Police reprimand Kelly over parade

6 January 2014 Last updated at 18:24 GMT

Police reprimand Gerry Kelly over parade Land Rover incident

Gerry Kelly was carried for a short distance on the front of a police vehicle

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said police have given him a formal reprimand over an incident in which he was carried on the front of a PSNI Land Rover.

The incident followed the loyalist Tour of the North parade in Belfast.

Mr Kelly said he had been given "an informed warning relating to my actions in standing with the community".

"I believed at the time I did the right thing. I was part of calming a very difficult situation," he said.

"I have always believed that this is a matter which should not be brought before the courts."

An informed warning is a formal reprimand by the police.

While it is not a conviction, it is recorded on a person's criminal record for 12 months.

Walcott ruled out for six months

6 January 2014 Last updated at 18:23

Arsenal's Theo Walcott ruled out for six months

Arsenal's Theo Walcott will miss the World Cup after being ruled out for at least six months with a knee injury suffered against Tottenham on Saturday.

More to follow.

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LG shows off TVs running webOS

6 January 2014 Last updated at 18:19 GMT

LG shows off first smart TVs running webOS software

By Leo Kelion Technology reporter

LG says its webOS user interface represents "a new paradigm" for smart TVs

Continue reading the main story

LG has shown off a "simplified" way to control and find content on its smart TVs using the webOS operating system.

The user interface (UI), which features sliding card graphics, is powered by software originally created for Palm smartphones, which the South Korean firm bought from its previous owner HP last year,

LG said more than 70% of its smart TVs released this year would use webOS.

Analysts had complained LG's earlier menu system had been too confusing.

The firm unveiled the new technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where many of its rivals are also showing off new televisions.

Card-based menus

The centre-piece of the new UI is Launcher - a scrollable menu that runs across the bottom part of the screen, allowing the owner to switch between content.

Different coloured cards are used to represent on-air programmes; internet-based movies and shows from firms including Netflix and Amazon; apps including Twitter and Skype; and media stored on other devices.

The idea, the company said, was to allow viewers to simultaneously watch a show, play a game or surf the internet while also searching for other content - removing the need to navigate to a home screen.

A second menu bar, Today, can be activated to run horizontally across the central part of the screen providing suggestions for popular shows and other content the software believes is likely to interest the watcher.

LG also highlighted that the software was designed to make it easier to set up the TV. For example, if you plug in a games console it is identified as such, rather than as an HDMI source.

It also suggested it would be relatively easy for developers to create third-party apps for the platform.

LG's wristband offers fitness data as well as alerts for received phone calls and texts

"One of the big problems TV manufacturers have had has been trying to tailor the available content to each user," said Edward Border, from the consultancy IHS Screen Digest.

"They have struggled to crack how to avoid requiring too many clicks or menus to go through. Previous efforts to simplify things have only resulted in it becoming difficult for owners to find what they wanted."

Early feedback for LG's new approach suggested it was an improvement on its previous design, but not a huge leap forward.

"It won't generate massive consumer demand for LG's TVs," wrote Dieter Bohn for the Verge news site, which had an early hands-on with the technology.

"But what it could do is make your next smart TV a little less painful to use."

Fitness tech

LG also used its Las Vegas press conference to announce two new pieces of wearable technology.

Its Lifeband Touch is a wristband that features an OLED display, which activates when the wearer rotates their wrist.

Its accelerometer and altimeter sensors allow it to display how many calories have been burned, the number of steps taken and distance covered.

LG's Heart Rate Earphones measure blood flow signals from the external part of the wearer's ear

In addition it can tell the time and provide alerts about calls and texts sent to a Bluetooth linked mobile phone, as well as providing a way to control music played via the handset.

The firm also showed off its Heart Rate Earphones, which are designed to capture data about the wearer's blood flow and oxygen consumption while exercising.

LG said both devices would be released in the US before the end of June before rolling out to other markets.

The firm had shown off another fitness tracking wristband at last year's CES but never put it on sale.

Polish anger at Cameron benefit plan

6 January 2014 Last updated at 17:01 GMT

Polish minister attacks David Cameron's child benefit plan

David Cameron has not changed, his spokesman says

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Poland's foreign minister has criticised David Cameron's call for a change to European Union treaties to allow the withdrawal of child benefit from migrants working in the UK.

Writing on Twitter, Radoslaw Sikorski asked: "If Britain gets our taxpayers, shouldn't it also pay their benefits?"

He added that Polish taxpayers should not "subsidise" UK taxpayers' children.

Mr Cameron has said the UK prime minister thought the system is not "right" and needs to change.

On Sunday, he told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that he would try to renegotiate the UK's membership with the EU to allow it to withhold welfare payments such as child benefit from workers of other European nations.

'Stigma'

EU citizens who come to the UK to work are currently entitled to claim child benefit, even if their children live abroad.

Mr Sikorski tweeted: "If Britain gets our taxpayers, shouldn't it also pay their benefits? Why should Polish taxpayers subsidise British taxpayers' children?"

He added: "UK social security rules apply to all resident EU citizens. No need to stigmatise Poles. What about British children abroad?"

In response, Mr Cameron's official spokesman said: "The prime minister's view won't have changed. He set it out in yesterday's media interview.

"It is one of the points he made in his speech on migration in March last year. It remains the prime minister's long-standing view."

VIDEO: Kylie: This will be the best Voice ever

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Kylie Minogue: 'This will be the best Voice ever'

6 January 2014 Last updated at 17:52 GMT

The Voice is back on television from Saturday 11 January, with pop princess Kylie Minogue and Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson replacing Jessie J and Danny O'Donaghue.

New hosts Emma Willis and Marvin Humes will be fronting the programme which sees contestants go through a series of blind auditions before going through to the live rounds.

Judges Kylie Minogue and Will.i.am spoke to BBC News about the new series.

The Voice returns January 11 at 7pm on BBC One.

Moore called up for GB Fed Cup squad

6 January 2014 Last updated at 17:51

Fed Cup: Tara Moore set for debut in youthful Great Britain team

Tara Moore is set to make her Fed Cup debut after being called up by Great Britain for the 2014 opener next month.

Moore, ranked 212 in the world, is named alongside Laura Robson, Johanna Konta and Heather Watson in a team where all four are aged 22 or under.

Britain will compete in the 17-nation Europe/Africa Group I in Hungary.

The prize at stake is a World Group II play-off - the stage at which Britain were eliminated from the competition in 2012 and 2013 - to take place in April.

Moore, 21, made her Wimbledon debut as a wildcard entry last year, losing 7-5 5-7 7-5 to Finland's Kaia Kanepi in the first round of the women's singles.

She will join up with Britain's squad for the Fed Cup event in Budapest, which starts on 4 February. Teams will be split into four groups and the winners of each will battle for two places in the World Group II play-offs.

Great Britain, who have not played a home tie since 1993, have lost at the play-off stage against Sweden and Argentina in the past two years.

"Our aim in 2014 is to win through to the World Group II, which would give us a number of home and away ties," said GB captain Judy Murray, who picks the team.

"That would really help us to promote women's tennis through this fun team competition."

British number one Robson, 19, pulled out of the Hobart International on Monday with a left wrist injury, hampering her hopes of playing at next week's Australian Open.

National number two Konta and number three Watson, both 22, were part of the team - alongside Robson - which progressed to the World Group II play-offs last year.

But GB were beaten 3-1 by play-off opponents Argentina in Buenos Aires, with Watson missing the tie through illness.

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Brooks PA 'wanted NoW notes back'

6 January 2014 Last updated at 17:35 GMT

Phone-hacking trial: Brooks PA 'wanted NoW notes back'

The notebooks were sent to the archive around the time Mrs Brooks become chief executive of News International

Continue reading the main story

Ex-News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks's PA asked for notebooks to be returned from the News International archive the day after staff were told the tabloid was closing, a court heard.

Archivist Nicholas Mays told the Old Bailey that Cheryl Carter's request was given a "greater degree of urgency" after he discussed the matter with her.

The notes covered 1995 to 2007.

Mrs Brooks, her husband Charlie, and Ms Carter deny hiding evidence from police investigating phone-hacking.

The trial heard that Ms Carter made the request for the return of the notebooks the day after the News of the World's closure was announced in 2011.

The prosecution said these belonged to Mrs Brooks but a note written by Mr Mays said Ms Carter claimed the notebooks belonged to her or another assistant at the company.

They had been sent to the archive by Ms Carter in September 2009, around the time Mrs Brooks stepped down as editor of the Sun to become chief executive of News International. Mrs Brooks had joined the Sun after leaving the NoW in 2003.

The court heard that Ms Carter initially asked for Mrs Brooks's notebooks to be removed from the News International archive but when collecting them said they in fact belonged to her or another assistant.

Removal of boxes

Mr Mays told the jury he had noted the initial request for Mrs Brooks's items in his diary.

Trevor Burke QC, representing Ms Carter, asked him why he recorded "in your diary... Cheryl Carter asked for Rebekah Brooks's notebooks but when she collected them she said they're my notebooks or Deborah Keegan's notebooks."

Mr Mays said he had recorded what Ms Carter said.

He was also asked why, given the ongoing police investigation, he had not put a "hold order" on the notebooks.

Mr Burke said: "There was nothing to stop her retrieving them, you didn't seek to stop her... even after Rebekah Brooks was arrested... you did nothing to notify anyone."

Mr Mays said the removal of boxes from the Enfield archive was "entirely within company policies and procedures at the time".

Mrs Brooks, Mr Brooks and Ms Carter are charged with perverting the course of justice by concealing evidence from the police investigation into phone hacking.

The trial continues.

Prison disturbance 'was near riot'

6 January 2014 Last updated at 17:13 GMT

Oakwood Prison: 'Near riot' claim as inmates smash windows

The disturbance at HMP Oakwood ended peacefully, says G4S

An inmate at a privately-run prison has claimed a disturbance that authorities say ended peacefully after a few hours was actually a "near riot".

A group of prisoners at HMP Oakwood, near Wolverhampton, refused to be locked-down at 17:15 GMT on Sunday, leading to a 10-hour disturbance, BBC reporter Giles Latcham was told.

They allegedly barricaded the entrance to the Cedar Wing and smashed windows.

Operator G4S said one prisoner was treated for minor injuries.

'Not well run'

The disturbance, which G4S said involved between 15 and 20 prisoners, was brought under control just after 02:00 GMT without injury to any prison officers. The BBC was told up to 50 prisoners were involved.

Officers in riot gear entered the prison, in Featherstone, which has a mixture of category C and D prisoners.

There were two rooftop protests at the jail last year. G4S could not confirm if the latest incident was linked.

Iqbal Singh Kang, from Gurney Harden Solicitors, who represents some of the prisoners, earlier called on the government to reconsider its contract with G4S.

Mr Kang said inmates described Oakwood as a "dreadful prison" which was "not very well run".

"The protests have manifested themselves after a number of issues. When those grievances aren't addressed, it results in the prisoners taking action," he said.

Mr Kang claimed the prison provided little in the way of employment and rehabilitation for inmates.

He said: "The problem is, rehabilitation costs money. G4S is a privately-run company and rehabilitation has an impact on profits.

"This situation has gone on long enough and the government can no longer tolerate this nonsense."

'World's best prison'

However, a spokesperson for G4S, which has been running the jail since it became privately run in April 2012, said rehabilitation was "central" to the company's work at the prison.

He added he did not know whether the disturbances, in one wing, were linked to two rooftop protests at Oakwood, which took place in 2013.

"There have been incidents at the prison but it is still in its start-up phase," he added. "There are often problems at prisons in their early years."

He added G4S had ambitions to make Oakwood "the best prison in the world".

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said the force had offered support and assistance to G4S.

Chancellor George Osborne told BBC WM "it was very early days" for the prison and said "no conclusions" could be drawn about whether private companies should run prisons.

He added: "Some of the older prisons cost £100,000 a year, per prisoner. In some of the more modern prisons, which are better managed, the cost is more like £15,000 to £20,000 a year. That's a big saving."

Prom evacuation after waves warning

6 January 2014 Last updated at 17:21 GMT

Wales weather: Aberystwyth promenade properties evacuated

Huge waves at Aberystwyth seafront

All buildings along the promenade in Aberystwyth are being evacuated as further high tides and an "exceptional" wave swell are expected later.

Residents are being warned to vacate properties as soon as possible and use a nearby support centre that has been provided.

About 150 students in seafront flats have been moved out until Wednesday.

High tides and strong winds have battered parts of Wales for a fourth day.

Seven flood warnings and eight flood alerts were in place on Monday evening.

Around Wales, two yellow weather warnings - meaning be aware - are in force, one for rain and another for wind.

Ceredigion council is "strongly advising" all residents to evacuate properties along the promenade in Aberystwyth after Natural Resources Wales (NRW) warned of a wave swell at 23:37 GMT.

The Victorian shelter on Aberystwyth promenade has partially collapsed

The council said: "In light of the existing damage this could cause serious injury, substantial flooding and damage to properties."

A support centre has been set up in Plascrug Leisure Centre.

The Aberystwyth student residence is to remain closed all evening while the building is assessed.

Students who have not yet returned to Aberystwyth after the Christmas holidays and who live on the seafront have been asked by the university to stay away.

The town's Victorian seafront shelter has partially collapsed into the pavement following the buffeting from the waves.

Dyfed-Powys Police tweeted it had closed a number of roads in Amroth, Newgale, Aberystwyth and Borth. Drivers were advised to avoid coastal areas and not attempt to drive through flood water.

Mid and West Wales Fire Service said they were attending flooding at properties in Borth.

On Anglesey, the roof of a house in Llanfachraeth caught fire and collapsed after it was struck by lightning. No one was injured.

Waves crash against the shore during high tide at Tenby, Pembrokeshire

In Capel Curig in Conwy, gusts of 70mph were recorded on Monday at 08:00 GMT.

A gust of 66mph was recorded at Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula and another of 56mph at Mumbles at 10:00 GMT.

Earlier 17 alerts of possible flooding were issued which have dropped to just eight by mid-afternoon.

It came as councils along the coast of Wales assessed the damage caused by Friday's exceptional storm surge.

Minister Alun Davies said there would be "no blank cheque" for rebuilding the promenade but said emergency funding would be available and urged Ceredigion council to apply.

He previously said he had been "shocked to the core" at damage in Aberystwyth and ordered a review of coastal defences.

The promenade was hit by a tidal surge on Friday evening and the storm brought rocks and debris onto the front and nearby streets after high tide.

NRW is updating its website every 15 minutes and the Environment Agency has a live flood warning map on its site.

People who live in areas at risk of flooding can register for free flood warnings by calling Floodline on 0845 988 11 88.

As well as the risk of flooding, transport networks were affected across Wales on Monday.

Aberystwyth seafront on Monday after high tide

There were speed restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge and the Britannia Bridge in north Wales due to high winds.

In Pembrokeshire, the Cleddau Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles and the A487 is shut between Welsh Road (Newgale) and Anchor Down (Solva).

On the railways, disruption is expected on several Arriva Trains Wales services due to flooding.

Buses will replace trains from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog until further notice, while the line between Machynlleth and Pwlhelli will remain closed for several weeks due to extensive damage.

A replacement bus service is running between Llanelli and Carmarthen due to obstructions on the line at Pembrey and Burry Port.

All sailings are cancelled on Stena Line between Fishguard and Rosslare.

There will be full coverage of disruption from the stormy weather and flooding on BBC Wales online, via Twitter @BBCWalesNews, on Wales Today bulletins on BBC One Wales and on BBC Radio Wales.

People watch an enormous wave crash break over Porthcawl harbour

Boeing reports record orders in 2013

6 January 2014 Last updated at 16:58 GMT

Boeing reports record orders and deliveries for 2013

Miniature model of Boeing 737-800 on display

Continue reading the main story

Boeing has revealed record deliveries and orders for 2013, putting it on track to become the world's largest plane maker for a second consecutive year.

The airplane manufacturer delivered 648 commercial planes last year and had a backlog of 5,080 unfulfilled orders - both company records.

The figures mean it is likely to have beaten rival Airbus which will reveal its 2013 orders on 13 January.

Airbus is expecting 620 deliveries.

Boeing Commercial president and chief executive Ray Conner said all three of its US-based commercial airplane factories had delivered a record number of airplanes.

"The Boeing team performed extremely well in 2013," he added.

Overall, Boeing booked a record 1,531 gross commercial orders for the year, with 1,355 net commercial orders, the second-largest in its history.

Boeing said three of its plane-making programmes had set individual records for delivery: its next generation 737 of which it delivered 440 in 2013, its long-haul 777 of which it delivered 98 and its 787 Dreamliners of which it delivered 65.

Brooks PA 'wanted NoW notes returned'

6 January 2014 Last updated at 16:42 GMT

Phone-hacking trial: Brooks PA 'wanted NoW notes returned'

The notebooks were sent to the archive around the time Mrs Brooks become chief executive of News International

Continue reading the main story

Ex-News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks's PA asked for notebooks to be returned from the News International archive the day after staff were told the tabloid was closing, a court heard.

Archivist Nicholas Mays said Cheryl Carter's request was given a "greater degree of urgency" after he discussed the matter with her.

The notes covered 1995 to 2007.

Mrs Brooks, her husband Charlie, and Ms Carter deny hiding evidence from police investigating phone-hacking.

Romania ex-PM Adrian Nastase jailed

6 January 2014 Last updated at 16:39 GMT

Romania ex-PM Adrian Nastase jailed in bribery case

Mr Nastase has already spent time in jail for a separate corruption offence

Romania's supreme court has sentenced former Prime Minister Adrian Nastase to four years in prison for taking bribes.

He was also given three years for blackmail - a term which will run concurrently. The case involved favours involving Chinese goods and Romanian properties in 2001-2004.

His wife Dana Nastase got a three-year suspended sentence for collusion.

Mr Nastase survived a suicide attempt in 2012, shortly after getting a two-year jail term in a separate case.

Portuguese say farewell to Eusebio

6 January 2014 Last updated at 16:24 GMT

Eusebio funeral: Thousands line streets to say farewell

Pall-bearers carried Eusebio's coffin to the centre of the pitch at Luz stadium

Tens of thousands of Portuguese have turned out to say a final farewell to football legend Eusebio, who died on Sunday.

In Lisbon, mourners lined the streets applauding as the coffin, draped in the colours of his club Benfica, passed by in a funeral cortege.

Earlier, the coffin was placed at the centre of the pitch in the Luz stadium where thousands of fans sang and cheered.

Eusebio will be buried later.

Portugal has declared three days of national mourning for the footballer, who died from a heart attack at the age of 71.

He has been described as Portugal's first and greatest football superstar.

Born in Mozambique when it was still a Portuguese colony, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira went on to play 64 times for Portugal, scoring 41 goals.

The Benfica striker was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England, with nine goals, including four against North Korea.

Eusebio's statue was draped with scarves and tributes

Widely considered one of the best players of all time, he scored 733 times in 745 professional matches.

United by pride

Celebrities from the world of football and beyond paid tribute to the player known in his day as the Black Panther.

"Football has lost a legend," Fifa President Sepp Blatter wrote on Twitter.

Portugal's President Anibal Cavaco Silva said: "Portugal has today lost one of its most beloved sons, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. The country mourns his death."

Former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano said: "I have lost a friend. Portuguese football has lost one of its greatest idols. Football brought Mozambique and Portugal together, and everyone in Mozambique is proud of Eusebio."

At the Luz stadium, or Stadium of Light, Eusebio's coffin was carried from the hearse and placed on a golden plinth in the centre of the pitch.

It remained there for only five minutes or so before being returned to the car for a procession round the stadium.

Fans draped scarves over the statue of the player that stands outside the stadium.

The stadium, opened in 2003, replaced the 120,000-seat Stadium of Light where Eusebio dazzled for Benfica, helping them to numerous honours.

"For me, he is simply the creator of football," said 24-year-old fan Luis Marques.

One banner left by the Eusebio statue read: "I haven't come to say goodbye, but to say thank you."

Glittering record

Famed for his blistering acceleration and dribbling skills, Eusebio was named European Footballer of the Year in 1965.

He won the European Cup with Benfica in 1962 and was in the side that lost to Manchester United in the 1968 Wembley final.

In the 1966 World Cup, Eusebio's goals helped Portugal win all their group games as title holders Brazil were eliminated in the first round.

He then starred in a dramatic 5-3 win over North Korea in the quarter-finals, with his four goals helping his side come back from 3-0 down.

Portugal went on to lose 2-1 in the last four to England, with Eusebio in tears as he left the pitch at the end of the game.

Married with two daughters, in retirement he became an ambassador for Benfica and Portugal.

Haass says plan 'would benefit NI'

6 January 2014 Last updated at 16:21 GMT

Richard Haass says plan would leave NI much better off

Meghan O'Sullivan and Richard Haass chaired a series of round-table talks

Continue reading the main story

Proposals to resolve contentious issues would leave people in Northern Ireland "considerably better off," according to US diplomat Richard Haass.

Months of negotiations about parades, flags and the legacy of the Troubles ended on New Year's Eve with no deal.

Dr Haass and co-chair Prof Meghan O'Sullivan have published a two-page summary of their blueprint.

They say the 40-page draft agreement tackles "the difficult issues that continue to divide society".

"It is the product of work informed by a sense of urgency given the tension and violence of the past year and the need to contend with the past before the passage of time makes this even more difficult," they said.

"It is not self-implementing, but requires approval, resources, and support for implementation in Northern Ireland and, for certain elements, in Westminster and elsewhere."

Earlier on Monday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness claimed unionists were allowing "negative elements in the Orange Order" to set their agenda on the Haass proposals.

Mr McGuinness said any working group on the Haass proposals should ensure the implementation of the document as it stands, rather than seeking to reopen its contents for fresh negotiations.

The Orange Order described Mr McGuinness's comments as "bogus".

"While the issues concerned are very difficult to resolve, and have proved to be so, we pray a fair and balanced resolution can still be found in keeping with a genuinely shared future," a spokesman said.

VIDEO: Ice-breakers deployed to Lake Michigan

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Ice-breakers on Lake Michigan as US weather worsens

6 January 2014 Last updated at 16:14 GMT

Parts of the US are braced for potentially record-breaking low temperatures as a "polar vortex" brings more freezing weather.

Temperatures in the north and central US could feel as low as -51C (-60F) with the effect of wind chill, forecasters say.

ABC News reports that ice-breakers have been deployed to Lake Michigan to clear the way for freighters.

Read more

N America weather: Polar vortex brings record temperatures

Sudans 'consult on oilfield force'

6 January 2014 Last updated at 16:10 GMT

S Sudan and Sudan 'consult on oilfield force'

About 80% of oil production is under the control of South Sudanese forces

Continue reading the main story

Sudan and South Sudan have begun talks to deploy a joint force to protect oilfields in the South threatened by rebels, Sudan's foreign minister says.

The news comes after Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir flew to South Sudan to discuss the unrest there with his counterpart, Salva Kiir.

The conflict pits supporters of Mr Kiir against rebels led by his sacked deputy, Riek Machar.

At least 1,000 people have been killed since violence erupted on 15 December.

The violence started after Mr Kiir accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup - an allegation he denies.

Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced in the conflict, which has taken on ethnic undertones. Mr Kiir is from the majority Dinka community and Mr Machar from the Nuer group.

Revenue threatened

On Monday, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ali Karti said Mr Bashir and Mr Kiir were "in consultations about the deployment of a mixed force to protect the oilfields in the South".

South Sudan ended up with most of the oilfields after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011 following decades of conflict.

But it has to export the oil using pipelines through ports in Sudan's territory. The government in Khartoum now fears the pipelines will be disrupted by the fighting in the South.

The BBC's South Sudan analyst James Copnall says it will be an extraordinary development if Sudanese forces return to the South.

At least two million people died during the north-south conflict.

Separately, the two warring parties in South Sudan have begun direct talks in Ethiopia aiming at a ceasefire.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (L) welcomes his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir

Nearly 200,000 people have been forced from their homes in the conflict

However, not much progress has been made so far, Mr Kiir said at a news conference with President Bashir in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

Mr Kiir said his government would not meet Mr Machar's demand to release 11 of his political allies accused of plotting a coup.

They would be held accountable for the violence in South Sudan, he added.

President Bashir called on the two sides to end the conflict through dialogue, saying Sudan would not back the rebels.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also due to hold talks with the opposing factions, in an attempt to push them to agree to a cessation of hostilities.

China is a major investor in South Sudan's oil industry.

Heavy fighting

Heavy fighting is continuing to the south of Bor, one of two cities held by rebels, says the BBC's Alastair Leithead, who was on the road between Juba and Bor.

The BBC's Alastair Leithead was with government troops when they were ambushed

Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced in the conflict.

The rebels include a former military division made up of thousands of men who switched sides, our correspondent says.

Until a ceasefire is agreed, fighting is expected to continue or even intensify, he adds.

The latest trouble has its roots in tensions that go back long before 2011.

Fighting erupted in the South Sudan capital, Juba, in mid-December. It followed a political power struggle between President Salva Kiir and his ex-deputy Riek Machar. The squabble has taken on an ethnic dimension as politicians' political bases are often ethnic.

Sudan's arid north is mainly home to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in South Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam.

Both Sudan and the South are reliant on oil revenue, which accounts for 98% of South Sudan's budget. They have fiercely disagreed over how to divide the oil wealth of the former united state - at one time production was shutdown for more than a year. Some 75% of the oil lies in the South but all the pipelines run north

The two Sudans are very different geographically. The great divide is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. South Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.

After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan is the world's newest country - and one of its poorest. Figures from 2010 show some 69% of households now have access to clean water - up from 48% in 2006. However, just 2% of households have water on the premises.

Just 29% of children attend primary school in South Sudan - however this is also an improvement on the 16% recorded in 2006. About 32% of primary-age boys attend, while just 25% of girls do. Overall, 64% of children who begin primary school reach the last grade.

Almost 28% of children under the age of five in South Sudan are moderately or severely underweight - this compares with the 33% recorded in 2006. Unity state has the highest proportion of children suffering malnourishment (46%), while Central Equatoria has the lowest (17%).

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Flood alert for NI coastal areas

6 January 2014 Last updated at 15:48 GMT

Flood alert for Northern Ireland's coastal areas

The shoreline at Portrush, County Antrim, on Monday morning

High tides and strong winds are causing difficult driving conditions on some parts of Northern Ireland's east coast, but Belfast has escaped major flooding.

It follows a police warning of a possible tidal surge on Monday afternoon.

A small number of roads in counties Antrim and Down have been closed due to floods, and some schools closed early.

Police have warned people to avoid coastal areas for the rest of Monday due to large waves and poor weather.

In County Down, Holywood Esplanade has been closed because of flooding and Newcastle promenade is shut due to "adverse weather conditions".

The A2 Coast Road through Carnlough village in County Antrim and a section of the Coast Road between Drains Bay and Ballygally were closed for a short time due to floods but have since reopened.

However, police are advising motorists to avoid the Coast Road from Larne to Carnlough over the next few hours due to high tides.

Shortly before 15:00 GMT, Belfast Lord Mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir tweeted that the tide had turned and he congratulated those who worked to ensure the city "stayed dry and safe".

Thousands of sandbags have been given out in east Belfast in recent days.

Alliance MP Naomi Long paid tribute to the services and agencies for their "swift response" to the situation over the weekend.

In County Down, police have set up a "multi-agency response group" at Ardmore PSNI station in Newry.

It follows flooding on the Shore Road between Warrenpoint and Rostrevor during high tide on Sunday.

Officers said sandbags are available for collection at Newry sports centre, Warrenpoint fire station, Kilbroney forest park in Rostrevor, Kilkeel leisure centre, and Marine Park in Annalong.

Big waves flooded the road between Warrenpoint and Rostrevor on Sunday

Down District Council said sandbags can be collected from its depot on Strangford Road, Downpatrick, and from Bann Road recycling centre in Castlewellan until 16:00 GMT.

Sandbags were also put in place in Londonderry city centre as a precaution, but fears have eased, following a high tide on Monday morning.

Derry city centre manager Jim Roddy said: "Sandbags were necessary. There were fears that the River Foyle would burst.

"Preparations were kept in place for this morning and we were constantly getting updates from the PSNI, Foyle Port and Harbour and other emergency services.

"In 2004 we had a disaster at Victoria Market near the pumping station and we didn't want that again," Mr Roddy added.

All ferry sailings between Rathlin and Ballycastle have been cancelled on Monday due to weather conditions.

Elsewhere in the UK, the Met Office has also issued yellow alerts for the west coast of Britain.

In the Republic of Ireland, the west coast is expected to see some of the strongest gusts on Monday.

Some streets in central Cork were impassable for a time on Monday morning as the River Lee burst its banks again, but the water has since receded.

Met Éireann (the Irish Meteorological Service) has issued its second highest alert for wind.

A status orange, which means to be be prepared for possible disruption, is in place for Wexford, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.

Gusts of up to 100 to 120km per hour could hit exposed coastal areas.

Anyone who wishes to report flooding can call a flooding incident line on 0300 2000 100 or the police non-emergency line on 0845600 8000.

No FA action on Walcott '2-0' gesture

6 January 2014 Last updated at 15:44

Theo Walcott: FA to take no further action over gesture

The Football Association will take no further action against Arsenal's Theo Walcott over his gesture to Tottenham fans in Sunday's FA Cup tie.

Walcott signalled the Gunners' 2-0 scoreline to Spurs' supporters as he was being taken off on a stretcher after suffering a knee injury.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Walcott, 24, was reacting to having coins thrown at him.

The FA said  the player had been "reminded of his responsibilities".

More to follow

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• Wenger defends Walcott after gesture 05 Jan 2014 Arsenal
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Somali soldier executed over murder

6 January 2014 Last updated at 14:14 GMT

Somalia soldier executed in Mogadishu over pupil murder

A firing squad enforces the death penalty in Somalia

Continue reading the main story

A firing squad has executed a soldier in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, after a military court convicted him of murdering a school pupil last year.

A crowd, including children, saw the execution at the police academy in the city, according to photographs posted on state-run Radio Mogadishu's website.

The death penalty is legal in Somalia, a mostly lawless state in East Africa.

Government soldiers are often accused of acting with impunity, including killing and raping.

Radio Mogadishu reported that more soldiers found guilty in other cases by the military are expected to face a firing squad in the coming days.

'Blindfolded and tied'

Maslah Isse Jimaan was convicted of shooting dead a pupil, Omar Mohamed Ahmed, in the capital's main market, Bakara, during a security force operation last year.

A firing squad of more than 10 policemen and soldiers are seen in the photographs taking positions, before Jimaan, blindfolded and tied to a pole, was shot dead in front of the crowd.

Jimaan had violated the military code and had faced justice for this, the military court chairman, Libaan Ali Yarow, told the BBC Somali Service.

Mr Yarow said he was unaware that the execution had taken place in front of children.

Somalia has been without an effective central government since the fall of long-serving ruler Siad Barre in 1991.

The country is split along clan and religious lines, with militant Islamist group al-Shabab controlling much of the south.

African Union (AU) and government troops are battling to defeat al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda.

In August, a firing squad executed a man convicted of being an al-Shabab member and of murdering a journalist in 2012.

Al-Shabab also carries out executions in areas under its control for crimes such as murder.

6 January 2014 Last updated at 02:37 GMT

Many schools 'short of governors'

By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter

Governors are increasingly expected to hold schools to account

Up to one in four school governor positions is vacant in some rural and deprived areas of England, a campaign raising awareness of the job says.

And one in 10 of the 30,000 governor posts across the country is unfilled, Governors for Schools (SGOSS) says.

The charity, which also recruits school governors, stresses the figures include posts coming to an end naturally as well as resignations.

It drew its estimates from its work with schools and local authorities.

The news comes at a time when pressure on governors to hold schools to account for their performance has been growing.

'Badge of status'

Education Secretary Michael Gove has said he wants to reform school governance and said in a speech a year ago that governors were often "local worthies" who viewed their post as a "badge of status not of work".

Instead he wants to see people taking up the positions because they have a skill and for them to "concentrate on essentials such as leadership and standards, teaching and behaviour," he said

The education inspectorate, Ofsted, now requires governors to hold head teachers and other senior staff to account.

SGOSS, which receives funding from the Department for Education, also carried out research on the public view of governors and their role.

A Populus survey for the charity of 1,781 people in Britain found nearly two-thirds did not realise it was school governors' responsibility to appoint a head teacher.

Three-quarters did not know governors were responsible for deciding a school's admission policy.

And 85% of respondents were not aware that signing off a school budget was the governing body's responsibility.

The findings led SGOSS to develop its "School Makers" interactive video campaign which aims to raise awareness and recruit volunteers to help support England's schools.

In the video, would-be governors must navigate a series of decisions they might face in the job, such as whether to sell part of the school playing field in order to finance improved IT facilities.

'Important role'

Chief executive of SGOSS Liz McSheehy said: "We know that a full and diverse governing body is a source of enormous strength to a school.

"If people feel they have skills to offer and care about making a difference in their local community, we want to hear from them."

A Department for Education spokesman said: "School governors play an incredibly important role in setting the direction of a school, supporting and challenging the head teacher, and ensuring money is well spent.

"We are working with organisations including the CBI, the Education and Employers Taskforce and SGOSS to encourage more employers to support their staff to volunteer. "

6 January 2014 Last updated at 02:28 GMT

Patient data to be collected from GPs

Data collection has moved on from paper files in a GP surgery

The NHS in England is to start collecting anonymised patient data on care by GPs for the first time.

Hospital data is already collected but NHS England says extending the initiative to general practice means it will be possible to get a full picture of disease and treatment patterns.

Leaflets explaining the scheme, and how people can opt out if they wish, are being sent to 26.5 million households.

It will not be possible to track the data back to individuals.

Anyone who does not want their information used can talk to their GP, and those who have questions about how the data will be used, can call the information line on 0300 456 3531.

Households in the North of England will receive their leaflets this week, with the rest of England to follow during January.

'Safe haven'

The NHS treats millions of people every week, and the data - which will be collated by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) - can offer a picture of the illnesses they have, their treatments and experiences.

Analysing trends can help plan health services in the future at national and local levels.

Dr Mark Davies, medical director at the HSCIC said the centre was a "safe haven" for data.

"We want everyone to feel confident that their information is kept private and used in non-identifiable form to improve the quality of health and social care for everyone.

"Equally important is that everyone knows that they have a choice and can raise an objection by simply talking to their GP."

Dr Geraint Lewis, chief data officer at NHS England, said: "The NHS has been collecting information like this from hospitals for decades but until now we've been missing information about the quality of care provided outside hospital.

"This initiative is about upgrading our information systems to get a more complete picture of the quality of care being delivered across all parts of the NHS and social care."

Dr Tony Calland, chairman of the British Medical Association's medical ethics committee, welcomed the leaflet campaign.

"The BMA is extremely pleased that NHS England is raising awareness about changes to the way patient data is handled in the NHS," he said.

"It is vital that people are fully informed about what their data will be used for and how they can object to its use if they wish to."

Dr Imran Rafi, of the Royal College of GPs, added: "It is important that patients understand how the NHS uses and shares their information, and that they feel they have been given a proper choice to participate. The spin-off is the potential for all NHS patients to benefit ."

UK debt 'may become harder to sell'

6 January 2014 Last updated at 00:01 GMT

Investors 'could be more reticent' on UK debt

The UK could find it harder to convince investors to buy its debt in the years ahead, the head of the office that issues the government's bonds has said.

The next couple of years could potentially be a "little more challenging" because of rising interest rates, Robert Stheeman told the BBC.

Investors may be more "reticent" to buy British debt, he suggested.

The UK's net public debt stands at £1.21 trillion, which is equivalent to 75.9% of the entire economy.

Mr Stheeman, who is chief executive of the Debt Management Office, told the BBC: "It's not so much the rate that we issue, it's more the direction and the movement of rates.

"So if you think as an investor, if you're buying debt from us ultimately and you know rates are declining, you also know that the value of your investment is rising.

"If however, you're buying debt and you think rates will rise even further in the next weeks or months afterwards, you might be a little bit less eager to put your money on the table and purchase our debt. So I think the investor base might at times be a little more reticent than perhaps it has," he said.

"However, I do believe that the market and the efficiency of the market will help us in that task."

Economic caution

Investors looking at buying UK debt will also look closely at the prospects for the UK economy.

Mr Stheeman says there is still some caution over the economic recovery, which makes his job more difficult.

"No-one believes we are out of the woods completely in terms of the whole economic situation," he said.

"I certainly don't get that message at all from the Treasury.

"To be fair, colleagues in the Treasury are very much aware of the challenges that we face here daily when we face the market."

Many economists were surprised by the strength of the UK economic recovery in 2013.

Last month the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) raised its forecast for 2013 growth to 1.4% from the 0.6% it had predicted in March.

This year the OBR expects growth of 2.4%.