Europe Isis: Seeking missing sons in Syria

Summary: The BBC's Duncan Crawford on the border of Turkey and Syria has met a Belgian father who made a dangerous three-day journey to northern Syria in a bid to persuade his son to leave the ranks of Isis militants.

"Of course I was scared," Pol Van Hessche says as he recounts coming face to face with members of Isis, the radical jihadist group, in Syria. The 50-year-old care home manager from Menen, Belgium, went there last week to find his son. "There were five to six guards," he says. "All armed with rifles and wearing masks. They brought the two boys out to see us." 'Learning Sharia' The two boys Pol speaks about are his 18-year-old son Lucas and his best friend, 19-year-old Abdelmalek Boutalliss. The pair went missing on 11 June. It later emerged that they had travelled to Syria and joined up with Isis near to their stronghold of Raqqa. "The boys are staying in the desert, in an international house, with other Europeans, Indonesian and Chinese as well," Mr Van Hessche says. "They are learning Sharia [Islamic law]." "What did you say to your son?" I ask. "It was not easy to speak," Mr Van Hessche replies. "Guardians [Isis] were looking at us. It was dangerous. My son looked scared as well." Mr Van Hessche and the father of Abdelmalek, Idriss Boutalliss, made the dangerous three-day journey to see their sons, across the desert of northern Syria last week. Their two sons refused to leave. The trip was set up by another Belgian father, Dimitri Bontinck, a former soldier who managed to rescue his own son, Jejoen Bontinck, from Syria last year. "They heard about me, about my story in the past, that I had succeeded with my son," Mr Bontinck says. "So they contacted me and asked for my help. I said yes." 'Very dangerous' From his previous trips to Syria, Mr Bontinck has built up a network of contacts. He is reluctant to reveal too many details, but he organised meetings with people high up in different Syrian groups and got permission for the fathers to see their sons. "Everybody said don't go there, they're going to kill you, it is very dangerous," Mr Bontinck says, "but the Amir from Isis gave them permission to see the children. They were protected." Missing persons leaflets of Lucas Van Hessche and Abdelmalek Boutalliss have been handed out to people in the Syrian-Turkish border town of Kilis. Lucas is a metal worker and kick-boxer. Originally from Haiti, he was adopted when he was four and brought up a Christian. He converted to Islam three years ago. Abdelmalek Boutalliss is from Kortrijk and was brought up as a Muslim. He has diabetes. His father brought him his medication and has remained in Syria to try and convince them to leave. Mr Van Hessche says the teenagers must have had help to go to Syria and does not know why they went. He fears they will next be taken to a weapons training camp: "After a few months I think it is to do jihad, but jihad is not only fighting, it is also helping people. I asked Lucas, why not help people in Haiti?" The two teenagers are among an estimated 2,000 Europeans who have travelled to Syria since the conflict began. Mr Van Hessche says the two friends are worried about returning to Belgium because they might be arrested. "The Belgian government must see Lucas as a victim, not a criminal - he has done nothing wrong," he says. "If Lucas stays I will respect it. But I think he doesn't remember all the old things, his friends, his family, because he is in another situation." Before leaving his son in Syria last week, Mr Van Hessche passed him a note with a message his 15-year-old brother Christopher had written on Facebook. "Crying every day, sleeping only two hours, walking into your room without your presence, living without your smile," the note said. "Come back, brother, you'd make my life complete again. Do it for us, come back. Life is nothing without you." At the time of writing there had been no further contact with Lucas, Abdelmalek or his father Idriss in Syria. Pol Van Hessche and Dimitri Bontinck continue to make trips across the border to try and find out information.

तुर्की और सीरिया की सीमा पर बीबीसी के डंकन क्रॉफर्ड बेल्जियम के एक पिता से मिले हैं, जिन्होंने अपने बेटे को आईएसआईएस आतंकवादियों की श्रेणी छोड़ने के लिए मनाने के लिए उत्तरी सीरिया की तीन दिवसीय खतरनाक यात्रा की थी।


Is this proof Hong Kong’s 'Umbrella Protests' failed?

Summary: Hong Kong politics has been stormier than usual lately.

By Helier CheungBBC News, Hong Kong There's been swearing and scuffling in parliament, court battles, and tens of thousands of protesters in the streets. And, to cap it all off, the Beijing government has intervened directly with a legal ruling to disqualify two legislators - prompting government lawyers to say: "The headmaster has spoken." Yet, ironically, it's a quieter, less dramatic event that shows the fundamental sticking point in Hong Kong politics. Hong Kong has Election Committee elections on Sunday, but you could call them elections with Chinese characteristics. A small proportion of Hong Kongers (246,440 out of Hong Kong's 3.8 million registered voters) have the right to vote for people representing their professional sector - making up an Election Committee of 1,200 people. These 1,200 people are the only people who can vote on who becomes Hong Kong's next leader. Hong Kong's democracy debate Rebellious lawmaker Yau Wai-ching Who are the new faces in Hong Kong politics? And hundreds of seats - mostly in pro-Beijing sectors - have already been filled, because there were no elections, or the candidates ran unopposed. The fact that this system is undemocratic is what drove tens of thousands of protesters to take over Hong Kong's streets in 2014. The movement became known as "Occupy Central" - or, the "Umbrella Protests", after protesters used umbrellas to shield themselves from pepper spray fired by the police. The unprecedented - but mostly peaceful - protests lasted several weeks. The sight of students doing their homework while sitting in the streets, or young protesters being teargassed by police, caught the attention of people around the world. Yet, two years later, Hong Kong's leader is about to be chosen by the same 1,200-person committee - and critics say that the protests failed to achieve any practical results - except, possibly, a more divided society. This may not be completely fair. They were a political awakening for many young people in Hong Kong - and several have now become pro-democracy activists or won seats in September's parliamentary elections. But in practical terms, the so-called "Umbrella Protests" failed to achieve any concessions from Beijing. The irony is that Hong Kong could have had direct elections for its leader in 2017. The Chinese government had promised the territory universal suffrage - but said voters would only be able to choose from a list of two or three candidates, pre-vetted by a nominating committee dominated by pro-Beijing members. Democracy activists derided this as "fake democracy", and the proposal was voted down in parliament. Critics accuse Beijing of breaking two promises it made: Did Beijing break the first promise? It depends on who you talk to. Clearly Beijing, and the democracy activists, have very different definitions of the terms "universal suffrage" "broadly representative" and "in accordance with democratic procedures". Similarly, the Chinese government would argue that Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the "One Country Two systems" model. But critics point to a series of recent events that have worried many Hong Kongers, including the disappearance of five Hong Kong booksellers, and artists and writers saying they are under increased pressure to self-censor. Activists have accused Beijing of meddling in Hong Kong's affairs with an "invisible hand". And it's that perception of growing mainland Chinese influence that has propelled more young people into supporting independence, or arguing for more radical politics. This also worries some Hong Kongers, who point out that protests organised by some radical groups have turned violent. Surprise victories Anger at the Chinese authorities, and disillusionment with traditional pro-democracy parties, helped propel several new faces to victory in Hong Kong's legislative council elections in September. Amongst them were Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching, from a pro-independence party set up after the Umbrella Protests, and Nathan Law, Lau Siu-lai and Edward Yiu, who were all active in the protests. Their success was hailed as a sign of Hong Kong's new generation of democracy activists taking political power for the first time. But then the government took Mr Leung and Ms Yau to court after they insulted China while being sworn in - and its argument was bolstered when Beijing also issued a controversial legal ruling that effectively invalidated their oaths. Now, the government is using the same ruling in an attempt to disqualify Mr Law, Ms Lau and Mr Yiu, as well as "Longhair" Leung Kwok-hung, a veteran pro-democracy politician. So, just three months after winning elections, several of Hong Kong's new political faces - who won a combined 185,727 votes - could be removed from power by a government that was not democratically elected. It is against this backdrop that the Election Committee vote is taking place. An unprecedented number of pro-democracy candidates are taking part this year and the pro-democracy camp hopes to win at least 300 seats, so it has more negotiating power over who becomes Hong Kong's next leader. But even with a quarter of the 1,200 seats, they will be massively outnumbered by pro-Beijing and pro-establishment groups, who are likely to vote for whichever candidate is backed by Beijing. It will leave many in Hong Kong wondering: Was the partial democracy offered by Beijing in 2014 the better deal? Where do Hong Kong's democrats go from here? And, if the massive umbrella protests could not achieve political change - what will?

हाल के दिनों में हांगकांग की राजनीति सामान्य से अधिक तूफानी रही है।


Where's hot? This summer's most popular holiday spots

Summary: For some of us, holidays are becoming more than just a chance to relax in the sun but the chance to experience something different - and this growth in out-of-the-way travel is playing a vital role in many countries' economic development.

By Katie HopeBusiness reporter, BBC News "I like to to try and tick off the bucket list if I can," says Polly Rowe. The 26-year-old is planning to go to Mexico this October to meet up with an old school friend who is house-sitting at a ranch. "Might try my hand at some farming," she laughs. Last year she went to Belize to volunteer for a marine conservation company, and scuba-dived every day for a month. Her bigger holidays so far have included New Zealand and Japan. When she travels she spends most of her money on flights and experiences. "I try to mainly stay in hostels and then save my money for the bigger experiences and things I want to try out there," she says. Braggability Polly is part of a generation of travellers seeking not just relaxation and leisure when they take a break from work, but also an experience. Holidays for this age group are now all about the "braggability factor," says Tim Fryer, UK country manager at STA Travel. He says bookings to more adventurous destinations have risen significantly in the past few years. While Thailand remains one of its most popular destinations, the firm has seen an increase in bookings to less mainstream places such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka. "It's driven by social media influence. They want to discover something unique and special and show everyone," he says. The travel agency's customers are predominantly 20-somethings, many of whom are taking a gap year, after finishing school or university. Even here, he said people are now seeking out more unusual options. The traditional year out may now be just six months, or even as long as 18 months. "We've seen less off the shelf round the world trips and more picking and choosing of 'I want this and I want that'," he says. New destinations Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Iceland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Costa Rica, Georgia and Sri Lanka are some of the countries which are seeing the strongest growth globally in travel and tourism, according to global industry body The World Travel and Tourism Council. Their widening appeal is outpacing that of some of the more traditional holiday markets such as India, China and Indonesia. This kind of jump in tourism can be a massive boost for a country which has few other ways of generating money. But even in developed nations the sector is crucial. Last year, visitor exports - how much international tourists spend - accounted for some 6.6% of total world exports, and just under a third of total services exports. Overall the sector was responsible for around 10% of global growth last year. Where we go on holiday is of course determined by wider world events. Traditional holiday destination Tunisia has fallen off the map since the 2015 attack in the resort of Sousse in which 30 British tourists and eight others were killed by a gunman with links to Islamic State. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to advise against all but essential travel there. Top five destinations this summer Source: Thomas Cook, based on UK tour operator and flight-only bookings until 2 May Yet Turkey, hit by security fears last year, has seen its popularity bounce back for this summer, according to Thomas Cook. The country is the third most popular destination for its customers this summer after Spain and Greece. Old favourites the US and Cyprus are fourth and fifth, says the travel agency which arranges travel for around 19 million customers a year. Currency impact The pound's fall, which is still down around 15% against the dollar since last year's EU referendum, has had a clear impact on holidaymakers' choices with trips to Mexico and South Africa boosted by the relative weakness of their currencies. Nonetheless, Thomas Cook too has noticed a growing appetite for adventure, with families with children going to long-haul destinations that you might not expect. Family package holiday bookings for this summer are up 24% year-on-year to Cuba, 39% to Cancun in Mexico and 17% to the Dominican Republic, it says. At the more expensive end of the market, luxury travel club Mr and Mrs Smith says Portugal and Sri Lanka are currently in vogue. The biggest trend the firm's co-founder James Lohan has noticed is that people now want all their trips to be memorable, not just ones taken to mark special occasions such as honeymoons and birthdays. He says FOMO - or fear of missing out - means people now want to "collect the world". "The rise of social media has opened people's eyes to the world's possibilities. People now want transformational travel - something to enrich their lives more," he says. Their typical client is "a slightly cliched cash-rich, time-poor person with an average age of 40," he says. Their customers are not after extreme adventures such as climbing Kilimanjaro, but want what he describes as "boutique adventure more in keeping with a holiday". In some ways, he says, they're simply re-inventing typical holiday pursuits such as museum tours for a new generation, offering instead things such as photography tours and cookery lessons. Customers might not even realise it, but they're seeking something beyond just a hotel and "smart hoteliers are responding to that," he says. He says a old Portuguese farming village, which has now been renovated and turned into the Sao Lourenco do Barrocal hotel by Jose Antonio Uva, the eighth generation of the same family to have lived there, is a good example. "People are excited about things like kitchen gardens and provenance and being part of the hotel's working, particularly us frazzled urbanites. We want to get back to nature and be involved with it all," he says. 'Fly and flop' Reflecting their customers' demands, the firm which started out as a publisher, producing a guidebook on the top UK boutique hotels, now organises tailor-made travel itineraries for its travel club members. Isn't it all just a bit stressful for a holiday. Shouldn't people just be relaxing on a beach? He laughs, saying there's still plenty of bookings to "fly and flop" destinations. Although for Polly it's not the type of holiday she'll be seeking out. "I think it's really important to experience different cultures and step outside of your comfort zone," she says. "It's also a great opportunity to come back home with a different perspective." Global Trade More from the BBC's series taking an international perspective on trade: Where the clothes you throw away end up The lucrative world of 'the super tutor' How the 'better burger' is taking over the world What it takes to get Beyonce on a world tour The country losing out in the breakfast juice battle Why a $1.6bn car plant has been left to decay Read more global trade series here.

हममें से कुछ लोगों के लिए, छुट्टियां केवल धूप में आराम करने का मौका नहीं बन रही हैं, बल्कि कुछ अलग अनुभव करने का मौका बन रही हैं-और रास्ते से बाहर की यात्रा में यह वृद्धि कई देशों के आर्थिक विकास में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभा रही है।


The college cleaner no-one knew was a slave

Summary: A UK helpline for reporting modern slavery dealt with cases involving 5,000 potential victims in its first year, the Victoria Derbyshire programme has learned. Sara - who feared for her life - worked up to 20-hour days as a cleaner in a UK college, without anyone noticing.

By Anna CollinsonReporter, Victoria Derbyshire programme It's 09:00, and Sara is mopping the corridors of the college where she works, as students arrive for their day. She looks at them longingly, wishing she might one day be able to have an education like them, or wear nice clothes and make-up like they do. But it seems a distant reality. She has already been at work for six hours, and her day may not finish until 23:00 - without a break. And she won't see a single penny for her labour. This is because Sara is a victim of modern slavery. Every day she works in full view of teachers, students and other staff members, but no-one knows her plight. They haven't made the connection. And Sara's not going to say anything. She has been told her children - whom she hasn't seen since she was trafficked from her home country - will be killed if she does. "As a mother, how could I ever forgive myself, if I saw my children killed?" she thinks, feeling trapped. It is difficult to see a way out. Becoming 'free' This is how Sara recalls her time as a slave, which ended just a few years ago. We are not using her real name as her traffickers are still at large, possibly in the UK. Sara was first enslaved aged 16 by her husband, whom she had married days earlier, and was forced to work both in her home country and the UK. She was a slave for more than 20 years. Her feet had become swollen and bloody, she had developed arthritis from years of hard labour, and she was constantly tired and depressed. On the floor of the cold, empty storeroom where she stayed each night with several others - men and women - she was unable to sleep because of the nightmares. But, fearing the death of her children, she put up with the conditions - and decided to flee only when she felt she had no other option. At that stage she had become unable to walk - her legs black with bruises after falling over at work - and had, in effect, been left to die by her traffickers. But with the help of a friend she was able to escape. She contacted the Home Office and was immediately moved to a safe house with the assistance of the Salvation Army and, initially, Black Country Women's Aid. It was the start of a new life although there were still many hurdles to overcome. 'Like Christmas Day' Sara, understandably, was reluctant to leave the safe house, scared the traffickers would somehow find her. "I wouldn't go outside for three days. I was too scared," she says. "But then someone said they would come with me, so I decided to go. Then I did it again, and again." And after years of being in a perpetual state of fear, she says she "slowly started breathing properly again". It was also the first time in the UK she could spend her own money. Previously her husband, who set up the job at the college, always received her wages. "The first thing I bought were sanitary pads," Sara remembers. "It was very special, because before on my periods I had to use my clothes and they became very dirty. "It was like Christmas Day," she jokes. Sara is a warm and funny person. She recalls watching Downton Abbey to help her learn English - and says one of the first words she learned was "indeed". In plain sight Sara is sharing her experience to highlight modern slavery. There are at least 13,000 victims living in Britain's towns and cities, it is estimated. Anne Read, from the Salvation Army, says Sara's story "powerfully demonstrates the awful truth that modern slavery is taking place under our noses in every corner of the country. "The ways vulnerable people are exploited for other people's profits are limited only by the trafficker's imagination." It is a sentiment shared by the National Crime Agency, which says the public "will very often see potential victims of modern day slavery", working at car washes, factories, nail bars, agricultural sites and fisheries among other places. Unseen, a charity that runs a UK helpline for reporting modern slavery, told the Victoria Derbyshire programme it had 3,710 calls in its first year - with cases involving 4,886 potential victims from 94 different countries. The Home Office said the UK was "leading the world in our response, with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 giving law enforcement the powers they need to pursue offenders, bringing the issue out of the shadows and increasing awareness among police, frontline workers and the general public". 'Always hope' Despite everything she has been through, Sara is determined to make the most of her freedom. But she is still separated from her children - who are now grown-up. Whenever she talks about them, she cries. "When I'm not thinking about what's happened, I feel free. But somehow, I'm not free. The fear is still in my heart. "I want to go back to my home country and be with my children. But if I did, I would put us all in danger," she says. Her husband is believed to be in her home country. Some aspects of her life, however, have improved immeasurably. After years of watching people study, Sara has now gained some qualifications herself, and is hoping to go to university. "I want to show people there's always hope," she says. "You just need one chance - and help will find you." Watch the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme on weekdays between 09:00 and 11:00 on BBC Two and the BBC News Channel.

विक्टोरिया डर्बीशायर कार्यक्रम को पता चला है कि अपने पहले वर्ष में 5,000 संभावित पीड़ितों से जुड़े मामलों से निपटने के लिए आधुनिक गुलामी की रिपोर्ट करने के लिए एक यू. के. हेल्पलाईन. सारा-जिसे अपनी जान का डर था-ने यू. के. के एक कॉलेज में सफाई कर्मचारी के रूप में 20 घंटे तक काम किया, बिना किसी के ध्यान में रखे।


Wrexham's Groves School to be demolished

Summary: A run-down school in Wrexham is to be demolished more than a decade after it closed.

The former Groves High School shut in 2003 following a shake-up of secondary school education in the town centre. Wrexham council's executive board voted to clear the site in preparation for a new school. More than 250 people signed a petition urging the council to retain the building. In 2014, nearby Coleg Cambria considered the site as a potential campus.

रेक्सहैम में एक जर्जर स्कूल को बंद होने के एक दशक से भी अधिक समय बाद ध्वस्त किया जाना है।


Streatham attack: 'I didn't stop shaking for hours'

Summary: Streatham High Road - a spot usually bustling with shoppers - is now quiet. As forensic teams search the area for clues, people in this south London suburb have been coming to terms with Sunday's terror attack.

By Sarah LeeBBC News Sudesh Amman, 20, was shot dead by police on Sunday afternoon after stabbing two people in what police called an Islamist-related terrorist incident. The convicted terrorist was being followed by police when he pulled out a knife and attacked. Streatham is a far cry from the tourist areas of central London, where previous terror attacks in the capital have taken place. Many in Streatham are shocked that an event like this could have happened on their doorstep. Eliza Viscount, 39, had been shopping when the attack happened. "I was just out getting usual bits and bobs when I heard police shouting to get back and to get out of the area," she said. "I had no idea what was going on. I dropped my basket on the floor and ran. "I didn't stop shaking for hours later. I'm still in shock. "If that can happen on a quiet Sunday when people are just shopping - well that's very worrying isn't it." Elizabeth Rowland, another shopper, said she was concerned the attack had happened outside of central London. "I can't believe it," she said. "It's not a tourist place or even a landmark. It's a high street. "There's no political reason for doing it here. It's really concerning that it happened so close to home." Becky Smyths, who lives in the area, said she heard "so many sirens" echo around Streatham. "I heard that shots had been fired and I got really scared," she said. "I only live up the road so it was really scary. It's only February and this has already happened." Sunday's attack was the third described by police as terror-related in London since the threat level was downgraded by the Home Office in November. A large police cordon remains in place and forensic teams remained in the Boots pharmacy on Monday swiping the floors for clues. Although bewildered and concerned, many locals expressed a determination to carry on as normal. "Yesterday I saw police, armed officers, the army and ambulances swarm to this area," said Qasim Khan, who owns a business near to the scene. "It was crazy - just like a movie scene. "But I will carry on working. I'm not scared." "There is a need for extra kindness right now," Joanna Lockwood said as she walked her dog Pepper. "What's really important to know is that this place is very multicultural. We get along together and we're all friends. It's important to let love be the order of the day. "We must go back into the shops and not let evil win."

स्ट्रीथम हाई रोड-एक जगह जो आमतौर पर खरीदारों से भरी होती है-अब शांत है। जैसे ही फोरेंसिक दल सुराग के लिए क्षेत्र की खोज कर रहे हैं, दक्षिण लंदन के इस उपनगर के लोग रविवार के आतंकी हमले से सहमत हो रहे हैं।


Isle of Man road tax: 'Flexible' road tax payments system to be introduced

Summary: Manx vehicle owners will be given "greater flexibility" in paying their road tax, the government said.

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) was "actively pursuing ways" to give drivers an alternative to the current annual payment, a spokesman said. An online petition of more than 2,200 names has called for "more manageable" monthly payments to be introduced. Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology had identified 54 untaxed vehicles since May, the DOI said.

सरकार ने कहा कि मैनक्स वाहन मालिकों को अपने सड़क कर का भुगतान करने में "अधिक लचीलापन" दिया जाएगा।


Post Office van theft accused appears in court

Summary: A man accused of stealing a Post Office van full of Christmas presents has appeared in court.

James Pearson, 47, of Mullion Cove, Cornwall, is accused of committing the theft while armed with a knife. Mr Pearson was also charged with driving without insurance or a licence, assaulting a police officer, blackmail and possessing a blade. He made no plea at Bodmin Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody to appear at Truro Crown Court in January. More news and stories from Cornwall Related Internet Links HM Courts & Tribunals Service

क्रिसमस के उपहारों से भरी डाकघर की वैन चुराने का आरोपी एक व्यक्ति अदालत में पेश हुआ है।


India killing: 'My father ordered my husband's murder'

Summary: On 14 September, Pranay Perumalla was murdered in front of his wife, Amrutha, in an alleged honour killing. BBC Telugu's Deepthi Bathini spoke to Amrutha, whose father has been arrested for plotting the attack.

Amrutha and Pranay were high school sweethearts in Miriyalaguda, a small town in the southern Indian state of Telangana. They first met at high school. "We always liked each other. We used to talk a lot on the phone and then we fell in love," she says with a wan smile. Amrutha, 21, belongs to a wealthy, upper-caste family, while Pranay, who was 24, was a Dalit (formerly untouchable). In April 2016, they married despite her parents' objections. Now five months pregnant, she finds herself saying the unimaginable. "My father killed my husband because he did not belong to the same caste as me." There is no official data but according to one study, hundreds of people are killed each year in India in so-called honour killings - for falling in love or marrying against their families' wishes. Many families still prefer arranged marriages within their own caste and religion. Police have arrested Amrutha's father, Maruti Rao, and six others, including Mr Rao's brother and three alleged contract killers, in connection with the murder. District superintendent AV Ranganath told reporters that Mr Rao had allegedly conspired with his brother and two other men to kill Pranay - and those men had helped him hire the contract killers for a sum of 10 million rupees ($138,000; £104,000). He added that the attack outside the hospital was the fourth attempt on Pranay's life. Mr Ranganath also said that Mr Rao had admitted to the charges and had said he had done this because Pranay was a Dalit and his family was not wealthy. But Mr Rao and the other accused have made no independent statement about the charges. The BBC contacted Mr Rao's lawyer who said he had no comment. The BBC also visited Mr Rao's house but found it empty and no other members of the family have provided a response. On the day of the murder, Amrutha woke up late. Her back was aching, so she went to the hospital for a check-up. Pranay and her mother-in-law accompanied her. When they left the hospital, she recalls asking Pranay, who was a few steps behind her, a question. When he didn't answer, she turned around and saw him lying on the ground. CCTV footage from the hospital, which has been broadcast on national news channels, shows a man following the family as they walked out of the gate. He first hacked at Pranay's upper body with what appears to be an axe. When Pranay fell, he struck him again. Amrutha says her mother-in-law pushed the man away, while she ran inside the hospital to get help. "When I called my father to confront him, he said, 'so what should I do? Take him to a hospital?'" she says. Growing up, Amrutha says, her mother discouraged her from even making friends with children from other castes. So her parents were against her relationship with Pranay from the moment they found out about it. But that didn't stop Amrutha. "We had to run away to see each other. But I did not care about his caste or how much money his family had. What was important was that we loved each other." At one point in April 2016, Amrutha says, her parents locked her up at home. "I did not have a way to speak to Pranay but what kept me going was my love for him," she says. Eventually, she managed to escape. They married in January 2018 and moved in with Pranay's parents, who had accepted their marriage. Amrutha says they were planning to move to Canada when she found out she was pregnant. They decided to wait until the baby was born. She told her parents about the pregnancy hoping it would soften their stance. But to her shock, her father asked her to have an abortion. And he said so every time she spoke to him after that. "We always lived in fear but I never thought my father would resort to such cruelty," she says. No-one in her family has called her since Pranay died - not even her mother, who used to phone her frequently. "I thought it she used to call me out of concern," Amrutha says. But now, she can't help but wonder if her mother was telling her father about their conversations, perhaps without realising his intentions. Meanwhile, Pranay's parents and Amrutha have received plenty of support. Several Dalit rights groups and women's groups have visited the house to express solidarity. On the veranda, there is a photograph of a smiling Pranay surrounded by flower petals and lit candles. Even as Amrutha is speaking, she can hear shouts of "long live Pranay" from the veranda of the house where supporters have gathered. Hearing this, Pranay's mother, Hemalatha, breaks down. Amrutha, who also starts crying, consoles her. "I blame my whole family. I will not go back to them. Pranay's parents are my parents now," she says. She has started a Facebook page, Justice for Pranay, which has drawn more than 112,000 followers in just a few days. And several other pages with the same name have cropped up, all of them expressing outrage and appealing for justice. She has been very active on Facebook, posting photographs of rallies and messages of support as well as of her and Pranay. In one photograph, they are much younger - the caption says, "Born to be together forever." She has also shared a photograph of a police officer escorting her father - the text above it says, "do not let my father out". Amrutha's demand for justice has caught the attention of Kausalya, another upper-caste woman whose husband, Shankar, was killed for marrying her. She has since testified against her parents and continues to campaign against caste and honour killings. "Pranay's killing reminded me of my Shankar," she told BBC Tamil. "Her love for him will make her strong. She says that she is going to stand against caste and that she is going to get justice for Pranay. We will stand with her." Amrutha says Pranay had always told her that caste should not stand in the way of love. "Both of us decided to fight for our love. Now, I will fight for justice," she says. "But I am also worried that my father might harm my baby or my in-laws." You can read the original story on BBC Telugu here.

14 सितंबर को प्रणय पेरुमल्ला की उनकी पत्नी अमृता के सामने कथित ऑनर किलिंग में हत्या कर दी गई थी। बीबीसी तेलुगु की दीप्ति बाथिनी ने अमृता से बात की, जिनके पिता को हमले की साजिश रचने के लिए गिरफ्तार किया गया है।


Teenager charged over fire at former Kirkcaldy high school

Summary: A teenager has been arrested and charged in connection with a fire at a former Fife high school.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to the old Viewforth High School in Kirkcaldy on Saturday 15 August. Crews worked through the night to tackle the blaze with six fire engines in attendance at the height of the incident. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged. Police Scotland said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.

पूर्व फीफ हाई स्कूल में आग लगने के मामले में एक किशोर को गिरफ्तार किया गया है और उस पर आरोप लगाया गया है।


Amazon launches full online supermarket service in UK

Summary: Amazon is launching a full online supermarket service in the UK.

By Emma SimpsonBusiness correspondent, BBC News From Thursday, Amazon Prime customers in central and east London will be able to order a full weekly shop and get it delivered the same day. It plans to roll the deliveries out further across the UK, but has not set a specific date. "We are launching with a comprehensive offer in a limited area and will take our time to hone our service," said Ajay Kavan from AmazonFresh. That service has been running in the US since 2007. Can Amazon win over grocery customers? Amazon UK has so far sold only a very limited amount of fresh food through its Prime Now service. It also sells long-life products such as cereals, pasta and nappies. 'Disruptive game-changer' According to retail expert Bryan Roberts, from TCC Global, although Thursday's launch is limited to 69 postcodes in London, it will be the last thing the big four grocers - and Ocado - wanted to hear. "While there is no cast-iron guarantee of success... I'm tempted to believe that we'll look back on today as something of a disruptive game-changer up there with the entry of Aldi and Lidl," he said. Amazon recently did a deal with Morrisons, making hundreds of products available through its website. This is now being increased and food from other suppliers will also be on offer. It means that customers will be able to shop from 130,000 products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, at prices which Amazon claims will be more competitive than the main grocers. It will also offer specialty food from 50 local suppliers. "Convenience, ultra-competitive pricing and customer service will find favour with urban shoppers and will heap immediate pressure on retailers that do sizeable business in the capital. The model is scalable and the popularity of the Amazon Prime ecosystem around the UK will mean that it will find a receptive audience," said Mr Roberts. Amazon has built a behemoth around easy, one-stop shopping. Food is one of its final frontiers and unlike the established players, it does not seem too concerned about profits, in the short term at least. Its focus will be building market share. 'Realistic' "The market has been waiting for the arrival of AmazonFresh for a very long time. There has been endless speculation about what it might entail," said Adam Leyland, editor of the Grocer magazine. The service will not be free. You have to be a member of Amazon Prime as well as pay a flat fee of £6.99 a month. "In a well established online grocery market like the UK, that's a lot more realistic than the US proposition, with its annual sign-on fee of several hundred dollars," added Mr Leyland.

अमेजन ब्रिटेन में एक पूर्ण ऑनलाइन सुपरमार्केट सेवा शुरू कर रहा है।


Habitat protection in Guernsey 'needs a proper plan'

Summary: Reversing a decline in the biodiversity of Guernsey's habitats needs "a proper plan for the future", said a senior member of La Societe Guernesiaise.

Charles David said only time and good land management would help. A habitat survey released in 2011 showed that woodland had increased by 75% over eleven years, but grassland and heathland had drastically declined. Jenny Tasker, Deputy Minister for Environment, said her department would, in time, act on the survey. The survey was carried out in 2010 by Environment Guernsey on behalf of the States of Guernsey's Environment Department. The results were compared with a similar survey carried out in 1999.

ला सोसाइटी गुएर्नेसिएज़ के एक वरिष्ठ सदस्य ने कहा कि गुएर्नसे के आवासों की जैव विविधता में गिरावट को उलटने के लिए "भविष्य के लिए एक उचित योजना" की आवश्यकता है।


Pop legends plan 'final' tours - but does farewell mean farewell?

Summary: "I've made a decision tonight that this is going to be the last show," said Elton John, announcing his retirement from touring. That wasn't him announcing his farewell tour a couple of weeks ago - that was in 1977.

Farewell doesn't always mean goodbye, as fans who have been to "farewell" gigs by rock and pop legends over the years, only to see their idols later hit the road again, will attest. So what should we make of the string of farewell announcements that have been made in the past couple of weeks - Sir Elton, Paul Simon, Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Diamond, Slayer, Lynyrd Skynyrd? This time it does feel different. The above are advancing in years at what now seems like an indecent rate, leaving them with less time and energy to change their minds again. Sir Elton's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour will last into 2021, taking him to his 74th birthday. He had a health scare last year. Paul Simon is 76 and said the death of his guitarist Vincent N'Guini in December was a "contributing factor" in his decision. Ozzy is 69 and has put his body through years of abuse. Sir Elton, Simon and Ozzy have all said they may continue to play live with one-off shows or single-location residencies after their "final" tours. Neil Diamond is 77, and his announcement was not of a farewell tour, but of immediate retirement after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. After years when we took for granted that there would always be a next time, even if the star insisted that wasn't the case, it does feel like we should see the legends of popular culture while we have the chance. Farewell tours that weren't farewell tours Sir Elton John He was back on the road barely a year after that 1977 announcement at Wembley, and has played at least 75 concerts per year for each of the last 20 years. A cynic (not me) might also suggest announcing a farewell tour is financially canny. When he played the PPL Centre in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 2016, the top ticket price was $154. If you want to see him one last time at the same venue this September, you'll pay up to $224.50. Ozzy Osbourne The Black Sabbath frontman embarked on the No More Tours Tour in 1992 - followed by the Retirement Sucks Tour in 1995. "I got very antsy," he said of the the three-year break. "I had this habit of going to the refrigerator, opening the door, looking at all the stuff inside and closing it, like, dozens of times a day." The Who The rock behemoths decided to call it a day in 1982. When they announced their next tour seven years later, guitarist Pete Townshend was still reluctant to admit the Who had got back together. "We did our farewell tour," he told the 1989 press conference, straight-faced - to the amusement of the assembled press. "We said goodbye." They have said hello again numerous times since. Barbra Streisand Streisand's four nights in LA and New York in 2000 were supposed to be her swansong, and tickets cost up to $2,500. She was on the road again six years later, with one fan who shelled out the last time threatening to sue her. In November, she told Billboard she "would never do another show" - before adding: "I never say never." Motley Crue The metal band made it legally binding when they signed a contract preventing them from performing under the name Motley Crue after their swansong on New Year's Eve 2015. "We're calling it a cessation of touring document, which is not a phrase that anybody's used before, because there's never been such a thing as far as I know," the band's lawyer Doug Mark said. Cher Cher started her Farewell Tour in 2002, telling fans: "This truly is it." It truly wasn't. She jokingly dubbed her Dressed To Kill Tour in 2014 her "farewell, farewell, farewell tour". To be fair, she hasn't toured since - she's just done a 70-date residency with dates in both Las Vegas and Washington. The Eagles The band made a joke of the idea of a farewell tour when they embarked on the Farewell I Tour in 2003. Vocalist Glenn Frey said: "There is a 'sort of' honesty in calling the tour Farewell I, with its implication that Farewell II will follow soon." Kiss The flamboyant rockers decided to "put Kiss out of its misery" with a final tour in 2000. But while on the road, they changed their minds. "The Farewell Tour was to get off the stage with our tails between our legs while we still had some self-respect left," Gene Simmons said. "And it became very clear the fans didn't want us to go." Wilko Johnson This is one farewell tour that fans were certainly happy to find was not final. The Dr Feelgood guitarist announced his farewell tour in 2013 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. But after pioneering surgery, he's still going strong. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

एल्टन जॉन ने दौरे से अपनी सेवानिवृत्ति की घोषणा करते हुए कहा, "मैंने आज रात निर्णय लिया है कि यह आखिरी शो होने जा रहा है। वह कुछ हफ्ते पहले अपने विदाई दौरे की घोषणा नहीं कर रहे थे-वह 1977 में था।


The perils of 'taboo' gifts

Summary: A government minister gave the gift of a watch to the mayor of Taipei in good will, but ended up breaking local cultural norms because clocks are considered a harbinger of death. What gifts are taboo, asks Chris Stokel-Walker.

Magazine MonitorA collection of cultural artefacts When transport minister Susan Kramer gave Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je a small watch as a present, she was simply following standard diplomatic protocol. The exchange of gifts is commonplace on such trips abroad, but cultural norms differ from country to country, and Baroness Kramer was caught out. Giving a clock to someone in Chinese culture is a bad omen, suggesting they are running out of time on earth. The mayor laughed off the joke, while Baroness Kramer apologised, saying "we learn something new each day". It appears her office may not have read Debrett's, the etiquette guide, which advises readers to "do some research to avoid making a basic error - the bottle of whisky to the teetotaller, or the chocolates to the dieter". William Hanson, an etiquette expert, says that most diplomatic gifts are agreed between both parties in advance - and regardless, "research should be done". Baroness Kramer's mistake is not rare - navigating the cultural minefield can be difficult for diplomats and business executives. One culture's prized gift can be another's cause for grave offence, as an HSBC World's Local Bank campaign highlighting the perils of unwittingly making the wrong gestures, demonstrated. "A ceremonial sword in [some parts of] Africa is a symbol of power; in Switzerland it would be seen as a sign of aggression," Hanson explains. Some things are constant, though. Almost all cultural taboos revolve around death, regardless of location. The number four is considered bad luck in China, because it tonally sounds like the word for death, while the number eight is good, because it sounds similar to the word for wealth. In the UK, knives are generally not given as presents because superstition says it could cut through a friendship. Similarly, in Japan presenting a knife to a colleague is seen as suggestive of suicide. A bunch of chrysanthemums are a no-go area for the Spanish, because they are associated with death, much in the same way you wouldn't present a bunch of white lilies to a Briton. Indeed, flowers are a particularly troublesome area. Red roses - a traditional lovers' gift - would appear out of place at a business meeting, while yellow roses commonly suggest infidelity in France, and death in Mexico. And superstition declares that you should always give an odd number of flowers - but not 13. As for a foolproof gift to present to a colleague that's guaranteed not to offend, regardless of where in the world you give it, Hanson has one suggestion. "Books are always safe. When I advise companies, I say a nice coffee table book on London or England does the job well." Subscribe to the BBC News Magazine's email newsletter to get articles sent to your inbox.

एक सरकारी मंत्री ने अच्छी इच्छा से ताइपे के महापौर को घड़ी का उपहार दिया, लेकिन अंत में स्थानीय सांस्कृतिक मानदंडों को तोड़ दिया क्योंकि घड़ियों को मृत्यु का अग्रदूत माना जाता है। क्रिस स्टोकेल-वॉकर पूछते हैं कि उपहार क्या वर्जित हैं।


Experts detonate unexploded WW2 bomb in Ramsey

Summary: A controlled explosion has been carried out on an unexploded WW2 bomb that was unearthed at a new sewerage works on the Isle of Man.

The device was found near the BMX track and water pumping station in Mooragh Promenade, in Ramsey on Wednesday. It was detonated "without incident" by Explosives and Ordnance Disposal specialists. Insp Derek Flint said the cordon had been lifted. Two nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.

एक अनियंत्रित WW2 बम पर एक नियंत्रित विस्फोट किया गया है जो आइल ऑफ मैन पर एक नए सीवरेज कार्यों में पाया गया था।


Police and Crime Commissioner vote counts start

Summary: Counting is under way after voters went to the polls to elect the first police and crime commissioners in the Cleveland and Durham force areas.

The Cleveland count started at 11:00 GMT at Thornaby Pavilion while ballot boxes were opened across Durham at 12:00 GMT. Results are expected later on Friday. The winning candidates in both elections will be responsible for appointing a new permanent chief constable. Cleveland Police is currently being led by temporary Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer after Sean Price was suspended and then dismissed from his position. Temporary Chief Constable Mike Barton is in charge of Durham Police following the retirement of Jon Stoddart. There were four names on the ballot paper in Durham. Voters in Cleveland also had four candidates to choose from.

क्लीवलैंड और डरहम बल क्षेत्रों में पहले पुलिस और अपराध आयुक्तों का चुनाव करने के लिए मतदाताओं के मतदान करने के बाद गिनती चल रही है।


Japan half-marathon runners stir up hornets' nest

Summary: Of all the difficulties that runners expect to face during a marathon, being attacked by a swarm of angry hornets probably isn't among them - but that's what happened during a recent race in Japan.

By News from Elsewhere......as found by BBC Monitoring The unlucky runners were 7km (4.3 miles) into the Daikon Radish half-marathon in Hida - which celebrates the locally grown vegetable - when they unwittingly disturbed a nest of Japanese yellow hornets while crossing a bridge, The Mainichi daily reports. Unbeknown to them, the insects had set up home on the underside of the concrete and were apparently unsettled by the vibrations of pounding trainers. The hornets swiftly made their presence known, stinging 115 runners as they passed by. "We didn't notice the hornets' nest during a test run the day before... We want to send letters of consolation to those who were stung," a city official tells the paper, adding that next year careful checks will aim to spot any lurking insect dangers. Those hurt were given medical attention but there were no allergic reactions, although it's thought that between 30 and 40 people stopped running after they were stung. For those who pressed on to the finish line, the marathon's reward awaited: a selection of radishes and spinach. As for the hornets, they were still making their presence felt when a reporter went to assess the scene the day after the race. While interviewing a man close to the bridge, the man stopped, recoiled slightly and alerted the reporter to a hornet crawling on his suit. Organisers have since issued an apology to those stung, and say that the nest has now been removed. Next story: Uzbek region promises TVs for top cotton pickers Use #NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via Twitter.

मैराथन के दौरान धावकों को जिन सभी कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ता है, उनमें से गुस्से में सींग के झुंड द्वारा हमला किया जाना शायद उनमें से नहीं है-लेकिन जापान में हाल ही में एक दौड़ के दौरान ऐसा ही हुआ।


UK stabbings: Is austerity causing rising knife crime in Birmingham?

Summary: One hundred people have been stabbed to death across the UK since the beginning of 2019. Three of those were teenagers in the West Midlands, all killed within the space of 12 days. People are now asking whether austerity is to blame.

By Tom Symonds, Thomas Mackintosh and Steve SwannBBC News On the afternoon of Wednesday, 13 February, just outside the gates of a sixth form college in east Birmingham, an A-Level student is stabbed in the chest. Paramedics and police rushed to the aid of Sidali Mohamed, an aspiring accountant who fled war-torn Somalia with his family as a toddler. Two days later, surrounded by his family in hospital, the 16-year-old Joseph Chamberlain College student's life support machine was switched off and he died from his injuries. A week after Sidali was stabbed, West Midlands Police launched another murder investigation as a second teenager was knifed to death. Yards away from a nearby primary school, in Small Heath, south-east Birmingham, Abdullah Muhammad was stabbed in the back and chest. Abdullah, also aged 16, died at the scene - a park close to where he lived. By the end of the week detectives had begun a third murder investigation, the time into the death of an 18-year-old boy. Electrical engineering student Hazrat Umar was found injured on a road in Bordesley Green on 25 February. A relative of Nazir Afzal, a former chief prosecutor, Mr Umar became another victim to Birmingham's knife crime. Eight of the 100 victims to have been stabbed to death in 2019 have been killed in the West Midlands - but Mr Afzal fears the knife crime problem is far bigger. "The statistics show murders, but do not show the attempted murders and GBHs," Mr Afzal says. "Hundreds of people have survived violence because of the skilled work of paramedics and medical staff. It masks a bigger problem." Stabbing victims in 2019 One hundred people have been fatally stabbed in the UK so far this year. The motives and circumstances behind killings have varied - as have the age and gender of the victims. Last month, Jack Harley, a 14-year-old boy with learning difficulties from Halesowen, almost became another statistic. The teenager was attacked with a knife and robbed while sitting on a bench in a park in Dudley. Receiving a deep gash to his right arm, Jack needed 14 staples and underwent a series of operations. "He was very close to the artery being cut," says his mother, Diane. "We've got to stop it." The spate of killings has led the chief constable of West Midlands Police to describe knife crime as "an emergency" as pressure mounted for solutions to be found fast. But for former police officer Kirk Dawes, the solution is obvious: he partly attributes the rise in knife crime locally to the axing of a mediation service he had run, which settled disputes between gangs. First 100 fatal stabbings in the UK 2019 Source: BBC Research. All locations approximate. Map made with Carto. "Every time I hear a murder where some kind of conflict resolution service could have been utilised, it hurts in here," he says, pointing to his heart. "Something that was working so well was literally thrown away." New Year shootings In 2004, Mr Dawes - then a police detective - was tasked with setting up a unit that would mediate conflicts and stop them from becoming deadly. Mr Dawes helped pioneer a new approach to combating serious violence in the wake of the killing of teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare, who were gunned down in a drive-by shooting as they left a party in Birmingham in the early hours of 2 January 2003. They were the innocent victims of a dispute between two notorious gangs in the city. Drawing on conflict resolution tactics used to defuse disputes in Northern Ireland and among gangs in the US, Mr Dawes worked with trained mediators as part of a body called Birmingham Reducing Gang Violence (BRGV). They shuttled between feuding groups, finding ways to settle conflict without violence. It seemed to work: Mr Dawes says there were 27 gang-related murders in 2004. By 2010 there were three. Then the scheme was scrapped. By the end, he says, the 35 trained mediators, who specialised in sitting face-to-face with possible killers, were being asked to work on a zero-hours contract. "The catalyst for that was austerity," Mr Dawes says now. "The draconian way in which money was taken away from community organisations has led to where we are now." Since the BRGV was axed, knife crime has steadily risen in the West Midlands, with the number of people being stabbed to death spiking in the last two years. There is no agreement on what is driving the recent increase. Senior police officers blame drug dealing, robberies and young people feeling like they have to defend themselves. Elsewhere, social media is in the frame. The current chief constable of West Midlands Police, Dave Thompson, was not in charge when the decision was made to axe Mr Dawes' mediation unit. He says the force has faced "some very tough choices". "You can't make the level of reductions by keeping everything the same," he says. However, he concedes that "with hindsight" it would have been better to retain the unit. Later this year a new mediation service will be introduced at a cost of £100,000 a year - seven years after BGRV was scrapped. Research published last week found that councils with large cuts to youth services were more likely to have seen an increase in knife crime. The all-party parliamentary group on knife crime said that the average council cuts to youth services was 40%, but for some services in the West Midlands it was closer to 90%. Austerity makes itself felt in another way too, according to Mr Thompson, serving to slow down some of the more detailed investigations which are often launched following a homicide. "In some cases of violence, the investigation won't move at the same pace as it would have in the past. "The leg work of detective work in some of these cases, the examination of phones, the digital media that takes time, effort of skilled resources." West Midlands is facing acute pressures. Birmingham is a young city. Almost half of its one million population is under 25, so the policing priority is to reduce street violence among that group. "It has got the appearance that those people who are inclined to violence are actually becoming more violent," says West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson. "If you'd asked me the question about the common themes in the violence four or five years ago a lot of it was around gangs. "That is still true today. Some of it is around gangs but it's across all people now. We're seeing what used to be a small act of violence - perhaps a slap or a punch - turn into something far more serious." 'Immunity' Nationally, a lot of hope has been pinned on the so-called "public health approach" to tackling violence. West Midlands Police believes it is a vital strategy, alongside tougher policing. Homicide rates across the UK Home Office, Scottish Government, PSNI. Map built with Carto At Coundon Primary School, in Coventry, a class of lively Year 6 pupils learn about being "mentors in violence prevention", as part of a new scheme in the region. Using scenarios they teach each other the resilience needed to stand up to the challenges they will face in life. They learn about bullying, grooming and dealing with the pressures not to "snitch". It is another demand heaped onto busy teachers. Head teacher Jayne Ellis says there was a stabbing just around the corner from the school the night before she spoke to the BBC. "Some of these children we've had since they were three," she says. "If we can give them those messages at least we've given them the skills to deal with whatever predicament they find themselves in. "They trust us implicitly. They trust each other. We are like a family."

2019 की शुरुआत से पूरे ब्रिटेन में सौ लोगों की चाकू मारकर हत्या कर दी गई है। उनमें से तीन वेस्ट मिडलैंड्स में किशोर थे, सभी 12 दिनों के अंतराल के भीतर मारे गए। लोग अब पूछ रहे हैं कि क्या तपस्या को दोषी ठहराया जाना है।


Islamic State: How foreigners are helped to reach Syria and Iraq

Summary: Three schoolgirls from London are now believed to be in Syria, amid fears they are planning to join Islamic State (IS). What makes people want to travel to conflicts in foreign lands and how are they helped to get there?

By Erin Marie Saltman & Moli DowInstitute for Strategic Dialogue Figures suggest more than 20,000 foreigners have joined the conflicts in Iraq and Syria in the last three years, with as many as 4,000 from Western Europe. The UK has some of the highest numbers, with 500 to 600 people making the journey to join IS. Understanding the radicalisation and recruitment, as well as the practicalities of travel to join IS, are crucial. But predicting and tracking these individuals is often problematic. Hard to stereotype Foreign terrorist fighters and female "brides of jihadists" are incredibly hard to stereotype. In addition, very little is actually known about the journey from their homes to IS territory. However, monitoring social media platforms, tracking of online interactions and engagement with former extremists has provided the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) with valuable insight into this controversial migration. There is no single source or cause behind radicalisation. It is a process with a variety of entry points. There are numerous socialising agents that lead people to adopt an ideology. The same mechanisms that can attach an individual to a political party, grassroots movement or activist cause can also be used to draw individuals into an extremist ideology. Family networks, media, education, political parties and social groups all have an influence on how we perceive our identities and ideologies - and IS has become particularly adept at manipulating these. As a recent ISD report found, female Western migrants leave their friends and families in their country of origin and adopt new ones with Islamic State. Fellow "brothers" and "sisters" of IS become the family, the media and the education centre. IS dedicates time, money and expertise into cultivating these networks. The online sphere acts as an access point to much of this material and is often considered a source of radicalisation. Arguably the primary pull-factor IS has developed to recruit Westerners is its network of decentralised voices. Other terrorist organisations have kept their internal media, information and communication highly centralised and controlled. But IS has allowed and encouraged its foreign fighters, female recruits and supporters abroad to tweet, share and communicate their message and experiences with others on a range of online platforms. This means that propaganda is fluent and fluid in a range of languages, targeting specific audiences through unintimidating culturally relevant spaces online. This also means interested individuals can communicate with those that have already made their journey to IS territory, asking practical questions and receiving advice and reinforcement from those already there. However, as research has found, offline extremist networks and recruiters remain a key "first spark" of radicalisation, introducing young individuals to online spaces which serve as a crucial catalyst to the radicalisation process. It is perhaps no surprise that the highest number of foreign fighters from the West often derive from the countries where offline extremist networks operate. 'Echo chamber' Al-Muhajiroun in the UK, Ansar al Haqq in France and Sharia4Belgium, to name a few, have promoted and disseminated Islamist extremist ideologies for many years. Thus, while the first point of extremist contact is offline, the online space becomes an echo chamber, facilitating radicalisation as well as encouraging and assisting individuals to join IS. Foreigners joining IS utilise the internet to assist their crossing. Many already in Syria provide practical advice and encouragement. They post on blogs, engage on public response sites, and invite interested individuals to engage on more private message streams when it comes time to plan the actualities of travel. Questions about how to overcome the objections raised by one's family, what clothes to bring, where to attempt a crossing and what to expect on arrival are all addressed. The practicalities of monetary currency and how to act at airports and border checks are also discussed. Meeting points and contacts are also often organised in advance, and in some cases marriages with foreign fighters are pre-arranged. The internet has made it effortless to go online and purchase a plane ticket. The on-the-ground networks at Turkish and Syrian borders are less known, but there have been cases where IS has provided guides and even legal assistance to ensure that foreign recruits arrive in IS territory. All not lost It is clear that IS has dedicated infrastructure and thought to its robust recruitment strategy, largely depending on its online networking. However, this is not a helpless situation. There are myriad approaches to help stem processes of radicalisation leading to this migration. First and foremost we must target the roots of radicalisation, rather than its symptoms. Governments typically continue to rely on new legislation, censorship and filtering methods to counter online extremism. These "negative measures" are controversial and, largely, ineffective on their own. The focus needs to shift to "positive measures" - those that develop and propagate counter narratives and online initiatives that undermine the allure of extremist propaganda in the first place. These measures should incorporate governments, civil society and the private sector. Further emphasis should be paid to developing resilience to violent extremism. This should involve improving both digital literacy and critical consumption skills, already being piloted through certain UK Prevent schemes as well as abroad. Extreme Dialogue, for example, is a recently launched counter-narrative education programme, encouraging critical thinking in youth. Programmes such as these serve to demonstrate that the internet is not the enemy. Instead, it is a platform that - if developed properly - can be one of the strongest tools in the fight against extremism.

माना जाता है कि लंदन की तीन स्कूली छात्राएँ अब सीरिया में हैं, इस डर के बीच कि वे इस्लामिक स्टेट (आईएस) में शामिल होने की योजना बना रही हैं। लोग विदेशों में संघर्षों की यात्रा क्यों करना चाहते हैं और वहाँ पहुँचने में उनकी कैसे मदद की जाती है?


Cyclone lashes French island of Reunion

Summary: An Indian Ocean cyclone is lashing the French island of Reunion, where residents have been told to stay indoors amid torrential rain.

The storm has led to power cuts in more than 60,000 homes, French TV reports. Cyclone Dumile is sweeping southwards between Reunion and Madagascar. Winds are reaching 180 km/h (112mph). Reunion's air traffic and shipping are at a standstill. So far there are no reports of serious injuries, but some roads have been flooded. The storm is expected to intensify on Reunion later on Thursday, though the eye of it is forecast to remain offshore.

हिंद महासागर का एक चक्रवात फ्रांसीसी द्वीप रीयूनियन को प्रभावित कर रहा है, जहाँ निवासियों को मूसलाधार बारिश के बीच घर के अंदर रहने के लिए कहा गया है।


RAF Lossiemouth personnel returning from Afghanistan

Summary: More than 150 RAF Lossiemouth personnel are due to return to their home base in Moray following a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The troops are specialists in guarding airfields and were involved in a major firefight with Taliban insurgents who attacked Camp Bastion in September. It left two US marines and 14 of the attackers dead. The troops fly home to the base on Thursday night to be met by their families. A homecoming parade is planned for Elgin next week.

150 से अधिक आरएएफ लॉसीमाउथ कर्मी अफगानिस्तान में छह महीने के ड्यूटी दौरे के बाद मोरे में अपने घरेलू अड्डे पर लौटने वाले हैं।


Parliament takes pride in role in gay rights struggles

Summary: Westminster's "palace of enchantments" will be given an LGBTI gleam this weekend - lit up in the colours of the rainbow flag to mark both Pride Week and also the 50th anniversary of the Act of Parliament which legalised gay sex.

Mark D'ArcyParliamentary correspondent The decision was taken by Commons Speaker John Bercow and the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, who explained their thinking in their first-ever joint interview, for Radio 4's Today in Parliament. Legalisation, in 1967, was the product of a ten-year parliamentary campaign to follow-up the 1957 Wolfenden Report which had recommended the decriminalisation of consenting male homosexual sex. There had been gathering pressure and determined resistance as the issue surfaced repeatedly in Parliament, with furious internal argument within the two main parties. My favourite moment was a question put by the Conservative former Lord Chancellor, Lord Kilmuir, who asked "are your Lordships going to pass a bill that would make it lawful for two senior officers of police to go to bed together?" The Conservative MP Humphrey Berkeley brought in a bill for reform, but lost his seat in the 1966 general election. He was not reselected, and was told that his local party could tolerate him being for either homosexual law reform or the abolition of hanging, but not both. The torch was passed to the Labour MP, Leo Abse, who won approval for a ten-minute rule bill in July 1966, by 244 votes to 100. Abse had the support of the new Home Secretary, Roy Jenkins, who battled in Cabinet to persuade reluctant colleagues to give government support to the Bill. Opponents thought it was the product of middle class liberalism and would alienate Labour's working-class base, but the government did eventually crucial provide extra debating time in the Commons, when Abse's private members bill faced a filibuster. The necessary 100 MPs needed to force votes at regular intervals in the debate was mustered, and at 5.50am on the morning of July 4, 1966, the Bill passed its Third Reading by 99 votes to 14, after a 20-hour sitting. Legalisation was presented in an apologetic way - a measure to end the criminalisation of unfortunates - and not a "vote of confidence in homosexuality". The age of consent was set at 21, and despite attempts to lower it by, among others, the Conservative Edwina Currie, it remained at that age until 2000. Even after legalisation, the personal consequences for MPs and others in the public eye of being outed were still devastating. There were cases like that of Maureen Colquhoun, a Labour MP elected in Northampton in 1974, who brought in bills on abortion, gender balance and the protection of prostitutes. Her relationship with another woman was revealed in the Daily Mail. She defeated two attempts to deselect her, and she was forced to campaign for re-election in 1979, with some party members refusing to support her because of her private life, rather than her politics. She lost. Perhaps the most high profile example was that of someone who never actually made it into Parliament, Peter Tatchell, the Labour candidate in the 1983 Bermondsey by-election, whose homosexuality became an election issue. In an interview on Radio 4's Today in Parliament on Friday, Joanna Cherry, the gay SNP MP, said the level of "hate filled homophobia" he faced deterred her from any idea of a career in politics - although she would have liked (at that time) to be a Labour MP. Labour's Chris Smith, a future Culture Secretary, was the first MP to come out as gay, in 1984. And there was also legislation, like Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act, which said local councils could not "intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship". No prosecution was ever brought under Section 28, but it had considerable impact on, for example, lesbian, gay and bisexual support groups in schools and colleges. It was repealed in 2000. In recent years the battles have tended to be on legislation designed to be anti-discriminatory, first the creation of Civil Partnerships, then the legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry, and most recently the "Turing Bill" to pardon gay men convicted for offences that would not be considered crimes today. Today, Speaker Bercow's coat of arms features LGBT colours. And for Norman Fowler, the Lord Speaker, his experience as health secretary in the 1980s, when AIDS emerged as a major public health issue, it brought the issue for discrimination against gay people into focus. Both wanted Parliament to pay its respects to the LGBT community and to show solidarity. "We have gone in half a century from the criminalisation of one type of love to almost complete legal equality," Mr Bercow said. Lord Fowler said the lighting of one of the most famous buildings in the world would be a symbol to people who were being persecuted.

वेस्टमिंस्टर के "जादू के महल" को इस सप्ताह के अंत में एक एल. जी. बी. टी. आई. चमक दी जाएगी-गर्व सप्ताह और समलैंगिक यौन संबंध को वैध बनाने वाले संसद के अधिनियम की 50वीं वर्षगांठ दोनों को चिह्नित करने के लिए इंद्रधनुष ध्वज के रंगों में रोशन किया जाएगा।


Down's syndrome: 'In all honesty we were offered 15 terminations'

Summary: Ninety per cent of women whose unborn babies are diagnosed with Down's syndrome choose to have an abortion, which is legal right up until birth. But campaigners say expectant parents are routinely given outdated advice and encouraged to have a termination. We hear from three mothers who want the system to change.

By Charlie JonesBBC News 'The support was only there if I chose an abortion' Jaxon Buckmaster is, in many ways, a typical six-year-old boy. He loves swimming, cars, dinosaurs, Mickey Mouse and performing on stage with his musical theatre group. The youngest of five children, he is described as "a little comedian" with a "really cheeky" sense of humour. Jaxon also has Down's syndrome, meaning he has an extra chromosome and a learning disability. "It takes him longer to reach milestones, but we celebrate them so much more because they are such an achievement for him," his mother Lorraine says. Jaxon excels at his mainstream school, where he has lots of friends, and has no other health conditions. So Lorraine, who lives in Milton Keynes, cannot understand why midwives were so negative about the condition when she was pregnant. She found out Jaxon might have Down's syndrome after being persuaded to have an extra screening and a blood test due to her age. "I was 45 at the time and knew there would be a higher chance, but it didn't matter to me," she says. "The midwife said we would get longer to see Jaxon on the screen so we went along with it." The sonographer explained that if the baby showed markers of the condition, the next step would be an amniocentesis, a test which carries a small chance of a miscarriage. "I said no, we wouldn't be interested, partly because we had lost a baby the previous year. She was very aggressive and said 'women like you make me sick. Why bother having a screening at all if you're not going to do anything about it?'" A midwife later phoned, saying she was "ever so sorry" but had "really bad news", confirming the baby had a one-in-five chance of having Down's syndrome. Lorraine and her husband Mark declined all further testing. They wanted to keep their baby, no matter what. "The support was only there if I chose to have an abortion, and that was what they presumed, but they weren't interested when I said I wanted to keep Jaxon," Lorraine adds. Jaxon was diagnosed at birth and Lorraine says the family has never looked back. She says her other children adore him and will fight over who gets to look after him when they are older. "I want him to get married and work and have a normal future," she says. "We know he will always need support but we really believe he will lead a full life. He's a showman, a real entertainer and we think he will end up on the stage." 'At 38 weeks, I was told I could still terminate' Emma Mellor felt under pressure to abort her daughter Jaimie throughout her pregnancy. Aged 24 at the time, she already had a young son with her husband Steve. "In all honesty we were offered 15 terminations, even though we made it really clear that it wasn't an option for us, but they really seemed to push and really seemed to want us to terminate," she says. At her 20-week scan, Emma was told her daughter had some fluid on her brain. Doctors said she was likely to be disabled. "From that moment on, they recommended we should terminate and told us to think about the effect on our son and his quality of life." Their son Logan was on the waiting list for surgery at the time, having been born with a hole in his heart. Emma says they could not imagine ending their daughter's life with an injection in the heart to stop it beating - the recommended termination method after 22 weeks - while they were waiting to fix their son's. "It inspired us to make the right choice. We decided to carry on and hope for the best." At 32 weeks, a test showed she had Down's syndrome and doctors reminded Emma several times that she could be legally aborted until birth. "At 38 weeks, the doctors made it really, really, really clear that if I changed my mind on the morning of the induction to let them know, because it wasn't too late. "I was told that until my baby had started travelling down the birth canal, I could still terminate." When Jaimie was born, Emma was told she had Down's syndrome but was otherwise healthy. Five years on, Jaimie is "the best of friends" with her brother and attends a mainstream school in Lincolnshire, where she is ahead of some of her peers for reading. "She loves dancing and trampolining. She has a few difficulties but she is just like any other child her age. She lights up the room and people just gravitate towards her. "When we got the diagnosis, I did worry about her future. She will undoubtedly face some challenges as she gets older but she is continuously proving that she shouldn't be underestimated. "Jaimie can do anything that she sets her mind to." 'I started to ask myself what is so wrong with him having Down's syndrome?' Sixteen years ago, Nicola Enoch was certain she did not want a baby with Down's syndrome. Pregnant at 39, she found out there was a higher chance of this happening after a screening and booked in for an amniocentesis. However, she cancelled at the last minute. Having already suffered four miscarriages, she was concerned it might cause her to lose the baby. Down's syndrome Source: NHS/Positive About Down Syndrome When Tom was born, Nicola was euphoric. But the following day, a paediatrician asked her if she thought he looked normal. Tom was diagnosed with Down's syndrome and Nicola's world fell apart. "I was offered absolutely no support to rebuild it," she says. "I felt complete and utter despair and devastation. Gone was this gorgeous baby and instead he was replaced with this unknown entity." He would never be able to go on a trampoline, doctors said, while a community midwife burst into tears. Nicola grew increasingly distant from her baby and considered having him adopted. "I was grieving for the baby I had hoped for and expected, terrified of the future, and I actually wondered if it would be better for us all if Tom didn't survive," she says. Nicola's maternal bond had been "severed" and it took her more than a year to fall back in love with her son. "I started to ask myself, 'what is so wrong with him having Down's syndrome?'" Tom, now 16, is a pupil in mainstream education. Nicola describes him as "charming, witty and charismatic". A West Bromwich Albion fan, he also enjoys golf, snorkelling and kayaking and hopes to get a job and get married. Nicola says cancelling the amniocentesis was the best decision she ever made. "I am terrified I would have terminated Tom's life. I was led to believe he would have a negative impact on our lives but he has enriched them and we are without doubt better people for having him in them." Nicola runs a charity called The Ups and Downs, which supports more than 70 families, and has set up a website called Positive About Down Syndrome. She has also published several books, distributed literature to maternity units across England, provided training sessions for the NHS and successfully campaigned for the advice on its website to be changed. Nicola says she worries "every single day" that parents are making life or death decisions based on outdated information. She also believes the existence of Down's syndrome is under threat by a new blood test called non-invasive prenatal testing, which Public Health England (PHE) expects to roll out across England next year. It will be offered to women whose initial screenings show a higher chance of Down's syndrome. PHE said it wanted to enable parents to make "personal informed choices" and the optional screening "should be offered sensitively, in a non-directive way". Clare Murphy, deputy chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said the test had simply given women a more accurate and less invasive screening option. "It is a hugely important step forward in women's healthcare," she said. "To restrict it would be to restrict women's access to the most effective and low-risk way of obtaining information about their own pregnancies - and that would not be ethical at all." What is the advice given to parents? The NHS website says it can be a very difficult decision whether to continue a pregnancy with Down's syndrome. It advises women to speak to medics, family, friends and various charities and to people who have been in the same position. It says women should take their time and that whatever they decide, they will have support. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

जिन महिलाओं के अजन्मे बच्चों में डाउन सिंड्रोम का पता चलता है, उनमें से नब्बे प्रतिशत गर्भपात कराने का विकल्प चुनती हैं, जो जन्म तक कानूनी अधिकार है। लेकिन अभियानकर्ताओं का कहना है कि गर्भवती माता-पिता को नियमित रूप से पुरानी सलाह दी जाती है और गर्भपात कराने के लिए प्रोत्साहित किया जाता है। हम तीन माताओं से सुनते हैं जो चाहते हैं कि व्यवस्था में बदलाव हो।


Coronavirus lockdown: Lessons from Hokkaido's second wave of infections

Summary: It was once seen as something of a success story - a region that worked to contain, trace and isolate the virus - leading to a huge drop in numbers. But Hokkaido is in the spotlight again as it struggles to deal with a second wave of infections.

By Rupert Wingfield-HayesBBC News, Tokyo In late February, Hokkaido became the first place in Japan to declare a state of emergency due to Covid-19. Schools were closed, large-scale gatherings cancelled and people "encouraged" to stay at home. The local government pursued the virus with determination - aggressively tracing and isolating anyone who'd had contact with victims. The policy worked and by mid-March the number of new cases had fallen back to one or two a day. On 19 March the state of emergency was lifted, and at the beginning of April, schools re-opened. But now, just 26 days after the state of emergency was lifted, a new one has had to be imposed. Hokkaido has acted independently of the central government, which placed Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures under a state of emergency last week. A nationwide state of emergency was declared on Thursday. Almost a success story In the last week, Hokkaido has recorded 135 new confirmed cases of Covid-19. Unlike the first outbreak in February, there is no evidence the virus has been re-imported from outside Japan. None of the new cases are foreigners, nor have any of those infected travelled outside Japan in the last month. What does this tell us about how the virus outbreak was handled in Hokkaido? Firstly, if you get on top of it really early, you can get it under control. "It is relatively easy to tackle clusters, to contact trace and isolate," says Professor Kenji Shibuya of King's College London. "The authorities were quite successful in their cluster control approach. Japan was in the very early phase of the outbreak back then. It was localised and it was a success story." In this respect, Hokkaido has some similarity to what happened in the South Korean city of Daegu. There, a large outbreak in a religious cult was aggressively traced. Those infected were isolated and the outbreak was suppressed. But the second lesson from Hokkaido is much less reassuring. After the Daegu outbreak, the South Korean government began a massive testing program to try and track the epidemic. Japan has done the opposite. Even now, more than three months after Japan recorded its first case, it is still only testing a tiny percentage of the population. Initially, the government said it was because large-scale testing was a "waste of resources". It's now had to change its tune a bit and says it will ramp up testing - but several reasons appear to have slowed it down. Firstly, Japan's health ministry fears that hospitals will be overwhelmed by people who test positive - but only have minor symptoms. And on a wider scale, the testing is the responsibility of local health centres and not on a national government level. Some of these local centres are simply not equipped with the staff or the equipment to deal with testing on a major scale. Local hotlines have been overwhelmed and even getting a referral from a doctor is a struggle. The combination of these reasons mean authorities in Japan don't have a clear idea of how the virus is moving through the population, says Prof Shibuya. "We are in the middle of an explosive phase of the outbreak," he said. "The major lesson to take from Hokkaido is that even if you are successful in the containment the first time around, it's difficult to isolate and maintain the containment for a long period. Unless you expand the testing capacity, it's difficult to identify community transmission and hospital transmission." The long road ahead The third lesson is that this "new reality" is going to go on a lot longer than most people expect. Hokkaido has now had to re-impose the restrictions, though Japan's version of a Covid-19 "lockdown" is a rather softer than those imposed elsewhere. Most people are still going to work. Schools may be closed, but shops and even bars remain open. Prof Shibuya thinks without tougher measures Japan has little hope of controlling this so called "second wave" of infections now taking place, not just in Hokkaido, but across the country. "The key lesson" he says "is even if you are successful in containment locally but there is transmission going on in other parts of the country, as long as people are moving around, it's difficult to maintain a virus-free status". Even so, the economy in Hokkaido is already hurting badly. The island is hugely dependent on tourism, and Japan has banned travel from the US and Europe and most countries in Asia. A friend who owns a bar in the city of Chitose has been forced to shut it down and lay off his staff. Further north in the city of Asahikawa, Naoki Tamura told us his bar is still open but there are now almost no customers. "One or two come by each night," he says. "There used to be many tourists from China and South East Asia. They are completely gone. We don't hear any foreign language spoken on the street now. Smaller lodging places are having to shut down. Tourism businesses are really struggling." The new state of emergency is officially due to finish on 6 May, the end of Japan's "Golden Week" holiday. But one local government official working on epidemic suppression in Hokkaido told us they may now have to keep measures in place for much longer. "We feel we have to keep on doing the same thing," he said. "The goal is to minimise contact between people to stop the spread of the virus." So how long does that mean? "Till we find a vaccine," he says. "We have to keep on trying to stop the expansion." Additional reporting by Miho Tanaka

इसे एक बार एक सफलता की कहानी के रूप में देखा गया था-एक ऐसा क्षेत्र जिसने वायरस को रोकने, पता लगाने और अलग करने के लिए काम किया-जिससे संख्या में भारी गिरावट आई। लेकिन होक्काइडो फिर से सुर्खियों में है क्योंकि यह संक्रमण की दूसरी लहर से निपटने के लिए संघर्ष कर रहा है।


Wickerman Festival first tickets on sale

Summary: A first batch of tickets for next year's edition of the Wickerman Festival in south west Scotland is going on sale.

The early bird promotion allows weekend tickets to be purchased at this year's prices for the event staged near Dundrennan in Dumfries in Galloway. The special offer runs from 09:00 on Thursday until midnight on Tuesday 5 November. The dates for the festival have been set as 25 and 26 July in 2014.

दक्षिण पश्चिम स्कॉटलैंड में अगले साल के विकरमैन महोत्सव के लिए टिकटों का पहला जत्था बिक्री पर है।


The Indian queens who modelled for the world's first vaccine

Summary: When Devajammani arrived at the royal court of Mysore in 1805, it was to marry Krishnaraja Wadiyar III. They were both 12 years of age and he was the newly minted ruler of the southern Indian kingdom.

By Aparna AlluriBBC News, Delhi But Devajammani soon found herself recruited for a more momentous cause - to publicise and promote the smallpox vaccine. And her unwitting role was captured in a painting commissioned by the East India Company to "encourage participation in the vaccination programme", according to Dr Nigel Chancellor, a historian at Cambridge University. The cure for smallpox was fairly new - it had been discovered just six years before by Edward Jenner, an English doctor - and met with suspicion and resistance in India. Not least because it was being championed by the British, whose power was rising at the turn of the 19th Century. But the British would not give up on their grand scheme to inoculate Indians - they justified the cost and effort of saving "numerous lives, which have yearly fallen a sacrifice" to the virus with the promise of "increased resources derived from abundant population". What followed was a deft mix of politics, power and persuasion by the East India Company to introduce the world's first ever vaccine to India, their biggest colonial enterprise. It involved British surgeons, Indian vaccinators, scheming company bosses and friendly royals - none more so than the Wadiyars, indebted to the British who had put them back on the throne after more than 30 years of exile. The women in the painting Dr Chancellor believes this painting, dated to around 1805, is not just a record of the queen's vaccination but also a window into how the British effort unfolded. The portrait, an arresting rendition in oil on canvas, was last offered for sale via Sotheby's auction house in 2007. Its subjects were unknown - and thought to be dancing girls or courtesans - until Dr Chancellor stumbled upon it. He says he "immediately felt this was wrong". He identified the woman on the right in the painting as Devajammani, the younger queen. He said her sari would have typically covered her left arm, but it was left exposed so she could point to where she had been vaccinated "with a minimum loss of dignity". The woman on the left, he believes, is the king's first wife, also named Devajammani. The marked discoloration under her nose and around her mouth is consistent with controlled exposure to the smallpox virus, Dr Chancellor said. Pustules from patients who had recovered would be extracted, ground to dust and blown up the nose of those who had not had the disease. It was a form of inoculation known as variolation, that was meant to induce a milder infection. Dr Chancellor cited details to support his theory, which was first published in an article in 2001. For one, the date of the painting matches the Wadiyar king's wedding dates and the court records from July 1806, announcing that Devjammmani's vaccination had a "salutary influence" on people who came forward to be inoculated. Two, as an expert in Mysore history, Dr Chancellor is certain the "heavy gold sleeve bangles" and "the magnificent headdresses" are characteristic of Wadiyar queens. Also, the artist, Thomas Hickey, had earlier painted the Wadiyars and other members of the court. And most important, he wrote, is the "compelling candour" with which they engage the viewer. Half-smiling royal women striking a casual pose for a European painter is rare enough to raise eyebrows. And the Wadiyars would not have risked a scandal, Dr Chancellor said, for a run-of-the-mill portrait. But what if it was quid pro quo? It was a heady time for the East India Company. In 1799, it had defeated one of its last great foes, Mysore's ruler, Tipu Sultan, and put the Wadiyars in his place. But British dominance was still not assured. So, according to Dr Chancellor, William Bentick, the governor of Madras (now Chennai), sensed a political opportunity in battling a deadly disease. And the British were keen on getting the vaccine to India to "protect the expat population," says Professor Michael Bennett, a historian who has documented the arduous journey of the vaccine to India in his book, War Against Smallpox. In India, smallpox infections were high and fatalities common - symptoms included fever, pain and severe discomfort as pustules broke out across the face and body. Those who survived were often scarred for life. For centuries, it had been treated with variolation, accompanied by religious rituals. Hindus saw it as a sign of the wrath of Mariamma or Sitala, the goddess of the pox, and sought to propitiate her. So the advent of a vaccine, which consisted of cowpox virus, was not welcome. And Brahmin variolators, or "tikadars", resented the new procedure that threatened their livelihood. "The major concern was the pollution of pushing into their healthy child a cattle disease," Prof Bennett said. "How do you translate cowpox? They brought in Sanskrit scholars and found themselves using terms locals would have used for far worse diseases. And there was alarm that cowpox might devastate their cattle." There was another, bigger problem - the most effective way to vaccinate was to do it "arm-to-arm". Using this method, the first person would be vaccinated by smearing the vaccine onto their arm with a needle or a lancet. A week later, when a cowpox pustule developed in that spot, a doctor would cut into it and transfer the pus on to the arm of another person. Sometimes, the lymph from the arm of a patient would be dried and sealed between glass plates to be transported elsewhere, but it usually did not survive the journey. Either way, the vaccine was passing through bodies of all races, religions, castes and genders, and that ran counter to unyielding Hindu notions of purity. How better to overcome these fears than enlist the help of Hindu royals, whose power was tied to their bloodlines? The journey of the vaccine to the Wadiyar queen probably began - in India at least - with the three-year-old daughter of a British servant named Anna Dusthall. Starting in the spring of 1800, the vaccine was sent by ship from Britain in the form of dried lymph samples or via "vaccine couriers" - a human chain of people being inoculated arm-to-arm to keep the vaccine going during the voyage. But none of those vaccinations took once they arrived in India. After several failed attempts, dried vaccine matter was sealed between glass plates and successfully delivered from Vienna to Baghdad in March 1802. It was then used to vaccinate an Armenian child and the lymph from his arm was taken to Basra, in Iraq, where an East India Company surgeon established a supply arm-to-arm that was sent to Bombay (now Mumbai). On 14 June, 1802, Anna Dusthall became the first person in India to be successfully vaccinated against smallpox. Little else is known about her, except that she was "remarkably good tempered", according to the notes of the doctor who vaccinated her. Dusthall was partly of European descent, Prof Bennett said, but her mother's heritage is unknown. "We know all vaccination in the subcontinent came from this girl," he said. The following week, five other children in Bombay were vaccinated with pus from Dusthall's arm. From there, the vaccine travelled, most often arm-to-arm, across India to various British bases - Hyderabad, Cochin, Tellicherry, Chingleput, Madras and eventually, to the royal court of Mysore. The British did not always record the names of people who kept the supply going, but they did note that it passed through many "unexceptional bodies" - there are mentions of three "half-caste" children who re-established supply in Madras, and a Malay boy who ferried the vaccine to Calcutta (Kolkata). It's not known if the young queen Devajammani was vaccinated with dried lymph or from the pus of an earlier patient. There is no mention of anyone else in the family or at the court being vaccinated, Dr Chancellor said. That would not have been unusual because there are reports of other royals being vaccinated. But none memorialised it in a portrait. The credit for that politicking, according to Dr Chancellor, goes to the king's grandmother, Lakshmi Ammani, who had lost her husband to smallpox. He believes she is the woman in the middle of the portrait of the three women, buttressing the Wadiyar stamp of approval for the vaccine. The "oval face and enormous eyes" are typical of the family, he adds. Dr Chancellor says the painting was possible because she was in charge - the king was too young to object and the queens were too young to refuse. The campaign continued as people came to realise the benefits of the procedure, and many tikadars switched over from variolation to vaccination. By 1807, Prof Bennett estimated, more than a million vaccine doses had been administered. Eventually, the painting made its way back to England and disappeared from public view. It did not resurface until 1991, when Dr Chancellor spotted it at an exhibition and rescued the women from obscurity, giving them a place in one of the world's first immunisation campaigns. Read more of our stories

जब देवजामनी 1805 में मैसूर के शाही दरबार में पहुंचे, तो उनका विवाह कृष्णराज वाडियार तृतीय से होना था। वे दोनों 12 साल के थे और वे दक्षिण भारतीय राज्य के नए शासक थे।