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28,532,525 | They say the information came from the plane's flight data recorders, which are being analysed by British experts.
However, it remains unclear who fired a missile, with pro-Russia rebels and Ukraine blaming each other.
Many of the 298 people killed on board flight MH17 were from the Netherlands.
Dutch investigators leading the inquiry into the crash have refused to comment on the Ukrainian claims.
Heavy fighting has prevented an international police force composed of Dutch and Australian officers from reaching the crash site for a second consecutive day.
Ukraine's army said on Monday it had managed to capture two towns near the wreckage in its bid to win back territory from the hands of the rebels.
The international delegation was stopped in Shakhtarsk, a town some 20 miles (30km) away from the area where flight MH17 was brought down.
The town was reportedly struck by shelling, causing residents to flee in cars.
"We are sick and tired of being interrupted by gunfights, despite the fact that we have agreed that there should be a ceasefire," said Alexander Hug, the deputy head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) team in Ukraine.
They had hoped to secure the site so that the wreckage and human remains can be examined by international crash experts. Most of the bodies have been removed, many of them repatriated to the Netherlands.
Ukrainian security spokesman Andrei Lysenko told reporters on Monday that the plane suffered "massive explosive decompression" after it was hit by fragments he said came from a missile.
The Dutch team leading the investigation into flight MH17 won't be happy that a Ukrainian security official has apparently jumped the gun on the black box data results. I'm told there were Ukrainian investigators in the room at the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch in Farnborough last week when they checked that data, so it seems reasonable to assume this official knows something.
But still, the Dutch are hoping to publish their own more detailed and more rounded report later this week, pooling together everything they've learned so far.
Several former accident investigators have said to me that the black boxes will only tell us so much. To state the obvious, they are designed to highlight mechanical problems, not identify missile attacks. The flight data recorder could pick up evidence of an aircraft decompression, but it won't necessarily tell us why. The cockpit voice recorder may also pick up the sound of an external explosion.
In the end, experts will need more than the black boxes to work out what happened. They'll need to see the wreckage, the bodies and the American satellite data which the US says shows a missile was fired from rebel territory.
It's also worth remembering, even if all the black box data appears to tally with a missile strike, it won't tell us who fired it. Both sides in this conflict possess the same weapon.
Earlier, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said the downing of the Malaysia Airines jet could constitute a "war crime".
She demanded a "thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation" into the "shooting down" of the jet.
Ms Pillay spoke as the latest UN report on Ukraine suggested at least 1,129 people have been killed and 3,442 wounded in the Ukraine conflict since mid-April.
The conflict has displaced more than 200,000 people, many of whom have fled east to neighbouring Russia.
In other developments: | Security officials in Ukraine say the downed Malaysia Airlines jet in eastern Ukraine suffered an explosive loss of pressure after it was punctured by shrapnel from a missile. |
34,051,153 | Phil Bale made the claim in a letter to the Welsh Language Society - Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg - about Cardiff's Local Development Plan (LDP).
Calling the comment "completely ignorant", the group said Welsh was "vital" to the city's social fabric.
The council said "technical" wording concerning planning guidance in the letter had been taken out of context.
Mr Bale survived a leadership challenge at the annual general meeting of Cardiff's Labour group in May.
He wrote in the letter: "On the basis of the evidence presented, this response comes to the conclusion that the use of the Welsh language is not part of the social fabric [of the city], in accordance with national guidelines.
"This means that it is not considered that development proposals which are noted in the Plan materially affect the linguistic balance communities across Cardiff, at the expense of the use of the language.
"As a result, I understand it is not considered that any specific policies are necessary in the plan to deal with the specific interests of the Welsh language."
Local Cymdeithas yr Iaith chair Carl Morris criticised the comment, in a letter to the Planning Inspectorate.
"It must be said that this claim is daft and completely ignorant, and obviously raises questions which need to be answered in terms of the attitude and the policy of the authority and its officers," he said.
"We are not of the view that the remark reflects the support of the present leader of the Council for the language, but rather the ignorance of officers in the planning department.
"We ask you to insist that the County, in its development plan, considers the Welsh language in terms of its status, requirements in terms of new schools and education provision, and its place in our communities."
A Cardiff council spokesman said the LDP was currently being considered by the Welsh government's planning inspector.
The spokesman said: "The wording that is quoted by the Welsh Language Society is technical language taken from a national planning guidance document.
"Unfortunately, the wording has been used selectively in this instance, as it fails to show the full context on how the wording was used in this planning document."
The spokesman added that is was "disappointing" that the issue had been raised so late, and "ample opportunity" had been been given for everyone to comment through the consultation process. | The Welsh language is not part of Cardiff's "social fabric", according to the city's council leader. |
36,865,749 | Media playback is not supported on this device
No wonder he says his time at Meadow Lane has been "a rollercoaster".
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson came and went as director of football, as did Munto Finance and Sol Campbell - and that is just the tale of a few months in Edwards' decade-long association with the East Midlands club.
He now works as fitness and conditioning coach - a job that he once mixed with being part-time cook - but also remains part of the playing squad at the age of 36.
"That is the thing with Notts, you have to muck in. You have the job you have to do, but also you know you have to go a bit beyond it. You do it for the love of the club," he says.
Ahead of his testimonial match at Meadow Lane against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the defender looks back at the bosses, the good times and bad during 350 matches at Notts.
Possibly the most turbulent time of Edwards' career came when former England boss Eriksson arrived after Middle East consortium Munto Finance took over the club of the summer of 2009.
There was a five-year plan to take the club into the Premier League, but it came to nothing and ended with the club heavily in debt and a £1 takeover.
"He (Eriksson) was queen of everybody's hearts, the dressing room really took to him," Edwards said.
"He was honest with the boys about the troubles off the pitch. He came and told us that we couldn't pay the milk bill. He tried his best to get the club that investment and to get the security."
During that time, Edwards lost his place to former England defender Campbell, who arrived on a five-year deal, but spent just one month and played one game for the Magpies before leaving by mutual consent.
"I like to say that I got him out of the team the next game. To say that I got an ex-international out of the team is a nice thing to keep with me," Edwards said.
After two years away from Meadow Lane between 2012 and 2014, Edwards returned to Notts County looking to expand his horizons beyond the pitch.
It led to a job on the coaching staff, and inadvertently as part-time chef under then manager Shaun Derry when budgets were having to be cut.
"I remember having a meeting with Shaun and Greg Abbott and they were looking at me saying 'we are not going to a hotel before games, we are going to eat on the coach'," he recalls.
"It was my second day in the job and I could feel the heat, a stack of bricks on me and I felt I had to pipe up and say something.
"I said that I could cook, make the food. My wife and kids got back after school and work and there is a stack of pans in the kitchen. They just asked what the hell I was doing?"
A takeover saga and culinary tales are just part of Edwards' story at Notts.
Plenty has also happened on the field. He was part of the League Two title-winning side that won promotion under Steve Cotterill in 2010.
Then there is the highlight of playing for Notts County, the oldest Football League club in the world, when they were invited to inaugurate Juventus Stadium - home of the Italian giants who adopted Notts' black and white stripes in 1905.
Edwards was later discarded, subsequently brought back, then went down with the Magpies in 2015.
John Sheridan, his 21st boss at Notts - and fourth last season, has brought hope of better times again after a period of upheaval, in which they finished 17th in League Two.
"I'm looking forward to it," said Edwards.
"Off the back of last season, we need to get foundations in place and kick on from there. Hopefully we can get promotion again."
"Notts fans have been brilliant - success and failures, we have shared it together," he said. | Mike Edwards has played for 21 managers in 10 years at Notts County, was there when they had no money for milk and has even cooked pre-match meals for the team. |
39,888,470 | The 35-year-old, who played 297 times for the Sky Blues between 2003 and 2011, also captained the club.
Doyle left City for a four-year spell with Sheffield United before joining Portsmouth in July 2015.
He scored three goals in 96 games in his time at Fratton Park, captaining Pompey to this term's League Two title.
Doyle will be the only member of the City playing staff who has experience of playing for City at their former home at Highfield Road.
Coventry will play in the fourth tier at the Ricoh Arena next season after being relegated from League One.
City's first summer signing increases the club's number of contracted players to 15, following the end-of-season release of nine men - Nathan Clarke, Kevin Foley, Vladimir Gadzhev, Andy Rose, Ruben Lameiras, Marcus Tudgay and three of their Under-23 squad, Kyle Spence, Jack Finch and Jacob Whitmore.
Defender Jordan Turnbull and striker Stuart Beavon have the option to leave the club before 31 July, due to existing clauses in their current contracts.
City are also in talks over new deals with seven players - goalkeeper Lee Burge, defenders Chris Stokes, Ryan Haynes, Dion Kelly-Evans and Devon Kelly-Evans, midfielder Gael Bigirimana and top scorer George Thomas.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page. | Coventry City midfielder Michael Doyle will re-sign for the Sky Blues six and a half years after leaving when his Portsmouth contract expires on 30 June. |
35,834,786 | The US firm has announced two timepieces - one targeted at each sex - powered by Google's Android Wear.
Samsung, Nixon and Fossil have also revealed new software-powered models at the Baselworld trade show. Swatch's Tissot brand unveiled its first "connected watch" too, which links up to smartphones but does not run apps.
The launches coincide with a decline in traditional watch sales.
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry recently reported a "steep decline" in revenues, with January's 1.5bn Swiss francs ($1.6bn; £1.1bn) representing an 8% drop on the same month's sales in 2015.
The business group has blamed a "troubled economic situation" for the fall.
However, research firm Futuresource Consulting has reported that global smartwatch shipments now outnumber those of traditional Swiss watches.
"Many consumers are still not sure how a smartwatch will benefit them in terms of lifestyle and practicality," said its report, timed to coincide with the event in Basel.
"[But] ongoing advancements by the integrated chip manufacturers means they can go smaller - which opens up the market for more petite, women's watches, effectively increasing their total available market."
Smartwatch manufacturers that use Google's Android Wear have limited ability to customise the operating system's features, so much of their efforts are focused instead on design.
Michael Kors - whose devices are manufactured by Fossil - focused on their exclusive digital watchfaces and "glamorous style" at its launch rather than on technical specifications.
Fossil also unveiled two new smartwatches under its own brand - the Fossil Q Wander and Q Marshal - which it said were slimmer than its first-generation models.
California-based Nixon, however, had one trick up its sleeve for its first Android Wear watch - the Mission. It is water-resistant to 100m (328ft) - a record for the category - and still able to accept voice commands.
That allows Nixon to target the device at surfers, who need that level of protection because of the force with which they sometimes hit the waves.
Tissot has taken a different approach with its Smart-Touch.
The watch links up to a smartphone via Bluetooth when commanded to do so and can then provide navigation directions by moving its hands.
In addition, it can use the phone to synchronise itself to the local time zone.
The watch can also trigger an alarm on a fob, with which it is sold, in order to find mislaid keys.
Another unusual feature is a solar panel - used to recharge its battery, which is said to last up to a year before it needs to be swapped out.
"Swatch Group is the only Swiss watchmaker able to do a smartwatch on its own," boasted the firm's chief executive Francois Thiebaud.
But one attendee had doubts about its chances.
"It's difficult to see how Tissot can scale this to deliver the breadth of functionality that an open platform like Android or Tizen can offer," said Ben Wood from the CCS Insight consultancy.
"Swatch's only chance for success would be to bring this functionality to its wider range of watches."
Elsewhere at the show, Samsung revealed a tie-up with the jeweller de Grisogono to release a "limited edition" version of its Gear 2 watch.
The Tizen-powered device distinguishes itself from the standard edition by featuring more than 100 black-and-white diamonds. Its price has yet to be announced.
LVMH's watch chief also provided an update on its Android-based Tag Heuer Connected watch, which was launched in November.
At a press conference, Jean-Claude Biver said that 20,000 units had been sold so far and that his firm planned to manufacture a further 60,000 before the year's end.
"We totally underestimated demand, we were too cautious," he said.
"Next year, we'll have a real collection, a new version with six to eight models."
US manufacturer Movado has also announced plans to make more devices as part of a partnership with HP, following 2015's launch of the Movado Bold Motion.
It said it now planned to release models under the Coach, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Juicy Couture, Tommy Hilfiger, and Scuderia Ferrari brands.
Despite all the activity, one expert said it was important not to overstate the sector's impact.
"I don't believe smartwatches have affected the high-end watch market in any appreciable way," said Ariel Adams, editor of A Blog to Watch.
"Although, I have heard anecdotally from brands that lower-end watches - $1,000 (£691) and under - are becoming affected.
"This Baselworld is all about partnerships, fashion and what I call brand cross-pollination," he added.
"It's mostly a marketing play, and I cannot find any brands here that speak fluently as to what people actually do with smartwatches and why people would want one."
Apple - which is thought to be the world's bestselling smartwatch-maker - is not exhibiting at Baselworld.
However, the firm has a press event on Monday in California where it may make related announcements. | Michael Kors has become the latest fashion brand to offer smartwatches. |
35,511,757 | West Midlands Fire Service was alerted to the fire on Stafford Street, Willenhall, at about 08:15 GMT on Saturday.
Roads were closed while the fire was extinguished, and residents were advised to keep doors and windows shut due to large amounts of smoke.
Nobody is believed to have been injured in the fire, a spokesman said.
A spokesman for the fire service said a cause had not yet been established, but a fire investigation officer would examine the site once it was deemed safe. | Twelve crews of firefighters dealt with a blaze at a derelict factory in the West Midlands. |
34,859,661 | New figures have revealed that more than 6,300 people in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway were treated outwith the region in 2014.
MSP Jim Hume, who obtained the figures through a parliamentary question, said the figures were "frankly shocking".
The Scottish government said there were "very good reasons" for treating people outside their board area.
Across Scotland more than 100,000 people travelled to another area to receive treatment in 2014, including to the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank.
It is the only hospital in Scotland to carry out heart transplants and it is home to the busiest lung surgery unit in the UK.
Mr Hume said: "It's frankly shocking that thousands of patients across South Scotland were referred for hospital treatment outwith their area last year.
"There are a number of reasons why patients may be referred to other parts of Scotland for treatment.
"But in general, patients should be able to attend hospital appointments as close to their homes as possible - the difficulty of travelling further afield is not only inconvenient but can also aggravate the very health conditions they are being referred for."
He called on the Scottish government to "act now" to ensure key services are provided at local hospitals.
However Health Secretary Shona Robison said specialist care was provided in the most appropriate environment - regardless of board boundaries.
She added: "In many cases it is easier for a patient to go to a hospital in a neighbouring board area, because it is nearer to their home.
"There are many other patients who start their care in their own area and are then referred to a regional centre for specialist treatment. For example, the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank, which is a world-class national centre providing treatments such as heart transplants and cardiac bypass surgery."
She said that last month the government announced a £200m investment to create six new elective treatment centres "throughout Scotland" which would deliver about 22,000 more procedures annually by 2025.
None are planned for the south of Scotland. | Thousands of patients from the south of Scotland have to travel to another part of the country for medical treatment. |
32,112,433 | Washiqur Rahman was attacked close to his home in Dhaka's Begunbari area, a police official told AFP news agency.
Two students at an Islamic seminary have reportedly been arrested.
Last month, Avijit Roy, a US-based writer who had criticised religious intolerance, was killed in a machete attack while he was visiting Dhaka.
His death sparked fresh concerns for freedom of speech in Bangladesh, where several secular-minded writers have been targeted by militants.
Mr Rahman was killed on a busy street in Dhaka. Two of the suspected attackers, armed with meat cleavers, were caught near the scene.
The suspects told police they had targeted Mr Rahman because of his anti-Islamic writing, a police official told the Associated Press news agency.
Mr Rahman blogged under a pen-name, Kucchit Hasher Channa, or Ugly Duckling. According to the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, he had criticised irrational religious beliefs.
Imran Sarker, the head of a network of activists and bloggers in Bangladesh, told AFP news agency that Mr Rahman was "a progressive free thinker".
Asif Mohiuddin, a Bangladeshi blogger who survived an attack in 2013, said he had often talked to Mr Rahman about "criticising fundamentalist groups".
"I liked him for his satire, his sense of humour. He was a wonderful blogger and I'm very... upset right now," he said.
Last month's attack on Mr Roy prompted massive protests from students and social activists, who accused the authorities of failing to protect critics of religious bigotry.
A man accused of threatening to kill Mr Roy on social media was arrested in that case.
Farabi Shafiur Rahman, described as a "fundamentalist blogger", was said by police to be linked to Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Bangladesh.
Mr Roy's wife was also badly injured in the attack. | A blogger has been hacked to death in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, a month after a prominent atheist writer was killed in a similar attack. |
35,338,631 | Members of the Scottish Parliament's economy committee were responding to huge challenges in the sector caused by the drop in the price of oil.
The committee made a number of recommendations aimed at protecting North Sea jobs.
It said it hoped a sustainable industry could emerge from the downturn.
In recent months, oil has plunged to its lowest price in 12 years, with a barrel of international benchmark Brent crude dropping below $28 in Monday's trading.
Six thousand jobs have been lost offshore - 30,000 in support industries and 30,000 in the service sector, according to one union estimate.
In a bid to protect the industry and the skilled workforce, the MSPs said there should be no rush to begin decommissioning.
Committee convener Murdo Fraser MSP, said Scotland's oil industry had a "vital status" within the Scottish and UK economy.
He said: "The challenges the industry is facing as a consequence of the significant and sustained fall in the price of crude oil represent a serious threat to our economic wellbeing, especially to the livelihoods of those employed in the industry and those communities who depend on it.
"In our evidence sessions, we heard from the trade unions, industry representatives and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce about the impact and what needs to be done.
"What was clear to the committee is that there is a shared determination to protect and promote the industry, to secure a sustainable future in the face of current challenges.
"We call on all those involved to continue to work together to maximise the economic recovery of oil and gas rather than rush to decommissioning."
Deputy convener Dennis Robertson MSP, who was criticised for claiming the industry was "booming" earlier this month, said: "In light of recent job losses, there is also a real fear that many highly-skilled workers may be lost to the sector.
"It is important that the industry reflects on this point to ensure that essential skills are retained in the workforce when the downturn stabilises with the possibility of recovery in the future."
Scottish Labour said the government should undertake an "urgent assessment of the oil jobs crisis on the wider economy" in light of the report.
Public services spokesman Lewis Macdonald said: "The jobs crisis in the North Sea has seen thousands of jobs lost not just in the North East but across Scotland and the whole of the UK in the supply chain.
"How many more reports does the Scottish government need to see before it understands how serious the situation is, and acts accordingly?" | The oil industry, trade unions and government must work closely to get the most out of the North Sea before decommissioning, MSPs have said. |
10,878,123 | The collection of 40 paintings - plus films, sculptures and photographs - focuses on the period from 1940 to 1983.
Works have been brought in from countries around the world - including Canada, Scotland and Japan.
The exhibition runs at Atlanta's High Museum of Art until 9 January.
"It's become a really interesting area for investigation because you have Dali's career which spans almost all of the 20th century, but historically people have really only looked at the 1930s," exhibition curator Elliott King told the Associated Press. "It was almost like he died in 1940."
The exhibition includes photos by American photographer Philippe Halsman showing the artist displaying what King describes as Dali's "wacky showman" side.
Atomic explosion
The exhibition also reflects two recurring influences on Dali's later work - his return to the Catholic Church and nuclear physics.
One work that illustrates this theme is Santiago El Grande - which shows a crucifixion scene and a horse rearing up above an atomic explosion.
Another is The Madonna of Port-Lligat - showing the Madonna and Child breaking into particles. The painting is on loan from a museum in Japan and has not been seen in the US since 1951.
The work Assumpta Corpuscularia Lapilazulina - which features Dali's wife as the Virgin Mary - has been in private collections and has not been exhibited since 1959.
The exhibition also includes the 1960 documentary film Chaos and Creation - an early example of video art which includes pigs, popcorn and a motorbike. | An exhibition of late works by artist Salvador Dali opens this weekend in Atlanta, including several pieces not seen in the US for half a century. |
35,766,608 | They want the statue torn down, arguing that Rhodes, a 19th Century businessman and politician in southern Africa, represented white supremacy.
About 150 protesters took part in the march which gathered at Oriel College, the home of the statue.
The university said it was happy to talk to campaigners about inclusivity.
The Rhodes Must Fall march took in All Souls College, The Old Indian Institute, Rhodes House and Wellington Square.
Campaigners argue Rhodes' views are incompatible with an "inclusive culture" at the university.
Organiser Femi Nylander said: "We want to see an apt coherent engagement with what we've been saying.
"This is a man who was one of the founders of apartheid. To a lot of Africans he's as bad as Hitler.
"We're opening the debate about colonial legacy. We're not trying to suppress anything, we're not trying to erase history, but [we don't accept] a facade on a building on one of the most iconic streets in Oxford, with a man who went to South Africa and killed a lot of black people."
A university spokesperson said: "We are working with black and minority ethnic students on many initiatives towards greater inclusion and representation... and we would very much like Rhodes Must Fall to be involved.
"We hope they will accept our standing invitation to meet with senior staff and help shape the plans for an ever-more inclusive university."
Rhodes was a student at Oxford and a member of Oriel College in the 1870s. He left money to the college on his death in 1902.
A scholarship programme in his name has so far been awarded to more than 8,000 overseas students. | Campaigners have taken to the streets calling for the removal of a statue of the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes at an Oxford University college. |
36,617,471 | Some mortgage brokers and estate agents say that potential buyers could delay any purchase owing to the uncertainty that is likely to follow the result.
There is less consensus on what the effect might be on the cost of mortgages and house prices.
The share prices of house builders took a big hit in early trading following the result.
Ahead of the vote, the UK Treasury said that over the next two years, house prices could end up being 10-18% lower compared with where they would have been had the vote been to remain.
"When there is uncertainty it affects confidence and people put off making decisions. Those who were thinking about buying property may now decide to leave that decision to say next year, in the hope that property prices will fall in the meantime," said Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients.
If the Treasury prediction is true, such a change would be good news for first-time buyers, but not for existing homeowners, particularly if they have bought recently.
Predictions of how far the pound would fall have so far been an overestimate, so there is clearly a possibility that the change in house prices may be less dramatic. Any forecasts of property prices are notoriously difficult.
How will Brexit affect your finances
UK votes to leave the UK
Where can I afford to live?
Geography will also play a major part in any change - with the UK having a wide range of regional property markets.
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) previously estimated that house prices in London could see the biggest change. It said prices would be £7,500 lower on average over the next three years than they would have been had the vote been to remain.
Elsewhere, it said house prices could see a slower rate of increase, rising by £2,300 less.
All eyes will be on the Bank of England when it comes to assessing the cost of a mortgage.
If inflation rises, the Bank of England may consider raising interest rates, making mortgages and loans more expensive to repay. During the campaign, the Treasury forecast a rise of between 0.7% and 1.1% in the cost of a mortgage. This would filter through to rental costs too.
Any shock to the UK economy may lead the Bank of England to consider a cut in rates. In that case, the cost of lending could actually fall.
David Tinsley, from Swiss bank UBS, said the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was expected to make interest rate cuts and extend its quantitative easing programme.
"We expect the MPC will cut policy rates to zero and make further asset purchases, in the first instance of £50-75bn, not later than February 2017," he said.
Bank of England governor Mark Carney made it clear in a speech that no quick decisions would be made.
Mortgage brokers say that any change should be viewed in the context of historically low mortgage rates at present.
"The banks and building societies still have incredibly low rates and mortgage acceptance criteria is better than it has been for years," said Aaron Strutt, of Trinity Financial mortgage brokers.
"One of the biggest problems is confidence, particularly as we have political and economic instability. People still need houses to live in and while we have a functioning banking system they will have options."
David Hollingworth, of London and Country mortgages, said: "Borrowers will be struggling to understand whether this [result] could mean an increase in base rate or whether it might precipitate a cut.
"With sterling plunging the expectation will be for rising inflation which would typically lead to rising interest rates. However, fragility in the economy could well see the base rate held or even fall.
"If funding costs for lenders were to rise then that could put upward pressure on mortgage rates whether base rate were to shift or not. The only certainty at the moment is that borrowers have a range of extremely competitive fixed rate deals on offer." | Commentators suggest the lull in the UK property market will continue following the UK's vote to leave the EU. |
32,164,745 | Cabinet members held talks on Thursday over a report outlining the work needed to push the deal forward.
The authority says it could "unlock significant new money" for "major infrastructure" projects.
Cardiff council's economic development chief, Neil Hanratty, said in the report local business would be "at the heart" of any deal.
Chancellor George Osborne said, when outlining March's Budget, that talks would begin towards setting up a City Deal in Cardiff.
City deals, such as that established in Glasgow, are UK government agreements which give cities funding and control over how to create economic growth.
Cardiff council says the money would be used to support "capital investment in major infrastructure priorities" for the city-region.
Mr Hanratty said in the report Cardiff Business Council (CBC), which acts a link between the council and local businesses, would need to be "reviewed" as part of any deal.
The report recommends considering "formalising arrangements" with the CBC's interim board in order to make the body "fit for purpose". | The proposed £1bn Cardiff City Deal to help the Welsh economy grow has been discussed by Cardiff council. |
36,425,859 | The ferry MV Coruisk was used for the route before being redeployed to CalMac's Oban-Mull route.
People on Skye have complained that the two smaller replacement ferries have been prone to disruption.
Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said MV Coruisk's return would be welcomed.
A CalMac spokesperson could not confirm the redeployment, but said the company was looking at all options to improve reliability on the Mallaig to Armadale route.
Mr Blackford told BBC Radio Scotland that the Coruisk was ideally suited to operating on the Skye route while the replacement vessels' operation was dictated by tidal conditions.
But the MP added that he did not want the situation to be "a fight between Skye and Mull" and wanted all ferry routes to have the appropriate vessel. | Caledonian MacBrayne is to reverse its decision to change the ferry operating on its Mallaig to Armadale on Skye service, BBC Scotland understands. |
38,805,163 | Alexandre Bissonnette faces six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder.
The 27-year-old briefly appeared in a Quebec City court over Sunday evening's attack, during evening prayers at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre.
Vigils have been held across Canada to commemorate those killed and injured.
More than 50 people were at the mosque when the shooting erupted just before 20:00 on Sunday.
Nineteen people were wounded - all men - and of five people still in hospital, two were in a critical condition.
Quebec provincial police have released the names of all six victims who were killed:
Quebec attack: Who were the victims?
Quebec Muslims 'emotionally destroyed'
Who is Alexandre Bissonnette?
Mr Bissonnette did not enter a plea as he appeared in court on Monday, wearing a white prison-issue jump suit, his hands and feet shackled.
The suspect was arrested in his car on a bridge leading from Quebec City to Ile d'Orleans, where he called police to say he wanted to co-operate with the authorities.
According to local media, Mr Bissonnette studied political science and anthropology at Laval University, whose campus is about 3km (two miles) away from the mosque.
Francois Deschamps, an official with an advocacy group, Welcome to Refugees, said the suspect was known for his far-right views.
Mr Bissonnette was "unfortunately known to many activists in Quebec for taking nationalist, pro-Le Pen and anti-feminist positions at Laval University and on social media," Mr Deschamps posted on the organisation's Facebook page.
A man of Moroccan heritage who was also arrested after the attack, Mohamed Khadir, is now being treated as a witness.
Thousands of people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, braved the cold at a vigil near the mosque to lay flowers and candles that flickered in the snow.
The streets were packed tight, and residents flowed by foot from the streets surrounding the mosque as police still blocked the roads to cars directly around the site of the attack.
Few carried signs but those that did called for unity among Quebecers. "Tous unis", French for "all together", was a popular phrase.
Ali Dahan, one of many who came to pay his respects, said the vigil sent a strong message against intolerance. "Such racist people can affect all possibility of progress," he said.
"But they lose because you see all the people out here today and they show their solidarity."
The vigil was a balm for the Muslim community, which has sometimes felt it bears the brunt of political rhetoric in the province.
Mr Trudeau and Mr Couillard both described the shooting as a terrorist attack.
Addressing the more than one million Muslims who live in Canada, Mr Trudeau said: "We are with you.
"Thirty-six million hearts are breaking with yours. Know that we value you."
The shooting came amid heightened global tensions over Mr Trump's travel ban on immigration from seven Muslim countries.
On Tuesday the US administration pointed to the Quebec attack as further justification for the new president's policies.
"We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.
"It's a terrible reminder of why we must remain vigilant and why the president is taking steps to be pro-active, rather than reactive when it comes to our nation's safety and security."
The mosque has been a target of hate crimes in the past, including last summer when a pig's head was left on its doorstep during Ramadan.
Mohamed Labidi, vice-president of the Islamic centre, said the victims had been shot in the back.
"Security at our mosque was our major, major concern," Mr Labidi said tearfully. "But we were caught off-guard."
The predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec has welcomed thousands of immigrants from Arab countries and other nations.
But there has been a longstanding debate over the "reasonable accommodation" of immigrants and religious minorities. | Canadian police have charged a French-Canadian student over the fatal shooting of six Muslim worshippers at a mosque in Quebec. |
39,546,564 | Many areas in England and Wales reached at least 20C, the Met Office said.
The East Midlands and parts of East Anglia were among the sunniest areas, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have been cooler at 16C and 15C.
Forecasters said temperatures would return to spring levels by Monday - dropping by as much as 10 degrees.
In Somerset, firefighters said they used bolt croppers and cutters to free a woman whose leg was trapped in a sunlounger.
She was also given oxygen and an ambulance was called.
In Leicestershire, a country park suffered a "devastating" fire - which may have been caused by a barbecue or a discarded cigarette butt.
Forecasters warned people not to get caught out by the sun, which can be as strong in April as in August and September.
Temperatures are forecast to cool on Monday, however.
BBC Weather presenter Tomasz Schafernaker said: "Over the next 24 hours those areas that were warmest today will experience at least a 10 degree drop.
"Today warm air was wafting in from France; tomorrow cooler air will be streaming in from the north Atlantic." | Parts of the UK have had the hottest day of the year so far - with temperatures hitting 25.5C in Cambridge. |
35,856,211 | Yorkshire lost openers Alex Lees and Adam Lyth early on and spinner James Tredwell took three wickets to reduce the champions to 88-5 in Abu Dhabi.
However, Ballance (105) and Will Rhodes (95) put on 125 for the sixth wicket before Ballance was trapped lbw.
Rhodes missed out on his century as Yorkshire posted 275 before James Harris saw out an over in reply.
Yorkshire won the toss and decided to bat but, aside from England batsman Ballance and Rhodes, Lyth (13) and Andrew Gale (23) were the only men to make it into double figures.
The MCC rallied with the new ball following Ballance's departure, as Jake Ball picked up the wicket of Andrew Hodd, while Graham Onions removed Steven Patterson and Jack Brooks in consecutive balls.
Rhodes came close to hitting his maiden first-class ton during his final-wicket partnership with Karl Carver but was caught behind off the bowling of Rikki Clarke.
Middlesex seamer Harris saw out the one over the MCC had to face in reply from Brooks before stumps.
Have you added the new Top Story alerts in the BBC Sport app? Simply head to the menu in the app - and don't forget you can also add alerts for the Six Nations, cricket scores, your football team and more. | Gary Ballance scored a century for Yorkshire on the opening day of the Champion County game against the MCC. |
37,942,255 | The train operator, which runs services between Scotland and London, ran a recruitment fair at Addiewell Prison, West Lothian, this week.
More will be held in prisons across the UK every three months.
Virgin Trains said it wanted to help end the "revolving door syndrome" of reoffending. It is also encouraging other companies to take part.
The company has been actively recruiting ex-offenders since 2013.
Twelve people with convictions were employed by Virgin Trains in 2014 as part of the contract for the West Coast route.
There are currently 27 people working in the business who were recruited through the programme, the firm said.
Kathryn Wildman, who leads recruitment on the West Coast line, said going into prisons had proved a successful way of finding "talented candidates" for jobs in the company.
She said: "This isn't just about helping society and giving people a chance to turn their lives around. It's hiring the best people no matter what their background is.
"We'd urge other employers who might be thinking about this to give it a go."
Virgin Trains has established partnerships with HM Prison Service, the Scottish Prison Service and private prison operators to work with inmates who are nearing the end of their sentences.
Scotland's Justice Secretary, Michael Matheson, said: "Supporting people into work when they come out of custody is an essential part of their reintegration, and helps to reduce the chances of them offending again.
"We are working with the public sector, including the Scottish Prison Service, and private businesses to make it easier for people with convictions to find employment.
"Virgin Trains are very supportive of this work and I am delighted to hear of this latest partnership with HMP Addiewell to tackle the barriers which prevent people from turning their lives around." | West Coast Mainline operator Virgin Trains is planning to double the number of ex-offenders it employs. |
40,703,909 | Three key judicial reforms have been passed by Poland's parliament, prompting days of demonstrations across the country.
Before they become law, they require approval by the president.
The changes have also set Poland's right-wing government on a collision course with the European Union.
The European Commission had threatened to impose sanctions this week if the reforms were not scrapped. European Council President Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, had warned of a "black scenario that could ultimately lead to the marginalisation of Poland in Europe".
"As president I don't feel this law would strengthen a sense of justice," Mr Duda said in a statement broadcast on national television. "These laws must be amended."
He said he was vetoing two of the new laws but approving a third, which gives the justice minister the right to name the heads of Poland's lower courts.
The Law and Justice (PiS) government has strongly rejected claims that the reforms are a move towards authoritarian rule and has expressed disappointment at Mr Duda's decision to wield a veto.
Mr Duda had already intervened last week in an attempt to find a compromise and his latest step came as a surprise.
He is himself a former member of the populist ruling party and he had already rejected a meeting on the crisis with Donald Tusk.
He said he had discussed the reforms at the weekend with legal experts as well as judges. The most influential voice, he said, was that of Zofia Romaszewska, a veteran dissident from the communist era who told Mr Duda she did not want to go back to the days when "the general prosecutor could do virtually anything".
She was jailed during the years of martial law in the early 1980s but is now one of the president's advisers. Ms Romaszewska told Polish media it was completely out of the question for the attorney general to take charge of the Supreme Court.
Opposition MPs also praised the role of protesters in influencing the decision.
Demonstrations have taken place in dozens of Polish cities, from Poznan and Lublin to Krakow, Gdansk and Warsaw, and there have been calls for the protests to continue.
Mr Duda warned that no change should lead to a separation of the state from society.
Poland's judicial system is widely seen as slow and reforms are seen as necessary. "I'm absolutely a supporter of this reform, but a wise reform," said President Duda.
The three reforms give the justice minister and MPs broad powers and have prompted alarm from the US, as well as the EU.
The president's initial compromise plan last week watered down the government's bid to push through its nominees for the National Judiciary Council, by requiring the support of another political party.
In his statement, the president said he regretted that a draft law on reforming the Supreme Court had not been handed to him before a vote in the lower house of parliament, the Sejm.
The president also took issue with the strengthened role of the justice minister, who also acts as attorney general in Poland.
In theory, the Polish parliament could now challenge the president's veto.
Law and Justice has a simple majority in the Sejm but needs a three-fifths majority if it decides to reject Mr Duda's decision. It could theoretically achieve that with the support of a smaller party, Kukiz'15, but that is not seen as certain.
A more likely step would be to spend the next weeks redrafting the two bills that the president has turned down and seek his approval. The protest movement has celebrated its success so far but is now pushing for the president to veto the third reform as well.
Much now depends on the man seen as the real power behind the government, Jaroslaw Kaczynski. | Polish President Andrzej Duda has announced he is vetoing a controversial law to replace Supreme Court judges with government nominees. |
37,369,615 | The statement said the Democratic presidential nominee "continues to improve" after a pneumonia diagnosis.
The disclosure came as her Republican rival Donald Trump released health data of his own on a medical chat show.
Clinton aides say she will return to the campaign trail on Thursday after falling ill in public at the weekend.
Both candidates, among the oldest ever to run for the White House, have been under intense pressure to share more medical information.
Health issues have dominated the race for November's election since a dizzy spell forced Mrs Clinton, 68, to leave a 9/11 ceremony in New York on Sunday.
Her campaign said on Wednesday that her physician found her complete physical examination was "normal" and she is in "excellent mental condition".
Dr Lisa Bardack said Mrs Clinton was "recovering well with antibiotics and rest".
What is 'walking pneumonia'?
A history of US presidential bad health
The campaign said she had a chest scan on Friday that showed a "mild, non-contagious bacterial pneumonia".
Mrs Clinton - who has been recuperating at her suburban New York home - was treated with an antibiotic called Levaquin, which she was prescribed for 10 days.
"She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as President of the United States," concluded Dr Bardack in the letter.
The physician said Mrs Clinton was up to date on all vaccines, including two given to help prevent pneumonia, Prevnar and Pneumovax.
The letter did not state when she received those vaccines.
Mrs Clinton's blood pressure (of 100 over 70) and total cholesterol (189) were all within healthy levels, according to the letter.
The former Secretary of State also had a normal mammogram and breast ultrasound, said the doctor.
She takes thyroid and allergy medicines and the blood thinner Coumadin, prescribed after she suffered a blood clot resulting from a 2012 concussion.
The blood clot was said to have been in a vein in the space between the brain and the skull behind the right ear.
The complication led Mrs Clinton to spend a few days in hospital and take a month off from her job at the State Department.
Mr Trump, meanwhile, has said he is planning to release details this week of a recent physical.
The Republican White House nominee handed over a one-page summary of that examination while appearing on The Dr Oz Show.
He told the host he is 236lb and 6ft 3in tall, which would make him clinically overweight.
The syndicated television show will not be broadcast until Thursday and the campaign declined to immediately disclose the results.
Mr Trump told a rally in Canton, Ohio, on Wednesday night that he doubted Mrs Clinton would have the stamina to lead one of his events.
He asked the crowd: "You think Hillary would be able to stand up here for an hour and do this? I don't think so, I don't think so."
Mr Trump later said she was "lying in bed, getting better". | Hillary Clinton is "healthy and fit to serve" as US president, says her doctor, as her campaign released updated medical information. |
35,588,511 | Christopher Collier, 53, admitted the manslaughter of his wife Julie at their flat in Charter Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire in September 2015.
Bristol Crown Court heard both were "long-term alcoholics" and drinking had damaged Mrs Collier's health to the extent she had to use a wheelchair .
Collier was sentenced to four years but is likely to serve two.
On the night of Mrs Collier's death, the court heard, something happened which caused Collier to lose his temper and strike his "frail" 7-stone wife, who would have "posed no real threat" to him.
Collier told police his wife had hit him and threatened him with a screwdriver. He had punched her and they had fallen to the floor but she was still conscious when he left the flat to buy more drink.
When he returned, he thought she was asleep. But when he could not wake her the next morning he called 999. She had died from a subdural haemorrhage.
Sentencing, Mr Justice Teare told Collier: "This was not a case of a fight involving just one punch. There was a struggle in which you punched her more than once, you ended up on the floor and she banged her head on the floor."
But, he said, there was "no intent to cause her really serious bodily harm".
Collier had shown "enormous promise" as a young man, Adrian Waterman QC, defending said. He was "educated at one of the country's leading schools" - Downside - and had gone on to study at Oxford University.
He had expressed concerns before that he might lose his temper one day "in the face of what he described as Julie's vile attitude" when drunk, Mr Waterman QC said.
"She had been violent before and he knew that he might snap and obviously, that night, he did."
In a letter read out in court, Collier said his actions were "unforgiveable". "I have caused the death of the person I loved," he wrote.
Mrs Collier's family said in a statement they were "completely devastated to have lost a loving mum, daughter, sister and friend in such a sudden and tragic way". | A man has been jailed for killing his disabled wife when he "snapped" during a row after an night of drinking. |
40,233,404 | The 19-year-old won 0-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-2 against Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez to claim his first Grand Slam title.
Later on Saturday, Hewett lost in the men's doubles final alongside fellow Briton Gordon Reid.
They were beaten 6-4 6-3 by French pair Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer, who also beat them in the Rio 2016 final.
Hewett, seventh in the rankings, said: "I had a good feeling about this week. This time last year I was outside the top 10, hadn't really won anything.
"A year on, I've got two [Paralympic] silver medals, [I am] Wimbledon doubles champion and now singles Grand Slam [champion] at Roland Garros - I can't believe it."
Fernandez had two match points during the second-set tie-break, but Hewett said he remained confident of victory.
"I played him a week and a half ago in another final and I was 6-0 3-0 down, and when it went 6-0 2-0 this time I was thinking, 'Oh no, here we go again'," Hewett added.
Find out how to get into disability sport with our special guide.
"But I remembered coming back that time so I knew I could come back, and when it got to that tie-break, it was very up and down, he had match points, I had set points.
"Mentally that was a big positive for me to keep in there and hold out. I felt good after I won that second set and knew I needed to get off to a good start in the third and when that happened I grew in confidence." | Alfie Hewett became the first British player to win a French Open wheelchair singles title after saving two match points at Roland Garros. |
39,985,934 | Dawson Willcock, who is 20 months old, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a form of liver cancer, in January but chemotherapy has failed to help him.
His parents want to take him to Cincinnati and have started the "Dollar for Dawson" campaign.
They were told the chances of getting the rare cancer are 0.9 in one million.
"You never think your child is going to get cancer. It always happens to other people - not to you," Dawson's mother Wendy Willcock said.
"Then on January 24 we got the official diagnosis - on my birthday - that it was cancerous hepatoblastoma. The hardest thing is hearing that your child is chemo-resistant and nothing is going to work."
Canadian singer Michael Buble's son Noah was diagnosed with the same cancer in 2016, but has reportedly responded to treatment.
Dawson, who is from Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, is currently receiving treatment at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Source: Children's Cancer Research Fund
The family was told the cancer had spread to his lungs and the tumours were getting bigger.
"If there is someone who can save our son, then obviously we are going to go and fight to get there," his mother added.
Mrs Willcock said Dawson's consultant in Nottingham had contacted Dr James Geller, a paediatric haematologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, about possible treatments.
She added the exact costs of the treatment had not been confirmed: "Time is not on our side, we need to have this money in a very short time.
"Should we get the news he can't be saved, any money raised will go to good causes such as families like ourselves needing funding." | The family of a toddler who has a rare form of cancer are hoping to raise £500,000 to take him to the US for treatment. |
36,833,018 | John O'Neill, from York, told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme it "must be horrific" for them to see his sexual predilections shared online.
Mr O'Neill, who said he had an interest in sado-masochism, was cleared of rape last year but subjected to the order and could be jailed if he ignores it.
North Yorkshire Police said it was satisfied the order was proportionate.
Mr O'Neill said he had not had sex since the restrictions were imposed on him.
He said the interim sexual risk order (SRO) had resulted in a "devastating" effect on his personal life, saying his children - who are aged 12 and 16 and live abroad - had deleted him on Facebook.
He claimed one of his friends "has been threatened with being fired [from her job], just because she knows me".
Mr O'Neill's identity was made public last week after an order protecting his anonymity was lifted at York Magistrates Court.
In June he had threatened to go on hunger strike in protest at the restrictions.
The SRO requires Mr O'Neill to disclose any planned sexual activity to the police or face up to five years in prison.
SROs can be applied to any individual who the police believe poses a risk of sexual harm - even if they have never been convicted of a crime. But Mr O'Neill said he was "amazed" the police sought one after his acquittal.
"It is the only crime I have ever been accused of," he said.
The police applied for the order in part after the judge at the rape trial called Mr O'Neill "dangerous". The father-of-two denied being dangerous and said the police had misinterpreted the judge's words.
He is to have a full hearing in August, when magistrates will decide whether to impose a longer order of up to five years.
Mr O'Neill described it as a "rape trial in miniature" with the same witnesses and evidence.
He said the SRO had effectively allowed police "to ignore [the court's] verdict."
He said he had not had sex since the order was imposed, but stands accused of breaching another of the SRO conditions by not giving police the pin number to his mobile phone.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement it "will only make an application to the court for a Sexual Risk Order in circumstances where it is considered necessary to do so to protect the public from the risk of sexual harm".
The Victoria Derbyshire programme is broadcast on weekdays from 09:00-11:00 on BBC Two and the BBC News Channel. | A man who must notify police 24 hours before he has sex has said his children have stopped contacting him. |
40,186,277 | It is a slight improvement on the think tank's 3.3% estimate, which it predicted in March.
The OECD said increased trade and investment flows had offset a weaker outlook in the US.
It said UK growth forecasts of 1.6% in 2017 and 1% in 2018 remained unchanged from its March prediction.
Despite the OECD's upgrade to its global growth forecast, secretary general, Angel Gurria remained downbeat:
"Everything is relative. What I would not like us to do is celebrate the fact we're moving from very bad to mediocre.
"It doesn't mean that we have to get used to it or live with it. We have to continue to strive to do better."
He warned that the improved outlook could be damaged by protectionism and it was not strong enough to satisfy people's expectations for a better standard of living or greater equality.
Growth continues to fall short of rates seen before the 2008-09 financial crisis.
On the UK economy, the OECD said it will slow in the coming years as Brexit uncertainty hampers growth and consumers endure a spending squeeze caused by higher prices and lower wages.
Its economic forecast said: "Households are expected to continue to support their consumption by further reducing their saving rate.
"Business investment is projected to contract amid the large uncertainty and because of lower corporate margins."
German growth has helped boost the eurozone economy, with forecasts at 1.8% both this and next year, up from 1.6% for 2017 and 2018 respectively.
The think tank downgraded its outlook for the US, despite a weaker dollar boosting exports and tax cuts supporting household spending and business investment.
The OECD forecast US growth of 2.1% this year and 2.4% in 2018.
This is down from March when it estimated a 2.4% increase in US growth this year and 2.8% for 2018.
The OECD's chief economist, Catherine Mann, attributed the downgraded outlook to delays in the Trump administration pushing ahead with planned tax cuts and infrastructure spending. | The OECD has predicted the global economy is set to grow 3.5% this year, its best performance since 2011, with growth nudging up to 3.6% in 2018. |
36,099,761 | Sky shares fell despite it reporting a 12% rise in operating profit to £1.1bn in the nine months to March.
Analysts cited worries about a possible rise in the cost of TV rights to Germany's Bundesliga as the reason for the fall.
The FTSE 100 index finished down 28.82 points, or 0.45%, at 6381.44.
Brent oil fell 1.9% but the International Energy Agency predicted a big fall in output from non-Opec producers this year.
Shares in BP rose 1.4% and mining giant BHP Billiton was nearly 1% higher.
Outside the FTSE 100, Ladbrokes was up 1.1% after the bookmaker said it was "confident" its results would be in line with expectations, despite describing this year's Cheltenham festival as its "worst in living memory".
On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.01% against the dollar to $1.4331, and was 0.02% higher against the euro at €1.2689. | (Close): The London market fell back, with shares in Sky down more than 4% after its latest trading update. |
35,902,815 | Deverdics drilled in a 20-yard strike after Halifax failed to clear a corner in the eighth minute.
Jordan Burrow almost salvaged a point for the Shaymen late on when he headed against the bar.
Dover leapfrog Tranmere into fourth place, while Halifax drop to 22nd, a point off safety. | Nicky Deverdics' goal proved enough to secure victory at home to relegation-threatened Halifax and keep Dover in National League play-off contention. |
18,880,269 | The July 2012 report and investigations by US authorities led to the UK-based bank being fined almost $2bn for failing to stop criminals using its banking systems to launder money.
Here we summarise some of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation's main findings against HSBC.
Despite HSBC Mexico (HSMX) operating in a country "under siege from drug crime, violence and money laundering" it had inadequate money laundering controls.
Between 2007-8, for example, HBMX shipped $7bn to HSBC's US operation, more than any other HSBC affiliate.
Mexican and US authorities expressed concern that drug traffickers were able to circumvent the anti-money laundering controls at US banks by transporting US dollars to Mexico, and then using HBMX to transfer it to the US.
The committed report said HBMX had:
HSBC US (HBUS) nevertheless classed Mexico as a low-risk country and as a result, failed to properly monitor its transfers and other dealings with it.
HSBC was used by 'drug kingpins'
US laws prevent banks doing business with what it regards as the most dangerous individuals and countries.
HSBC frequently circumvented the rules designed to prevent dealings with Iran, Burma, North Korea and Iran.
Actions taken to get around these safeguards in the system "may have facilitated transactions on half of terrorists, drug traffickers or other wrongdoers", it said.
For example, HBUS carried out 28,000 undisclosed sensitive transactions between 2001 and 2007, an internal audit commissioned by the bank found. The vast majority of those transactions - worth $19.7bn - involved Iran.
Two affiliates, HSBC Europe and HSBC Middle East repeatedly altered transaction information to take out any reference to Iran, the report said.
This may have been to prevent red flags in the system triggering an individual review of an accepted transaction, slowing it down, the committee said.
But more work would need to be done to established which of these thousands of cases, if any, had broken US law.
HSBC did business with Saudi Arabia's biggest financial institution, Al Rajhi Bank.
The report claims that after the terrorist attacks in the US on 11 September 2001, evidence emerged that Al Rajhi and some of its owners had links to financial organisations associated with terrorism.
HSBC Middle East was one of a number of affiliates which continued to work with the bank.
HBUS closed the accounts it provided to Al Rajhi, before resuming some ties with them in 2006.
The report claimed it had done this after pressure from HSBC, after Al Rajhi threatened to withdraw all of its business from HSBC globally.
The committee is concerned that HSBC cleared large amounts of travellers' checks over a number of years, without proper anti-money laundering controls, despite evidence of suspicious activity.
Between 2005 and 2008, HBUS cleared $290m worth of US dollar travellers' cheques which were being presented at a Japanese bank.
The daily transactions were worth up to half a million dollars, with large blocks of sequentially numbered cheques being handed over.
After prompting from US regulators, HBUS found out that the travellers' cheques were being bought in Russia - a country at high-risk of money laundering. | Failure after failure at HSBC led to the London-based bank being used as a conduit for "drug kingpins and rogue nations", a 300-page report compiled for a US Senate committee and has found. |
38,807,063 | Each of the dogs had to be put down after being walked in Forthquarter Park in Granton.
Two of the animals suffered internal bleeding.
The City of Edinburgh Council's environmental health team said there were no plans to close the park to the public.
A spokesman for the council said: "We have found no evidence so far to link the deaths of any dogs with Forthquarter Park.
"Preliminary investigations are still continuing, but the park will not be closing."
Concerns about the dogs' deaths were initially raised by the Friends of West Pilton group.
After learning of the deaths of six dogs with links to the park, they alerted the council and local politicians.
The park is owned by the National Grid and sits beside a former gasworks.
Extensive ground decontamination work was carried out before the park opened 10 years ago. | An investigation into the deaths of six dogs in Edinburgh has found no evidence so far of a link with a local park, according to the city's council. |
36,053,642 | The wings for the plane are made at the Canadian firm's Belfast factory.
The Wall Street Journal, citing "people familiar with the negotiations", reports that Delta is due to make a final decision by the end of April.
The newspaper says the dealunder discussion is for 75 firm orders and options for 50 more.
The Bloomberg financial news agency has also reported that Delta and Bombardier are "nearing an agreement."
A Bombardier spokesperson said the company did not comment on speculation "nor on the the potential discussions we may or may not be having with specific customers".
"Bombardier Commercial Aircraft will announce material agreements if or when any are finalised," they added.
Quebec bail-out
Delta is the second biggest US airline by passenger traffic and is seeking to replace a fleet of McDonnell Douglas planes.
The order would be a major boost for the C Series programme which has suffered delays and huge cost over runs.
It has received a $1bn (£700m) bail-out from the state government in Quebec where Bombardier is based.
A deal of the reported size would make Delta by far the largest C Series customer.
Currently, the largest firm order is for 40 planes with Republic Airways, a US carrier which is involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
In February, Bombardier announced that it was to cut 7,000 jobs worldwide, including more than 1,000 in Northern Ireland. | There is growing speculation that Bombardier is close to finalising a deal to sell more than 100 C Series planes to Delta Airlines. |
38,910,793 | The Manx mother of Leo Keefe, who lives in Spain, said she was "in shock" after an anonymous donor contributed tens of thousands of pounds to her son's cause.
The four-year-old has been battling SPNET - an aggressive type of brain cancer - for the last 17 months.
Mrs Keefe has been told proton beam therapy (PBT) is Leo's "last chance".
PBT is a type of radiation treatment that uses protons rather than X-rays to treat cancer and is not available in the UK, Isle of Man or Spain.
The NHS currently pays for some children from the UK to go abroad for treatment - these are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Leo does not qualify because he does not live in the UK.
Mrs Keefe discovered the £150,000 fundraising target had been reached whilst at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool, where Leo is awaiting surgery on two brain tumours.
The plan is for surgeons to remove them both next week.
They will not operate on a nodule below the tumours because of its "critical location" and a possibility of causing meningitis.
If the operation is successful the family could travel to the US within two weeks.
The hard-to-reach nodule would be targeted by PBT at a hospital in Oklahoma.
What is SPNET?
Mrs Keefe said: "If any of the tumours grow or the suspicious one grows during proton then it is totally game over.
"It is very rare for children to survive a relapsed SPNET tumour but it has been done. After proton if anything grew the surgeons would not operate again and he would be put on palliative care.
"It is very hard to stay positive but there is no other option."
Friends and family had raised more than £80,000 through their crowd-funding social media campaign before the anonymous contributor stepped in. | A boy with a rare form of cancer could soon fly to the United States for a new form of treatment after a fundraising appeal achieved its £150,000 target. |
29,804,467 | A second Crossrail scheme is vital to support the capital's growth, the mayor claimed.
If approved by the government, the line could be transporting up to 90,000 people into central London in the morning peak by 2030.
Crossrail 2 would run from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire to Epsom in Surrey.
It would pass through central London via places including Tottenham Court Road, Victoria, Chelsea and Clapham Junction.
If proposals are approved, construction could begin in 2017.
Setting out the case for the line in a speech at the City Age conference, the mayor said: "With London's population soon to surpass its previous 1939 peak of 8.6 million and with more people travelling by Tube and rail than ever before, we need additional rail capacity to support future growth.
"For the capital to remain globally competitive, there needs to be continued investment in our transport network and that's why we have to get cracking on planning for Crossrail 2."
The scheme would complement the £14.8bn east-west Crossrail scheme, currently being built and scheduled to be operational by 2018.
Supporters say it will slash journey times across London, with a journey from Kingston, in south-west London, to Tottenham Court Road being completed in 29 minutes - 17 minutes faster than today.
Those travelling between Dalston, in north-east London and Tottenham Court Road would have an eight-minute journey - 19 minutes faster than today.
Mr Johnson said he was confident the private sector could, in the right circumstances, contribute to well over half the cost of Crossrail 2.
Labour Assembly Member Val Shawcross said the announcement of a preferred route was "a big step forward" but added: "What we need to see now is the fully worked-up funding package which will make this project a reality."
Despite broad support for a new rail link in Chelsea, it is one area where there is concern over the positioning of a new station.
Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham, Greg Hands, has said there was "a great deal of concern" from residents on Cremorne Estate, on the King's Road, that demolition of housing may be required if it is chosen for the location of the Chelsea West station.
The current proposed location for the station would be further east near the fire station on the King's Road and received the majority of support in this summer's consultation.
The consultation document says, over the course of 2015, there will be further work on the consideration and assessment of options and a number of opportunities for more detailed consultation. | A preferred route for a proposed £20bn Crossrail 2 scheme, running north-south through London, has been identified by mayor Boris Johnson. |
33,593,981 | Lives were put at unnecessary risk because helicopters could not fly, said fire department officials.
The helicopters were helping to contain a large wildfire in San Bernadino county over the weekend.
Five drones spotted hovering over the fire were thought to be shooting video for their owners.
News footage of the fire shows people abandoning their cars to escape the flames as the fire engulfed Interstate 15 - a major road that links Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The fire destroyed 20 vehicles on the road and damaged 10 more.
More than 4,250 acres have been consumed by the fire which has been exacerbated by California's four-year drought.
The activity of the drones meant helicopters were grounded for about 20 minutes, Eric Sherwin of the San Bernadino fire department told CNN.
"Fifteen to 20 minutes were lost that could have led to another water drop cycle, and that would have created a much safer environment and we would not have seen as many citizens running for their lives," he said.
Hobby drones posed a "pose a major safety threat to firefighting pilots and firefighters", said an official incident report into the Interstate 15 fire.
"When a hobby drone is flown into a fire area, incident commanders have no choice but to suspend air operations and ground aircraft until the drone is removed from the area," it said.
A collision could damage aircraft, injure the pilot, crew or firefighters below, it warned. At worst, it said, drones could cause helicopters to collide in mid-air.
The fire department issued images that were shared on social media, warning drone owners to stay away from fires. "If you fly, we can't," they said.
US rules governing drone use mean any pilot caught flying their craft over a disaster area that has temporary flight restrictions in place could be fined up to $25,000 (£16,000). It is not clear whether the FAA is going to investigate who was piloting the drones over the Interstate 15 fire.
Drones have hindered firefighters in California at least four times before now, sometimes stopping flights for up to 90 minutes. | US firefighters have condemned drone owners who flew their craft near forest fires and grounded helicopters being used to douse flames. |
16,591,164 | Killers Jeremy Bamber, Peter Moore and Douglas Vinter had asked the court to rule on whole life sentences.
The murderers said condemning them to die in prison amounts to "inhuman or degrading treatment". They argued all sentences should be regularly reviewed.
The Ministry of Justice said the government welcomed this decision.
Bamber was jailed for shooting five members of his family dead in Essex in 1986.
He has always protested his innocence, claiming his schizophrenic sister shot the victims before turning the gun on herself at their farmhouse at Tolleshunt D'Arcy.
Peter Moore, from Kinmel Bay in Conwy county, was convicted of murdering four men for his sexual gratification and Douglas Vinter, of Normanby, Teesside, killed both his wife and a work colleague.
The trio's legal team had argued that any sentence under which the offender's rehabilitation cannot lead to a review of release breaches articles three, five and seven of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The men lost their appeal to the court that whole life tariffs condemning prisoners to die in jail amounted to "inhuman or degrading treatment".
The judges ruled that the whole life tariff is not "grossly disproportionate" and in each case London's High Court had "decided that an all-life tariff was required, relatively recently and following a fair and detailed consideration".
Lawyers representing Vinter plan to appeal against the ruling on his case.
In a statement released by his supporters, Bamber said: "If the state wishes to have a death penalty, then they should be honest and re-introduce hanging.
"Instead, this political decision that I must die in jail is the death penalty using old age or infirmity as the method.
"It is a method whereby I'm locked in a cell until I'm dead - no matter if it should take 70 or 80 years to happen. I shall be dead the next time I leave jail."
'Quite extraordinary'
Bamber said both the trial judge and the Lord Chief Justice set his minimum tariff as 25 years.
"Quite why the home secretary felt that I should die in jail when the judges felt otherwise is a mystery," he said, adding that it was "quite extraordinary" that the European Court felt it was "reasonable" for him to die in jail.
Following the ruling, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said the government "strongly welcomes this decision".
He said: "We argued vigorously that there are certain prisoners whose crimes are so appalling that they should never become eligible for parole.
"We are pleased that the European court has upheld the whole life tariff as a legitimate sentence in British courts." | Britain's most dangerous criminals can be kept behind bars for the rest of their lives, judges at the European Court of Human Rights have ruled. |
40,342,031 | Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said she was talking to the government about reconsidering future funding.
In the last four years, the Met has had to make £600m of savings and is due to lose an extra £400m by 2020.
"We need the resources to do the job," Commissioner Dick told BBC London.
The Home Office said it was "undertaking a period of detailed engagement with policing partners and relevant experts".
Increased police patrols have been promised during Ramadan after a man drove a van into group of worshippers close to a mosque in north London.
Investigations are ongoing into two other "terrorist incidents" which have taken place in London over the last four months.
Violent crime has increased 63% since May 2013 according to the latest figures - including a 54% increase in gun crime in the last two years.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said planned cuts could put 12,800 police jobs at risk.
Former Met Police Commissioner Lord Blair said London's police force was "under an enormous amount of pressure".
"Looking at what is happening, the idea of continually cutting the police services budget seem just an absurdity at this point," he told Radio 4's Today programme.
If funding is not "reconsidered" the force will end up "a quarter less in size than when I left [in 2008]," Lord Blair added.
Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson both said the amount spent on counter terrorism was protected.
Commissioner Dick said: "We're stretched and I'm talking with the mayor and the government about the resources that we need.
"We undoubtedly need a very capable police service in the future for all the reasons people can see," she added.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Police funding has been protected since the spending review in 2015.
"The Metropolitan Police, like all forces, continue to have the resources they need to keep us safe and secure". | The Metropolitan Police is in talks to secure more funding after being left "stretched" by terror attacks and a rise in violent crime, London's most senior police officer has said. |
35,399,894 | The Met Office issued five yellow "be aware" warnings for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
It has forecast southerly gales and also heavy rain for parts of southern, western and northern Scotland.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued over 50 flood warnings where flooding is expected.
Deep standing water on the M9 motorway near Stirling closed the southbound carriageway for several hours.
Because of flooding at Kirkconnel, the railway line between Kilmarnock and Dumfries was closed.
There was further disruption to rail services in Ayrshire because of flooding on the line between Kilwinning and Saltcoats.
The East Kilbride line was also closed briefly because of flooding near Busby.
The M8 motorway was closed westbound at Hillington in Glasgow after portable cabins were blown off a lorry onto the carriageway shortly after 10:30.
And the A1 was closed in both directions at Dunbar in East Lothian after two lorries blew over at about 08:25.
In Dumfries, firefighters were asked to carry out a safety inspection of the police station roof, while the Whitesands area was flooded.
Pupils at Aberfoyle Primary School in Stirling had to be rescued by boat after the building was cut off by flooding.
The B829 Aberfoyle to Kinlochard road was flooded with almost a metre of water after the River Forth burst its banks.
Police and members of Trossachs Search and Rescue team are also at the scene.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have said they rescued a total of 22 people from serious flooding in the area
Appliances from Bathgate, Aberfoyle and Balfron fire stations, and water rescue teams from Bathgate and Stirling fire stations, used a boat and rescue sleds.
Incident Commander Martyn Brandrick said: "This incident required specialist technical processes to ensure safe systems of work were implemented."
The weather picture for later in the week could see high winds and cooler temperatures bringing snow.
The BBC weather centre said the wet and windy conditions were related to the "remnants" of Storm Jonas that brought heavy snowfalls to the US.
The warm weather has been due to a tropical maritime air mass.
Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
View the flood map by tapping on the image below
Tap here for up-to-date flood information.
Check if this is affecting your journey
Tap here for up-to-date travel information. | The storm that brought near-record snowfall to the eastern US has caused heavy rain and high winds in much of Scotland. |
35,125,559 | Judge Xavier de Souza said the service should be re-instated immediately.
A court had ordered the service be suspended for 48 hours on Thursday for failing to comply with a court order to provide investigators with information relating to a criminal court case.
Judge Souza said it was "not reasonable that millions of users be affected by the inertia of the company".
Brazilians had complained bitterly on social media about the suspension of WhatsApp, which is a hugely popular app used by many to communicate with family, friends and colleagues both inside Brazil and abroad.
Ninety-three per cent of the country's internet population use WhatsApp, according to the TechCrunch website, with many young and poor Brazilians taking advantage of its free text message and internet telephone service.
Within hours of the suspension being coming into force, the hashtag #Nessas48HorasEuVou (#Inthese48hoursIwill) began trending on Twitter, with Brazilians joking about all the things they would do during the suspension.
In a country where mobile providers charge a fortune for a monthly plan - not to mention the high cost of making international calls - the use of WhatsApp for both texts and internet calls allows expats like me to keep a direct line with family, friends or even colleagues back home.
It's worth remembering that Brazil already has a high cost of living - services and products often cost the same price as they do in the UK - but people often only earn about a third of the wage they would here.
One of my friends who works for one of the major mobile providers in Brazil said it was advising people to download alternative apps such as Viber and/or create a group on Messenger to keep the communication flowing.
The suspension also caused anger at Facebook, which owns WhatsApp.
"I am stunned that our efforts to protect people's data would result in such an extreme decision by a single judge to punish every person in Brazil who uses WhatsApp," Mr Zuckerberg wrote in a post on Facebook.
The suspension was ordered after WhatsApp failed to comply with a court order.
The court which ordered the suspension gave little detail, apart from saying that the order related to a criminal case.
But Brazilian media said WhatsApp had been asked to provide details of communication by a suspected gang member who is alleged to have used WhatsApp to organise illegal activity.
Separately from the court case, Brazilian phone companies have urged the government to restrict the use of free voice-over-internet services offered through WhatsApp.
The phone companies argue that the rise of WhatsApp has damaged their businesses.
Meanwhile other messaging services said they had benefited from the temporary absence of WhatsApp.
One such company, Telegram, said on Twitter that more than 1.5 million Brazilian users had joined up since the court order was handed down. | A judge in Brazil has ordered that a suspension of the popular messaging application WhatsApp be lifted. |
24,613,376 | Lt Col Michael White told BBC Newsnight he would "look at individuals in the round" when assessing applicants.
Recruitment would be focused on "capability development" rather than "personality traits", he added.
The Joint Cyber Reserve Unit was announced by the government in September.
Under the £500m initiative, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to recruit hundreds of reservists as computer experts to work alongside regular armed forces.
The unit will defend national security by safeguarding computer networks and vital data, and it will also launch strikes in cyberspace if necessary.
It is hoped the move will address the shortage of people with the technological skills and knowledge to protect corporations, the military, and government systems from cyber attacks.
The MoD said the recruitment, which started in early October, would target regular personnel leaving the armed forces, current and former reservists with the required skills, and civilians with the appropriate technological knowledge.
When asked by Newsnight whether someone with the right skills would be ruled out if they had a criminal record for hacking, Lt Col White said: "I think if they could get through the security process, then if they had that capability that we would like, then if the vetting authority was happy with that, why not?
"We're looking at capability development, rather than setting hard and fast rules about individual personality traits."
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond unveiled plans for the cyber defence unit last month.
Mr Hammond also told Newsnight he could foresee circumstances in which convicted hackers could be employed.
"Each individual case would be looked at on its merits," he said.
"The conviction would be examined in terms of how long ago it was, how serious it was, what sort of sentence had followed. So I can't rule it out."
But one former hacker told Newsnight the government had already undermined its chances of attracting talented individuals.
Mustafa al-Bassam, now a computer science student at King's College London, was the youngest hacker in the Lulzsec group - which recently targeted organisations such as the FBI in the US and Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) in a 50-day hacking campaign.
He told the BBC that revelations by former US contractor Edward Snowden about the extent of mass surveillance carried out by intelligence agencies - including the US' National Security Agency (NSA) and Britain's GCHQ - had dissuaded him from using his cyber skills to protect UK national security.
"I can understand the need for a government to protect itself, but when you go ahead and stomp on everyone's civil liberties - as we've seen with all the mass surveillance stories that have been out over the past year - I think you can rest assured that you're going to repel talented people," he said.
Dr David Day, a Sheffield Hallam University computer forensics expert who provided evidence for Mr Al-Bassam's conviction, told Newsnight it was a "terrible shame" someone convicted of malicious hacking would find it difficult to get a job in the industry.
"If they have those abilities and those skills, then some of the best talent we can't use," he said.
Cyber attacks and crime have become more common in recent years.
In July, it emerged Britain was seeing about 70 sophisticated cyber espionage operations a month against government or industry networks,
GCHQ director Sir Iain Lobban told the BBC business secrets were being stolen on an "industrial scale".
And in a written statement in December last year, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said 93% of large corporations and 76% of small businesses had reported a cyber breach in 2012.
Watch Susan Watts' film in which Mustafa al-Bassam and Dr David Day come face to face for the first time on Newsnight on BBC iPlayer and the Newsnight website. | Convicted computer hackers could be recruited to the UK's cyber defence force if they pass security vetting, the head of the new unit has said. |
39,102,279 | Actors and directors used the red carpet at the Oscars in Los Angeles to broadcast their views on President Trump's temporary travel ban on immigrants from seven Muslim majority countries, issued in January.
US courts have blocked the ban but the Trump administration is preparing a new executive order.
Some stars pinned their politics to their (presumably quite expensive) sleeves and dresses.
Blue ribbons with the initials ACLU were seen adorning the outfits of several Oscar nominees.
ACLU stands for American Civil Liberties Union - the civil rights organisation that was the first to successfully challenge President Trump's travel ban in a lawsuit brought to a federal court in New York in January.
Irish Oscar nominee Ruth Negga wore the ribbon on a flowing red Valentino dress.
She was nominated for best actress for playing Mildred Loving in the film Loving which explored the effects of Jim Crow - the legislation that enforced racial segregation in the United States until 1965 - on a mixed-race couple in 1950s Virginia.
Full BBC Entertainment coverage of Oscars 2017
Mildred Loving's marriage in 1958 to white construction worker Richard violated legal prohibitions of mixed-race marriage in the US state.
After being arrested and serving time in prison, Mildred secured the legal representation of an ACLU lawyer and their case eventually led to the Supreme Court ruling in 1967 that the prohibition of interracial marriage was unconstitutional.
Award-winning (eventually) Moonlight writer and director Barry Jenkins also wore the ribbon, as did model Karlie Kloss and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The ACLU said it was surprised that it had spawned an Oscar fashion trend.
The full list of Oscar winners
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Director Ava DuVernay took her sartorial protest to the next level by wearing a dress to celebrate the creativity of one Muslim majority country - Lebanon.
She wore an embroidered gown made by Beirut-based fashion house Ashi Studio in what she said was "a small sign of solidarity".
DuVernay directed the critically-acclaimed film Selma, which was the subject of another Oscars controversy in 2015 when the academy was criticised for failing to nominate DuVernay and the black lead actor David Oyelowo.
Other stars protested with their feet.
One Iranian director condemned the travel ban as "inhumane" after he boycotted the ceremony altogether.
Asghar Farhadi, who won the award for best foreign film for a second time, sent two Iranian-American representatives to pick up his award for film The Salesmen.
They were not just any representatives - one was female Nasa scientist and Mars explorer Anousheh Ansari who read his acceptance speech.
His statement read: "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of the other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US."
A Syrian cinematographer behind the Oscar-winning documentary White Helmets was blocked from attending the ceremony at the last minute.
Twenty one-year-old Khaled Khatib, who filmed much of the footage in the documentary that follows the lives of civilian rescue workers called the White Helmets in Syria, had obtained a visa to enter the US but was prevented at Istanbul airport from travelling.
He still followed the Oscars though. As the ceremony unfolded, Khatib tweeted a picture of a child he said was the victim of a chlorine gas attack by Syrian government forces in a rebel-held part of the Damascus suburb of Harasta on Sunday.
State media reported that "terrorist groups" had targeted residential areas of Harasta with a number of rockets, injuring 10 people, but did not mention a chemical attack.
Trump's executive order was not the only immigration policy which sparked protests.
Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal, who last year appeared in American comedy show Stephen Colbert as a Hispanic man who supported the wall, spoke out against the President's plan for a border wall between the US and Mexico.
"As a Mexican, as a Latin American, as a migrant worker, as a human being, I'm against any form of wall that separates us," stated Bernal as he was presenting the award for best animated feature film.
By Georgina Rannard, UGC and Social news | For celebrities and film-makers protesting against recent American political decisions, what bigger stage is there than an awards ceremony watched by millions around the world? |
30,051,725 | They intervened after opposition MP Ngwanamakwetle Mashabela repeatedly called Mr Zuma a thief.
Four MPs were reportedly injured in the scuffle during the late-night session.
In March, the country's corruption investigator said Mr Zuma had "unduly benefited" from the improvements.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also accused him of unethical conduct and recommended he repay money used on non-security features in the renovation of his rural home in Nkandla, KwaZulu Natal province, which includes a swimming pool, cattle enclosure and chicken run.
But a parliamentary committee report - passed by a majority of African National Congress (ANC) MPs on Thursday - absolved Mr Zuma of any wrongdoing.
The government has always argued that the work was needed to improve security.
The fighting in parliament can be traced directly to two immediate factors - one is the recent influx of MPs from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party. They are unapologetically rowdy and populist, and have energised - not always in a constructive way - an institution that many South Africans, numbed by the ANC's overwhelming majority, had apparently stopped caring about.
The second factor is the scandal about the lavish taxpayer-funded renovations to President Zuma's private home in Nkandla that will not disappear. Although many senior ANC figures have privately expressed deep unease about the issue, the party has publically rallied around the president. The last straw came in the shape of an ad-hoc parliamentary committee that exonerated Mr Zuma of any personal wrongdoing, after opposition members had left it in frustration. The ANC then used its majority to adopt the committee's report on Thursday.
South Africa's opposition is usually divided in parliament - and outside - to the advantage of the ANC. But Nkandla has seen political rivals united against the governing party with unusual vigour and co-ordination. It could be a sign of things to come - an opposition coalition one day strong enough to challenge the ANC's majority.
What brawl reveals about South African democracy
There were heated scenes before the vote, as MPs from several opposition parties attempted to filibuster the session in Cape Town's parliament.
Ms Mashabela, a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, made her comments in one of the debates that followed.
"President Zuma is a thief. He is a criminal. He is the greatest thief in the world," she said.
When she refused to withdraw the statement and refused to be removed from the chamber by an official, the riot police intervened.
By this stage the parliamentary TV feed was cut.
Scuffles broke out between officers on the one side and MPs from the opposition Democratic Alliance and the EFF on the other.
According to South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper, ANC MP Lindiwe Zulu was involved in a brawl with an EFF MP in the corridor outside the chamber before Thursday's debate.
'Racist and fascist'
The ANC criticised the "chaotic circus" and "unruly conduct" of MPs.
"The dangerous alliance of a racist DA and a fascist EFF driven by a common hatred and disdain for the ANC has once again displayed its contempt for our democratic institutions," ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
On Friday, parliamentary speaker Baleka Mbete defended the use of the police.
"We could not sit here in this institution and forever allow disruptions and outrageous conduct of honourable members who have come here not to work as we all do, but to come here and just push the boundaries in the process to rubbish this institution of the people," the South African Press Association quoted her as saying.
The EFF, which calls for radical policies to ease poverty, has 25 MPs in the 400-member parliament. They often wear red workers' overalls or red maids' uniforms in the chamber. | South African riot police clashed with opposition MPs hours after parliament absolved President Jacob Zuma over the use of some $23m (£14m) of state money to upgrade his private home in Nkandla. |
40,680,373 | The action, which began at 00:01, coincides with the final day of The Open golf tournament in Southport.
Rail union RMT said it recognised "the severe impact" the strike would have but it had "no option but... to force the company back to the negotiating table".
Merseyrail said there would be limited services across the region.
A spokesperson said trains would still be able to get people to and from Royal Birkdale, where the championship has been held since Thursday.
However, there will be no rail services across the rest of the Merseyrail network.
RMT claims the driver-only-operated trains are unsafe and will lead to widespread job losses.
The union's general secretary, Mick Cash, said: "Merseyrail are completely ignoring the clear wishes of their own passengers, who overwhelmingly oppose the idea of driver-only-operated trains on their network."
"Merseyrail have repeatedly kicked all conciliatory approaches by RMT negotiators back in our faces and made it crystal clear that all that they are interested in is the union signing a surrender document, which gives them a free hand to rip apart the safety culture on the railway," he added.
Merseyrail managing director, Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, described the action as "disgraceful".
"The RMT executive thinks nothing of doing down the Liverpool city region in its proudest moments," he said.
"This industrial action is nothing to do with safety. If it was, the RMT would never have agreed a staffing deal last month with Great Western Railway, which sees new trains introduced, some with guards on them and some operating only with drivers." | Workers at Merseyrail have started a 24-hour strike in a dispute with the firm over driver-only-operated trains. |
36,213,479 | First some were hit by tear gas as they tried to cross the border into Macedonia, then the stormy weather played havoc with their fragile tents. Most of the tents here were donated by charities but they are not fully waterproof.
Despite the squalid conditions, the makeshift camp of Idomeni is witnessing something of a marriage phenomenon. In the past few days, a handful of couples have become engaged and the camp has become a wedding venue for the first time.
Many of the refugees and migrants at Idomeni have been here since the main refugee route to northern Europe was closed off almost two months ago.
They stayed hoping the borders would reopen, but nothing has changed and they are trying to work out how to move on with their lives.
They are among more than 50,000 people stranded in Greece. While others have relocated to temporary camps organised by the government and the army, those at Idomeni are staying put.
They fear being forgotten and demand safe passage to continue their journeys.
"Life here is still tragic," explained one woman from Damascus. "At least in Syria if you die, you die once. Here you die every day."
But life at Idomeni is also about survival and a constant search for normality.
Among the migrants and refugees here are a man selling Greek coffee for a euro, a barber with one solitary chair for his clients and a falafel-maker, who left his restaurants behind in Syria - to be destroyed.
The community even has a TV reporting team which regularly uploads videos to social networking sites.
Saher and his fiancee, Roquia, had been engaged for four months. They wanted to wait until they reached Germany to be married but, as they realised that might take years, they decided they could not wait any longer.
"The borders won't open anytime soon, so we thought why not marry now?" said Saher. "I am happy of course to be married, but I am sad too.
"My only wish is that eventually the whole of Syria will be safe and I can return."
As word got round that the couple were to have a party, the news also reached the deputy mayor of nearby Paionia, who also happens to own a wedding dress factory. Without hesitation, he donated a dress, on the condition it be used afterwards for other women wishing to marry.
"People are living in a period of difficult times - they don't have money, they don't have food, they're displaced, they're damaged," said the deputy mayor, Ioannis Avramopoulos.
"It was nothing to donate this dress. I hope the couple grow old together in love."
For once, there were no tears of sadness in the camp, but tears of joy and an atmosphere of celebration. With dancing and music blaring from mobile phones and small speakers, a fire was lit.
Small lamps were brought by volunteers, rose petals were thrown onto a makeshift honeymoon suite - a tent raised on wooden planks so as not to get flooded. Inside it, a little table had been set up with perfume and cigarettes.
"My parents are still in Syria and cannot be with me - and that makes me very sad," said Saher. "But the people of Idomeni have become my family now."
The guests at the party, eager to congratulate the couple, brought with them wishes for a happy future and prosperous marriage, but no gifts. Many have spent their life savings on escaping violence and have few euros left.
They often show visitors to the camp pictures and photographs of what they left behind. Their homes are now a pile of grey rubble.
One woman is permanently reminded of the horrors she managed to escape. Her seven-month-old baby bears the scars of cigarette burns inflicted by so-called Islamic State militants.
The EU is still struggling to reach a viable solution to the migrant crisis, and those trapped in the middle are beginning to understand two certainties. One is that the borders opposite are not opening any time soon. The other, that although they may no longer have much, they at least have each other. And life must go on, somehow. | It has been a tough week for the refugees camped out on the northern Greek border with Macedonia. |
38,795,676 | Morocco left the organisation in 1984, after it recognised the independence of Western Sahara, regarded by Morocco as part of its historic territory.
It was the only country in Africa that was not a member of the continental body.
AU leaders also voted for Chadian Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat to be the next head of the AU commission.
Mr Faki Mahamat beat Kenya's top diplomat Amina Mohamed.
The race is usually settled behind the scenes before the vote but this went to seven rounds of voting.
Outgoing commissioner, South Africa's Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, stayed in the job an extra six months after leaders failed to agree a candidate in July.
Mr Faki garnered 39 votes in a hotly contested election at the ongoing heads of state summit in the city.
While campaigning for the job, he said he dreamt of an Africa where the "sound of guns would be drowned out by cultural songs and rumbling factories" and pledged to streamline the bureaucratic AU during his four-year term in office.
Analysts say he was considered an outsider but being at the forefront of the fight against Islamist militants in Nigeria, Mali and the Sahel may have worked in his favour.
Western Sahara is the last African case on the United Nations decolonisation committee.
A referendum was promised in 1991 but never carried out due to wrangling over who is eligible to vote.
BBC World Service Africa editor James Copnall says the issue is likely to remain contentious despite Morocco's readmission to the AU.
Kitesurfing in a danger zone | Morocco has been readmitted as a member of the African Union (AU) after months of intense lobbying. |
35,112,158 | Here, we look back at at some of the most popular Big Pictures we've featured in 2015.
If you have a picture you'd like to share, email us at [email protected], post it on Facebook or tweet it to @BBCEngland. You can also find us on Instagram - use #englandsbigpicture to share an image there.
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Please note that whilst we welcome all your pictures, we are more likely to use those which have been taken in the past week.
If you submit a picture, you do so in accordance with the BBC's Terms and Conditions.
In contributing to England's Big Picture you agree to grant us a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and otherwise use the material in any way that we want, and in any media worldwide.
It's important to note, however, that you still own the copyright to everything you contribute to England's Big Picture, and that if your image is accepted, we will publish your name alongside.
The BBC cannot guarantee that all pictures will be used and we reserve the right to edit your comments.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws collecting any kind of media. | Each day we feature one of the fabulous photographs sent in by the BBC News website audience across England. |
36,376,226 | A draft of the report contained a chapter on the Great Barrier Reef and references to Kakadu and Tasmania.
But Australia's Department of the Environment requested that Unesco scrub these sections from the final version.
A statement from the department said the report could have had an impact on tourism to Australia.
It also said the report's title, Destinations at Risk, had "the potential to cause considerable confusion".
"In particular, the World Heritage Committee had only six months earlier decided not to include the Great Barrier Reef on the in-danger list and commended Australia for the Reef 2050 Plan," the statement said.
"The department was concerned that the framing of the report confused two issues - the world heritage status of the sites and risks arising from climate change and tourism.
"Recent experience in Australia had shown that negative commentary about the status of world heritage properties impacted on tourism."
Prof Will Steffen, an emeritus professor at the Australian National University and head of Australia's Climate Council, was one of the scientific reviewers on the paper.
He told the BBC that he was "amazed by the apparent overreaction that's gone on".
"I don't understand it at all. I think it was a very balanced report. There was nothing in that report that was not already known," he said.
Prof Steffen was sceptical about official explanations that the report risked causing confusion over the status of the reef and could impact tourism.
"There's no substance to either of those arguments," he said.
"There was no mention at all that the Great Barrier Reef might be listed as endangered. There was also a paragraph at the end that discussed steps the Australian government is taking to mitigate risks to the reef."
Prof Steffen also noted that distribution of the report, which summarises risks to World Heritage areas in many nations, would likely be limited to specialists who worked in associated fields.
"You wouldn't expect to see it on a bestseller list," he said.
The report was created by Unesco in partnership with the Union of Concerned Scientists and the United Nations Environment Program.
It is not clear why Unesco agreed to the government's request to remove the passages. | All references to climate change's impact on World Heritage sites in Australia have been removed from a United Nations report. |
34,184,531 | Forget the 'difficult second album' concept - imagine the pressure to deliver new and exciting goods when you get to album number fourteen.
"After three and a half decades of being together, if you're going to make another new album, it needs to be something very special - otherwise we shouldn't bother," says Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes.
But he admits "reinventing the Duran Duran sound" - made famous on 1980s hits like Rio, The Wild Boys and Girls on Film - can sometimes be "easier said than done".
"It took longer than usual," says Rhodes of the two years they spent perfecting Paper Gods. "Probably the first year was spent down underground in the mine, trying to find some gold."
Founded by Rhodes and bassist John Taylor in Birmingham in 1978, Duran Duran has been through several incarnations and its members haven't always seen eye to eye.
But Rhodes tells the BBC these days he, Taylor, singer Simon Le Bon and drummer Roger Taylor have all learned to work through the rows and appreciate each other.
You're headlining Bestival this weekend and heading off on a UK tour in November - how do Duran Duran cope with living in each others pockets after 37 years?
At this point we are like a family. There is a lot of affection for what we've been through together and we enjoy being together. We laugh a lot together.
I mean, there are times when we could all sort of kill each other. Tempers will fray and people will want to take a song in a different direction - we just have to let go of that once we leave the studio.
You've said you found 'a whole new level of inspiration' working on Paper Gods, but it took some time?
I think people always think we have this grand plan - it just isn't like that. We really sit around with some instruments and try to find a direction and sort of wipe the slate clean every time.
Do you throw a lot of stuff away then?
We throw away I would say two albums worth of material to get the third. We do have very high standards - there's four of us, so there is usually someone who says 'I think that can be better'. We tend to write a few songs and then we finally get one that we all agree is better than the others - so then you've almost got to say 'this is the new standard - everything we have has got to be at least this good.'
You'd worked with producers Mark Ronson (2011's All You Need is Now) and Nile Rodgers (Notorious, 1986) separately before, but not together - how was that?
Mark had known Nile since he was a little boy but he'd never ever worked with him and he said 'I think you should work with Nile again', and 'can I please be on those sessions too?' It was such a simple idea.
Nile is always pure pleasure to have around. The way he plays guitar lifts people's spirits. He'd just come off the back of the Daft Punk record Get Lucky, so sitting in a room with him and Mark Ronson, who played us his forthcoming track with Bruno Mars, Uptown Funk - and we all know what happened to that song - having those two people in the room with the four of us was really a dream team. We did two songs together over about three days, Pressure Off, the first single, and a track called Only in Dreams. It was electric in the room.
When it comes to [Nile's] CV, I can't think of anyone in recent years that has a better one - David Bowie, Madonna, Chic, Sister Sledge, obviously his work with us, Debbie Harry, Grace Jones, Diana Ross. And all of those albums are so special - he brings some amazing energy.
There's quite a roll call on your album too - Janelle Monae, former Red Hot Chilli Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, Hideaway singer Keisza - and on the other end of the scale is Lindsay Lohan, who voices a doctor on the track Danceophobia?
With Keisza we wanted the ultimate diva on that track [Last Night in the City] with the voice that could shatter glass around the universe and an energy. She is a rising star and she is going to be around for a long time.
[Lindsay] was in London doing [the play] Speed the Plough and we'd known her for a little while. She sent [Simon] a note saying, 'hey, I hear you're in the studio - can I come and do something on the album? We had this idea based on Michael Jackson's Thriller, on the wonderful monologue that Vincent Price delivered. She really nailed it.
Lindsay's reputation precedes her but actually she loves doing the things that she does and she is damn good at it. It took us a little while to get her there - I think Simon had to go and fetch her in the car in the end - but she came along with her sister and took over the entire place, it was a lot of fun.
You teamed up with producer Mr Hudson too - who's worked with Kanye West and Jay Z. What do you think he brought to the album?
He was a very key character. Ben came along about a year in and helped us do some editing. He literally said 'well I love that one, this one I think we could work on a bit more and why don't we do something new?'.
He'll play a little bit of guitar, or contribute to lyrics - so he almost became like our fifth member for the project.
I think we're quite a tough room to walk into because we all have known each other for a very long time. Probably being from Birmingham helped a little, but he came for an afternoon and stayed for the best part of the next year.
You were one of the first bands to be played on MTV in the 1980s - what do you think of Kanye being given their lifetime achievement award this year?
That's quite a short lifetime, but I think he deserves it. Kanye is definitely one of the most interesting artists of his generation and we all admire him, and I think see a little bit of ourselves in him - that he wants to change things and try out different things. He's adventurous musically. He's definitely cut from the same sort of marble as we came from.
Taylor Swift presented him with the award - arguably the biggest artist in the world at the moment. Is she somebody you would like to work with?
I haven't met her actually, but I admire her process and I admire the way she has insisted that musicians are compensated properly for their work [by streaming services]. She took a very brave and intelligent stance. The way things have gone online has made it very hard for more esoteric artists to find that audience and build their sound - to actually survive. Every little bit helps and the fact that she's gone out there and stuck her head above the parapet and said 'no, you shouldn't take advantage', I think was really right.
And yes of course, I think she's very talented too and if she wants to give us a call, absolutely!
Paper Gods is released via Warner Bros Records on 11 September. | As Duran Duran return with their 14th album Paper Gods, Nick Rhodes talks about being "like a family", working with the "dream team" of Mark Ronson and Nile Rodgers and seeing a bit of themselves in Kanye West. |
36,297,966 | Terry, 35, is out of contract at the end of this season and in January said he would not be extending his stay.
The centre-back broke down in tears as he addressed the home supporters at Stamford Bridge after his side's 1-1 Premier League draw against Leicester.
"We all want the same thing," said Terry in response to fans chanting "John Terry, we want you to stay".
He added: "I want to stay, the club knows that, the fans know that."
Terry is considering whether to accept the club's offer of an extra 12 months, but are yet to comment on the exact nature of the role that has been offered.
On Friday, a Chelsea spokesman said: "With it coming so late in the season, this is a big decision for John and his family."
Chelsea will be managed next season by Italy boss Antonio Conte, who takes over from Guus Hiddink after previous manager Jose Mourinho was sacked in December.
"This has been a difficult season, we are where we deserve to be in the league. The fans have stuck with us. Thank you," added Terry.
"I can assure you we'll be back fighting for this title next year. On a personal note, this has been tough for me, very emotional. Before I sign off I'd like to say thank you to Guus Hiddink. He is a great man."
Terry was suspended for the game against the Foxes and has made 703 appearances since making his debut in October 1998. | Chelsea captain John Terry "wants to stay" at the club after being offered a "different role" on a one-year deal. |
38,096,222 | Labour's UK leader election system was changed to one member one vote (OMOV), where all votes count equally, in 2015.
Under Welsh Labour's current rules an "electoral college" weighs the vote equally between three groups.
The groups are elected members (AMs, MPs and MEPs), trade unions and other affiliated groups and ordinary members.
Welsh Labour acquired the power to change the rules at the party's UK conference in September.
Any changes would apply to a future contest to succeed Labour's current leader in Wales, First Minister Carwyn Jones.
They would also be used in a deputy leader election if Welsh Labour decided to create such a role.
A consultation on its new powers, which include control over assembly and general election candidate selection, will start in the spring.
UK Labour's move to OMOV - with "registered supporters" given a vote too - was seen as helping Jeremy Corbyn win the leadership.
And some on the left of the party in Wales would like to see the same system applied here.
Swansea East AM Mike Hedges, a supporter of Mr Corbyn, told the BBC's Sunday Politics Wales he would campaign for OMOV as it is the "direction of travel" of all political parties.
"I fully support one member one vote, I think it's the fairest system," he said.
"Every member's vote counts exactly the same.
"I think that's really important to make everyone feel they're valued.
"It would be strange if Welsh Labour kept a different system [from the UK party]."
Labour Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle disagrees.
"I think it is absolutely fundamental that we maintain the links with the trade union representatives that the electoral college provides," she said.
"We are a broad church, the electoral college represents all wings of the party and fundamentally also ensures that whoever leads Welsh Labour has the support of the Labour group in the national assembly."
Mr Jones has refused to say when he plans to stand down as Welsh Labour leader and first minister but there has been speculation he may go in 2019, after serving 10 years.
The leading potential candidate on the left of the party is Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford.
Other candidates who have been touted as potential successors to Mr Jones - Health Secretary Vaughan Gething and Economy Secretary Ken Skates - are seen as being more centrist, as are many of Labour's new intake of AMs.
The consultation will last a year.
Welsh Labour will ask AMs, MPs, members, unions and other affiliated groups for their views.
Mike Payne from the GMB union will become Welsh Labour chairman next year and will oversee the consultation.
He said it is not yet decided how a final decision will be taken.
"Whether that's ultimately a Welsh Exec [Welsh Labour's ruling committee] decision or whether we decide it should go to conference to discuss and agree, that's a debatable point of the consultation."
A Welsh Labour spokesman said: "Having secured greater autonomy we will engage with stakeholders on how best to implement the whole package of rules." | Welsh Labour is to consider changing its leadership election rules to the system which saw Jeremy Corbyn become UK party leader, BBC Wales has learned. |
39,502,276 | Nicola Farningham claimed she was a single mother but was living with her husband Paul at their Dundee home.
A court was told the mother-of-four had been forced to sell her house to start paying back the money.
Farningham, 39 admitted a charge under the Tax Credits Act committed between 15 May 2005 and 14 July 2014.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard previously that she was employed as a tax credits advisor in HMRC's Dundee call centre, advising the public about child and working tax credits.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court that an HMRC investigation was launched in 2014 following a tip-off.
She said: "The investigation into the accused established that she had married Paul Farningham on 7 September 2007 and that they had four children together.
"The accused and Mr Farningham had shared a joint bank account since 2004 and a joint mortgage for their property which they bought together in 2005.
"When she was interviewed the accused said they had not been co-habiting at any stage despite buying a property and having four children."
The court was told that a compensation order of £40,410 to be paid within six months had been agreed.
Kevin Hampton, defending, said: "Subject to the house being sold she will pay more towards the outstanding debt.
"She understands she is in a very difficult position today, given length of time and the amount involved.
"This was not to fund an extravagant lifestyle or excessive spending.
"This money all went towards bills, primarily child care."
"This has had and will have a devastating effect on her."
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Farningham for 21 weeks and told her: "It's a sad and familiar tale.
"Ultimately though, it's a fraud on public finances." | An HM Revenue and Customs worker who fraudulently claimed £65,000 in benefits has been jailed for five months. |
40,702,486 | It was a really exciting but tough game. India played well but England fought back hard, and in the end India were bowled out for 219 with eight balls unused.
England's Tammy Beaumont was named player of the tournament, after finishing as the leading run-scorer with 410.
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Comments
I thought India would win near the end of the match but England came back! Go England
Victor, 10, Ilford
Congratulations England!
Jessica, 16, London
Congratulations for winning, you deserve it. GO ENGLAND!!!
Joseph, 14, Northamptonshire | On Sunday England's Women won the Cricket World Cup in style, beating India by nine runs. |
31,708,693 | BBC Sport is paying tribute to pioneering women in sport in the run up to International Women's Day on 8 March. Here we look at the battle for the Women's Boat Race to be held on the same course and same day as the men's.
It is nearly 90 years since the first women's Cambridge v Oxford University Boat Race and finally they are being allowed to compete on the same tideway course as the men and have equal television coverage and funding from sponsors.
As a proud veteran of the 2003 Women's Boat Race - I was one of the defeated Cambridge crew - it has been fascinating to be able to step back in time to trace where the race has come from, and the stories of those women who participated in it.
First stop was my birthplace, Cornwall. Not only did the first men's University Boat Race in 1829 take place in a boat built to the design of the Cornish racing shells of the time, but there were a few notable female rowers hailing from the county.
One such was Ann Glanville, from east Cornwall, and her all-female crew, who achieved notable success against men in local regattas in the 1840s. A mother to 14 children, she was even presented to Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales, and billed as the female rowing champion of the world.
Fast forward 150 years and another trailblazing woman has been a key part of the movement to give the races equal billing: Helena Morrissey, chief executive of race sponsors, Newton Investment Management.
She was a Cambridge graduate herself, although not involved in rowing. However, she was instrumental in putting her shoulder to the rock of resistance a few years ago, and giving it a massive heave.
She refused to listen to excuses that women could not cope with negotiating the tides and bends of the men's 7000m course and until now had to make do with a 2000m course on a different stretch of the Thames in Henley, days before the men's showpiece. Many casual sports fans were not even aware a women's race existed.
So it is remarkable how far we've come. The first race, in 1927, was staged after much discussion of whether they could wear shorts, or their more demure gym tunics. One of the Cambridge rowers had to sit on a stool in front of university staff, simulating the action of rowing, to ascertain which clothes best preserved her modesty.
There were attempts to keep the sport ladylike and in the first few races they were not allowed to race side by side and instead first rowed downstream, passed the judges, who marked on style and grace.
They then raced upstream against the clock and one female athlete was heard exhorting her crew to "row like hell". This caused some upset in the media, presumably among those men who preferred their ladies rather more reserved.
And The Times report of the day stated that hordes of angry men headed to the river to shake their fists and yell at the women as they did not see it as a sport they should partake in.
As part of the filming, I met a group of ex-rowers now in their 50s, 60s and 70s to discuss their memories of the Women's Boat Race. We had a wonderful conversation over a hot cross bun or two, looking at photographs of the big hair and shoulder pads of the Oxbridge crews of the 1970s and 1980s.
One Oxford rower from 1985 brought a photo along that was published in the media of the time. It featured their male cox surrounded by his female crew, all in gowns, mortar boards and fishnet nights (above). The media were apparently fascinated by the idea of a male of smaller stature giving orders to eight women, all about six feet tall. These days it's fairly standard in the Boat Race to have one gender coxing the other.
One thing that came across to me was the attitude then, which remains the attitude of female athletes from any sport now, when faced with the glaring inequalities between men and women: "we just got on with it".
In the United States, there was a federal law called title IX passed in 1972 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education programme or activity. But the women rowers at Yale University were still being treated as second class citizens and decided enough was enough.
In 1976, they stripped off their clothes to reveal title IX across their backs as they demonstrated to the Yale hierarchy and in a prepared statement told the university: "These are the bodies Yale is exploiting".
It did the trick. American Daphne Martschenko will be competing for Cambridge next month and told me: "It was a moment that defined history, and shaped the lives of women who were to come afterwards in sport in the United States.
"In terms of what it has done for me personally, it's opened so many doors, it's provided so many opportunities.
"It has made it such an honour not to only row for Stanford University but made it a possibility to come here, to row for Cambridge at this historic and monumental time."
I cannot wait for the Women's Boat Race in 2015, and it will be an emotional moment for me when the starting flag drops. I will be in the BBC commentary box, and I will be reflecting on my own Boat Race, and on those in the decades before who played their part in the journey to that moment. Fighters, trailblazers, but above all - women.
The Boat Race will be shown on BBC One on 11 April from 16:15 BST. | History will be made on 11 April on the waters of the Thames when the men's and women's Boat Race teams race on the same day for the first time. |
29,848,691 | The visitors took a surprise lead in the second half when Joaquin Larrivey finished after Nolito's backheel.
Luis Enrique's Barcelona side hit the woodwork four times, with Lionel Messi and Neymar both being frustrated twice.
Luis Suarez, making his home debut, had two chances to score an equaliser but missed with a header and had an effort saved by goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez.
It means Suarez has lost in both of the competitive matches he has played for Barcelona since joining from Liverpool for £75m.
After serving a four-month suspension for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, the Uruguayan striker made his first appearance for Barcelona in their 3-1 El Clasico defeat away at Real Madrid last Saturday.
Barcelona missed out on winning La Liga by three points last season and will hope this result does not prove crucial at the end of the campaign.
They had the majority of the chances and could have scored inside the opening 10 minutes but Neymar wasted a header and then hit the bar.
Barca's Lionel Messi, two goals away from becoming the all-time La Liga goalscorer, had three opportunities in the first half.
His first shot was punched away by Alvarez, he then rounded the goalkeeper but saw Jonny Castro deflect his shot onto the bar before the Argentine headed over from eight yards out soon after.
Larrivey put Celta Vigo ahead inside 10 minutes of the second half, one of only four shots on target they had in the whole match.
But Barcelona continued to be wasteful.
Neymar hit the bar, Suarez headed straight at Alvarez from 10 yards out and Messi clipped the upright from a free-kick as Celta Vigo held on to claim their first La Liga win at the Nou Camp. | Barcelona suffered their first home La Liga defeat of the season as they were beaten by Celta Vigo at the Nou Camp. |
37,720,480 | The former chancellor said many voters felt "completely disconnected" and didn't feel part of a "national economy that works for them".
"I think many used the EU referendum to express that anger," he said.
Mr Osborne, who was sacked as chancellor in July, had campaigned for the UK to remain in the European Union.
He faced criticism for warning of a £30bn "black hole" if the UK voted to leave.
He told the BBC's Sunday Politics North West that being a backbencher "is a complete change of life and tempo", adding he now has time to "think about mistakes I've made and how we can put them right."
"I've got to go on learning, not least why the country voted the way it did in the referendum that led to me leaving Downing Street."
"I don't think I properly understood the sense that people had in many communities, particularly in the north of England, that they were completely disconnected from the system, from the way our country was governed, they felt angry about things."
Defending his economic record, the former chancellor said that when he entered Downing Street in 2010 "the country was in an economic crisis".
He insisted: "All of my efforts and energy was on trying to fix the crisis", adding attention should to turn to helping "communities who feel left behind" due to job and pension insecurity.
Mr Osborne explained he launched his Northern Powerhouse think tank last month to ensure the project doesn't lose "momentum".
Asked what he hoped his legacy would be, he said "The Northern Powerhouse is what I want to be remembered for, [as a] Member of Parliament who threw everything in to reversing that north-south gap".
Mr Osborne also pledged to remain an MP in Cheshire, despite the proposed abolition of his constituency.
The seat will disappear under boundary proposals which will reduce the number of MPs in the county by one.
Mr Osborne may face a contest with neighbouring Conservative MPs to stand in a Cheshire constituency if proposed boundary changes are approved.
He said he was "pretty confident" that he will be representing the county after the next general election, insisting "my heart is here". | George Osborne has said he made "mistakes" in the EU referendum campaign and failed to understand the anger felt by many Leave voters. |
37,430,112 | The Stagecoach vehicle caught fire in Wellington Road, forcing the closure of the southbound and northbound lanes.
The driver was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
A spokeswoman for Stagecoach North Scotland said: "One of our vehicles suffered a technical problem. The vehicle was not in service and there were no passengers on board."
She added: "Safety is our absolute priority and we will investigate the cause of this incident as a matter of priority."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called out to tackle the blaze. | A bus driver has been taken to hospital after his vehicle caught fire in Aberdeen. |
36,570,131 | The insect was discovered at Ivinghoe Beacon by National Trust entomologist Peter Brash.
He believes it is the first recorded sighting of the species in the Chilterns.
The rare sighting of the fly, which is listed as a priority for conservation action, fulfils a decades-long ambition for the insect expert.
"Nobody knows much about this enigmatic hoverfly," he said.
"I first saw a picture of the Phantom hoverfly 23 years ago and immediately wanted to see it.
"Some say it only survives for around 10 days as an adult, whilst others say that it stays in the tree canopy and only descends to the ground to breed."
The Phantom is rare to Britain because its preferred habitat of scrub near woodland on chalk is uncommon.
Mr Brash said perfect conditions for the insect had been created at the trust's Ashridge Estate. | A hoverfly so rarely seen it is known as 'the Phantom' has been spotted on the Chiltern Hills in Bedfordshire. |
32,573,928 | Robert Gurling, from Romford, was last seen with the boy at Great Notley near Braintree, at about 10:30 BST on Saturday.
Despite an extensive search, Essex Police have not been able to find Mr Gurling, who is not allowed unsupervised access to the child.
He is described as white, aged in his 40s, 6ft tall, and of medium build.
He has cropped dark brown hair that is greying and was wearing a grey tracksuit top and jeans.
The boy has blonde hair and was wearing a jacket, grey tracksuit bottoms and red trainers.
They may be travelling in a blue car.
The police search included use of the force helicopter.
Det Ch Insp Simon Werrett said: 'Mr Gurling has abducted his child from the foster parents.
"He is not allowed unsupervised access to the child and therefore we need to urgently locate the child to ensure he is safe and well." | Police are searching for a man who has abducted his three-year-old son from the child's foster parents. |
32,194,270 | UKIP leader Nigel Farage welcomed Mike Whitehead's move, with Mr Whitehead citing a row with the local Conservative group for his decision.
The Conservatives said Mr Whitehead had been "sacked" as its candidate in the constituency last week.
He had previously resigned as a Tory councillor on East Riding Council.
Mr Whitehead will not be standing for UKIP in the general election because the party already has a candidate in the constituency. But he will stand in the local elections, which take place on the same day.
Mr Whitehead is the second district councillor from East Riding Council to join UKIP in recent weeks.
Speaking on BBC Five Live, Mr Whitehead said the Conservative party had "terminated" his candidacy in the Hull West and Hessle seat after he refused not to stand as a local councillor.
"The Conservative Party took a pre-emptive strike because they knew I was going," he said.
"I got an email on Wednesday evening to say that if didn't stand aside from my intentions to stand in the local elections they would remove my candidacy in Hull West and Hessle."
UKIP leader Nigel Farage described the move as a "hammer blow to Tory pretensions in the north of England".
The Conservative Culture Secretary Sajid Javid denied Mr Whitehead had defected from the party. "The gentleman involved was not a Conservative candidate," he said.
"He was up until last week but he was sacked and so it's not a defection."
Labour's former home secretary Alan Johnson has been MP for Hull West and Hessle since 1997.
He is defending a 5,700 majority from the 2010 general election when the Conservatives finished third.
Labour's Jon Trickett, shadow Cabinet Office minister, insisted the move was "another huge blow" for the prime minister's authority.
"UKIP and the Tories increasingly share the same people as well as the same policies. Both stand for increased health service privatisation, extreme spending plans which threaten the NHS and further tax breaks for those at the top."
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said the Conservatives might play the councillor's move down, but it would give Mr Farage something to smile about, especially as there had been plenty of stories about his parliamentary candidates making headlines for the wrong reasons.
The full list of general election candidates for all 650 UK constituencies will be published on 9 April. | A former Conservative parliamentary candidate has joined UKIP, amid a row in the Hull West and Hessle constituency. |
36,033,022 | The Investing in the Teaching Workforce scheme would have allowed teachers over 55 to retire early and access their pension to make room for new staff.
But on Wednesday it was revealed it would not go ahead during the assembly's current mandate.
It was initially expected to be up and running by spring 2016.
However, there was no agreement on how newly-qualified a teacher should be to apply for a job under the scheme.
The Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC), which represents the main teaching unions, said it was concerned it would not proceed.
However, the Department of Education (DE) said the scheme had merely been delayed and not abandoned.
The minister initially decided that only teachers who had graduated within the past three years would be eligible for a new job under the Investing in the Teaching Workforce plans.
Mr O'Dowd later said the executive would decide if the three year limit should be increased.
The executive will not be able to take that decision before the end of the current assembly term.
Avril Hall Callaghan, general secretary of the Ulster Teachers' Union and chairperson of the NITC, said the delay was "extremely disappointing".
"We've been told that a decision on whether the scheme will proceed will be made by the new education minister following the elections May and once ministers have been appointed.
"The mandate for the current executive has reached a point at which it is no longer possible to seek agreement to the scheme being finalised and launched.
"The unions will be lobbying the political parties in the run up to the election and will prevail upon the new minister to implement the scheme as soon as possible.
"The teaching unions remain committed to this initiative which they believe is an innovative way to rebalance the age profile in schools.
"It is imperative that this £33m should not be lost to the education budget", she said. | A scheme which planned to replace older teachers with newly qualified staff has been delayed indefinitely. |
40,240,752 | In other results on Sunday, Kwesi Appiah's second spell as Ghana coach began with a 5-0 thrashing of Ethiopia in Kumasi.
The twelve group winners plus the best three group runners-up will qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations along with the hosts Cameroon.
Knowledge Musona took over the Zimbabwe captaincy for the Group G game against Liberia after Willard Katsande - who had skippered the Warriors at this year's Nations Cup in Gabon - was dropped.
Belgium-based Musona's first strike came on 24 minutes, with Zimbabwe taking that one-goal advantage into the break.
His second came just five minutes into the second half and the Warriors captain was able to celebrate his hat-trick with a goal in the 63rd minute.
It was Zimbabwe's first hat-trick in 13 years - Peter Ndlovu was the last man to achieve the feat.
The result puts Zimbabwe top of Group G, after DR Congo beat Congo Brazzaville 3-1 on Saturday.
Zimbabwe are targeting a fourth appearance at the Nations Cup finals.
Ghana also heralded in a new era as coach Kwesi Appiah returned for a second spell in charge of the Black Stars who duly began their Group F campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Ethiopia in Kumasi.
Captain Asamoah Gyan began the rout with a landmark strike in the 10th minute - his 50th goal for his country.
Just four minutes later, John Boye added a second with Ebenezer Ofori making it 3-0 to Ghana on his debut just before half-time.
After the break, a Raphael Dwamena brace made it 5-0 to the hosts who are looking for their first Nations Cup title since 1982.
Uganda's Geoffrey Sserunkuma struck late in their delayed Group L match away to Cape Verde as the Cranes - despite their travel problems - secured a big 1-nil victory away from home.
A solitary goal from Stephane Sessegnon was enough for Benin to take an early lead in Group D after their 1-0 win at home to the Gambia.
In Group H, a late goal from Salif Keita earned Central African Republic a 2-1 win over Rwanda on Sunday.
CAR took the lead in the 70th minute through Junior Gourrier, but AS Vita Club striker Earnest Sugira equalised for the visitors right at the death.
Just when the Amavubi thought they had secured a valuable point on the road, Keita struck CAR's winner in the third minute of added time to snatch all three points. | Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona hit a hat-trick as his new-look national side beat Liberia 3-0 in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Harare on Sunday. |
40,406,401 | Simon Hart and Chris Davies are being investigated over separate single alleged breaches of the code of conduct.
Neither MP said they were in a position to comment on the allegations.
The commissioner Kathryn Hudson has resumed her work on the inquiries following the election.
Her website said that she had "started but not completed" five of six current investigations on 3 May but that she "could not make any decisions about those inquiries during dissolution [of Parliament]".
Full details of the allegations have not been disclosed.
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Mr Hart is being investigated over an alleged breach of paragraph 15 of the code of conduct.
Brecon and Radnorshire's Mr Davies is also being investigated over an allegation of a breach of the same paragraph.
The paragraph states: "Members are personally responsible and accountable for ensuring that their use of any expenses, allowances, facilities and services provided from the public purse is in accordance with the rules laid down on these matters.
"Members shall ensure that their use of public resources is always in support of their parliamentary duties. It should not confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else, or confer undue advantage on a political organisation."
The commissioner's office would not expand on the nature of the allegations. | Two Welsh Conservative MPs are the subject of inquiries by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, it has emerged. |
39,745,914 | In fact, over the course of 42 years, Nelson Hunter has delivered almost four million bottles of fizzy stuff to customers across County Antrim.
For many, the lemonade man was an iconic part of growing up in Northern Ireland.
There are childhood memories of eagerly watching out of the front window to see the van pull up with the latest order of brightly-coloured soft drinks.
Nelson first started doing the job in 1975, but is now stepping down after more than four decades.
He said soft drinks had been a key part of his life, long before he took up his job at the age of 23.
"My mother used to get Maine soft drinks delivered to the house - two bottles every week.
"When I was very small, I remember seeing the Maine man.
"A good few years later, I then went for an interview at Maine, got the job, and it wasn't too long before I was soon known all around the town as the Maine man," said Nelson.
Nelson said although many of the products had changed over the years, many of his customers have remained the same.
"Maybe it's because I've been around for so long, but, in some cases, I'm now delivering to the third generation of some families.
"I've many memories of young children standing at doors with their mothers, and now I'm bringing bottles to their doors and they're now standing with their children."
Nelson said he could deliver up to 480 bottles a day, five days a week.
Not surprisingly, he has a strong grasp of the local geography and believes the old methods are sometimes the best for finding new addresses.
"It can sometimes be tricky delivering to a new house, especially if you're not too sure where exactly it is, but I don't use a sat nav or anything.
"It might just take me a little longer than usual - but when I find it once, I'll always find it again."
Over the years, Nelson said his customers had become very close friends and are "just like one big extended family".
"When I got engaged and was getting married all the customers got together and planned a big celebration where they all came out and egged me.
"It was really great fun and we still laugh about it," he said.
"They also used to buy me gifts when my children were born and I'm so thankful to them all for their support over the years.
"The job wouldn't really be the same without them and over the last few days I've had so many well wishers. It means so much - I'm definitely going to miss the people the most."
Customers on Nelson's round can rest easy in the knowledge that they will still be able to get their flavoured favourites delivered to their front door.
Nelson is training an apprentice who will take up the route after he leaves.
Any advice?
"You've got to have patience, because you don't always know how long you'll be out on a job," he said.
"And you also need to be able to build trust with your customers, because they're the most important part of the job." | Being the lemonade man takes a lot of bottle. |
40,211,275 | The party's deputy leader was defeated by the Conservatives' Douglas Ross who overturned his majority of 9,065.
The seat had been a key target for the Conservatives in Scotland.
In his victory speech, Mr Ross said: "I give a promise that my first and only priority will be to serve the people of this constituency to the best of my ability."
Mr Robertson was beaten by former MSP Mr Ross by 18,478 votes to 22,637. Labour had 5,208 votes and the Liberal Democrats polled 1,078.
He added: "I'd like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates. Could I also say to Angus, thank-you on behalf of the people of Moray for your outstanding service to the people of Moray over the last 16 years."
Mr Robertson became one of the SNP's most high-profile figures after the 2015 election, thanks to a weekly platform at Prime Minister's Questions.
As group leader at Westminster, and as a result of the SNP's newly-acquired third-party status, he was handed the task of challenging the UK government on everything from welfare reforms to Brexit and foreign affairs.
Mr Robertson - who took over as SNP deputy leader in 2016 - has often been lauded for his PMQs performances, earning a reputation as a formidable opponent and potential future leadership contender.
Born in London to Scottish and German parents, he grew up in Edinburgh before attending university in Aberdeen.
He worked as a journalist and then as a European and international affairs adviser to SNP MSPs at Holyrood before he was elected to Westminster in 2001 to represent Moray.
He served as the party's defence spokesman and, in 2015, was appointed as a member of the Privy Council and the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee.
Mr Robertson was the party's campaigns director for the 2007 and 2011 Scottish elections and previously served as business convener, chairing the SNP's National Executive Committee. | The SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson has lost his Moray seat in the general election. |
35,349,455 | Oldham, who had last won in the league back on 14 November, went close early on when Matty Palmer fired over.
But, on 23 minutes, Winchester then fired low past Jayson Leutwiler from 20 yards for his first goal of the season.
Shrewsbury's chances were at a premium, James Wallace being denied by Joel Coleman before Ian Black drilled wide.
Oldham had Anthony Gerrard playing at the back after re-signing for the club as a free agent earlier in the day.
The former Walsall, Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Shrewsbury centre-half, who had a loan spell with the Latics at the end of last season, has re-signed on a deal until the end of the current campaign.
It meant an instant return to the Meadow for Gerrard, six days after ending his non-contract arrangement with Shrewsbury, where he had been playing for free in an attempt to kick-start his career.
Oldham's first win since the return of manager John Sheridan lifts them a place to 22nd, within seven points of 20th-placed Shrewsbury.
Micky Mellon's men, who won on Saturday at leaders Burton Albion, have not won at home in the league now in three months, having picked up just two points out of a possible 18 at the Greenhous Meadow.
Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon told BBC Radio Shropshire:
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"I cannot argue with the stats but it shouldn't be a negative playing at home. It is just about working hard and working smartly. We were not smart tonight and that cost us.
"Maybe a few of the lads are fatigued, I don't know, but I am as baffled as anyone else. It is difficult to explain why we played as we did.
"Oldham outran us all over the pitch. We didn't keep the ball well enough. It is hard to know why after Saturday this happens. I cannot explain it." | Oldham Athletic defender Carl Winchester's first-half goal helped his side to a vital three points at fellow League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town. |
38,880,919 | At points throughout the year we may introduce a theme for the gallery - next week's theme is "love".
Find out how you can submit your images and videos below.
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The BBC cannot guarantee that all pictures will be used and we reserve the right to edit your comments.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws collecting any kind of media. | Each day we feature a photograph sent in from across England. |
30,956,026 | The tigers, classed by conservationists as critically endangered, were born to eight-year-old tigress Kirana on 2 January after a 105-day pregnancy.
Sumatran tigers are found only on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra. They are the smallest of all tigers and also have the narrowest stripes.
Tim Rowlands, curator of mammals at Chester Zoo, said he was "thrilled" with the "special arrivals".
He said: "These tiny triplets are now part of a safety net against the population in the wild becoming extinct.
"That to me is incredibly humbling."
With their mother keeping a close eye on her cubs, it will not be possible to ascertain their sex for some time.
Mr Rowlands added: "We were first alerted to them when we heard tiny squeaks coming from their den.
"Initially we weren't sure about how many she had had - we just kept seeing flashes of tiny balls of fluff - but we've since spotted that there are three."
It is the third time Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at Chester Zoo, with Kirana producing litters in Oct 2011 and in June 2013.
"It's still early days but Kirana is an experienced mum and she's keeping her cubs very well protected. She's doing everything we would hope at this stage," said Mr Rowlands.
Sumatran tiger facts
Sumatran tigers are found in patches of forest on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.
The species is classed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered in the wild.
They are faced with a high threat of extinction due to widespread habitat loss and poaching for their body parts which are used in traditional medicine.
There are 300-400 Sumatran tigers in the wild with about 200-250 in captivity in zoos around the world.
Sumatran tigers are the smallest of all tiger species.
Their stripes are narrower and closer together than those of all other tiger species.
Source: Chester Zoo | A trio of rare Sumatran tigers cubs have been born at Chester Zoo. |
39,237,282 | Media playback is not supported on this device
The home side capitalised on Irish mistakes and scored three tries in Friday's 22-9 victory in Cardiff.
"I really admired the way the team clawed their way back but we made a couple of errors and those things accumulate," said Schmidt.
"We undid ourselves effectively and set ourselves up to be scored against."
Ireland conceded 10 points while Johnny Sexton was in the sin-bin at the start of the second half.
Schmidt said his team "got stung" but believes they will respond with a good performance in next week's Six Nations finale against England at the Aviva Stadium.
"Sometimes these things spin on very little margins," he said.
"Next week you could convert two or three things and you win those games. We've got to make sure we roll our sleeves up and make sure that happens because there is still a lot to play for.
"We can still finish in the top three."
Wales' championship hopes were extinguished after defeats by England and Scotland and man of the match Rhys Webb was happy the home side silenced their critics with George North scoring twice and Jamie Roberts adding a late third.
"Everyone was writing us off week in, week out, but we didn't become a bad team overnight," said scrum-half Webb.
"We felt we performed well in the last three games but we played for the full 80 minutes and put in one hell of a shift against a very good Irish side."
Ireland captain Rory Best admitted the visitors "only have ourselves to blame" after seeing their Six Nations title hopes suffer a huge blow.
"We are bitterly disappointed. Wales are a quality side but we made a lot of mistakes," Best said.
"Barring at 6-5, we never really got in front or dominated the way we'd have liked and had a few chances in the 22 that we didn't convert.
"They put us under pressure but we have to deal with that better. We put a lot of ball down and it wasn't really like us. We're normally more clinical than that.
"It's devastating. We came here expecting to win." | Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt rued his team's error count after their Six Nations title hopes were all but ended by Wales in the Principality Stadium. |
37,243,122 | Over several months, she suffered seizures, was evaluated by a stroke team and had procedures carried out, including a CT scan and EEG test.
During one seizure she lost consciousness. Hospital staff believed epilepsy to be the cause, but seven months later the tumour was diagnosed.
A watchdog said an MRI scan of her brain should have been done sooner.
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) investigated a complaint made by the family of the woman, who has since died and has not been named.
The SPSO said NHS Highland's decision to start the woman on anti-epileptic medication was "appropriate".
But it added that the subsequent monitoring of the medication and her condition were "not reasonable".
The SPSO also said there was a delay in her receiving a follow-up appointment at a neurology clinic.
In a report on its investigation, the health watchdog said: "During our investigation, we took independent advice from a consultant neurologist.
"We found that, while some aspects of Mrs A's care and treatment were reasonable, there was an unreasonable delay in performing an MRI, a scan used to diagnose health conditions that affect organs, tissue and bone, of her brain.
"This should have been arranged within four weeks of Mrs A's admission after the loss of consciousness and seizures."
The woman was a patient of NHS Highland's Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and Nairn Hospital.
In a statement, the health board said: "We have already apologised to the patient's family for the way we handled this matter and would again like to sincerely apologise for the failures identified.
"We have reviewed the findings within the report and the recommendations will be shared with the professionals involved. We are also reviewing current practices." | NHS Highland has apologised for failures that delayed the diagnosis of a woman's brain tumour. |
34,170,100 | Media playback is not supported on this device
Halfpenny, 26, is expected to have a scan on the injury on Monday amid fears he will miss the World Cup.
Scrum-half Rhys Webb, also 26, may also be out after damaging ankle ligaments as Wales beat Italy on Saturday.
"Really can't thank you all enough for all your well wishes. Trying to stay as positive as possible," Webb tweeted.
Webb was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff after the game, which Wales won 23-19.
Wales coach Warren Gatland said the scrum-half's injury was "not a break, but could be ligament damage".
The player tweeted earlier on Sunday: "Morphine and a scrub off the nurses. Good start to a glorious Sunday morning."
Toulon full-back Halfpenny was also taken off on a stretcher during Wales' final warm-up game, appearing to twist his right knee while attempting to collect a loose ball.
His right leg was heavily bandaged from the start of the game, and former Wales winger JJ Williams said he should not have been risked.
"The bandaging on his leg was quite enormous wasn't it? So there's a problem there," he told BBC Radio Wales.
"I think it was a bad decision to play him at all.
"It was the ideal chance to try Matthew Morgan at full-back - just give him a run out.
"They are paying the penalty. Now we've got a deep problem of who is going to replace these boys."
Webb has established himself as Wales' leading scrum-half, while Halfpenny is their main goal-kicker.
If Webb is ruled out, Racing 92 veteran Mike Phillips is a leading candidate to be recalled, having been omitted from the original 31-man squad.
Wales begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay in Cardiff on 20 September, before facing England, Fiji and Australia in their pool. | Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny says he is "trying to stay as positive as possible" as he waits to discover the extent of his knee injury. |
39,011,346 | Three weeks later, he would gaze in a mirror, unsure what he would see.
Reflected back at him was the face of another man: the nose, cheeks, mouth, lips, jaw, chin and even the teeth of his donor, Calen Ross.
What the two men had in common was that they had both, at the age of 21, turned a gun on themselves.
Unable to speak clearly after seeing his new face, Mr Sandness wrote a note for his doctors and family to read: "Far exceeded my expectations."
Mr Sandness, from Wyoming, was left with a face almost completely destroyed after his attempt on his life in 2006.
After extensive surgery, he still told people he had been in a hunting accident to explain his appearance.
Mr Ross, who lived in Minnesota, did not survive when he shot himself in early June 2016, leaving behind a pregnant and devastated widow, Lily.
She was committed to fulfilling her late husband's wish to be an organ donor but was uneasy about the prospect of another man taking his face.
"I didn't want to walk around and all of a sudden see Calen," she told the Associated Press.
But she gave her consent after being reassured that Mr Sandness had his own eyes and forehead and would not be identifiable as her husband.
Dr Samir Mardani, a specialist in facial reconstruction, spent more than 50 Saturdays over three years practising the surgery and transplanting the faces of cadaver heads.
They had estimated it would take years to find a matching donor, but five months after Mr Sandness was put on a donor waiting list - a match, in Mr Calen, was found.
The delicate and complex procedure included identifying nerve branches on the faces of both men and using electric currents to determine their function - smiling, or opening and closing the eyes, for example.
This was crucial for Mr Sandness to be able to do those things with his new face.
Mr Sandness, now 31, and Lily have not met. But he has written her a letter, in which he spoke of her husband's favourite things.
"He's still going to continue to love hunting and fishing and dogs - through me," he wrote. | On 16 June last year, Andy Sandness was wheeled into an operating theatre at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to undergo one of the rarest surgeries in the world. |
34,988,913 | The e-borders scheme was meant to collect and analyse data on everyone travelling to and from the UK before they arrive at ports and airports.
But the National Audit Office says checks remain "highly manual and inefficient", and IT systems outdated.
The Home Office says all UK arrivals are checked against watch lists.
The e-borders scheme has been dogged by problems since its launch in 2003, and in 2014, the head of the UK Border Force, Sir Charles Montgomery, told MPs it had been "terminated" in its current form.
By collecting advanced passenger information (API), such as passport numbers and nationalities, it was meant to allow officials to "export the border" by preventing people from embarking on journeys to the UK where they were considered a threat.
Among the report's key findings:
The NAO said a database known as the Warning Index - designed to flag up known criminals or terrorists - was still being used eight years after it should have been retired.
While it has been upgraded, it is "still far from good" and suffers an average of two "high priority incidents a week".
These breakdowns include situations where part of the system is not available or performing too slowly to function, or where it is inaccessible at 30% or more control points at a port or airport.
The Home Office insisted contingency arrangements were in place for when those incidents occurred.
Analysis: Danny Shaw, BBC home affairs correspondent
This is a devastating critique of a project presented by the Home Office, first under Labour, as the key to securing Britain's borders. In fact, as the report reveals, the programme has been torpedoed by its ambition.
Collecting and assessing advance passenger information on more than 200 million journeys a year was always going to be hard task - involving co-ordinating the supply of data from 600 air, ferry and rail carriers and 30 government agencies.
Add in creaking computer systems, a high turnover of key staff and a draining legal dispute with the private contractor, and it's clear that ministers and officials over-reached themselves.
There's little doubt more advance passenger information is available now than in 2003, when the scheme was first developed, but the costs have risen hugely with some border checks still being conducted using scraps of paper.
The Warning Index operates alongside another system called semaphore, but the NAO said the failure to integrate them meant staff still had to check passports manually and consult printed A4 sheets when probing suspicious vehicle registrations.
Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, said e-borders had not "delivered value for money".
"Some valuable capabilities have been added to our border defences during the life of this project, though their efficiency is impaired by a failure to replace old IT systems," he added.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, described the report as a "devastating indictment" of the e-borders project.
"With the terrorism threat level currently at severe, a failure to properly cover millions of people entering the country without having passenger information in advance gives a green light to people who wish to come to the UK for illegal or dangerous activity," he said.
What are e-borders?
Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said every passenger arriving in the UK was checked against a range of watch lists.
"The e-borders programme was set up under the Labour government and when that contract ended in 2010, our immediate priority was to invest in stabilising the crucial but old-fashioned systems, to tackle the fast-evolving terrorist, criminal and illegal immigration threats faced by the UK.
"The Border Systems Portfolio, in conjunction with a range of programmes across security and law enforcement, is working effectively to keep our citizens safe and our country secure." | The Home Office has been criticised for failing to complete a project to boost UK border security - despite spending at least £830 million on it. |
33,617,037 | The Bevan Foundation analysed the winners and losers in Wales.
It says ministers will need to fill "holes" in a shrinking safety net, as workless families with children face a 15% fall in their incomes.
The Treasury said it wants a lower welfare society - while Welsh ministers want to "protect people" from cuts.
The Merthyr Tydfil-based charity looked at changes to incomes, tax thresholds and welfare payments.
It says the winners include 600,000 state pensioners, who will get a 2.5% rise a year until 2020.
Chancellor George Osborne outlined how the welfare system would change in his recent Budget, including freezing working-age benefits for four years, scrapping housing benefit for under-21s and restricting public sector pay rises.
But he replaced the minimum wage by a National Living Wage, starting at £7.20. He also raised the amount people need to earn before they pay income tax.
The foundation says that the overall impact of the tax and benefit changes is "highly uneven" with a "substantial minority" set to see their incomes fall in real or cash terms.
The report warns that for households with few or no savings, limited assets and weak job prospects "the shrinking safety net is a very real issue even if they are not currently claimants".
The foundation says policy in Wales needs to explore how best people can reduce the need for help from the benefits system.
In summary, its analysis finds:
The foundation says there are challenges facing the Welsh government:
Dr Victoria Winckler, director of the Bevan Foundation, said: "It is right that employers should pay people enough to live on but it's just that right now the economy is not booming and I think it's going to be difficult for people to find extra hours to make up for the shortfall."
She said the 600,000 pensioners have been promised a 2.5% rise each year, which will mean a "shift in the income and spending of older people rather than younger people".
Dr Winckler added: "We need to do something quite urgently to help young people find work, support parents in work and help disabled people into work because life on benefit is going to bring increased hardship."
A Treasury spokesperson said: "As the chancellor said in the budget, we are moving Britain from a low wage, high tax and high welfare economy to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society.
"That's why we have introduced the national living wage, which taken with all the welfare savings and the tax cuts means that a typical family where someone is working full time on the minimum wage will be better off in 2020."
A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The UK government has continued to cut back the welfare state. We already know that welfare cuts have a disproportionate impact on Wales.
"Our own research has shown that changes to welfare that have already been introduced will reduce the income of working-age adults in Wales this year by around £900m. These further welfare cuts will make this worse." | More people will be driven further into poverty unless Welsh policymakers react to a shake-up of the UK's welfare system, a think-tank has warned. |
17,878,435 | Drogba's goal early in the second half - his fourth in this Wembley showpiece - proved decisive as the remarkable turnaround in Chelsea's fortunes under interim manager Roberto di Matteo was rewarded with silverware.
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina was badly at fault as Ramires scored at the near post after 11 minutes and Chelsea looked in cruise control when Drogba continued his love affair with the FA Cup final and Wembley with an angled finish.
The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages.
"Once Liverpool got it back to 2-1 it was certainly a different game, Chelsea deserved it, for over an hour they were the better team the problem for Liverpool was the fact they had to get those two goals in the last 30 minutes, they gave it everything but it was not enough in a game that lasts 90 minutes."
He met Luis Suarez's cross at the far post, only for Chelsea keeper Petr Cech to show brilliant reflexes to deflect his header on to the bar. Carroll turned away to lead Liverpool's insistent protests that the ball had crossed the line but referee Phil Dowd and assistant referee Andrew Garratt waved play on, with even a succession of replays proving inconclusive.
Chelsea survived and can now turn their attentions to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Germany on 19 May as they face an increasingly arduous task to finish in the Premier League's top four.
As Di Matteo celebrated and captain John Terry raised the trophy for the fourth time, the Italian increased his claims to become the permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas by landing a trophy.
For Liverpool, their season will now be regarded as a relative disappointment after failure to add the FA Cup to the Carling Cup and not mounting a challenge to reach the Champions League places.
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The final started with £85m worth of striking talent on the bench as Carroll was a Liverpool substitute and Chelsea's Fernando Torres missed out on a starting place against his former club.
The Reds were on the back foot early on when a catalogue of defensive errors led to Ramires giving Chelsea the lead. Jay Spearing conceded possession in midfield and Ramires escaped Jose Enrique far too easily before scoring at the near post with a shot Reina should have saved.
Chelsea were coping comfortably as Liverpool left Suarez too isolated. Steven Gerrard was also being forced to drop too deep to offer support to the beleaguered Spearing and Jordan Henderson rather than add attacking potency alongside the Uruguayan.
Liverpool did have one moment of danger in the first half when Chelsea failed to clear Glen Johnson's cross and Branislav Ivanovic blocked Craig Bellamy's goalbound shot.
Chelsea doubled their lead seven minutes after the restart, with the second coming from their most reliable source of Wembley goals. Frank Lampard escaped Spearing with ease and fed Drogba inside the area, who controlled before sending an angled left-foot finish across Reina.
2012:Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
2010:Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth
2009:Chelsea 2-1 Everton
2007:Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
2005:Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd (Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties)
2003: Arsenal 1-0Southampton
2002: Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea
Liverpool introduced Carroll for Spearing and were rewarded after 64 minutes when he put them back in contention. Stewart Downing blocked Jose Bosingwa's attempted clearance, which fell into the path of Carroll. He turned John Terry superbly before firing high past Cech.
At last Liverpool had impetus and were getting the dangerous Suarez into threatening positions, allowing him to force Cech to save low to his right with an effort from the edge of the area.
Carroll thought he had equalised with his header against the bar with eight minutes left. Liverpool claimed the ball had cross the line and Chelsea were grateful for a miraculous intervention from Cech to turn his effort on to the woodwork.
He was then denied by a magnificent tackle from captain Terry as Liverpool continued to press - but Chelsea survived as the memories of the nightmare under Villas-Boas faded even further into the background.
Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.
Salomon Kalou takes a shot. Blocked by Martin Skrtel.
Steven Gerrard concedes a free kick for a foul on Didier Drogba. Frank Lampard produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, Jose Reina makes a save.
Martin Skrtel sends in a cross, Daniel Agger takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a save.
Andy Carroll takes a shot. Blocked by John Terry.
Dirk Kuyt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ashley Cole. Petr Cech takes the free kick.
Substitution (Chelsea) makes a substitution, with Florent Malouda coming on for Juan Mata.
Glen Johnson takes a shot. Juan Mata gets a block in.
Stewart Downing decides to take the corner short.
Corner taken left-footed by Stewart Downing to the near post, John Terry makes a clearance.
Corner taken left-footed by Stewart Downing from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by John Terry.
Salomon Kalou concedes a free kick for a foul on Andy Carroll. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Steven Gerrard.
Martin Skrtel takes a shot. Branislav Ivanovic gets a block in.
Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Stewart Downing, clearance made by John Terry.
Sanchez Jose Enrique delivers the ball, Jose Bosingwa manages to make a clearance.
The ball is swung over by Steven Gerrard, clearance made by Jose Bosingwa.
Booking Luis Suarez is cautioned.
Andy Carroll takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a fantastic save.
Jordan Henderson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
The ball is sent over by Jordan Henderson, John Terry makes a clearance.
Free kick awarded for a foul by Didier Drogba on Sanchez Jose Enrique. Steven Gerrard takes the direct free kick.
Petr Cech takes the indirect free kick.
Substitution Dirk Kuyt comes on in place of Craig Bellamy.
The assistant referee signals for offside against Luis Suarez.
Substitution Raul Meireles comes on in place of Ramires.
The ball is swung over by Glen Johnson, Header from deep inside the area by Andy Carroll goes over the bar.
The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, Ashley Cole manages to make a clearance.
The ball is swung over by Steven Gerrard, clearance made by Branislav Ivanovic.
Sanchez Jose Enrique sends in a cross, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Andy Carroll misses to the right of the target.
The ball is swung over by Stewart Downing, clearance made by Branislav Ivanovic.
Sanchez Jose Enrique crosses the ball, Headed effort on goal by Daniel Agger from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the goal.
Steven Gerrard decides to take a short corner.
Luis Suarez takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a save.
Jordan Henderson produces a cross.
Luis Suarez is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.
A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
Steven Gerrard sends in a cross.
Branislav Ivanovic fouled by Stewart Downing, the ref awards a free kick. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.
Craig Bellamy produces a cross, save made by Petr Cech.
Shot from outside the area by Glen Johnson misses to the left of the target.
Stewart Downing sends in a cross, clearance made by Branislav Ivanovic.
The ball is delivered by Craig Bellamy, clearance made by John Terry.
Effort from outside the penalty area by Jordan Henderson goes wide left of the goal.
The referee blows for offside against Juan Mata. Jose Reina takes the free kick.
Stewart Downing provided the assist for the goal.
Goal! - Andy Carroll - Chelsea 2 - 1 Liverpool Andy Carroll gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool.
Didier Drogba produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
Luis Suarez concedes a free kick for a foul on Didier Drogba. Frank Lampard has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.
Stewart Downing produces a cross.
Effort from the edge of the box by Salomon Kalou goes wide of the right-hand upright.
The ball is swung over by Steven Gerrard, Branislav Ivanovic makes a clearance.
Glen Johnson sends in a cross, clearance by Branislav Ivanovic.
The ball is crossed by Sanchez Jose Enrique.
Juan Mata takes a shot. Save made by Jose Reina.
Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.
Substitution Andy Carroll on for Jay Spearing.
The referee gives a free kick against Didier Drogba for handball.
Luis Suarez takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.
Juan Mata crosses the ball, save by Jose Reina.
The assist for the goal came from Frank Lampard.
Goal! - Didier Drogba - Chelsea 2 - 0 Liverpool Didier Drogba fires in a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool.
The ball is swung over by Juan Mata, clearance by Daniel Agger.
Stewart Downing produces a cross, Branislav Ivanovic manages to make a clearance.
Frank Lampard takes the inswinging corner, John Terry produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.
Foul by Glen Johnson on Didier Drogba, free kick awarded. Ashley Cole takes the direct free kick.
Corner taken by Craig Bellamy from the right by-line played to the near post, Frank Lampard manages to make a clearance.
The referee gets the second half started.
Half Time It is the end of the first-half.
John Terry takes the free kick.
Booking Caution for Daniel Agger.
Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Agger on Mikel.
The official flags Juan Mata offside. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
Foul by Sanchez Jose Enrique on Ramires, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.
The ball is swung over by Stewart Downing, clearance made by John Terry.
Luis Suarez has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
Craig Bellamy produces a cross, save by Petr Cech.
Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Craig Bellamy from the right by-line, Branislav Ivanovic makes a clearance.
Stewart Downing crosses the ball, clearance made by Ashley Cole.
Didier Drogba takes a shot from 35 yards and went wide of the left-hand upright.
Direct free kick taken by Daniel Agger.
Booking The referee shows Mikel a yellow card.
Mikel gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Gerrard.
The offside flag is raised against Martin Skrtel. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.
Foul by Salomon Kalou on Glen Johnson, free kick awarded. Steven Gerrard crosses the ball in from the free kick.
Ashley Cole takes a shot. Blocked by Jordan Henderson.
Sanchez Jose Enrique challenges Ramires unfairly and gives away a free kick. Juan Mata delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, Daniel Agger makes a clearance.
Shot by Frank Lampard missed to the left of goal.
Salomon Kalou has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal.
Daniel Agger produces a cross, save by Petr Cech.
The assistant referee flags for offside against Craig Bellamy. Petr Cech takes the indirect free kick.
Stewart Downing crosses the ball, clearance made by John Terry.
Ramires sends in a cross, save by Jose Reina.
The ball is crossed by Glen Johnson, John Terry manages to make a clearance. Craig Bellamy takes a shot. Branislav Ivanovic gets a block in.
Assist by Juan Mata.
Goal! - Ramires - Chelsea 1 - 0 Liverpool Ramires finds the back of the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool.
Salomon Kalou is caught offside. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
Foul by Didier Drogba on Steven Gerrard, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Steven Gerrard.
Long range effort from Didier Drogba misses to the left of the goal.
The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
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Live text commentary | Chelsea's FA Cup final talisman Didier Drogba was the match-winner once more as they overcame Liverpool to lift the trophy at Wembley. |
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15 September 2014 Last updated at 21:26 BST
It used to employ thousands of people but is now run as a historical education centre.
BBC reporter Mark McAlindon has been to have a look around. | Nenthead Mine, considered one of Europe's best preserved former lead mines, is being given a £250,000 make over. |
35,604,160 | The 25-year-old has made 97 appearances and scored four goals since joining the Baggies from Rochdale in August 2011.
Dawson's current deal still had a year to run but his new contract will keep him at The Hawthorns until 2018.
"I'm really enjoying my football, especially over the last year and a half when I've been a regular in the first team," he told the club website.
"I've been down here a few years now, the family is settled in this area, so it was a very easy decision to extend my contract.
"It means I can just concentrate on playing and doing everything I can to stay in the team and carry on contributing to things." | Defender Craig Dawson has signed an improved one-year contract extension at West Bromwich Albion. |
35,711,608 | The Italian, 60, missed Wednesday's victory over Arsenal, hours after he was first admitted in London.
He saw a respiratory specialist after failing to fully respond to treatment.
"He remains in a comfortable position and is making good progress but doctors have advised he misses this game to continue his recovery," Swansea said.
"He is expected to remain in hospital over the weekend before his release.
"Everyone at Swansea City continue to wish him a speedy recovery.
"Alan Curtis will continue to carry out his duties for the fixture against the Canaries."
Swans coach Curtis took charge of the side at Emirates Stadium and said the win will have lifted Guidolin's spirits.
After Saturday's game against relegation rivals Norwich, the Swans travel to Bournemouth on 12 March and then bottom club Aston Villa visit the Liberty Stadium on 19 March.
Wednesday's victory moved Swansea six points above the relegation zone in 16th place. | Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin will miss Saturday's Premier League visit of Norwich as he remains in hospital to recover from a chest infection. |
39,726,845 | Cafodd ei ddewis wedi cyfarfod o aelodau yn Llangefni.
Mr Jones oedd Aelod Seneddol Môn o 1987 i 2001, a bu'n Aelod Cynulliad rhwng 1999 a 2013.
Albert Owen o'r blaid Lafur yw AS presennol yr ynys, wedi iddo gael ei ethol gyda mwyafrif o 229 o bleidleisiau dros ymgeisydd Plaid Cymru, John Rowlands, yn etholiad cyffredinol 2015.
Mae Mr Owen wedi cadarnhau y bydd yn sefyll eto ar 8 Mehefin.
Bu Mr Jones yn arweinydd Plaid Cymru o 2000 i 2012, ac ef oedd Dirprwy Brif Weinidog Cymru rhwng 2007 a 2011.
Gadawodd Mr Jones ei rôl fel AC yn 2013 i arwain Parc Gwyddoniaeth Menai.
Roedd sedd Ynys Môn yn nwylo'r Ceidwadwyr rhwng 1979 a 1987.
Fe fydd UKIP yn cyhoeddi enw eu hymgeisydd nhw ar gyfer yr etholaeth ddydd Iau.
Bydd rhestr lawn o ymgeiswyr ar gael unwaith i'r enwebiadau gau ar 11 Mai. | Mae cyn arweinydd Plaid Cymru Ieuan Wyn Jones wedi cael ei ddewis i sefyll yn enw'r blaid yn etholaeth Ynys Môn yn yr etholiad cyffredinol ar 8 Mehefin. |
38,494,328 | The Welsh Government marketing campaign aims to promote Wales' culture and heritage, and follows on from the 2016 Year of Adventure.
A "rich and inspiring" programme of events includes Dylan Thomas tours and trails, the unveiling of two major artworks and one of the world's biggest sporting events.
Funding is also available for projects.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said 2017 is not about looking backwards, but "bringing the past to life" with "cutting-edge innovation."
"It's about creating and celebrating new Welsh legends, modern-day personalities, products and events that are made in Wales, or enriched by coming here," he said.
The Welsh Government said £150m is spent on holidays in Wales every year where culture and heritage is the main activity, with 61% of overseas visitors citing Wales' historic sites as a key reason for their visit.
Visit Wales has already approved £1.28m for 35 projects as part of the Year of Legends, including:
Other highlights are the release of a new film about King Arthur and the UEFA Champions League final which will be held at the Principality Stadium in June.
There will also be a recognition of global talent inspired by Wales, from Roald Dahl to Dylan Thomas to J.R.R. Tolkien with tours and trails, as well as exhibitions and collections by Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. | Wales' past will be brought to life "like never before" as part of its 2017 Year of Legends. |
25,611,928 | Drivers can expect up to two weeks of disruption while work on the Northern Inner Distributor Road (NIDR) occurs.
The work, starting on Wednesday, will see the closure of the northbound carriageway of Staplegrove Road beyond Richmond Road for drainage work.
The one-mile (1.6 km) NIDR will see Staplegrove Road, in the west, linked to Priory Avenue in the east.
The project, which will also see a bridge built over the River Tone and the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal close to Priory Fields Business Park, is expected to be completed by the autumn.
Somerset County Council said the road would also help with the regeneration of the Firepool area.
Councillor Harvey Siggs, cabinet member for highways, said: "There will be some disruption, we are still asking everyone to be patient about it, to understand it's the end goal that's really worth having.
"Where we can we are running single lane traffic, but at times we will need to close roads completely." | The next phase of a £22m project to ease congestion in Taunton town centre is due to start. |
22,156,173 | The inquiry was conducted over nine months involving US and German experts.
It concluded that Wolfgang Priklopil in all likelihood acted alone when he abducted the 10-year-old in 1998.
Ms Kampusch escaped from a windowless cell in the suburb of the capital, Vienna, in 2006. Priklopil committed suicide the same day.
DNA tests and the questioning of 113 witnesses had led to theories being discounted that Priklopil had accomplices, the report said.
Ms Kampusch, now 25, has said that she never saw anyone else during her time in captivity.
"Although the involvement of others in the kidnap cannot be completely ruled out, there is no objective proof this was the case and no leads could be found," read the report commissioned last year by the Austrian parliament.
However, the head of the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, Joerg Ziercke, said there was no definitive scientific proof as Priklopil was no longer alive.
Conspiracy theories abounded after a schoolgirl said that she had seen Ms Kampusch being forced into a vehicle by two men. Her subsequent statements contradicted her initial testimony. The girl later withdrew her statement entirely.
Mr Ziercke said that the girl had mistakenly identified the kidnapper's car for another, seen a little later, where there were indeed two men sat inside.
Priklopil's car and house in Strasshof were searched for DNA and evidence of further suspects but nothing was found, he said.
The death of the unemployed telecoms engineer was confirmed as suicide, after the report authors re-interviewed the driver of the train that he threw himself in front of. | A new investigation into the kidnapping of Austrian girl Natascha Kampusch has debunked conspiracy theories, saying her captor "most likely" acted alone. |
32,142,212 | She died in a nursing home in Osaka, the city she was born in on 5 March 1898.
She is survived by three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Ms Okawa was recognised in 2013 as the world's oldest living person, as well as the world's oldest living woman, by Guinness World Records.
While celebrating her birthday earlier this month, Ms Okawa said that 117 years did not seem such a long time.
She also said the key to a long life was getting at least eight hours of sleep a night and eating sushi - her favourite food.
She said she particularly enjoyed mackerel on vinegar-steamed rice.
Her birthday celebration was shown on national television in Japan.
Born to a kimono-maker, Mrs Okawa married her husband Yukio in 1919. They lived in Kobe where he ran a business. When he died in 1931. she moved back to Osaka.
She lived across three centuries, seeing four emperors of Japan, six British monarchs, and 20 US presidents.
Craig Glenday, the editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, said previously of Ms Okawa: "Her impressive longevity... is an inspiration and a testament to the Japanese lifestyle."
Ms Okawa's name has since been taken down for the entry for the world's oldest living person on the organisation's site.
It is not yet known who now holds that record, but the site does state that the oldest living man is Sakari Momoi, also of Japan, who turned 112 in February.
The oldest person who has ever lived according to Guinness was Jeanne Calment of France, who lived 122 years and 164 days. She died in August 1997. | The world's oldest living person, Japan's Misao Okawa, has died from heart failure at the age of 117. |
36,889,819 | Speaking to the BBC, the co-chair of an inquiry into BHS compared Sir Philip unfavourably to late media magnate Robert Maxwell, who took millions from the Mirror Group's pension funds.
"This statement is highly defamatory and completely false," said law firm Schillings, representing Sir Philip.
Mr Field said he would not apologise.
He told BBC business editor Simon Jack that Sir Philip's conduct was "displacement therapy".
"Instead of writing a big cheque he is firing off lawyers' letters. He needs to stop messing around and write a big cheque".
His earlier remarks were made on Radio 4's Today programme.
The development came after a damning MPs' report, published on Monday, concluded Sir Philip, the billionaire former owner of BHS, extracted large sums and left the business on "life support".
The report, from the Business, Innovation and Skills and Work and Pensions committees and co-chaired by Mr Field, did not suggest that Sir Phillip had done anything illegal.
But it said his failure to resolve BHS's £571m pension deficit was a major factor in the firm's demise.
The pension scheme is now in the Pension Protection Fund, meaning that its 20,000 members will receive less money than they had expected
Sir Philip, responding late on Monday to the report, called it "the predetermined and inaccurate output of a biased and unfair process".
BHS is in the process of closing down after what the MPs' report called the "shambolic" ownership of Dominic Chappell, who bought the retail chain from Sir Philip for £1 last year.
BHS was "hurriedly sold to a manifestly unsuitable" buyer in that deal, even though Sir Philip knew Mr Chappell was a former bankrupt with no retail experience, the MPs found.
The sale went unchallenged because Sir Philip ran his retail empire as "a personal fiefdom", they said.
"With the benefit of hindsight, clearly Retail Acquisitions and Mr Chappell were a very bad choice as purchaser on many fronts and I feel badly let down," said Sir Philip.
But he said the sale of BHS was "made one hundred per cent in good faith".
"As I told the committees, I am trying to find a solution for the BHS pension and am continuing to work with the Regulator to achieve an outcome.
"I am sad and sorry for all the BHS people caught up in this horrid story, but I do not believe that this story is being in any way fairly portrayed."
Mr Field and Sir Philip have had a long-running feud, with the Monaco-based businessman accusing the Labour chair of the Work and Pensions Committee of bias and conducting a "trial by media".
Sir Philip originally refused to appear before MPs last month unless Mr Field resigned as chairman.
He eventually relented saying it "would be the first and only opportunity I have had to tell my side of the very sad BHS story."
25 July 2016
URGENT
Dear Sir
SIR PHILIP GREEN
We act for Sir Philip Green and write with reference to your interview on Radio 4's Today programme this morning.
In that interview you alleged that our client had stolen money, specifically from the BHS and Arcadia pension funds. This statement is highly defamatory and completely false.
Our client has never stolen any money from BHS, Arcadia or the pension funds and you know that. In particular, there is nothing in the recent Report of the Work and Pensions and Business, Innovation and Skills Committees, (the Report) (of which you were one of the Chairs) to support your allegation.
Clearly an allegation that our client is a thief is likely to cause him serious harm.
Further, in relation to the recent Parliamentary hearings and the Report and allegations made there you were protected by privilege. That does not apply to the interview this morning (or any others you intend to make).
In the circumstances, our client requires an immediate and fulsome apology in relation to the allegation (to be agreed in terms of the content and manner by this firm in advance of publication).
We look forward to hearing from you on this point within 24 hours. This matter is clearly urgent as your defamatory statements are being repeated in the media, for which you are undoubtedly liable.
The other remedies to which our client is clearly entitled will very much depend on form and manner of your response and in the meantime, all of our client's rights are reserved.
Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully
SCHILLINGS | Former BHS owner Sir Philip Green has demanded an "immediate apology" from MP Frank Field for comments he made about his running of the collapsed retailer. |
40,013,122 | Latest research suggests that by 2025 there could be nearly three million people over the age of 65 needing care in England and Wales - a 25% increase since 2015.
The Health Foundation last year estimated pressures on social care in Wales would rise by about 4.1% a year over the next 15 years due to population changes, the nature of complex and chronic conditions and rising costs.
It is a challenge that all levels of government have to grasp.
Social care covers everything from help in an individual's home for tasks such as washing and dressing, to round-the-clock help in a care home or nursing home.
The way the system works is different, depending on which part of the UK a person lives in.
But unlike the NHS, social care is not usually free.
Some people aged 65 and over will get help towards their costs, but others can pay the full cost.
Social care for the elderly takes up around a third of Welsh councils' social services budget - more than £550m in 2016-17.
IF SOCIAL CARE IS DEVOLVED, DOES UK POLICY STILL MATTER?
The devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each set their own rules.
But that is not to say that decisions made on social care in England would have no bearing at all on policy in Wales for example.
If the UK government decided that the state should contribute less and that a higher proportion of the social care budget in England should be paid for by the personal savings and incomes of individuals receiving care and their families.
Then that could mean less money being allocated to Wales from Westminster through the Barnett funding formula.
SO WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN WALES?
1: Care in own home
The maximum someone has to pay in Wales for care in their own home is capped in Wales at £70 per week.
Those with savings of less than £24,000 (not including the value of their own home) - could pay less.
But it is up to councils to determine whether a person's needs are severe enough to make them eligible for help - and most set the bar at the two highest levels - "substantial" or "critical".
However, from April 2016, everyone has a right to have their needs assessed.
The Welsh Government says 20,000 people in Wales benefit by paying this maximum or less for care in the home.
Councils get £13m to operate this cap.
2: Care homes
People with assets of more than £30,000 (including the value of their home if it is unoccupied) pay the full cost of their residential care but if your resources fall below £30,000, you then qualify for financial help.
The amount an individual then has to pay is determined on the basis of their income (e.g. from pensions or benefits).
The Welsh Government has pledged to increase the limit to £50,000 by the end of this assembly term in 2021. They say that could benefit about a quarter of the 4,000 or so people who currently pay the full cost of their care.
People who need nursing care (because of a health need) can get a contribution from the NHS towards their costs - and some could even get all their fees met.
Calculator: What is the cost of care in your area?
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The alternative options
Nick Servini on social care
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WHAT ABOUT ENGLAND?
As things stand, those with individual assets of more than £23,250 have to pay for the full cost of that care regardless of whether it is in a care home, nursing home or in their own home.
The value of a home (as in Wales) is only included if a patient receives care at a care or nursing home.
But from April 2020 - the UK government had delayed the original 2016 date - the cost of care was set to be capped at £72,000 from the age of 65 onwards.
However, that sum only included the care element. Some £230 a week of the costs charged by the care home will not count, as these are being classed as living costs that people would have to pay in the community to cover things such as accommodation, food and bills.
As in Wales, people needing nursing care get a contribution from the NHS towards their costs.
The Conservatives in their manifesto proposed a further revamp.
Under the plans nobody who has assets of less than £100,000 would have to pay for care.
But crucially that calculation included the value of the house - for people paying for care in their own homes.
If their assets are above £100,000 they will have to pay until their value reaches that cut-off point.
The party said nobody would have to sell their house in their lifetime, or that of a surviving partner, but ultimately care costs would be taken from their estate.
But following criticism the prime minister announced there would be an "absolute limit" on the money an individual would have to pay - although the manifesto mentioned no such cap.
SCOTLAND
In Scotland, anyone over 65 is entitled to free personal care if they are assessed as needing help.
It is up to local authorities to set their criteria for who is eligible. Most have set it at substantial or critical level.
Personal care includes support to wash, dress and prepare meals. It does not, however, cover the cost of supplying the meals or for tasks such as help with shopping.
Anyone who needs care which requires a qualified nurse have that provided free by the NHS.
If an individual is in a care or nursing home they will get £171 towards personal care and £78 towards their nursing care if they have a medical need.
However, they may be entitled to some help if their assets - and that could include their house - fall below £26,250 (it will rise to 26,500 in June 2017).
They will be assessed to see how much they can contribute.
Everyone is entitled to keep at least £16,250 (rising to £16,500 in June 2017).
NORTHERN IRELAND
Social care is much more integrated in Northern Ireland. There are five health and social care trusts, which assess the help people need.
For people over the age of 75 most care in the home is provided free.
Those who are under the age of 75 may have to pay towards their care. Any charges are at the discretion of the local trust.
If someone needs to be looked after in a care home or nursing home, those with assets of over £23,250 - and that may include the value of the individual's property - pay for the full cost of their care.
Those with less may be entitled to some help - and everyone gets to keep at least £14,250 of assets. | The number of older people affected by chronic conditions and disability is set to soar in the next eight years, experts have warned. |
40,152,481 | The 20-year-old finished on 11 under par to record his first European Tour victory.
Defending champion Fitzpatrick carded 68 on Sunday to briefly hold the clubhouse lead, while Wood needed to par the 18th to force a play-off.
Wood, who led heading into the final round in Malmo, Sweden, could only manage a bogey to finish tied second.
Having dropped a shot at the third, Paratore birdied back-to-back holes before the turn and added two more on the back nine.
He crucially saved par on the 18th after being fortunate to have a shot to the green following a wayward drive.
"I couldn't be happier," he told the European Tour. "I really enjoyed this win."
Playing in the group behind, Wood also pulled his tee shot on the last into the trees and was forced to take a penalty drop from an unplayable lie.
He made four birdies, but the the 29-year-old's scorecard was littered with bogeys, including that dropped shot at the last.
Jamie Donaldson of Wales finished four shots off the pace after leading on Friday.
Fitzpatrick, who won the second of his three European Tour titles in Malmo last year, recovered from a double bogey at the third to card one of the rounds of the day. | Italy's Renato Paratore won the Nordea Masters by one shot from Englishmen Chris Wood and Matthew Fitzpatrick. |
40,484,955 | The Serious Fraud Office case relates to the way Barclays raised billions of pounds from Qatari investors during the 2008 financial crisis.
Apart from Mr Varley the other three are former executives Roger Jenkins, Thomas Kalaris and Richard Boath.
All were bailed to appear at the next hearing on 17 July.
That will take place at Southwark Crown Court, where the accused, along with their former employer Barclays PLC, are expected to enter a plea.
All four were appearing at a preliminary hearing at Westminster magistrates court.
The charges mark the first time that any UK bank or its former top executives have appeared in a criminal court to face charges relating to the way they behaved during the financial crash.
The senior district judge, Emma Arbuthnot, told Mr Jenkins, aged 61, and Mr Kalaris, also aged 61, to pay bail of £500,000 each, as Mr Jenkins lives in the US and Mr Kalaris has dual nationality.
Mr Varley, aged 61, and Mr Boath, aged 58, were given unconditional bail.
The BBC understands that the four former executives all intend to plead not guilty at the next hearing. | Four ex-Barclays bankers, including the former chief executive John Varley, have appeared in court charged with fraud. |
36,465,881 | Daren Metropoulos, 32, is buying the near 22,000-sq-ft (2,040-sq-m) property, which was on the market for $200m (£138m).
He bought the neighbouring property from Mr Hefner in 2009 for $18m.
Mr Metropoulos is a principal at Metropoulos & Co, which is run by his father Dean.
"The heritage of this property transcends its celebrity and to have the opportunity to serve as its steward would be a true privilege," Daren Metropoulos told The Wall Street Journal.
The mansion was built in 1927 and purchased by Playboy in 1971 for a reported $1.1m, making it the most valuable real estate deal in Los Angeles at the time.
It features a tennis court, free-form swimming pool, wine cellar, home theatre and games house but needs renovating to meet the same standards as other Beverly Hills homes.
Neither party has confirmed what the mansion was sold for.
Mr Hefner, 90, has the right to remain living in the property until his death. The LA estate eventually replaced the original Playboy Mansion, which opened in 1959 in Chicago.
Playboy Enterprises put the mansion up for sale as part of a change in corporate strategy forced by the rise of free online porn.
Both its magazine and website have banished pictures of fully nude women, which has boosted online traffic. However, it now makes most of its revenue from licensing the Playboy logo on merchandise.
Metropoulos & Co is best known for rescuing Hostess, the snack food company that makes Twinkies and other calorific treats.
The firm, along with fellow private equity house Apollo, bought the "snack cake" division of Hostess in 2013, after the company filed for bankruptcy, for $410m.
Daren's brother Evan Metropoulos said at the time: "It's an iconic brand and it's something that millions of Americans love and enjoy. It's very much worth saving." | The Playboy mansion, home to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, is being sold to a private equity boss who lives next door. |
35,881,196 | Professor of social work Ray Jones told the Education Committee family support services were being "decimated" because of council cuts.
He cited predictions of a 71% cut in funding to family support and early intervention services in England.
The government said it was up to councils to set local services.
"Councils are ultimately responsible for deciding what services are needed in their area, and we are giving them almost £200bn to spend on local services by 2020 to support this," said a spokeswoman.
But Prof Jones said ongoing cuts were putting pressure on the child protection system.
He said early intervention and family support services should be retained rather than cut.
"Children's centres are closing, funding for voluntary organisations like Home Start is being turned off," he said.
"The consequence is that we are escalating children and families into the child protection proceduralisation and bureaucracy, because this is the only resource we have for those children.
"It's threatening for families and children, it's demoralising for social workers, and we are overheating the child protection system."
His comments were backed up by councillor Roy Perry, chairman of the children and young people board of the Local Government Association.
He said: "Prevention is clearly better than cure, so putting money into early services is important.
"In my council, and in councils across England, there's a lot of worry that there's less resources available for youth work, youth clubs, family support work and children's centres, and that is an issue.
"The resources need to be targeted and focused more closely."
He said: "The issue now is that councils are having to protect their investment in child social workers and social work teams, but that does mean that there are frankly less resources available for those other activities."
Prof Jones was citing figures from the Losing in the Long Run report, jointly published by Action for Children, Children's Society and National Children's Bureau earlier this month.
It suggests funding from central government for early intervention projects, such as teenage pregnancy support, respite care for disabled children and family and support services, would see cuts from £1bn to £3.2bn over the next four years.
Although local authorities will gain powers to pay for services through local business taxes, most councillors surveyed for the report feared there would be cuts to these services.
The government spokeswoman said statutory guidance made it clear councils should work closely with other services to identify, as early as possible, children who may be at risk.
"Funding for children's services, including the early intervention grant, is non-ring-fenced to give local authorities the flexibility to focus on locally determined priorities," she added. | Struggling families are being pushed into the child protection system because early intervention services are not available, MPs have heard. |
40,263,797 | The award is chosen by a race management team, which includes clerk of the course Gary Thompson and rider liaison officer Richard Quayle.
Norton were the only team to have two top-10 finishers in both the Superbike and Senior TT races.
The team were represented by the Australian pair of David Johnson and Josh Brookes.
Brookes also improved the fastest Mountain Course lap by a Norton rider to 130.883 mph, with Johnson also achieving a 130 mph lap in the Senior event.
Team spokesman Stuart Garner said: "I'm really pleased to win this award but it reflects exactly what we've strived to create at Norton - a team." | British motorcycle manufacturer Norton has been given the team award for technical excellence at the TT races. |
32,594,556 | Now, of course, no self-respecting gym is without one. They are comfortably the best-selling piece of gym equipment in the US.
They appeal to everyone from amateurs to Olympians, if nothing else, because it may seem a far more comfortable option than pounding the streets in the depth of winter.
But how safe are they?
The question has been raised by the sudden death of Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Dave Goldberg, who was found lying next to a machine at a Mexican resort.
The SurveyMonkey chief executive had slipped, banged his head and later died of his injuries.
About 24,000 people were admitted to US hospitals last year with treadmill-related injuries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates, with slips and strains the most common causes.
But deaths are rare, with 30 reported deaths over a 12-year period to 2012, according to the CPSC, and not all of these are caused by hazards specific to treadmills. Some people suffer heart attacks from the exercise, for example.
Indeed, you are more likely to be killed by lightning than by exercising on a treadmill. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 261 people died in the US after being struck by lightning between 2006 and 2013.
Children, however, are at particular risk.
The daughter of US boxer Mike Tyson died after becoming entangled in the cable of a treadmill, and there are numerous cases of children suffering severe friction burns after trapping fingers and hands in the revolving belt.
Australia has even launched a public campaign on the dangers of treadmills to young children.
Few gym companies in the UK approached for information responded, but LA fitness said that the number of people injured on treadmills was "low - just 2% of all our accidents".
The company recommends being properly inducted on machines, knowing the safety features, having water at hand and not looking at your feet when you are running as among the best ways to stay safe.
And any inherent risks in with exercise need to be contrasted with the risks of inactivity.
Advice on exercising can appear confusing - one recent report suggested that intensive training may be as bad as not jogging at all.
But World Health Organization advice remains that adults should do at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week. | It will surprise no-one familiar with the relentless whir of a treadmill to learn they were once used to a punish inmates in 19th century British workhouses. |
40,031,692 | Its Welsh manifesto will also say mental health services should get "parity" with physical treatment.
Neil Hamilton, leader of UKIP's assembly group, said it was a "vigorous document" with Wales "at its heart".
UKIP is resuming election campaigning on Thursday, which parties had paused after Monday's terror attack.
Other political parties are due to re-start their campaigns over the next few days, with just two weeks to go until polling day on 8 June.
Pledges in the UKIP Welsh manifesto will include:
Mr Hamilton called the document, entitled Wales Into the World, a post-Brexit "full-spectrum vision".
"From taking those earning minimum wage out of income tax altogether to putting mental health on an equal footing with physical health; our manifesto is a vigorous document filled with domestic policies with Wales at its heart," he said.
"This manifesto is specific to Wales and will accompany the national manifesto being launched in Westminster."
Mr Hamilton, who is also standing as a parliamentary candidate in June, will launch the manifesto in Cardiff Bay on Thursday morning.
The party performed badly in local elections earlier this month, failing to win any Welsh seats. | Election plans to cap government costs, scrap police and crime commissioners and give parents more rights over schools will be revealed by UKIP later. |
23,806,756 | The 41-year-old will star opposite British actor Henry Cavill, who will reprise his role as Superman from the most recent film, Man of Steel.
Director Zack Snyder revealed the big screen superhero mash-up at a comic convention in San Diego last month.
Production is expected to begin next year for release in the summer of 2015.
"We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics' most enduringly popular super heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill and then some," Warner Bros President Greg Silverman said in a statement.
Mr Snyder, who also directed Man of Steel, said in a statement that Mr Affleck will provide an "interesting counter-balance" to 31-year old Cavill's Clark Kent.
"(Affleck) has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne," said Snyder. "I can't wait to work with him."
The sequel - which has yet to be given a title - will reunite Man of Steel stars Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Laurence Fishburne (Perry White) and Diane Lane (Martha Kent).
Christian Bale most recently played Batman in director Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.
Michael Keaton and George Clooney have also donned the black mask and cape in previous Batman films.
Ben Affleck's film Argo, which he starred in and directed, won an Academy Award for best picture earlier this year.
The superhero genre is not new to Mr Affleck, who previously starred as the blind hero in the 2003 Daredevil film based on the Marvel Comics.
Batman and Superman are part of DC Comics universe, which is part of the Warner Bros Entertainment division.
Revenues from the latest films featuring Superman and Batman have exceeded $1bn (£655m) in recent years. | Ben Affleck has been cast as Batman in a forthcoming Superman sequel, bringing together the two superheroes in one film for the first time. |
36,545,015 | A government statement said they were found near the small desert town of Assamakka.
Interior Minister Bazoum Mohammed said it appeared they had died of thirst after being abandoned by their smuggler.
Niger lies on a major migrant route between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
Mr Mohammed said nine of the adults were women and five were men. He said members of the group had died between 6 and 12 June.
Two victims have been identified as Nigerian but the nationalities of the others are not yet clear.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says about 120,000 people crossed through Niger's arid northern Agadez region last year.
Thousands of illegal migrants have travelled to Algeria in recent years, most of them via Mali and Niger. People smugglers have largely avoided Libya since it descended into political chaos. | Niger says the bodies of 34 migrants, including 20 children, have been found in the Sahara Desert near the border with Algeria. |
38,904,663 | Ex-Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi "Farmajo" Mohamed beat President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a surprise result.
The vote was held at the heavily guarded airport complex in the capital, Mogadishu, as the rest of the country is too dangerous.
Traffic was banned and a no-fly zone imposed over the city to prevent attacks by militant Islamists.
Despite this, suspected militants fired mortar rounds close to the venue on Tuesday night.
Somalia has not had a one-person one-vote democratic election since 1969.
That vote was followed by a coup, dictatorship and conflict involving clan militias and Islamist extremists.
Mr Mohamed's election is part of a lengthy and complex process to help the East African state rebuild its democracy and achieve stability.
More than 20,000 African Union (AU) troops are stationed in Somalia to prevent militant Islamist group al-Shabab from overthrowing the weak government.
The new president is popularly known as "Farmajo", from the Italian for cheese, because of his love for the dairy product.
Much of Somalia was a former Italian colony.
Thousands of Somalis quickly took to the streets to celebrate Mr Mohamed victory and cheering soldiers from the Somali army fired into the air, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Mr Mohamed is seen as a Somali nationalist, and his chances of winning increased after Somalia's arch-rival, Ethiopia, was seen to be backing the defeated president.
Mr Mohamed obtained 184 votes, compared with 97 for the outgoing president, who accepted defeat, avoiding a third and final vote.
"History was made, we have taken this path to democracy, and now I want to congratulate Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo," Mr Mohamud said in his concession speech.
Yes. The election hall, a converted aircraft hangar packed with MPs, was at the Mogadishu international airport complex.
It is viewed as the most secure site in Somalia, as the main AU base is there.
The vote was moved to the airport complex from a police academy because of growing fears that al-Shabab could strike.
The 2012 presidential vote was held at the academy, and the 2007 and 2004 vote in neighbouring Kenya and Djibouti respectively.
Yes.
A woman, Fadumo Dayib, had said she would stand but pulled out saying it was marred by corruption. However she has welcomed Mr Mohamed's victory.
More than 20 entered the race on Wednesday, but the number was reduced to two after two rounds of voting.
At least 16 of the original candidates have dual citizenship - nine hold US passports, four UK passports and three Canadian passports, according to a leading Somali private radio station.
Many Somalis obtained dual nationality after fleeing the decades-long conflict. The US, UK, Kenya and South Africa are among countries where many Somalis have settled.
The militants are suspected to have been behind a series of attacks on the eve of the vote, with two mortar rounds fired close to the voting venue.
Residents in Arbacow village outside Mogadishu say militants also attacked an AU base there.
Al-Shabab has a presence in much of the southern third of the country and has previously attacked the Somali parliament, presidential palace, courts, hotels and the fortified airport zone.
At least 19 politicians, as well as many civilians and soldiers, have been killed in its assaults.
Wednesday's security measures include a ban on flights to and from Mogadishu airport.
Who are al-Shabab?
Apart from achieving stability in a country that has not had an functioning government since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, he has to tackle corruption.
Unconfirmed reports said votes were being sold for up to $30,000 (£24,000) in a country heavily funded by foreign donors, and where most people are poor.
"This is probably the most expensive election, per vote, in history,'' Mogadishu-based anti-corruption group Marqaati said on Tuesday, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Ahead of the vote, the United Nations' envoy to Somalia, Michael Keating, told the BBC the new president would have to tackle corruption.
"It sets the stage for the next president to do something about it. In fact the credibility of the next president will revolve around whether he takes decisive action," he said.
Analysts say holding the election at the airport complex is also aimed at reducing the possibility of vote buying or other corruption during the election process.
Yes. The UN and AU see the vote as a building block in efforts to create a stable democracy in the hope that the next president will be chosen in a one-person one-vote election.
They cannot ignore Somalia. It is strategically important for international trade, as it lies along the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Foreign navies, including those of the US and China, have a strong presence in the region. They have succeeded in reducing piracy, which was a very big problem until a few years ago.
The US also has a huge military base in neighbouring Djibouti, using it to carry out air strikes on militants in Somalia.
Some analysts also fear that the conflict across the sea in Yemen could spill over into Somalia.
There have been reports that some groups are smuggling weapons into Yemen via the Eastern African state, increasing pressure on foreign powers to improve security in the region. | Somalia's MPs have elected a Somali-US national as the country's new president in a vote held in an aircraft hangar. |
40,555,624 | Stephen Hough, 58, is accused of Janet Commins' rape, sexual assault, murder and manslaughter but denies the charges.
Mr Hough said he could not explain why DNA matching his was found on her body.
Mold Crown Court heard he also denied once telling his ex-wife he had killed someone.
Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Hough was asked by his barrister, Patrick Harrington QC: "Did you have anything to do with her death?"
"No sir," he replied.
The court has previously heard another man, Noel Jones, admitted killing Janet at the time and served half of a 12-year sentence for her manslaughter.
He has never challenged his conviction, but he insists he did not kill her and has told the trial his signed confession statements were made up by police.
Eric Evans, the former detective who was in charge of the original investigation, told the court nobody thought to offer Jones a solicitor during the initial stages of his questioning.
Asked why, Mr Evans said it was because he wanted to investigate "properly and thoroughly". He said police could be "impeded" by solicitors representing clients.
"There was no requirement in those days for a person to be advised that he could have a solicitor," he said.
The court heard the Police and Criminal Evidence Act - designed to strike a balance between protecting individuals' rights and a fair investigation - was not brought into force until 1986.
Asking Mr Evans about an interview between him and Noel Jones, Mr Heywood said: "It was an interview between a senior police officer and a barely-literate 18-year-old. It's hardly a battle of equals Mr Evans, is it?"
"If you say so," he replied.
Mr Hough was asked in court if he knew Mr Jones.
He replied "no", adding he also did not know Janet or another man, Michael Orford, who Mr Jones previously claimed was involved in her death.
No evidence was offered against Mr Orford at the first trial.
Asked about being questioned by police following Janet's death, Mr Hough said he admitted siphoning petrol on the night Janet died - an offence for which he was later prosecuted and fined.
He also told the jury he had been masturbating in his car that night because he had no privacy to do so at home.
Asked about evidence his former wife gave claiming he had once told her he had killed someone, he denied any such conversation had taken place.
During cross examination, Mark Heywood QC, for the prosecution, said: "In early January 1976, on ground you knew very well, you raped... and murdered that little girl, didn't you?"
"No sir, I did not."
Mr Haywood claimed Mr Hough gave "no comment" responses during police interviews because he did not think his answers "would stand up to scrutiny".
He added DNA samples matching Mr Hough's and found on Janet's body proved his guilt.
Mr Heywood said: "Face reality Mr Hough. It's the evidence that proves what you did to Janet, isn't it?"
Mr Hough replied: "I do not know where they came from sir."
The case continues. | A man accused of murdering a 15-year-old schoolgirl in 1976 has told a court he had nothing to do with her death. |
21,259,913 | The haul of nearly 500 items, "the most important gift of its type to a British museum for over a century", was donated by the late collector Michael Wellby.
The collection includes a rare lapis lazuli bowl, made by Dutch goldsmith Paulus van Vianen, valued at £3m.
A selection of the objects will go on temporary display from next month.
They will be housed in the museum's West Meets East gallery before the entire collection is showcased in a permanent gallery.
Professor Tim Wilson, keeper of the department of western art, said: "The Ashmolean is extremely grateful to Michael and his family.
"This is the most important accession of objects of this sort to any UK museum since the bequest of objects from Waddesdon Manor by Ferdinand Rothschild to the British Museum in 1898."
Much of the collection was assembled in the 1940s from German sources, and Professor Wilson conceded some of the pieces may later transpire to have been looted by the Nazis.
He told the BBC's Arts and Culture Correspondent, David Sillito: "Michael was never terribly forthcoming about where things have come from so there's quite a lot of research about that to be done.
"It is perfectly true that these are the kinds of objects which Jewish collectors had in quantity. It is not impossible that one or two of these objects may, as research goes on, prove to have come from collections which were the subject of spoliation during the Nazi period.
"The British Government has a very honourable system of dealing with claims from affected families. The museum is fully signed up to that."
However, an Ashmolean spokesman added: "There is no reason to suppose Mr Wellby ever knowingly acquired any object that he knew or had reason to believe to have been looted from or sold under duress by a Jewish family in the period of Nazi rule".
Wellby, who died last year, was a renowned Mayfair dealer, specialising in German silver of the 16th and 17th Centuries. He sold many of the pieces he acquired through the family business but held on to some of the more exceptional items for his personal collection.
One of the most significant pieces is a silver gilt ewer, or pitcher, made in Portugal around 1510-15, which is enamelled with the Royal Arms of Portugal.
Other pieces incorporate ivory, agate, shell, and rock crystal.
Wellby's personal jewellery collection was auctioned off at Sotheby's last month, raising more than £2.8m. | A stunning collection of Renaissance silverware worth tens of millions of pounds has been bequeathed to Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum. |
38,433,596 | In a game bereft of clear-cut chances, there were just four efforts on target throughout the whole 90 minutes.
Middlesbrough wanted a penalty when Robert Huth brought down Adama Traore and Boro's Gaston Ramirez lashed the best opportunity wide from six yards.
Leicester, without a Premier League away win this season compared to 11 in last term's title-winning campaign, saw Leonardo Ulloa head a corner straight at Brad Guzan.
Boro move four points clear of the drop zone, while Leicester have a six-point cushion.
Possibly the most interesting event at the Riverside came after the game, when Huth admitted he should have conceded a penalty.
The German defender tried to get out of the way as Traore wormed his way into the area in the first half, and even though he made contact with the Boro winger, referee Bobby Madley waved away the appeals.
"We got lucky," Huth told Sky Sports.
Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, watching the game for BBC Radio 5 live, disagreed with Huth, saying: "There is nothing you can do as a defender. There is contact, but contact does not mean a penalty kick."
The point for Boro will be a minor consolation after conceding two late goals to lose at Manchester United on Saturday.
But it means they come out of the festive period with just one goal - and no wins - from three games.
Only Hull City have scored fewer goals than Boro's 17 in the Premier League this season and their lack of creativity against Leicester prevented them turning a draw into a win.
Left-back Friend - a first-half substitute for the injured Antonio Barragan - was often their most dangerous attacking outlet as he provided a number of dangerous crosses his team-mates failed to capitalise on.
Leicester's 1-0 win over West Ham at the weekend meant they were under less pressure to pick up all the points at the Riverside.
But they will now be without influential playmaker Riyad Mahrez potentially until early February, as he leaves to join the Algeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mahrez has not been at his best this season though, and in the victory over West Ham it was the combination of Marc Albrighton and Islam Slimani that proved to be the Foxes' most potent weapon.
But with Slimani missing out with a fever - and himself primed for Algeria duty - and Albrighton on the bench, it is a struggle to see where Leicester's attacking thrust will come from over the next few weeks.
Perhaps from Jamie Vardy, who will return from a three-match suspension to face Everton in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka: "I am pleased with the players because it's two days after the tough defeat on Saturday against Manchester United.
"We played against a team who won the league last season and are in the Champions League - but we were better than them.
"I am happy with the performance but we could not score the goal."
Media playback is not supported on this device
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri: "I am pleased with the point because we came here looking for a minimum of one point.
"We defended well and showed good spirit. We wanted to do more but it was difficult because they closed down our actions well. It is an important point to start 2017 with.
"We were not lucky today. I am very, very happy."
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It's FA Cup third-round weekend coming up, so Leicester travel to Everton on Saturday in an all-Premier League tie, while Middlesbrough host Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
Match ends, Middlesbrough 0, Leicester City 0.
Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 0, Leicester City 0.
Attempt saved. Andy King (Leicester City) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Daniel Amartey with a headed pass.
Foul by Gastón Ramírez (Middlesbrough).
Andy King (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Adam Clayton (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Attempt missed. Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Marc Albrighton with a cross.
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Grant Leadbitter replaces Adam Forshaw.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough) because of an injury.
Fabio (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City).
Substitution, Leicester City. Marc Albrighton replaces Nampalys Mendy.
Attempt missed. Gastón Ramírez (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Stewart Downing replaces Adama Traoré.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Ahmed Musa (Leicester City) because of an injury.
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Ahmed Musa.
Substitution, Leicester City. Demarai Gray replaces Shinji Okazaki.
Substitution, Leicester City. Ahmed Musa replaces Riyad Mahrez.
Attempt saved. Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Christian Fuchs with a cross.
Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Fabio.
Attempt missed. George Friend (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Adam Forshaw.
Foul by Adam Clayton (Middlesbrough).
Andy King (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Fabio (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Adama Traoré (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Christian Fuchs (Leicester City).
Attempt blocked. Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Leonardo Ulloa.
Foul by Gastón Ramírez (Middlesbrough).
Daniel Amartey (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Gastón Ramírez (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Danny Simpson (Leicester City).
Attempt missed. Andy King (Leicester City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Christian Fuchs.
Attempt blocked. Gastón Ramírez (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fabio.
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Christian Fuchs.
Attempt saved. George Friend (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Second Half begins Middlesbrough 0, Leicester City 0.
First Half ends, Middlesbrough 0, Leicester City 0.
Marten de Roon (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. | Middlesbrough and Leicester played out a dull goalless draw at the Riverside to boost their respective effort to pull clear of the bottom three. |
39,227,384 | "In 2016, money politics and power-for-money deals controlled the presidential election, which was full of lies and farces," it said.
"There were no guarantees of political rights."
The US regularly accuses China of ignoring human rights - its own annual report on human rights in almost 200 countries was released last week.
The US report said Chinese civil society groups suffered "repression and coercion" and accused Beijing of curtailing freedoms in Hong Kong and Macau.
As well as sharp criticisms of American democracy, Beijing's report - which drew heavily on US media coverage - also highlighted cases of police violence and racism.
It accused the US of "wielding 'the baton of human rights'" while "paying no attention to its own terrible human rights problems".
"With the gunshots lingering in people's ears behind the Statue of Liberty, worsening racial discrimination and the election farce dominated by money politics, the self-proclaimed human rights defender has exposed its human rights 'myth' with its own deeds," it said.
Beijing strictly curtails freedom of speech and is frequently criticised for arbitrary detentions, official brutality, widespread corruption, a lack of transparency, a pliant judiciary and little in the way of democracy.
It is also extremely sensitive to criticism and has cracked down on domestic critics. | An annual report by China on human rights in the US has accused it of corruption, hypocrisy and brutality. |
33,253,254 | The men, all journalists, share space with bulky cameras, tapes and tripods. It is suffocating, but no-one complains.
"This room is our shared office. We share resources and stories too," one man, who works as a television reporter says with a wry smile.
Shahjahanpur may be a small town by Indian standards, (population 400,000 as of 2011) but it boasts of no fewer than 150 journalists. Poor communications and woefully inadequate infrastructure have not deterred them from their chosen profession.
They are currently working on a story that saw their town catapulted into the national spotlight.
Ironically, it is about the death of one of their fraternity, Jagender Singh, who succumbed to burn injuries following a police raid on his house in early June.
Mr Singh had worked alongside them in this very room until a few years ago when he decided that social media was a more potent force than conventional platforms.
So he ran a Facebook page with thousands of followers, where he posted largely unconfirmed stories on corruption involving government officials and ministers.
Mr Singh's son Rajan told the BBC that his father was regularly harassed by police officers at the behest of a state minister, Ram Murti Singh Verma, who was reportedly a regular subject of Mr Singh's stories.
He alleged that, on the day his father died, a group of policemen acting on Mr Verma's orders set him on fire during a raid on their home.
In a final statement from his hospital bed, the journalist also accused Mr Verma of setting him on fire.
The minister has denied the allegations and the ruling Uttar Pradesh government has firmly stood behind him. The police have said that Mr Verma set himself on fire, and they tried to save him.
However, following pressure from national media, police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) on the murder, charging the minister as well as four policemen.
Mr Singh's family have since received compensation from the state government, but have demanded the suspension of Mr Verma as a minister. They say they will return the money unless the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) takes over the investigation.
In another incident not long after the death of Mr Singh, another journalist, Sandeep Kothari from Madhya Pradesh in central India, was also burnt to death. Like Mr Singh, Mr Kothari wrote on corruption, but he specifically targeted the mining mafia.
The two deaths are the latest in a number of attacks on journalists working in towns outside India's big cities. They say their confidence is shaken and that they fear for their lives.
The Press Council of India (PCI) says 79 journalists have been murdered in India over the past 25 years.
Sharat Pradhan, a senior journalist in Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, once led a powerful journalists' union but left in disgust because he said the organisation had failed to effectively raise security issues.
Mr Pradhan says there is no official data on attacks, but claims there have been several high profile cases of assaults in his state over the past few years.
In one incident, a journalist from Pilibhit town, also in Uttar Pradesh, was tied to a motorcycle and dragged for over a mile until he fell unconscious. No-one knows what prompted the attack.
In another instance, state reporter Nikhil Mishra says he was threatened after he wrote about destitute women being ill-treated in a shelter.
On 24 June, some local reporters who went to cover a public outcry against unsatisfactory road repair works say the contractors threatened them with dire consequences if they covered the event.
Shiv Kumar, a reporter who works in Shahjahanpur for a national TV channel says journalism has become risky.
"We often get threats. Police try to create rifts between journalists. It suits them if we are divided. We are used to intimidation from all sides", he says.
"We have to work with them. We can't antagonise them", one small-town journalist said of their relationship with local politicians and policemen.
Sardar Sharma was Jagender Singh's boss for three years. He lamented the loss of respect for journalists and blamed reporters themselves for the situation.
"There is a criminal nexus between many journalists, politicians and police. Such journalists are fake. They indulge in extortion and blackmail. They have let us down", he said.
According to Mr Sharma, these "fake" journalists obtain ID cards from fly-by-night media companies by paying them between 5,000 and 10,000 rupees ($80-160).
He alleges that the state has a number of newspapers which have paltry circulation figures, but "thrive on government ads".
Nearly all journalists in small towns and cities like Shahjahanpur don't have permanent jobs and work as freelancers.
Media companies pay them only for published stories. A Hindi daily newspaper pays 150 rupees for a published news story, while a TV channel pays 700 rupees per story. So even if a print journalist gets 10 stories published a month, he will still earn less than a daily wage worker.
In stark contrast, reporters who earn salaried incomes from reputed media outlets in big cities earn hundreds of times more.
Furthermore, when reporters are not attached to a specific media organisation, it is much easier to intimidate and threaten them.
Prem Shankar Gangwar works for a Delhi-based national TV channel. He argues that if local journalists are regularised and made permanent, "70% of our problems will be solved".
Mohammed Irfan, an executive member of the National Union of Journalists, says this is a real concern for journalists.
"Our unions have raised these issues with management and with successive governments but so far without much success," he says. | A small group of men in a dingy room busily tap on their keyboards on a hot afternoon in Shahjahanpur, in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. |
30,133,597 | The software is being used to help movie makers cut the costs of planning action sequences.
The technique has already been used to "pre-visualise" scenes that were later filmed for the blockbuster Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
The team at Abertay believe it could significantly reduce the costs of preparatory work in the film business.
Technology lecturer Matthew Bett explained how "pre-visualisation" works.
Directors are able to position virtual cameras and change lenses to work out the best way to film an action sequence.
"It's a digital process of creating assets for the film, creating sets, creating camera shots mocking up, in a computer-generated way, a very early representation of what the film will be and look like," he said.
"That allows budgets to be fixed, allows directors to give creative input to the film at that stage, and allows the rest of the production to fall into line."
The team say they have succeeded in using relatively cheap games technology to do the job currently being done at huge expense in Hollywood.
"We're taking a piece of games technology and using it in place of some very expensive custom hardware that is being used by the film industry to achieve virtual production techniques," Mr Betts said. | Research at Abertay University in Dundee is applying computer games technology to the film industry. |
39,932,871 | Lloyds Bank said the government will see a return of £21.2bn on its investment.
At the height of the financial crisis taxpayers owned 43% of Lloyds.
Its return to the private sector is in stark contrast with the other bailed-out bank - Royal Bank of Scotland - that is still 73% owned by taxpayers.
The government has been slowly selling down its stake in Lloyds for the past five years.
Ministers have claimed that all the public money used to buy Lloyds shares has been returned.
However, the true cost is disputed, with some critics claiming the lost interest has not been taken into account.
Others have argued that the heavy losses previously suffered by Lloyds also hit the government's stake.
Either way, the £20.3bn of public funds used to buy the shares had already been recouped due to dividend payments made to all shareholders.
At last week's annual meeting, Lloyds chief executive António Horta Osorio told shareholders he expected the government to make at least £500m from the bailout.
But on Wednesday morning he said the true figure was closer to £900m and called Lloyds one of the "strongest banks" in the world.
He also said the government had received more money than was originally invested.
"The fact that the government decided to use taxpayers' money, which is a last resort, to put £20.3bn in Lloyds at the time is evidence that the bank was in a very difficult situation," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"When I arrived six years ago the bank was in a very difficult financial situation and not focused on its customers in the UK."
The shares have been sold off by Morgan Stanley at below the 73.5p average price paid in the three-stage bailout.
But taking the dividend payments into account means the total £20bn outlay has already been repaid.
Former chancellor George Osborne had hoped to offer the shares at a discount direct to the public, with a campaign similar to the classic Tell Sid campaign for British Gas in the 1980s.
Reaction from the City was broadly positive.
"Lloyds is now back to business as usual, and the withdrawal of a large seller from the market should be positive for the share price," said Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
"The Treasury won't be making a song and dance about the Lloyds sale, seeing as we are in a period of purdah running up to the general election.
"Indeed the champagne corks should probably be kept on ice seeing as the taxpayer has only broken even on the face value of the Lloyds bailout, and is still nursing a loss if you factor in the borrowing costs associated with stumping up the money back in 2009."
The turnaround has not been without pain. About 57,000 jobs have been cut at Lloyds as it returned to profitability.
The EU also forced the bank to sell 600 branches due to competition rules and £17bn was set aside to fund PPI misselling - the biggest bill for any of the banks caught up in the scandal.
"We were the first bank of the big banks to drop legal actions that were dragging paying PPI and I was the first bank to drop that legal action and start addressing s the issue seriously. It was a bad product this had to be done [fixed] on principle and not in terms on financial provisions," Mr Horta Osório added.
But this year a £4.3bn profit - the biggest in a decade - finally allowed the bank to put its past behind it.
While the sale of the Lloyds stake marks a major turning point for the bank, taxpayers' other bailed-out institution - RBS - remains firmly in government hands.
RBS was rescued with a £45bn bailout in 2008 and 2009 and has failed to turn a profit since.
The bank recently posted a ninth consecutive year in the red, with losses of £7bn, bringing total losses since the bailout to £58bn.
The lender still faces £5.9bn of charges related to historic misconduct issues and potential legal costs.
A £400m pot has also been set aside to compensate small business owners and customers of its controversial Global Restructuring Group.
The now-defunct division secretly tried to profit from struggling businesses, leaked documents showed last year. | The government has confirmed its remaining shares in Lloyds Banking Group have been sold, eight years after pumping in £20bn to save it. |
34,968,349 | A handball decision against Taylor gave James Milner the chance to earn victory from the penalty spot for the Reds.
Taylor believes referee Anthony Taylor was wrong, but felt his side played well despite falling to their ninth league loss in 10 starts.
"We played well and turned the corner a bit as a performance," said Taylor.
"But we obviously haven't got the result which is disappointing and hard to swallow.
"The performance was good, the boys played well and I think overall we can be proud of what we did and we frustrated Liverpool."
But defeat meant dropping a place to 15th in the table, one place below Chelsea and four points off the relegation zone.
Swansea's plight has led to speculation over manager Garry Monk's future, but Taylor believes the display at Anfield was an improvement.
"We got back to how we wanted to play and how we have been playing so we're happy with that," said the Wales international.
Taylor felt he was legitimately protecting his face when Jordan Ibe's cross struck his arm, leading to the penalty award.
"I don't think the ref was going to give it. Time stood still for about 10 seconds, the crowd shouted loud enough and it's a pen," lamented Taylor. | Defender Neil Taylor believes Swansea City "turned a corner" with the manner of their performance in Sunday's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool. |
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