassy had permission for only 40 falcons," Qamaruddin Thalo, spokesman for the customs department told the BBC.
But the falcons actually numbered 114, 74 more than allowed, he said.
"We now have all the birds in custody and have asked the embassy to furnish an explanation in three days," the official said, adding that if an explanation was not given, a case would be "registered according to the law".
The falcons were being brought in at the start of the winter season, a time when bird migrations into southern Pakistan are at a peak.
Although locals are prohibited from hunting the birds, Arab sheikhs from the Gulf royal families are given special blanket licences to do so.
"Its something that's illegal and unprecedented elsewhere in the world," Dr Rab Nawaz, local representative of the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) told the BBC.
"But the Arabs sheikhs are allowed due to our 'special relationship' with them."
Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis are employed in various industries in the Gulf kingdoms, which also provide bailout loans and cheap oil to Pakistan's perpetually beleaguered economy.
For this reason the licences are seen as being in Pakistan's national interest. | Custom officials in the Pakistani city of Karachi have confiscated 74 falcons that they say were being unlawfully transported into the country. |
35,759,321 | Bath conceded 24 points either side of half-time while they were down to 14 men after Chris Cook was sin-binned.
Charlie Walker crossed twice and James Horwill also went over for the hosts, adding to Harry Sloan's early score.
But Bath scored three tries and 22 unanswered points in the final 15 minutes to earn an unlikely bonus point of their own.
Amanaki Mafi, Jeff Williams and Semesa Rokoduguni all touched down after Harlequins replacement Sam Twomey was sin-binned, and Tom Homer kicked a penalty in the closing seconds to ensure Mike Ford's side would not leave The Stoop empty-handed.
However, last season's Premiership finalists remain ninth in the table, having won only two of their eight league games in 2016 and five of 15 Premiership outings all season.
Sloan's first Premiership try for more than two years gave Quins a perfect start and Conor O'Shea's side stretched their lead from 11-6 to 35-6 in the 10 minutes after Bath scrum-half Cook was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.
Walker's brace of tries took his tally for the season to eight, making him the leading scorer in the Premiership this season.
And the home side held out for a league double over Bath, despite the visitors using their extra man to full effect while Twomey and later Horwill were sent from the field for indiscretions.
Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea:
"What a game of rugby, the first half was lung-bursting and we played some brilliant rugby and it's a massive win.
"We were killed by the referee in the second half as we were penalised for the fun of it. It was as if the referee felt that the game shouldn't have been all one way.
"This eight-game challenge has been very tough for us with five out of the seven games on the road with a young and small group."
Bath head coach Mike Ford:
"The sin-bin cost us as they scored 24 points in Cook's absence. They scored just before half-time so we had to change the half-time team talk and then we conceded another soft one so our heads went down.
"We should have had a penalty try at a crucial stage in the first half when Horacio Agulla was hauled down near the line. Their player tackled Amanaki Mafi when he was in an offside position.
"We showed great character to get a bonus point from that position and that was very positive. We'll take heart from the last 30 minutes but we did give them three of their four tries."
Harlequins: R. Chisholm; Walker, Lowe, Sloan, Cheeseman; Botica, Dickson; Lambert, Ward, Sinckler, Merrick, Horwill (capt), Luamanu, Wallace, Easter.
Replacements: Gray, Evans, Collier, Twomey, J. Chisholm, Tebaldi, Marchant, Lindsay-Hague.
Sin-bin: Twomey (65), Horwill (77).
Bath: Homer; Rokoduguni, Banahan, Eastmond, Agulla; Devoto, Cook; Lahiff, Webber, Thomas, Ewels, Day, Garvey, Louw (capt), Mafi.
Replacements: Frost, Catt, Wilson, Houston, Mercer, Evans, Clark, Williams.
Sin-bin: Cook (35).
Referee: Dean Richards.
For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter. | Harlequins survived a late Bath onslaught to earn a bonus-point win and go fifth in the Premiership. |
39,197,364 | The Scots are seeking a first win in south-west London since 1983, and a first Triple Crown since 1990.
But England are aiming to equal New Zealand's record of 18 straight Test wins for a tier-one nation.
"Expectations are there but we don't put any undue pressure on ourselves," said Barclay.
"We kind of feel like the expectations are more on England. They have gone how many games unbeaten. We've only won two games this Six Nations.
"We feel like there's not much pressure on us. We're playing some good stuff which is maybe externally building a little bit of pressure.
"But within the group we're not getting carried away. England are playing well. You don't go that many games unbeaten without playing well."
Scotland have won two of their first three Six Nations games for the first time since 2006, their home victories over Ireland and Wales adding extra spice to this year's Calcutta Cup match.
A first Scotland win at Twickenham in 34 years would catapult them into title contention with a home match against Italy to finish, but Barclay, who has taken over as skipper in the absence of the injured Greig Laidlaw, says the Scots are looking no further than Saturday.
"The fact is we're playing a Six Nations which is five games long and we're on game four," added the 30-year-old flanker.
"They are all big games and this is the next one. That is maybe a slightly boring response but that's the reality of it.
"You don't look at the following week, you look at England - they are too good a side to look any further."
Meanwhile, Saracens centre Duncan Taylor has been ruled out of contention for Saturday's clash, after picking up a hamstring injury in his club's Premiership win over Newcastle on Sunday.
The 27-year-old has not featured for his country since last summer's tour of Japan after sustaining an ankle injury, but was hoping to earn a recall in time for Saturday's Twickenham showdown.
He will remain in the care of Saracens' medical team for further assessment.
The Scots have already lost the services of Laidlaw and back-rowers Josh Strauss and John Hardie to injury, while first-choice props Alasdair Dickinson and WP Nel have missed the entire Championship. | Stand-in Scotland captain John Barclay says England will bear the weight of expectation in Saturday's Six Nations encounter at Twickenham. |
36,377,163 | It follows a series of raids at the agencies' offices in London last August.
The five: FM Models, Models 1, Premier, Storm and Viva, agreed "a common approach to pricing", the CMA said.
None of the agencies has so far responded to the accusations, which at this stage are provisional findings.
FM Models is no longer in business, having gone into liquidation in January this year.
The CMA said it would consider representations from the agencies before deciding whether the law had been broken.
The Association of Model Agents - the industry trade body - is also accused of playing a central role in the price fixing allegations.
The CMA said it circulated emails to its members, encouraging agencies to negotiate higher fees.
The fine for price fixing can be up to 10% of turnover.
The CMA said High Street fashion chains were among those who may have been charged too much for hiring models.
"The allegations concern prices charged to a range of customers, including high street chains, online fashion retailers and consumer goods brands," said Stephen Blake, senior director of the CMA's cartels and criminal group.
"The CMA alleges that these five model agencies sought to achieve higher prices in negotiations with their customers by colluding instead of competing."
The case is the first time the CMA has investigated businesses in the creative industries.
The inquiry was launched in March last year. | The UK's five top model agencies have been accused of collusion and price fixing by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). |
38,012,008 | Police said more than £600,000 worth of the drug had been recovered from business premises in a "large-scale" operation to tackle organised crime.
The operation targeting industrial units in Kirkton Campus, Livingston, and in nearby Polbeth.
Pawel Sliwinski, 33, and Grzegorz Korinth, 43, were both charged with drugs offences.
Police said about 800 cannabis plants had been seized.
Detectives also searched business premises in Ratho, near Edinburgh.
Both accused appeared on petition before sheriff Michael Fletcher at Livingston Sheriff Court on Thursday.
Neither made any plea or declaration and the case against them was continued for further inquiries.
Mr Korinth, from the West Midlands, who was charged with two counts of producing and supplying a controlled drug, was remanded in custody.
He is expected to make a second appearance in a week's time to be fully committed for trial.
Mr Sliwinski, from Livingston, who faces one charge under each section of the Misuse of Drugs Act, was released on bail. No date was set for a second appearance in his case. | Two men have appeared in court in connection with raids on two cannabis farms in West Lothian. |
32,497,537 | Although the region is home to an estimated 16,000 tree species, researchers found that just 182 species dominated the carbon storage process.
Amazonia is vital to the Earth's carbon cycle, storing more of the element than any other terrestrial ecosystem.
The findings appear in the journal Nature Communications.
"Considering that the Amazon is massively important for the global carbon cycle and stores so much of the planet's biomass, finding out just how that carbon is stored and produced is very important if we want to understand what might happen in the future in different environmental conditions," explained co-author Sophie Fauset from the University of Leeds, UK.
The tropical forest covers an estimated 5.3 million sq km and holds 17% of the global terrestrial vegetation carbon stock.
The findings build on a study published in Science in October 2013 that found that despite being home to an estimated 390 billion trees - made up by 16,000 species - just 227 "hyperdominant" species accounted for half of Amazonia's total trees.
Dr Fauset observed: "If you then take abundance into account and then analyse the data again, then maximum size is very important as well. Trees that are able to reach a large size contribute more to the carbon cycle."
As trees grow larger, they develop more biomass, which contains carbon. So the larger the tree, the greater quantity of carbon locked within its wood. As trees are long-lived organisms, this means the carbon is removed from the atmosphere for decades, if not centuries.
However, Dr Fauset cautioned against the idea of focusing attention on the 182 species and embarking on a vast planting programme to lock more carbon away from the atmosphere, where it contributes to global warming.
"While we have shown that there are a small number of species having a disproportionate influence on the carbon cycle, that is only what we have been able to measure right now," she told BBC News.
"Given the amount of changes that are occurring in tropical regions, such as with the climate and with land-use changes, in the future there might be different species that become more important."
A good example is the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa), which can reach heights in excess of 48m (160ft). It is known to thrive best in dense, undisturbed rainforests.
A study in 2010 examining the natural dispersal of Brazil nuts suggested their intensive harvesting could threaten future regeneration of the trees.
Researchers found that large rodents - such as agoutis - quickly ate the nuts, rather than caching them, when supplies were scarce. When supplies were plentiful, almost twice as many nuts were buried, increasing the chance of successful germination.
This means that the species may not play such a dominant role in the carbon cycle in the future.
"Therefore, it is important that you maintain a bio-diverse forest that has a wide range of species with a wide range of life histories and strategies that will be able to deal differently with changes to the environmental conditions, " Dr Faucet added.
"In the future, it might be different species that are more important for the carbon cycle than what we have measured right now."
In a previous study, Dr Faucet and a team of fellow scientists found that the carbon storage capacity of protected forests in West Africa had increased despite the region suffering a 40-year drought.
The team suggested the increase in the forests' carbon-storing biomass was the result of a shift in species composition.
As the drought period stretched over decades, it allowed the species that could survive under those conditions to be favoured.
Unaccounted emissions
The complexity of the global carbon cycle was highlighted in a separate study, also published on Tuesday.
Researchers suggested that global carbon emissions from forests could have been underestimated because calculations have not fully accounted for the dead wood from logging.
A study carried out in Borneo, published in Environmental Research Letters, found that dead wood could account for up to 64% of biomass. In untouched forests, dead wood made up less than 20% of the above-ground biomass.
Lead author Dr Marion Pfeifer, from Imperial College London, observed: "I was surprised by how much of the biomass dead wood accounted for in badly logged forests.
"That such logged forests are not properly accounted for in carbon calculations is a significant factor.
"It means that a large proportion of forests worldwide are less of a sink and more of a source, especially immediately following logging, as carbon dioxide is released from the dead wood during decomposition."
Estimates suggest that forestry, agriculture and land-use changes account for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Only the energy sector emits more. | About 1% of all the tree species in the Amazon account for half of the carbon locked in the vast South American rainforest, a study has estimated. |
39,286,944 | Berwick's Greg Rutherford fired the opener in the League Two fixture.
Riordan headed his side level and Dougie Gair netted from close range to put City ahead but Steven Thomson's strike ensured a draw at Meadowbank.
On Tuesday, bottom team Cowdenbeath moved to within four points of Clyde after drawing 1-1 with Elgin City. | Derek Riordan scored for the second match running as Edinburgh City drew with Berwick Rangers and remained two points behind the seventh-placed side. |
35,512,365 | The body of the 44-year-old was discovered at a flat in Rhyl on 8 January, two days after he was last seen.
A 46-year-old man is being held on suspicion of murder, and a woman, 41, on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both are from the Rhyl area.
The arrests follow an emotional appeal for help from family members on Friday.
They told a press conference the death was "a nightmare we can't wake up from".
Mr Hill was found in his West Parade home with significant head, upper and lower body injuries.
Police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about his death, or who saw him in the days before he was killed, to contact them.
T/Supt Mark Chesters, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am certain the key to this investigation lies within the local community and I continue to appeal to anybody who may have information that could assist our investigation to come forward." | A man and woman have been arrested in connection with the murder of Liam Hill in Denbighshire. |
20,093,919 | Senad Hadzic, 47, told the BBC that he spent several hours at the Syrian border haggling to get a visa.
Later he had to negotiate his way through numerous checkpoints - some manned by the army, others by rebels.
"Some of them even kissed the Koran I was carrying," he said, adding that he also had a Bible in his backpack.
The pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam - a duty that Muslims are expected to perform at least once in their lifetime.
Mr Hadzic set off from a town near the Bosnian capital Sarajevo and his first ordeal was to brave minus 35C cold in Bulgaria last December, says the BBC's Dan Damon.
"There wasn't a single easy day, every day has been difficult. But at the same time it's been exciting," he said.
Once he had got a Syrian visa, he said, an officer in President Bashar al-Assad's army "asked me to pray for him in Mecca, if I managed to get out of Syria alive".
"The road between the border, where I entered, and the city of Aleppo was full of huge stones. The rebels had thrown the stones to make it impossible for cars and buses to move. People with families simply had to get out of their cars."
He said having a Syrian visa "means nothing - a rebel fighter can walk out of a cornfield and demand your passport".
"No-one shot at me. I was stopped by armed people who inspected my passport. But when I said I was on the road to God, both the rebels and the army of President Assad let me continue."
Mr Hadzic said he carried both the Koran and the Bible "because I'm very religious".
"If I didn't believe that God was with me, the he was protecting me and guiding me, I wouldn't have even reached Bulgaria, let alone Mecca.
"I walked across seven countries, two deserts, 5,650 kilometres, without money, only with a rucksack weighing 20 kilograms," he told the World Update programme on BBC World Service. | A Bosnian Muslim man has walked 5,650km (3,503 miles) to make a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and says God kept him safe in war-torn Syria. |
40,488,794 | Turner, 34, won at Windsor aboard the 11-2 shot Flying Sparkle, trained by Michael Bell.
The ride was a warm-up for Turner's appearance in the new Lady Jockeys' Thoroughbred World Championship in Sweden on Tuesday.
Turner was unseated after the winning line but was unhurt.
She retired in 2015 but came back to ride for the female team at last year's Shergar Cup event at Ascot.
Turner, who returned again for one ride at Windsor before the Swedish event, says she has no plans to resume her career as a jockey. | Britain's most successful female jockey Hayley Turner rode a winner on Monday evening as she made a brief comeback from retirement. |
39,830,357 | Fury, 28, has dealt with depression and lost his boxing licence since beating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015.
In a wide-ranging interview, Fury said he will shed eight stone in weight and remove the "fraud from the division".
"Joshua is a big man with a puncher's chance and has no footwork, no speed or stamina," Fury told BBC 5 live boxing.
"He is what you call a boxer's dream. I've had 18 months out and ballooned up to 26 stone. I could come back with no comeback fights and still box rings around that body builder."
Fury says he will be back fighting in July, on the undercard of a show at London's Copper Box Arena, if his licence is reinstated by the British Boxing Board of Control.
The BBBofC removed the fighter's licence in October 2016 eight days after he admitted taking cocaine to help him deal with depression.
The sport's British governing body says it would need a "full consultant's report" in considering their position, but the 28-year-old's camp is confident the matter will be worked out.
Fury, who refers to himself as the 'Gypsy King', also faces a UK Anti-Doping hearing on Monday relating to a failed test in June of last year.
He insists he is not "desperate" to return to the sport but wants to meet Joshua, who beat Klitschko on Saturday to unify the IBF and WBA titles before immediately referencing a future bout with Fury.
Fury has sparred with Joshua in the past and added: "I always said Wladimir would be my easiest fight. Now I change the goal posts, AJ will be my easiest fight.
"I've never been more confident or serious when I say something, I will play with Joshua like a cat with a ball of wool - hands behind my back, making a right mug of him.
"We are in the business of sweet science. Sweet science does not consist of a body beautiful, iron pumping big fella. It's feinting, jabbing, moving, gliding around the ring, that's the sweet science."
Fury believes he will take at least eight months to return to 18-and-a-half stone - roughly a stone heavier than he weighed in at prior to his shock win over Klitschko - and is currently in Marbella training.
He said he "enjoyed every minute" of the Joshua-Klitschko Wembley Stadium fight, but admitted concern, stating "silly things" Joshua did could have led to a defeat which would have "cost us millions" in scuppering the chances of a future match-up.
Undefeated Fury also believes the result underlines the lack of credit he received for toppling Klitschko to land three of the four heavyweight titles at the same age as Joshua - 27.
He added: "Joshua was supposed to walk right through him as he was old and useless supposedly, but it didn't work like that did it? Klitschko's been out of the ring 18 months and had a 50-50 fight with a so-called killer. I will rip the fraud from the division.
"You get two types of people in boxing, the outlaw and the Mr Nice. I am the outlaw so people love to hate me. That's my personality, love me or hate me you still have to watch me, it works. I've been through depression, life and death positions, and turned it all around." | Tyson Fury says he will deal with unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua "like a cat playing with a ball of wool" when he returns to boxing. |
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