Eight princesses from the UAE have been convicted of human trafficking and degrading treatment of their servants by a Brussels court.

They were given 15-month suspended jail terms and ordered to pay â‚¬165,000 (Â£145,000; $185,000) each, with half the sum suspended.
They were accused of holding more than 20 servants they brought with them on a 2008 visit in near slavery.
But they were acquitted of the more serious charge of inhumane treatment.
The princesses had denied all the charges.
Their lawyer, Stephen Monod, said he was "satisfied to note that the Belgian justice has appropriately assessed this case which has generated many misconceptions for nearly 10 years".
Raped, pregnant and afraid of being jailed
Kuwait's abused domestic workers have 'nowhere to turn'
He was unable to confirm that his clients would pay their fines, saying they had not yet decided whether to appeal.
Sheikha Hamda al-Nahyan and her seven daughters did not attend the trial and rights activists said it was highly unlikely that the UAE would extradite them had they been jailed.
The case came to light when one of the servants escaped from the hotel where the princesses had hired a floor of luxury suites.
They said they were forced to be available 24 hours a day, had to sleep on the floor, were never given a day off, were prevented from leaving the hotel and were forced to eat the princesses' leftovers.
But the case took nine years to get under way, partly due to legal challenges to proceedings by the defence.
Myria, a Belgian rights group which helped bring the case to court, said the importance of Friday's judgement "can hardly be overstated".
"Not because it is the end stage of a procedure that has been epic in length and complexity, nor because the location of the transgression was a prestigious hotel and the main perpetrators princesses.
"Domestic personnel hailing from all over the world, employed in an administrative and social limbo, in a secluded area presumed beyond the reach of the rule of law, were heard in a court of law and recognised as victims of human trafficking."
At the time of the trial, Nicholas McGeehan, an expert on migrant workers in the Gulf for Human Rights Watch, told the BBC that it would be "hugely significant" if one of the wealthiest families in the world was publicly linked with trafficking and slavery.
He argued that despite being abolished in law, domestic slavery continues in Gulf states - "perpetuated by ruling elites for whom it serves an important societal purpose in conferring status".
He added: "It's top-down and tolerated."


Fernando Alonso has walked away uninjured from a huge crash at the Australian Grand Prix.

The two-time champion's McLaren was launched into the air and came to rest upside down after hitting the back of Esteban Gutierrez's Haas.
Alonso was able to climb out of the wreckage unaided after the incident at Turn Three at Albert Park.
The Spaniard was taken to the medical centre for a check-up and subsequently released.
"I feel good. I'm trying to put everything in place again in the body. It was a big, big crash," Alonso told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I tried to take the slipstream until the braking point and in the last moment it was a combination of factors that ended up in a crash, luckily we are both OK.
"I'm thankful for the safety of the cars - I am alive talking to you.
"I think it is a race incident. We both tried to fight and sometimes we forget we are at 300km/h and every little crash can become much bigger."
Listen to BBC Radio 5 live commentary of Alonso's crash
Alonso had been trying to pass Gutierrez on the approach to Turn Three and flicked from the inside of the track to the outside at the last minute.
Gutierrez was drifting gently from the middle of the track to the outside as Alonso switched positions, and when the Haas started to slow the McLaren's right-front wheel tagged the left rear of the Haas.
The McLaren speared straight on, the right way up, before launching into a barrel roll as it reached the gravel trap.
It has happened before in Australia
Martin Brundle's Jordan was broken in half at the same turn in 1996 after colliding with David Coulthard's McLaren and Johnny Herbert's Sauber. Brundle, like Alonso, walked away unscathed.


New Zealand seamer Neil Wagner has spoken of his pride at being able to play for Lancashire this season.

The South Africa-born 30-year-old claimed 6-66 on his debut against Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford.
Wagner, who had a stint with Northants in 2014, joined the Red Rose as their overseas player for the 2016 campaign.
"It's a great club and a great place. I always had something for Lancashire when I played here for Ormskirk in 2008," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"I came to watch quite a few games for Lancashire and when England played here as well, so I love the ground and everything about it.
"For me to come over here was an easy decision and to come and play a part in such a special club is pretty awesome. I'm lucky to be here."
Wagner's figures were the best by a bowler making his Lancashire first-class debut since 1923.


Forest species are coming under increasing pressure from human activities and climate change, and face the risk of extinction, the UN warns.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has published a global action plan to improve management of the world's forest genetic resources.
It describes forest ecosystems as "essential refuges for biodiversity".
The call for action comes ahead of a key UN forestry meeting, which is being held in Rome at the end of June.
"Data from 86 countries illustrate that insufficient awareness of the importance of forest genetic resources... often translate into national policies that are partial, ineffective or non-existent," explained Linda Collette, secretary of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA).
"Only about 3% of the world's tree species are actively managed," she added.
"Governments need to act and implement the global plan of action."
The action plan describes forest genetic resources (FGR) as the "heritable materials maintained within and among tree and other woody plant species that are of actual or potential economic, environmental, scientific or societal value".
The document identifies 27 priorities, which have been grouped into four areas:
It say genetic diversity forms the "mainstay of biological diversity", enabling species to adapt to changing environments, such as climate change and emerging diseases.
The plan adds: "FGR provide a direct food source for human and animals, even at times when annual crops fail."
Food and nutrition security
The release of the global action plan coincided with the publication of another report, The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources, described as the first of its kind.
Building on data from 86 national reports, the FAO document covers 8,000 woody species (trees, shrubs, palms and bamboo) that are among the most utilised by humans.
It found that a third of these species, about 2,400, were actively managed specifically for their products and/or services.
The report concluded: "The high number of species used and their multiplicity and services indicates the enormous value of FGR.
"It suggests their great potential to support agriculture, forestry and environmental sustainability, as well as food and nutrition security, if better evaluated and developed."
FAO assistant director-general for forestry Eduardo Rojas-Briales observed: "Forests provide food, goods and services which are essential to the survival and well-being of all humanity.
"This report constitutes a major step in building the information and knowledge based required for action towards better conservation and better management of the planet's precious forest genetic resources," he added.


Federal agents in California have raided more than a dozen hotels that cater to pregnant foreigners who want their children to be born US citizens.

The "birth tourism" hotels hosted mainly Chinese women who paid between $15,000 (Â£9,756) to $50,000 for the services.
The raids focused on hotels suspected of engaging in visa fraud.
Court records said companies would coach women to falsify records and claims for their visa screening.
Birth tourism is not always illegal and many agencies openly advertise their services as "birthing centres".
The raids represent a rare federal crackdown against the widespread practice of foreign nationals giving birth in the US.
Undercover operation
It is estimated that 40,000 of 300,000 children born to foreign citizens in the US each year are the product of birth tourism, according to figures quoted in court documents filed to obtain search warrants for the schemes.
In one of the investigations into an Irvine "birthing centre", an undercover agent posed as a pregnant mother.
She was helped to provide false proof of income and a college diploma, told to enter through popular US destinations like Hawaii or Las Vegas and make reservations with hotels and tours.
A China-based "trainer" assigned to help put together the visa application asked for full-length frontal and side photo of the undercover agent's belly to see how visible her pregnancy was, according to agents.
Agents were also concerned that the schemes defrauded hospitals. Even though the women were paying birth tourism operators between $15,000 and $50,000 for their service, they paid local hospitals nothing or a reduced sum for uninsured, low-income patients, according to the affidavit.
No arrests were expected on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times, but authorities said investigators would be seizing evidence and interviewing the mothers to build a criminal case against scheme operators.


Colchester extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 2-0 win over struggling Cheltenham.

Goals from Tom Eastman and Brennan Dickenson lifted Colchester to within two points of the League Two play-offs.
Cheltenham goalkeeper Russell Griffiths twice denied Chris Porter early on, before Colchester made a 10th-minute breakthrough through Eastman, who headed home Owen Garvan's floated free-kick.
Cheltenham had penalty claims rejected midway through the first half after debutant Diego De Girolamo tumbled under Frankie Kent's challenge in the area.
Colchester almost doubled their lead six minutes before half-time when Porter fired straight at Griffiths from a good position.
After De Girolamo twice went close for the visitors after the break, Griffiths brilliantly palmed over Craig Slater's goalbound free-kick while Jordan Cranston hacked Dickenson's off the line.
Colchester keeper Sam Walker made a magnificent save to deny Billy Waters midway through the second half.
Waters fired inches wide for the Robins with 15 minutes remaining but Colchester wrapped up victory with six minutes to go when Dickenson lashed home from just inside the area, after Porter had set him up.
Report supplied by Press Association.
Match ends, Colchester United 2, Cheltenham Town 0.
Second Half ends, Colchester United 2, Cheltenham Town 0.
Foul by Macauley Bonne (Colchester United).
Jordan Cranston (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Colchester United. Macauley Bonne replaces Chris Porter.
Attempt missed. Daniel Wright (Cheltenham Town) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Corner,  Cheltenham Town. Conceded by George Elokobi.
Foul by Kurtis Guthrie (Colchester United).
James Rowe (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Cheltenham Town. Jack Munns replaces Diego De Girolamo.
Attempt missed. Brennan Dickenson (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt blocked. Tarique Fosu-Henry (Colchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Goal!  Colchester United 2, Cheltenham Town 0. Brennan Dickenson (Colchester United) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Chris Porter.
Substitution, Colchester United. Tarique Fosu-Henry replaces Craig Slater.
Drey Wright (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by James Dayton (Cheltenham Town).
Attempt blocked. Diego De Girolamo (Cheltenham Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Substitution, Colchester United. Drey Wright replaces Richard Brindley.
Attempt missed. Billy Waters (Cheltenham Town) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Attempt missed. Craig Slater (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Tom Eastman (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by James Rowe (Cheltenham Town).
Tom Lapslie (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by James Rowe (Cheltenham Town).
Chris Porter (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Daniel O'Shaughnessy (Cheltenham Town).
Attempt saved. Diego De Girolamo (Cheltenham Town) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Attempt blocked. Craig Slater (Colchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner,  Colchester United. Conceded by Daniel O'Shaughnessy.
Frankie Kent (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Daniel Wright (Cheltenham Town).
Substitution, Cheltenham Town. James Dayton replaces Amari Morgan-Smith.
Substitution, Cheltenham Town. Daniel Wright replaces Dan Holman.
Foul by Chris Porter (Colchester United).
Harry Pell (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner,  Cheltenham Town. Conceded by Tom Lapslie.
Attempt blocked. Kurtis Guthrie (Colchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Tom Lapslie (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Billy Waters (Cheltenham Town).
Corner,  Colchester United. Conceded by Russell Griffiths.


Manchester United were "shambolic" and had no plan during their 2-0 Europa League defeat at Liverpool, says former United midfielder Paul Scholes.

Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino scored, with only keeper David de Gea preventing a heavier first-leg loss.
Scholes, who made 718 appearances for United, told BT Sport that the Old Trafford club "have certain standards and they have fallen well short".
He added: "Liverpool had a way of playing. United didn't have a clue."
The second leg of the last-16 tie takes place at Old Trafford next Thursday (20:05 GMT).
Louis van Gaal's side are sixth in the Premier League, three points off the top four as they chase Champions League qualification for next season, and face fifth-placed West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
They dropped into the Europa League after finishing third in a Champions League group that also included Wolfsburg, PSV Eindhoven and CSKA Moscow.
"Manchester United should be competing to win the Premier League and Champions League every season," said Scholes.
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"They have spent £300m and they are sixth in the league. They have ended up in the Europa League after failing in a poor Champions League group. They should be competing with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
"I hope none of the players comes out saying sorry on Twitter. Stop talking on social media and start playing.
"The last thing I want for Manchester United is to be happy with finishing fourth and winning the FA Cup. That's what Arsenal do."
United had won their four previous games against Liverpool under Van Gaal but rarely looked like beating them on Thursday.
The Dutchman felt the goals his side conceded were "cheap" but accepted they could not handle Liverpool's pressing game.
"It was a surprise that we did not cope with it," he said.
"In the second half, we tried to press like Liverpool. They had difficulties, but we did not create too many chances."
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised the "electric" Anfield atmosphere after his side beat United for the first time in two years.
"The atmosphere was unbelievable, really great. I want to say thank you to everyone that was involved," said the German.
"That was Liverpool how I knew it before I came here.
"No matter how you play against Manchester United, it is always difficult to make chances. We could have scored more goals in the first half, but that's life.
"Scoring the second goal was very important. We know it is only the first leg but we needed to win it and we did. We are in a good position now."


Young men selling curious looking fluorescent bulbs mounted on pieces of wood is a common sight in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown.

4 October 2016 Last updated at 11:51 BST
This is the creative work of young unemployed Sierra Leoneans trying to earn a living.
Digital Reporter: Alice Muthengi


People with mental health problems are being promised faster access to treatment by the Welsh government.

The current 56 day waiting time target for treatment is to be halved to 28 days, Health Minister Mark Drakeford said.
Health boards have until next March to hit the new target and Mr Drakeford said there has already been "significant progress" in services.
Charities have warned of the growing mental health problem in Wales.
Under the old arrangements, patients had to be seen for an initial assessment within four weeks - and then there was another wait of up to eight weeks for treatment.
Now that wait for treatment time after being first evaluated has been cut to four weeks too.
The Welsh government said its waiting times for mental health assessment and treatment were are already more stringent than those in England.
£587m
spending, 2015-16
11.4%
of NHS budget
Women treated for mental illness 14%
Adults being treated for depression 9%
Rise in child and adolescent referrals since 2011  100%
NHS England has a target that 75% of adults should expect treatment within six weeks and 95% within 18 weeks.
Mr Drakeford said: "This announcement will help ensure timely access to treatment, ensuring people who need expert care and support receive the right services in the right place at the right time."
Sara Moseley, director of Mind Cymru, the mental health charity, said the new target was "welcome" but more needed to be done, including improving the type of treatment offered to people.
"I think the minister is making it very clear that mental health is a priority and we welcome that but we think this is a journey," she added.
Under the old measure, 85.5% of patients in Wales were treated within the eight weeks of being assessed in June 2015. Cwm Taf health board had the best record with 97.7%  meeting the target compared to only 67.4% in the Aneurin Bevan area.
But Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said hundreds of young people would  be"left behind" as they will still be subject to a longer 16 week target - one that is met only 50% of the time.


Siberia is known for its bitter, snowy winters - hardly the conditions associated with a thriving wine industry.

But a dogged group of winemakers in the foothills of the Altai Mountains have conquered the frosts to produce both red and white varieties, and hope to start selling them next year.
Vladimir Vagner, head of the Altaiskaia Loza ["Altai Vine"] wine company, is convinced the wines will prove a hit around the world.
He recruited the help of experts from France to find grapes that could weather the frosts and thrive during the area's balmy summers - which can be as hot as many parts of France and other wine-producing countries.
He told the Siberian Times: "Our French partners spent two years studying the climate conditions and soil, and once they made sure these were appropriate, they started choosing grape types.
"Initially, we selected an area for the vineyards. It was a former fruit garden, we planted 600 saplings to see if they could make it through winter - and all but two of them actually did so."
The vineyards lie around the village of Altaiskoye (population: 4,000). The first was planted in 2009 using cuttings from the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, supplied by the Guillaume family nursery. It included 20 types of grape chosen specially for their hardiness.
Ultimately, the growers picked four or five - including Pinot Noir and Muscat Blanc.
"We produced last year, three kinds of red wine and have made pink wine by mixing white and red grapes," Mr Vagner told the BBC.
"We made a white wine based on the varieties of Muscat, and as an experiment made the first wine from frozen grapes - so called "ice wine". Given our climate, we will continue to apply this technology further."
Ice wine, also known by its German name "Eiswein", is a very sweet dessert wine made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine - an ideal solution for winemakers in snow-capped climes.
Temperatures in Siberia are well below freezing throughout the winter, and remain sub-zero into April. In January, the average temperature is -17.8 °C (-0.4 °F), but by July the mercury can hit a more enjoyable 13.8 °C (56 °F).
Mr Vagner, 63, says all the wine is organic, grown without the use of chemicals.
So will it actually taste any good? He says it is a little soon to be certain - but the signs are very positive.
"The thing is, flavour forms not immediately but by year 10. So that's why in [the] first two years [the] assessment was, "the wine is a bit sour, not enough sugar" and only in 2014 was our white wine described as good in terms of flavour, scent and colour.
"The red wine was described as good in flavour."
At the moment, the vineyard is allowed to make wine for domestic use and for tastings. But at 20 million roubles (£240,500), a commercial licence to sell the wine is a costly investment. Mr Vagner is keen to attract investors to help the 12 hectare project reach its full potential.
He told the BBC that a small change to Russian law would hugely boost the business's prospects.
"I hope that the wine in Russia will be transferred from the category of alcohol products to the category of food, and then various issues associated with the licence demand, any headaches with the need to make paperwork, will disappear by themselves."


After the big successes comes the pressure for repeats.

During the 2015-16 jump-racing season, no British trainer hit the big-race headlines more frequently than Colin Tizzard as he navigated generally triumphant paths for people's-favourite steeplechaser Cue Card, champion long-distance hurdler Thistlecrack and emerging star Native River.
Despite suffering the 'fall of the year', at the third last fence in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cue Card confirmed his place in the hearts of thousands with wins at Wetherby, at Haydock in the Betfair Chase, in the King George VI Chase at Kempton and at Aintree.
The death of Bob Bishop, the 10-year-old's joint-owner with wife Jean, just days after Kempton added to the emotion.
Meanwhile, the brilliant Thistlecrack, aged eight, was sweeping aside all rivals, most spectacularly in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham; and the six-year-old Native River made a name for himself with a Grade One race victory at Aintree after a near-miss at the Festival.
The "three beautiful stayers", as Tizzard describes them, ensured that the cricket-loving trainer accrued a half-century of winners, banking in the process nearly £1.5m in prize money and propelling him to fourth in the Trainers' Championship.
And, though it would not have counted towards the title, had Cue Card won at Cheltenham there would have been another £1m for completing the Jockey Club's 'Steeplechasing Triple Crown' - the Betfair Chase, King George and Gold Cup.
The late-October cranking up of the jumps season sees the return of the 'big three', and, inevitably, the weight of expectation is high that Tizzard, assisted at their Venn Farm HQ on the Dorset-Somerset border by ex-jockey son Joe, can deliver again.
The trainer is aware of people's hopes, but seems to be revelling in it.
He said: "You can run an ordinary or 'nice' horse, and if he's not quite fit enough first time, it doesn't make any difference - you'll bring him on for the race. You can't do that with these boys because you scribes will be talking about it for the next month.
"So there's pressure to do that - and obviously I feel it - but it's lovely to have, isn't it?"
A return to Wetherby, aiming for a repeat in the Charlie Hall Chase, is the first plan for Cue Card, before another Triple Crown attempt.
He will be joined in the horsebox north by Native River, who's due to contest the West Yorkshire Hurdle as a warm-up for a probable challenge on Newbury's Hennessy Gold Cup in November.
Before that, however, Thistlecrack could travel to Chepstow for his first chase. It is hoped that will act as a springboard for a plan - as mouth-watering as it is, on the face of it, ambitious - to take on Cue Card and co in the Gold Cup in March.
Such an encounter of two hugely popular horses from the same stables has echoes of the momentous clashes between Kauto Star and Denman - both trained by Paul Nicholls - in four Gold Cups between 2008 and 2011.
Assessing his heavyweights, Tizzard told BBC Sport: "Thistlecrack is fitter than when he ran first time last year. He's been in since July 20, but has taken a lot of work to get him where we are now. He's a big, heavy horse. He's working well and jumps well.
"Everything about Cue Card is brilliant - I think he's still at his peak.
"Now he's a bit older, we didn't let him get big and fat [while out at grass] - a Premier League footballer wouldn't go and put on loads of weight and come back and play football - and we rode him after six weeks out in a field to keep an element of fitness.
"Native River is great; we'll have to consider the World Hurdle at the Festival with him because if Cue Card and Thistlecrack get clear runs and go to the Gold Cup is Native River going to beat them? His rating puts him in the World Hurdle."
With his star names plus a growing string - bolstered by the arrival of 15 horses owned by multi-millionaire businessman Alan Potts and his wife, Ann - Tizzard is in an enviably strong position for the 'core' jumps campaign ahead.
He says he does not have enough "firepower" to challenge for the Trainers' Championship, which is decided by prize money, but insists what really matters is one race, not a title.
"The Gold Cup means everything - what do we do in life, it's to try to win a Gold Cup," he said.
"Thistlecrack's owners [John and Heather Snook] bought horses this year and want to run them in bumpers, hurdles and chases to see if they can make them Cheltenham standard and try and win a Gold Cup, that's it."
The road to Gold starts here.


An Australian man has pleaded guilty to making sexual threats on social media, in what is seen as a landmark victory for opponents of online harassment.

Zach Alchin, 25, sent the comments on Facebook in response to a picture his friend shared of a woman's profile on the Tinder dating app.
He told police he was drunk and was unaware he was committing a crime.
The woman whose picture was at the centre of the story says she is "pretty shocked" he changed his plea to guilty.
Alchin had previously pleaded not guilty but changed his plea on the first day of his trial in Sydney.
He will be sentenced in late July and could face up to three years in jail.
In August 2015, a friend of Alchin's - who was not charged - shared a screenshot of the profile of Olivia Melville's Tinder profile.
It included a sexually explicit lyric from singer Nicki Minaj and rapper Drake's song Only.
The post and Alchin's comment, "Stay classy, ladies", quickly spread through social media, with many leaving abusive comments about Ms Melville, 25.
When her friends defended her online, Alchin then wrote more than 50 posts, including rape threats, derogatory comments about feminists and saying that women should "never have been given rights".
He was reported by 24-year-old Paloma Brierley Newton, a friend of Ms Melville.
Alchin admitted posting the comments after he was arrested, but told police he had been drunk and that he was unaware it was criminal behaviour.
Court papers said he told police that he had been internet trolling a "group of feminists that were harassing me and my friends".
Alchin had allegedly asked Ms Newton what "law he was breaking" when she threatened to report him to police.
Ms Newton, Ms Melville and others set up advocacy group Sexual Violence Won't Be Silenced in wake of the incident, to challenge online sexual harassment.
"We are extremely pleased that Mr Alchin has plead guilty", the group said on Facebook.
"Out victory today sends a message to all women that they don't have to put up with harassment online; that there are steps and channels they can take, and that Australian law is on their side."
"This case will be the first of its kind and will represent a landmark victory for opponents of online harassment," said Ms Newton in a statement. "We will no longer be silenced."
Alchin was charged with "using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence" - but that law was written more than two decades ago, before Facebook or Tinder existed.
Until this case, the courts had only used that law to try people over telephone and text message communications. It had not been clear whether threats made on social media could be punished under pre-existing Australian law.
In response to Alchin's guilty plea, Ms Melville told an Australian news service: "After so long of him saying he would plead not guilty, of course I'm happy."
Nearly half of 1,000 Australian women indicated that they had experienced some form of abuse or harassment online, in a survey by computer security firm Norton.


French President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to ban militant Muslim preachers from entering the country.

The measure is part of a crackdown following recent attacks by a gunman who claimed to be a member of al-Qaeda.
Mr Sarkozy said he would not allow militant preachers to attend an Islamic conference due to take place in April.
The first round of the presidential election takes place next month, and Mr Sarkozy is neck and neck in the polls with Socialist rival Francois Hollande.
As part of a round of media interviews in the run up to the polls, he highlighted a forthcoming conference to be held by the Union of Islamic Organisations in France.
"There are certain people who have been invited to this congress who are not welcome on French soil," he said.
He singled out Youssef al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian Sunni Muslim cleric who is based in Qatar.
He holds a diplomatic passport, and requires no visa to enter France. But Mr Sarkozy says he has spoken to the Emir of Qatar, and the cleric will not be allowed to leave for France.
In the past Mr Qaradawi has defended Palestinian suicide bombers in Israel, and attacks on US forces in Iraq. He was denied entry to the UK in 2008.
Election campaign
Mr Sarkozy had been trailing in the opinion polls behind Mr Hollande.
But he has gained ground following the killing last week of Mohammed Merah, a self-proclaimed al-Qaeda supporter who murdered three paratroopers and four Jewish civilians in a series of shootings that shocked France.
In the immediate aftermath of Merah's death Mr Sarkozy announced plans to make it a crime to repeatedly consult internet sites advocating Islamic extremism, and to punish those who travel overseas for indoctrination or terrorist training.
He also attacked the far-right National Front candidate, Marine Le Pen.
She has attempted to link Merah's actions to immigration, but Mr Sarkozy said it made "no sense" to connect the crimes with either immigration or Islam, because Merah was born and brought up in France.


Celtic sealed a fifth successive league title but only after a second-half scare from their closest challengers.

Their triumph was already an inevitability, but the celebrations began in earnest as Patrick Roberts scored two fine early goals.
Aberdeen, who offered a stout challenge all season, looked dead and buried when Mikael Lustig scored after the break.
But quickfire goals from Niall McGinn and Andrew Considine took some of the gloss off the title party.
Celtic may have lost just three league games on their way to this latest triumph but manager Ronny Deila is departing in the summer.
The Norwegian cannot match the points tally from his debut season and this victory illustrated an inconsistency that has dogged his side throughout his second campaign.
The champions were irresistible in the first half but disjointed after the interval as Aberdeen ate into their lead.
The Dons - runners-up for a second year running - knew even a first league victory at Celtic Park since 2004 would have no bearing on the destination of the Premiership trophy since they trailed by nine points and a huge goal difference margin with three games to play.
Photo gallery: How Celtic won a fifth straight title
Feature: Celtic reflect on another title triumph
But Derek McInnes was determined to beat Celtic for a third time this season, to reaffirm his belief that they have narrowed the gap.
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Had Niall McGinn not directed a shot wide from point-blank range inside the opening five minutes, they may have had a chance of doing so. As it was, Celtic went on to be utterly dominant in the first period.
Roberts - the teenage winger on loan from Manchester City - again showed why the English club paid £12m for his services, as he darted in off the right touchline, away from Graeme Shinnie and found the top corner with a ferocious strike from 25 yards.
Aberdeen were sitting too far off their opponents, who looked hungry to secure the championship in style, and allowed Leigh Griffiths time and space to pick out Roberts inside the box. This time the youngster curled inside the far post.
The third goal was every bit as impressive. Callum McGregor did brilliantly to trick his way past Shinnie and his cutback was swept into the net by Lustig.
The atmosphere inside a packed Celtic Park was joyous, with the team looking every bit like the best team in the land.
But as has been the case on several occasions on Deila's watch, Celtic's concentration slipped and after a couple of warnings, Aberdeen got a foothold in the game when Jonny Hayes provided McGinn with the chance to slide the ball past Craig Gordon.
That was compounded seven minutes later when McGinn's free-kick was headed emphatically past the keeper by Considine.
Shay Logan missed the best chance Aberdeen had to equalise when he headed wide from only a few yards as Celtic held on to move 12 points clear at the top of the league.
All sense of anti-climax vanished at full-time as the stadium broke into rapturous applause and the players basked in the glory of the club's 47th league title.


Russia's anti-doping reforms are not happening quickly enough, says World Anti-Doping Agency director general Olivier Niggli.

Last year's Wada-commissioned McLaren report claimed more than 1,000 Russians benefited from a state-sponsored doping programme between 2011 and 2015.
Russia's sport leaders have promised to improve the country's record on doping.
"It's not happening at the speed I would have liked to see but it is happening," Niggli said.
Speaking to BBC sports editor Dan Roan at a Tackling Doping in Sport conference, he added it was too early to say whether Russians will be allowed to compete at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Several sports federations, including athletics' governing body the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), have banned Russian athletes from international competition until the country's anti-doping work has met requirements.
That came after Wada called for a blanket ban on Russian competitors when details of the state-sponsored programme first emerged.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) - in contrast to the International Paralympic Committee - opted not to enforce a total ban on Russia.
When asked about next year's Winter Olympics, Niggli said: "We are working with them to see if things can be put into place and a credible system be reinstated in Russia in the coming months. We will see where they are when we get closer to the Games. They still have a number of months to do the right thing. The ball is in their camp, they know what they have to do."
Russia says it has implemented a series of changes to address the "roadmap" laid out by Wada that will see it return to competition.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia's own system "didn't work" and it should acknowledge its failures - though he continued to deny any state-sponsored programme of systematic cheating took place.
Both Wada and IAAF president Lord Coe were among those saying they were "encouraged" by the president's statement, and the IAAF believes Russians could be back competing by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Niggli told those at the conference that sport's anti-doping authorities needed more whistleblowers to help them identify drug cheats.
He also revealed Wada was exploring a complete ban on corticosteroids. Athletes can use the anti-inflammatory medicines out of competition and can even take them in competition if they can prove a medical need, called a 'therapeutic use exemption' (TUE).
Britain's most successful Olympian, cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins, has faced questions over his use of a corticosteroid in competition after hackers revealed medical records last summer.
Wiggins' TUEs were approved by British authorities and cycling's world governing body the UCI, and there is no suggestion he has broken any rules.


Storm Imogen, which battered parts of the UK on Monday, is thought to have been partly responsible for spreading a fire that destroyed a house and several classic cars.

A blaze started in a garage in Thorney, near Peterborough, at about 18:00 GMT and spread to the house next to it.
The house in The Causeway was gutted by the accidental fire and several cars including a Rolls Royce were destroyed.
The fire service said the blaze was "exacerbated by strong winds".
One man was treated by an ambulance crew at the scene after inhaling smoke and was taken to hospital.
More on this and other stories from Cambridgeshire
It took about 60 firefighters almost four hours to bring the blaze under control.
It started in the garage and "rapidly spread... to the house owing to the strong winds and a fuel tank becoming involved in the fire," Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
Group commander Sean Brown said: "This was a particularly difficult fire to tackle which was exacerbated by strong winds, cylinders in the garage and the need for a large water supply.
"Sadly the fire has completely destroyed the garage, its contents and the adjoining house."
The building is owned by Classic Wedding Cars, which has a fleet of nine classic and vintage cars including a 1929 Ford A, a 1937 American Studebaker and a 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud.
It is not known how many vehicles were destroyed in the blaze.


Groups who cater for young carers, broken families and children recovering from domestic abuse are amongst those to receive over £4m of grants from the Big Lottery Fund.

Seven projects in central and southern Scotland have been awarded monies totalling £4,148,891.
The Glasgow Association for Mental Health received £678,018.
Meanwhile, Fife Council's domestic and sexual abuse partnership was given £666,733.
Glasgow Homelessness Network, West Lothian Council's social policy department, Liber8 Lanarkshire, ng homes and Changeworks Resources For Life were also awarded.
The Glasgow Association for Mental Health will use its grant to continue its work with carers aged between 12 and 21 who are looking after a family member with a mental health problem.
Ailsa Grant, a development worker with the group, said:  "This will allow us to extend support up to the age of 21 with a programme aimed at building employability and wider skills that will tackle the inequalities of opportunity faced by this vulnerable group as they go into adulthood."
The funding for Fife Council's domestic and sexual abuse partnership means a project helping children recover from domestic abuse will continue for five years.
The £600,550 grant for the Glasgow Homelessness Network will support up to 300 people sustain a long-term home.
In West Lothian, an award of £676,539 to the council's social policy department will allow a support worker to be assigned to 350 families for up to a year to help give stability for children in vulnerable families.
Liber8 Lanarkshire will use £589,052 to help people deal with housing, employment and training issues, while £443,819 for ng homes will go towards 240 disadvantaged adults in Glasgow who need help getting into work.
A final grant of £494,180 for Changeworks Resources For Life will support 1050 social housing tenants in Midlothian and the Scottish Borders by teaching skills on how to manage their homes and stay out of debt.
Maureen McGinn, the chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: "Our Big Lottery Fund support focuses on helping people and communities in greatest need. With today's awards, seven projects across the country will be able to assist some of our most isolated communities to overcome the barriers they face every day."
The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery for good causes.


A man who blamed being drunk on cocktails for assaulting two people outside a pub in Glasgow has been jailed for five years and three months.

Shaun Duffy, 28, from the Partick area, admitted seriously assaulting Simon Ross and attacking Jason Martin outside the Record Factory in Byres Road.
During the attack, on 4 February, Duffy punched Mr Martin unconscious and kicked and stamped on his head
When police traced Duffy his clothing was stained with the victims' blood.
Jailing him at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Lord Boyd told Duffy: "You assaulted Mr Ross by punching him rendering him unconscious and then assaulted Mr Martin.
"You then returned and continued your assault on Mr Ross by kicking and stamping on his head, that was particularly dangerous.
"There was banter, but it is not suggested any comments were inappropriate."
The court heard that Mr Ross suffered a facial fracture, cuts to the back of his head, a broken nose and his right eye was swollen and closed.
Mr Martin had bruising above his right eye and a lump on the back of his head.


Chile international striker Alexis Sanchez has signed for Arsenal from Barcelona on a long-term contract for a fee in the region of £35m.

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The 25-year-old scored 47 goals in 141 appearances for Barca and netted two goals in the World Cup in Brazil.
He said: "I'm so happy to be joining a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players and huge support around the world.
"I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League and Champions League."
The Gunners also remain on course to sign French right-back Mathieu Debuchy, 28, from Newcastle United.
Liverpool were keen on recruiting Sanchez as part of the deal that is likely to take striker Luis Suarez from Anfield to the Nou Camp, but that is now expected to be a straight cash transfer.
Juventus had also shown a strong interest in Sanchez but the Italians are reportedly closing in on Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata instead.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "As many people have seen during the World Cup this summer, Alexis is a fantastic footballer and we are delighted that he is joining us.
"Alexis will add power, creativity and much quality to our squad and we are all looking forward to him joining up with us in a few weeks."
Sanchez, who has made 71 appearances for Chile, scoring 24 goals, helped his country reach the World Cup last 16, where they lost on penalties to Brazil.
He completed his medical in London on Thursday and will join up with his new team-mates at the end of July, after spending some time on holiday following the World Cup.
In addition to pursuing Debuchy, Arsenal are still in the market for a holding midfielder and back-up goalkeeper.
Their move for the defender is at an advanced stage but the clubs are yet to agree a fee, with Newcastle, who signed Debuchy from Lille for £5m in 2013, understood to be seeking in the region of £10m.
Debuchy would replace Bacary Sagna, who left Arsenal to join Manchester City.


Former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has said there can be "no quick fix" and her party must analyse its election mauling if it is to survive.

In her first broadcast interview since resigning, Ms Lamont said the scale of the party's election defeat was worse than anyone "possibly imagined".
The party must now elect a leader "for the long haul" to recover, she said.
Ms Lamont also praised the SNP and its leader Nicola Sturgeon for running a campaign that "got everything right".
The SNP won 56 out of 59 seats in Scotland in last month's general election.
Labour was left with just one MP in Scotland, after losing 40 seats, including those of Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, and shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Johann Lamont, who led Scottish Labour from 2011 to 2014, said: "Even those of us who were preparing for the worst possible defeat couldn't possibly have imagined what happened.
"We couldn't have predicted it, but we need to analyse it if we're going to survive.
"The instinct of the Labour Party is if there's a problem, change the leader, then sit back, fold your arms and wait to be disappointed because they're sure it's not going to deliver.
"We can't do that this time. We need to elect a leader not on a short term contract, but a long term appointment for the long haul. There is no quick fix to this, there are not any ploys, not any gimmicks, that will get us through the next period.
She said it "defies logic" that Labour MPs of the "highest calibre" lost their seats, but said the SNP "took all before them".
"That therefore means people were putting faith not just in individual candidates, but putting faith in a message that was coming to them from the SNP.
She said the SNP had provided "a lesson in how to run a campaign", and leader Nicola Sturgeon had been "completely in control".
"It seems to me they got everything right, and Nicola Sturgeon has become a politician over many years. She was the most experienced person on the podium during the leaders' debate, and that shone out."
Ms Lamont added that she felt some comments about the new SNP MPs had been "disrespectful".
"Some of the commentary around some of them choosing to take their oath in Gaelic I found personally offensive as a Gael," she said.
"They are a mixed bunch like any bunch of people, but the fact of the matter is they are significantly representing Scotland's interests."
Ms Lamont, who is MSP for Glasgow Pollok, resigned as Scottish Labour leader last October accusing Westminster colleagues of treating Scotland like a "branch office".
"The recovery [of Labour] in Scotland which matters to the whole of the United Kingdom must be shaped in Scotland itself," she said.
Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has announced he will tender his resignation later this month having tabled a plan to reform the party.
Deputy leader Kezia Dugdale has confirmed she will stand for the leadership.


A children's services department rated inadequate for "serious and widespread failings" has appointed a new boss and been given an extra Â£16m funding.

Alex Hopkins, currently director of Northamptonshire, will take control of the Sunderland service in July.
Two separate case reviews in November 2015 found the council's failings may have contributed to the death of one baby and the injury of another.
A council spokeswoman said more frontline staff had also been taken on.
Last year Ofsted found the council did not respond quickly enough to concerns over a child, Baby Penny, who fell and drowned in the bath in 2014.
It also found information about risks to a child - Baby N - whose father was later convicted of neglect and ill treatment, was not properly shared.
The service is to be run by a new company and is expected to run in shadow form from September and be fully operational by April 2017.
Commissioner for children's services, Nick Whitfield, said: "Alex's success in leading the transformation in Northamptonshire has resulted in Ofsted recently finding improvement across all areas and I believe he has the ability to truly transform children's services in Sunderland."


A woman who was killed as she tried to cross a major road in Cumbria has been named by police.

Several vehicles are thought to have struck Nichola Tyson as she attempted to cross the A590 at Levens, near Kendal on 2 March.
The 35-year-old was described by her family as "a vibrant, caring person" who was full of life and who would be sadly missed.
Cumbria Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident.


More than half of stillbirths in the UK could be prevented if the NHS implemented additional scans, a leading obstetrician has told Panorama.

Each year, more than 3,000 babies are stillborn in the UK, one of the worst rates in the developed world.
Prof Kypros Nicolaides says offering all women Doppler scans, which measure blood flow between the placenta and foetus, could save 1,500 babies a year.
The Department of Health said it has asked him to submit his research.
Three-quarters of a million babies are born in the UK each year. One in 200 dies before birth, mostly to mothers with no known risk factors.
Many deaths are caused by a failure in the mother's placenta - if the blood flow is abnormal, babies are starved of food and oxygen.
Often the problems occur towards the end of pregnancy, but, if identified, the baby can be monitored carefully and delivered by Caesarean before the placenta fails.
This can be spotted by a Doppler scan, but most hospitals use these only on the 15%-20% of women who are deemed high risk - as per national guidelines.
All pregnant women who attend Prof Nicolaides' NHS clinic at King's College Hospital in London are offered the Doppler scan at 12, 22 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Prof Nicolaides is regarded by many as the father of foetal medicine as he was the scientist and obstetrician who developed the 12-week Down's Syndrome scan, still given to every pregnant woman in the UK.
He has been researching Doppler scans for 15 years and believes extending the programme across the UK could cut the stillbirth rate by as much as 50% - potentially 1,500 babies a year.
Case study - Reena Patel from Leicester
"Mayan was my first baby. I always felt fear. People would talk about how they could feel their baby kicking hard. But I only felt flutters. I raised my concerns with the midwife. She put me at ease saying some babies don't kick hard. I wasn't offered any extra scans.
"Then one morning, at 32 weeks, I woke up feeling odd. I hadn't felt my son move. I went to the hospital. It never occurred to me my son would be dead. The midwife couldn't find a heartbeat. That was when they told me.
"I was sent home for two days. Then I had to give birth to him. After Mayan was born I was put in the bereavement suite for five hours. My husband bathed and dressed our baby. He looked perfect. But I just wanted to go home.
"I didn't want Mayan to have a post-mortem. But I did send my placenta for post-mortem. The post-mortem results said my placenta was too small.
"I always felt my baby was very small. But the midwives never questioned the size of my bump. The midwives measured me with tape but I wasn't offered any kind of scan. I've since found out that if I'd had later scans, Mayan's difficulties in the womb would have been spotted. He could have been born earlier and lived in an incubator. He could have survived."
"We have demonstrated through extensive research that you can identify more than 90% of those cases from the 12-week assessment," Prof Nicolaides said.
"We can easily avoid them and we can do so through very simple adjustments in the way we deliver antenatal care."
He offers the additional scans with the support of King's administrators, but consultants at other hospitals have been told to stop because they were acting outside NHS practice guidelines.
Anne Mackie, director of programmes at the UK National Screening Committee said: "We will make contact with Prof Nicolaides and attempt to understand what he proposes.
"Any proposal is assessed against our robust set of internationally recognised criteria before we can recommend any screening but we always welcome new evidence."
St George's Hospital in London has also introduced the scan to all first-time mothers at 20 weeks, which costs Â£15 per mother if given at the same time as a foetal anomaly scan.
Since this introduction, the hospital has seen its stillbirth rate drop by 50% in three years.
Prof Basky Thilaganthana, a leading obstetrician based at St George's, agrees a lot of trusts would love to have a figure like that. But he says a clinical control trial is needed before the Doppler scan can be rolled out across the UK.
In the meantime, NHS England is encouraging hospital trusts to adopt an even cheaper method of cutting stillbirth rates - by up to 22%. So far, almost two-thirds of hospital trusts have signed up.
Prof Jason Gardosi, director of the Perinatal Institute in Birmingham, set up the Growth Assisted Protocol (GAP), which costs 50p per pregnancy. It works by giving each mother a customised growth chart developed using her height, weight at beginning of pregnancy, ethnic origin and how many children she has had.
It tells her how large her baby is expected to be, for each week in the pregnancy and if the baby's growth falls outside the expected "norm" for that individual woman, the mother is given extra scans to check that the baby is thriving.
If the baby needs help, he or she can be treated in the womb. The baby is delivered early if careful monitoring shows that the baby is still struggling.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "The NHS is working on better ways of detecting growth restriction in unborn babies. NHS England's Strategic Clinical Networks for maternity and children are working to increase training for staff and to introduce a specific package to improve detection of growth restriction.
"The NHS is a safe place to give birth, with women reporting high levels of trust and confidence in staff."
Watch Panorama: Born Asleep on BBC iPlayer.


Championship club Wolves have parted company with head coach Walter Zenga after just 87 days in charge.

The former Italy goalkeeper, 56, replaced Kenny Jackett on 30 July, shortly after Chinese conglomerate Fosun International bought the club.
Despite significant investment in the playing squad in August, Wolves have won only four of 14 league games and are 18th in the Championship.
Zenga's assistant, Stefano Cusin, has also left Molineux.
First-team coach Rob Edwards has been placed in temporary charge and will prepare the team for Saturday's game at Blackburn.
A 1-0 home defeat by Leeds on 22 October was Wolves' fourth loss in five league matches, although midfielder Dave Edwards told BBC WM 95.6 after the game that Zenga retained the backing of his playing squad.
Nine Championship clubs appointed new managers before the start of the 2016-17 season, but Zenga's departure from Wolves means only four of them remain in their posts.
Roberto di Matteo, Paul Trollope, Nigel Pearson and Alan Stubbs left Aston Villa, Cardiff, Derby and Rotherham respectively in October.
Rob Gurney, BBC WM 95.6
The cut-throat, "success yesterday" culture of football in the modern era is perfectly illustrated here, with Zenga given less than three months to prove himself.
His training methods were clearly popular with the players, but equally some of his personnel decisions were deemed curious.
Integrating a huge number of new players, however technically proficient, was not going to be easy, but owners Fosun have decided that someone else can do better in the pursuit of the boundless riches of the Premier League.
Zenga's passion and commitment was clear. He was often an adversarial interviewee, steadfastly believing that he was right and the inquisitor was wrong.
Ultimately his employers decided he was wrong. And so to the next…


The first freely elected parliament in Myanmar for 50 years has held its opening session.

Hundreds of new MPs, mostly from the National League for Democracy (NLD) but also some smaller parties, have been sworn in and taken their seats.
The NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 80% of contested seats in November's historic election.
But a quarter of all seats are reserved for the military, which also retains control of key ministries.
One of the new parliament's first jobs will be to choose a new president when outgoing leader Thein Sein steps down at the end of March.
Ms Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years under house arrest under the former military government, cannot take the top job.
A clause in the constitution which was widely seen as specifically targeting her says anyone whose children are foreign cannot be president. Her sons are British not Burmese.
She has been very clear, however, that she intends to run Myanmar anyway, saying she would be "above the president".
Ms Suu Kyi, who has not named a possible candidate, did not speak to reporters as she entered the building.
But NLD MP Nyein Thit told the AFP news agency: "We will work to get human rights and democracy as well as peace."
Another NLD MP, Khin Maung Myint, told Associated Press: "I never imagined that our party would be able to form the government. Even the public didn't think we could have an NLD government. But now it is like a shock to us and to the world too."
Lama Naw Aung, an MP for the minority Kachin State Democracy Party, said a seat in parliament was "a good opportunity for us to speak out for the ethnic people and demand indigenous rights", AP reports.
For most of the last 20 years Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD has been treated as the enemy here, its activities suppressed and its leaders jailed.
Now hundreds of them are being sworn in as MPs. Even when the 25% of army-appointed representatives are included the NLD still have a majority.
The identity of the country's next president is still a closely guarded secret.
For it to be Ms Suu Kyi there would have to be an incredible last-minute deal and constitutional change. Most likely it will be one of her most trusted confidantes, possibly her doctor.
Has the new president been picked?
The parliament in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, began its session by electing NLD stalwart U Win Myint as Speaker of the lower house, as expected.
U Ti Khun Myat of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party was voted in as his deputy.
The transition from military-only rule will go on until the NLD government officially starts its term in April. The army overthrew the last democratically elected parliament in 1962.


I'll be upfront: I've got a pretty low opinion of Siri, Apple's virtual assistant.

It may be that it doesn't quite make out my accent - which is a mixture of Cambridgeshire and Londoner - while Google's software manages just fine.
It may be that asking it "What is the Cambridge United score?" resulted in search results for the University of Cambridge's Wikipedia page.
Or it may just be that in the five years since it was built into Apple's mobile devices, it hasn't really got close to being a key part of how we work.
Some will disagree - but I ask you, if Siri was suddenly removed, would you really miss it?*
Turns out the very people who originally created Siri aren't too enamoured with its progress, either.
When Apple took over the company, Siri's creators Dag Kittlaus and Adam Cheyer soon became unhappy.
In a revealing Washington Post piece last week, they said their vision didn't "align" with that of Steve Jobs - and there was only ever going to be one winner in that situation.
So they left, leaving behind Siri, but taking with them a hope to build on what they knew and create something new. Something better.
That product, unveiled today in New York, is Viv. That's pronounced Viv, like Viv Richards, not Veeve or Vive.
The company has dubbed it "The Global Brain", and its secret sauce is tight partnerships with popular services, and a unique way of understanding human queries.
The app will start a "rolling launch" towards the end of this year.
On stage at TechCrunch Disrupt, Mr Kittlaus showed how he could say "send Adam 20 bucks for the drinks last night", and Viv would integrate with payments app Venmo to send the money quickly.
He also showed off complex sentences, such as asking if it was raining in Seattle three weeks ago on Thursday.
There were integrations with flower sellers, and Uber, and various other services we've seen linked up before through apps, most recently Facebook's Messenger.
But, if I've seen one controlled on-stage demo of a personal assistant I've seen a thousand.
Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebookâ€¦ they're all at it, and right now the culmination of all this research appears to be checking the weather and ordering food.
If, as Microsoft boss Satya Nadella declared, bots are to be the new apps, they surely need to be better than apps. Right now, aside from terrific demos, we've yet to see these promises come to fruition in the real world.
But here's why Viv may stand out.
Siri - and other assistants - rely too much on hard-coded actions, the Viv team argues. If you throw the software a completely random, complex question, it will struggle to decode it in the same way a human assistant might.
Mr Kittlaus demonstrated how Viv would generate its own programs almost instantly by picking up keywords and information points. He said this means Viv can scale extremely quickly, adapting to what users throw at it, rather than relying on what their team comes up with beforehand.
Mr Kittlaus described Viv as "software that's writing itself".
The big question from here is whether the team's approach will be enough to make up for Viv's potentially fatal flaw: it knows next-to-nothing about its users. Both Google and Facebook, and to a lesser extent Microsoft and Apple, can draw on terabyte after terabyte of data about its users, helping to make their AI more intelligent. Well, in theory.
But Viv? It's making a standing start in a race that began years ago. That could all change if it's acquired by one of those firms, but the Viv team said it has already turned down offers from Google and Facebook. You get the sense that Mr Kittlaus and Mr Cheyer are, after what happened with Apple, determined to go it alone. That will be extremely difficult.
If you're wondering why all of these companies have ramped up their efforts in this area, think about how you use your smartphone.
When we first started getting to grips with apps we were happy to have lots of them for each different task.
But there are signs that suggest we're beginning to tire of having one app for news, another for shopping, another for social networking and so on. It means the reality for all of these companies is that unless you're one of the top five most popular apps - or at least accessible through them - you might as well not exist.
The Viv team hopes its distinctive "V" logo is going to become as recognisable as the wi-fi or Bluetooth symbols we see everyday.
But in order for that to happen, the 26-strong team at Viv needs to win a fight it has picked with the biggest technology companies in the world.
Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC and on Facebook
(*That said, I do of course appreciate the impact Siri and other voice control tech has had for those with limited accessibility. Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to use a touch screen.)


Nearly £32m should be spent on protecting Isle of Man towns from coastal flooding, a report has found.

The government-commissioned report focuses on the seven sites deemed most at risk of harbour flooding, and lists a range of solutions for each.
New sea defences being considered for Castletown, Douglas, Laxey, Ramsey, Peel, Port St Mary and Gansey include raising harbour walls and tidal gates.
All seven towns experienced coastal flooding during storms in early 2014.
Infrastructure minister Phil Gawne said the report would help in making informed decisions on any future investment.
Source: IoM Flooding and Wave Overtopping study
The report by UK-based specialists JBA Consulting outlines a range of options for each site with the total cost of preferred options estimated at £31.8m.
Its findings will be presented to Tynwald Members later this month.
Mr Gawne said local communities will play a key role in the Department's decision-making process on long-term solutions.
"Improving our coastal defences at a number of different sites would represent a significant investment, so there must be full community engagement", he said.
High tides are forecast for 22, 23 and 24 January and 20 and 21 February 2015.
The government said it would deploy 20,000 sandbags to mitigate the risk of flooding in coming weeks.


Public order charges against dissident republican Gary Donnelly have been withdrawn, a court heard on Monday.

The 40-year-old from Kildrum Gardens in Londonderry, denied assaulting police officers at William Street in the city in February.
A prosecution barrister told Londonderry Magistrates' Court that the charges were being withdrawn "without prejudice".
The barrister said the case might proceed by way of a police summons.
The court also heard that recordings of the alleged incident were still outstanding.


A "predatory" rapper who filmed himself having sex with schoolgirls he groomed on social media has been jailed.

Daniel Rodriguez, also known as Grymey D, 28, contacted several girls, aged 14 and 15, online and persuaded them to go to his house in Hackney.
Videos found by police showed him having sex with girls in the house he shared with his parents and sister.
He admitted 15 offences and was sentenced to 16 years by a judge at Wood Green Crown Court.
The charges related to seven different victims and included sexual activity with a child, making indecent photographs and sexual assault.
Scotland Yard found videos of the rapper having sex with four children.
In one, Rodriguez had filmed himself having sex with a 14-year-old girl who had arrived at his house wearing her school uniform.
He was caught when police discovered messages on a 14-year-old's phone which suggested she was in a sexual relationship with him.
The girl told officers he had first contacted her when she was 13 and she had visited his house several times once she turned 14.
On one occasion the girl took a friend, who was also 14, and Rodriguez engaged in sexual activity with both of them, she told detectives.
Charges:
Rodriguez groomed his victims using Facebook, Instagram and Blackberry Messenger by complimenting them about how they looked and telling them he loved them.
Edward Lucas, prosecuting, said on Thursday: "This defendant is predatory. He preyed on young, vulnerable girls around the ages of 13 to 15.
He used his experience, charm and his guile and ultimately his force - his force of personality - to indulge in his own perverted activities."
His relatives were unaware of what he was doing.
The defence had suggested Rodriguez "did not appreciate the gravity of what he was doing" and was "absolutely stunned" when he learnt of the seriousness of the offences.
But Judge Joanna Greenberg QC said "he must be blind and living as a hermit" to have missed news of similar cases involving high-profile celebrities.
She said the rapper had deliberately targeted young girls in order to carry out "deviant sexual fantasies".
"Your desire for them was because they were young girls," the judge said.


A planning application has been made to build 650 homes on land in Wellington, Somerset.

Taunton Deane Borough Council said the outline Jurston Farm plans include a community centre and woodland as well as a new primary school.
A new roundabout is also suggested for the A38 at West Buckland Road.
Campaigners against the plans have said the town already has enough development and its current infrastructure could not cope with any more.
Russell Loarridge from the Save Wellington group said: "The Wellington community has effectively sleep-walked through 1,200 houses that have already got planning permission and are in the process of being physically delivered.
"So we're already going to have 4,000 new people in the town and there's nothing we can do about that.
"What we're saying is enough is enough. An additional 650... is unacceptable."
People have until 8 January to comment on the application, submitted on behalf of Dorset-based builders CG Fry and Son Limited.
The council said the statutory 21-day consultation had been extended as the application has been submitted so close to Christmas.
It added that 2,500 homes are needed in Wellington and a government planning inspector had agreed that Jurston Farm is an "appropriate site" to be part of that.
The planning committee has not yet set a date to consider the application.
In a statement, developer CG Fry said: "Throughout the various consultation events we have held in the town to discuss our proposals, we have been grateful that objectors have engaged with us and made their views and feelings known in a firm but respectful manner and we hope that we have reciprocated.
"The reality is that our outline planning application is simply delivering on strategic decisions already made by Taunton Deane Borough Council."


Men and women returning from any area where the Zika virus is circulating should practise safe sex for at least six months to avoid the risk of spreading the disease, says the World Health Organization.

The advice applies even if a person has no symptoms.
It comes a few weeks after doctors discovered the virus in the sperm of an Italian man six months after he first had Zika symptoms.
Zika is spread in bodily fluids.
The main risk of catching the disease is from infected mosquitoes via bites.
Previously, WHO had said men without symptoms only needed to use condoms or abstain from sex for eight weeks as a precaution against spreading Zika.
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According to experts, once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
Many people infected with Zika won't have symptoms or will only have mild ones - a fever, rash and muscle/joint aches.
Zika in pregnancy is the major concern because the virus can damage the unborn child.
Brazil has been the hardest-hit country in terms of Zika infections and there were some concerns about hosting the Olympics there for this reason.
There have been no reports of confirmed cases of Zika virus among people who attended the Games, both during and since their return.
According to the WHO, 11 countries have reported cases of sexually-transmitted Zika.
More than 60 countries and territories have continuing Zika transmission from local mosquitoes.
Public Health England said it was reviewing the WHO's new advice and would change its own guidance if necessary. It said the risk to people in the UK remained very low.


An appeal has been launched to safeguard one of the last remaining white-clawed crayfish habitats after the outbreak of a killer disease.

More than 100 of the rare native crayfish species have so far died as a result of crayfish plague on Dorset's River Allen.
The disease, carried by non-native American signal crayfish, was first discovered on the river in July.
Dorset Wildlife Trust has launched a Â£33,000 river restoration work appeal.
Until recently the River Allen had been identified as a stronghold of the native species.
The trust said the cash would bolster a Â£60,000 project set up in 2013 to help native crayfish thrive on the river.
The Environment Agency has urged anglers to disinfect their fishing tackle and clothing to try to prevent its spread.
It is not clear how the fungal infection reached the River Allen but it can be spread on damp equipment that has come from water containing signal crayfish.


A letter sent to a TV engineer by Mikhail Gorbachev and George Bush after their 1989 summit in Malta is being auctioned.

Walter Oakley received a letter from the Russian and US leaders thanking him for his help in televising the meeting.
No agreements were signed at the summit but it was said to mark the end of the Cold War.
Mr Oakley from Low Fell, Gateshead, was holidaying when CNN asked him to help organise filming.
Newcastle auctioneers Anderson and Garland said the value is impossible to know.
Mr Oakley came across the letter again while researching a book about his family and has decided to sell it so more people can see and enjoy it.
His wife Diane said the letter has meant a lot to the family but it belongs in a collection or museum.
She said: "No matter how busy they were, they had the time to sit down and write the letter.
"He was Walt to both of them. He said they were both very nice guys, very easy to get along with. You wouldn't think they were the presidents of the two most powerful countries in the world."
Auctioneer Fred Wyrley-Birch said: "It's impossible to say how much the letter is worth because something like this has never been up for sale before to my knowledge.
"We'll start the bidding at Â£1,000 and see where it goes from there.
"Looking at the political situation between the US and Russia at the moment, it's a very interesting glimpse back to 27 years ago when there were increasingly friendly relations."
The letter will be auctioned during the Anderson and Garland's Fine Art sale from 22 to 24 March.


Charlie Adam has worked hard to win back his place in the starting line-up, says Stoke City boss Mark Hughes.

Adam was a regular in his first three seasons with Stoke, but has only played 34 games since the start of 2015-16.
The Scot, 30, has started for Stoke in their past two games but he will not feature in the World Cup qualifier against England on 12 November.
"He's in good physical condition at the moment. That's really encouraging for him and for us," said Hughes.
"In the past, Charlie will admit himself that, in games, to keep the intensity he plays at and the energy that he shows, he has found it difficult to complete 90 minutes on occasions.
"It's difficult when you're out of the side. You have to keep your focus and Charlie has been able to do that."
Adam, who has 26 caps, revealed last week that Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has not spoken to him in more than a year.
After been overlooked, Adam says he is now looking no further than Stoke's next Premier League game at home to Bournemouth on 19 November.
"Football can change from one week to another," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "I'm just enjoying the way I'm playing and hoping that's good enough to keep me in the team.
"If the team keep performing well, then you've got a good chance of staying in."
After their poor start to the season, Stoke have now climbed to 12th in the league.
Now into his fifth season at the Britannia Stadium, former Rangers, Blackpool and Liverpool playmaker Adam has made a total of 130 appearances for the club, but only 71 Premier League starts.
He signed a three-year contract extension with Stoke in July 2015.


A business standing in the way of Tottenham Hotspur's £400m stadium redevelopment has lost its High Court challenge against a compulsory purchase order being used to force it out.

Archway Sheet Metal Works, in Paxton Road, Tottenham, north London, asked a judge to quash the order.
The firm argued the order was "unlawful and invalid".
But Mr Justice Dove ruled there was "no legal flaw" in the decision-making process.
If Archway - the last objector to the purchase order - had won it could have thrown plans for the new 56,000 capacity stadium into disarray.
Instead, unless there is a successful appeal against the ruling, it is believed the way is now clear for Tottenham Hotspur to go ahead and build a "world-class" football venue.
Josif Josif, 46, who runs the family business producing metal items for the catering and hospitality industry, was in court with other family members to hear the judge's ruling.
In November a mystery fire gutted the Archway premises, located yards from the White Hart Lane ground.


Sugar limits for everyday foods such as biscuits, chocolate bars and cereals have been published by public health officials in a bid to make UK children more healthy.

Public Health England is challenging businesses to cut sugar by 20% by 2020, and by 5% this year.
It says the food industry should try lowering sugar levels, reducing product size or pushing healthier products.
But experts question how the targets can be enforced.
Children are consuming three times more sugar every day than they should, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
Currently, one in five children are overweight or obese when they start primary school and by the time they start secondary school that rises to one in three.
This increases their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers in adulthood.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England (PHE), said children from deprived backgrounds were more likely to be affected by obesity.
"Tackling the amount of sugar we eat is not just a healthy thing to do, but an issue of inequality for many families.
"If businesses achieve these guidelines, 200,000 tonnes of sugar could be removed from the UK market per year by 2020."
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The guidelines apply to retailers and manufacturers as well as small cafes, coffee shops and fast food restaurants, which are thought to be responsible for an increasing level of calorie intake.
Food in nine different categories will have recommended sugar limits, including cakes, biscuits, chocolate and sweets, ice cream, puddings, yoghurts, breakfast goods and sweet spreads.
The sugar guidelines form part of the government's plan to curb childhood obesity, set out in August 2016.
Officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also been involved in producing the guidelines.
A sugar tax on the UK soft drinks industry has already been announced and will come into force next April.
PHE's sugar reduction programme is voluntary and it has no way of forcing the food industry to comply, but it said many companies had already taken steps to achieve the sugar targets.
It called the figures "challenging but achievable, particularly in higher sugar products".
Nestle, which makes Kitkat and Aero, recently said it had a found a way of reducing the sugar content of its chocolate bars by 10% without changing the taste.
Businesses are being encouraged to meet the sugar reduction guidelines using three approaches:
This means that some popular chocolate bars and tubes of sweets could shrink in size to meet the targets.
PHE said the guidelines were based on extensive talks with the food industry and public health bodies.
It said the success of its sugar reduction programme would be judged on measuring the net amount of sugar removed from the nine food categories, starting in March 2018.
Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar welcomed the sugar reduction targets and urged companies to meet them.
"We've seen over recent weeks that some companies within the food and drink industry have made great progress whilst others are seriously lagging behind and others claiming wrongly that they can't do it.
"Doing nothing is no longer an option - we need transparency from them about how they are meeting the targets with clear nutritional information made available for restaurants, catering companies and other out-of-home eateries."
Sue Kellie, deputy chief executive of the British Dietetic Association, said people's behaviour needed to change as well.
"The government needs to further restrict the advertising of high fat, sugar and salt foods before the 9pm watershed and ban promotions on those same products.
"If we are to successfully tackle obesity and reduce its long term costs to the NHS and wider economy, we need to change attitudes and habits over the long term - there's no quick fix," she said.
Dr Amelia Lake, public health nutritionist from Durham University, said PHE was doing the right thing.
"This is an excellent approach using strong research evidence and we are being world leaders on the international stage in our sugar reduction programme.
"Not only are these foods commonly consumed by children - but also by the whole family."


US drugmaker Merck has agreed to settle a lawsuit with investors related to statements the company made about the safety of one of its painkillers.

The company will pay $830m (Â£581m) to investors who bought Merck securities between 1999 and 2004.
The lawsuit stemmed from statements Merck made about the cardiovascular safety of the painkiller Vioxx.
Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in 2004 after evidence showed it doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke.
In 2011 Merck pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating marketing laws related to its sale of Vioxx.
Federal officials accused the company of making false statements and illegally marketing Vioxx as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis to increase sales.
Merck said this latest settlement with investors did not constitute an admission of guilt by the company.
It still faced a number of individual lawsuits related to Vioxx.


The detail has still to be pored over if the prospect of Dundee facing Celtic in a Scottish Premiership fixture in the United States is to become a reality.

Finer points tend to be the most significant when a radical plan is being pursued and there are various factors to be considered while the idea is being assessed.
There will be various stages of permission to be overcome, beginning with the rest of the top-flight clubs, but more significantly concerning all of the game's governing bodies.
The idea ought to be fully explored, though, since a lack of innovative thinking has been a long-standing criticism of the executives in charge of Scottish football.
Financial gain has to be paramount. Commercial staff will bristle with opportunism, since an individual event can attract bespoke sponsorship and other revenue streams.
Television rights would need to be negotiated, since the Scottish Professional Football League already has deals in place with broadcasters for live and highlights packages. Even so, there would be a considerable domestic audience for a game played abroad and agreement could surely be reached.
The level of income is important since all SPFL deals are based on collective bargaining. Any money raised would be split between the 12 top-flight sides, which is a significant point since accommodating the fixture would require a rule change and so the support of other Premiership clubs in a vote.
Many chairmen would be torn between tradition and the prospect of additional revenue, but the latter is precious in the current environment of Scottish football.
Marketing worth can be overstated, since Celtic and Rangers have consistently sought to monetise the Irish and Scottish diaspora across the globe without making huge and regular financial gains. Several English Premier League clubs have tried to make inroads in other markets, too, including North America and the Far East.
Some reach can be established, but traditional markets remain more reliable and lucrative. Celtic can draw significant crowds in parts of the United States, playing in front of 34,018 when they faced Real Madrid at Philadelphia's Lincoln Field in 2012 and before 55,421 when they met Manchester United at the same stadium in 2004.
That element of the club's fanbase may be protected by regular visits, since affection for the club needs to be passed from generation to generation, but there is an argument that high-profile friendlies are more attractive than a regular domestic fixture, even if it is a competitive match.
Scottish football would be breaking new ground, though, since football fixtures are seldom played abroad. The Italian Supercopa has regularly been played outside Italy, in Washington in 1993, Tripoli in 2002, New York in 2003, Beijing in 2009, 2011 and 2012, Doha in 2014 and Shanghai in 2015.
However, that is essentially a friendly, between the winners of the previous season's Serie A and Coppa Italia winners. The game has not always been financially successful and has occasionally been dogged by poor event management, while Italian football in general has continued to fall behind the global reach of the German and English top-flights.
The innovative nature of Scottish football playing a competitive league match abroad would generate widespread interest that could be taken advantage of.
There are logistical challenges to overcome. Even if enough Scottish clubs voted in favour, the fixture would need the approval of the Scottish Football Association, the United States Soccer Federation, Uefa and Fifa. Any one of the governing bodies could scupper the plan and there has generally been a view that geographical boundaries should not be breached.
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The costs involved would need to be met by the income and would involve providing travel and accommodation for match officials as well as the teams. The integrity of the competitive nature of the game would need to be protected, since it would still be part of the regular calendar of top-flight matches.
Fans of both clubs would also be disadvantaged, since few would have the means to travel for the game. Season-ticket prices, for instance, would need to take that into account. There will always be a tension between meeting the needs and wants of long-standing communities of fans against trying to grow the brand and reach of teams abroad.
Although Celtic can be sure of the extent of their following in pockets of the US, other matches involving high-profile teams have not fared well. When Inter Milan played Roma in the International Champions Cup at Lincoln Fields, the crowd was only 12,169.
The date of the match would need to be carefully chose to avoid clashing with other major US sporting events but also to limit the impact of the travel on the two competing sides in the domestic fixtures that immediately follow a trip to North America.
When England's Premier League considered the 39th game - an additional round of fixtures involving all of the top-flight clubs to be played in cities that bid for the right to host the games - the idea eventually ran out of enthusiasm.
There was little encouragement from the governing bodies, while many clubs and individuals within the game felt that playing the games abroad would undermine the credibility of the Premier League.
Scottish football needs to be more innovative, since it cannot rely on the broadcast income of the English top flight, but there are similar concerns to be addressed about the reputation of the Scottish game.
Some clubs may feel that the only two sides that could realistically gain substantially from the endeavour would be reigning Premiership champions Celtic and Championship leaders Rangers, since they already have established fan-bases in the US and Canada.
Accommodations are already made for sides wishing to play lucrative friendlies. SPFL rules allow each club to request one weekend off each season. Only Celtic and Rangers tend to have the drawing power to make that work for them.


Two men have been found guilty of manslaughter after a tipper truck crashed in Bath killing four people, including a young girl.

Haulage boss Matthew Gordon, 30, and mechanic Peter Wood, 55, were found guilty at Bristol Crown Court.
The driver of the truck, Phillip Potter, 20, was cleared of dangerous and careless driving.
Mitzi Steady, four, Robert Parker, 59, Philip Allen, 52, and Stephen Vaughan, 34, died in the crash last February.
Mitzi, from Bath, was one of a number of pedestrians struck when the lorry, which had faulty brakes, sped out of control on Lansdown Hill.
Mr Allen and Mr Vaughan, both from Swansea, and Mr Parker, from Cwmbran, south Wales, were in a car hit by the vehicle.
Mr Vaughan's widow, Sian, said being told her partner was dead felt like "an out of body experience".
She said the death of her "larger than life" husband left her feeling "completely lost".
In a statement, Mitzi's family said they would "miss her every day for the rest of our lives".
"Mitzi was an outgoing, fun, beautiful girl whose confidence and independence had grown to a new level in the months before she was killed, allowing us to glimpse the girl that she should have become," they said.
Mr Parker's wife, Denise, said: "Robert was a wonderful, kind, caring husband; a truly amazing Dad and a loving brother.
"He was taken from us so suddenly, with no time to say goodbye. In my personal opinion this tragedy could have so easily been avoided if people had just done the right thing."
Mr Allen's wife, Louise, said: "Phil was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed life.
"That life was taken away from him in horrific circumstances by those responsible. Our family life has been destroyed."
In addition to those killed, Margaret Rogers - Mitzi's grandmother, suffered life-changing injuries when the 32-tonne lorry crashed into her and Mitzi as they crossed the road.
Karla Brennan was also seriously injured when the lorry, which was delivering aggregate from Shorncote Quarry to a park and ride, hit her car.
Describing the brakes failing, Mr Potter, who had only worked at the company for a few days, told the jury: "I tried the handbrake. I put it on and nothing. I tried putting the lorry into third gear to try and get the engine to slow it down.
"I blasted the horn. It was the only thing I could think of to warn people that I couldn't stop," he added.
Witnesses also saw smoke coming from Mr Potter's lorry and smelt the brakes burning as he drove down the hill.
Mr Potter, of Dauntsey, Wiltshire, denied causing serious injury, and deaths by dangerous and careless driving.
Gordon, also of Dauntsey, was the owner of Grittenham Haulage Ltd and was driving in a truck in front of the lorry that crashed.
Prosecutor Adam Vaitilingam QC told the jury that Gordon was granted an operator's licence in December 2013 - the first time he had run such a business.
"His operation was a shambles from start to finish," he said.
Grittenham Haulage was supposed to have a transport manager responsible for ensuring the lorries were safe, but did not do so in the months leading up to the fatal incident.
Wood was employed by the firm to inspect and help maintain the vehicles, carrying out inspections every six weeks.
The final safety check on the vehicle by Wood was in January, weeks before the tragedy.
"If Mr Wood did carry out a safety inspection that day it was wholly inadequate," Mr Vaitilingam said.
"This sort of catastrophic brake failure doesn't just happen through bad luck.
"This was entirely predictable, the result of poor management and a disregard for the rules and a failure to comply with routine guidelines."
Gordon had denied 14 charges against him, including manslaughter, by failing to ensure the tipper truck's brakes were in a safe condition.
Wood, of Brinkworth, Wiltshire, also denied four charges against him, including manslaughter by also failing to ensure the safety of the brakes.
Remanding them in custody, the judge Mr Justice Langstaff said: "It has to be acknowledged that Mr Gordon and Mr Wood have turned up every day for their trial, but the offences they have been convicted of would attract substantial prison terms, so it seems to me that it would be wrong not to start serving those terms now."
They will be sentenced on 27 January.
Det Ch Insp Rich Ocone, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Our investigation revealed a shocking picture of a company culture with complete disregard of safety and maintenance.
"This was a company with a very casual attitude towards safety.
"If there is a message which needs to come from this tragic incident, it is that company owners must adhere to a duty of care to the public."


Manchester United's victory at Southampton proves they can challenge for the Premier League title, says manager Louis van Gaal.

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The Dutchman's side won 3-2 at St Mary's on Sunday, with 19-year-old striker Anthony Martial scoring twice.
The victory moves United up to second in the table, two points behind rivals Manchester City, who lost 2-1 at home to West Ham on Saturday.
"We have made a statement that we shall compete for the title," Van Gaal said.
"You cannot expect a title from a team in transition. But when we are close we shall grab it."
Van Gaal also praised Martial's impact, who scored three goals with his first three shots on target since arriving at the club in a £36m transfer from Monaco.
"He is doing great - three matches in a row and three goals," Van Gaal said.
"When you are 19, you cannot expect consistency. Emotionally they shall have a lot of dips so that I expect also from him but that is not a big problem for me.
"He adapts to the system of how we want to play, that is also important. Not every player can but he shows he wants to do that.
"He scores goals. That is the most important thing, that as a striker he scores goals. He can improve I think but he has a high level of talent."


The revolt against excessive pay has been gathering pace over the past month, with shareholders delivering humiliating "no" votes to a number of chief executives.

Citigroup got roasted by its investors. Aviva in the UK got the thumbs down on Thursday and companies like Barclays, Reckitt Benckiser and UBS have all been given nasty shocks.
The accepted explanation for this behaviour is that shareholders have been faced with declining returns and watched in increasing frustration as boardroom pay has gone ever upwards until, finally, they've lost their collective rags.
There is even some evidence to suppose this insubordination might be catching.
However the bigger question is why this didn't happen a long time ago.
While investors may well get upset in times of a crisis when they see their management walking away with big bonuses, they seem to have been remarkably insouciant when times were good, even though they were still seeing salaries outstrip their own returns. Why did they do nothing then?
The fact that they did so little suggests that when some kind of growth returns shareholders will return to their old negligent ways.
For illustration, you only have to look back at the first part of the last decade when shareholders could have expected to make handsome returns - if one regarded the rises in salaries of their chief executives as an indicator of their investments' growth and profitability.
According to the US-based Economic Policy Institute, pay for the average chief executive of a company making more than $1bn in revenue in the US rose 84% to $6.05m on an inflation-adjusted basis between 2000 and 2005.
The S&P 500 index in that time rose, er, minus 17%.
Comparing return on an investment with the growth in an annual salary is strictly speaking not a valid comparison - even so there is an obvious disparity here.
The greatest annoyance was over severance pay which displayed the most blatant mismatch of performance and reward.
For instance, Pfizer's former chief executive Henry A McKinnell was forced into early retirement after the company's stock price fell, but still managed to leave with an astonishing golden parachute worth more than $180m.
Mattel boss Jill Barad received $50m in severance pay after a disastrous internet investment at the peak of the tech bubble, which saw Mattel's stock price fall by 50%, wiping out $2.5bn in shareholder value.
Much of the rise in corporate remuneration comes in stock options, which are meant to reflect the performance of the chief executive - which they did, up to a point.
Often they can increase in value simply because the whole market is rising. That is becoming increasingly apparent as chief executives exercise options for huge numbers of shares granted them at the bottom of the market in 2008/9.
But there have been slow - some would say painfully slow - attempts at reform such as bringing in shareholder votes on executive pay in the UK.
In the US, shareholders won the right to vote on executive pay at most public companies under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act.
These are non-binding but as they start to be exercised more forcefully may start to impose greater restraint on board room pay.
Indeed the Citgroup vote was followed up by a shareholder suing the bank accusing directors of breaching their fiduciary duties by awarding more than $54m of compensation in 2011 to the executives, though the bank's performance did not necessarily justify it.
They may well stiffened by increased legislation.
The UK's Business Secretary Vince Cable is suggesting that shareholder votes might become binding and also that boards may have to have 75% approval to get their pay packages approved.
And then there is the case of individual shareholder activism, which rather than being constrained to fund managers, could start working all the way down the ownership chain.
Louise Rouse, of the UK's FairPensions campaign group, explains: "What we have been seeing over the last decade instead of a redistribution of resources to shareholders in the form of dividends is money going to excessive executive pay.
"So we want to see ordinary individuals holding the pension funds and the institutional investors to account asking them directly how they vote on pay packages.
"That sort of scrutiny would lead to greater action on their part."