In a leaked letter, Mr Skates said he was informed this was because of the current level of investment.
He meets Network Rail officials on Thursday after describing conditions for rail passengers as "unacceptable".
Network Rail said it was committed to working with the Welsh Government to get value for taxpayers' money.
Mr Skates has accused the company - which maintains tracks across the UK - of a lack of investment in clearing leaves this autumn, which cause damage to train wheels because of the extra braking pressure required.
He believes this has led to over-crowding and reduced punctuality of services as it forces more rolling stock to be removed from routes.
Arriva Trains Wales said 54 out of its fleet of 127 have had to be taken away for repairs this autumn - an increase of 54% on the same period last year.
In the letter seen by BBC Wales, sent last month to Network Rail's route managing director Andy Thomas, Mr Skates said Arriva Trains Wales raised concerns about the level of work being carried out to clear leaves from the lines.
He wrote: "I have been informed that Network Rail responded that this was due to budgetary reasons and that at the current level of investment it would take 28 years to get the Welsh network up to the prescribed standard."
A Network Rail spokesman said: "We have jointly concluded with Arriva Trains Wales that the reduction in fleet availability cannot be solely related to Network Rail's autumn plan as we are increasing spend and activity.
"We are committed to working jointly with Arriva Trains Wales and the Welsh Government to ensure maximum value for taxpayers' money."
In a debate at the Senedd on Wednesday, Plaid Cymru's economy spokesman Adam Price described current conditions for Welsh rail passengers as a "national crisis".
He referred to three examples on social media yesterday in which one passenger told of his experience of a train catching fire, one had been on an overcrowded service where a passenger fainted, and another claimed to have a seat for the first time in 11 months.
An Arriva Trains Wales spokesman denied one of its trains had caught fire, instead saying there was a problem with an exhaust.
He said: "We understand and apologise for the frustrations around the capacity issues faced by commuters which has been made worse recently by the additional maintenance required on damaged train wheels caused by the autumn leaf-fall.
"We continue to work hard with our partners in Network Rail to reduce the impact of this issue."

Summary: Network Rail believes it will take 28 years to get the Welsh rail system up to standard, Skates has been told.

Answer: 1


In a leaked letter, Mr Skates said he was informed this was because of the current level of investment.
He meets Network Rail officials on Thursday after describing conditions for rail passengers as "unacceptable".
Network Rail said it was committed to working with the Welsh Government to get value for taxpayers' money.
Mr Skates has accused the company - which maintains tracks across the UK - of a lack of investment in clearing leaves this autumn, which cause damage to train wheels because of the extra braking pressure required.
He believes this has led to over-crowding and reduced punctuality of services as it forces more rolling stock to be removed from routes.
Arriva Trains Wales said 54 out of its fleet of 127 have had to be taken away for repairs this autumn - an increase of 54% on the same period last year.
In the letter seen by BBC Wales, sent last month to Network Rail's route managing director Andy Thomas, Mr Skates said Arriva Trains Wales raised concerns about the level of work being carried out to clear leaves from the lines.
He wrote: "I have been informed that Network Rail responded that this was due to budgetary reasons and that at the current level of investment it would take 28 years to get the Welsh network up to the prescribed standard."
A Network Rail spokesman said: "We have jointly concluded with Arriva Trains Wales that the reduction in fleet availability cannot be solely related to Network Rail's autumn plan as we are increasing spend and activity.
"We are committed to working jointly with Arriva Trains Wales and the Welsh Government to ensure maximum value for taxpayers' money."
In a debate at the Senedd on Wednesday, Plaid Cymru's economy spokesman Adam Price described current conditions for Welsh rail passengers as a "national crisis".
He referred to three examples on social media yesterday in which one passenger told of his experience of a train catching fire, one had been on an overcrowded service where a passenger fainted, and another claimed to have a seat for the first time in 11 months.
An Arriva Trains Wales spokesman denied one of its trains had caught fire, instead saying there was a problem with an exhaust.
He said: "We understand and apologise for the frustrations around the capacity issues faced by commuters which has been made worse recently by the additional maintenance required on damaged train wheels caused by the autumn leaf-fall.
"We continue to work hard with our partners in Network Rail to reduce the impact of this issue."

Summary: Network Rail has told Arriva Trains Wales it will take 28 years to get its network up to the prescribed standard, Transport Secretary Ken Skates has said.

Answer: 0


County are tenants at the ground which is also used by rugby union teams Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC.
"We've already made our position clear in respect to the pitch issues and what we're dealing with," Davies said.
"It points to the fact Newport County are bottom of the league and I suggest he focuses on preparing his own side."
"I'm not sure why he [Westley] feels it necessary to go on about it," Davies told BBC Wales Sport.
Davies is also the chief executive of Rodney Parade Limited, which owns the ground and agreed a 10-year lease for the football club to use the stadium in 2013.
On Thursday, Westley questioned whether Newport County were getting value for money out of the leasing deal.
The Exiles have had two games - against Morecambe and Barnet - abandoned at half-time while their game against Stevenage in October was postponed because of the state of the pitch.
"It costs us more for us to have County playing there than it's worth. The estimated cost of drainage work is worth twice as much as we receive from County each season," Davies continued.
The Dragons were beaten 10-0 by Ospreys at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day on a dreadful pitch and Davies says he is aware of the state of the playing surface.
"This issue is very important and I'm not trying to say the pitch is perfect. We're doing all we can to repair the pitch but there's no short-term solution," he said.
"In the meantime, it helps no-one that it continues to dominate the agenda."

Summary: Newport Gwent Dragons chief executive Davies says he is disappointed at Westley's criticism of the Rodney Parade pitch.

Answer: 1


County are tenants at the ground which is also used by rugby union teams Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC.
"We've already made our position clear in respect to the pitch issues and what we're dealing with," Davies said.
"It points to the fact Newport County are bottom of the league and I suggest he focuses on preparing his own side."
"I'm not sure why he [Westley] feels it necessary to go on about it," Davies told BBC Wales Sport.
Davies is also the chief executive of Rodney Parade Limited, which owns the ground and agreed a 10-year lease for the football club to use the stadium in 2013.
On Thursday, Westley questioned whether Newport County were getting value for money out of the leasing deal.
The Exiles have had two games - against Morecambe and Barnet - abandoned at half-time while their game against Stevenage in October was postponed because of the state of the pitch.
"It costs us more for us to have County playing there than it's worth. The estimated cost of drainage work is worth twice as much as we receive from County each season," Davies continued.
The Dragons were beaten 10-0 by Ospreys at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day on a dreadful pitch and Davies says he is aware of the state of the playing surface.
"This issue is very important and I'm not trying to say the pitch is perfect. We're doing all we can to repair the pitch but there's no short-term solution," he said.
"In the meantime, it helps no-one that it continues to dominate the agenda."

Summary: Newport County chairman Gareth Davies says he is "not sure" why the club's owner, Greg Westley, is not involved in the dispute over the pitch at Rodney Parade.

Answer: 0


Local MP Ian Lucas said people were concerned about the impact it could have if the prison on Wrexham Industrial Estate assumes a local name.
In a letter, prisons minister Jeremy Wright says local names are "generally avoided as most local people object".
He said it was likely people would be invited to propose names for the Â£212m prison which is due to open in 2017.
Work is expected to start in August, creating up to 1,000 jobs, to build the prison which will house 2,100 inmates, making it the largest prison in the UK.
The overall project spend is lower than the original Â£250m estimate and the construction will involve local business and enterprises, with 100 apprenticeships created.

Summary: Wrexham Industrial Estate's new prison is unlikely to be named after local name, says the prison minister.

Answer: 1


Local MP Ian Lucas said people were concerned about the impact it could have if the prison on Wrexham Industrial Estate assumes a local name.
In a letter, prisons minister Jeremy Wright says local names are "generally avoided as most local people object".
He said it was likely people would be invited to propose names for the Â£212m prison which is due to open in 2017.
Work is expected to start in August, creating up to 1,000 jobs, to build the prison which will house 2,100 inmates, making it the largest prison in the UK.
The overall project spend is lower than the original Â£250m estimate and the construction will involve local business and enterprises, with 100 apprenticeships created.

Summary: A petition calling for the name of a new £1bn prison in Wrexham has been launched by the Welsh government.

Answer: 0


Emergency services were called to Longtown Bridge, near Carlisle, on Tuesday after a 32-year-old man got into difficulties in the water.
The man had just rescued a young girl from the river, Cumbria Police said.
Chief Fire Officer for the county, Jim Onions, warned people against swimming during heatwaves because of strong currents.
Divers and rescue crews were involved in the search, along with the coastguard and an RAF helicopter with thermal imaging equipment.
The body has not been formally identified.
Mr Onions said: "We are really worried that during a hot spell - especially in the school holidays - people enter the water for a cooling dip because the water looks calm on the surface.
"But I've seen highly skilled firefighters in the water struggling because of strong undercurrents."
The rescued girl is at Cumberland Infirmary receiving treatment.

Summary: A body has been found in a river in Cumbria.

Answer: 0


Emergency services were called to Longtown Bridge, near Carlisle, on Tuesday after a 32-year-old man got into difficulties in the water.
The man had just rescued a young girl from the river, Cumbria Police said.
Chief Fire Officer for the county, Jim Onions, warned people against swimming during heatwaves because of strong currents.
Divers and rescue crews were involved in the search, along with the coastguard and an RAF helicopter with thermal imaging equipment.
The body has not been formally identified.
Mr Onions said: "We are really worried that during a hot spell - especially in the school holidays - people enter the water for a cooling dip because the water looks calm on the surface.
"But I've seen highly skilled firefighters in the water struggling because of strong undercurrents."
The rescued girl is at Cumberland Infirmary receiving treatment.

Summary: A body has been recovered from a Cumbrian river after a search for a man missing in the water.

Answer: 1


The former business secretary said the offer to take a 25% stake in the firm's UK operations is "quite close" to what he would have offered.
He said it showed a commitment to south Wales after Tata announced it would sell its loss-making UK operations.
But he said it was only a first step, with the steel market "awful".
"The 25% offer is quite close to what I would have done," said Sir Vince, who served in the coalition government between 2010 and 2015.
"It sends the right message the government is committed to south Wales and the steel industry and it is within the rules we have to operate."
However, speaking to BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales, he said there were still "a lot of hurdles to overcome".
"We don't know who the buyer is and if there is a buyer, if they will succeed because the economics of the situation at the moment are pretty awful with the low world prices [for steel] and ferocious competition," he said.
This makes a management buyout "risky", Sir Vince said, adding that, long-term, habits in British industry must be changed, with a proper strategy drawn up and more products used that are made in the UK.
Responding to suggestions his successor as business secretary, Sajid Javid, had been slow to intervene, he said the government was "reasonably cautious" because of the "economics of the industry".
He said: "They haven't done a complete U-turn, but they have acknowledged reality that government has an absolutely key role working alongside private business and I'm encouraged by that.
"As a starter it is a good move and we should applaud it. Let's hope there is a good buyer and they can turn it around".

Summary: Sir Vince Cable has said he is "encouraged" by the government's offer to buy Tata Steel.

Answer: 0


The former business secretary said the offer to take a 25% stake in the firm's UK operations is "quite close" to what he would have offered.
He said it showed a commitment to south Wales after Tata announced it would sell its loss-making UK operations.
But he said it was only a first step, with the steel market "awful".
"The 25% offer is quite close to what I would have done," said Sir Vince, who served in the coalition government between 2010 and 2015.
"It sends the right message the government is committed to south Wales and the steel industry and it is within the rules we have to operate."
However, speaking to BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales, he said there were still "a lot of hurdles to overcome".
"We don't know who the buyer is and if there is a buyer, if they will succeed because the economics of the situation at the moment are pretty awful with the low world prices [for steel] and ferocious competition," he said.
This makes a management buyout "risky", Sir Vince said, adding that, long-term, habits in British industry must be changed, with a proper strategy drawn up and more products used that are made in the UK.
Responding to suggestions his successor as business secretary, Sajid Javid, had been slow to intervene, he said the government was "reasonably cautious" because of the "economics of the industry".
He said: "They haven't done a complete U-turn, but they have acknowledged reality that government has an absolutely key role working alongside private business and I'm encouraged by that.
"As a starter it is a good move and we should applaud it. Let's hope there is a good buyer and they can turn it around".

Summary: A Tata management buyout is "risky" but the UK government's offer of help is a good one, Sir Vince has said.

Answer: 1


Connor Hamer, 22, said he had been refused service at the restaurant in Pilsworth on Sunday and would be protesting until the matter was sorted.
The firm said it "respected his right to protest" but the drive-thru was "for roadworthy motor vehicles only".
"To me a horse is like a car, I use them in everyday life," Mr Hammer said.
"I will be staying on McDonald's car park until it is sorted out," he added.
"It could take six days, it could take six months it doesn't matter, I won't be going nowhere."
He said he had lived in a horse-drawn vehicle for three years.

Summary: A man is protesting outside a McDonald's after staff refused to serve him at the drive-thru on a horse and cart.

Answer: 1


Connor Hamer, 22, said he had been refused service at the restaurant in Pilsworth on Sunday and would be protesting until the matter was sorted.
The firm said it "respected his right to protest" but the drive-thru was "for roadworthy motor vehicles only".
"To me a horse is like a car, I use them in everyday life," Mr Hammer said.
"I will be staying on McDonald's car park until it is sorted out," he added.
"It could take six days, it could take six months it doesn't matter, I won't be going nowhere."
He said he had lived in a horse-drawn vehicle for three years.

Summary: A man has said he will be staying on McDonald's car park for six days after he was refused service at the restaurant.

Answer: 0


It is the third time Vitalmiro Bastos Moura has been tried for Dorothy Stang's 2005 death after previous convictions were overturned.
Ms Stang, 73, campaigned for 30 years to save rainforest from the interests of wealthy landlords.
She had tried to block Moura's attempts to seize land and was shot six times.
Moura, who was convicted in 2007 and 2010 in verdicts that were subsequently overturned, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
In the latest trial, the judge said Moura had acted in a cold-blooded and cowardly manner.
Prosecutors earlier said Moura and another rancher had hired gunmen to kill Ms Stang. Moura's lawyers argued there wasn't enough evidence linking him to the crime.
The death of Ms Stang in the northern state of Para became a symbol of the violent conflict for natural resources in Brazil's Amazon region.
In the past 30 years, more than 1,000 people have been killed in land disputes in Brazil, with some two-thirds of the murders happening in Para.
Ahead of the latest verdict, Ms Stang's sister, Barbara Richardson, said the repeated trials had been upsetting but had helped maintain a spotlight on the issues.
"That keeps the injustice of the system before the people's eyes," she told AP. "Dorothy is ever prominent. The people understand what happened to her and what this means."

Summary: A rancher is being re-tried for ordering the murder of Dorothy Stang over a land dispute

Answer: 1


It is the third time Vitalmiro Bastos Moura has been tried for Dorothy Stang's 2005 death after previous convictions were overturned.
Ms Stang, 73, campaigned for 30 years to save rainforest from the interests of wealthy landlords.
She had tried to block Moura's attempts to seize land and was shot six times.
Moura, who was convicted in 2007 and 2010 in verdicts that were subsequently overturned, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
In the latest trial, the judge said Moura had acted in a cold-blooded and cowardly manner.
Prosecutors earlier said Moura and another rancher had hired gunmen to kill Ms Stang. Moura's lawyers argued there wasn't enough evidence linking him to the crime.
The death of Ms Stang in the northern state of Para became a symbol of the violent conflict for natural resources in Brazil's Amazon region.
In the past 30 years, more than 1,000 people have been killed in land disputes in Brazil, with some two-thirds of the murders happening in Para.
Ahead of the latest verdict, Ms Stang's sister, Barbara Richardson, said the repeated trials had been upsetting but had helped maintain a spotlight on the issues.
"That keeps the injustice of the system before the people's eyes," she told AP. "Dorothy is ever prominent. The people understand what happened to her and what this means."

Summary: A Brazilian judge has sentenced a rancher to life in prison for the murder of a conservationist who was shot dead in the Amazon rainforest.

Answer: 0


Scenes of crime officer Stephen Beattie worked for Northumbria, Staffordshire and Cleveland forces before being suspended in 2011 and later resigning.
More than 350 of his cases, including suspicious deaths and arsons, have been reviewed.
The Crown Prosecution Service has said no criminal charges will be brought.
Both Cleveland Police, which Mr Beattie joined in 2002, and Staffordshire, where he had worked since 1996, investigated him with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) managing the inquiries.
The reports have now confirmed Mr Beattie:
But the reports concluded that none of his actions significantly impacted the results of his investigations.
IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said: "Stephen Beattie repeatedly lied about his qualifications and made judgements in cases that were both outside his remit and his level of expertise.
"Cleveland Police and Staffordshire Police have conducted meticulous investigations examining hundreds of cases and we know that, thankfully, his poor performance did not have a significant impact on the cases he was involved in."
Mr Beattie did receive an official caution in relation to a fraud offence.
Cleveland Police concluded that if he was still employed he would have a case to answer for gross misconduct while Staffordshire concluded he would have a case to answer for misconduct.

Summary: A former police officer who lied about his qualifications and made judgements about his job has been cleared of gross misconduct.

Answer: 0


Scenes of crime officer Stephen Beattie worked for Northumbria, Staffordshire and Cleveland forces before being suspended in 2011 and later resigning.
More than 350 of his cases, including suspicious deaths and arsons, have been reviewed.
The Crown Prosecution Service has said no criminal charges will be brought.
Both Cleveland Police, which Mr Beattie joined in 2002, and Staffordshire, where he had worked since 1996, investigated him with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) managing the inquiries.
The reports have now confirmed Mr Beattie:
But the reports concluded that none of his actions significantly impacted the results of his investigations.
IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said: "Stephen Beattie repeatedly lied about his qualifications and made judgements in cases that were both outside his remit and his level of expertise.
"Cleveland Police and Staffordshire Police have conducted meticulous investigations examining hundreds of cases and we know that, thankfully, his poor performance did not have a significant impact on the cases he was involved in."
Mr Beattie did receive an official caution in relation to a fraud offence.
Cleveland Police concluded that if he was still employed he would have a case to answer for gross misconduct while Staffordshire concluded he would have a case to answer for misconduct.

Summary: A police employee lied about his qualifications and was generally poor at investigations, two reports have found.

Answer: 1


The money was raised by angel syndicate Equity Gap, along with venture capital firm Par Equity, US syndicate Aero-Den and the Scottish Investment Bank.
The move has led to five new skilled jobs which have been filled by former oil and gas supply chain workers.
The company said it planned to add further posts in the future.
Vert Rotors was founded by Olly Dmitriev in 2013 and produces ultra compact low-vibration gas compressors for aerospace, medical and other applications.
The funding will be used to increase capacity at Vert's manufacturing facility in Gracemount and expand its customer base.
Mr Dmitriev said: "This investment brings valuable highly skilled manufacturing jobs to Edinburgh and allows Vert Rotors to increase our sales outreach.
"Our products are fully manufactured in Scotland and exported to Europe and the USA. We look forward to scaling up our operations following this investment."
Jock Millican, from Equity Gap, said: "Vert Rotors has potential to disrupt the established marketplace significantly with its high quality products.
"Olly has an excellent track record in business and has a clear vision for the future of the company."

Summary: Edinburgh-based engineering firm Vert Rotors has secured a £1.5m investment to expand its manufacturing capacity.

Answer: 0


The money was raised by angel syndicate Equity Gap, along with venture capital firm Par Equity, US syndicate Aero-Den and the Scottish Investment Bank.
The move has led to five new skilled jobs which have been filled by former oil and gas supply chain workers.
The company said it planned to add further posts in the future.
Vert Rotors was founded by Olly Dmitriev in 2013 and produces ultra compact low-vibration gas compressors for aerospace, medical and other applications.
The funding will be used to increase capacity at Vert's manufacturing facility in Gracemount and expand its customer base.
Mr Dmitriev said: "This investment brings valuable highly skilled manufacturing jobs to Edinburgh and allows Vert Rotors to increase our sales outreach.
"Our products are fully manufactured in Scotland and exported to Europe and the USA. We look forward to scaling up our operations following this investment."
Jock Millican, from Equity Gap, said: "Vert Rotors has potential to disrupt the established marketplace significantly with its high quality products.
"Olly has an excellent track record in business and has a clear vision for the future of the company."

Summary: Gas compressor maker Vert Rotors has been given a funding boost to scale up manufacturing at its factory in Edinburgh.

Answer: 1


The new polymer £5 note, which is slightly smaller than its paper predecessor, will be available in branches before becoming more widely available across Scotland.
It continues to feature Sir Walter Scott and The Mound on the front, and a bridge theme on the back.
All existing paper Bank of Scotland £5 notes will be gradually withdrawn.
However, those that remain in circulation will continue to be accepted at shops, banks and cash payment machines.
Bank of Scotland also plans to replace its £10 paper note with a polymer version next year.
The new, plastic material is said to be cleaner and more resilient to being crumpled and spilled on.
In September, the Bank of England released new £5 plastic notes featuring Winston Churchill on the back.
It was the first time a polymer note had been circulated by the Bank of England, but other parts of the UK have already been using the material.
Polymer banknotes are made from a very thin, flexible, see-through plastic film, with the design printed on special layers of ink on the front and back.
Because the main material is see-through, the design can include clear spots that are like little windows you can look straight through.
More than 20 countries around the world already use polymer banknotes - they include Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Last year the Clydesdale Bank brought a fully plastic note into circulation in the UK for the first time with a limited commemorative edition £5 note.
As of last week, it entered into full circulation, and has begun to replace the current paper version.
The note features Scottish engineering pioneer and entrepreneur Sir William Arrol on the front, along with the Forth Bridge and the Titan Crane.
The reverse shows several images of the Forth Bridge.
Royal Bank of Scotland's new £5 plastic note is due to enter circulation on 27 October.
It will feature Scottish novelist and poet Nan Shepherd.
Scientist Mary Somerville has already been selected for the bank's planned £10 polymer note, which is due to enter into circulation next year.
They will be the first women to appear on the bank's main issue notes.

Summary: The Bank of Scotland's first £5 plastic banknote intended for general circulation is set to be issued.

Answer: 1


The new polymer £5 note, which is slightly smaller than its paper predecessor, will be available in branches before becoming more widely available across Scotland.
It continues to feature Sir Walter Scott and The Mound on the front, and a bridge theme on the back.
All existing paper Bank of Scotland £5 notes will be gradually withdrawn.
However, those that remain in circulation will continue to be accepted at shops, banks and cash payment machines.
Bank of Scotland also plans to replace its £10 paper note with a polymer version next year.
The new, plastic material is said to be cleaner and more resilient to being crumpled and spilled on.
In September, the Bank of England released new £5 plastic notes featuring Winston Churchill on the back.
It was the first time a polymer note had been circulated by the Bank of England, but other parts of the UK have already been using the material.
Polymer banknotes are made from a very thin, flexible, see-through plastic film, with the design printed on special layers of ink on the front and back.
Because the main material is see-through, the design can include clear spots that are like little windows you can look straight through.
More than 20 countries around the world already use polymer banknotes - they include Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Last year the Clydesdale Bank brought a fully plastic note into circulation in the UK for the first time with a limited commemorative edition £5 note.
As of last week, it entered into full circulation, and has begun to replace the current paper version.
The note features Scottish engineering pioneer and entrepreneur Sir William Arrol on the front, along with the Forth Bridge and the Titan Crane.
The reverse shows several images of the Forth Bridge.
Royal Bank of Scotland's new £5 plastic note is due to enter circulation on 27 October.
It will feature Scottish novelist and poet Nan Shepherd.
Scientist Mary Somerville has already been selected for the bank's planned £10 polymer note, which is due to enter into circulation next year.
They will be the first women to appear on the bank's main issue notes.

Summary: The first polymer banknote to be introduced in Scotland is to be introduced in the UK on Wednesday.

Answer: 0


Four men, aged between 25 and 61, were arrested in Ashbourne, County Meath, at about 16:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Some 160 kilos of herbal cannabis was discovered, Garda (Irish police) said in a statement.
It described the seizure as "significant" and said the drugs were "destined for the Irish market".
A business premises in Ashbourne was also searched during the "intelligence-led" operation.
It involved Garda officers from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Special Crime Task Force.
Staff from the Revenue Commissioners Customs Service also participated.
All four men, who are Irish nationals, are being questioned on suspicion of drug trafficking offences.

Summary: Some 160 kilos of cannabis has been seized in a joint operation by police and customs in Ashbourne, County Meath.

Answer: 1


Four men, aged between 25 and 61, were arrested in Ashbourne, County Meath, at about 16:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Some 160 kilos of herbal cannabis was discovered, Garda (Irish police) said in a statement.
It described the seizure as "significant" and said the drugs were "destined for the Irish market".
A business premises in Ashbourne was also searched during the "intelligence-led" operation.
It involved Garda officers from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Special Crime Task Force.
Staff from the Revenue Commissioners Customs Service also participated.
All four men, who are Irish nationals, are being questioned on suspicion of drug trafficking offences.

Summary: A large quantity of cannabis has been seized during a "drug-smuggling operation" in County Meath.

Answer: 0


Mohammed Sarul Islam believes changing the name would generate publicity and act as a memorial.
The former Cardiff councillor has put forward a petition calling on the Welsh Government to change the name.
Assembly members will consider the petition, which gathered 16 signatures, on Tuesday
A petition needs a minimum of 10 signatures to be discussed by the Assembly Petitions Committee, under current assembly rules.
Mr Sarul Islam, president of the Commonwealth Business and Investment Council for Wales, said rebranding the airport with such a well-known name would attract international customers.
It is not the first time calls have been made to rename the airport, bought by the Welsh Government for Â£52m in 2013.
Previous suggestions include rebranding it the Robert Owen International Airport of Wales - after the Welsh pioneer of the Cooperative Movement - and Dylan Thomas International Airport Cardiff.

Summary: Renaming the airport would boost international recognition, a former councillor has said.

Answer: 1


Mohammed Sarul Islam believes changing the name would generate publicity and act as a memorial.
The former Cardiff councillor has put forward a petition calling on the Welsh Government to change the name.
Assembly members will consider the petition, which gathered 16 signatures, on Tuesday
A petition needs a minimum of 10 signatures to be discussed by the Assembly Petitions Committee, under current assembly rules.
Mr Sarul Islam, president of the Commonwealth Business and Investment Council for Wales, said rebranding the airport with such a well-known name would attract international customers.
It is not the first time calls have been made to rename the airport, bought by the Welsh Government for Â£52m in 2013.
Previous suggestions include rebranding it the Robert Owen International Airport of Wales - after the Welsh pioneer of the Cooperative Movement - and Dylan Thomas International Airport Cardiff.

Summary: A petition calling for Cardiff Airport to be renamed the Robert Owen International Airport has been submitted to the assembly.

Answer: 0


Church members have voted to raise the cost of a wedding from £296 to £415 and for a funeral service from £102 to £160 from January next year.
The fees include the costs of lighting and administration for the first time.
The moves come despite a warning from some members of the Church's governing body, the General Synod, that the rises could have an impact on poorer couples.
The Rev Canon Simon Killwick, a vicar in Moss Side, Manchester, said: "Such a fee increase seems to me hard to justify in times of financial austerity and even harder to justify in poor inner-city parishes.
"The Church of England ought not to be seen to be making a big increase at this time and ought not to be making it difficult for the poor to access these services at a time when a simple ceremony can be had at a register office for around £100."
Canon Killwick said the right to waive fees in cases of hardship put clergy in the "invidious position" of means testing parishioners.
"Waiving can cause real ill feeling," he said. "The poor don't want to be patronised by fees being waived, they want their church to be affordable to them.
"It would be a crying shame if poor people end up being married in register offices because the Church of England has priced them out of their parish church."
But the Rt Rev John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, said the changes reflected the "reality" of the costs, and  reduced confusion over different fees being charged by different parishes.
He told the General Synod that the fees raised about £35m a year for the Church, including £15m towards the pay of clergy.
"The reality of what it costs matters, and it seems to me that those who are being married within our churches do understand that," he said.
The increases were approved after a 4% rise in the number of Church of England weddings in 2010.
Last year the General Synod rejected plans to increase the price of both weddings and funerals by 50%.

Summary: The cost of weddings and funerals in the Church of England is to rise by more than 50%.

Answer: 0


Church members have voted to raise the cost of a wedding from £296 to £415 and for a funeral service from £102 to £160 from January next year.
The fees include the costs of lighting and administration for the first time.
The moves come despite a warning from some members of the Church's governing body, the General Synod, that the rises could have an impact on poorer couples.
The Rev Canon Simon Killwick, a vicar in Moss Side, Manchester, said: "Such a fee increase seems to me hard to justify in times of financial austerity and even harder to justify in poor inner-city parishes.
"The Church of England ought not to be seen to be making a big increase at this time and ought not to be making it difficult for the poor to access these services at a time when a simple ceremony can be had at a register office for around £100."
Canon Killwick said the right to waive fees in cases of hardship put clergy in the "invidious position" of means testing parishioners.
"Waiving can cause real ill feeling," he said. "The poor don't want to be patronised by fees being waived, they want their church to be affordable to them.
"It would be a crying shame if poor people end up being married in register offices because the Church of England has priced them out of their parish church."
But the Rt Rev John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, said the changes reflected the "reality" of the costs, and  reduced confusion over different fees being charged by different parishes.
He told the General Synod that the fees raised about £35m a year for the Church, including £15m towards the pay of clergy.
"The reality of what it costs matters, and it seems to me that those who are being married within our churches do understand that," he said.
The increases were approved after a 4% rise in the number of Church of England weddings in 2010.
Last year the General Synod rejected plans to increase the price of both weddings and funerals by 50%.

Summary: Fees for Church of England weddings are to increase by 40% and the cost of a funeral service by more than 50%.

Answer: 1


The panther chameleon was found on Monday by a dog walker in the wooded area at Marl Park.
It had to be put down after X-rays showed all of its legs were broken and it had a deformed spine.
RSPCA Cymru said it was an "extremely sad example of an abandoned and neglected exotic pet".
Inspector Selina Chan said: "It is a possibility that the owners took on this animal but were unable to provide the care he needs and decided to release him to the wild.
"We are urging potential owners of exotic animals to thoroughly research what is required in the care of the particular species before taking one on.
"Potential owners need to make sure they can give their animal the environment it needs and they have the facilities, time, financial means and long-term commitment to maintain a good standard of care, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006."
She added it was illegal to release non-native species into the wild.

Summary: Owners of exotic animals have been urged to do research before having them as pets after a seriously neglected chameleon was found.

Answer: 1


The panther chameleon was found on Monday by a dog walker in the wooded area at Marl Park.
It had to be put down after X-rays showed all of its legs were broken and it had a deformed spine.
RSPCA Cymru said it was an "extremely sad example of an abandoned and neglected exotic pet".
Inspector Selina Chan said: "It is a possibility that the owners took on this animal but were unable to provide the care he needs and decided to release him to the wild.
"We are urging potential owners of exotic animals to thoroughly research what is required in the care of the particular species before taking one on.
"Potential owners need to make sure they can give their animal the environment it needs and they have the facilities, time, financial means and long-term commitment to maintain a good standard of care, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006."
She added it was illegal to release non-native species into the wild.

Summary: An abandoned exotic animal has been found in a park in Ceredigion.

Answer: 0


Last year's event, the first at Strathallan in Perthshire, was criticised over traffic issues and antisocial behaviour.
DF Concerts said improvements include colour-coded zones, better signage and 24-hour dedicated management teams.
This year's event will take place between 8 July and 10 July.
The Stone Roses, Calvin Harris and Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the main stage over the three nights.
Last year's T in the Park had a daily attendance of about 85,000 people with an estimated 70,000 of those camping.
DF Concerts has produced an animated video highlighting the new campsite layout.
T in the Park security manager Colin Brown, said: "We have overhauled the campsite layout and management and guarantee there will be well-informed stewards on hand to assist with any questions.
"The layout, clearly marked-out zones and improved signage will make getting about much easier, meaning our campers can concentrate on having a good time."
DF Concerts said the Slam and King Tut's tents would open exclusively for campers on Thursday 7 July.
Last week, the promoter announced that this year's festival arena will increase in size by a third.
It will publish revised transport plans for the event next week.
Campsite entertainment manager Gail MacKenzie said: "We know that the campsite is a huge part of the T in the Park experience and have listened to feedback from last year.
"As a result the entertainment will be enhanced and we're even opening the King Tut's Tent on the Thursday for the first time ever. "

Summary: T in the Park organisers have announced an overhaul of the festival's campsite that will see it increase in size.

Answer: 1


Last year's event, the first at Strathallan in Perthshire, was criticised over traffic issues and antisocial behaviour.
DF Concerts said improvements include colour-coded zones, better signage and 24-hour dedicated management teams.
This year's event will take place between 8 July and 10 July.
The Stone Roses, Calvin Harris and Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the main stage over the three nights.
Last year's T in the Park had a daily attendance of about 85,000 people with an estimated 70,000 of those camping.
DF Concerts has produced an animated video highlighting the new campsite layout.
T in the Park security manager Colin Brown, said: "We have overhauled the campsite layout and management and guarantee there will be well-informed stewards on hand to assist with any questions.
"The layout, clearly marked-out zones and improved signage will make getting about much easier, meaning our campers can concentrate on having a good time."
DF Concerts said the Slam and King Tut's tents would open exclusively for campers on Thursday 7 July.
Last week, the promoter announced that this year's festival arena will increase in size by a third.
It will publish revised transport plans for the event next week.
Campsite entertainment manager Gail MacKenzie said: "We know that the campsite is a huge part of the T in the Park experience and have listened to feedback from last year.
"As a result the entertainment will be enhanced and we're even opening the King Tut's Tent on the Thursday for the first time ever. "

Summary: The T in the Park music festival has been given a new layout following a review of the event's facilities.

Answer: 0


Kieran Innes, of Aberdeen, died after his car crashed on the A90 north of Forfar on Tuesday morning.
Mr Innes was a coach with Middlefield Wasps FC.
The club said in a statement: "He was a genuine nice guy and would do anything for anyone. Kieran also ran our disability football. He loved all his players who will miss him dearly."
'Mark of respect'
The statement added: "The Wasps family has lost a true gent who will be sorely missed. He loved the Wasps. Thoughts go to the Innes family.
"As a mark of respect we will be doing a minutes applause at each Wasps game this weekend - Kieran didn't do silence."
Police Scotland in Tayside renewed an appeal for information.

Summary: A man who died after his car crashed into a tree in Aberdeenshire has been named as a 42-year-old man from Aberdeen.

Answer: 0


Kieran Innes, of Aberdeen, died after his car crashed on the A90 north of Forfar on Tuesday morning.
Mr Innes was a coach with Middlefield Wasps FC.
The club said in a statement: "He was a genuine nice guy and would do anything for anyone. Kieran also ran our disability football. He loved all his players who will miss him dearly."
'Mark of respect'
The statement added: "The Wasps family has lost a true gent who will be sorely missed. He loved the Wasps. Thoughts go to the Innes family.
"As a mark of respect we will be doing a minutes applause at each Wasps game this weekend - Kieran didn't do silence."
Police Scotland in Tayside renewed an appeal for information.

Summary: Tribute has been paid to a football coach who died in a crash north of Forfar.

Answer: 1


Swansea came into the match without a win in six games and fell behind at Villa Park to a Jordan Ayew strike.
But Sigurdsson's 25-yard free-kick got the visitors back on terms before Ayew's brother, Andre, nicked a late winner for Swansea.
"It was an important win, especially after going 1-0 down," said Iceland midfielder Sigurdsson.
"So we showed good character as a team to get back into the game and probably steal it at the end.
"We got back into the game with that free-kick and then changed the formation a little bit with Mo [Modou Barrow] coming on, it gave us a lot of pace down the wing.
"We kept going, knew we were going to get the chances.
"It was fantastic for the team because it's been a hard few weeks for us, having not won many games and lost a few points."
Bottom-of-the-table Villa had been on an even worse run and the loss to Swansea prompted Tim Sherwood's sacking as manager on Sunday.
But with a win to lift Swansea out of their mini-slump, Sigurdsson says morale will now improve and they can take added confidence into next Saturday's home game with Arsenal.
"We put the pressure on ourselves, we set targets before the season where we want to finish," he added.
"Of course we're not happy with the way we've been performing over the last couple of months.
"Sometimes you don't perform well, but you nick those wins, that's what it's about - as long as you're winning games you're happy.
"But of course we're not happy and we put the pressure on ourselves to win those games, and there has been some performances where we haven't been near our best.
"The only thing we can do is train hard and it will come.
"Days like these [against Villa] will help you with confidence and hopefully now we can kick on."

Summary: Sigurdsson has praised his Swansea City team-mates for their come-from-behind win against Villa.

Answer: 1


Swansea came into the match without a win in six games and fell behind at Villa Park to a Jordan Ayew strike.
But Sigurdsson's 25-yard free-kick got the visitors back on terms before Ayew's brother, Andre, nicked a late winner for Swansea.
"It was an important win, especially after going 1-0 down," said Iceland midfielder Sigurdsson.
"So we showed good character as a team to get back into the game and probably steal it at the end.
"We got back into the game with that free-kick and then changed the formation a little bit with Mo [Modou Barrow] coming on, it gave us a lot of pace down the wing.
"We kept going, knew we were going to get the chances.
"It was fantastic for the team because it's been a hard few weeks for us, having not won many games and lost a few points."
Bottom-of-the-table Villa had been on an even worse run and the loss to Swansea prompted Tim Sherwood's sacking as manager on Sunday.
But with a win to lift Swansea out of their mini-slump, Sigurdsson says morale will now improve and they can take added confidence into next Saturday's home game with Arsenal.
"We put the pressure on ourselves, we set targets before the season where we want to finish," he added.
"Of course we're not happy with the way we've been performing over the last couple of months.
"Sometimes you don't perform well, but you nick those wins, that's what it's about - as long as you're winning games you're happy.
"But of course we're not happy and we put the pressure on ourselves to win those games, and there has been some performances where we haven't been near our best.
"The only thing we can do is train hard and it will come.
"Days like these [against Villa] will help you with confidence and hopefully now we can kick on."

Summary: Gylfi Sigurdsson says Swansea's 2-1 win over Aston Villa was a "huge" result after their "difficult" run of form.

Answer: 0


The Australian defeated 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, but fell out of the semi-finals to Brazilian Adriano de Souza, who claimed his first WSL crown.
Mr de Souza paid tribute to Fanning saying "he deserved it more than me".
There has been strong support after a grieving Fanning won his Pipeline quarter-finals heat on Wednesday.
The Australian broke down in an interview after his winning heat, not long after learning of his brother's death.
He later posted on social media that it was one of the most challenging days of his life.
"I am so grateful for the incredible love and well wishes that have come my way since learning of my eldest brother's passing," Fanning said on Instagram.
"Like all my big brothers, Peter will always be a hero to me... I knew I could find the strength to take part in the final event of the season because that's what Pete would want."
It has not been disclosed how or where Peter Fanning died.
Mick Fanning came close to losing his own life in July after being forced to fight off a shark during a competition in South Africa.
Mick's mother, who is currently with him in Hawaii, said she was overwhelmed by the live televised footage of his close encounter with the shark.
"I just saw my boy going down. That was absolutely terrifying because I have lost a son before," Liz Osborne told Fairfax media.
Fanning's other brother, Sean, died in a car accident in 1998.
Immediately after clinching the Pipeline Masters title, Adriano de Souza spoke of conflicting emotions going into the final day of competition.
"I wish so much to give a hug to Mick's mum, but it's kind of scary as we are in a world title race and I didn't want to mix it up," de Souza said.
"I think Mick deserved it more than me, he's such a strong man, a three-time world champion. The strongest man I have met in my whole life."

Summary: Peter Fanning, the brother of world champion Peter Fanning, has died aged 31 after a long illness.

Answer: 0


The Australian defeated 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, but fell out of the semi-finals to Brazilian Adriano de Souza, who claimed his first WSL crown.
Mr de Souza paid tribute to Fanning saying "he deserved it more than me".
There has been strong support after a grieving Fanning won his Pipeline quarter-finals heat on Wednesday.
The Australian broke down in an interview after his winning heat, not long after learning of his brother's death.
He later posted on social media that it was one of the most challenging days of his life.
"I am so grateful for the incredible love and well wishes that have come my way since learning of my eldest brother's passing," Fanning said on Instagram.
"Like all my big brothers, Peter will always be a hero to me... I knew I could find the strength to take part in the final event of the season because that's what Pete would want."
It has not been disclosed how or where Peter Fanning died.
Mick Fanning came close to losing his own life in July after being forced to fight off a shark during a competition in South Africa.
Mick's mother, who is currently with him in Hawaii, said she was overwhelmed by the live televised footage of his close encounter with the shark.
"I just saw my boy going down. That was absolutely terrifying because I have lost a son before," Liz Osborne told Fairfax media.
Fanning's other brother, Sean, died in a car accident in 1998.
Immediately after clinching the Pipeline Masters title, Adriano de Souza spoke of conflicting emotions going into the final day of competition.
"I wish so much to give a hug to Mick's mum, but it's kind of scary as we are in a world title race and I didn't want to mix it up," de Souza said.
"I think Mick deserved it more than me, he's such a strong man, a three-time world champion. The strongest man I have met in my whole life."

Summary: Mick Fanning has missed out on a WSL crown after a strong performance overshadowed by the death of his brother Peter.

Answer: 1


The £1.471bn spent shooting movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2014 represents a 35% increase on 2013.
Money spent on homegrown UK films also increased, with £188m spent making films budgeted at £500,000 and above.
Box office takings, though, were down 2% on the previous year.
Overall, 157.5 million tickets were sold, representing a 5% dip in attendances compared with 2013.
Yet the BFI's figures show an increased market share for UK independent films, thanks in part to the box office success of Paddington and The Inbetweeners 2.
The former title took £34.7m in 2014 and has now made more than £35.5m at UK and Ireland box offices.
"The UK film industry is a powerhouse for growth and I'm delighted that 2014 saw an all-time high spend on film production," culture secretary Sajid Javid said.
"The huge amount of inward investment we are seeing is a sure-fire sign that the UK is the best place in the world to make films."
BFI chief executive Amanda Nevill said its report "illuminates a dynamic and vibrant story of success for the screen industries in the UK".
The £1.471bn spend represents the highest figure since statistics were first recorded 20 years ago.

Summary: More money was spent making films in the UK last year than in any other year since measurements began, figures from the BFI have shown.

Answer: 1


The £1.471bn spent shooting movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2014 represents a 35% increase on 2013.
Money spent on homegrown UK films also increased, with £188m spent making films budgeted at £500,000 and above.
Box office takings, though, were down 2% on the previous year.
Overall, 157.5 million tickets were sold, representing a 5% dip in attendances compared with 2013.
Yet the BFI's figures show an increased market share for UK independent films, thanks in part to the box office success of Paddington and The Inbetweeners 2.
The former title took £34.7m in 2014 and has now made more than £35.5m at UK and Ireland box offices.
"The UK film industry is a powerhouse for growth and I'm delighted that 2014 saw an all-time high spend on film production," culture secretary Sajid Javid said.
"The huge amount of inward investment we are seeing is a sure-fire sign that the UK is the best place in the world to make films."
BFI chief executive Amanda Nevill said its report "illuminates a dynamic and vibrant story of success for the screen industries in the UK".
The £1.471bn spend represents the highest figure since statistics were first recorded 20 years ago.

Summary: The UK film industry spent £1.471bn in 2014, according to the British Independent Film Institute (BFI).

Answer: 0


The 22-year-old clocked 19.95 seconds representing Louisiana State University at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
John Regis set the British record of 19.94 in 1993, while Adam Gemili is the only other Brit to go sub 20.
Mitchell-Blake told BBC Sport his achievement was "overwhelming".
Regis also clocked a time of 19.87 but this was never ratified.
He had already competed in two Olympic Games by the time he ran under 20 seconds.
Mitchell-Blake clocked his time having already won the 100m as well as anchoring his university to victory in the 4x100m at the SEC Championships.
"The 200 is my favourite event," said the 2013 European junior champion, who was visibly emotional when approached for an interview on the track..
He said he wanted to compete for Britain at the Rio Olympics in August but would be focusing on his college career for the next few weeks.
"Then I'll come back to the UK and try to compete for a spot on the team," he added.
Chijindu Ujah and James Ellington have also already run under the 20.50-second Olympic A standard in 2016.
The British Championships take place in June.

Summary: British sprinter Adam Mitchell-Blake has become the first Briton to run under 20 seconds at a major collegiate track event.

Answer: 0


The 22-year-old clocked 19.95 seconds representing Louisiana State University at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
John Regis set the British record of 19.94 in 1993, while Adam Gemili is the only other Brit to go sub 20.
Mitchell-Blake told BBC Sport his achievement was "overwhelming".
Regis also clocked a time of 19.87 but this was never ratified.
He had already competed in two Olympic Games by the time he ran under 20 seconds.
Mitchell-Blake clocked his time having already won the 100m as well as anchoring his university to victory in the 4x100m at the SEC Championships.
"The 200 is my favourite event," said the 2013 European junior champion, who was visibly emotional when approached for an interview on the track..
He said he wanted to compete for Britain at the Rio Olympics in August but would be focusing on his college career for the next few weeks.
"Then I'll come back to the UK and try to compete for a spot on the team," he added.
Chijindu Ujah and James Ellington have also already run under the 20.50-second Olympic A standard in 2016.
The British Championships take place in June.

Summary: Mitchell-Blake missed the national record by one-hundredth of a second as he became only the third Briton to run sub 20 seconds for 200m.

Answer: 1


John Nelms said on the club's website that a land use application will soon be submitted with the local council for land in Camperdown Park.
He and fellow American owner Tim Keyes recently bought 29 acres of land there, near the city's Ice Arena.
Nelms spoke after the club revealed an operating loss of £530,000 to 31 May.
"They are not great, but they're nothing to worry about," Nelms said of the club's annual accounts, which showed that turnover had remained at about £4m.
"Football Partners Scotland, the major shareholder, funds any losses. We said we would do that from the get go."
Nelms explained that missing out on a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership - Dundee finished eighth - resulted in £200,000 less income than had been budgeted for.
Club wages also increased by £175,000, partly down to the first pay rises to administration and support staff "for a number of years".
Nelms pointed out that the maintenance bill for Dens Park had risen £50,000 on the previous year and an additional £500,000 would be required in the 2017 accounts because of rent increases.
Dundee's stadium is less than 400 yards away in the same street as city rivals Dundee United's Tannadice Park.
"The biggest issue we have is the stadium itself," added Nelms.
"We've put over £200,000 into the ground and that's not enhancing the ground - that's just keeping it going.
"We assume that those issues are going to get worse and worse as time goes on.
"We are trying to put on a 21st century entertainment product in a 19th century building and it's not new news that Tim and I have bought 29 acres near the ice rink in Camperdown Park.
"And we will be putting in a land use application shortly that we hope really enhances Dundee Football Club."

Summary: Dundee are continuing to work towards moving away from Dens Park to a new stadium in the city, John Nelms has revealed.

Answer: 1


John Nelms said on the club's website that a land use application will soon be submitted with the local council for land in Camperdown Park.
He and fellow American owner Tim Keyes recently bought 29 acres of land there, near the city's Ice Arena.
Nelms spoke after the club revealed an operating loss of £530,000 to 31 May.
"They are not great, but they're nothing to worry about," Nelms said of the club's annual accounts, which showed that turnover had remained at about £4m.
"Football Partners Scotland, the major shareholder, funds any losses. We said we would do that from the get go."
Nelms explained that missing out on a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership - Dundee finished eighth - resulted in £200,000 less income than had been budgeted for.
Club wages also increased by £175,000, partly down to the first pay rises to administration and support staff "for a number of years".
Nelms pointed out that the maintenance bill for Dens Park had risen £50,000 on the previous year and an additional £500,000 would be required in the 2017 accounts because of rent increases.
Dundee's stadium is less than 400 yards away in the same street as city rivals Dundee United's Tannadice Park.
"The biggest issue we have is the stadium itself," added Nelms.
"We've put over £200,000 into the ground and that's not enhancing the ground - that's just keeping it going.
"We assume that those issues are going to get worse and worse as time goes on.
"We are trying to put on a 21st century entertainment product in a 19th century building and it's not new news that Tim and I have bought 29 acres near the ice rink in Camperdown Park.
"And we will be putting in a land use application shortly that we hope really enhances Dundee Football Club."

Summary: Dundee's owner has said the club's annual operating loss is "nothing to worry about".

Answer: 0


They include a new water sports park, railway station and a sliproad from the M77.
The City Deal scheme will see eight council areas around Glasgow receive about £1bn from the UK and Scottish governments.
The councils also have the power to borrow extra cash.
The Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal involved massive investment by both the Scottish and UK governments last year.
Eight councils - Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North and South Lanarkshire and East and West Dunbartonshire - are involved.
The City Deal scheme will see Westminster and Holyrood give £500m each in additional grant funding to the eight council areas.
The councils will supplement this by borrowing £130m.
Councillors from across all eight areas will meet to discuss some of the schemes.
Several of the projects being discussed later are in East Renfrewshire, where £44m is expected to be invested over the next few years, with much of the money coming from the City Deal funding.
One is a water sports park at the Dams to Darnley Country Park. It would open in 2017 and include a centre offering wakeboarding, the fastest-growing extreme sport in the world.
A new railway station in Barrhead and sliproad from the M77 would serve an area which could become one of East Renfrewshire's fastest growth areas. The council expects 1,000 new homes to be built there.
Another project would transform the Levern Works site in Barrhead. A site formerly occupied by Nestle, where pet food was once made, would be cleared. The site will then be marketed for development for a range of uses that will bring new jobs to Barrhead.
A wide range of other infrastructure projects across the eight council areas will also be discussed.

Summary: The Scottish and UK governments have agreed to share £1bn of funding for eight council areas in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley.

Answer: 0


They include a new water sports park, railway station and a sliproad from the M77.
The City Deal scheme will see eight council areas around Glasgow receive about £1bn from the UK and Scottish governments.
The councils also have the power to borrow extra cash.
The Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal involved massive investment by both the Scottish and UK governments last year.
Eight councils - Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North and South Lanarkshire and East and West Dunbartonshire - are involved.
The City Deal scheme will see Westminster and Holyrood give £500m each in additional grant funding to the eight council areas.
The councils will supplement this by borrowing £130m.
Councillors from across all eight areas will meet to discuss some of the schemes.
Several of the projects being discussed later are in East Renfrewshire, where £44m is expected to be invested over the next few years, with much of the money coming from the City Deal funding.
One is a water sports park at the Dams to Darnley Country Park. It would open in 2017 and include a centre offering wakeboarding, the fastest-growing extreme sport in the world.
A new railway station in Barrhead and sliproad from the M77 would serve an area which could become one of East Renfrewshire's fastest growth areas. The council expects 1,000 new homes to be built there.
Another project would transform the Levern Works site in Barrhead. A site formerly occupied by Nestle, where pet food was once made, would be cleared. The site will then be marketed for development for a range of uses that will bring new jobs to Barrhead.
A wide range of other infrastructure projects across the eight council areas will also be discussed.

Summary: Some of the projects to be funded by the City Deal programme are to be discussed by councillors.

Answer: 1


Fosse Park, near junction 21 of the M1, opened in 1989 and was bought in August for Â£345.5m.
Plans are now being prepared to improve parking and traffic congestion and the appearance of units.
Ernie White, leader of Blaby District Council, said the new owners had met with the council to clear up "potential planning questions".
"Fosse Park is the gateway from Blaby into the city and they see it as an investment that they think they can improve," said Mr White.
"I think it could be a better view when you come into the city, at the moment all you see are far too many backs of sheds."
Paul Clarke, director of investments at Crown Estates, said: "Two things we want to address are parking and congestion issues around the park and we believe it has become rather tired over the last few years.
"We are very concerned to address the quality of what we call the common areas - where people have to walk and park - and the facilities available to make sure a location like Fosse Park is as good as it can be."

Summary: Fosse Park is to get an injection of investment after being purchased by the Crown Estate.

Answer: 1


Fosse Park, near junction 21 of the M1, opened in 1989 and was bought in August for Â£345.5m.
Plans are now being prepared to improve parking and traffic congestion and the appearance of units.
Ernie White, leader of Blaby District Council, said the new owners had met with the council to clear up "potential planning questions".
"Fosse Park is the gateway from Blaby into the city and they see it as an investment that they think they can improve," said Mr White.
"I think it could be a better view when you come into the city, at the moment all you see are far too many backs of sheds."
Paul Clarke, director of investments at Crown Estates, said: "Two things we want to address are parking and congestion issues around the park and we believe it has become rather tired over the last few years.
"We are very concerned to address the quality of what we call the common areas - where people have to walk and park - and the facilities available to make sure a location like Fosse Park is as good as it can be."

Summary: A new park in Blaby has been bought by the city council.

Answer: 0


The red brick terrace at 9 Newcastle Road, Wavertree, was where the member of The Beatles lived from birth, in 1940, until he was five.
Auctioneers said a telephone bidder, who wanted to remain anonymous, was the successful buyer after a "bidding war".
The three-bedroom house had been given a guide price of between £150,000 and £250,000.
The property has a rear yard and is a few streets away from Penny Lane, made famous by The Beatles.
Andrew Brown, from Countrywide Property Auctions, said: "There was a lot of interest in the property before the auction from potential buyers who lived in the UK and internationally."

Summary: A house once owned by The Beatles singer Sir Paul McCartney has been sold at auction for £250,000.

Answer: 0


The red brick terrace at 9 Newcastle Road, Wavertree, was where the member of The Beatles lived from birth, in 1940, until he was five.
Auctioneers said a telephone bidder, who wanted to remain anonymous, was the successful buyer after a "bidding war".
The three-bedroom house had been given a guide price of between £150,000 and £250,000.
The property has a rear yard and is a few streets away from Penny Lane, made famous by The Beatles.
Andrew Brown, from Countrywide Property Auctions, said: "There was a lot of interest in the property before the auction from potential buyers who lived in the UK and internationally."

Summary: A member of The Beatles' first home, in Wavertree, has been sold at an auction.

Answer: 1


The Victory Medal belonged to Pte William John Boaden of the 3rd Battalion Devonshire Regiment.
It was found in a farmer's field in Porthcawl by a team of metal detecting enthusiasts.
Researcher Stephen Lyons then tracked down Pte Boaden's family in Tiverton, Devon, where he was born in 1897.
But it is still not known how the medal came to end up in the field.
Pte Boaden signed up on the outbreak of the First World War aged 17.
His regiment served in France and Belgium, Mesopotamia, Salonika, Macedonia, Egypt, Palestine and Italy.
The medal is badly damaged but Pte Boaden's name and regimental number are still visible.
Chris Jeffreys made the discovery after sitting down on a fallen tree to take a break from metal detecting.
"I didn't have many finds that day," he said, until his detector picked up a "beautiful signal" around the tree.
"The area had been covered dozens of times before, so whether the tree falling disturbed something I don't know.
"It's the first medal I've found," he added. "I was overjoyed."
Keen to unravel the mystery of how the medal ended up in the field, Mr Jeffreys and his fellow metal detecting enthusiasts appealed for help to find out what happened to Pte Boaden.
A First World War expert based in Cwmcarn, researcher and historian Stephen Lyons answered the appeal.
Following a tenacious and at times pain-staking research, he tracked down daughter-in-law Moira Boaden and his grandson Stephen Boaden living in Tiverton, Devon.
Mr Jeffreys recently met them to present the medal.
Mrs Boaden said she was "delighted" as she never knew of its existence and that the family "will treasure it".
"It's so interesting hearing all the history of my father-in-law."
Stephen Boaden said he had nothing of his grandfather's, not even a photograph, until recently.
"It was a very nice surprise," he said.
"To find out so much information about what he went through and who he was - it gives him a personality."
He added that the medal was not just something that belonged to his grandfather, but was "evidence of his service to his country."

Summary: A World War One medal has been found in a field in Ceredigion.

Answer: 0


The Victory Medal belonged to Pte William John Boaden of the 3rd Battalion Devonshire Regiment.
It was found in a farmer's field in Porthcawl by a team of metal detecting enthusiasts.
Researcher Stephen Lyons then tracked down Pte Boaden's family in Tiverton, Devon, where he was born in 1897.
But it is still not known how the medal came to end up in the field.
Pte Boaden signed up on the outbreak of the First World War aged 17.
His regiment served in France and Belgium, Mesopotamia, Salonika, Macedonia, Egypt, Palestine and Italy.
The medal is badly damaged but Pte Boaden's name and regimental number are still visible.
Chris Jeffreys made the discovery after sitting down on a fallen tree to take a break from metal detecting.
"I didn't have many finds that day," he said, until his detector picked up a "beautiful signal" around the tree.
"The area had been covered dozens of times before, so whether the tree falling disturbed something I don't know.
"It's the first medal I've found," he added. "I was overjoyed."
Keen to unravel the mystery of how the medal ended up in the field, Mr Jeffreys and his fellow metal detecting enthusiasts appealed for help to find out what happened to Pte Boaden.
A First World War expert based in Cwmcarn, researcher and historian Stephen Lyons answered the appeal.
Following a tenacious and at times pain-staking research, he tracked down daughter-in-law Moira Boaden and his grandson Stephen Boaden living in Tiverton, Devon.
Mr Jeffreys recently met them to present the medal.
Mrs Boaden said she was "delighted" as she never knew of its existence and that the family "will treasure it".
"It's so interesting hearing all the history of my father-in-law."
Stephen Boaden said he had nothing of his grandfather's, not even a photograph, until recently.
"It was a very nice surprise," he said.
"To find out so much information about what he went through and who he was - it gives him a personality."
He added that the medal was not just something that belonged to his grandfather, but was "evidence of his service to his country."

Summary: A war medal found in a field in Porthcawl has been returned to its rightful owners.

Answer: 1


The 24-year-old midfielder sustained the injury just 26 days after joining Posh from League Two side Crewe.
He had an operation on Saturday and is expected to be out until November.
"I haven't seen a grown man cry like that for 15 years so I feel for him, but we'll just have to pull together," McCann told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
"There were about six seconds left of training, he planted his foot and broke his leg.
"He's had an operation, but I'm sure he'll come back stronger. The lads and the staff are devastated for him."
McCann also confirmed that Posh had not taken up the option to sign trialist striker Morgan Ferrier, who played in the pre-season friendlies against West Ham and Norwich.

Summary: McCann has backed the 24-year-old midfielder to recover from the broken leg he suffered with "six seconds left of training".

Answer: 1


The 24-year-old midfielder sustained the injury just 26 days after joining Posh from League Two side Crewe.
He had an operation on Saturday and is expected to be out until November.
"I haven't seen a grown man cry like that for 15 years so I feel for him, but we'll just have to pull together," McCann told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
"There were about six seconds left of training, he planted his foot and broke his leg.
"He's had an operation, but I'm sure he'll come back stronger. The lads and the staff are devastated for him."
McCann also confirmed that Posh had not taken up the option to sign trialist striker Morgan Ferrier, who played in the pre-season friendlies against West Ham and Norwich.

Summary: Peterborough United boss Paul McCann says he is "devastated" after the midfielder broke his leg in training.

Answer: 0


WRU Chairman Gareth Davies confirmed the move was made after regions had "upped the ante" over the Wales international's contract.
At least one other Welsh region has shown an interest in Williams, whose current contract ends next summer.
"It's over to the regions really to try and hopefully keep Scott Williams," Davies told Radio Wales Sport.
"The central contract from the union has been withdrawn after some of the regions started upping the ante, as it were."
The union's offer would have kept the player at the Scarlets.
Dual contracts are funded 60% by the WRU and 40% by the region, and Davies' comments suggest the regions are offering bigger deals than the one they put on the table.
It also hints that the WRU are not prepared to get involved in an auction of escalating bids.
However, it appears that the player will stay in Wales, but with a region paying his contract in full.
That situation would not upset the governing body, who set up the dual contracts to stop players moving abroad.
"It's difficult because we can't centrally contract everybody because of the funding issues - some players will be, some won't be," added Davies.
"But the important thing is that between the union and the regions that we work together to ensure that we can retain as many of the top stars as possible, and the youngsters coming through as well."

Summary: The Welsh Rugby Union has withdrawn its offer to sign Wales lock Scott Williams.

Answer: 0


WRU Chairman Gareth Davies confirmed the move was made after regions had "upped the ante" over the Wales international's contract.
At least one other Welsh region has shown an interest in Williams, whose current contract ends next summer.
"It's over to the regions really to try and hopefully keep Scott Williams," Davies told Radio Wales Sport.
"The central contract from the union has been withdrawn after some of the regions started upping the ante, as it were."
The union's offer would have kept the player at the Scarlets.
Dual contracts are funded 60% by the WRU and 40% by the region, and Davies' comments suggest the regions are offering bigger deals than the one they put on the table.
It also hints that the WRU are not prepared to get involved in an auction of escalating bids.
However, it appears that the player will stay in Wales, but with a region paying his contract in full.
That situation would not upset the governing body, who set up the dual contracts to stop players moving abroad.
"It's difficult because we can't centrally contract everybody because of the funding issues - some players will be, some won't be," added Davies.
"But the important thing is that between the union and the regions that we work together to ensure that we can retain as many of the top stars as possible, and the youngsters coming through as well."

Summary: The WRU have withdrawn an offer of a dual contract for Scarlets centre Scott Williams.

Answer: 1


The rural grave, discovered last November in the town of Tetelcingo, consists of two 10m (33ft) deep pits.
Prosecutors say that the bodies may have been dumped illegally by morgue officials, but the investigation into who is responsible is ongoing.
Morelos is among the worst-affected states in Mexico's epidemic of drug-related violence.
At least 20,000 people have disappeared across Mexico, the UN estimates - other organisation put the number far higher.
Investigators at Tetelcingo worked under a yellow tent as families of missing persons and National Human Rights Commission representatives looked on.
Genetic samples will be taken from each set of remains to attempt identification before they are reburied in marked graves.
The exhumation is expected to take about five days.
State prosecutor Javier Perez Duron said an investigation was under way into who was responsible for the illegal mass burial.
"It is extremely important and the highest responsibility to count the bodies and give them a dignified burial," Mr Duron said.
Experts from the Autonomous University of the state of Morelos (UAEM) have been called in to help with DNA testing.
Alejandro Vera, rector of UAEM, said: "We recognize the tireless struggle of the relatives and victims' organisations of the more than 30,000 missing in this country that's sinking into barbarism."
Mr Vera founded a program to help those whose loved ones have disappeared in Mexico's drug war.
At least 20,000 people are thought to have disappeared.

Summary: Mexican authorities have begun exhuming bodies found buried in a mass grave in the town of Tetelcingo.

Answer: 1


The rural grave, discovered last November in the town of Tetelcingo, consists of two 10m (33ft) deep pits.
Prosecutors say that the bodies may have been dumped illegally by morgue officials, but the investigation into who is responsible is ongoing.
Morelos is among the worst-affected states in Mexico's epidemic of drug-related violence.
At least 20,000 people have disappeared across Mexico, the UN estimates - other organisation put the number far higher.
Investigators at Tetelcingo worked under a yellow tent as families of missing persons and National Human Rights Commission representatives looked on.
Genetic samples will be taken from each set of remains to attempt identification before they are reburied in marked graves.
The exhumation is expected to take about five days.
State prosecutor Javier Perez Duron said an investigation was under way into who was responsible for the illegal mass burial.
"It is extremely important and the highest responsibility to count the bodies and give them a dignified burial," Mr Duron said.
Experts from the Autonomous University of the state of Morelos (UAEM) have been called in to help with DNA testing.
Alejandro Vera, rector of UAEM, said: "We recognize the tireless struggle of the relatives and victims' organisations of the more than 30,000 missing in this country that's sinking into barbarism."
Mr Vera founded a program to help those whose loved ones have disappeared in Mexico's drug war.
At least 20,000 people are thought to have disappeared.

Summary: The remains of more than 30,000 people who disappeared in Mexico's northern state of Morelos have been exhumed.

Answer: 0


Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said the impact on sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) "could not be fully mitigated".
The Â£1.1bn M4 proposal would cross four SSSIs along the Gwent Levels.
Welsh Government lawyers argued environmental concerns had to be balanced against other interests.
The inquiry in Newport heard the scheme would mean about 105 hectares of designated land, set aside for the protection of water invertebrates, would have to be lost.
The Gwent Levels' unique network of ditches, known as reens, were dug during Roman times and have since become a habitat for a range of rare species.
The Welsh Government has pledged to replace lost reens with new ones.
Dr Jessica Poole, of conservation body Natural Resources Wales (NRW), told the inquiry discussions between the regulator and the Welsh Government meant she was content with the proposed design of the new reens.
But she said there was no guarantee they would work, and it could be some time before they supported the aquatic insects the sites are meant to conserve.
Replicating a complex ecology that has developed over centuries would be "challenging", she said.
NRW said the Welsh Government had not demonstrated the project would comply with its statutory duty to promote sustainable development.
Should the alternative blue route, suggested by transport expert Prof Stuart Cole, be adopted - the motorway's impact on SSSI land would be "significantly reduced", Dr Poole said.
But the inquiry heard several issues NRW had raised in letters responding to the project's draft plans had been addressed and it was now satisfied on matters including water quality, drainage and some protected species such as otters and bats.
Morag Ellis QC, acting on behalf of the Welsh Government, said it was for Welsh ministers to balance any potential impact on SSSI land with other public interests related to the new motorway.
Claiming adverse effects were "fully mitigated for" was to apply a standard not in accordance with the law, she said.
She described the changes NRW had made to its initial objections after extensive discussions with Welsh Government as "a major step forward".

Summary: The scale of loss of conservation land caused by the proposed M4 relief road would be unacceptable, a public inquiry has heard.

Answer: 1


Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said the impact on sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) "could not be fully mitigated".
The Â£1.1bn M4 proposal would cross four SSSIs along the Gwent Levels.
Welsh Government lawyers argued environmental concerns had to be balanced against other interests.
The inquiry in Newport heard the scheme would mean about 105 hectares of designated land, set aside for the protection of water invertebrates, would have to be lost.
The Gwent Levels' unique network of ditches, known as reens, were dug during Roman times and have since become a habitat for a range of rare species.
The Welsh Government has pledged to replace lost reens with new ones.
Dr Jessica Poole, of conservation body Natural Resources Wales (NRW), told the inquiry discussions between the regulator and the Welsh Government meant she was content with the proposed design of the new reens.
But she said there was no guarantee they would work, and it could be some time before they supported the aquatic insects the sites are meant to conserve.
Replicating a complex ecology that has developed over centuries would be "challenging", she said.
NRW said the Welsh Government had not demonstrated the project would comply with its statutory duty to promote sustainable development.
Should the alternative blue route, suggested by transport expert Prof Stuart Cole, be adopted - the motorway's impact on SSSI land would be "significantly reduced", Dr Poole said.
But the inquiry heard several issues NRW had raised in letters responding to the project's draft plans had been addressed and it was now satisfied on matters including water quality, drainage and some protected species such as otters and bats.
Morag Ellis QC, acting on behalf of the Welsh Government, said it was for Welsh ministers to balance any potential impact on SSSI land with other public interests related to the new motorway.
Claiming adverse effects were "fully mitigated for" was to apply a standard not in accordance with the law, she said.
She described the changes NRW had made to its initial objections after extensive discussions with Welsh Government as "a major step forward".

Summary: Plans to build a new motorway on the Gwent Levels have been rejected by the public body that runs the scheme.

Answer: 0


Sir Martin Moore-Bick sent the letter late on Thursday following weeks of discussion with survivors.
There has been controversy over Sir Martin's suitability for the role and the areas the inquiry will cover.
The prime minister will set out the terms of reference for the process in the coming weeks.
Downing Street said: "The prime minister has received the letter and will consider it and respond shortly."
How far the inquiry can go has been a source of controversy since the Sir Martin's appointment was announced.
He angered survivors on his first day in the job by indicating the investigation would be "pretty well limited" to examining the cause of the fire, how it spread and how to prevent future incidents.
But he later vowed to consider a "broad range of evidence" which could include why residents' warnings about fire safety were allegedly ignored by authorities.
Survivors, bereaved families and other involved parties spent weeks making their case about what questions the inquiry should answer.
More than 400 submissions were received during the consultation period.
The "Justice 4 Grenfell" campaign said earlier this month it wanted an examination of local and national social housing policy and whether it "increased risks to residents".
Questions were raised in the aftermath of the disaster about the cladding used on Grenfell and other buildings. More than 100 buildings have failed the latest fire safety tests set in the wake of the fire.
Sir Martin has previously faced calls to resign from residents, while Labour MP David Lammy said he was a "white, upper-middle class man" who had "never" visited a tower block housing estate and should not have been appointed.
The inquiry is due to start in September. Sir Martin has previously said an interim report could be produced within a year.
The prime minister will set out the terms of reference for the process in the coming weeks.

Summary: The man leading the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has written to the prime minister with recommendations for its terms of reference.

Answer: 1


Sir Martin Moore-Bick sent the letter late on Thursday following weeks of discussion with survivors.
There has been controversy over Sir Martin's suitability for the role and the areas the inquiry will cover.
The prime minister will set out the terms of reference for the process in the coming weeks.
Downing Street said: "The prime minister has received the letter and will consider it and respond shortly."
How far the inquiry can go has been a source of controversy since the Sir Martin's appointment was announced.
He angered survivors on his first day in the job by indicating the investigation would be "pretty well limited" to examining the cause of the fire, how it spread and how to prevent future incidents.
But he later vowed to consider a "broad range of evidence" which could include why residents' warnings about fire safety were allegedly ignored by authorities.
Survivors, bereaved families and other involved parties spent weeks making their case about what questions the inquiry should answer.
More than 400 submissions were received during the consultation period.
The "Justice 4 Grenfell" campaign said earlier this month it wanted an examination of local and national social housing policy and whether it "increased risks to residents".
Questions were raised in the aftermath of the disaster about the cladding used on Grenfell and other buildings. More than 100 buildings have failed the latest fire safety tests set in the wake of the fire.
Sir Martin has previously faced calls to resign from residents, while Labour MP David Lammy said he was a "white, upper-middle class man" who had "never" visited a tower block housing estate and should not have been appointed.
The inquiry is due to start in September. Sir Martin has previously said an interim report could be produced within a year.
The prime minister will set out the terms of reference for the process in the coming weeks.

Summary: The prime minister has written to the chair of the Grenfell Tower inquiry to say he will consider appointing a new chair.

Answer: 0


The man is said to have been trying to gather details about a German parliamentary committee that is investigating claims of US espionage.
German authorities have asked the US ambassador for "swift clarification".
The US National Security Agency (NSA) was last year accused of bugging the phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel as part of a huge surveillance programme.
The scale of the agency's global spy programme was revealed in documents leaked last year by a former intelligence contractor, Edward Snowden.
The revelations about the NSA put a strain on ties between Germany and the US and raised feeling in Germany against American surveillance.
The BBC's Steve Evans in Berlin says the new allegation of American spying on an ally may make it harder for the US to get German help in its efforts to oppose Russian activity in Ukraine, and also to control Iranian nuclear ambitions.
German media say the man arrested this week is a 31-year-old employee of the federal service, the BND or Bundesnachrichtendienst.
The German federal prosecutor's office confirmed the man's arrest, but gave no other details.
A spokesman for Ms Merkel said she had been informed of the arrest, as had the members of the nine-strong parliamentary committee investigating the activities of foreign intelligence agencies in Germany.
"The matter is serious, it is clear," spokesman Steffen Seibert told the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper,
Der Spiegel news magazine said the man was believed to have passed secret documents to a US contact in exchange for money.
However, one unnamed politician told Reuters news agency the suspect had offered his services to the US voluntarily.
"This was a man who had no direct contact with the investigative committee... He was not a top agent,"   the source said.
Germany is particularly sensitive to reports of espionage on its territory because many of its citizens from the formerly communist east of the country were spied upon by the Stasi secret police.

Summary: A German intelligence officer has been arrested in Berlin, reportedly for allegedly spying on a US parliamentary committee.

Answer: 0


The man is said to have been trying to gather details about a German parliamentary committee that is investigating claims of US espionage.
German authorities have asked the US ambassador for "swift clarification".
The US National Security Agency (NSA) was last year accused of bugging the phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel as part of a huge surveillance programme.
The scale of the agency's global spy programme was revealed in documents leaked last year by a former intelligence contractor, Edward Snowden.
The revelations about the NSA put a strain on ties between Germany and the US and raised feeling in Germany against American surveillance.
The BBC's Steve Evans in Berlin says the new allegation of American spying on an ally may make it harder for the US to get German help in its efforts to oppose Russian activity in Ukraine, and also to control Iranian nuclear ambitions.
German media say the man arrested this week is a 31-year-old employee of the federal service, the BND or Bundesnachrichtendienst.
The German federal prosecutor's office confirmed the man's arrest, but gave no other details.
A spokesman for Ms Merkel said she had been informed of the arrest, as had the members of the nine-strong parliamentary committee investigating the activities of foreign intelligence agencies in Germany.
"The matter is serious, it is clear," spokesman Steffen Seibert told the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper,
Der Spiegel news magazine said the man was believed to have passed secret documents to a US contact in exchange for money.
However, one unnamed politician told Reuters news agency the suspect had offered his services to the US voluntarily.
"This was a man who had no direct contact with the investigative committee... He was not a top agent,"   the source said.
Germany is particularly sensitive to reports of espionage on its territory because many of its citizens from the formerly communist east of the country were spied upon by the Stasi secret police.

Summary: An employee of Germany's federal service has been arrested on suspicion of spying for the US, reports say.

Answer: 1


Wednesday's matinee was curtailed before that evening's show was called off completely.
Ticket holders for both shows will be offered refunds, a show representative has confirmed.
Thursday's performance will go ahead as scheduled at London's Cambridge Theatre, it has since been announced.
An audience member at Wednesday's matinee told the BBC the show was stopped after approximately 30 minutes.
A representative for the theatre then came on stage and said the actress playing Matilda was unable to sing the rest of the songs, so would speak the lyrics instead.
The show's interval was then extended by around 15 minutes.
At the end of the interval, the theatre representative returned and said the actress's voice had deteriorated further and that the performance would be cut short.
The rest of the cast then performed three songs from the second half of the show while a member of the production team narrated the story.
One audience member who was at Wednesday's matinee said the afternoon had left her "genuinely gutted".
She continued: "Â£75 a ticket is not cheap, and not having a healthy understudy for that price is unacceptable."
"Obviously we were disappointed not to see the whole show," tweeted Debbie Stoddart, another member of the audience.
"But it was evident from the first song that Matilda wasn't well so it was the right thing to stop the show.
"The most important thing is the well-being of the cast, specifically the younger ones."
The Royal Shakespeare Company's production is based on Roald Dahl's popular children's novel.
It was adapted for the stage by playwright Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.
The show became a huge box office success when it opened in London's West End in 2011.
The following year the production won seven Oliviers, a record at the time. It later transferred to Broadway.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: One performance of West End musical Matilda was cancelled and another cut short after the actress playing Matilda became ill.

Answer: 1


Wednesday's matinee was curtailed before that evening's show was called off completely.
Ticket holders for both shows will be offered refunds, a show representative has confirmed.
Thursday's performance will go ahead as scheduled at London's Cambridge Theatre, it has since been announced.
An audience member at Wednesday's matinee told the BBC the show was stopped after approximately 30 minutes.
A representative for the theatre then came on stage and said the actress playing Matilda was unable to sing the rest of the songs, so would speak the lyrics instead.
The show's interval was then extended by around 15 minutes.
At the end of the interval, the theatre representative returned and said the actress's voice had deteriorated further and that the performance would be cut short.
The rest of the cast then performed three songs from the second half of the show while a member of the production team narrated the story.
One audience member who was at Wednesday's matinee said the afternoon had left her "genuinely gutted".
She continued: "Â£75 a ticket is not cheap, and not having a healthy understudy for that price is unacceptable."
"Obviously we were disappointed not to see the whole show," tweeted Debbie Stoddart, another member of the audience.
"But it was evident from the first song that Matilda wasn't well so it was the right thing to stop the show.
"The most important thing is the well-being of the cast, specifically the younger ones."
The Royal Shakespeare Company's production is based on Roald Dahl's popular children's novel.
It was adapted for the stage by playwright Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.
The show became a huge box office success when it opened in London's West End in 2011.
The following year the production won seven Oliviers, a record at the time. It later transferred to Broadway.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of the musical adaptation of the children's novel Matilda has been cancelled after a performance was interrupted due to a "serious understudy".

Answer: 0