Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

Andrew Segal
BBC News

A trial is under way to see if an algae that blooms in Jersey in the summer months can be turned into compost.

Officers have begun piloting a scheme to tackle the build-up of sea lettuce, a common edible green algae, which can build up in large clumps and release a foul smell.

The trial involves collecting it with a modified rake and taking it to La Collette's green waste site "where controlled tests are being undertaken to see if it can be successfully composted along with other green waste".

The States said that more than 165 tonnes of sea lettuce had been collected from the shallow pool in St Aubin’s Bay since the trial started last month.

It will continue "throughout the summer, at the end of which it will be reviewed", it added.

Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis said: "We have been trying so hard over the years to improve the situation but a lot depends on what nature throws at us."

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

The president of Guernsey's Home Affairs Committee says she wants to see the evidence that backs up allegations of bullying that have been made against her.

Deputy Mary Lowe has hit back after a report into the governance of her Committee criticised her leadership.

It claims staff have been threatened and that they've witnessed oppressive behaviour from Deputy Lowe. She denies the allegations and said her requests to see the evidence had been denied.

But Professor Catherine Staite (pictured), who wrote the report, claimed the committee had refused to accept evidence that had been put to it.

She said there were at least three sources of evidence for all the claims made in the report.

She added that she had done a number of these kind of reports and Home Affairs had been one of the most resistant bodies to work with.

Andrew Segal
BBC News

Four men have been charged with importing drugs following the seizure of substances believed to have been brought to Jersey from England in a 37ft-long yacht, officials say.

Jersey States said 5kg of suspected cannabis, 2kg of suspected MDMA powder, 2kg of suspected MDMA tablets and 1kg of suspected cocaine were seized in St Catherine’s Bay on Friday.

The States said the seizure was made following a joint operation between Jersey customs officers, island police, UK Border Force Maritime Command and French customs officials.

The suspected Class A and B drugs had an estimated street value of about £500,000, it added.

Three men from the UK, aged 44, 57 and 60, and a 25-year-old Jersey resident appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning in connection with the charges.

Image source, Jersey States

BBC Weather

Thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible for a time overnight on Monday to Tuesday, although these should move away later on. Gusty winds in heavier downpours.

Minimum temperature: 13 to 16C (55 to 61F).

Largely cloudy on Tuesday itself, with a few scattered showers moving in, perhaps occasionally heavy and thundery. Clouds breaking at times to allow more in the way of brighter spells.

Maximum temperature: 15 to 18C (59 to 64F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

The bank has frozen 8,000 Jersey-based accounts amid a crackdown on money laundering.

Evidence given to investigators says staff claim they were "denigrated" and "harassed" by Mary Lowe.

BBC Radio Jersey

A private pilot who had taken off from Jersey Airport had to avoid hitting a remote-controlled flying machine which was in his flight path.

As a safety precaution, Jersey Air Traffic Control immediately stopped all departures on Saturday for commercial and private flights while police and honorary officers investigated in Trinity, where the drone had been seen.

Six flights were delayed, affecting hundreds of passengers.

Regulations state that it is a criminal offence to fly a drone more than 400ft (122m) and within two nautical miles of the airfield without seeking permission from airport authorities.

The drone was flying at around 2,000ft (610m).

Officials have reported the incident to the European Aviation Safety Agency.

BBC Radio Jersey

Lloyds Bank has frozen the bank accounts of some customers in Jersey to comply with international anti-money laundering standards, it has confirmed.

Newspapers including the Financial Times, external are reporting that about 8,000 customers accounts are affected.

In a statement, Lloyds stressed that there was no implication that the customers had done anything wrong, but they did not respond when the bank asked them to verify personal details about themselves.

Dan Downs
Weather Forecaster

A rather wet Monday as showers move across the area, merging into more persistent bands of rain at times, with the chance of a few thunderstorms as well.

Maximum temperature: 14 to 17C (57 to 63F).