Eleven babies and one mother died as a result of maternity failings at Furness General Hospital between 2004 and 2013. A subsequent inquiry report identified 20 failings linked to the deaths. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the House of Commons that when things go wrong in the future "they will no longer be swept under the carpet". The inquiry into the Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust - led by Dr Bill Kirkup - found the maternity unit at Furness General had been "dysfunctional" with "substandard care" provided by staff "deficient in skills and knowledge". It also found working relationships between doctors and midwives were extremely poor, with midwives referring to themselves as "the musketeers" as they pursued normal childbirth "at any cost". Accepting the findings of Dr Kirkup's report, Mr Hunt said the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) would no longer be responsible for the statutory supervision of midwives in the UK. He said a decision had been made to move to a model of professional supervision similar to that of other health professionals. He also promised a new independent NHS patient safety investigation service would be set up by April 2016. Mr Hunt said a national review of maternity services would continue to look at how safe care could be delivered in geographically isolated areas. Welcoming Mr Hunt's comments, a spokesman for the NMC said: "As seen through the tragic events at Morecambe Bay, the current set up is open to conflicts of interest, which in not in the best interests of public protection."

Summary: Changes to the way midwives are supervised have been announced by the government in response to an inquiry into baby and mother deaths in Cumbria.


He was repeatedly asked by MPs for evidence of his claim and a Muslim group has made an official complaint. The 22 March bomb attacks at Brussels airport and Maelbeek metro station left 32 dead and hundreds more wounded. Separately a new report says one bomber worked at the airport for five years. Mr Jambon, whose centre-right nationalist New Flemish Alliance is the largest party in parliament, has been broadly criticised for telling a newspaper that a significant section of the Muslim community danced after the attacks, One political opponent, Katja Gabriels, warned him that a member of the government could not make such generalisations and insult a whole section of the community. Others called for facts and figures to back up his remarks. "For days now people are focusing on the word 'significant' and talking about how many instances, how many police reports etc. I'll tell you straight: I don't have police reports. There are some, but not many," Mr Jambon told MPs. "Everyone knows that these things happened. Do we have to wait for an official police report to confirm the existence of these facts?" He also reminded his colleagues that stones and bottles were thrown at police after they arrested Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, four days before the Brussels bombings. One police officer told Flemish TV that he had witnessed three separate incidents after the Brussels attacks of young people laughing and making a V-for-victory sign with their fingers. But he said he had not seen anyone dancing. Meanwhile a report citing sources by Flemish broadcaster VTM (in Dutch) said airport suicide bomber Najim Laachraoui had worked for five years for a company that operates at the facility until late 2012, shortly before he travelled to Syria to join so-called Islamic State. Laachraoui, 24, blew himself up with Ibrahim el-Bakraoui little over an hour before el-Bakraoui's brother, Khalid, attacked the metro with a suicide bombing in the heart of Brussels' European quarter. The federal prosecutor told the BBC it had no comment on the report "because we don't have this information". Laachraoui has emerged as the bomb and weapons expert in both the Paris and Brussels attacks. He would have had a security pass and would have known about airport security, VTM said. The report also spoke of a secret prayer room used by radicalised employees at the airport which was shut down by police shortly before the attacks. Separately, another of the Paris attacks suspects, Salah Abdeslam, was accused on Thursday of attempting to murder four police officers who were wounded in Brussels a week before the March bombings. Algerian Islamist Mohamed Belkaid was killed in a shootout when police raided a flat on 15 March, but Salah Abdeslam and another suspect, Amine Choukri, escaped. They were arrested three days later. Salah Abdeslam is expected to be extradited to France shortly, and the Belgian accusation is not expected to affect his transfer because he has not been placed under an arrest warrant.

Summary: Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon has come under fire for saying that a "significant part of the Muslim community danced" in response to the Brussels bomb attacks.


The Nottinghamshire born athlete, who is a double amputee, set off from John O'Groats in August and headed into Land's End on Monday. The 37-year-old 200m sprinter, who began his career as a marathon runner, said the task had been five years in the planning. He said the challenge had been "an epic journey". "I'm really tired. It has been really tough the last couple of days," he said. "Cornwall is really hilly and the energy levels are wacked at the moment. But I have had a great team around me who have supported me. "It has been awesome to see people on the way and the support online as well." Richard Runs Britain has raised £105,000 for charities Sarcoma UK and Scope, considerably less than his £1m target. He asked people to run with him at certain points and was joined by several athletes and celebrities along the way. Whitehead said he had been inspired by amputee and sarcoma cancer sufferer Terry Fox, who attempted to run across Canada in 1980. He added: "Unfortunately he didn't reach his destination but he inspired me to start running myself and after last year's success at the Paralympics I got this once in a lifetime opportunity up and going, and here we are." Before his challenge Whitehead said he had wanted to reach out to people of all ages and abilities and encourage people into sport as part of the legacy of the Olympics and Paralympics. He was joined for the last two days of the journey by his wife and seven-month-old daughter.

Summary: Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead has completed 40 marathons in 40 days.


The same formula protects humans and badgers from TB - but a supply shortage has seen use of the badger vaccine suspended to prioritise human health. The Sussex Badger Vaccination Project (SBVP) said work would still continue. Director Trevor Weeks said badgers would retain some immunity against bovine TB, which affects cattle. Mr Weeks said volunteers, who began vaccinating badgers in 2014, had to carry out site surveys, paperwork and mapping before vaccinations could take place and they saw this as an opportunity. He said the big problem for SBVP was lack of time and added: "We are very much going to use this to our advantage." Both SBVP and the Badger Trust have said they do not want to see renewed calls for a badger cull because of the lack of vaccines. Dominic Dyer, chief executive of the Badger Trust, which has its headquarters in East Grinstead, said the charity had called on the National Farmers Union (NFU), National Trust and Wildlife Trust to support continued vaccinations. James Osman, from the Sussex NFU, said the suspension of vaccines was disappointing but the organisation still saw culling as a "vital part of the toolbox" of measures to tackle bovine TB. He said bovine TB levels remained lower in Sussex but it was still "endemic" with some farms still closed down. Last month, Defra said nearly 1,500 badgers were killed in 2015 as part of the government's cull in the South West and more than half of England was expected to be free of the disease by 2019. Campaigners claim there is no evidence killing badgers reduces levels of the disease in cattle.

Summary: Badger vaccination volunteers will spend a year surveying and mapping sites after a vaccine shortage forced them to halt jabs for the rest of 2016.


Jason Roy hit 59 and Alex Hales 40, putting on 92 for the first wicket inside seven overs in Abu Dhabi. Although the tourists faltered as they posted 174-6, the UAE managed only 95-9 in reply, with off-spinner Moeen Ali taking 4-11 and Chris Jordan 2-14. The first T20 of the three-match series is in Dubai on Thursday at 16:00 GMT. Eoin Morgan's side are building towards the World Twenty20 in India, which starts in March 2016. Pakistan won the Test series 2-0 before England took the one-day series 3-1.

Summary: England eased to a 79-run win over the United Arab Emirates in their only warm-up game before the Twenty20 series against Pakistan.


Tips on how to push students to sign up for expensive courses were included in records released during a class-action lawsuit against Trump University. Mr Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has denied that the school misled students. But Hillary Clinton described the venture as a "fraudulent scheme". Mrs Clinton, who leads to race to be the Democratic nominee, said the former school was "used to prey upon those who could least afford it". The now defunct for profit school is at the centre of two class-action lawsuits in San Diego, California, alleging the company scammed students by failing to deliver on promises to impart Mr Trump's secrets of real estate success. Former students say they were misled by adverts claiming Mr Trump had "hand-picked" teachers and "overseen" the curriculum. The billionaire businessman continues to maintain the majority of his customers were satisfied with the real estate programme. The documents were released following an order by US District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel. The judge ruled that the files were in the public interest since Mr Trump had become "the front-runner in the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential race". Trump University was launched in 2004 as a business venture under the Trump brand, offering courses in entrepreneurship. The extent of Mr Trump's involvement in the scheme is a key point on contention. The trove of documents include manuals or "playbooks" for employees outlining how to "close the deal" and convince students to invest in business seminars that cost up to nearly $35,000 (Â£24,288). The "playbooks" also advised sales staff on how to speak to reporters, how to dress and run Trump University events, as well as how to identify students with the most liquid assets. The unsealed files also included depositions from executives describing how the operation worked. They also included statements from employees describing the program a "scam". Former staff member Ronald Schnackenberg wrote that he left Trump University in 2007, citing the program used "misleading, fraudulent and dishonest" tactics. The previously unseen testimony from Trump University executives goes some way to show Mr Trump's level of involvement in the school's marketing strategy. Michael Sexton, Trump University president, said in a 2012 deposition that Mr Trump offered "very good and substantive input" to the program's marketing materials. The documents were released in one of two class-action lawsuits in California against Trump University. In a separate civil lawsuit in New York, Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has alleged that Trump University used deceptive practices and misled students about the support they would get. Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing. A judge has said the $40m case in New York could proceed to trial, but Mr Trump has appealed the ruling. The San Diego case involving the released documents is expected to go to trial in late November, just weeks after the US presidential election. Mr Trump could be called to testify. But he is not the only presidential candidate marred by legal dispute. His Democratic opponent, Mrs Clinton, remains embroiled in an investigation over her use of private email while serving as

Summary: Court documents have revealed aggressive sales tactics employed by staff at Donald Trump's now defunct investment school.


Despite being relegated to League One, Mowbray says that he has the backing of Blackburn's owners, Venky's. "They've been very supportive and I think they are going to give us some financial support, to ensure that we have a very strong season next year," he told BBC Radio Lancashire. "They are basically telling me that those decisions will be mine. There is no pressure to sell any players." Mowbray replaced Owen Coyle as manager at Ewood Park in February, but could not save Rovers from being relegated from the Championship on the final day. The 53-year-old has experience of managing in the third tier having been in charge at Coventry City before Blackburn. "What I know now is it's a really difficult league," he added. "There are some big strong powerful men in that league. It's a job for men, not for boys, which I found out at Coventry City."

Summary: Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray says he is under no pressure to sell players.


DeFranco's family said the musician died on Wednesday evening at a Florida hospital. His wife, Joyce, said his health had been poor in recent years. DeFranco, a member of the American Jazz Hall of Fame, performed at venues around the world for 75 years and also recorded many albums. The musician conducted the Glenn Miller Orchestra for eight years from 1966 to 1974. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and and later a Living Jazz Legend in a Kennedy Center ceremony. And DeFranco won the Playboy All-Star award for top jazz clarinettist in the world 16 times. "We have received condolences from around the world," DeFranco's wife told AP. She said her husband's influence on music will last long beyond his lifetime. Leading jazz clarinettist Ken Peplowski said: "Buddy DeFranco almost single-handedly was the clarinettist who moved the harmonic and rhythmic language forward from where Benny Goodman left off into the much more adventurous territory of bebop and beyond, while never forgetting his roots in swing music. "He was also unfailingly kind and supportive to every other clarinettist who came after him." Other top music stars he played with included Art Tatum, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. Originally named Boniface Ferdinand Leonardo De Franco, the musician was born in Camden, New Jersey, but raised in south Philadelphia. He learned to play the mandolin at five, and took up the clarinet four years later. He began his career as a teenager in Philadelphia and he went on to play with some of the major bands of his era including ones led by Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Gene Krupa and Charlie Barnett. Later, composer Nelson Riddle was so impressed by DeFranco he wrote the musical Cross Country Suite in 1958 for him. Legendary singer Nat King Cole, also introduced DeFranco when he premiered the work at the Hollywood Bowl. Now, the annual Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival is held each spring at the University of Montana. DeFranco's family have asked that contributions in his memory be given to the festival so it can continue. As well as his wife Joyce, the clarinettist is survived by his son Chad DeFranco.

Summary: Renowned jazz clarinettist Buddy DeFranco, known for working with Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday and other well-known musicians, has died aged 91.


At least 48 people died in Nepal and 1,100 were hurt in Tuesday's 7.3 magnitude quake, with fears the figures could rise. At least 17 died in India. A US aid helicopter is also missing, with eight people on board. Thousands of Nepalis spent the night in the open. Many have not returned to their homes since a 7.8 magnitude quake on 25 April that killed over 8,000. Tuesday's earthquake was centred about 76km (47 miles) east of the capital, Kathmandu, near the town of Namche Bazaar. A second tremor of 6.3-magnitude hit Nepal 30 minutes later and numerous other aftershocks continued into Wednesday morning. The main quake was felt in northern India, Tibet and Bangladesh. India's home ministry said 16 people had been killed in the state of Bihar, and one more in Uttar Pradesh. Officials in China said one person was confirmed dead in Tibet. Read eyewitness accounts of the quake Nepal's districts of Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk, east of the capital, were initially listed as the worst hit, with officials confirming 26 fatalities, 20 of them in the town of Charikot. But the true extent of the casualties and damage remains unclear. Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam said: "Many houses have collapsed in Dolakha... there is a chance that the number of dead from the district will go up." Regine Kopplow, a German aid worker in Charikot said: "I saw a woman in the building opposite jump from the third floor who suffered injuries to her leg, elbow and hand. "People stayed outside, the shaking continued. Some people were crying, hugging each other." The US military said a Marine Corps Huey helicopter involved in disaster relief efforts had gone missing while working in the vicinity of Charikot. The Pentagon said there were six US Marines and two Nepali soldiers on board. It said there was as yet no sign of a crash and the craft may have landed safely, amid reports of fuel issues. The Red Cross said it had received reports of many casualties in the town of Chautara in Sindhupalchowk, where it has a hospital and which has become a hub for humanitarian aid. Spokeswoman Nichola Jones said: "Hundreds of people are pouring in. They are treating dozens for injuries and they have performed more than a dozen surgeries." At least two major buildings collapsed in Kathmandu, with at least three people rescued. But there have been other reports of landslides and fallen buildings in towns and villages outside the capital. Save the Children said Gorkha, close to the epicentre of the 25 April quake, had been hit by new landslides. A spokeswoman told the BBC its staff had been "dodging huge rocks rolling off the hillside". Residents of Namche Bazaar said there was some damage there but no reports of deaths. The BBC's Navin Singh Khadka says local officials in the Everest region report very few tourists are still in the area following the 25 April quake. Many residents of the capital and other towns spent Tuesday night outdoors, too scared to return to homes. Dipak Koirala,

Summary: Rescue work is set to resume to find victims and survivors of the latest deadly earthquake to hit Nepal.


US national Joshua Samuel Aaron, 32, was held at New York's JFK airport and will appear in court on Thursday. He is one of three men accused of illegally accessing the personal information of 100 million people in 2012-15. Twelve major institutions were victims of the hacking, including JPMorgan. Mr Aaron had been a fugitive living in Moscow, but flew to the US voluntarily to face the charges, his lawyer said. In a statement on Wednesday, US Attorney Preet Bharara said: "Joshua Samuel Aaron allegedly worked to hack into the networks of dozens of American companies, ultimately leading to the largest theft of personal information from US financial institutions ever." The other two suspects are Israeli men: Gery Shalon and Ziv Orenstein. They were arrested in Israel in July 2015, and extradited to the US in June 2016. All three men were charged in November 2015. They allegedly manipulated stock prices by selling shares of companies to individuals whose contact information they had stolen. The men were also charged with running an illegal payment processing business that they used to collect $18m (Â£14.3m) in fees. Prosecutors claim the men hacked into competitors' systems to spy on them and then hacked into a credit card company investigating their payment processing business in order to avoid detection. The company hit hardest by the breach was JPMorgan. More than 83 million of the bank's customers had data stolen in the breach.

Summary: FBI and US secret service agents have arrested a man charged with the largest cyber-attack of financial firms in America's history.


One firm received more than £5m despite winning a contract valued at less than £300,000, while another was paid more than £500,000 without bidding at all. Both are owned by former acquaintances of Southern Health NHS Trust's chief executive Katrina Percy. The trust said it took its financial responsibilities "very seriously". The BBC has also learned Southern Health has access to the services of former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, after it hired Portland Communications to help with its ongoing problems. Mental health trust Southern Health has been under intense scrutiny since an NHS England-commissioned report in December found it failed to investigate the unexpected deaths of hundreds of patients. A failure of leadership and governance at the trust was blamed for the problems, a conclusion a subsequent CQC report in April agreed with. In light of the criticisms, Katrina Percy, the only chief executive the trust has ever had, has faced widespread calls to resign but has refused to do so. 2006 - Management consultant Chris Martin and Katrina Percy start working together during her capacity as chief operating officer at Surrey and Sussex Hospitals 2009 - Ms Percy becomes chief executive of Hampshire Community Health Care and Mr Martin follows her, providing coaching and leadership support 2010 - Mr Martin starts a firm of organisational psychologists called Talent Works Ltd, whose website says they are "experts in culture and behaviour change" 2010 - In December, Southern Health advertises for management development support. The tender has a value of £288,000, and the contract is to last three years, with an option for a one year extension 2011 - Ms Percy joins Southern Health as chief executive and the work is awarded to Talent Works Ltd 2014 - The initial three year contract ends and the firm is paid £5.365m - an over-spend approaching 2,000%. The trust chooses to exercise its option for a one-year extension Now she is facing fresh questions about two former associates, Chris Martin and Paul Gray, whose companies were paid by Southern Health. Roy Lilley, former chairman of an NHS trust and now a health policy expert, said the overspend on Mr Martin's company was "extraordinary". He said: "It really doesn't look good, and it casts a deep shadow over the people involved and the way in which the trust has been run by the board." A former governor at Southern Health, John Green, who has a background in running quality management programmes, said he queried the work that Talent Works was doing at the trust. "I was fobbed off," Mr Green said. "I didn't get any information for well over a year. I believe the spending of public money in the NHS is nothing as accountable to the public as it should be." Paul Gray worked with Ms Percy as director of strategy at Hampshire Community Health Care and his firms made money from the trust without having to bid for a contract. In July 2009, he set up consultancy firm Consilium Strategy Consulting Ltd and in 2014 he formed a second company, Consilium Partners Ltd.

Summary: A troubled NHS trust has paid millions of pounds to companies owned by previous associates of its embattled chief executive, BBC News has learned.


The Independent Monitoring Board report said between September 2013 and August 2014 less-experienced officers were supported by fewer senior officers. Board chairman Nick Adams said he was concerned senior staff were leaving while cheaper employees are taken on. The Ministry of Justice said new prison officers were being trained. The spokesman said after receiving extensive training, they are mentored by an experienced staff member for at least a year. The report said there were also "significantly fewer" officers on each wing to care for and manage prisoners. It said the reduction of experienced supervising officers has had a "significant negative impact on the care and safety of prisoners". Observations by board inspectors suggest the "incidence of bullying, low-level violence and disobedience by prisoners has increased". Nick Adams, chairman of the monitoring board, said: "There have been very large cuts to budgets available to the prison service. "One way to reduce the cost is to pay off large numbers of experienced staff and employ younger people starting on lower salaries."

Summary: Budget cuts are leading to a large drop in the number of experienced officers at Chelmsford Prison, harming the care of inmates, a watchdog has warned.


It was the 1990s and Mr Rouhani was a post-graduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University. He once joked that he should divorce his wife so he'd stand a better chance of getting university accommodation as a single person, rather than requiring family rooms. At that time, he was also the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. But those who knew him say he readily accepted the more lowly status of a student. "He was on first (name) terms with fellow students," says Prof Hassan Amin, who has now retired from his post teaching law at Glasgow Caledonian University. "Many times he ate in the students' canteen and sometimes I would take him to the staff restaurant," he says. "People would come and sit down and I would introduce himâ€¦ and he would happily engage in a conversation with them." The thesis Mr Rouhani wrote for his PhD is called "The flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience." He did the research in Iran while continuing his political duties in Tehran. But he commuted regularly to Glasgow to meet his academic supervisors and discuss the progress he was making. Dr Mahdi Zahraa, who was one of Mr Rouhani's supervisors, remembers him as "a quiet-spoken, very gentle man", with whom he enjoyed "intelligent and challenging" conversations. His spoken English was good. "We had very different views on some matters, on others we found that we held similar opinions," he said. "From our discussions, I ascertained that he had a modern and reformist approach to Shariah law." His thesis can still be brought out and read at the university library. "There has been quite a bit of press interest (in the thesis), interest from the public in general and quite a bit of interest from the Iranian community," says the library director, Robert Ruthven. "The thesis seems to show he has quite a flexible and perhaps modernising outlook." In the first line of the abstract, Dr Rouhani writes: "This thesis verifies that no laws in Islam are immutable." And he goes on to state: "The primary source of the Islamic law (the Quran) is in itself flexible on the basis of the analysis that the Quranic legislation leaves room for flexibility in the evaluation of its injunctions." Experts say this is not something new in recent Iranian thinking, but it does put him in the modernist or pragmatist camp. And while he's not regarded as a reformist, his victory in the election in June has raised expectations amongst the reformist groups which rallied around him that he will bring change to Iran. Since the election, Mr Rouhani has spoken of bringing moderation back to Iranian politics and being more transparent about Iran's nuclear programme, so what he called "cruel" sanctions imposed on Iran by the international community, can be lifted. And it seems his decision to study in Britain back in the 1990s, did to some extent reflect his more liberal outlook. "He chose Great Britain because he has respect for the legal system here, for the judiciary and also for

Summary: The cleric, Hassan Rouhani, who is being sworn-in as President of Iran this weekend, used to stroll the streets of the Scottish city, Glasgow, dressed in a smart business suit, his turban removed.


The bill does not ban pornography in the mainly Mormon state. However, it calls for greater "efforts to prevent pornography exposure and addiction". One group representing the adult entertainment industry attacked what it called "an old-fashioned morals bill". Pornography, the bill says, "perpetuates a sexually toxic environment" and "is contributing to the hypersexualisation of teens, and even prepubescent children, in our society". Further steps must be taken to change "education, prevention, research, and policy change at the community and societal level" against what it calls an epidemic, but it does not suggest how changes should be implemented. The bill was signed by Republican Governor Gary Herbert, who said the volume of pornography in society was "staggering". One 2009 study by Harvard Business School said that Utah was the state with the highest percentage of online porn subscribers in the US. Some studies have, however, indicated that porn may not be addictive. The bill was supported by the anti-porn campaign group Fight the New Drug. Reports have pointed out the group's founders are all members of the conservative Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon Church. Close to 63% of the state's residents are Mormon, but Fight the New Drug's leaders have denied working on behalf of the Mormon Church. The Free Speech Coalition, a porn industry association, called for more dialogue. "We should live in a society where sexuality is spoken about openly, and discussed in nuanced and educated ways, and not stigmatised," said Mike Stabile, a spokesman for the group. "We all should work together to prevent non-adults from accessing adult material."

Summary: The US state of Utah has become the first to declare pornography a public health risk in a move its governor says is to "protect our families and our young people".


At one point the drone was just 30m (100ft) from the plane which had to take evasive action to avoid a collision, officials said. A navy spokesman accused the Iranians of behaving in an "unsafe and unprofessional" manner. Tensions between the countries are high with the Gulf a potential flashpoint. US Naval Forces Central Command spokesman Commander Bill Urban said the incident happened in international air space as an F/A-18E Super Hornet was preparing to land on the USS Nimitz. Despite radio warnings to stay clear of the carrier, the drone carried out "unsafe and unprofessional" altitude changes near the jet, he said. "The dangerous manoeuvre by the QOM-1 [drone] in the known vicinity of fixed-wing flight operations and at coincident altitude with operating aircraft created a collision hazard and is not in keeping with international maritime customs and laws," Cdr Urban said. The incident is the latest in a series of close encounters in the Gulf between US and Iranian forces. In July, a US Navy ship fired warning shots at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessel after it came within 140m (450ft) and ignored radio calls. In January, a US destroyer fired three warning shots when Iranian fast-attack vessels approached at high speed in the Strait of Hormuz.

Summary: An Iranian drone has flown dangerously close to a US fighter jet as it was about to land on a carrier in the Gulf, the US Navy says.


Robert Norman, 54, is charged with misconduct in a public office while working at Belmarsh, a top-security prison in south-east London. He was allegedly paid more than Â£10,000 for 40 tips to reporter Stephen Moyes between 30 April 2006 and 1 May 2011. Mr Norman, of Swanscombe, Kent, denies the charge against him. Opening the case at the Old Bailey, prosecutor Julian Christopher QC said Mr Norman was an "extremely experienced" prison officer and a member of the Prison Officers Association, acting as union representative to colleagues. The court heard Mr Norman first phoned the Daily Mirror in 2006 and gave Mr Moyes a story about staff cuts at the prison, for which he was paid Â£400. The exclusive story described Belmarsh as a "terror prison" and ran alongside a photograph of one of its most notorious prisoners, radical preacher Abu Hamza al-Masri, the court heard. As the relationship developed, it became a "two-way affair" and Mr Norman carried on dealing with Mr Moyes when the journalist moved to the News of the World, the court heard. Mr Christopher said: "Sometimes Robert Norman would approach Stephen Moyes with something he thought would be of interest, at other times Stephen Moyes would approach Robert Norman for inside information about a topic in which he was interested, or for confirmation which he would not be able to get for free from the official channels at the Ministry of Justice press office. "Effectively, Robert Norman became the journalist's paid mole within HMP Belmarsh." The court heard that when Mr Norman was arrested in 2013 he maintained he had acted in the public interest as a whistleblower. Cheques for the stories were made out to Mr Norman's son Daniel and the money was then transferred into Mr Norman's account, showing he was "worried about the trouble he would get into" if found out, Mr Christopher said. The trial continues.

Summary: A prison officer became the "paid mole" of a reporter working at the Daily Mirror and News of the World over five years, a court has heard.


The first bird emerged at the Cors Dyfi reserve near Machynlleth on Friday, followed by a second on Sunday. The eggs were laid six weeks later than usual leading to concerns over whether the chicks would hatch. Parents Monty and Glesni set up home on a 30ft (9m) tall man-made nest on 3 May. They are one of only two known breeding pairs in Wales, with a second pair nesting near Croesor in the Glaslyn Valley. Staff and volunteers at the Cors Dyfi nature reserve had an anxious wait for the chicks who took 32 hours to emerge from their shells. Cracks in the first egg were spotted on Friday afternoon, with the bird finally hatching at about 21:00 BST. The second chick started chipping away from inside its egg on Saturday afternoon but did not hatch until 20:40 BST on Sunday. Monty and Glesni became a breeding pair for the first time this year after Monty's previous partner of two years, Nora, did not return from her African migration. Ospreys return from migration in late March or April and usually lay eggs two or three weeks later. But Monty and Glesni did not pair until 3 May and their two eggs were laid between 22 and 25 May - six weeks later than average. Alwyn Evans, of Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, said: "By the time Monty finally paired off with his new partner, Glesni, a three-year-old bird from Rutland Water, it was getting late in the season. "At that stage none of us knew if they would lay eggs, let alone whether they would hatch. "It's been an emotional weekend to say the least." Mr Evans said cracks in the second egg on Saturday were greeted with loud applause and shouting from visitors at the wildlife trust's osprey centre who had gathered to watch the birds hatch. Last month the wildlife trust said ospreys were still persecuted and egg collecting remained a problem in the UK. To protect the Powys eggs, more than 50 trust volunteers have worked 1,300 hours to ensure the nest has been watched 24 hours a day during the six-week incubation period. The first osprey chick in the Dyfi valley for 400 years hatched in 2011. Once prolific birds of prey in the UK, their numbers were drastically reduced in the 1840s after years of persecution, including egg collecting, hunting, taxidermy and loss of habitat. The Dyfi Osprey Project has been popular with tourists, with an average of about 30,000 people visiting the nesting site annually.

Summary: Two osprey chicks have hatched at a nature reserve in Powys despite fears their parents had paired up too late in the mating season.


The French port owners want to build a new berth and slipway, and deepen a channel to upgrade facilities. Businesses have welcomed the economic benefit but Sussex Wildlife Trust object to the loss of shingle habitat, and residents have said they will lose their only remaining sandy beach. Newhaven Port and Properties have not commented to the BBC. Helen Macaulay, from the town's chamber of commerce, said Newhaven needed more businesses and more jobs, and local concerns about infrastructure were being dealt with by the port. The plans include a nature reserve but Ian Hepburn, from Sussex Wildlife Trust, said the development would damage coastal shingle and species there including reptiles, invertebrates, breeding birds and plants. Former town councillor Rod Main said West Beach had already been closed by the port and this expansion would see the town lose its one other remaining area of sandy beach. Calling for West Beach to reopen, he added: "This company are just taking away every sandy beach we've got." A report submitted to Lewes council said the plans would help to regenerate Newhaven and create jobs, and the expansion would provide overspill space for the new Rampion wind farm. Officers said it was an opportunity to create a modern port, and the benefits outweighed harm such as the loss of sandy beach, impact on surf conditions, and effects on ecology and archaeology. The plans will be considered later.

Summary: Expansion plans put forward by Newhaven Port have been recommended for approval by Lewes councillors.


Media playback is not supported on this device Russia, Olympic silver medallists in 2008, led 10-7 after the first half and, although France fought back to 14-14, the Russians would not be denied. Norway, gold medallists at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, beat the Netherlands 36-26 to clinch the bronze medal. There could still be Olympic glory for France as their men's side - Olympic champions in 2008 and 2012 - play Denmark for the gold medal on Sunday. Find out how to get into handball with our special guide. Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.

Summary: Russia beat France 22-19 to win women's handball gold at Rio 2016.


Aidan, 16, who was born female, claims he was effectively excluded because Hereford Cathedral School refused to let him wear a boy's uniform. This was despite the support of his mother and the family's GP as he began his transition. The action is being taken under the 2010 Equality Act. The school said it would defend its position. Aidan said that when he came out as a boy his mother was "definitely heartbroken". "I feel like she had dreams of seeing her daughter getting married and having children," he said. "She definitely needed time to mourn and I needed to let her have that time." Source: Department for Education, The Equality Act 2010 and schools When he told the school he did not want to be addressed as a girl or wear girl's clothes, he claims staff said it was a "phase" that he would grow out of. He said he was told he was "attention seeking". "They didn't really take it seriously," he added. Mother Jackie described the school's treatment as "appalling". "They made my child out to be a freak and someone who would contaminate other students," she claimed. A letter from Aidan's mother to the school's chair of governors says she had no choice but to remove her son from the school after being told the school was "inadequately prepared to accommodate Aidan's needs and give him the high level of support and pastoral care that he deserves". The legal action is currently ongoing through the courts. It is understood part of the school's defence claims Aidan was withdrawn from the school by his family, prior to a final decision being made by them about whether his needs could be met. In a statement Hereford Cathedral School said: "The continued happiness, wellbeing and safety of our pupils is the top priority. "The family's grievances against the school are the subject of current legal proceedings. For that reason the school is unable to discuss any details relating to this matter at the present time, other than to state that it will defend its position in the proceedings." Note: The family wished to remain anonymous so names have been changed.

Summary: A transgender teenager is taking legal action against his former school for discrimination.


Gerald Jacob's family said he had retired last December and had been planning to "continue his life travelling" with partner. The incident at Loggerheads is believed to have happened on Saturday at 19:30 GMT. Police were alerted to the crash scene on Sunday just before midday. "Gerry, as we all knew him, loved life and lived it to the full," they said. North Wales Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident on Ruthin Road involving a grey BMW car which was found in a hedge.

Summary: A family has paid tribute to a "very special" 66-year-old man who died in a crash near Mold, Flintshire.


The target waiting time for referrals is 13 weeks, but some patients must wait considerably longer. The health and social services department tries to see patients within three months of being referred by their GP. For some problems, such as sports injuries, diabetes or general surgery, the average wait is about six months. Figures released by Jersey's health department show some patients referred to the hospital for bariatric surgery are having to wait over four years for treatment. Data released by the department has shown that less than a third of specialist areas have a waiting list longer than the target. But women needing to see a specialist before giving birth are able get an appointment right away after being referred by their GPs. People with back pain, adult mental illness or needing breast surgery, also have less than a month to wait before they are able to see a specialist.

Summary: People who need to see specialists at Jersey hospital for obesity problems face an average of a four-year wait.


"By the time you're 40 years old, you've learned a great deal, both professionally and personally, and made a lot of mistakes. And I think respect comes with age - people take you more seriously." It certainly worked for Johnson. It was as she was turning 40 that she set up the San Francisco-based product design company, Coupage, with her engineer husband. Business has been booming ever since. She is not alone, it seems. Many women entrepreneurs are waiting for the right moment, and are starting their businesses in their forties or beyond - as a second or even third career - having bided their time until they are absolutely ready. Having worked in product design and then in advertising, Raquel Johnson realised that she did not want to return to the corporate world after she had her younger daughter. It was challenging walking away from the "sure thing" of a steady salary, she says, but she also found it liberating. She has found her "true passion," she says. "Even the stress I feel now is more enjoyable," she explains cheerfully. "It motivates me and pushes me forward." Starting small, the business was run from home and was self-funded at first. "[When you are older] there is more opportunity for some savings to have accumulated," points out Johnson. "You don't have to take out large loans or search for funders right away." Having started with a prototype for a device to integrate an iPod into a car, Coupage has grown steadily, bringing ideas to life in the fields of audio, energy, cars and Apple-related products. "Once you reach your forties you have the confidence to follow your own path," says the US-born businesswoman, Karen Scofield, who set up her company when she was 46. A sense of humour is also important, she adds with a smile. In the early days, she had to run her firm, London-based fashion brand Lucza, single-handedly. It was all down to her, from technology mishaps and admin dramas to sudden, urgent errands, like dashing out to the shop to buy a copier cartridge. "Humour was definitely needed on that day," she laughs. All of which is a far cry from her previous career as a television executive in New York, working for a smooth-running corporate machine. When she moved to London with her husband and started a family, it was time to think again. But the skills she had learnt in TV - time and people management, organisation, as well as research and analysis - were highly transferable, she says: Some things, however, she is doing very differently from her old workplace. Her leadership style at Lucza is "inclusive," she says. "But the main difference is, now you are the boss, the final decision maker, which can be daunting. "You decide what is best and you must make these decisions with confidence." It is something she relishes. So what advice would Karen Scofield give to other entrepreneurs when the going gets tough? "You have to push yourself forward, set your own deadlines and keep going." The hard

Summary: "Timing is everything," says entrepreneur Raquel Johnson.


The plane took off at 12:40 and was bound for Hamburg, Germany, when it experienced a technical issue. It diverted to Newcastle Airport and landed safely at about 13:25, where it was met by emergency services. A spokeswoman for Easyjet said flight EZY6931 was diverted to Newcastle as a "precautionary measure" due to a technical issues. "The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers' guidelines," she added. "We apologise to passengers for the resulting delay."

Summary: An Easyjet plane has made an emergency landing shortly after taking off from Edinburgh Airport.


Tring School in Hertfordshire said the laptop devices will be brought into use from next year. But more than 100 people have signed an online petition against the plans. Headteacher Sue Collins said the school was having to manage an £800,000 per year cut in its budget from the government. The Chromebooks for Learning Scheme will affect hundreds of students at the school, which has more than 1,500 pupils aged from 11-19, with only years 11 and 13 exempt. There are two options available, a £149 model and a £185 model, although pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds can pay £20. The school said students "need to be prepared for an increasingly digital world". It is offering payment plans, but many parents and pupils said the devices should be provided by the school. The petition's organisers said people were being forced to pay when there were "perfectly good computers at the school". Ms Collins said she "wholeheartedly accepted" parents concerns but insisted the school was having to manage a budget cut. "It is absolutely enormous to manage that and at the same time raise standards and continue to develop so that our children have access to the online and modern materials that are out there now," she said. "There isn't a U-turn on this, we're rolling it out. We know from the research we've done, this is the way forward for schools."

Summary: A secondary school has ruled parents must pay a compulsory charge of at least £149 for pupils to use Google Chromebooks in lessons.


His comments appear to contradict his running mate Mike Pence, who told NBC Mr Trump would "absolutely" accept the election result, despite media "bias". Mr Trump's adviser Rudy Giuliani has also accused Democrats of "cheating". Polls suggest Mr Trump is losing ground in some key battleground states against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Mr Trump has questioned the legitimacy of the election process in a series of tweets, the latest of which said on Monday: "Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. "Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!" An earlier tweet said: "The election is absolutely being rigged by the dishonest and distorted media pushing Crooked Hillary - but also at many polling places - SAD." The White House candidate also tweeted: "Election is being rigged by the media, in a coordinated effort with the Clinton campaign, by putting stories that never happened into news!" Speaking on NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday, Republican vice-presidential candidate Mr Pence said Americans were "tired of the obvious bias in the national media". But he added: "We will absolutely accept the results of the election." "Elections always get pretty rough," he added, but said the US has a tradition of "the peaceful transfer of power". Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is Mr Trump's campaign adviser, told CNN's State of the Union he'd have to be a "moron" to think that some elections, such as those in Philadelphia and Chicago, were going to be fair. "I've found very few situations where Republicans cheat... they don't control the inner cities the way Democrats do. Maybe if Republicans controlled the inner cities, they'd do as much cheating as Democrats," he said. "I'm sorry. Dead people generally vote for Democrats rather than Republicans," he added. Donald Trump has claimed for months that the election was rigged - but that message is now at the centre of his campaign just as his poll numbers begin to slump. And in doing so he hits at the very heart of American democracy - the idea that elections are free and fair. Mr Trump's tactics allow him once more to paint himself as the anti-establishment figure being victimised by the Washington political elite. It also gives him an excuse if he loses. But where would it leave his supporters? The fear is that the Republican candidate's rhetoric could further divide this country and stoke anger and suspicion among the millions who follow him. If Hillary Clinton is elected, would they accept her presidency as legitimate and if not, what form would those protests take? Mrs Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine blasted Mr Trump's election-rigging claims as "scare tactics". He told ABC's This Week Mr Trump was "swinging at every phantom of his own imagination" because "he knows he's losing". Multiple women have come forward to accuse Mr Trump of groping or kissing them in the past week, following the emergence of a 2005 video tape in which the Republican nominee made obscene remarks about women. He has repeatedly denied the

Summary: US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said the election is "absolutely rigged" by the "dishonest media" and "at many polling places".


The Committee on Standards in Public Life is rewriting its guidelines on potential conflicts of interests. It wants to know what the "reasonable limits" should be and whether they should be different for ministers and backbench MPs. It comes after controversy over George Osborne's jobs in banking, public speaking and journalism. The Conservative MP for Tatton, in Cheshire, will take up his new role as editor of the London Evening Standard on 2 May, according to sources at the newspaper. Within 24 hours he will head off to Paris to address hedge fund managers and investors, according to the Press Association. Standards committee chairman Lord Bew said: "We welcome views from the public and any interested parties on these issues. "For example, what factors should be taken into account in determining the 'reasonable limits' on MPs' outside interests and is the current level of transparency sufficient?" The consultation will run until Friday, 28 April. The committee's findings of the review will be reported to the Commons Committee on Standards' review of the Code of Conduct for MPs in June.

Summary: An ethics watchdog want to know what the public thinks about MPs having second jobs.


President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met in Nicosia's neutral buffer zone. UN envoy Espen Barth Eide said they "shared their vision for a united Cyprus". Mr Akinci was elected last month. The Turkish-controlled north broke away in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup. Since a Turkish military invasion in 1974 the island has been effectively partitioned, with the northern third inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots. Peace negotiations stalled last October, when the Greek Cypriots walked out in protest at the presence of a Turkish ship prospecting for natural gas off the island's south coast. Correspondents say there are hopes that Mr Akinci, a leftist moderate, can push forward the new round of negotiations. "The talks took place in a very positive climate and I believe that working in similar fashion, we can hope for progress," Associated Press quoted Mr Anastasiades as saying after Friday's UN-brokered meeting. In an initial move, Turkish Cypriot authorities agreed to no longer require Greek Cypriots to fill in visa forms at crossing points to northern Cyprus, UN envoy Mr Eide told reporters. Compensation for those displaced by the conflict is expected to be one of the thorniest issues in the talks. UN peacekeeping forces estimate that 165,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were expelled from the north, and 45,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south, although the parties to the conflict say the figures are higher. The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is diplomatically isolated, recognised only by Turkey.

Summary: The leaders of the divided Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus have resumed peace talks amid a "climate of optimism", the UN mediator says.


The two men were suspected of tampering with the escalator after the incident, report local media. An escalator at the Langham Place shopping centre suddenly reversed at high speed on Sunday, sending passengers tumbling down. The reason behind the malfunction is still unknown. Officials had called in the two technicians, who work for Otis Elevator Company, to assist in investigations hours after the incident. The escalator had been shut down and all personnel involved in the investigation were ordered not to touch it. Late on Sunday night however, officials discovered that the escalator's auxiliary braking system had been reactivated, reported local media. Newspaper Apple Daily said the reactivation could have affected the escalator's computer data records. Officials ordered police to arrest the two men on the spot. Otis has expressed surprise at the arrests and said it would seek clarification from authorities. At least 18 people were injured when the escalator, which was going up at Langham Place, suddenly changed direction and started going down at a fast pace. Videos of the incident show dozens of people losing their balance and tumbling down. Several are seen piled up at the foot of the escalator, with one man lying unconscious on the floor. Two people are still in hospital and are in a stable condition. The city government has ordered immediate tests on all escalators which span more than 15m (45 feet) in height. There has been no official explanation yet, but city officials said a damaged driving chain within the escalator, and a malfunctioning braking device, may have caused the incident. Escalator engineer Charles Wong told the South China Morning Post that auxiliary brakes should have kicked in if the main brakes had failed, and that it was rare for a driving chain to break. The mall said that the escalator had last been inspected on Thursday, with no problems detected.

Summary: Two technicians in Hong Kong have been arrested for "perverting the course of justice", after a malfunctioning escalator injured shoppers in a mall.


The Labour-led authority said the proposals were part of a number of cuts aimed at combating a budget shortfall of £157m over the next four years. A range of pupils, from pre-school age to young adults could be asked to pay up to £349 a year. The move would save the authority £191,500. Councillor Kevin Gillott, cabinet member for children and younger adults, said: "I know that at a time when families are struggling with rising costs and falling living standards people will be wondering why we are having to consider asking them to pay towards providing transport for their children. "Sadly, we have no choice as we're being forced by the government to make savings that mean the council will have to cut the amount of money it spends on providing services to Derbyshire families by a third." The authority is also looking to reduce its housing-related support budget by £9m. This would affect a range of groups, including people with learning disabilities and those at risk of domestic abuse. The county council said it would begin its consultation on Monday.

Summary: School transport charges for students with special educational needs are being considered by Derbyshire County Council.


The tech giant sold 45.51 million iPhones in the three months to 24 September, beating an average estimate of 44.8 million. The company also forecast higher-than-expected holiday season revenue of between $76bn and $78bn. But revenue in the fourth quarter fell 9% to $46.85bn. That meant annual revenue fell for the first time since 2001, highlighting a slowdown in the smartphone market as well as intensifying competition, particularly from Chinese rivals. Analysis: Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC Technology correspondent It was no surprise that Apple saw its first fall in annual revenues for 15 years. It became apparent earlier in the year that sales of the iPhone - surely the most profitable product in history - had plateaued and they continued to disappoint this quarter. It was hard to spot any product or market delivering outstanding results - the fact that Apple still hasn't released any figures for its Watch tells its own story - and the 30% fall in China sales looked particularly worrying. But somehow Apple's Chief Executive Tim Cook still managed to paint a rosy picture. He pointed to the 24% rise in income from services like Apple Music and Apple Pay. He told us that he was thrilled with the response of customers to the iPhone 7 - and that round the world, including in China, demand was outstripping supply. And crucially he looked forward to a return to growth in the next quarter, with Apple forecasting a record-breaking holiday season. Investors have been looking for reasons to buy back into Apple and that prediction may help continue the recent upward path of the shares. But the technology crowd is still waiting for some radical new innovation, to prove the company founded by Steve Jobs hasn't lost its creative spark. Tim Cook wouldn't be drawn when quizzed about moves into TV or building a car or a connected speaker like the Amazon Echo. He did say "we have the strongest product pipeline we've ever had". But that is a line we have been hearing for some time. Apple executives said demand for the new iPhone 7 was strong, despite fiscal fourth-quarter revenue falls in China and the Americas, its two most important markets. Revenue from Greater China, once seen as Apple's next growth hope, fell 30% in the quarter, after dropping 33% in the previous quarter. In the same period last year, revenue from Greater China doubled. Apple's shares were down 3% at about $114.80 in after-hours trading. "Apple didn't have a great [fourth quarter] as iPhones, Macs, China, the US and what appears to be Watch were down," said Patrick Moorhead, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. Net income fell to $9.01bn in the fourth quarter, down from $11bn in the same quarter last year. For the year, net income fell to $45.7bn from $53.4bn. Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri said it was "impossible to know" if there was any effect yet from rival Samsung halting production of Galaxy Note 7 phones earlier this month.

Summary: Apple has reported its third quarter in a row of falling iPhone sales and revenue, but sales beat analyst expectations.


The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, committed the offence while on a community payback order he received for having sex with a 12-year-old girl when he was 14. A court heard that he had sex with the 13-year-old in the grounds of Dundee and Angus College. The meeting was arranged on Snapchat. Dundee Sheriff Court heard how the pair had met through mutual friends in 2015 but there was no contact between them until June 2016 when he added her on the social networking app. Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson said that when they met they chatted for some time and the accused was immediately affectionate towards the girl, kissing and cuddling her. "He told her he had been 'choking to go with her' and they then walked towards the college," Ms Robertson said. "He repeatedly asked her if she would have sex with him, and when in the grounds of the college he said 'have sex with me there' and pointed to a grassy area. "They went there and had sex, after which he stood up and said he had to leave." The girl's mother picked her up before the 13-year-old told her what had happened the next day. She then told a counsellor who called in police. The teenager was given a community payback order last year for his previous sex offence conviction. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael told him that custody was the only option this time because he did not appear to have learned from his previous community sentence. The 17-year-old pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act. Defence solicitor Katrina Clark urged the court to impose a second community payback order instead of a jail term. She said: "He's aware he faces more time in custody. "The more effective way forward for him would be through the intensive project outlined for him in the social work reports. That wouldn't be an easy option. "This could be dealt with by a non-custodial sentence due to his age, the period he has spent in custody on remand and his acceptance of his guilt at an early stage." Sheriff Alastair Carmichael imposed a one-year sentence of detention on the teenager, placed him on the sex offenders register for 10 years and imposed a sexual offences prevention order for six years during which time he will be monitored by specialist police officers. He said: "Unfortunately from your perspective no other method than custody is appropriate. "I've come to that decision based on the gravity of the offence and also because you were subject to a CPO with specialist elements which you don't appear to have learned from."

Summary: A convicted teenage sex offender has been detained for a year for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in the grounds of a Dundee college campus.


Michelle Rocks' baby was in a sideways position but Dr Rachel O'Flaherty advised a junior colleague not to admit her, an inquest heard. Dr O'Flaherty apologised to Mrs Rocks and her husband Barry. Cara Rocks was stillborn at Coleraine's Causeway Hospital on 26 June 2013. The inquest is the first in Northern Ireland to focus on a stillbirth. Dr O'Flaherty said she could not recall why she had decided not to admit the patient on 5 June 2013. "I don't know what information I was given at that time and I honestly can't remember the reasoning behind that decision," she said. When asked whether a Caesarean section would also have been offered, if it had been requested by Mrs Rocks at that time, Dr O'Flaherty said this would have been arranged. Dr O'Flaherty first came into contact with Mrs Rocks at a hospital appointment when she was 36-weeks pregnant, Belfast Coroners Court heard on the third day of the hearing. The doctor said that, in retrospect, she would have kept the patient in for observation. Dr O'Flaherty apologised to Mr and Mrs Rocks and their family for the distress they have experienced. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has already admitted a number of mistakes played a part in the death of Cara Rocks. These included wrongly categorising Michelle Rocks, who had a previous Caesarean section, as "low risk", incorrect recording of the baby's heart rate and delays in the decision to proceed to an emergency C-section because of time spent trying to locate a foetal heart beat. The hearing continues.

Summary: The mother of a stillborn baby left court in tears after a doctor accepted she should have been kept in hospital when she was 38-weeks pregnant.


From Afghanistan to the Philippines and beyond, his memorable phrases, his putative skills in the ring and his stand on civil rights are being recounted as a story that transcended the US sports arena to the international political scene. Media have also gone to town with the publication of archive pictures and videos of his high-profile travels. "When Madras had Muhammad Ali in its corner" says a headline in the Hindu newspaper website, based in Chennai, formerly known as Madras. Crowds thronged Chennai's Nehru stadium to witness the legend in action in a match against Jimmy Ellis in January 1980. Uzbekistan's online news agency uz24 carries a photo of him visiting in June 1978 when the country was part of the Soviet Union. He had been invited by the Soviet government and then "decided to go to Uzbekistan to get to know the USSR's eastern cities as he was a Muslim", the report says. The article also reported his display of humour at Tashkent airport when he was met by Uzbek boxer Rufat Riskiyev, who was the middleweight winner of World Amateur Championship in 1974. When asked whether he knew Mr Riskiyev, Muhammad Ali replied: "No, I do not know amateurs". Chinese media highlight his civil rights activism and his refusal to be drafted for the Vietnam war. And the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post says Muhammad Ali met Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979, reviving interest in boxing on the mainland. Photos showing him praying or holding the Koran have been shared extensively with Arabic hashtags such as #Muhammad_Ali_Clay and #Muhammad_Ali_Clay_passes_away, generating more than 120,000 tweets only a few hours after his death was announced. User @3mmaar1 says: "The universal love of this legendary champion comes from his humanitarian beliefs and his heroic stances". Iran's broadcast media and state news agency, IRNA, repeat reports that he had criticised Donald Trump's "policy towards Muslims" - referring to Mr Trump's call to ban Muslims from entering the US. State TV said Muhammad Ali "fought against racism for years". He had visited Iran and his death "is a tragedy for the UN," the report said. Egyptian state TV said says simply that Muhammad Ali was "the most famous boxer in the world". Iraq's private Al-Mada News website describes him as "the spiritual leader of millions of black Americans and a symbol for hope, dignity and challenge," while pan Arab TV channels Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera retell his history as "a champion" of people and in the ring. Russia's official Rossiya 1 channel notes that the boxer was "not only legendary but also a controversial figure" and "one of the most unconventional characters in the whole of the 20th Century". His death is the lead story on most Russian broadcast sources on Saturday, and it is also trending on Twitter in Russia, with media outlets, prominent figures as well as ordinary users re-posting news reports about Ali's death with captions like "legendary boxer", "king of the boxing ring", "the greatest boxer of all time". Nikolai Valuev, a former professional boxer and two-time WBA heavyweight champion,

Summary: There is no holding back on descriptions of uniqueness in tributes to Muhammad Ali in global media.


France visit Murrayfield eight days later and England travel to take on Scotland on 24 February. Away matches against Ireland (10 March) and Italy (17 March) complete Scotland's campaign. Former Glasgow Warriors boss Townsend, who won 82 Scotland caps as a player, has replaced Vern Cotter and takes charge of next month's summer tour. The Scots face Italy in Singapore on 10 June then take on Australia in Sydney a week later before a final Test against hosts Fiji on 24 June. And Townsend's side will face the Wallabies again in their autumn series, after Tests against Samoa and New Zealand. In this year's Six Nations, Cotter's third in charge, Scotland recorded wins over Ireland, Wales and Italy - their best championship since 2006. Click here to see the full sets of 2018 & 2019 Six Nations fixtures

Summary: Gregor Townsend's first Six Nations match as Scotland head coach will be away to Wales on 3 February 2018.


Transport links and water and power supplies in the city of 10 million are severely affected, and some residents are trapped in their homes. Flooding has killed more than 180 people and caused chaos across China. Police in neighbouring Anhui province even warned that alligators from a farm there had escaped due to the flooding. Source: The Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, figures accurate as of 3 July Wuhan's meteorological office released the red alert on Wednesday. It said to expect wind and rain, and flooding in both urban and rural areas. Chinese media is reporting that more than 560mm (1.8ft) of rain has fallen over the past week, the heaviest ever in the history of the city, which is on the Yangtze River. Roads and metro stations were inundated with water, and trains cancelled. The last leg of the journey home for some people leaving Wuhan train station tonight is on foot, wading through the water. A handful of couples passed me as I stood, almost up to my knees in it, at the traffic lights under the highway overpass by the railway station. A few coaches made it through the temporary pond, as did a few lorries. But there was no rush hour traffic in the worst hit suburbs tonight. There is some respite; the rain has stopped for now. But as I write this there are still cars driving the wrong way down a highway slip road because the rain has blocked their route. Water supplies have been cut off in some areas, and one residential district experienced a complete power black-out, according to local media. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, to oversee relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, China's President Xi Jinping, has ordered the army to step up its relief efforts across the country. Amid the crisis, official figures for the number of dead have fluctuated. On Wednesday state television put the overall toll at about 170. Social media is awash with pictures of torrents of water thundering through metro stations, submerged cars and buildings, and firemen rescuing stranded people from across fast-flowing rivers that had previously been residential streets. Police in Anhui shared a notice from Wuhu County's tourism bureau, which said that alligators had escaped from a farm due to the flooding. The notice said people were still trying to verify how many alligators had escaped. It is not the only animal story to have grabbed the public's attention. On Tuesday a rescue team saved 6,000 pigs which had been stranded at their farm. Photos of farmers emotionally bidding the animals farewell had been widely shared on social media.

Summary: The Chinese city of Wuhan is on red alert for more heavy rainfall, after torrential downpours overnight left parts of the city submerged.


Wicketkeeper/batsman Billings is one of eight England players at IPL 2017, double the number who played last year. "It gives you another platform to progress as a cricketer," the 25-year-old told BBC Radio Kent. "My game's gone from strength to strength, playing international cricket around the world." Billings played five games for the Delhi Daredevils in last year's IPL and has been retained for this year's tournament, which runs from 5 April to 21 May. Every franchise this year includes an English player, with Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes and Tymal Mills also taking part. Billings has also played in the Big Bash, for Sydney Sixers, and the Pakistan Super League, for Islamabad United, and feels the perception of English cricketers is changing as a result. "Ten years ago, if you said an Englishman would go over and play in an Australian team, people would laugh at you," he said. "I think we had 10 former or current English internationals playing in that, so we've definitely been put on the map. "I'm really excited for the IPL. It's a fantastic competition, one of the best in the world. "To have 60,000 people screaming at you and abusing you is a different concept, but it's an amazing experience. "It's re-energised the game and given it a boost. It's just great fun."

Summary: Kent's Sam Billings believes experience of tournaments such as the Indian Premier League and Australia's Big Bash can only improve English cricketers.


The group, who have sold 70 million records, said Mr Corbyn had inspired young people and offered a "believable" alternative to business as usual. Mr Corbyn has been backed by several stars, such as actor Daniel Radcliffe. But best-selling Harry Potter author JK Rowling has called him a lousy leader. Mr Corbyn is being challenged for the leadership by Owen Smith. The result of the election will be announced on 24 September. The Labour leader, who has said he wants the arts to be a priority for the next Labour government, has received a number of celebrity endorsements in recent weeks. Birmingham-based UB40, named after the then government's unemployment benefit form, were one of the most successful British groups of the 1980s and 1990s, notching up 50 hit singles - among them the chart toppers Red Red Wine, Can't Help Falling in Love and I Got You Babe. Although three members of the original line-up have left in recent years, sparking a legal dispute over the use of the band's name, the remaining members led by guitarist and vocalist Robin Campbell have endorsed Mr Corbyn. "Jeremy has re-ignited an interest in politics for people who no longer felt included, and engaged and inspired a new generation of young voters who, for the first time, believe that they have an incorruptible politician who truly represents them," Mr Campbell said. Drummer Jimmy Brown said Mr Corbyn was the only frontline politician "willing to speak up for working people who have been badly treated by successive governments, including New Labour, in recent decades". Mr Corbyn, who is opposed by the majority of his MPs and lost a vote of no confidence after the EU referendum, welcomed the band's backing ahead of a planned joint appearance on Tuesday. "UB40's story was and remains inspiring; people from across cultures and backgrounds coming together and combining their talents - in a time when prejudice was more prevalent - and creativity to produce music that has endured across decades," he said. As part of his arts manifesto released last month, Mr Corbyn pledged that all primary schools in England would get extra cash to fund arts activities and a single national scheme for arts scholarships would be set up. The Labour leader told the Guardian on Monday he would be happy to meet JK Rowling to discuss their differences after she said he was taking the party in the wrong decision. Her suggestion that Mr Corbyn risked destroying Labour and that the poorest in society need an "electable" alternative to the Conservatives not "mouthy, impotent socialism" provoked an angry response from Corbyn backers on social media.

Summary: British reggae band UB40 have praised Jeremy Corbyn as an "incorruptible politician" who will put working people first as they backed his campaign to remain as Labour leader.


ScottishPower Renewables' Kilgallioch development will straddle the border of South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The company has signed an agreement with Spanish firm Gamesa to supply turbines to the site near New Luce. Delivery of the 96 turbines is expected to begin in February 2016. The site is expected to be completed in early 2017. Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, said: "Kilgallioch wind farm will become our second largest wind farm in the UK and this year marks a real milestone as we approach 2 GW of installed onshore wind capacity - enough to power more than one million homes. "We are delighted to reach this agreement with Gamesa, and we look forward to work commencing on the site next month." The firm has previously claimed the development could meet the energy needs of more than 130,000 homes and its construction will create about 200 jobs. Meanwhile, SSE has confirmed that it has completed the sale of three Scottish wind farms to Blue Energy for an undisclosed sum. Blue Energy will now have responsibility for constructing the Whiteside Hill and Blackcraig developments in Dumfries and Galloway, and Cour wind farm in Argyll. All three have planning consent.

Summary: The renewables firm behind plans for a major wind farm in the south of Scotland has confirmed that work will start on the site next month.


The 5,500-year-old Neolithic axe was found during archaeological surveys ahead of a multi-billion euro tunnel project. The axe seems to have been jammed into what was once the seabed, perhaps as part of a ritual offering. The lack of oxygen in the clay ground helped preserve the wooden handle. The find was made in Rodbyhavn on the Danish island of Lolland, which is to be connected to the German island of Fehmarn via the tunnel link. "Finding a hafted [handle-bearing] axe as well preserved as this one is quite amazing," said Soren Anker Sorensen, an archaeologist at the Museum Lolland-Falster in Denmark. Archaeologists have found other similarly well preserved organic material in the area during their excavations. These include upright wooden stakes, a paddle, bows and other axe shafts. Axes were vital tools for Stone Age people, who used them for working wood. However, they also played an important role during the introduction of farming to Europe, when the majority of the land was covered by dense forests. The archaeologists suggest that the Neolithic communities of south Lolland may have been using the coast as an offering area. Earlier this month, archaeologists working on the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel scheme announced that they had uncovered 5,000-year-old footprints along the edge of an ancient fish trap excavated at Rodbyhavn.

Summary: Archaeologists in Denmark have uncovered an incredibly rare find: a stone age axe held within its wooden handle.


Media playback is not supported on this device He had the upper hand over his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton all weekend, and I think that's why Hamilton was a little deflated after qualifying. Pole position is pole position, but Hamilton knew he was not able to match Rosberg, especially in the middle sector of the lap, seemingly all weekend and that is something he is not used to. When Hamilton is confident, he delivers great performances. Take the wind out of his sails slightly and he goes into a sort of dead-calm scenario. He either has a strong wind or no wind at all. Rosberg's weekend, through practice, qualifying and race, was the performance of a world champion. He did everything he needed to do to confirm to people, and I'm sure to himself, that he has the beating of Hamilton. However, he has not delivered that consistently in the time they have been team-mates at Mercedes. If Rosberg can replicate it for the remainder of the season, we have one hell of a world championship battle on our hands. It seems to me that a greater part of Hamilton's performances come from pure natural talent than Rosberg's, and equally that Rosberg is more of a worker. At least that is the impression each gives to the outside world. If Rosberg can deliver performances like that consistently, his work ethic will make life difficult for Hamilton. Rosberg said after the race that he knew at the end of last season that he had to work on his racecraft, after coming off second best a few times to Hamilton. In Austria, he only had to race Hamilton for half a lap, but he did it very well. He converted second place on the grid into a lead at Turn One. He had to defend into Turn Two and into Turn Three, and it would have been easy in the circumstances to do what he did, for example, in Sochi last year, where he massively got it wrong having made a good start and locked up and went wide. Media playback is not supported on this device At the time, that mistake seemed to confirm that he was not able to take wheel-to-wheel racing to Hamilton. But in Austria he really did. Whether that was because Hamilton was already a bit on the back foot, we will never know. But, pole lap notwithstanding, if Hamilton was not quite happy with his car in one way or another, there is not a lot you can change between qualifying and race - it is limited to front wing, differential and tyre pressures. And there are some problems that they will not solve. Having seen Rosberg step up a level in Austria, I am now intrigued to see whether he can keep it up and repeat it at the next race, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. If he does, that will be impressive and it is really going to bring this championship to life. But right now there has to be a question mark about that.

Summary: Nico Rosberg drove as good a race as I have ever seen from him to win the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.


The 96-tonne crane exploded into a fireball just before 21:30 BST on Wednesday between J2 for Beaconsfield and J1a for the M25. A number of cars were trapped for several hours. The road partially re-opened on Thursday morning. Highways England said one lane would remain closed for safety reasons. Updates on this and other stories from Buckinghamshire It said the "intense fire" happened after a "significant spillage of hydraulic fluid", causing "serious damage to the road surface", which is due to be resurfaced on Thursday night. A specialist lifting team removed the crane from lane one and the hard shoulder earlier. Drivers near Beaconsfield are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

Summary: Cars were trapped on the southbound M40 in Buckinghamshire overnight after a crane burst into flames, closing the motorway,


Usually there are nine cases of microcephaly, the condition linked to the virus, in Brazil's Pernambuco state each year. When Dr Vanessa van der Linden examined five cases in two weeks at the end of August last year, her concerns were raised. Brazil is at the centre of the Zika outbreak and has reported around 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly since last October alone. Here are some of the questions you have been asking Dr van der Linden on the BBC News Facebook page. "It was strange to see such a high number of babies with small heads being born all of a sudden," Dr van der Linden says. Within a few weeks in August and September last year there were 20 cases in two of the state's hospitals, she says. That is more than twice the number usually reported in a whole year. "We tried to explore what happened to the babies. The patterns of our tests pointed to a congenital infection, one that we had not seen before." Dr van der Linden says that microcephaly is often misunderstood as disease. "Microcephaly is only a symptom, it is not the disease. The disease is what causes damage to babies' brains and results in small heads," she says. Microcephaly can have different causes, including genetic disorders and infections like syphilis or toxoplasmosis, Dr van der Linden says. "When we examine a baby with microcephaly, we analyse their brain scans. Some malformations, such as scars in the brain, point us towards congenital infections." The link between microcephaly and the Zika virus has not been confirmed. Doctors also found that some babies who died had the virus in their brain and it has been detected in placenta and amniotic fluid too. According to Dr van der Linden, there are still more questions than answers about the Zika virus. But she says that future pregnancies are probably not affected by having contracted the virus previously. At present, doctors estimate that the virus only stays in the body for two weeks. "After a Zika infection, it is likely that women will develop immunity to the virus. That would mean that there is no risk of contracting Zika during a future pregnancy," Dr van der Linden says. Several Latin American and Caribbean governments have advised women to delay pregnancies for up to two years. The WHO has not recommended travel bans with affected countries, but says it is drawing up advice for pregnant women. The symptoms of microcephaly depend on the severity of the condition, Dr van der Linden explains. "There are some babies with a mild form of microcephaly who develop normally." The most severe cases cry a lot, are very agitated and barely sleep, she says. "The virus causes the damage during the pregnancy. The baby is born with the consequences and we cannot reverse those," Dr van der Linden says. There is no cure for microcephaly, she explains, and what can be achieved in terms of treatment depends on the severity of the condition. "For some babies, rehabilitation can only improve the quality of

Summary: One of the first doctors who identified the likely link between the Zika virus and thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains has been answering your questions.


It is the SDLP's turn to hold the position and the party nominated the north Belfast councillor last week. The decision was ratified at a full meeting of Belfast City Council on Monday night. Maire Hendron of the Alliance Party has been elected deputy mayor - the first time women have held the two top posts. Ms Mallon, 34, said being chosen as lord mayor was a tremendous honour. "I want to congratulate Máirtín Ó Muilleoir on a fantastic year in office and thank my own party for nominating me to take on such a privileged position," she said. "I have had the privilege of representing the Oldpark area, the place I grew up in, for the last four and a half years. "The most wonderful part of being a councillor, for me, continues to be the many unsung heroes I get to meet - all those people who through their compassion and selflessness, makes this city the special place that it is." She said she wanted to take the lord mayor's role "out of city hall and into people's lives". "I want to connect with those who at times feel invisible in our city. I want to celebrate and showcase our unsung heroes who really are Belfast's first citizens," she said. "Belfast is a city for everyone, where everyone belongs and where we are all the better for having each other." Ms Mallon is only the third woman to hold the office of lord mayor of Belfast, following the Ulster Unionist Party's Grace Bannister in 1981 and Naomi Long of the Alliance Party in 2009. With Lydia Patterson of the DUP also serving as high sheriff, it is the first time that all three civic dignitaries in Belfast are women. After her appointment, the city's new deputy lord mayor said she was "looking forward to the year ahead". Ms Hendron added: "During my year in office, I would hope to play my part in building a more inclusive city that is open to all. "I want to work with all groups from different backgrounds to further improve Belfast's diversity, which is a source of strength for our society."

Summary: The SDLP's Nichola Mallon has become the new lord mayor of Belfast, succeeding Sinn Féin's Máirtín Ó Muilleoir.


Although ratification in national parliaments will be needed before its total application, approval of the deal would be an important symbolic moment. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is due to speak to MEPs on Thursday, the day after the ratification vote. The speech will be the first made to a full meeting of the Parliament by a Canadian PM. New Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen will also make his first address to MEPs on Tuesday. As well as that, MEPs are due to vote on new legislation relating to border checks and terrorist offences. They will also vote on a motion setting out their position on where the EU should go after Brexit. Here are the main events coming up in the week ahead... The sitting will kick off in the afternoon with a debate on ways to promote greater use of natural pesticides in European farming. In a motion on Wednesday, MEPs are likely to call for current EU authorisation rules for such pesticides to be eased. The day's main debate is on suggestions for improving the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), a scheme which aims to reduce carbon emissions. The scheme works by making large power plants buy "allowances" authorising them to emit greenhouse gases, within an overall agreed limit. Critics of the system say it is ineffective because the price of permits is too low and the overall cap has become overly generous due to lower economic activity. The EU Commission has proposed to increase the speed at which emissions permits are withdrawn from the market in the nine years running up to 2030. MEPs will take a position on the changes on Wednesday, although the necessary agreement from EU governments on where to go from here has not yet been found. In the evening, they will debate non-binding reports in a number of areas, including one on the EU's competition policy. They will also debate a draft motion which calls for whistleblowers to gain greater protection in EU law. The day begins with a debate on three separate motions on the future of the treaties and powers of the EU. These non-binding reports will set out the Parliament's position on the bloc's future ahead of next month's events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. The most notable is the one drafted by the assembly's Brexit observer Guy Verhofstadt, which calls for a "comprehensive" review of the EU's current treaties. Among the many recommendations endorsed at committee stage was a call for the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency - both currently based in London - to be moved out of the UK after Brexit. The three motions - along with amendments - will be put to a vote on Thursday. At lunchtime, MEPs will decide whether to support an agreement to allow Europol to conclude data-sharing powers with Denmark after it quits the body. Denmark is due to leave the EU police co-operation agency in May, when it is due to acquire a raft of new powers. Continued membership would have

Summary: After seven years of talks, MEPs will finally decide whether to ratify the EU's trade deal with Canada during their plenary sitting in Strasbourg this week.


Peter Dawson said he was also surprised to hear Rory McIlroy say he "probably won't watch the golf" from Rio on TV. "Rory is entitled to his opinion but I found it disappointing," he said. McIlroy is one of a string of players who have pulled out of the Rio Games, citing concerns over the Zika virus. The world's top four - Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Northern Ireland's McIlroy - will all be missing after raising fears over the mosquito-borne virus, which has been linked to brain defects in newborn babies. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has said the withdrawals will be one of the factors taken into account when the roster of sports for the 2020 Games is confirmed next year. The Rio Games will see golf return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. "We have a great competition, the players are going to have a wonderful experience and the withdrawals are restricted to players from only four countries," Dawson said. "I am very confident golf has a place in the Olympic programme and we will do everything we can to keep it there." The Olympics take place from 5 to 21 August, with the men's golf tournament running from 11 to 14 August.

Summary: The absence of top players from the Olympics "isn't going to help" golf's case for staying at future Games, the president of the International Golf Federation has said.


The statement, purportedly sent by a British member of IS, said it was "outrageous" to suggest the Mannan family from Luton had been kidnapped and forced to join the group. The BBC has not been able to verify if the statement is genuine. A friend of a teenager among the 12 said he thought he had been "tricked". The family, who have not been seen since 17 May, includes three children aged between one and 11. Police have previously said they may have travelled to Syria. The statement is accompanied by two photos purportedly of family member Muhammed Abdul Mannan, which have not been independently verified. It comes as a video apparently released by the IS group showed 25 men being shot dead in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. The missing family is: The statement, passed to the BBC by a Briton fighting with IS, said the family had arrived in a land that was "free from corruption and oppression" and had not been "commanded" to join by a single person but by the "Khalifah of the Muslims". It said: "We say to those that are concerned for our safety to put your hearts at rest for we feel safer than we have ever felt before." It went on to urge Muslims to "race to your state". Nazrull Ali, a school friend of 19-year-old Mohammed Toufique Hussain, who is said to be among the 12, said he did not believe the statement. "That doesn't seem right to be honest. I don't think they would say stuff like that," he said. "I don't know but I heard they [IS] could make you say whatever they want, obviously if someone puts a gun to your head what would you say?" he said. "He would have said bye to all of us properly and I'm telling you, he did not know that he was going to Syria. I know it wasn't him, I think he's got tricked into it. It wasn't his idea, definitely." The Islamic State group has seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria since last June, becoming notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings. On 29 June 2014 it announced the formation of a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law or Sharia, by God's deputy on Earth, or caliph. Shiraz Maher, senior fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King's College London, which tracks the movements of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq, said there was an element of propaganda to the statement. Mr Maher said he was told by a British fighter that the family had chosen to release the statement to show it was their decision to move. He said the broader project of IS was to persuade women and families to join them. "They never wanted just fighters, I think that's a misnomer," he said. The family was reported missing to police by two sons, understood to be Mr Mannan's from a previous marriage, who live in Luton. They flew to Bangladesh on 10 April, police said,

Summary: A UK family of 12 who went missing have joined so-called Islamic State and feel "safer than ever", according to a statement said to be on their behalf.


The European Banking Authority (EBA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA), based in Canary Wharf in London, employ just over 1,000 staff between them. The banking and medicines agencies are seen as the first spoils of Brexit by the 27 remaining members of the EU. About 20 countries are expected to enter the bidding process. There will be fierce competition to attract the agencies' highly skilled employees, their families and the business that comes with them. This includes about 40,000 hotel stays for visitors each year. Countries have printed glossy brochures, posted promotional videos online and hired lobbying firms. Frankfurt - location of the European Central Bank and a major financial centre - is seen as favourite to get the EBA. But Paris is also keen to win that contest. And the Irish government is marketing Dublin as a location, with a brochure that highlights the city's business culture as well as "beaches and mountains on its doorstep". The contest has pitched larger countries against smaller ones from across the EU. Each country can bid to host one or both agencies. But it can only make one bid per agency. The European Commission will assess the entries based on the quality of office space, job opportunities for spouses, good "European-oriented" schooling and transport links. Accessibility and efficient infrastructure are the top two agreed criteria. Amid the rivalry to host the EMA, the Netherlands, Ireland and Denmark have hosted events in Brussels to promote their bids, the Politico news website reports. The number of states vying for the EMA is reckoned to be 21. The 27 remaining EU countries are determined that the UK will pay the relocation bill, as Brexit was a UK decision. EMA What might Brexit mean for medicines and clinical trials? Brexit: All you need to know Have the UK's trade options changed? EBA European ministers will use a complicated voting system to choose the winners in November. EU leaders agreed on the procedure in June, and some observers have already likened it to the Eurovision Song Contest. Before that vote, the European Commission will assess the competing bids and make its recommendations. In November each of the EU foreign ministers will vote in order of preference - three points for the preferred bid, two points for the second-favourite and one point for the third. If no single country obtains 14 first-preference votes the voting will go to a second round. Each country in that round will have just one vote to cast - for its favourite. The EU is keen to locate more of its agencies in the newer member states of Central and Eastern Europe.

Summary: EU countries have until midnight to submit bids to provide a new home for two agencies that will be relocated from the UK after Brexit.