bbcuk--2020-02-07--Cathays murder: Three men jailed for life after killing teen

Three men who `` hunted down '' and stabbed a teenager to death have been jailed .
Fahad Mohamed Nur , 18 , was found with 21 knife wounds near Cathays railway station in Cardiff last June .
Shafique Shaddad , 25 , from Butetown , and brothers Mustafa Aldobhani , 22 , and Abdulgalil Aldobhani , 23 , from Cathays , were found guilty of murder by a jury .
All three were jailed for life .
Shaddad was given a minimum term of 23 years , Mustafa Aldobhaini 22-and-a-half years and Abdulgalil Aldobhani 24 years .
Sentencing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plain that Fahad Nur was involved in supplying drugs on the street '' .
He said there were `` tensions between rival drug-dealers '' and this dispute was `` most likely behind what 's happened '' .
`` It was their intention to trap him in the lane ... this was a very tight-knit , joint-enterprise - everyone was playing an important part for the common purpose , '' he told Cardiff Crown Court .
`` I 'm sure that he [ Fahad ] was not the aggressor - I 'm sure they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a case of spontaneous violence - it was pre-meditated . ''
The judge praised passerby Ethan Moore , who intervened when the Mr Nur was being kicked on the ground .
He said Mr Moore should be commended for his courage and public spiritedness , awarding him £400 from public funds .
Prosecutors described the three men trying to `` hunt down '' Mr Nur after spotting him riding a bike .
Shortly after midnight on 2 June , the three men chased the teenager to a lane behind a Cardiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left in the street with multiple stab wounds , including a fatal knife wound to the heart .
Mr Nur later died at the University Hospital of Wales .
He had almost £1,000 in cash and a large quantity of Class A drugs on him when he was killed .
One defence barrister described Mr Nur as `` a drug-dealer on active duty '' on the night he was stabbed .
A victim impact statement from Mr Nur 's sister , which was read to the court on Tuesday , said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in such a cowardly and vicious attack when he was clearly running away .
`` He was a young educated boy who had ambitions and dreams .
He was loved by so many people .
It was a senseless and horrific act of evil . ''
A fourth defendant , Aseel Arar , 35 , from Middle Park Road , Birmingham , was found guilty of assisting an offender .
She will be sentenced later this month .
The three killers all denied murder but were found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jury .

A victim impact statement from Mr Nur's sister, which was read to the court on Tuesday, said: "He was ambushed and stabbed to death in such a cowardly and vicious attack when he was clearly running away.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Liverpool Philharmonic: Pub joins Buckingham Palace on Grade I list

An opulent pub once praised by Bill Bryson for its ornate toilets has been given the same listed status as Buckingham Palace and Chatsworth House .
The Philharmonic Dining Rooms in Liverpool is the first purpose-built Victorian pub in England to be given Grade I status , Historic England said .
Ten other pubs have also had their status updated to include details of their interiors .
They include four of eight in the country known to have no actual bar .
Historic England said the Philharmonic as regarded as a `` cathedral among pubs '' for its grandeur , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectacular pubs to be completed in the golden age of pub building '' at the end of the 19th Century .
It was constructed between 1898 and 1900 by architect Walter W Thomas and was Grade II* listed in 1966 .
Bill Bryson wrote about it in his 1995 book Notes From A Small Island saying : `` There is no place in the world finer for a pee than the ornate gents ' room of the Philharmonic . ''
Former Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney played a surprise show at the pub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode of Carpool Karaoke with James Corden .
It now joins the 2.5 % of protected historic buildings to have the highest grade , a list that also includes Liverpool 's Anglican cathedral as well as Buckingham Palace and Chatsworth .
Two other Liverpool pubs have also been reassessed to have details of their interiors included in their listed status description .
• Are these England 's most beautiful pubs ?
• MPs call for tax cuts to save their local pubs The Grade II* Vines on Lime Street was built in 1907 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large stained glass dome and `` a number of striking fireplaces '' , while Grade II Peter Kavanagh 's on Egerton Street has carved corbels ( wall brackets ) thought to be caricatures of the pub 's regulars and original tables featuring spilt drink channels and in-built ash trays .
Elsewhere in the country , the Grade II Blue Ship , in Billingshurst in West Sussex , was built as a cottage in the 16th Century and converted into a pub in the 1850s .
It is one of only eight pubs known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated listing includes its `` rare '' tap room `` servery '' arrangement .
Other pubs without a bar to have their status updated include the Grade II Square and Compass in Worth Matravers , Dorset , and the Rose and Crown in Huish Episcopi and Tucker 's Grave Inn in Radstock , both Somerset .
Two Grade II pubs in London to have their status updated include the Hand and Shears in Middle Street , Smithfield , which retains original features and the Coach and Horses on Greek Street , Soho , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of celebrated names such as Francis Bacon , Lucien Freud , Peter O'Toole and John Hurt , and as a meeting place for The Spectator and Private Eye magazines .
The Grade II* Haunch of Venison in the centre of Salisbury , Wiltshire , began as a church house in the 1400s before becoming a public house .
It retains many of the features installed in a 1909 refurbishment including divided drinking spaces and a small ladies snug .
The Grade II Red Lion in Rugeley , Staffordshire , is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was once a busy commercial street and retains an unusual salt safe and inter-war interior including panelling and fireplaces .
Duncan Wilson , chief executive of Historic England , said : `` English pubs are some of our best-loved community buildings and are often threatened with closure so we are delighted to see 11 historic pubs receiving further protection . ''
The listings have been made by the Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England .
The list of pubs was proposed by the Campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heritage Group , part of an ongoing collaboration between Historic England and Camra to protect historic pubs and their interiors .
Paul Ainsworth , chairman of the heritage group , said : `` So few of England 's 40,500 pubs retain interiors which have not suffered major alterations over the years .
`` Camra has identified 280 pubs whose interiors it considers to be of national historic importance , and we feel it is vital for these precious survivors to be preserved for future generations to enjoy . ''

Two Grade II pubs in London to have their status updated include the Hand and Shears in Middle Street, Smithfield, which retains original features and the Coach and Horses on Greek Street, Soho, which was famous for being the haunt of celebrated names such as Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud, Peter O'Toole and John Hurt, and as a meeting place for The Spectator and Private Eye magazines.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--UK names first woman US ambassador

UK names first woman US ambassador

The government has named Dame Karen Pierce as the new ambassador to the US .
Dame Karen - who is currently the UK 's permanent representative to the United Nations - will become the first woman in the post .
She replaces Sir Kim Darroch , who resigned in 2019 after he called President Donald Trump 's administration `` clumsy and inept '' in leaked emails .
Dame Karen said she hoped to `` strengthen the special relationship '' between the countries .
Prim Minister Boris Johnson called her `` an outstanding and accomplished diplomat '' , tweeting : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drive forward our hugely important relationship with the United States at this time . ''
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also congratulated Ms Pierce on her appointment , saying it was `` a time of huge opportunity for the friendship between the UK and US '' .
The posting comes ahead of post-Brexit trade deal negotiations with the US , and amid rows between the two nations over the future of the Iran nuclear deal and the use of Huawei technology .
• UK ambassador to US resigns in Trump leaks row • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Trump Dame Karen joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO ) in 1981 .
She held posts in countries around the world , including Japan , Switzerland and the US , before becoming the British Ambassador in Afghanistan between 2015 and 2016 .
She then returned to London as the FCO 's chief operation officer until her posting at the UN .
After the announcement of her new role , Dame Karen said : `` I am honoured to have been asked to represent the UK in the US .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important relationship .
There is a deep bond between Britain and the US , built on many pillars .
`` We have a fantastic cross-government team across the US and I look forward to working with them to strengthen and even further deepen the special relationship between our two countries and peoples . ''
Mr Raab added : `` I am delighted that Karen Pierce will take forward this exciting new chapter in our relationship .
`` We 're proud to be sending to Washington such an outstanding diplomat , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Dame Karen Pierce is widely regarded in the diplomatic world to be a good egg .
She is a Foreign Office lifer who has served all over the world .
Blunt and no-nonsense , maybe , but also wily in the ways of Washington .
She has held several posts both there and at the United Nations in New York , and she has the confidence of the prime minister who got on well with her when he was foreign secretary .
So , Dame Karen is hugely qualified for the job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her charm and guile in the months ahead .
UK/US relations are at a low ebb after disagreements about Iran , Huawei and digital taxes , along with the diplomatic row over the death of Harry Dunn .
Her biggest challenge , of course , will be to help secure a trade deal between the US and post-Brexit Britain .
And that will be no easy task .
The UK has not had an ambassador in the US since Sir Kim resigned in July after the emails - dating from 2017 - were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sir Kim said the situation made it `` impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like '' .
President Trump branded him `` a very stupid guy '' and said he would no longer work with the diplomat .
The row erupted in the middle of the Tory leadership contest , with the now-Prime Minister Boris Johnson heavily criticised for not fully supporting Sir Kim .

After the announcement of her new role, Dame Karen said: "I am honoured to have been asked to represent the UK in the US. I think it is the UK's single most important relationship. There is a deep bond between Britain and the US, built on many pillars.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Millions unclaimed in rail compensation watchdog claims

Train running very late ?
Time to claim some cash under your rail firm 's Delay Repay Scheme ... .
if you 've heard of it .
A survey suggests just 31 % of passengers say they are alerted by train operators that they are entitled to compensation when delayed .
The figures were released by rail watchdog Transport Focus , who surveyed 2,000 customers to check how many were made aware of their right to a payment .
The watchdog estimates tens of millions of pounds go unclaimed every year .
Most train companies offer compensation under a scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small number of firms offering alternative arrangments .
Customers ' chances of being alerted to their right to compensation varied between operators .
Virgin Trains , which has now been replaced by Avanti West Coast , led the way with 60 % of customers saying they were made aware of their rights .
By contrast , just 17 % of those travelling with West Midlands Trains and 16 % of Transport for Wales passengers reported that they had been made aware of their entitlement to make a claim by the operators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that they would never claim compensation for train delays , while 46 % responded that they `` could n't be bothered '' making the claim where a ticket cost £5 or less .
Others reported negative previous experiences and confusion over the claims process as reasons for failing to make a claim .
Rail companies paid out £79m in compensation in 2018/19 , down 2.1 % on the preceding 12 months .
However , the figure has trebled since 2014/15 .
The amount of compensation passengers are entitled to is based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held , the operator involved and the length of delay .
Under the Delay Repay scheme used by most firms , payments can be claimed after a 15-minute delay .
• TfW rail customers 'among least satisfied in UK' The report was released ahead of the launch of the watchdog 's `` Make Delay Pay '' awareness campaign , to encourage people to claim the money they are entitled to .
Among the schemes proposed by the group is a wallet function that would allow smaller payments to accumulate and be redeemed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` swap '' compensation for complimentary tickets .
Anthony Smith , chief executive of Transport Focus , said that all too often customers are still left `` in the dark about their right to claim compensation '' .
`` Despite the promise of 'one-click ' compensation only nine train operators currently pay out some form of automated compensation for delays and cancellations .
`` It 's vital that train operators actively encourage passengers to claim , making it quick , easy and automated as soon as possible . ''
Robert Nisbet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body the Rail Delivery Group , echoed calls for increased co-operation across the rail industry to help streamline the claims process .
`` We want passengers to get the compensation they 're entitled to and the industry is working together to encourage more people to claim and make the process easier .
`` More train operators are offering automatic compensation and raising awareness of Delay Repay with announcements on trains , notifications on Facebook messenger and email reminders . ''
The report comes during a turbulent time for the rail industry that saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licence by the government after yeas of major disruption .

More than a fifth of those polled said that they would never claim compensation for train delays, while 46% responded that they "couldn't be bothered" making the claim where a ticket cost £5 or less. Others reported negative previous experiences and confusion over the claims process as reasons for failing to make a claim.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Crimes unreported as public lose faith in police

Victims are no longer reporting some crimes to police because so many offenders are never brought to justice .
A new report said the public are losing faith in the criminal justice system and have `` rumbled '' that police do not have the capacity to investigate .
The constabulary inspector said a suspect was charged in just 7.8 % of crimes in England and Wales in the year to March 2019 .
The Home Office said action should be taken if forces are not performing .
• Number of suspects charged with crime hits new low • The crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a report by the spending watchdog warned the government could run out of prison places in two years because of tougher sentencing measures , combined with a drive to recruit 20,000 police officers .
The National Audit Office ( NAO ) said ministers have failed to deliver a promised 10,000 new prisoner places .
But the Ministry of Justice said it would `` always have enough prison places '' .
Differences in the way police forces carry out investigations , rising demand and falling resources in some areas means people face a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's inspector of constabulary said .
Matt Parr said the public has `` rumbled '' that the police do not have the capacity to deal with common crimes , such as burglaries or car crime , and have given up reporting incidents to police .
`` I think particularly in the volume crime area the public has rumbled that the police capacity to deal with this is extremely limited . ''
`` There are some strikingly low figures about car crime resolution , meaning most of the public simply give up reporting it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are so slim . ''
`` The country is just short of investigators , '' he said .
`` There 's lots of forces that have n't got enough detectives - therefore , very often , crimes are n't allocated to the right people to investigate . ''
`` They are not supervised properly and the people that investigate them have n't had as much training as we 'd like .
And the net result is , as we 've seen , under 8 % of recorded crimes getting a suspect charged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ across England and Wales is largely in good shape '' but that `` we can not ignore that forces are providing services under the twin pressures of rising demand and failing resources '' .
A suspect was charged in just 7.8 % of crimes recorded in England and Wales in the year to March 2019 , down from 9.1 % the previous year ; the proportion of crimes closed because the victim did not support a prosecution rose to 22.6 % from 20 % .
Lucy May Walker , a licensed busker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a woman stole €20 ( £16.95 ) out of her collection box .
`` I just watched her run away and thought ' I 've just been robbed ' ... for me , I did n't think police straight away , '' she told BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` I just feel like the police - for just twenty quid - were not the first port of call .
I think they [ the police ] are overstretched as it is , '' she said .
The Home Office said inspectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well and that it is `` giving police the resources they need '' .
`` In areas where services are not up to scratch , we expect police to take action and implement the inspectorate 's recommendations at pace , '' a spokesperson added .
In Enfield , north London , parents mount their own patrols in an attempt to prevent their children being targeted by criminals .
There is now such an instinctive feeling that the `` police are stretched '' that often crimes are n't reported at all .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding cuts reduced police numbers , and it will take time to restore the number of available officers .
But it is n't just about the number of `` bobbies on the beat '' .
The dramatic drop in the proportion of suspects charged suggests other factors are involved too .
Modern policing requires deft handling of evidence from devices such as phones and CCTV cameras .
Her Majesty 's Inspectorate of Constabulary found even in the best forces this can take months .
In the worst , it can take a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources to analyse and use intelligence they get from the community .
They are also struggling to push ahead with investigations where victims are n't co-operative .
They are short of investigators .
It all contributes to a sense that if you become a victim of lower-level crime in modern Britain , you ca n't expect to get justice .
Meanwhile the National Audit Office has found the government has so far only increased prison places by 200 , despite a pledge in 2016 to deliver 10,000 places over four years .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was delayed because of disagreements about funding .
It found 3,000 places were still under construction .
There are currently more than 83,000 people locked up - and the number is forecast to increase .
The report said analysis by the Ministry of Justice ( MoJ ) showed that from October 2022 , demand for prison places could begin to outstrip supply , as an increase in police officer numbers potentially leads to more offenders being caught .
• How dangerous is life inside our prisons ?
Further pressures are expected because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offenders spending longer periods behind bars .
The NAO report also criticised prison conditions , with poor safety reaching `` record levels '' and `` huge maintenance backlogs '' .
Ministers have announced a new £2.5bn prison building programme but the NAO said no timetable has been set and the 10,000 places which they have again promised may not be enough to keep up with the expected rise in the prison population .
The Ministry of Justice said it recognised the need to invest in maintenance and safety and pledged to spend an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming year .

"They are not supervised properly and the people that investigate them haven't had as much training as we'd like. And the net result is, as we've seen, under 8% of recorded crimes getting a suspect charged."


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Prince Andrew defers military promotion honour

The Duke of York has asked to defer an honorary Navy promotion he was due to receive when he turned 60 , Buckingham Palace has said .
Prince Andrew was set to be promoted to Admiral on 19 February , in line with a policy that sees senior royals treated as serving military members .
But the palace said he had asked the Ministry of Defence to defer it until a time when he returns to public duty .
He stepped back from royal duties in November .
It followed after a backlash over his past friendship with convicted sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his links to the US financier , who was found dead in his jail cell in August while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges , had become a `` major disruption '' to the Royal Family .
• 'Zero co-operation ' from Prince Andrew over Epstein The Duke of York retired from the Navy in 2001 , but it is a tradition that senior members of the royal family continue to receive military promotions as they get older .
Buckingham Palace said : `` By convention , the Duke of York would be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthday .
`` Following the decision by His Royal Highness to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future , the Duke of York has asked the Ministry of Defence if this promotion might be deferred until such time that His Royal Highness returns to public duty . ''
Meanwhile , the government has said it would be advising local councils that there is no requirement to fly the Union flag on the the duke 's birthday , following his decision to step back from public duties .
Downing Street said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the celebration `` crass and offensive '' .
But it has been confirmed that the bells of Westminster Abbey will still ring out in celebration .
Certain royal birthdays , including the duke 's , are traditionally marked by the ringing of bells at the Abbey .
A spokeswoman for the abbey said there were `` no plans to change these arrangements '' .

"Following the decision by His Royal Highness to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, the Duke of York has asked the Ministry of Defence if this promotion might be deferred until such time that His Royal Highness returns to public duty."


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Windrush: Campaigners criticise 'paltry' payouts

Campaigners have branded compensation to victims of the Windrush scandal as `` paltry '' after it was revealed that only £62,198 has been paid out so far .
So far 1,108 claims have been made for the estimated £200m fund - but only 36 people have received money by December , the Home Office said .
The scandal saw people with a right to live in the UK being wrongly targeted as illegal immigrants .
The scheme , unveiled in April 2019 , is being extended by two years .
Applications will now remain open until 2 April 2023 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ payouts under the Windrush Compensation Scheme so far were interim payments but it would not say how many people had received final payouts or the proportion of cash per person .
Up to 15,000 claims are expected to be lodged in total .
• Who are the Windrush generation ?
The Windrush generation arrived mainly from Commonwealth countries between 1948 and 1971 .
They had lived in the UK for decades before some were wrongly told they were in the country illegally after changes to immigration law in 2012 .
Dawn Hill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board , which is supporting victims , said a `` paltry amount '' had been paid out given the time the scheme had been operating .
Campaigner Patrick Vernon said the payout figures were `` quite low '' , given the thousands of people caught up in the scandal .
He called for victims to be given automatic payouts of £10,000 with the chance to make an additional claim .
Campaigners also urged the Home Office to put more funding behind publicity , saying a national campaign was needed on the scale of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advertising budget of about £4m .
The Home Office would not confirm how much was being spent on publicising the scheme but said it was committed to ensuring as many eligible people apply and funding had been given to Citizens Advice to help participants .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the government had listened to feedback to hear how the government `` can begin to do justice to those who have contributed so much to our country '' .
The application criteria is also now being made `` more flexible '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account .
The scheme is open to people from Commonwealth countries who arrived and settled in the UK before 1973 .
Some relatives , including children and grandchildren , may also be eligible .
It is also open to people from any nationality who have the right to live or work in the UK without restrictions or are now a British citizen and arrived in the country before December 31 1988 .

The Home Office would not confirm how much was being spent on publicising the scheme but said it was committed to ensuring as many eligible people apply and funding had been given to Citizens Advice to help participants.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Divisive weight loss wager firms target UK dieters

`` They even sent you a codeword .
You had to write it out on a piece of paper and include it in a photo with your feet and the scales , '' says Faith Archer , a money blogger at website Much More With Less .
Faith is one of a number of UK dieters who have turned to weight loss `` wager '' websites as an incentive .
Potential customers in the UK are now being targeted with adverts on social media .
David Roddenberry , co-founder of HealthyWage , told the BBC his firm started marketing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes personalised bets with its customers , where they pick how much weight they would like to lose , and over what time .
The prize money varies depending on the amount of weight a person has to lose .
Someone who wanted to lose a small amount of weight could bet £300 in total over 10 months , but make just £33 if they succeeded .
If they did n't hit their goal , they would lose all of their money .
People who want to lose more win greater returns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 've had about £250,000 of contracts in the UK in the first month of the year , '' said Mr Roddenbury .
He added : `` About one third of our participants accomplish their goal and get a prize at the end . ''
DietBet , the company that Faith signed up to , say that about 50 % of customers win their four-week bets .
It did not however provide data for those signing up to longer , more expensive bets .
`` I am quite a competitive person and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by losing weight really appealed , '' says Faith .
`` A friend of mine set up a DietBet group .
Everybody who took part put in $ 20 ( £15.46 ) , because it 's a US company .
`` The aim was to lose 4 % of your body weight within four weeks and whoever managed to achieve that target would share out the money at the end . ''
DietBet 's participants pool their money and the company takes a slice of that cash .
If everyone wins , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets less back than they put in .
`` We got sent vaguely encouraging messages over the four weeks and there was a certain amount of chat among the group , '' says Faith .
`` I had a bit of a panic at the end about whether I had actually done enough to win my bet .
But actually , I lost a few pounds more than needed , '' she adds .
`` Unfortunately , we must have been a really motivated group because it turned out everyone had won their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my $ 20 back .
In fact , with the exchange rate I think I got slightly less back than I had put in at the beginning .
But I had lost the weight and I think it did encourage me . ''
On the surface , this looks like one way tech firms are trying to disrupt an existing market - weight loss is big business in the UK .
However , there are real concerns that because it is online and competitive , weight loss wagers could enable unhealthy and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British Dietetic Association ( BDA ) told the BBC : `` The fact that they 'gamify ' weight loss and add a competitive element to losing weight would be hugely detrimental to those with poor relationships with food .
`` Those with eating disorders could use a website such as this to justify dieting and restriction for monetary gain .
That could have significant impacts on both mental and physical health . ''
The eating disorder charity Beat says it is very worried about the potential impact of these wager websites .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wagers , fitness apps , anything where the individuals are able to track their weight loss and use that in a competitive or a 'gamification ' way is extremely dangerous for people with eating disorders , '' said a spokesperson .
`` It 's been shown to exacerbate their eating disorder behaviours and make recovery much harder . ''
Different companies have different ways to stop people participating if they can not do so safely .
Those include `` flagging systems '' and referees , but none of them are fail-safe .
Amanda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of the BDA 's Obesity Specialist Group , said that motivation can often help with weight loss , though .
`` But there are more accessible motivators .
Somebody could put a pound in a pot for every pound they lose and then save up and buy themselves a nice new outfit or something .
`` If they could find some support whereby their diet improves , they manage to increase their physical activity levels , they are going to be much more likely to maintain any weight loss they achieve .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was simply an extra incentive .
But she does acknowledge that a larger or longer wager than hers might have been an issue .
She said : `` I think with any process where you are being weighed , there 's a danger that people might take it to extremes or not follow a healthy eating plan .
But that applies whether it 's a bet or a slimming club where you show up in person .
`` There were bets on offer where you had to put in a significantly larger amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I was a bit more wary of that . ''
`` Wagered '' weight loss worked for Faith , but did it last ?
`` Sadly no , '' she says .
`` But I kept it off for a few months . ''

She said: "I think with any process where you are being weighed, there's a danger that people might take it to extremes or not follow a healthy eating plan. But that applies whether it's a bet or a slimming club where you show up in person.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Phillip Schofield: What it's like when your parent comes out as LGBT

When I was four my mum came out as a lesbian and my whole life changed .
I completely relate to what what Phillip Schofield is going through and what his children will be going through .
I felt so happy for him .
I do n't know him at all but I felt a sense of pride for him because he 's finally being his true self .
I think it 's amazing that his family are so encouraging and supportive because he 's not changed as a person - he 's still their dad .
• Phillip Schofield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go through the struggles of explaining that you are from a different kind of family and it 's not 'normal ' - but it is my normal .
Like he said in his post - it is a scary time for him - but he also said he feels the world is so much more accepting now .
I 've learnt from my parents that it was a bit more difficult for some of my older siblings , so I wanted to speak to them about what it was like .
And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's any easier now for parents to come out .
In 2017 Jillian made a documentary for Radio 1 Newsbeat about what it 's like when your parents come out .
My mums - Susan and Gerrie - made history in 2014 , becoming the first lesbians to marry in Scotland .
It was `` the perfect moment in history '' , but it was n't always easy for them to get down the aisle .
For my mum , having such young children when she came out , it would have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was quite scared .
Although my grandparents knew , none of their friends knew and they were so worried about what their friends ' reaction was going to be .
I remember my mum sitting me and brother Jamie down , asking if we were embarrassed by her .
We both said `` do n't be so stupid '' and that `` of course '' we were n't embarrassed .
I feel that Jamie always found the funny side of things .
He knew how to make a joke about it , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I tell all my friends is what was written in Jamie 's school yearbook : more mummies than an Egyptian pyramid .
I do n't remember anybody staring at us when we went out , but I could have been so oblivious to it because I was so young .
Elaine definitely struggled through school , I think she 's quite emotionally traumatised by what happened to her .
She said she did n't tell anyone about her mum and my mum in school because of how people reacted to her sister .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was for the different ages involved .
Looking at Elaine , she 's struggled so much but she 's come out of it so much better .
She 's an incredibly strong person .
I was very fortunate in that I did n't struggle , but I did n't realise how difficult it was for Elaine because we were both at different stages of our lives .
I feel that Anne has taken the amazing qualities from our mothers ' and created a worldwide community for women who live oversees .
Anne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never lived with her because she was at university when our mums moved in together .
She says she sees through them that `` absolutely anything is possible '' , and it was `` kind of cool '' to have lesbian parents at university .
I would like to think in the future it will change and nobody will judge you for being lesbian or gay with children .
You can watch My Lesbian Mums on YouTube here .
Parts of this article were originally published in August 2017 .
Listen to Newsbeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or listen back here .

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bbcuk--2020-02-07--'My newborn son died and gave another baby life'

Nothing could prepare Valentina Daprile for losing her son , Angelo Ray , when he was eight days old .
But she and her husband Luigi were determined to donate his organs so that another baby could live .
It was something the hospital had never considered before .
Valentina will always remember the kindness in the doctor 's voice and the careful way he delivered the worst news a parent could ever hear .
`` I 'm so sorry , but there 's nothing we can do for your baby . ''
The staff at the newborn intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College Hospital had done everything they could but Angelo Ray would never be able to survive without life support and an MRI scan showed no brain activity .
Thinking back to that day in July 2016 , she says it felt as though her whole world was collapsing .
Angelo Ray was just down the corridor resting in his incubator .
His mother Valentina wondered how she would go on without him .
She had n't even been able to hold him yet .
`` I was so upset to imagine my baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine months , where is my mummy , why has she left me ? '
'' she says .
A week before Valentina had been due to give birth she had collapsed and stopped breathing , a wave of blue spreading up her body .
Her husband Luigi called 999 and followed instructions on how to resuscitate his wife .
It was the first day of the school summer holidays and so all this was witnessed by their six-year-old son , Leone .
Until that day , Valentina 's pregnancy had been complication-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth at home .
Instead , Angelo Ray was delivered at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich , south London , via an emergency Caesarean section and Valentina was rushed away for life-saving blood transfusions immediately afterwards .
It would be another 24 hours until Valentina got to see her baby , because she was so unwell and he was transferred for specialist care to King 's College Hospital in Camberwell .
Luigi would spend the days going between the two hospitals until Valentina had recovered enough to be transferred to King 's too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just how badly Angelo Ray 's brain had been affected by the lack of oxygen in the hours before his birth .
`` When the doctor spoke to us the toughest thing to accept was that there was absolutely nothing I could do to save my baby .
Literally nothing , '' Valentina says .
She was a mum with a high-pressure job - she 'd always felt confident in her ability to solve all manner of problems and fix what was broken .
But not this .
`` Just six days old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she thought .
Then , in her thick fog of grief an idea shone through , a small shard of comfort .
`` We thought the only thing that would make a bit of sense and to warm our hearts a little bit was to donate Angelo 's organs , '' says Valentina .
`` This was something we could actually do and it seemed a waste not to - then this horrible tragedy could serve some purpose . ''
Amy Overend , a nurse working in the King 's Nicu at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luigi when they suggested organ donation .
Never in her five years at the hospital had a conversation like this taken place .
`` Adults in intensive care might anticipate a conversation about organ donation because there is so much publicity around it , but it is a really difficult thing to broach with the parent of a newborn baby , '' says Amy .
But here were the parents , initiating the conversation themselves .
They had a strength she could n't begin to describe .
The Nicu team began to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even they were unsure whether it was possible , says Amy .
It was n't something they had done before , and removing organs from such a small baby , and transplanting them , poses extra challenges .
Angelo Ray had some bloods tests to check he would be a viable donor , and which organs it might be possible to use .
Everything was successfully put in place to fulfil the family 's wishes .
Yes , it was possible for Angelo Ray to be a donor .
`` You could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's family , it meant their son could live on somehow , '' says Amy .
Organ donation from a neonatal baby ( a baby under 28 days old ) is incredibly rare .
In ten years just 40 babies this age have become donors , according to NHS Blood and Transplant .
Twenty-six donated tissue - heart valves and corneas - while 14 donated organs , or both organs and tissues .
They have helped save the lives of patients of all ages - from other babies to children and adults .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for other babies , there are others , such as the kidneys , which can be used for an adult because they can grow .
The number of neonatal organ donors is slowly rising thanks to greater public awareness , growing expertise around retrieving and transplanting smaller sized organs and greater willingness from Nicus to embrace having the conversation about organ donation with families making end of life choices .
There was still the question of how to tell six-year-old Leone that the brother he had been so excited to have would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt very privileged to be asked by Valentina and Luigi to explain things to their son .
In a quiet corner the two of them sat down with some chocolate cake and she talked to Leone about how unwell his little brother was .
She explained he would n't be going home with them , he would be going to heaven instead .
Leone listened intently .
He 'd been trying so hard to stay strong for his parents and had just one question - `` Is it OK if I 'm sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked the name Angelo Ray together as a family .
The Italian word for Angel because they thought he looked like a perfect cherub and Ray because Leone had wanted to give his brother a name beginning with R. Before Angelo 's life support was withdrawn Leone sat and read his little brother a story about an elephant called Humpety Trumpety , ignoring all the wires and tubes that snaked around them .
He drew some pictures , decorating them with stickers , and they were taped to the inside of the incubator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the incubator to hold his brother 's hand and chat to him .
All this was his way of saying goodbye .
The time came for Angelo Ray 's life support to be withdrawn .
Valentina and Luigi accompanied their baby son to a private room , near the theatre , so they could be with him when his heart stopped beating .
An hour passed and Angelo Ray was still breathing , so the doctors decided to return the family to the Nicu ward to spend time together while nature took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be possible for Angelo Ray 's heart valves to be donated after he died .
There in the ward Valentina held her son for what would be the first and final time .
She nuzzled into the warmth of his body and took in the weight of him in her arms .
`` I will never forget his smell , the soft velvet of his skin , '' she says .
The three of them sat together cocooned away from the rest of the ward by screens which had been put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is several storeys up and its huge windows overlook sweeping views of the capital .
`` It was a starry night and London looked just beautiful , '' Valentina remembers .
`` There was a moment when he was on my chest and it felt like our hearts vibrated together , I ca n't explain it .
I like to think that he knew he was finally back with his mummy . ''
Soon afterwards he closed his eyes .
`` He took his last breath on me , in the warmth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have that privilege and it was an incredible gift I will cherish forever . ''
Angelo Ray died on 30 July 2016 , he was eight days old .
When he died , his parents felt at peace .
They were given the chance to bathe him and christen him with oil .
`` I made him nice and clean , I wanted to purify him after so many days in the hospital , '' says Valentina .
They softly said prayers and gave him a fresh nappy .
They dressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with four hearts , linked together by a golden thread .
Heart valves can be stored for up to ten years and have the potential to help multiple people .
They can be transplanted to save the lives of children born with heart defects as well as adults with damaged heart valves .
The family were told this week that one of the heart valves belonging to Angelo Ray was successfully transplanted to a newborn baby that was born with a congenital heart disease .
Valentina was overwhelmed with emotion when she found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know a part of our baby is definitely living on and it is an amazing legacy . ''
Angelo Ray and his family made a profound impact on Amy and changed her as a nurse , she says .
Now , if a baby meets the criteria , staff at King 's College Hospital will always talk to the parents about the possibility of organ donation .
`` Angelo Ray was the catalyst for some real proactive change in our thought process , '' Amy says .
The family gave the nurse a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in neonates , so much so that she now leads on end-of-life care at the Royal Bolton Hospital Nicu .
The hospital will be following the example of King 's and making it standard practice to discuss organ donations in the Nicu .
`` That is Angelo 's legacy - one of heartbreak , courage and pushing of boundaries . ''
In the weeks that followed her son 's death Valentina says she felt like an alien .
`` The world and everyone around me looked different .
If I saw people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think , ' I 've lost a baby , there is nothing to laugh about ' '' '' I made sure I took the time to grieve .
I cried , I stayed in bed , I got angry . ''
Slowly , with Luigi and Leone by her side , Valentina began to feel stronger and more able to face the world again .
She got a clean bill of health from the doctor and was told it would be safe to have another baby , if that is what she wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy at that point to let fear run my life and think , 'It was n't meant to be , no more kids , my life is finished ' .
But my life is not finished , '' she says .
In August 2018 Mattia was born , two years after Angelo Ray .
He was born in perfect health and is now a spirited 17-month-old .
Mattia joined his parents on a lantern-lit walk of remembrance during Baby Loss Awareness Week last year and will grow up knowing he is the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mattia to know his brother was a special baby , not destined for this Earth , '' says Valentina .
`` He came and gifted other people with life . ''
If you or someone you know is struggling with issues raised by this story , find support through the BBC Action Line .

Before Angelo's life support was withdrawn Leone sat and read his little brother a story about an elephant called Humpety Trumpety, ignoring all the wires and tubes that snaked around them. He drew some pictures, decorating them with stickers, and they were taped to the inside of the incubator. The six-year-old was able to reach into the incubator to hold his brother's hand and chat to him. All this was his way of saying goodbye.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Overdrafts: A guide to your changing bank fees

Arranged overdrafts are most often used by 18 to 24-year-olds , according to the Financial Conduct Authority .
With 44 @ @ @ @ @ during the past 12 months .
But on 6 April , overdrafts are changing .
@ @ @ @ @ Rick Kelsey , has been finding out how and why these changes could leave you @ @ @ @ @ to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

Arranged overdrafts are most often used by 18 to 24-year-olds, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. With 44% having dipped into theirs during the past 12 months.
But on 6 April, overdrafts are changing. Radio 1 Newsbeat reporter, Rick Kelsey, has been finding out how and why these changes could leave you paying almost double.
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.


bbcuk--2020-02-06--Seven female scientists you may not have heard of - but should know about

Not a single woman 's name features in the national curriculum for science , an education charity says - prompting calls for the government to act over a `` lack of visible role models for girls '' .
Teach First has launched the STEMinism camapign , calling to close gender gaps in science and maths careers .
It says no female scientists were mentioned in the GCSE science curriculum , while just two - DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin and paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey - were referred to in three double science GCSE specifications from the major exam boards .
In comparison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their discoveries were mentioned .
Meanwhile , a separate poll conducted by the charity revealed half of people are unable to name a single female scientist , alive or dead .
But it is not just Britain 's men who have made pioneering scientific discoveries .
Here are some of the overlooked British women whose research changed the world .
Somerville was named the 19th Century 's `` queen of science '' after her death .
Her popular books linked up and explained different areas of scientific study , and her detailed work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discovery of Neptune .
She made history in 1835 when she jointly became the first female member of the Royal Astronomical Society in London .
Somerville has been on the Royal Bank of Scotland 's £10 notes since 2017 .
A self-taught pioneer , Anning discovered Jurassic remains in her hometown of Lyme Regis .
She came across her first find - an ancient reptile later named an Ichthyosaurus - at the age of 12 .
The Natural History Museum calls her the `` unsung hero of fossil discovery '' , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her contributions to science during her lifetime .
She was not allowed to be part of the Geological Society of London , for example .
In fact , it did not admit women until more than half a century after her death .
She worked with her friend Charles Babbage , an inventor and mechanical engineer , on his proposals for an `` Analytical Engine '' .
The device was never built , but the design had the essential elements of a modern computer .
Her notes described how codes could be created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and numbers .
She also created a method for the machine to repeat a series of instructions - a process known as `` looping '' , which computer programs still use today .
Garrett Anderson was the first woman to qualify in the UK as a doctor - but it was n't easy to get there .
In her mid-20s , she enrolled as a nurse at the Middlesex Hospital in London .
She attended lectures and observed the male medical students , but no university would let her take the exams to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding that the Society of Apothecaries could n't legally refuse her , she qualified in 1865 .
She subsequently opened the St Mary 's Dispensary for Women and Children in London and co-founded the London School of Medicine for Women .
She was the sister of Suffragist leader Millicent Garrett Fawcett , and campaigned for women 's right to vote .
Widdowson devoted her life to improving people 's diets in Britain and overseas .
In 1940 , when food was being rationed during World War Two , she published a book called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details of the nutritional values of many foods .
She was one of the dieticians who oversaw the addition of vitamins to food during wartime rationing .
Hodgkin was born in Cairo to a British couple who were working in the north African country during a period when it was under British control .
But she herself largely spent her childhood in Norfolk and was educated at a state school in Beccles , Suffolk , where she fought to be allowed to study chemistry along with the boys .
She used X-ray technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insulin , and vitamin B12 .
In 1964 she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry - and is still the only British woman to have done so .
She also lectured former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher , who studied chemistry at Somerville College in Oxford in the 1940s .
From 1976 to 1988 , Hodgkin was president of the Pugwash Conference , an international organisation set up in the 1950s to assess the dangers of nuclear weapons .
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell is credited with one of the most important discoveries of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio pulsars .
Pulsars are the by-products of supernova explosions that make all life possible .
Prof Bell Burnell was overlooked for the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974 , even though the award went to two male academics who worked alongside her .

It says no female scientists were mentioned in the GCSE science curriculum, while just two - DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin and paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey - were referred to in three double science GCSE specifications from the major exam boards. In comparison, more than 40 male scientists or their discoveries were mentioned.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Ex-Thomas Cook staff adapting to railway life with GWR

When Thomas Cook collapsed , thousands of employees suddenly found themselves without a job - but 30 of them have been fast-tracked for new jobs on trains after Great Western Railway ( GWR ) made a plea for cabin crew and ground staff to get in touch .
Sian Pike , who had been with Thomas Cook for 26 years and was an airline cabin manager , is one of them .
`` My life had been flying , and suddenly it was ripped away from me , leaving me feeling really numb , '' said Ms Pike .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be flying until they kicked me out .
`` My uniform is still in my wardrobe , my bags are under the stairs .
`` It was a way of life .
I was literally going to be there with my Zimmer frame going down the aisle . ''
`` On the very last day , our flight was sent to the remote stands of the airport , '' remembers Jamie Iaquaniello from Dartford , who worked on one of the last flights from Antalya in Turkey to Gatwick Airport .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we realised something was happening by then .
`` We were customs searched when we left the airport because they thought we would steal all the duty-free on the way out once we knew we were redundant . ''
Mr Iaquaniello joined a conference call with the administrators the following day .
`` They just said good luck to us all and that was it .
`` Some of us were retained to bring stranded holidaymakers back , which was hard because the aircraft were still painted with the Thomas Cook livery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for jobs even though they knew they would be redundant . ''
Ms Pike , who lives in Cardiff but was based at Bristol , said : `` I applied to several airlines , because my heart said ' I need to keep flying ' , and it was overruling my head .
`` I then thought I would try GWR since there were parallels with my flying career - safety , customer service and the irregular hours .
`` I really loved getting up at 2am for a customer service role so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • Thomas Cook staff work for free to help holidaymakers She is currently midway through training to be a customer host for the train operator , alongside several of her former colleagues .
`` Unfortunately we wo n't be selling duty-free on the train but you never know , '' she joked .
Mr Iaquaniello rang GWR the morning after he was made redundant , and was in training three weeks after he left Thomas Cook .
He now works from London Paddington , travelling across the South West .
`` At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenge of learning new things again .
`` The good bits from aviation are also in rail - the camaraderie , it 's all laughs and jokes - and people were really supportive .
`` I 'm one of the lucky ones .
So many people are still trying for aviation jobs and they wo n't start until March - and some airlines do n't even pay for training .
GWR 's human resources director , Ruth Busby , said the company immediately realised an opportunity after the airline 's collapse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ making to their customers on that last day , staying out and making sure everyone got home all right .
`` They were providing great customer service , and a member of our recruitment team thought we should offer them our support .
`` Our tweet that we put out reached 500,000 people and dramatically increased the traffic to our recruitment website . ''
Both former cabin staff have found it odd seeing parts of their former work life appear for sale online .
`` It 's funny , you can still see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell being auctioned on eBay '' , said Mr Iaquaniello .
`` I know someone who bought a trolley from one of the planes , '' said Ms Pike .
`` As a trainer I collected all the mugs , Sindy dolls , everything we were given as branded items and they are all being held on to .
`` Losing my job was like a bereavement , but we 're really lucky to be in work again so soon . ''

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bbcuk--2020-02-07--Phillip Schofield on coming out as gay: 'Every person I tell it gets a little lighter'

TV presenter Phillip Schofield has revealed he is gay , after 27 years of marriage to his wife Stephanie Lowe @ @ @ @ @ announcement via a statement posted on his Instagram story .
Speaking on ITV 's This @ @ @ @ @ this was my decision '' and his hand had not been forced .
Full story @ @ @ @ @ comes out as gay

TV presenter Phillip Schofield has revealed he is gay, after 27 years of marriage to his wife Stephanie Lowe.
The 57-year-old made the announcement via a statement posted on his Instagram story.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning Mr Schofield said "this was my decision" and his hand had not been forced.
Full story: ITV presenter Phillip Schofield comes out as gay


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Mums' fears over army sons thousands of miles from home

Jean Galbraith and Lynda Salt are intensely proud of their sons , who both serve in the 2nd Battalion , @ @ @ @ @ many mothers of service personnel they live with constant fear that results in sleepless nights @ @ @ @ @ tears .
L/Cpl Archie Galbraith , from Stoke-on-Trent , and L/Cpl Tony Salt , of @ @ @ @ @ on exercise in Jordan .
In a message to his mother , L/Cpl Salt told @ @ @ @ @ out '' and `` knock all the worrying on the head . ''

Jean Galbraith and Lynda Salt are intensely proud of their sons, who both serve in the 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment.
But like many mothers of service personnel they live with constant fear that results in sleepless nights and sometimes being brought to tears.
L/Cpl Archie Galbraith, from Stoke-on-Trent, and L/Cpl Tony Salt, of Lichfield, have recently been on exercise in Jordan.
In a message to his mother, L/Cpl Salt told her to, "chill out" and "knock all the worrying on the head."
Video journalist: Louise Brierley


bbcuk--2020-02-06--Universal Credit: 'I went wild, then the debt hit'

Paula was on Jobseeker 's Allowance but had to switch to Universal Credit when her boyfriend moved in with her @ @ @ @ @ new benefit that replaces six existing payments - and it 's been beset by problems @ @ @ @ @ claimants , Paula had to wait five weeks for the payments to start .
She @ @ @ @ @ payment to see her through until then , which she was initially happy about .
@ @ @ @ @ `` I have just got myself into one big mess and I 've lost control @ @ @ @ @ says .
You can watch the three-part series 'Universal Credit : Inside the Welfare State @ @ @ @ @ .

Paula was on Jobseeker's Allowance but had to switch to Universal Credit when her boyfriend moved in with her.
Universal Credit is a new benefit that replaces six existing payments - and it's been beset by problems.
Like a lot of claimants, Paula had to wait five weeks for the payments to start.
She was offered a large advance payment to see her through until then, which she was initially happy about. Then things went wrong.
"I have just got myself into one big mess and I've lost control over everything", she says.
You can watch the three-part series 'Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State' on BBC iPlayer here.
Edited by: Ahmen Khawaja


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Question Time: Was Tracy Brabin's dress appropriate for parliament?

Following criticism of an MP 's choice of clothing , the panel was asked if an audience member was dressed @ @ @ @ @ Labour MP Tracy Brabin , who attracted attention for wearing an off-the-shoulder dress in the @ @ @ @ @ it online for charity .

Following criticism of an MP's choice of clothing, the panel was asked if an audience member was dressed appropriately for Question Time.
Labour MP Tracy Brabin, who attracted attention for wearing an off-the-shoulder dress in the Commons, is now auctioning it online for charity.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Lukas Skinner: Meet Cornwall's rising son of surfing

Lukas Skinner , 12 , is snapping at the heels of his dad Ben , the 11 times European longboard @ @ @ @ @ won the English under-12s for the last two years and came second in the under-18s @ @ @ @ @ .
But along the way he 's put up with frozen wetsuits , freezing water @ @ @ @ @ skills .
The father and son describe how training is never an easy path for @ @ @ @ @

Lukas Skinner, 12, is snapping at the heels of his dad Ben, the 11 times European longboard surfing champion.
Lukas has won the English under-12s for the last two years and came second in the under-18s UK Pro Tour last year.
But along the way he's put up with frozen wetsuits, freezing water and many falls perfecting his skills.
The father and son describe how training is never an easy path for a young British surfer.
Video journalist: Jonathan Morris


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Newspaper headlines: Failing police 'rumbled' and coronavirus fears rise

The Daily Telegraph and the Times both lead on a watchdog 's warning that the public is giving up on the police solving crimes .
The Inspector of Constabulary , Matt Parr , tells the Times that the small number of people being charged for some crimes `` chips away at public confidence in the police '' .
In its editorial , the Telegraph suggests the police focus less time on domestic abuse , malicious communications and online fraud and more on theft and burglary .
The Daily Mail blames a decline in stop-and-search , unanswered 999 calls and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The death of the Chinese doctor , Li Wenliang , who was silenced when he first tried to raise the alarm about coronavirus is reported in several papers .
The Guardian says it has triggered `` grief and anger '' on Chinese social media .
The Times suggests he had become `` a national hero . ''
Here , the papers says health chiefs are preparing for a significant increase in cases .
They'= are extending testing from one centre to 12 labs .
The Independent website warns that Boris Johnson is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' after nominating the billionaire Conservative party donor and Brexit backer Peter Cruddas for a peerage .
The Times describes the former Tory Treasurer as `` controversial '' , the Mail as `` disgraced '' .
Both papers refer to to a Sunday Times undercover investigation in 2012 in which he was apparently recorded offering access to David Cameron in exchange for more than £200,000 in donations .
Get news from the BBC in your inbox , each weekday morning Several papers including the Daily Mirror report that 2,000 pensioners are having their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
The paper blames `` Tory cuts '' for the number of people being turned down for help with washing , getting up , dressing and eating .
The Daily Mail notes that the government had promised social care reform in its first 100 days , but , with more than half that time gone , there have been no signs of movement .
The Daily Express says Boris Johnson should make it his `` next task . ''
For its front page story , the Daily Express reports that Prince Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rank of Admiral `` for the sake of the Queen '' .
The paper praises the move , in its editorial , as being the `` right thing '' .
The Express 's royal correspondent , Richard Palmer , stresses that the prince has not been charged with any offence in relation to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal , but has been `` convicted in the court of public opinion '' .
He suggests the decision was taken on the advice of the Queen 's senior courtiers .
Finally , a heated row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Daily Mail and the Times .
For decades Jersey has claimed to be the sunniest place in the British Isles .
But Guernsey is now claiming the title , having compared the hours of sunshine recorded by the Met Office at each island 's airport last year .
Jersey ups its sunshine tally with figures from another weather station .
The Guernsey Press objects , saying it is cheeky to use the high up station .
And the Met Office 's take ?
It pragmatically tells the Times there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year on year .

The Express's royal correspondent, Richard Palmer, stresses that the prince has not been charged with any offence in relation to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, but has been "convicted in the court of public opinion". He suggests the decision was taken on the advice of the Queen's senior courtiers.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Manchester Arena attack jurors shown bomber's final movements

Footage of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber 's final movements has been shown to jurors at his brother 's trial .
Salman Abedi detonated a homemade bomb outside an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017 , killing 22 people .
CCTV stills showed the 22-year-old carrying a rucksack containing the device , packed with screws and bolts , as he made his way to the venue .
His Manchester-born brother Hashem Abedi has denied 22 counts of murder and other charges .
Outlining the hours up to the attack , prosecutor Duncan Penny QC told the trial at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the evening , before returning home .
He later made his way back and waited for thousands of people to leave at the end of the concert before detonating the bomb at 10.31 BST .
Mr Penny said Salman was carrying a paint tin filled with the homemade explosive TATP , placed inside a money tin and surrounded by a large amount of shrapnel comprising screws and nuts .
`` As you know , the blast and shrapnel contained within the device killed 22 bystanders and caused the catalogue of injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Penny said .
Prosecutors say Hashem Abedi , 22 , was complicit in sourcing and stockpiling components for the bomb .

"I purchased some small bags of nails but [do] not recollect where from," his statement said, adding that his memory had faded in the intervening years during which time he claimed he had been held by the militia in Libya "in a very small dark cell" where he was "subjected to torture".


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Derek Mackay: Scottish government denies trying to block newspaper claims

The Scottish government has defended its handling of the Derek Mackay scandal amid claims it tried to `` throw up hurdles '' to prevent publication .
Mr Mackay quit as Scotland 's finance secretary after the Scottish Sun revealed he sent 270 messages to a 16-year-old schoolboy .
The newspaper says the government demanded to know the name of the boy when it was approached for comment .
It also says it was asked to justify its `` intrusion into private life '' .
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the government had `` simply asked for information to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the points that were being put to us '' .
Further newspaper allegations about Mr Mackay 's behaviour were published on Friday morning , with the Daily Record reporting that he sent dozens of unwanted messages over a four-year period to a married SNP activist , including one asking : `` Got any naughty pics ? ''
Meanwhile , the Herald claims that Mr Mackay , 42 , was banned by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon from drinking during SNP conferences because of concerns over his behaviour .
Mr Mackay has not responded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw accused the Scottish government of being `` more interested in protecting its own reputation than in the welfare of potential and actual victims '' .
He added : `` A pattern of behaviour is now beginning to emerge , and it 's vital the SNP leadership - instead of spinning - acts to establish a complete picture . ''
Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament on Thursday that she had not known about Mr Mackay 's `` unacceptable '' behaviour until Wednesday evening , and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' against him .
Mr Swinney , her deputy , told the BBC 's Good Morning Scotland programme that he had been `` utterly stunned '' by the revelations .
He said he had not heard any allegations about Mr Mackay 's conduct in the past , and had no previous concerns about his behaviour .
The Scottish Sun has claimed that the Scottish government 's initial response to being told about the allegations against Mr Mackay was to attempt to `` throw up hurdles to prevent us from publishing the bombshell revelations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Demanding to know the name of the 16-year-old schoolboy as well as asking for our 'justification for publication , given the intrusion into private and family life , and correspondence including digital communication ' . ''
The newspaper stressed that it had not identified the boy to the government , which subsequently refused to comment on the allegations .
Chris Musson , the political editor of the Scottish Sun , spoke to the Podlitical podcast about how the newspaper broke the Derek Mackay story , and what the boy and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Listen to the full episode here Mr Swinney insisted that the government had taken `` decisive '' action once the seriousness of the allegations against Mr Mackay became clear .
He added : `` The government became aware of these allegations at about 6pm on Wednesday night , and we simply - because of the significance of what was being put to us - asked for information to give us the veracity and the substance of the points that were being put to us .
`` We saw nothing in writing until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun later on Wednesday evening , so we were simply asking for the detail that we would ask in any situation where allegations are being put to us so that we can be confident about the detail that is being asked . ''
Mr Mackay is said to have quit as finance secretary on Wednesday evening , although his resignation was not made public until the following morning .
It has been reported that he is in line for a £12,000 severance payment .
He was subsequently suspended by the SNP pending further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detail in the Sun newspaper printed in their edition on Thursday morning '' , Mr Swinney added .
Mr Mackay now sits as an independent MSP , although he has been urged to stand down completely from Holyrood by opposition leaders who have said his behaviour could `` constitute the grooming of a young individual '' .
The Scottish Sun said that Mr Mackay persistently contacted the schoolboy over a six-month period , and told him that he was `` cute '' .
The newspaper detailed allegations that the politician contacted the boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August of last year and sent about 270 messages on Instagram and through Facebook .
It has published a list of messages - the most recent of which is from earlier this week - involving Mr Mackay and the boy , in which its says the MSP invited him to dinner and to attend a rugby event .
The newspaper also reported that Mr Mackay contacted the boy several times on Christmas Day , and told him on another occasion that he was `` looking good with that new haircut '' .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Mackay said : `` I take full responsibility for my actions .
I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry .
I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family . ''
Mr Mackay , who had been widely tipped as a future first minister , came out as gay when he left his wife in 2013 .
His resignation came just hours before he was due to present the Scottish government 's spending plans for the next year - a major set piece event in the Scottish Parliament .

"We saw nothing in writing until we saw the first edition of The Sun later on Wednesday evening, so we were simply asking for the detail that we would ask in any situation where allegations are being put to us so that we can be confident about the detail that is being asked."


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Bloody Sunday: Soldier F trial venue decision later this month

A decision on whether the trial of Soldier F will be held in Belfast or Londonderry will be made later this month , a court has been told .
The former paratrooper is charged with murdering two men on Bloody Sunday .
He faces five further charges of attempted murder .
On Friday , district judge Barney McElholm said a final decision on a venue for committal proceedings will be taken on 24 February .
Soldier F is charged with the murders of James Wray and William McKinney in Derry in 1972 .
Four of the attempted murder charges relate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Quinn , Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell .
The fifth relates to persons unknown .
Judge McElholm told the court he had received a letter from the brother of James Wray , Liam .
The district judge said he would carefully consider its content before making a decision on the venue for committal proceedings .
He said there was also a date in mind for those proceedings but that might have to be changed .
The judge said he was conscious of the fact that all the main players , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not getting any younger .
Liam Wray , he said , made that point in his letter on behalf of the families .
Mr Wray further pointed out that justice had not just to be done but be seen to be done , the court was told .
The short hearing on Friday was attended by a number of relatives of Bloody Sunday victims .
The court also heard a number of extra witnesses has been agreed and more details would emerge on 24 February .

Mr Wray further pointed out that justice had not just to be done but be seen to be done, the court was told.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Tapiwa Matuwi: Dad's pain after son 'vanished without a trace'

The father of a missing hip hop artist has spoken of his family 's heartbreak after his son `` vanished '' without a trace on a busy street in Swansea .
Tapiwa Matuwi , 21 , was last seen on CCTV near Swansea Marina at about 07:00 GMT on 7 February 2019 .
He had been out with friends at Fiction nightclub on the city 's Wind Street .
His father Munyaradzi Zvada said he could not understand how no-one could have seen him on the busy street , while police have renewed their appeal .
`` It is like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to know anything , '' he said .
`` We are scarred forever , we have an important part of our family missing . ''
The IT graduate , known as Tapi to his friends , was spotted on CCTV at Castle Gardens , the St Davids student accommodation and finally near the marina on the night he disappeared .
But since then no evidence has been found , and despite numerous appeals no-one has contacted the police or family with any information about what happened , Mr Zvada said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuck , there are no leads , you can only imagine , '' he said .
`` There is the CCTV , and then no information , it is like a wild goose chase .
`` I know somebody knows something or saw something , but no-one is saying anything . ''
Mr Zvada said he and his wife Nyengetereya Matuwi-Zvada and friends had put up about 10,000 posters around the area searching for their son , a University of Wales Trinity Saint David graduate .
They also held a concert to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of time walking around speaking to people , '' he said .
`` It is a busy area , people are always walking their dogs , somebody out there knows something , why would they withhold that information ? ''
.
Mr Zvada , from Llansamlet in the city , said he and his family would not give up hope and knew their son would want them to keep trying to find out what had happened .
`` He was a very lovely kid , he was just a kind and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of joy , '' he said .
`` We had a lot of good times as a family , we went through Christmas and birthdays without him , it has been terrible , you do n't know where to go or what to do . ''
Mr Zvada said that it had been especially hard for Tapi 's 10-year-old sister as the two of them were close , listening to music and spending a lot of time together .
Tapi 's family had considered hiring a private investigator , but said they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations before exploring that avenue again .
`` We do not want him to become another statistic , '' said Mr Zvada , who said they would be spending time as a family thinking about their son on the anniversary of his disappearance and try to raise publicity .
`` We are just going to try whatever we can , it might jiggle someone 's memory .
`` Wherever he is , that is the approach he would want us to take , to be doing whatever we can .
We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of closure , that is what we are looking for as a family . ''
Tapi is about 6ft , slim with black hair and was wearing a red jacket with Bieber written in white on the back when he disappeared .
Det Insp Carl Price said : `` We continue to investigate Tapi 's disappearance and one year on we need your help to give his family the answers they desperately need .
`` We have spoken to a number of witnesses but if anyone has any information we would ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do not think it 's important . ''

"We do not want him to become another statistic," said Mr Zvada, who said they would be spending time as a family thinking about their son on the anniversary of his disappearance and try to raise publicity.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Band's stolen equipment found in Cash Generator store

A band who had equipment stolen during a car break-in has thanked the public after most of it was recovered from a buy-and-sell store .
Do Nothing , from Nottingham , appealed for help after gear worth £1,000 was taken from an underground car park in George Street , in the city , on Monday .
The items were recovered a day later from a Cash Generator store .
The band , who have featured in the NME , told those who helped : `` You 've restored faith to our cold dead hearts . ''
A Facebook appeal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pedals , was shared hundreds of times .
Guy Elderfield , a local music producer , saw the post and , by chance , later spotted some of the items in Cash Generator .
After noting down the serial numbers he realised they matched those stolen .
`` [ The thieves ] were n't very bright , '' he said .
`` Bass is a massive part of what Do Nothing sound like .
If you take that away they would n't sound like the same band .
`` It 's always nice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the store 's attendants were `` really helpful '' and took the items off the shelves and contacted the police .
Bassist Charlie Howarth said most of the equipment stolen belonged to him .
`` Our drummer had gone to his car and noticed that a brick had been put through the back window , '' he said .
`` They took my pedal board , which is a case that provides various effects for your instrument .
They can be quite expensive .
`` The [ pedals ] are just so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone , so when they get taken out the case they 're really hard to track down . ''
He described the moment the band received a call from Mr Elderfield as being `` pretty remarkable '' and `` pretty mad '' .
`` Never thought we 'd get it back and so quickly , '' Mr Howarth said , adding it was only 24 hours after the band had discovered the equipment had been stolen .
The band 's new track , titled LeBron James , is currently on the BBC Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet responded to a request for a comment when approached by the BBC .
Nottinghamshire Police said no arrests have been made .
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram .
Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews @ bbc.co.uk .

"The [pedals] are just so small, not much bigger than a phone, so when they get taken out the case they're really hard to track down."


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Harry and Meghan attend JP Morgan event in Miami

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a JP Morgan event in Miami on Thursday , a palace source has said .
Prince Harry spoke at the event but it is unclear whether he was paid to appear .
It comes after the couple said they would step back as `` senior royals '' and work to become financially independent .
They intend to split their time between the UK and North America and , from the spring , will no longer be full-time working royals .
They will stop using their HRH titles , no longer carry out royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formally represent the Queen .
The New York Post 's Page Six , which first reported the story , said the Sussexes were `` keynote speakers '' as they made their first appearance together since the Queen granted their wish to step back as full-time royals .
CBS News host Gayle King introduced Meghan , who spoke of her love for her husband , before introducing him at 1 Hotel in Miami 's South Beach , Page Six reported .
He is said to have talked about his mental health , something he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
In 2017 , the duke revealed he sought counselling after `` shutting down '' his emotions for almost 20 years following the death of his mother .
In an ITV documentary last year , Prince Harry described his mental health and the way he deals with the pressures of his life as a matter of `` constant management '' .
• How might Harry and Meghan make money ?
Prince Harry arrived in Vancouver last month , where his wife Meghan had been staying with their nine-month-old son Archie .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January following an extended six-week Christmas break on Vancouver Island .
Since the couple announced their desire to become financially independent there has been speculation about how they might make money .
Public speaking , TV production and book deals have been touted as possible income sources for the couple .
They also plan to launch a charitable foundation .
Currently , 95 % of the couple 's income comes from Prince Charles 's income from the Duchy of Cornwall , a vast portfolio of property and financial investments , which brought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple will continue to receive money from Prince Harry 's father under the new agreement , although it is unclear whether this will come from the Duchy , his personal wealth , or a combination of the two .
However , the Sussexes will stop receiving money from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant , which makes up the other 5 % of their income .

It is believed the couple will continue to receive money from Prince Harry's father under the new agreement, although it is unclear whether this will come from the Duchy, his personal wealth, or a combination of the two.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Coronavirus: Next Britons flown from Wuhan to be taken to Milton Keynes

Around 150 Britons on the next UK government flight back from Wuhan will be taken to a conference centre in Milton Keynes for a 14-day quarantine .
UK citizens on two earlier repatriation flights from the Chinese city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak are at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral .
There have been three cases of coronavirus in the UK so far .
The third patient caught the virus at a business conference in Singapore , the BBC 's Hugh Pym says .
Singaporean authorities contacted the man , who is British , to warn him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is thought to have tested positive for the virus in Brighton and called NHS 111 from home for advice before going by arrangement to an isolation facility at the Royal Sussex County Hospital .
He was tested and then went home , isolating himself while he waited for the results .
The man was then transported by the NHS to St Thomas 's Hospital in London , where he is being treated .
The latest British nationals to be flown out of Wuhan on Sunday will be taken to Kents Hill Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outskirts of Milton Keynes .
Milton Keynes University Hospitals NHS Trust said there was no risk to local people as anyone showing symptoms would not be allowed to board the plane .
After they arrive , passengers will continue to be monitored and anyone who shows symptoms during their two-week stay will be tested for the virus , the trust said in a statement .
Anyone who tests positive will be isolated and given specialist NHS care .
The two other UK cases - both Chinese nationals - are being treated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Newcastle .
The patients - a University of York student and one of their relatives - tested positive for the virus after falling ill at a hotel in York .
There have been more than 31,000 cases worldwide , mostly in China .
More than 600 people have died but only two of these were outside mainland China - one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines .
Meanwhile , 61 people - including one British national - have tested positive for the virus on a cruise ship off the coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Wolverhampton , who was on his honeymoon with his wife Wendy , is among those to be taken off the ship for hospital treatment .
He posted on Facebook on Friday that his new wife had remained on board .
He told friends : `` Would also like to say that at the moment I am not showing any symptoms so just possibly a carrier .
Will let you know how I am going on when possible . ''
Some 3,700 people are on board the Diamond Princess , which is quarantined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nearly 100 Britons have been flown out of Wuhan on flights arranged by the UK government .
All are now in quarantine on the Wirral for 14 days - the incubation period of the virus - to ensure they are not carrying the infection .
A final chartered flight for Britons is due to leave the city on Sunday , the Foreign Office said .
On Thursday , the government updated its advice for people arriving in the UK from nine Asian countries and territories .
Anyone returning from the specified countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a cough , fever or shortness of breath is advised to stay indoors and call the NHS 111 service .
Previously this advice had only applied to travellers arriving from mainland China .
The Foreign Office has also advised Britons in China to leave the country if they can to minimise the risk of exposure to the virus .
The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms usually start with a fever , followed by a dry cough .
Most people infected are likely to fully recover - just as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization said data from 17,000 patients suggested 82 % have mild disease , 15 % severe and 3 % critical .

He told friends: "Would also like to say that at the moment I am not showing any symptoms so just possibly a carrier. Will let you know how I am going on when possible."


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Phillip Schofield: Support for ITV presenter after he comes out as gay

TV presenter Phillip Schofield has received an outpouring of support after revealing he is gay .
The 57-year-old , who has two daughters with wife Stephanie Lowe , made the announcement via a statement on Instagram .
`` Huge respect and admiration for our friend Schofe , '' tweeted fellow ITV presenters Ant and Dec. `` Sending love to you P , and your 3 lovely girls ❤ . ''
Dermot O'Leary , David Walliams and James Corden also applauded him .
`` Takes a lot of guts to do this , not least when you 're a very public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissected in a very public way , '' said Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan .
`` Sending my very best to Schofe and his family . ''
Schofield , who has been married to Lowe for 27 years , said in his statement : `` Today , quite rightly , being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud .
`` Yes , I am feeling pain and confusion , but that comes only from the hurt that I am causing to my family . ''
He later thanked fans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for help in a post on Instagram .
`` Please please , no matter your age or your thoughts , TALK to someone , do n't let your head beat you and hopefully you 'll find out that your friends & family have a remarkable ability to surprise you with their love and understanding , '' he wrote .
Schofield presents ITV programmes including Dancing On Ice and This Morning , which won a National Television Award last week .
The presenter was interviewed by his co-host Holly Willoughby on Friday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know this has been bothering me for a very long time , '' he said .
`` Everybody does this at their own speed when the time is right . ''
The presenter added his sexuality has recently `` become an issue in my head '' .
• ' I came out at 68' • What it 's like when your parents comes out as LGBT '' All you can be in your life is honest with yourself and I was getting to the point where I knew I was n't honest with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point where I did n't like myself very much because I was n't being honest with myself .
`` [ Coming out ] is my decision .
This is absolutely my decision .
It was something I knew that I had to do .
I do n't know what the world will be like now .
I do n't know how this will be taken or what people will think . ''
But Schofield said he is not ready yet for a relationship with a man .
`` You never know what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , what issues they are struggling with , or the state of their wellbeing - and so you wo n't know what has been consuming me for the last few years .
With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters , I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay .
`` This is something that has caused many heart-breaking conversations at home .
I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years , and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters , Molly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so close - they have tried to cheer me up , to smother me with kindness and love , despite their own confusion .
Yet still I ca n't sleep and there have been some very dark moments .
`` My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better .
Today , quite rightly , being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud .
Yes , I am feeling pain and confusion , but that comes only from the hurt that I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been incredible - I love her so very much .
She is the kindest soul I have ever met .
My girls have been astonishing in their love , hugs and encouraging words of comfort .
Both my and Steph 's entire families have stunned me with their love , instant acceptance and support .
`` Of course they are worried about Steph , but I know they will scoop us both up .
My friends are the best , especially Holly , who has been so kind and wise - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her shoulder .
At ITV , I could n't hope to work with more wonderful , supportive teams .
• How the nation fell in love with This Morning '' Every day on This Morning , I sit in awe of those we meet who have been brave and open in confronting their truth - so now it 's my turn to share mine .
This will probably all come as something of a surprise and I understand , but only by facing this , by being honest , can I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way forward .
`` Please be kind , especially to my family . ''
Social media was filled with support for Schofield after his announcement on Friday morning .
The BBC 's Victoria Derbyshire added : `` So much love for Schofe for his open , honest , dignified statement . ''
Dancing on Ice star Ian H Watkins , who recently made history by dancing with his same-sex partner on the show , welcomed Schofield to `` our beautiful rainbow family ! ''
Richard Osman of BBC One 's Pointless said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment show and start discussing who should host , the first name on the list is always Phillip Schofield .
That 's a fact .
`` He 's just the very best at what he does , and the public adore him .
Looking forward to many more years of his charm and brilliance . ''
Schofield found fame on children 's TV in the 1980s alongside Gordon the Gopher in the BBC 's Broom Cupboard , and on Saturday morning show Going Live !
He has starred in the West End in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doctor Dolittle , and fronted TV game shows like Talking Telephone Numbers and Schofield 's Quest before joining This Morning in 2002 .
The programme has won at the National Television Awards for 10 years in a row , including the prize for best live magazine show at last month 's ceremony .
Schofield also presents a programme with his wife every December where they review Christmas gifts .
Entertainment reporter Caroline Frost told BBC Radio 5 Live that stars from the previous generation were likely to have been told in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their careers .
`` You see all these young stars coming through and they do n't have to think about it , '' she said .
`` They 're fluid .
They just define their own terms .
`` But a lot of those older entertainers are having to play catch-up .
They branded themselves and were probably advised 'Do n't come out because it will ruin your following ' .
`` So they are having to catch-up and climb back up the hill of enjoying the same privileges that have come very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Coming out '' is a moment which unites all LGBT people , whether they are eventually able to do it , or not .
Some never will .
Social media reactions show that this is being seen as an incredibly brave decision for Philip Schofield to make .
Whilst Schofield is seen as a national treasure , and someone trusted with hearing deep and personal experiences on a daily basis , for him to become the story is wholly different .
When someone with such a massive public platform comes out as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public eye is suddenly questioned , with some on-lookers inevitably claiming they `` knew all along '' .
In many cases , the person coming out may not have even known , let alone their family and friends .
LGBT acceptance in the UK has changed dramatically over the past few decades .
Whilst there are still issues , on the whole , people are much more free to be themselves than ever before .
As a result , national LGBT charities such as the LGBT Foundation now offer tailored 'coming out ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who are choosing to come out later in life , helping them navigate any barriers they may face .
This huge moment for Phillip Schofield may just be the green light that others need to come out themselves .
Information and support : If you or someone you know needs support for issues about sexuality , these organisations may be able to help .

"This is something that has caused many heart-breaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby. My family have held me so close - they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion. Yet still I can't sleep and there have been some very dark moments.


bbcuk--2020-02-07--Beales to close more than half of its stores

Department store chain Beales is to close 12 of its shops in a bid to sell the rest .
Efforts to sell all 23 outlets together have failed , the administrators KPMG said .
The dozen being closed will trade for a few weeks to sell remaining stock , and staff will keep their jobs until then .
The department store began trading in 1881 in Bournemouth , which is one of the stores that will close , the administrators confirmed .
Beales had tried to secure rent reductions with landlords and was in negotiations with potential investors and buyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement closure plans for the remaining 11 stores , which will all continue to operate as usual until an outcome with regards to a sale of the business is clarified , '' said KPMG .
• 'We 're devastated , Mothercare was our family' • How to save the UK 's crisis-hit High Streets But the stores have been racking up losses , with the firm reporting a £3.1m deficit for its last financial year .
The following stores will close : The company 's decision to appoint administrators comes at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from the British Retail Consortium revealed that retail sales fell for the first time in a quarter of a century last year .

"There is currently no intention to implement closure plans for the remaining 11 stores, which will all continue to operate as usual until an outcome with regards to a sale of the business is clarified," said KPMG.


bbcuk--2020-02-08--Labour shadow minister Jon Ashworth in 'end of the party' warning

Labour 's `` devastating '' general election defeat could spell the end of the party , shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth has warned .
The Labour MP told a BBC Radio 4 documentary the party had to change or face up to 15 years out of power .
`` Unless we do something quick this could be the end of the Labour Party in this country '' , he said .
Senior Labour and Tory figures give frank assessments of the 2019 campaign in the programme to be aired on Sunday .
Labour went down to its worst defeat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although its vote share was slightly higher than when it lost in 2010 and 2015 .
Mr Ashworth had to apologise to his party two days before the election , after saying he did not believe it could win , blaming `` the combination of Corbyn and Brexit '' .
He said he was `` set up '' by a Tory friend , who secretly recorded his comments and released them to the media .
`` I obviously regret that and I still think about it all time , '' he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he added : `` I was correct - that was the irony of the phone call . ''
The Leicester South MP is critical of Labour 's decision to focus on claims the Conservatives were plotting to put the NHS on the table in trade talks with America .
`` It was a legitimate point to make , but I think , politically , voters did n't buy it , '' he said , because it did not directly affect their lives .
He also claims there was a lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour 's campaign .
He said he was told about the party 's free broadband pledge by a BBC Newsnight producer while he was waiting to go on air to talk about Labour 's NHS policies .
`` I knew nothing about it , '' he said , adding that it `` was a week when we were trying to focus on the NHS and we were suddenly going off in another direction '' .
He added that he did not think Labour should assume it would automatically return to power - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be out for another five to 10 , 15 years , '' he said .
Jeremy Corbyn 's former director of communications , James Schneider , also highlights a lack of trust between the key players in the campaign .
`` John ( McDonnell ) and his shadow Treasury team did guard quite closely their big announcements , '' he told presenter Anne McElvoy .
`` Over the course of 2019 , and the disagreements on Brexit , the levels of trust within the operation had reduced very much and there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour 's campaign slogan `` it 's time for real change '' never `` took off '' , adding `` we never filled it in with content or with other meaning '' , giving the impression that the party was `` throwing things at the wall '' .
The Conservatives honed their social media messages during the campaign before unleashing a barrage of `` negative , nasty messages about Jeremy '' in the final days , says Mr Schneider .
Isaac Levido , the Australian strategist who ran the Conservative campaign , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party 's messages .
He describes a much-criticised social media video , edited to show Sir Keir Starmer apparently unable to answer a question on Labour 's Brexit position , as `` a little bit of fun '' .
`` From time to time you need to do things that cut through , '' he added .
He also revealed that he had tried to maintain morale at Tory HQ by playing music , including One Day More , from the musical Les Miserables , on the eve of polling day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a sing-a-long .
People were quite delirious by that point , '' he added .
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove is asked if it was a mistake for Boris Johnson not to be interviewed by the BBC 's Andrew Neil .
`` No , because we won , '' he replied .
`` I 'm sure Boris would have done brilliantly , but with the best will in the world and I am huge fan of Andrew Neil , the purpose of running an election campaign is to win so that you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree to every broadcast bid . ''
Lib Dem leadership contender Layla Moran said her party failed to properly explain its policy of cancelling Brexit if it won the election .
`` It made us look arrogant , and it made us look stupid , '' she says .
The Inside Story of Election 19 is on BBC Radio 4 at 1330 GMT , presented by Anne McElvoy and produced by Peter Snowdon .

"I'm sure Boris would have done brilliantly, but with the best will in the world and I am huge fan of Andrew Neil, the purpose of running an election campaign is to win so that you can govern the country well, not to agree to every broadcast bid."