Manchester City will not field a team in the 2016-17 EFL Trophy.

City are one of 16 clubs invited to enter an under-21 team in the competition - previously known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - due to their category one academy status.
They agree with the concept but early rounds of the competition clash with international Under-21 games.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are all expected to decline the chance too.
But Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea are among the clubs who will accept their invitation.
The Football League spoke to the Premier League before revealing their expansion idea last week.
Up to this season, the competition had been reserved for League One and League Two clubs.
Barnsley beat Oxford United in last season's final at Wembley.
An EFL spokesman said:  "The EFL is currently awaiting responses from a number of clubs that have been invited to take part in this season's EFL Trophy. Already a number of clubs have accepted our invitation.
"In any instances where clubs do decline, we will issue invitations to other clubs with category one academies in the order in which they finished in the 2015/16 domestic league tables."


An online campaign has raised thousands of pounds for staff who lost their jobs this week following the collapse of rock music publisher Team Rock.

The crowdfunding drive to raise £20,000 for affected workers was set up by heavy metal band Orange Goblin's frontman, Ben Ward.
Within 15 hours, it had already raised £16,500.
A total of 73 people were laid off after administrators were called in to South Lanarkshire-based Team Rock.
The posts were spread between High Blantyre and London.
A further seven staff have been kept on temporarily to help administrators as they seek a buyer for the firm's assets.
Team Rock, which has ceased trading, ran a stable of rock music magazines as well as the website www.teamrock.com.
Titles and brands included Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Prog, the Golden Gods Awards and the Classic Rock Awards.
Ben Ward said: "Today, 73 members of the Team Rock staff were told that the company is going into liquidation and that they are being made redundant with immediate effect with zero pay.
"These are good, hard-working, committed people that through Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Prog Rock, TeamRock Radio and more, have supported the rock and heavy metal scene in this country for decades.
"Now we, the rock community, need to pull together to help give something back."


TV stars will join former footballers for a celebrity charity match in memory of Bradley Lowery.

The game, to be played at Everton's Goodison Park on 3 September, will feature two teams managed by model Katie Price and boxer Tony Bellew.
Players will include ex-Everton stars Peter Beardsley and Alan Stubbs, former Sunderland left-back Micky Gray and singer-songwriter Olly Murs.
Sunderland fan Bradley died from a rare type of cancer aged six.
The players, who also include X-Factor winner turned Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward and Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans, will line up for either Bradley's Blues or The Lowery Legends.
Evertonians formed a special bond with the youngster, initially during Everton's match at Sunderland in September 2016 and then when he was a guest at Goodison Park for two matches in January and February this year.
Ex-Everton player and club ambassador Graham Stuart said the game would be "a chance to celebrate Bradley's life" and raise money for the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
The charity was set up after the youngster's death to help other young children suffering illness.
Former Black Cats and Toffees player Don Hutchison added: "I've been privileged to play for both sides and I couldn't think of two better sets of fans to play in front of, for young Bradley."


They're one of the most persistent puzzles in modern astronomy.

As the name suggests, Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are short-lived - but powerful - pulses of radio waves from the cosmos.
Their brevity, combined with the fact that it's difficult to pinpoint their location, have ensured their origins remain enigmatic.
Outlining their work at a major conference, astronomers say they have now traced the source of one of these bursts to a different galaxy.
It's an important step to finally solving the mystery, which has spawned a variety of different possible explanations, from black holes to extra-terrestrial intelligence.
The first FRB was discovered in 2007, in archived data from the Parkes Radio Telescope in Australia. Astronomers were searching for new examples of magnetised neutron stars called pulsars, but found a new phenomenon - a radio burst from 2001. Since then, 18 FRBs - also referred to as "flashes" or "sizzles" - have been found in total.
"I don't exaggerate when I say there are more theories for what these could be than there are observed bursts," first author of the new study, Shami Chatterjee, told the BBC's Science in Action programme.
All FRBs were found using single-dish radio telescopes that are unable to narrow down the sources' locations with enough precision to further characterise the flashes.
But Dr Chatterjee, from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and colleagues used a multi-antenna radio telescope called the Karl G Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, which had sufficient resolution to precisely determine the location of a flash known as FRB 121102.
Unlike all the others, this FRB - discovered in 2012 - has recurred several times.
"When we reported last year that one of these objects was repeating, that - in one go - knocked out about half of those models, because for this one source, at least, we knew it couldn't be explosive. It had to be something where the engine that produced this survived for the next flash."
In 83 hours of observing time over six months in 2016, the VLA detected nine bursts from FRB 121102.
"We now know that this particular burst comes from a dwarf galaxy more than three billion light-years from Earth," said Dr Chatterjee. That's a staggering distance from Earth, underlining just how energetic these flashes are.
"That simple fact is a huge advance in our understanding of these events."
The team has published their findings in Nature journal and has outlined them at the 229th American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in Grapevine, Texas.
Since this is the only known repeating burst, it's possible it could represent a completely different phenomenon to other FRBs.
In addition to detecting the bright bursts from FRB 121102, the team's observations also revealed an ongoing, persistent source of weaker radio emission in the same region.
The flashes and the persistent source must be within 100 light-years of each other, and scientists think they are likely to be either the same object or physically associated with one another.
"This persistent radio source could be an active galactic nucleus (AGN) at the centre of a galaxy that's feeding (consuming matter from its surroundings), sending out jets, and these sizzles we see are little bits of plasma being vaporised in the jets," said Dr Chatterjee.
"That's not the interpretation we favour. The one we favour is that maybe it's a baby magnetar - a neutron star with a massive magnetic field - and it's got a nebula surrounding it that's powered by the energy being lost by this object. Every once in a while, we're getting a flash from this baby magnetar."
Prof Heino Falcke, who had investigated FRBs, but was not involved in the latest study said that, even without a clear answer, the new findings were a "game changer". But he admitted several features associated with FRB 121102 remained mystifying.
He agreed that some features of the radio source resembled those associated with large black holes. But he said these were typically found only in large galaxies.
He told BBC News: "Why is this spectacular FRB in such a little, very innocent looking galaxy? There are many things coming together which don't make much sense yet.
"Maybe it's a neutron star orbiting a black hole," he said. This might explain the on-off nature of the bursts. But he added: "Why would that produce an FRB where others don't?"
Further research will be needed to clarify the nature of the flashes, and to determine whether all FRBs are caused by the same phenomenon - or have different causes.
Follow Paul on Twitter.


The imposition of an 18-month playing ban for Burnley's Joey Barton for betting on matches has brought into focus football's reliance on sponsorship money from gambling companies.

The Scottish Professional Football League's four tiers, the Scottish Cup and the League Cup are all sponsored by betting companies, who have also invested in the shirt sponsorship of clubs such as Rangers and Celtic and in the naming rights for the main stand at Hampden.
On Thursday, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster praised Ladbrokes for being "a terrific and supportive lead sponsor" for the past two seasons and said his organisation was "thrilled to extend the partnership for next season", saying it was "another clear message of confidence in Scottish football".
BBC Scotland has spoken to former players, the players' union representative, a betting industry expert, a fans' spokesperson and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to gather a range of views on Scottish football's bonds with gambling.
"There are more and more high-profile footballers seeking help from gambling addiction.
"A long time ago, I got myself in a lot of bother. It pretty much ruined my football career. It came to a head in 2004, where I tried to commit suicide.
"I'm so fortunate that I don't play football now, where you can bet on first corner, first shy, getting sent off.
"I'd have been doing the lot because I was that engrossed in gambling, totally addicted. Online doesn't help. It's an epidemic, gambling just now.
"I think Joey Barton has been made a bit of a scapegoat. If you went through all the divisions in Scottish football to see how many people are gambling, you wouldn't have football.
"It's so widespread, especially in younger people. It really is a shame because people don't understand the harm and the hurt it causes to them and the families round about them. It's destructive.
"There should be less advertising. It's not like when I played; football is a gambling industry now."
"I liked a bet and I liked a bet on football.
"I've backed against my team once. I wasn't playing in the game. I was at Derry City in 2009 and we had three games in six days, Friday in the League, Monday in the League Cup and Thursday in the Europa League.
"On the Monday, Stephen Kenny rested all the players and played the under-19s in the League Cup - the two big games were the league and the Europa League. I bet against my own team.
"We lost the game, I won my bet and I never did it again. It didn't feel right. But that's not match fixing - that's having inside information."
"It's not just players who are gambling. Managers, referees, directors, chairmen, they've all got inside knowledge.
"Are you telling me they don't have betting accounts? I would suggest they have. When you're Scottish and go to football, from an early age, your father will take you and you stop at two places on the way to the game - the pub and the bookies. That's our culture.
"We've imposed bans and that's not stopping it. There must be another solution.
"Betting companies do a good service to the Scottish game with their financial input, but to ask players not to bet but be standing in a picture beside Ladbrokes and William Hill, that's where the conflict becomes difficult with regards to the players.
"But where would we be in Scottish football without these companies? We would be struggling.
"We're crying out for investment and they've backed us for years. There's a responsibility among all the players, managers, staff, the lot, not to get involved in gambling.
"It's rife, we're not hiding away from it. The majority are probably still doing it.
"You don't just walk into a betting shop now to put a bet on, you don't just have your own account; there are mates, everyone has access to the internet.
"Certain players have been an example of, but there is support for players through the RCA Trust, which is a counselling programme through the PFA.
"But it's a culture and, if we can't stop them with these rules, there must be something else we can come up with to stop gambling in the competitions we're competing in."
"A lot of clubs further down the leagues wouldn't be able to survive without the money that was coming to them via these sponsorships deals, whether that be shirt sponsorships or betting partnerships.
"Players betting on football is a contentious issues. With Joey Barton's case you have to question whether or not there is any actual corruption there - I don't think there is - and I think he has been unfairly castigated.
"There is the need for more money in Scottish football from sponsors and the most obvious source is coming from the betting companies.
"The betting companies see sponsorship of football as a very valuable asset to them in terms of marketing and they are keen to be associated with sport.
"The question of corruption with regard to betting is a very serious matter, but it should be separated from the sponsorship issue.
"I don't think there is a moral issue around gambling - it is fully legal in this country.
"There isn't a huge body of companies willing to sponsor football.
"To try to strip out betting from football would be hugely economically disadvantageous.
"I don't think football is alone in having people who are vulnerable when it comes to gambling."
"There's nothing wrong with a flutter and lots of football fans obviously do.
"But I think, somewhere in between, there needs to be some kind of checks and balances.
"We don't want Scottish football sleep-walking into another controversial area.
"If you really tried hard with all the various betting companies that support Scottish football, you could have £200-worth of free bets.
"That's a fairly big encouragement for people who maybe don't bet or don't have accounts to open up accounts - potentially, it's a slippery slope.
"It's a dangerous precedent that we have is that we're loaded with these sponsorships and we need to have a platform in place that allows Scottish football to move forward and to make sure that all the difficulty that comes with those relationships are in balance."
"It's personal responsibility. You have a choice. You don't have to do it - no-one's asking anyone to go and gamble.
"It's (down to) education and training of young players and people within who are suffering.
"We need to try and help them and educate them and train them. I think what is key for players, and staff, is to lift the burden and speak about it.
"For men, it can be deemed a weakness to talk about it. It's not, it's anything but.
"But gambling, it's personal responsibility. If you choose to do that then there's a consequence to that."


The man in charge of Britain's first new nuclear power plant in 20 years is to leave the project.

Chris Bakken, the project director for Hinkley Point C in Somerset, will take up a new role at US energy company Entergy in April.
EDF Energy said he had decided to return to his home country to pursue "new professional opportunities" and spend more time with his family.
He has been in charge of the Â£18bn Hinkley Point C project since 2011.
A final investment decision for the nuclear project was postponed by EDF Energy last month.
Hinkley is due to start generating power in 2025, and is expected to provide 7% of the UK's electricity once it is running.


Derry City will make history on Friday when they play their first home fixture of the season in County Donegal.

Brandywell Stadium, the club's home since 1928, is undergoing a multi-million pound facelift - which is set to be finished in time for next season.
The Candystripes take on Limerick City at Buncrana's Maginn Park, with the border-busting League of Ireland clash expected to be a sell-out.
But how will Derry City and their supporters go down in the seaside town?
Nestled on the edge of Lough Swilly, just 15 miles from Londonderry, Buncrana is the seaside destination of choice for Derry sun seekers in the summer months.
The invasion of Candystripes fans in March will be a new experience for locals, many of whom hope to reap financial reward.
"I can't see it being anything but good for the town," said Pauric O'Flaherty who runs O'Flaherty's bar on the Main Street.
"We're looking forward to it, hopefully now this brings a bit of trade into the town and everyone gets a deal, restaurants and taxi men."
"If you're not going to get a boost on a Friday night with Derry City coming down you may close your front doors because you should welcome everybody with open arms.
"Buncrana's a great town with great bars, great restaurants, so come down early and take the dog for a walk and then go town to Maginn to watch the games," added Mr O'Flaherty.
It may have seen a rise in the number of young people playing Gaelic Games in recent years, but Buncrana remains a football-mad town.
Oisin O'Flaherty plays for Buncrana Hearts, and reckons the matches will be a sell-out.
"Inishowen is a soccer area, I play a bit of Gaelic, but soccer is the number one sport down here and I actually think it will be hard to get a ticket down there," he said.
"Friday night is a good night for it because the Inishowen league is on a Sunday. I think it's going to be brilliant, I really do."
Cockhill Celtic's Gerard McLaughlin believes the excitement is palpable now the match is imminent.
"There's a lot of talk about it now," he said. "The sheer fact it's League of Ireland football and is something new means people will come out.
"It will be big for Buncrana, I would say most clubs in Inishowen, players, supporters, officials... they'll all come to Maginn to watch Derry City."
Speaking of Maginn Park, one reason to be cheerful for the Derry City faithful will be the excellent condition of the football pitch.
Derry City midfielder Mark Timlin will know that all too well, being a native of the town.
But a temporary ground can negatively affect a team's performance - just ask Harry Kane's Tottenham Hotspur - so Derry will be hoping for a rub of the green.
It's lucky then, that the local groundsmen have been working hard for the big day.
"The biggest match we've had so far was a league cup match between Sligo Rovers and the local Cockhill Celtic and the crowd was quite good," said Elsmer Lee.
"But we're hoping for a lot more at the moment. Derry have put seats in the stand, around 200, 250 and they're going to stay.
"So we're looking forward to it. Maginn Park's ready," he added.
It also helps if one of your colleagues learned his trade at the Nou Camp in Barcelona.
In football no-one never knows the outcome, but Derry City fans will be hoping the hills of Donegal turn Candystriped on Friday night.


Police have made an arrest after the discovery of a former reality TV show contestant in a suburban Los Angeles backyard shallow grave.

Lisa Marie Naegle, 36, who competed in 2010 for a dream wedding and plastic surgery on the show Bridalplasty, last spoke to her husband early on Sunday.
Police arrested a 34-year-old nursing student, Jackie Jerome Rogers, on Tuesday after questioning him.
They said he told investigators Ms Naegle's body was at his home.
"We can confirm a body which we believe is Lisa Marie was discovered in a shallow grave at the suspect's home," police spokesman Sal Ramirez said on Tuesday night of the discovery in Lennox, near Los Angeles International Airport.
"The detectives strongly believe it is her."
Police did not give a motive for the killing.
Ms Naegle was hit on the head seven times with a hammer early on Sunday morning, reports celebrity gossip website TMZ, citing law enforcement sources.
The Daily Breeze, a local newspaper, reported that she taught nursing classes at West Los Angeles College and that Mr Rogers was one of her students.
She had gone to a birthday party on Saturday night at Alpine Village, a beer hall and restaurant in another Los Angeles suburb, Torrance.
Ms Naegle's husband, Derek Harryman, said he had texted her at around 02:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Sunday to find out where she was.
"Within a minute or two, she called me," Mr Harryman told the Daily Breeze.
"She sounded really, really drunk. She said, 'I'm going to get some food and then I'll be home.'"
But she never made it.
Her family reported her missing on Sunday night and issued an appeal on social media for help in finding her.
They said they obtained photos showing Ms Naegle - who came fourth on E! network's Bridalplasty - leaving the beer hall with Mr Rogers.
Ms Naegle's relatives contacted Mr Rogers after they obtained CCTV footage which appeared to show her getting into the suspect's vehicle.
Her sister, Danielle Naegle-Kaimona, told KABC-TV: "While he was talking to us and telling us his story, multiple different times he said he absolutely did not go home with her, or did not take her home."
After being challenged that Ms Naegle had been filmed getting into his car, Mr Rogers changed his story, the family said.
He acknowledged that the missing woman did get into his car, but said she got out moments later.
The family then contacted police.


The African Union, discussing the situation in Burundi, says Africa will "not allow another genocide to take place on its soil".

The UN said it would send a fact-finding mission to Burundi amid fears that violence could spiral into civil war and possible ethnic conflict.
Last Friday, 87 people were killed in clashes in the capital, Bujumbura.
Unrest began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would seek a third term in office.
He survived a coup attempt in May, and secured a third term in disputed elections in July.
AU Peace and Security Commissioner Smail Chergui has tweeted that the "clear" message coming from the AU is that the "killings in Burundi must stop immediately".
The government has said there is no threat of genocide.
The AU's peace and security council has been discussing sending an AU force to Burundi.
Although international diplomats have warned about a possible return of genocide in Burundi, this dispute has not split the country along ethnic lines.
Neither the government, nor the opposition have used ethnicity in their public statements, although each accuses the other of doing so.
Under the 2005 peace deal which brought former Hutu rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza to power, his fighters were integrated with the then Tutsi-dominated army and government.
This remains the case today, with Tutsis occupying senior government and military positions and remaining loyal to their former enemy.
Those opposed to Mr Nkurunziza are also ethnically mixed.
For example, Gen Godfroid Niyombare, the leader of May's failed coup is a Hutu.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said that "Burundi is at bursting point, on the very cusp of a civil war" which could have "ethnic overtones" similar to past conflicts in Burundi.
At least 400 people have been killed, nearly 3,500 arrested and at least 220,000 people have fled the country since April, Mr al-Hussein said.
At a special session convened at the US' request to discuss the conflict, the UN Human Rights Council resolved to despatch independent investigators to Burundi to probe abuses.
An AU fact-finding mission returned from Burundi on Sunday and in its preliminary findings it said "members of the team heard reports of arbitrary killings, torture and the arbitrary... closure of some civil society organisations and the media".
Ethnic conflict between Hutus and Tutsis in the 1990s claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.
Mr Nkurunziza is the former leader of a Hutu rebel group, who has been in power since a 2005 peace deal.
Both the government and the opposition are ethnically mixed.
Profile: President Nkurunziza
Find out more about Burundi


Police are investigating the rape of an 18-year-old woman at the T in the Park music festival.

The teenager was attacked on Thursday night at the festival campsite at Strathallan Castle.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.
The separate deaths of a male and female, both aged 17, at the festival on campsite on Friday, are also being investigated.
Police Scotland said 429 crimes were reported at the festival, compared with 414 last year.
Officers made 54 arrests, compared with 57 in 2015.
Supt Conrad Trickett said: "Obviously the deaths of two young people on Thursday evening was an awful tragedy and our hearts go out to their families.
"However, in general, this was a good-natured event with festival goers well behaved and enjoying themselves.
"We are pleased to see the reduction in serious assaults and thefts while a robust approach by the event organisers and ourselves in tackling anyone trying to bring drugs into the festival has brought a welcome increase in the number of seizures."
Medical teams said 541 people attended the festival's hospital tent, with 27 people being sent to hospital.
Nick Moore from the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "The audience has given us no real cause for concern.
"We've seen a slightly lower stream of people over the weekend, mainly for minor issues."


Only 404 people have applied for loans for adult apprenticeships in the three months since September, official data suggests.

This may suggest would-be adult apprentices are being put off by having to borrow to fund their courses, says an education charity.
Official targets are for 25,000 people this year to borrow about Â£4,000 for higher and advanced apprenticeships.
The government says numbers may pick up later in the year.
It points out that not all apprenticeships start at the beginning of the academic year.
Until this year apprentices have not had to contribute to the costs of their training - but from September 2013 some 25,000 over-24s on advanced or higher level apprenticeships have been expected to take out a loan to be paid back once they are earning.
A further 50,000 adults are expected to have their training costs paid by their employers.
Trainees under 24 still do not have to pay.
Figures published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on Thursday show that in the first quarter of 2013-14 only 404 people had applied for the loans.
NIACE says a second set of official figures, published on Thursday show that by contrast some 197,000 people were enrolled on higher and advanced level apprenticeships in 2012-13.
NIACE is concerned that the low uptake of the loans may indicate that would-be trainees are being deterred by being required to part-fund their courses.
The charity's chief executive David Hughes said: "We have continually voiced our concerns about the impact loans for apprenticeships would have.
"However as today's figures show, that impact has been even more severe than anyone first feared."
He called on the government to take "urgent action", including writing off some loans and subsidising under-represented groups on higher and advanced level apprenticeships.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills said: "Application numbers indicate that employers and learners are not engaging with loans in apprenticeships. We are keeping a close watch on the data and the implications for the apprenticeship programme."


More than 977 million people in China - 72% of the population - listen to music every week, according to a new survey of the country's listening habits.

The average Chinese consumer enjoys 16 hours of music per week, with 66% of listeners using a streaming service.
It lags behind the US, where 91% of the population listens to music every week, and the UK, where the figure is 85.5%.
But China has a healthy live scene, with 57% of affluent fans attending concerts, compared to 51% in the US.
The figures, compiled by US company Nielsen, show a great disparity between wealthy Chinese consumers and those on lower incomes.
In total, 83% of affluent consumers listen to music at least once a week; compared to 53% for low-earners.
The well-off tend to prefer Western or English-language music, and are more likely to listen to pop, rock and jazz.
They spend an average of 914 yuan ($139, Â£97) on music every year; while poorer Chinese consumers spend just 118 yuan ($18, Â£13).
Nielsen projected that spending on music would reach $56 trillion (Â£39 trillion) in China over the next decade, driven largely by young, affluent, connected consumers with disposable incomes.
However, piracy remains a major barrier. Just 3% of low-income consumers said they would be "very likely" to pay for a streaming service in the future.
The findings will be read with interest by record companies in the West, who are increasingly looking to China to offset falling revenues at home.
Once largely closed to foreign music, the country has gradually loosened restrictions and emerged as a crucial territory for bands of all sizes.
Wham! made headlines 31 years ago by becoming the first Western band to play in Beijing and the southern city of Guangzhou; and as recently as 2002, a concert by Kenny G was considered big news.
Now Chinese cities frequently turn up on the touring itineraries for a range of acts. Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, Robbie Williams, Bon Jovi, Michael Buble and Ellie Goulding have all played there in recent years.
But booking a show in Shanghai is not without its pitfalls.
Before foreign artists can perform, the culture ministry runs background checks and pre-approves set lists. In 2006, the Rolling Stones were told to drop five songs - including Honky Tonk Woman and Let's Spend the Night Together - because of their suggestive lyrics.
"Fortunately, we have 400 more songs that we can play so it's not really an issue," said Mick Jagger.
Other artists have been banned completely. Jay-Z had permission for a 2006 concert turned down because of his "vulgar lyrics"; while Kraftwerk were denied Chinese visas because they had been slated to perform at a pro-Tibetan independence concert in 1999 - even though the appearance was eventually cancelled.
Sir Elton John also attracted disapproval when he dedicated his 2012 concert in Beijing to the artist and activist Ai Weiwei.
He received a visit from police, while the state-run newspaper Global Times said the singer was "disrespectful" when he "forcibly added political content to the concert".
"If they had known that this concert would be dedicated to Ai Weiwei, many in the audience would not have come," it said.


Barclays has reported a jump in annual profits after making "strong progress" in restructuring.

The bank reported a profit before tax of £3.2bn for 2016, up from £1.1bn the year before.
Its reorganisation has included the sale of its Africa business and selling off "non-core" assets.
Chief executive Jes Staley told the BBC the bank was "committed to the UK" post-Brexit, even if Britain leaves the single market.
Barclays has been selling off parts of the business which it deems "non-core". In its annual results, the bank said it would bring forward the closure of the unit dealing with this by six months, and it will now shut on 30 June.
"We are now just months away from completing the restructuring of Barclays, and I am more optimistic than ever for our prospects in 2017, and beyond," Mr Staley said.
Simon Jack: Barclays boss has reasons to be cheerful
Investec analyst Ian Gordon said that Barclays had benefitted from the sharp depreciation of the pound against the dollar following the Brexit vote, and that its investment bank revenues had also helped its performance.
Investment bank revenues of £2.5bn were up 21% compared with the year earlier, after a strong performance in the second half of 2016.
The bank also had lower litigation and misconduct charges in 2016, falling to £1.3bn from £4.4bn the previous year.
However, Barclays still faces a lawsuit by the US Department of Justice for alleged mortgage securities fraud.
Mr Staley told the BBC the bank was preparing to add hundreds of staff to offices in Dublin, Frankfurt and Milan to counter Brexit risks to its European business.
While he expects the majority of staff to remain in London, changes to the bank's legal structure, including making Dublin the headquarters of its European business, may be necessary.
BBC business editor Simon Jack said that a return to profit and higher levels of shock absorbing capital meant Barclays hoped to increase its dividend later this year.
Barclays said its core capital ratio, a key measure of financial strength, rose to 12.4% in 2016, which was better than analysts' expectations of 11.8%.
A rise in interest rates in the US and UK would boost Barclays' profit margins, but Mr Staley warned that rising inflation may begin to dent consumer confidence.
Separately, Barclays has agreed to pay Barclays Africa 12.8 billion rand (£790m) to fund investments required to separate the African unit from the main Barclays business.
The separation agreement will let Barclays reduce its stake in the Africa business to below 50% as part of a strategy to focus on the US and the UK.
Barclays Africa said the money would be used to invest in technology, rebranding and other projects related to the separation.


It is a bit like having to replace Sir Alex Ferguson or Sir Terry Wogan.

Titans of their trade as big as the brand they represented.
For those two knights of Manchester United and Radio 2, read Nigel Farage and UKIP.
Enter the working class boy from Bootle, Paul Nuttall.
Will he be the David Moyes of politics, the former Manchester United manager who also made his name on Merseyside but turned out to be a crushing disappointment soon to be shuffled off the stage?
Or will he be the Chris Evans instead, accepting the apparently impossible inheritance, replacing the mega star, but matching, even eclipsing his popularity?
On the face of it, the challenge for Paul Nuttall is colossal.
Finding a purpose for a party that has achieved the very thing it was set up to achieve, getting the UK out of the European Union.
Do so via an electoral system for council and Westminster seats, first past the post, which makes it mighty hard for small parties to breakthrough.
Oh, and leading a party with a penchant for volcanic eruptions of internal argument, with the odd dust up occasionally thrown in for good measure.
His pitch for the future goes like this: the electoral honeypot is to be found in the urban north of England, the geographical epicentre of Labour's heartlands.
Labour there is a political mega brand. But, then again, the argument goes, so was Woolworths once.
After all, the Labour Party in Scotland was once an impregnable electoral colossus.
Smashed, crushed and shrivelled, it isn't any more.
"This is UKIP's time," Paul Nuttall said in his victory speech.
Labour, he claimed, had "ceased to speak the language of working people."
Cue a flurry of tweets from jittery Labour MPs pointing out Mr Nuttall had once advocated privatising the NHS.
UKIP's only MP, Douglas Carswell, buys into the Nuttall plan.
The former Conservative said "we have maxed out the market for Thatcherite ultras," a reference to UKIP's original tilt towards disaffected Tories.
Matthew Goodwin, Professor of Politics at the University of Kent and the party's chief academic watcher, told the BBC there was "potential for UKIP, if they can hang together".
That could be a big if.
But there were, he said, "lots of radical right parties like UKIP" in Europe who were able to command 15-25% of the national vote even without an EU referendum.
In those Labour areas UKIP is targeting, Prof Goodwin said, "lots of voters are economically left wing, they want more redistribution, but culturally they are actually quite conservative. They like the things UKIP has been saying on immigration and on anti EU and anti Westminster platforms."
So, game on?
Nigel Farage has promised he won't be a "back seat driver". But history would hint he may just rattle around rather noisily in the boot.
Paul Nuttall has promised his only theme will be unity. But history would hint political volcanoes that have erupted before have the capacity to do so again.
UKIP has pledged to "replace the Labour Party." But history would hint that won't be easy.
Then again, 2016 has taught me it's not wise for political correspondents to be in the wild prediction business.
And a party that started life in a dusty office in the London School of Economics just 25 years ago has already proved its ability to change the political weather.
Now they are going to try to do it again.


A much-criticised Christmas attraction designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has closed down permanently.

Organisers of the Magical Journey, at The Belfry Golf Club, near Sutton Coldfield, said they had "no alternative" after a "key financial backer dropped out".
The attraction closed temporarily after receiving hundreds of complaints on its opening day last month.
Ticket-holders have been advised to contact their banks for refunds.
In a message posted on the attraction's website on Monday night, bosses apologised to those who had bought tickets.
"After all we've been through having to shut down in the final week is devastating," they wrote.
"However, today a key financial backer has dropped out leaving us in the lurch. We have tried desperately over the last few hours to find a replacement but to no avail."
The attraction had been due to operate the event until Christmas Eve.
Llewelyn-Bowen, who said he only found out about the closure via Twitter, said he was shocked at the news.
"I was really impressed with the way they addressed all the issues the first time around and the energy and resources that went into it so I'm extremely surprised the towel's been thrown in at this stage," he said.
His contribution had only been "some design concepts" and he had not backed the project financially, he added.
"I feel very much I was the designer and I'm a very public face so people are cross with me," he said.
Helen Blakemore, from Aldridge in the West Midlands, visited the Magical Journey on Monday night with daughters Lucy, eight, and Molly, 11.
She said it had been "very busy" and there was "no indication" of any problems.
"There were lots of helpers, lots of happy elves," she said.
"It was wonderful. The kids thoroughly enjoyed meeting Santa."
Other customers took to Facebook to express frustration at the short-notice cancellation.
Tracy Peach said it was "so unfair for families who have paid for their children to go."
"How awful to have to tell them at this point that Santa won't see them," she wrote.
Louise Tanner branded the attraction "the tragic journey" and said she had received an email on Monday night advising her of the closure.
The Belfry's managing director Lynn Hood said the resort had not charged operator Magical Journeys for using its land.
She said because the firm was a start-up company the hotel had not asked for payment.
"We genuinely thought they would create a magical journey," she said.
"We're shocked and very saddened at what's happened."
"We were given no prior warning."
The event closed for three days last month, after dissatisfied customers branded the top price of Â£22.50 for a children's ticket a "rip-off".
Some reported seeing elves smoking and criticised the poor quality of gifts handed to children.
Event director Paul Dolan admitted bad weather had hampered first-day preparations and it had not been ready to open.


A 37-year-old man has been arrested after £140,000 of cannabis was found in a car in west Belfast.

He was arrested on Monday in Ainsworth Avenue. The drugs were found in a nearby vehicle.
Police have said it may be linked to the seizure of £200,000 worth of cannabis found in the Donegall Road area of south Belfast area on 2 March.
Follow-up searches have been carried out following Monday's find.


St Mirren have signed former Dundee United defender Keith Watson on a contract until January.

The 25-year-old was released after an eight-year stay at Tannadice, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Hibernian.
He trained with the Easter Road club over the summer but an injury hampered his chances of a deal.
Watson will go straight into the squad for Friday's derby trip to Morton in the Championship.
"Keith was someone we looked at a couple of weeks ago in terms of someone who could play several positions and once we knew we needed a right back in he was our first name," manager Ian Murray told the club website.
"He's ready to go, he's fit and that's the main thing so he certainly comes into our thoughts for tomorrow night.
"To get someone of Keith's calibre, pedigree and experience is great. Now we've got to try and get him into our team, get him used to our system, get him used to our players."


The reason Markus Miele is running uncharacteristically late this afternoon, is that he has been on the telephone to a customer.

He may be chief executive of the German domestic appliance company Miele, he may have factories to oversee, meetings to go to, and pricing strategies to discuss, but a Miele customer from the UK has written to him personally to inquire about a replacement part for his vacuum cleaner and Mr Miele is eager to help him.
But the vacuum cleaner broke six years ago and it was already nearly 30 years old then. He thinks he can find a replacement for the cleaner's broken door, but not unfortunately in the correct colour, which he finds disappointing.
It's not clear whether he is sharing this detail to explain away his tardiness, or to illustrate the company's evangelical devotion to keeping their products working in perpetuity.
But it's a strategy that on the surface makes no sense. Wouldn't Miele make more money if people replaced their appliances just a little more frequently?
Mr Miele says that's not the way they think.
"We like the appliances to last, because not everyone wants to change all their things every day," he says.
Fortunately Miele doesn't only sell vacuum cleaners. A customer impressed with his vacuum cleaner can come back for a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a cooker, or a coffee machine. It's brand loyalty the company is after.
And as they like to point out at Miele, no-one enjoys reading a new instruction manual.
"People like to change their mobile phones more often, or TV sets maybe, but not your washing machine or tumble dryer. It's a replacement market we're in," says Mr Miele.
It's a strategy, readily associated with German manufacturing, from hi-fi to industrial machinery, build quality products that last, and you'll win over customers in the long run.
And it is working for Miele. Despite the fact that a typical Miele machine costs around twice the mid-market standard one, sales are growing year-on-year.
But recent trends are making those customers a little harder to win over and keep.
Like a BMW on the drive or a Hermes handbag, kitchen appliances are becoming increasingly about aspiration. You can blame celebrity chefs, or the revival of the kitchen-diner. Or put it down to the growth of middle class spending power.
As the latest hi-tech features migrate from our phones to our homes, machines that were previously merely functional, have become a fashion statement, from American-style fridge-freezers to your at-home barista station.
Competition is hotting up. Both fellow German brands like Bosch and Siemens and far eastern ones, such as Samsung, are targeting the kind of well-heeled customer Miele holds dear.
With so many new features on offer customers may be tempted to upgrade more often after all.
And the quality of less expensive brands is catching up.  While it might seem as though your appliances are constantly failing and needing replacing, Anthony Williams at market research company, GfK, says the trend is actually for improving durability.
"Evidence suggests manufacturers are putting in money to ensure good build quality," he says.
"There are so many standards that now have to be adhered to, particularly for hi-tech products, by the nature of the product they have to make sure the [manufacturing] environment is very carefully monitored."
Mr Miele refuses to be cowed by these challenges.
From the time when his great-grandfather developed the company's first washing machine out of a butter churn, their strategy has been to focus on durability.
In demonstration, Mr Miele takes a one euro coin and hammers the front of a brand new washing machine with it. It is a hard currency still, he quips. Yet it leaves no mark on the machine's enamel surface.
Here at Miele's Gutersloh headquarters, washing machines operate around the clock to check they can withstand the equivalent of 20 years of use. And walking across the factory floor we pass a shift worker employed to rub a ladies nylon stocking around every drum the company produces to check for snagging.
The backbone to this rigorous quality control, though, is maintaining a tight-knit operation.
"We have a lot of our production concentrated in Germany, more than 90%" says Mr Miele.
"With our own factory it's of course much easier to control the quality because we talk to our own people, and if something goes wrong they can react very fast." They don't outsource any components.
None of this means a Miele machine is cheap to produce.
Yet the management has come under no pressure from its shareholders to switch production overseas, or to chase more customers by moving downmarket. That's because the firm is still owned and run by the two families that first established it.
Mr Miele splits his role with a co-chief executive Reinhard Zinkann - the great-grandson of the other of the company's original founders.
Mr Zinkann says filial devotion to the Miele cause has brought them a long way.
"If two partners know from the very beginning that they are in a marriage that cannot be divorced, because if they divorce then it will be the end of the company, then that is very helpful."
And, unlike some other privately-owned German brands, so far they've managed to avoid high-profile fall-outs at the top. Mr Zinkann says in the 24 years he's been at Miele every management and every shareholder decision has in the end been taken unanimously.
It's all quintessentially German - family-owned, a long-term perspective, engineering prowess and attention to detail.
But if in the past that might have been seen purely as a strength, after the recent scandal at Volkswagen, "brand Germany" looks suddenly vulnerable.
Tosson El Noshokaty, from the Berlin branding consultancy, Prophet, thinks this will present a new challenge to the company.
"No one would have expected a German brand to be the Lance Armstrong of the motor industry," he says, and that undermines any company, from Leica to Heckler & Koch, that trades on the country's reputation for engineering prowess.
"Miele is really playing out German engineering, as a core essence of their brand," he says.
"Their story is German engineering perfection," he says. "That's why you'll have these side effects."
To hear the full radio report from World Business Report on BBC World Service click here.


Russia's military build-up in Syria appears to be limited to protecting its own forces in the country, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

However, Mr Kerry warned that Russia's long-term intentions remained unclear.
His comments on Tuesday followed the publication of satellite images that suggested Russia was developing two additional military bases in Syria.
The images show new buildings, surface clearing and tents at a weapons depot and military complex north of Latakia.
It had been thought the Russian build-up was centred on the Mediterranean port city's international airport, to the south, where dozens of warplanes and attack helicopters have arrived in recent weeks.
Tanks, anti-aircraft systems, drones and 200 marines have also reportedly been sent, along with housing for up to 2,000 personnel.
But the new satellite images from mid-September, published by defence research group IHS Jane's, appear to show preparations are under way to receive Russian forces at the Istamo weapons depot and the al-Sanobar military complex.
The latest satellite photos provide even more evidence of Russia's growing military deployment to Syria but very few answers to the question, what is it all for?
US Secretary of State John Kerry's characterisation of the Russian posture as intended for self-defence may be an effort to reduce tensions, but again gets us no further as to Moscow's motives.
What is clear is that a sizeable air expeditionary force has been sent to the airbase at Latakia, including about 24 ground-attack aircraft and a small number of multi-role fighters. There are attack helicopters too and drones, along with the various additional ground elements needed to defend the base against attack.
But the new evidence from IHS Jane's suggests preparations at at least two bases for the arrival of a significant number of Russian ground troops. So the questions remain: is this simply a demonstration to bolster Mr Assad? Is it essentially military theatre to emphasise Russia's role in any diplomatic effort? Or are we seeing the preparations for a Russian intervention in the fighting?
What is Putin's end game?
What's at stake for Russia in Syria?
How far is Russia prepared to bolster Assad?
Russia says Islamic State, not Assad, is the danger
"This activity includes the construction of new buildings, significant surface clearing, the grading and paving of terrain, and the presence of tents of the same type as those used by Russian military units," Robert Munks, editor of IHS Jane's Intelligence Review, told the AFP news agency.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu assured US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in a telephone call on Friday that the deployment was "defensive in nature" and focused on protecting the Russian naval facility at Tartous, south of Latakia.
However, the arrival of the Russian warplanes raised concerns that Moscow was preparing to intervene directly to shore up President Assad, whose forces have suffered a series of defeats to rebel forces and jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS) this year.
"For the moment, it is the judgement of our military and experts that the level and type represents basically force protection," Mr Kerry told reporters on Tuesday.
But he said that Russia's longer-term intentions remained unclear and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to support international efforts to end the Syrian conflict.
"If [Russia is] there to shore up Assad and to certainly provide Assad with the continued sense he doesn't have to negotiate, then I think it's a problem for Syria, and it's a problem for everybody who wants to bring an end to this conflict, which has gone on for too long," he added.
UN-led peace talks on Syria have failed to bring the opposing sides together to agree on a transitional government body that would take over from Mr Assad.
Mr Kerry will meet counterparts from Europe and the Middle East on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly next week to discuss solutions to the conflict.


Kylie Minogue and her British fiancÃ© have called on Australia to legalise same-sex marriage in an appearance at the nation's top music awards.

The 48-year-old singer and actor Joshua Sasse, 28, announced their engagement earlier this year.
The couple subsequently vowed to postpone their nuptials until same-sex marriage becomes legal in Australia.
Dressed in "Say I Do Down Under" T-shirts at the Arias in Sydney, the pair urged the change to come next year.
"We're here to introduce a shining light in the Australian music industry," Minogue told the audience on Wednesday night.
"But we're also here to say thank you to everyone who has supported Josh's campaign for equality."
Sasse, who founded the "Say I Do Down Under" campaign, said: "This is more than a movement, this is people's lives and we want to say to every single member of the LGBT community that you are not alone.
"You have a voice and if we all stand together we can bring Australia back on the right side of history and make 2017 the year that we can all say 'I do' down under."
Australian pop star Sia also used the awards night to address the issue, sending a same-sex marriage campaigner to collect her award for best female artist.
The Australian government's plan to settle the same-sex marriage debate through a public vote early next year was blocked by the Senate two weeks ago.
Critics said a nationwide campaign would be expensive, unnecessary and unleash a torrent of homophobic rhetoric.
Sasse's "Say I Do Down Under" campaign, along with other lobby groups, is now pushing for parliament to change the law.
His campaign has attracted celebrity supporters including Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding and Sir Ian McKellen.


HSBC has announced it is to close its branch in Market Rasen in December due to falling numbers of people using it.

It comes three weeks after NatWest closed its premises in the town.
Local Conservative MP Edward Leigh said he was disappointed with the news, but warned residents they needed to support local banks and shops, or lose them.
A spokesman for HSBC said it had not taken the decision lightly, and understood it was unsettling for the local community.
He said: "Unfortunately, with an increase in the use of online and telephone banking over the past few years the use of the Market Rasen branch has fallen significantly, and we've taken the difficult decision to close it.
"We are working with customers who use the branch to help them understand their options."
In June, HSBC announced plans to shed 8,000 jobs in the UK to reduce costs.
In 2012, Market Rasen was one of 12 towns to share Â£1.2m from the government as part of the Portas Pilot project, which aimed to rejuvenate UK High Streets.
In the year that followed the town saw an increase in empty stores.
Money from the scheme was used to revamp the market place and erect free parking signs on the outskirts of the town to attract passing trade.
But, Lincolnshire County Council ordered the signs be taken down as they did not comply with national requirements.
Mr Leigh said although the pilot scheme was a "valiant effort", market towns were struggling to compete for business.
"At the end of the day, you can't keep the market place if people can't make a go of their businesses," he said.


Rogue One actress Felicity Jones has said the number of lead roles for women in action films is a "a wonderful moment for cinema".

Jones, who plays Jyn Erso in the new Star Wars spin-off, said "it means a huge amount" to be the first woman to have top billing in a Star Wars movie.
She said: "It's absolutely time that we had female leads and as many females leading films as we do men.
"It's a very exciting time to be an actress."
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story had its UK premiere in London on Tuesday and is released around the world this week.
It has received warm reviews from critics.
Jones told BBC Breakfast that with Jennifer Lawrence starring in The Hunger Games and Daisy Ridley as the joint lead in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, female action heroes are now "absolutely the norm".
She said: "It's a wonderful moment for cinema and there's a great appetite for female action hero leads.
"Going back to Sigourney Weaver in Alien, there's a great tradition of wonderful leading female heroes."
In her case, Jyn Erso was modelled on pop star Beyonce, Jones revealed.
"Beyonce is one of those women who has enormous power but is also not a diva," the actress said.
"She doesn't seem precious, and so she was definitely an inspiration for Jyn."
Jones also said she had watched Harrison Ford films, including his performances as Han Solo in Star Wars, and as Indiana Jones, in preparation.
"There's such an irreverence that he has and a playfulness that I wanted Jyn to have too," she said.
Jones said she identified most with Ford's character when watching the Star Wars films when growing up, and hopes young boys - as well as girls - will now identify with Jyn.
"I hope absolutely that young boys go and see the film, and young girls see the film, and that they both identify with the film.
"The characters are in a time of war, they're in a battle, they're not from privileged backgrounds, they are ordinary people who are fighting for their lives and I feel like you can't help but identify with them."
Rogue One brings to life the story told in the opening text that scrolls across the screen at the start of 1977's original Star Wars film, A New Hope.
"We wanted to be very true to those '70s films - the humour, the playfulness that they had," she said. "We literally watched them and thought, what can we do to make our film as good as those?"
Jones has made the leap to top billing in a Star Wars film after starting her career playing Emma Grundy (nee Carter) in BBC Radio 4's long-running agricultural soap opera The Archers.
And, somewhat controversially, she believes Archers fans are even more devoted than Star Wars fans.
"Nothing beats an Archers fans for their level of devotion. Nothing," she said.
"Because it is radio, obviously you conjure up an image of the character which is so powerful."
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Hamilton Academical player-manager Martin Canning believes the standard of refereeing is improving, despite recent high-profile controversies.

Craig Thomson awarded Celtic a disputed penalty in their win over St Johnstone, whose boss Tommy Wright felt his side were denied two spot-kicks.
And Andrew Dallas mistakenly booked a Hearts player after two Motherwell players collided on Saturday.
"I think it's slightly improving," said Canning of refereeing standards.
"The game is speeding up as well which makes it a little bit more difficult.
"The referees work hard and they generally do a good job.
"Everybody - including players - make mistakes in the game. Some of them are a little bit more obvious but it could take you watching it two or three times in slow-motion to see that it's a mistake that has been made. They are seeing it once in real-time.
"I know every referee will go on to the park wanting to do well, to come off knowing - like a player or a manager - that you have done a good job.
"I'm pretty sure when they make mistakes they are disappointed too.
"I'll never put pressure on referees or criticise because it is a hard job to do and they do it to the best of their ability. They don't set out to make mistakes."
Motherwell were unhappy with a red card shown to Carl McHugh in their 3-0 loss to Hearts.
The Fir Park club decided against lodging an appeal to challenge the dismissal, which took place before Hearts scored their opening goal.
However, Well have written to the Scottish FA asking the head of referees John Fleming to clarify guidelines surrounding serious foul play.
In their previous game, Scott McDonald was sent off for a challenge on Rangers' Kenny Miller and Motherwell's appeal against McDonald's red was rejected.
"From a club's point of view, given a fairly broad set of criteria has been issued by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) when judging a challenge during the intensity of a match, it's now so open to individual interpretation by each match official it could and has lead to significant inconsistencies across games," Motherwell said in a statement.
"Everyone involved in football understands that, at times, clubs will be on the end of honest mistakes or incorrect calls, it is part and parcel of the game. In addition, it is also acknowledged and accepted that match officials do not set the laws of the game, only enforce them.
"In addition, the club has also asked for, and has been granted, time with the Scottish FA's Head of Referee Operations to go through with the playing squads some of the recent examples which have merited a red card and those that, for what look like identical offences, have only been issued with a caution to explain what, if any, differences there are and detail fully what IFAB advise when considering excessive force.
"Motherwell FC very much appreciates this time and look forward to that meeting in the coming weeks."


Boss Paul Clement has enjoyed having time to prepare in pre-season after a frantic start to his Swansea career.

The former Bayern Munich assistant took over in January 2017 with Swansea bottom of the Premier League, but steered them to safety.
"It's a very different situation to when I came in last January," he said.
"We played Crystal Palace on my first day at the club, while three days later there was another fixture. There was no time to get to know the players."
Swansea travelled to America in pre-season, where they played Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union, and second tier clubs Richmond Kickers and North Carolina.
"This trip has proved a very valuable period for me," Clement told the club website.
"It's nice to go away in that environment where the pressure is lower, there's not so much emphasis on winning games but developing.
"The sessions have been hard and the games competitive. We will certainly benefit from it."
Swansea continue their pre-season with a match at Birmingham City on Saturday, 29 July, and begin the new Premier League campaign on 12 August with a trip to Southampton.


Scientists may be closer to revealing the route taken by Hannibal as he crossed to Alps to attack ancient Rome.

A team says they have found a churned up layer of soil at an Alpine pass near the French-Italian border that dates to the time of Hannibal's invasion.
In Archaeometry journal, they say the disturbed sediment was rich in microbes that are common in horse manure.
Hannibal's third century BC campaign is seen as one of the greatest military endeavours in antiquity.
He was commander-in-chief of the Carthaginian army during its second war with Rome (218-201 BC). Carthage was located in present-day Tunisia and was Rome's main military rival at the time.
In an audacious manoeuvre, Hannibal led about 30,000 troops, 15,000 horses and 37 elephants across the Alps to challenge Roman power on home soil.
It was very nearly a masterstroke: in a series of battles, the Carthaginians brought the Roman military to its knees. But Hannibal was ultimately defeated at the battle of Zama in 202 BC.
Historians, statesmen and academics have long argued about the route Hannibal took across the Alps. Firm archaeological evidence has been difficult to find.
But an international team has now argued that the military commander led his troops across the Col de Traversette mountain pass at an altitude of 3,000m.
The results may not yet be a smoking gun, but the researchers are hopeful of finding other evidence from the deposit, such as tapeworm eggs from horses - or even elephants.
They found a churned-up mass of sediment in a 1m-thick mire at Col de Traversette that could be directly dated to the time of the invasion.
Dr Chris Allen, from Queen's University Belfast, said the layer had been produced by "the constant movement of thousands of animals and humans".
"Over 70% of the microbes in horse manure are from a group known as the Clostridia, that are very stable in soil - surviving for thousands of years," he said.
"We found scientifically significant evidence of these same bugs in a genetic microbial signature precisely dating to the time of the Punic invasion."
This crossing point was first proposed over a half century ago by the British biologist Sir Gavin de Beer, but it has not been widely accepted by the academic community.


The health system in the UK cannot cope with the rising number of under-65s with long-term medical conditions and needs "radical change", says a study in The Lancet.

A team of researchers analysing 1.75 million people in Scotland found that nearly a quarter had two or more chronic diseases.
Their care was often co-ordinated poorly and inefficient, the study said.
The team wants a more personal approach to patients with complex problems.
At present, healthcare services, medical research and the education of medical students are dominated by a focus on individual diseases, the study authors say.
Yet rising numbers of people are living with more than two long-term disorders, called "multimorbidity", which could include coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and depression.
In general, people with multimorbidity are more likely to live in deprived areas and have a poorer quality of life. Their care is fragmented because they see a number of different specialists.
The study
, led by Bruce Guthrie, professor of primary care medicine at Dundee University, Professor Stewart Mercer, of Glasgow University, and Graham Watt, professor of general practice at Glasgow, says this approach should change.
"Existing approaches need to be complemented by support for the work of generalists, providing continuity, co-ordination, and above all a personal approach for people with multimorbidity."
Their study of nearly two million patients registered with 314 medical practices in Scotland showed that people living in the most deprived areas were particularly affected by long-term physical and mental disorders.
These disorders were more common among poorer communities and occurred 10-to-15 years earlier than among those living in affluent areas.
The study looked for 40 chronic conditions among the participants' data.
Researchers found that 42% of patients had one or more conditions and 23% had two or more.
It also found that only 9% of those with coronary heart disease, had that one disease alone.
Similarly, only 23% of those with cancer, had only cancer and no other long-term disease.
Although the prevalence of multimorbidity increased with age and was present in most people aged over 65, the actual number of people with multimorbidity was higher in those under 65, the study said.
Graham Watt, professor of general practice at Glasgow University, said this was a problem affecting many countries, not just Scotland.
"Any country with an ageing population is heading in this direction. All these countries are waking up to the problem.
"The status quo isn't an option because it leads in the wrong direction."
Prof Watt said that rather than more specialists, patients with multiple conditions "need someone who can oversee all the problems of a patient".
"These patients need continuity, and we need ways of measuring how well care is joined-up."
In an accompanying article in The Lancet, Dr Chris Salisbury, from the School of Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol, said the increasing proportion of people with several co-existing medical problems had a financial impact.
"Expenditure on health care rises almost exponentially with the number of chronic disorders that an individual has, so increasing multimorbidity generates financial pressures. This economic burden heightens the need to manage people with several chronic illnesses in more efficient ways," said Dr Salisbury.
Dr Salisbury suggests that general practitioners in more deprived areas should have lower caseloads to account for higher levels of multiple morbidity.
He also says that in hospitals, those with multimorbidity should be assigned to a generalist consultant who would be responsible for co-ordinating their care.
The Scottish Government's Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "We are working in partnership with NHS, primary-care providers and patients, as well as the research community, so that we have effective systems in place to address the needs of people with multiple health conditions and to reduce these health inequalities."
A spokesperson from the Department of Health said the changes to the NHS and social care system in England were aiming to focus care on individual needs.
"This includes proper management of people's conditions in their own homes and in the community, in order to minimise unnecessary and avoidable visits to hospital.
"Greater use of telehealth and a focus on prevention will help people care for themselves and manage their conditions better.
"Our reforms are improving integration of health and social care services, ensuring each individual is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve."


A new state-of-the-art medical research facility, which houses a powerful MRI scanner, is to be officially opened.

The University of Glasgow's £32m Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) aims to bring clinical academics together with industry to improve patient care.
It is the first time a 7 Tesla MRI scanner will be used in the UK in a clinical setting.
It will be used to improve treatment for conditions such as stroke, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The facility was built in collaboration with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), with £16m of funding from the Medical Research Council and Glasgow City Region City Deal.
The project is expected to bring 396 new jobs to the city over a seven year period, contributing about £88m to the local economy.
The 7 Tesla MRI scanner was delivered to the site last November. A giant crane eased the 18-tonne device down an alleyway with inches to spare on each side, then through a hole in the wall of the new building.
The building will also house the Clinical Innovation Zone to help biomedical companies improve healthcare technology through collaborative work.
There willl be a further floor of neuro-operating theatres, which will be funded by the NHS GGC.
Prof Dame Anna Dominiczak, of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, said it would be a "world-leading" example of a precision medicine centre.
"The ICE isn't about ivory tower research," she said.
"It is about bringing world-leading clinical academics together with industry to collaborate and to create something that not only positively benefits patients but also brings a meaningful economic benefit as well."
Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety said the facility was a great example of how the Glasgow City Region City Deal was helping to reinforce Glasgow's global reputation, while also delivering economic and social benefits.
Principal of the university, Prof Anton Muscatelli, said: "ICE exemplifies the university's goal to create visionary buildings that promote interaction with industry and other key stakeholders, bringing inspiring people together in a world-class environment to share knowledge that can ultimately change the world."


More than 500 children have been identified as potential victims of online sexual abuse during a major investigation by Police Scotland.

The force said 30 million indecent images were seized and 77 people had been charged during Operation Lattise.
The charges include rape, sharing indecent images of children and grooming for sexual purposes.
Of the 523 potential victims, some as young as three, 122 have been referred to child protection services.
The operation, which involved 134 separate investigations, was carried out between the 6 June and 15 July.
Police said child victims had been found after the homes of 83 suspects were searched and 547 computers and other devices seized during the five-week operation.
Almost 400 charges have been brought so far, including rape, sharing indecent images of children, grooming for sexual purposes, sexual extortion, indecent communication with children, possession of a firearm, bestiality and drugs offences.
In one instance, a computer that featured 10 million images depicting child abuse was found. Police Scotland said it would take four full-time officers six months just to view the number of images uncovered.
30 million
Images of abuse recovered
523 potential child victims
122 referred to child protection
83 suspects' homes searched
77 people arrested and charged
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, who led the investigation, said: "This is not sexting in terms of people sending abusive messages to each other.
"This is children being sexually abused and these images being shared.
"It is about real victims in Scotland and elsewhere. It's about these horrific acts which ruin people's lives and we need to make sure that stops."
Mr Graham called on parents and carers to be "alert" but not alarmed and said there were people in society who used technology to identify children who may be vulnerable to exploitation.
The investigation involved officers analysing in excess of 100,000 online chat logs.
Examination of one device led officers to conclude that one adult suspect had been sexually communicating with more than 110 children and young people.
Det Insp Andy McWilliam, who was also involved in the investigation, said that new technology meant there was no way for perpetrators to hide or erase what they had done online.
He said: "Whether they throw the computer in the bath or not, we can find what they have looked at. And we can use covert technology to identify who you are and where you are.
"These individuals want to be wherever children are. They are using websites, chatrooms and forums.
"These men - and it is predominantly men - are using the profiles of younger children to groom them and offend against them."
Police are also working with young people and parents to help raise awareness of the potential dangers of the internet.
They said a key aim was to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
Figures from Police Scotland have shown that the number of recorded offences are growing each year.
In 2014-15, there were 23 offences of grooming children for the purposes of sexual offences. Last year it was 50 - an increase of 117%.
The offence of taking, distributing or possessing indecent images of children increased from 605 in 2014-15 to 645.
NSPCC Scotland policy and public affairs manager Joanna Barrett said the charity was becoming increasingly concerned about the harm caused to children through online activity.
She said too many children were being exposed to dangerous and harmful content through the internet or were subjected to online harassment, grooming and sexual exploitation.
She said: "We recently highlighted how the internet is playing an increasing role in the sexual abuse of younger children in Scotland, with a 60% rise recorded over a year in the number of indecent communications offences carried out by adults against children aged under 13."
Early years minister Mark McDonald said the Police Scotland operation would help the government hone future child protection programmes.
He added: "Children and young people should be able to enjoy and learn from the internet, but we also want them to stay in control and know what to do and who to go to if they feel at risk.
"Keeping children safe is a priority for both Police Scotland and the Scottish government, so although there are many positive aspects to the online world I recognise, there are also risks we have to be aware of."


The supermarket chain Morrisons is to revive the Safeway name for some of the food it makes for independent retailers.

From next year the name will be put on hundreds of fresh food products which it makes and supplies wholesale.
Morrisons bought the Safeway supermarkets for Â£3bn in 2004 and then rebranded or sold the 479 stores.
The company is also going to pilot 10 more Morrisons Daily convenience shops in petrol garages.
The move comes just a year after the supermarket group sold its struggling 140-strong convenience store chain, M Local.
Announcing the new strategy, which it said would be "capital light", the company said: "The re-introduction of the Safeway brand will enable Morrisons to leverage its sourcing and unique food maker skills to give independent retailers' customers access to great quality products."
"The UK convenience market is very broad and diverse, with around three-quarters held by independents," it explained.
The new Safeway-branded products will not be sold in Morrisons' own stores.


Lowly Southport marked their first game under new boss Steve Burr by battling back from a goal down to claim a draw at Eastleigh.

The Sandgrounders sacked Andy Bishop after a miserable run of four defeats in their last five games although there appeared to be more defensive resilience under Burr as they repelled their opponents in a dour first half.
Eastleigh continued to put the pressure on after the interval and their persistence paid off when a low cross was half cleared, and Mikael Mandron curled into the top corner in the 51st minute.
The hosts continued to dominate but their failure to score a second came back to haunt them as James Gray equalised almost immediately after coming off the bench by converting James Caton's cross in the 71st minute.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, Eastleigh 1, Southport 1.
Second Half ends, Eastleigh 1, Southport 1.
Substitution, Eastleigh. Ryan Bird replaces James Constable.
Substitution, Southport. Ross White replaces Neil Ashton.
Substitution, Eastleigh. Luke Coulson replaces Adam Dawson.
Goal!  Eastleigh 1, Southport 1. James Gray (Southport).
Substitution, Southport. James Gray replaces John Cofie.
Mikael Mandron (Eastleigh) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Southport. James Caton replaces Andrai Jones.
Goal!  Eastleigh 1, Southport 0. Mikael Mandron (Eastleigh).
Second Half begins Eastleigh 0, Southport 0.
First Half ends, Eastleigh 0, Southport 0.
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.


Universities have been told to deal more fairly with students by the Competition and Markets Authority.

Some "still have work to do" to fully comply with consumer protection law, says CMA senior consumer director Nisha Arora in an open letter.
The CMA has already "taken targeted action" to improve practices at three universities, the letter to all higher education providers says.
The government must "hold universities to account", said consumer group Which?
In March last year, the CMA set out how universities should comply with consumer law.
This included providing information to allow students to compare courses, and some institutions were asked to amend their practices accordingly.
In October, the CMA began a review of institutions to check their compliance with the rules.
After taking soundings within the sector, the review focused on 25 for closer study.
Of these, three were singled out for improvements, says the CMA.
For example:
There were many examples of positive changes, the review found, including:
The review warns that universities could be in breach of consumer law for the wording of contract clauses which:
In the letter, Ms Arora says that the CMA has not reviewed all higher education providers so these concerns may be prevalent in the sector.
She therefore urges universities to review and change their contracts and policies to make sure they comply with the law.
In a statement, she welcomed the "constructive" commitments made by the three universities and the action taken by other institutions to improve their compliance with consumer protection law following last year's review.
"For most students going to university is an expensive, once-in-a-lifetime event and one where they should receive the best possible experience," said Ms Arora.
Alex Neill, director of policy and campaigns at Which? said choosing a university was one of the biggest decisions young people make, "yet they often struggle to find the information to enable them to make an informed choice".
"The CMA's investigation shows that while some universities are taking steps in the right direction, others still have a way to go.
"The government must ensure that all universities comply with consumer law and give the proposed new Office for Students the powers it needs to hold universities to account who fail to do so," said Ms Neill.
Professor Rebecca Bunting, vice-chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, said it had been contacted by the CMA in March 2016 and asked that it address "a number of questions around our compliance with consumer rights law in relation to documents published on our website".
Prof Bunting added: "This process has provided the university with a constructive opportunity to ensure our policies and procedures are fully up to date and in compliance with the relevant legislation."
A Buckingham University spokeswoman said it was confident that its contracts, complaints procedures and information to students were now fully consistent with CMA guidance.
A Birkbeck spokesman said the university was "committed to providing clear and accurate information for applicants and students and has been happy to work constructively with the CMA to give even greater clarity".


Archaeologists are preparing for the first ever excavation of an ancient hillfort in Lochaber.

Dun Deardail was constructed on a prominent knoll on Sgorr Chalum, a hill overlooking the River Nevis in Glen Nevis.
AOC Archaeology, which will lead volunteers in the dig, has described the site as "enigmatic".
Little is known about the origins of the fort, who built it or when it was constructed.
The first phase in a three-year project will examine the defences.
They were vitrified, meaning stone and wood in the defensive walls were burned at a high temperature for a long time to fuse the stone together.
Examples of vitrified forts can be found across Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire.
The Lochaber site has never before been excavated or dated with any accuracy.
Forestry Commission Scotland, which is supporting the project, said it may have been constructed in the first millennium BC or first millennium AD.
The commission said the fort's name may suggest a link with an ancient Irish myth called Deirdre of the Sorrows.
The legend tells of a chieftain's daughter who was said to be so beautiful that kings, lords and warriors fought and died to try to win her hand in marriage.
Martin Cook, of AOC, said: "We are really looking forward to getting started at Dun Deardail.
"This promises to be a really exciting excavation, yielding the first evidence to confirm the date and nature of this enigmatic hillfort."
The first phase of the excavation will take place from 14 to 28 August. Further digs are planned for 2016 and 2017.


The FBI is investigating a second wave of threats to Jewish facilities across the US in the last month.

On Wednesday, 27 Jewish community centres in 17 US states reported receiving hoax bomb threats.
The telephone calls prompted evacuations, but no explosives were found or injuries reported.
No one has claimed responsibility for any of the calls, which first targeted 16 Jewish community centres in nine US states on 9 January.
German fury at Holocaust memorial remark
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the calls were both pre-recorded and live, and the suspect used voice-disguising technology,
The JCC Association of North America, a network of health and education centres, has been reviewing its security plans.
The FBI has not named any suspects or specified a possible motive.
But the law enforcement bureau said that along with the US justice department it was investigating possible civil rights violations in connection with the threats.
"The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence, and will ensure this matter is investigated in a fair, thorough and impartial manner," the statement said.
Paul Goldenberg, national director of the Secure Community Network, an organisation that advises Jewish groups on security, said the sheer volume of threats was startling.
"These are individuals or groups that want to disrupt our way of life," Mr Goldenberg said.
"We're not going to shut down institutions because of this."
The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish anti-bigotry organisation, said that though the threats did not appear credible, they should still be taken seriously.
The ADL says it has received reports of threats in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Delaware, Connecticut, Alabama, California, Maine, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, Texas and Kansas.


Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey has warned his players that his patience is being stretched after the Braidmen lost a 3-1 lead in Tuesday's 4-3 home Premiership defeat by Glenavon.

Greg Moorhouse's hat-trick saw Glenavon snatch victory but Jeffrey said all the opposition goals had been preventable.
"If the players aren't able to learn and eradicate the mistakes, then you've got to see how do you sort that out.
"That's usually when you look to bring other players in," added Jeffrey.
Jeffrey said that Ballymena's defensive short-comings would have been masked in Tuesday's thrilling contest but for the "stupendous and unbelievable display" of Glenavon goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey.
Relive Tuesday night's Premiership action
"He made save after save after save after save and the simple difference between the teams was Jonathan.
"But I've actually looked at all four (Glenavon) goals and they were all preventable and we keep saying that.
"There was at least one if not two mistakes, within all the goals that we conceded.
"And with the greatest of respect, Glenavon did not have to work overly hard to score their goals."
Following Tuesday's "frustrating" defeat, Jeffrey repeated his season-long mantra that his task at Ballymena is a "work in progress" but in the next breath acknowledged that he may be busy during the remainder of the current transfer window.
"Now is the time we have got to take a little bit of a closer look.
"We have got this far on the journey, how do we kick on?
"We're learning all the time about players. We'll see where that journey takes us."


Four hillwalkers who got into difficulties during severe weather on Ben Lomond have been rescued.

Two were picked up by a coastguard helicopter high up on the 3,196ft (974 metre) Munro.
Lomond Mountain Rescue Team located two others on the lower slopes.
Mountain weather forecasters were predicting winds of up to 80mph with frequent snow showers at summit level in western Scotland for Wednesday.


Australia all-rounder Dan Christian will rejoin Nottinghamshire as their overseas player for the T20 Blast.

Christian, 32, took four wickets and scored 65 runs at strike rate of 127.45 in last summer's competition.
He initially moved to Notts to replace Darren Sammy and extended his stay to include seven One-Day Cup games, taking nine wickets and scoring 251 runs.
"He got better and better over the course of his time with us," said director of cricket Mick Newell.
"We'll use him in a different role in Twenty20 cricket, higher up the order where he can make more of a batting impact."
Christian, who is playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash competition, played the last of his 34 limited-overs internationals in April 2014.
Playing for the Hurricanes in December, he hit a remarkable 117-metre six onto the roof of the Gabba against his former side Brisbane Heat.


Germany has unveiled plans to speed up the asylum process, after the governing coalition resolved a rift on the issue.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said they would create up to five special centres for asylum-seekers deemed to have little chance of staying.
Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrats and junior coalition partners the Social Democrats have quarrelled for weeks over the issue.
Germany says it expects to receive at least 800,000 asylum seekers this year.
Earlier, the European Commission said that three million migrants were likely to arrive in Europe by the end of 2017.
The huge influx of asylum seekers has caused political turmoil across the EU with member states disagreeing about how to deal with the crisis.
"We took a good and important step forward," said Mrs Merkel, whose open-door refugee policy has come in for strong criticism in Germany.
The five special centres would hold migrants from countries deemed safe; those barred from re-entering Germany; and those refusing to co-operate.
In an accelerated asylum process, cases could be heard in a week, not months, and appeals would take only a further two weeks. Most could expect to be deported.
At a news conference, Mrs Merkel and Social Democrat leader Sigmar Gabriel also stressed the importance of tackling the reasons causing people to flee their countries and of securing the EU's external borders.
The UN says the onset of bad weather has failed to stem the flow of migrants risking perilous sea journeys to Europe.
Peter Sutherland, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special representative on migration, told the BBC that the Syrian war was "driving people to desperation in terms of leaving and it will continue in its effects".
Conflicts and abuses in Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Somalia are also driving people towards Europe.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.


Swimmers have been urged to stay away from Brighton beach on Christmas Day because of safety fears.

The council said the area around Brighton Pier would be closed on Friday to stop people entering the water.
Brighton Swimming Club said it was a shame the traditional swim had been halted but "safety first" was key.
It said the beach was particularly "high risk" to swimmers because of the way the shingle dropped away.
The club annual swim, which dates back to 1860, has been cancelled a number of times in recent years because members of the public have wanted to join in.
City councillor Robert Nemeth initially challenged fellow council members to a festive dip on Twitter but later said "appalling weather" meant conditions would not be safe.
Fiona Southwell, from the Brighton Swimming Club, said: "Our hands are tied.
"They've [the council] done the same again this year and having looked at the predicted forecast, it's probably the wisest thing to do.
"It needed to be a public event and they can't afford that.
"It would cost thousands of pounds to have frogman and keep swimmers safe."
A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We're going to be discouraging people from swimming at this time of year because it's so dangerous and especially if they have been drinking."
The Met Office has forecast rain in the morning with showers persisting throughout the day towards the coast. Temperatures are also expected to drop.


League One side Bradford have signed Newcastle midfielder Alex Gilliead on loan until the end of the season.

Gilliead recently returned to Newcastle from a loan spell at League Two club Luton, where he scored two goals in 21 games in all competitions.
The 20-year-old, who has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Magpies, spent last season on loan at Carlisle.
He is Bradford's second signing of the transfer window, following the arrival of Birmingham striker Alex Jones.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page or visit our Premier League tracker here.


Crystal Palace remain without forwards Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako against Manchester City despite their Africa Cup of Nations involvement ending.

Striker Fraizer Campbell and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda are back in training, but Scott Dann (hamstring) and Julian Speroni (knee) are doubts.
City captain Vincent Kompany, who has not played since November because of a knee injury, is fit.
Teenage Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus is in contention to make his first start.
City beat Palace away in the league in November, with Yaya Toure scoring twice on his shock return to the team - in Kompany's most recent appearance.
The Londoners are 18th in the table, two points adrift of a position of safety.
"It was a really tough game," City boss Pep Guardiola said. "It was one of the worst games that we played this season but we won and when that happens everything is perfect, but we didn't play good.
"We expect a tough game in the FA Cup. Every game is complicated, so it will be tough - the stadium, Palace's situation, because it's away."
Palace boss Sam Allardyce said: "We're not converting chances at the moment. My priority is stopping the goals going in the net.
"Whatever team Pep puts out will be full of international players of the highest calibre. It will be a hugely difficult game. The key to beating any big side is what you do after defending well, what you do with your possession."