Tension high outside Venezuelan jail after shootout

Summary: Tension remains high outside a Venezuelan prison where hundreds of inmates began rioting 11 days ago in protest at plans to close the jail and move them to other facilities.

Heavy gunfire was heard for a couple of hours on Tuesday from inside La Planta prison, in the capital, Caracas. There was panic outside, where relatives had gathered desperate for news. They threw stones at the police, who responded with tear gas. La Planta prison, in the capital, Caracas, is being closed after two escape attempts. Many of the inmates have already been relocated, but hundreds have refused to be moved. They say they fear for their lives if they are transferred to other already overcrowded jails. Human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised conditions in Venezuelan prison system. An evangelical vicar who has been mediating the standoff told El Universal newspaper that the inmates at La Planta jail were hoping to reach a peaceful solution. But he says they remain adamant and will not accept relocation.

वेनेजुएला की एक जेल के बाहर तनाव बना हुआ है, जहां सैकड़ों कैदियों ने 11 दिन पहले जेल को बंद करने और उन्हें अन्य सुविधाओं में स्थानांतरित करने की योजना के विरोध में दंगे शुरू कर दिए थे।


Leicestershire Police appeal to trace car drivers after fatal crash

Summary: Police investigating the death of a pedestrian hit by a car have appealed to the drivers of two cars seen before the crash to contact the force.

The man in his 90s died in hospital after he was struck by a silver Nissan in The Green, near Brook Lane junction, in Thringstone, on 16 October. A red car and a 2007 five door blue VW Golf drove past Ruby's chip shop before the crash at about 09:00 GMT. Leicestershire Police said the drivers could help with their enquiries. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.

एक कार द्वारा एक पैदल यात्री की मौत की जांच कर रही पुलिस ने दुर्घटना से पहले देखी गई दो कारों के चालकों से बल से संपर्क करने की अपील की है।


Bercow's unprecedented ruling could change the course of Brexit

Summary: Boom! After a humdrum, almost completely unrevealing Prime Minister's Questions, the Commons erupted over Speaker John Bercow's decision to allow an attempt to change the rules for the resumed "meaningful vote" debate.

Mark D'ArcyParliamentary correspondent This is no mere technicality. The amendment proposed by former Attorney General Dominic Grieve would require the government to come back within three days, rather than 21, to debate the implications of not having a Brexit deal - if the prime minister's deal is indeed voted down next Tuesday. Under the previous rules, that debate would be kicked back to late February, with the Brexit clock ticking remorselessly in the background. The new Grieve amendment, now passed by MPs, means that in the event the PM loses next week, the Commons will then have a chance to vote on alternative policies - everything from a "managed no-deal" to a further referendum, via a "Norway option" or a reheated version of the current deal, could be on the table. If a majority could be found for anything, it would not have the force of law - but it would at least indicate a policy which had the support of MPs. This is, in short, a massive ruling by the Speaker, made, apparently, against the advice of the Commons Clerk, Sir David Natzler. Sweeping precedent? I don't want to delve too deeply into the arcana of Business of the House motions only amendable by ministers of the Crown, but this drove a coach and horses through accepted normal practice, and will have huge implications for the course of Brexit. The decisions will come much faster, and potentially, those plotting an alternative course to the PM's would have more space in which to work. And it may also set a sweeping precedent allowing MPs far more grip over their debates, on Brexit and pretty much anything else. If such a precedent can be made to stick, it would be a huge blow against any government's accustomed control over the business of the Commons. This is the biggest thing the Speaker has done, or is likely to do, easily eclipsing his decision to allow an extra amendment to the 2013 Queens' Speech, kicking off the Commons campaign which ultimately led to an EU Referendum becoming official Conservative policy. He got through a testing hour of points of order - which represents a victory of sorts, because he wasn't toppled by angry MPs in the way Michael Martin was a decade ago. But there will be consequences. For a start, a motion of no confidence in him now looks pretty certain. It may just languish in the "Remaining Orders and Notices" section of the Commons Order Paper, but it may take off and attract a critical mass of support from enraged Tories. Beyond that, the Speaker already has Conservatives openly accusing him of pro-Labour bias. Once unthinkable, that has now become a daily event, and may now become an hourly event. 'Turbulent tenure' Criticism of other aspects of his running of Commons business (too many urgent questions, emergency debates and over-running PMQs) may become continual. Things are about to become very uncomfortable in the Chamber. Above all there's the bullying inquiry and the allegations levelled against the Speaker himself, which have been repeatedly denied, that he has bullied colleagues. This is an inquiry that should not be postponed to protect the Speaker, nor weaponised to destroy him; but it could well be. I suspect that, one way or another, Mr Bercow's turbulent tenure in the Commons chair is coming to an end. Perhaps in months rather than weeks, but not before the big Brexit votes (and it's not impossible that somewhere along the way, he might have to make this kind of ruling again). The basic question his would-be successors will have to answer is how much of the Bercow revolution in the way the Commons works should be scrapped - and how much should be retained?

प्रधानमंत्री के प्रश्नों का लगभग पूरी तरह से खुलासा नहीं करने के बाद, स्पीकर जॉन बर्को द्वारा फिर से शुरू की गई "सार्थक वोट" बहस के लिए नियमों को बदलने के प्रयास की अनुमति देने के फैसले पर कॉमन्स में हंगामा हुआ।


Bill Cosby: Diehard fans stick by hometown hero

Summary: Less than two weeks before Father's Day, the man once affectionately known as America's Dad stepped back into the public spotlight to defend his legacy as he faced one of dozens of sexual assault allegations against him.

By Courtney SubramanianBBC News, Philadelphia Dressed in a dark navy suit, the 79-year-old was supported by the use of a cane and Keisha Knight Pulliam, the woman who played his precocious daughter, Rudy Huxtable, on the landmark television series The Cosby Show. But his reputation as a fatherly figure has been overshadowed in recent years by the more than 50 women who have come forward to accuse him of sexual assault. The actor and comedian is facing three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault stemming from a 2004 incident in which former Temple University employee Andrea Constand claims he drugged and molested her. He maintains his innocence, though some among the chorus of women who have offered up similar accounts appeared in court in Norristown, Pennsylvania, wearing pins with the words emblazoned: "We stand in truth." Stained legacy Though the allegations have tarnished Mr Cosby's reputation, the actor has long been considered a Hollywood trailblazer for African Americans. He rose to fame as the first black actor to star in a major drama series, I Spy, in 1965. The role earned him three of his four Emmy awards before he created several shows including the influential The Cosby Show in 1984. Darnell Hunt, the director of the Ralph J Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA, says his depiction of an upwardly mobile African-American family transcended race and broke new ground in an era otherwise criticised for portraying the "ghetto-centric" black stereotypes. "It showed that black people were American, too, which was sort of Cosby's political philosophy," he said. "It was and is still one of the most talked about TV shows ever and it certainly had a huge impact on this sort of whole discussion of images of black people and media." In fact, Mr Cosby enlisted Harvard psychiatrist Dr Alvin Poussaint as a consultant to ensure the scripts underscored a genuine family dynamic. Which is why it may be difficult for some Americans to separate the career he has made on promoting family values and education from the man Assistant District Attorney Kristin Feden accused of being a sexual predator in court on Monday. Racial undertones? Mr Cosby and one of his daughters have recently suggested race played a role in the allegations against him. The suggestion sparked outrage among some critics who point to previous comments he made in which he criticised single African-American mothers and young black men. "Many blacks felt it was him talking down to them and blaming them as opposed to the systemic forces that keep black people subordinated," says Mr Hunt. "But the sad reality is race is always a factor in America and that lens will be significant regardless of whether or not the allegations are racially motivated," says Mr Hunt, who wrote OJ Simpson Facts and Fictions, a book on the racial divide and perception of the American footballer's famous trial. "There is probably a lot of ambivalence in the black community with respect to the meaning of all of this," he added. "People are probably waiting to see how all of this works out with the trial." Some Philadelphia residents like Rickey A Rivera, who lives in Mr Cosby's childhood neighbourhood, remain convinced the case has racial undertones. "He can never be who he was and that's what's sad to me," Mr Rivera says. Fallen idol Other Philadelphia residents have struggled to reconcile how to talk about the local hero and the allegations against him. A mural that once stood on Broad Street depicting Mr Cosby and other famed fathers has disappeared, but another still stands amid the housing projects where he grew up in North Philadelphia's Poplar neighbourhood. William "Buddy" Savin, who owns a funeral home in the area, points out his own partially eroded image on a similar pillar beneath an overpass less than 100ft (30 metres) away from the portrait of Mr Cosby. Mr Cosby is seen flashing his signature grin, holding his fist in what appears to be a nod to black power as children play in the foreground. Mr Savin grew up with Mr Cosby in the Richard Allen housing project and spoke to him as recently as last week about the death of a mutual friend and Philadelphia jazz legend, Mickey Roker. The projects have mostly been torn down and replaced with new rows of town homes, but remnants of a past life - and Mr Cosby's legacy - still exist. "He was a black person who made it but he never forgot his roots," Mr Savin says. "He always came back to the projects." Though some residents are cagey when asked about Mr Cosby, everyone seems to have an anecdote about the comedian. A women standing in her front yard not far from where his house stood explains how she once saw Mr Cosby perform at her high school, but demurs when asked about her feelings on him now. "I have his autograph," she tells the BBC. "That's all I can say about him." But Mr Savin is happy to recount Mr Cosby's community work despite the scandal that has engulfed him over the last few years. A bespectacled man dressed in a pinstriped suit, he recalls how Mr Cosby returned to the neighbourhood when the new Richard Allen townhomes opened in 2003. He speaks about Mr Cosby's generous funding for dozens of children's education and his contributions to the nearby Temple University. The Temple "T" logo stands tall atop a building visible from the Richard Allen homes. Mr Cosby, one of the Temple's most famous alumni, is often credited with helping to transform Temple from a local school to a nationally recognised university. The school, just blocks away, is where he met Ms Constand while serving on the school's board of trustees. In the wake of the allegations, Temple eventually joined a growing number of colleges and universities that revoked the dozens of honorary degrees he received over the years. He was also removed from the board of trustees. Mr Cosby's presence on campus has mostly been erased, but university students like Olivia Jefferson, 25, remain conflicted. "He was the ideal black father. He showed this image personally we didn't see in the black community often growing up," she says. "And all these allegations coming out, it's a betrayal."

फादर्स डे से दो सप्ताह से भी कम समय पहले, वह व्यक्ति जिसे कभी प्यार से अमेरिका के पिता के रूप में जाना जाता था, अपनी विरासत का बचाव करने के लिए सार्वजनिक सुर्खियों में वापस आ गया क्योंकि उसे अपने खिलाफ दर्जनों यौन उत्पीड़न के आरोपों में से एक का सामना करना पड़ा।


Channel Island and UK ferry sailings disrupted

Summary: Condor Liberation ferry services between the Channel Islands and the UK have been cancelled on Saturday, following a technical problem with the vessel.

Passengers travelling on the ferry to Guernsey had to wait when it stopped outside St Peter Port harbour for engineers to fix it on Friday. Condor said there was a fault with one of the lube oil filter on the engine. Alternative ferry sailings on Saturday have been offered to passengers. Condor said it would ensure all customers got to their destinations on the same day, but on a different ship and at a different time. Passengers booked to travel to and from the UK will be able to travel on the Commodore Clipper ferry, while the Condor Rapide will provide sailings to Guernsey.

चैनल द्वीप समूह और ब्रिटेन के बीच कोंडोर लिबरेशन फेरी सेवाओं को जहाज में तकनीकी समस्या के बाद शनिवार को रद्द कर दिया गया है।


River Dulais turns white after milk tanker spill

Summary: A tanker has crashed into a river in west Wales, spilling milk and turning the water white.

The lorry left the A482 near Llanwrda in Carmarthenshire on Wednesday evening and crashed into the River Dulais. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said an "unknown quantity" of milk had leaked from the tanker, which caused "significant discolouration". NRW said its officers would return on Thursday morning to continue to assess the impact of the spill. May Lewis posted a video on Twitter which shows milky white water cascading over a small waterfall.

पश्चिमी वेल्स में एक टैंकर एक नदी में दुर्घटनाग्रस्त हो गया है, जिससे दूध रिस रहा है और पानी सफेद हो गया है।


Australia bushfires: Latest images from New South Wales

Summary: Dozens of bushfires are burning across vast swathes of Australia's east coast - including the area around Sydney.

The spate of blazes across New South Wales (NSW) have left three people dead and destroyed more than 300 homes. But authorities say the worst is "still ahead" as hot and dry conditions are expected to continue. Around 3,000 firefighters have been on the ground battling the flames in NSW, a state home to around six million. "We've got the worst of the summer still ahead of us," said NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. Mr Fitzimmons said nothing except rain would make "any discernible difference to conditions". All images copyright

सिडनी के आसपास के क्षेत्र सहित ऑस्ट्रेलिया के पूर्वी तट के विशाल क्षेत्र में दर्जनों झाड़ियों में आग लग रही है।


TweedLove Borders biking festival starts

Summary: A 10-day biking festival reckoned to be worth more than £500,000 to the local economy is under way in the Borders.

The TweedLove event is now in its third year and has extended its programme from previous week-long editions. It includes a range of free and paid-for events both on and off road and for all ability levels. Festival director Neil Dalgleish said: "We all want to share our love of bikes and the great trails and routes we have here in the Tweed Valley." The programme, which has secured financial support from both Scottish Borders Council and EventScotland, runs until 5 June.

स्थानीय अर्थव्यवस्था के लिए 500,000 पाउंड से अधिक मूल्य का एक 10-दिवसीय बाइकिंग उत्सव सीमाओं में चल रहा है।


Norovirus-hit Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli reopens

Summary: A hospital has reopened to visitors more than a week after it closed due to a norovirus outbreak.

Hywel Dda health board closed Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli on 2 December because patients had diarrhoea and vomiting. Infection control measures were put in place at the Carmarthenshire hospital. The 205-bed general hospital reopened on Tuesday. The board asked patients and visitors to wash their hands to prevent the spread of infections.

नोरोवायरस के प्रकोप के कारण बंद होने के एक सप्ताह से अधिक समय बाद एक अस्पताल आगंतुकों के लिए फिर से खोल दिया गया है।


Melania Trump: Donald Trump and I are fine

Summary: US First Lady Melania Trump has dismissed speculation about the state of her marriage, saying her husband's alleged extra-marital affairs are not her "concern or focus" because she has better things to do.

In an interview with ABC News, she said media speculation about her marriage was not "pleasant". Asked if she loves President Donald Trump, she said: "Yes, we are fine." He denies having had extra-marital affairs. Porn-star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal allege they slept with him. Mrs Trump said she loved her husband and that the media's coverage of their relationship was not always correct. "It is not a concern and focus of mine. I'm a mother and a first lady and I have much more important things to think about and to do," she said. "I know what is right and what is true and not true," she added. The interview was recorded on her trip last week across four African nations. Mrs Trump refused to be drawn on comments by President Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who maintained publicly that Melania Trump believed her husband's denials of involvement with Stormy Daniels. "I never talk to Mr Giuliani," she said. In the first part of the interview released on Thursday, Mrs Trump said women who allege sexual abuse must produce "really hard evidence". Mrs Trump also claimed she was "the most bullied person on the world." What are the alleged affairs? Ms McDougal says she had a 10-month relationship with Mr Trump starting in 2006. He was already married to Melania and hosting TV show The Apprentice. Ms McDougal had signed a $150,000 deal with the tabloid The National Enquirer which gave them exclusive story rights. However, her account was not published but she reached a settlement with the paper's publisher, AMI, in April freeing her to share her story. In the case of Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, she alleges that she had sex with Mr Trump in his room at Lake Tahoe, a resort area between California and Nevada, in 2006, and had an "ongoing" relationship after this encounter. Ms Daniels is suing the president to get out of a so-called "hush agreement" before the 2016 election - the focus being a payment of $130,000 (£96,000) given to her by Mr Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, in exchange for her silence. Mr Trump has rejected the allegations of both women.

अमेरिका की प्रथम महिला मेलानिया ट्रम्प ने अपनी शादी की स्थिति के बारे में अटकलों को खारिज करते हुए कहा है कि उनके पति के कथित विवाहेतर संबंध उनकी "चिंता या ध्यान" नहीं हैं क्योंकि उन्हें बेहतर काम करने हैं।


What Native Americans think of the word 'redskin'

Summary: The Washington Redskins football team has come under increasing pressure to change its name and stop causing offence to Native Americans. A visit to a reservation in North Dakota helps explain why there is such strong feeling over the word "redskin".

By Michael WendlingBBC News It was the fastest $50 I ever lost. Late at night I wandered the smoke-filled floor of the Sky Dancer Casino, way at the top of frozen, flat North Dakota. In a back room, a poker game was in full swing. Now I can mostly resist the dumbly flashing lights of slot machines, but given the chance to play cards, I'm all in. I gave my money to the cashier and got a stack of chips in return. As I sat down at the table eight pairs of eyes looked me up and down. You might say the locals saw me coming. In their leather jackets, baseball caps and jeans, they were friendly - but business-like. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04tljk6 I didn't really get the chance to chat. Because within 15 minutes they had entirely cleaned me out. My chips all gone, I slunk away to the bar. The next day I sheepishly recounted my losses over breakfast with Jordan Brien, the young Native American who was my guide around the reservation. "Let me ask you this," he says, "were they all Natives around the table?" "Yes," I guess, judging by skin colour and accent - the Native American one is just slightly different from the upper Midwest honk that will be familiar to fans of the movie Fargo. "Think of it this way - you probably fed a family for a week. Some of those guys make a living like that," says Brien. I guess that made me feel a little bit better. Jobs at the Sky Dancer casino - whether they be fleecing visiting poker players, or more conventionally, working behind the bar - are one of the few economic bright spots on the Turtle Mountain reservation. If you arrive, like I did, after driving half a day along straight, paper-flat roads, you'll notice that those mountains aren't really mountains at all - it's a stretch to even call them hills. Still, any rise in the Great Plains landscape gives you a glorious panoramic view. This is "big sky" country, almost exactly at the centre of the North American continent. Brien grew up here and it almost killed him: alcohol, drugs, wayward relatives, a broken home. He's 30, but in a hoodie he looks a lot younger- it's almost as if moving off the reservation took years off his life. He now has a musical career, a steady job, a wife, and a child on the way, but something keeps drawing him back to Turtle Mountain. I find out what it is when we visit Brien's old school. The kids greet him with high fives and confidential asides - part pop star, part older brother. He's greeted warmly by one of the teachers who points out the students she's most worried about. "That one's been abandoned by his mother," she tells me. "Over there, she shows up to school with bruises. That one there, he's a father - he's just turned 14." The obvious question is, with all the problems on Turtle Mountain, does the name of a football team in Washington DC, 1,500 miles (2,500km) away really matter? The team's fans say the word "redskins" means honour and respect, and that it's a decades-old tradition that unites their city. The team's owner says he'll never change it. Some argue that the row about the name is political correctness gone mad or, as they might say around these parts, "gone crazy". But political correctness is a strange thing - often a straw man for those who would prefer the comfort of old ways to the difficulty of changing their minds. The history of Native Americans is certainly a bleak one of depopulation, exile and brutality. I've been shown a newspaper advert from Minnesota, dating from 1863: "The state reward for dead Indians has been increased to $200 for every redskin sent to purgatory." To underline the point, the advertiser added: "This sum is more than the dead bodies of all the Indians east of the Red River are worth." One fan of the team - who's open to changing the name - tells me: "If you don't think the word's offensive, next time you see a Native American, go up to them and say 'hey redskin, how's your day going?''' I can think of many things to call those poker players at the Sky Dancer casino. Shrewd maybe. Slightly richer for sure. Right after dropping those $50 I could have spat out much worse. But "redskin"? - somehow, I don't think so. More from the Magazine Should the R-word be banned? Listen to The Washington Redskins which was broadcast on Crossing Continents on BBC Radio 4, or browse Crossing Continents podcasts. How to listen to From Our Own Correspondent: BBC Radio 4: Saturdays at 11:30 Listen online or download the podcast. BBC World Service: Short editions Monday-Friday - see World Service programme schedule. Subscribe to the BBC News Magazine's email newsletter to get articles sent to your inbox.

वाशिंगटन रेडस्किंस फुटबॉल टीम पर अपना नाम बदलने और मूल अमेरिकियों के लिए अपराध करना बंद करने का दबाव बढ़ रहा है। नॉर्थ डकोटा में एक आरक्षण की यात्रा से यह समझाने में मदद मिलती है कि "रेडस्किन" शब्द पर इतनी मजबूत भावना क्यों है।


'Why I ride a bike without a brake'

Summary: As a widower urges "reckless" cyclists to learn from the death of his wife, who was knocked down and killed by a teenager on bike with no front brake in east London, a courier explains to the BBC's Laura Lea what made him ride a "fixie" - and why this may now change.

Michael - not his real name - has worked as a bike courier for the last year and a half and believes the case - which led to an Old Bailey trial and national media attention - has "whipped up hatred against cyclists". "I've heard other couriers saying to me they feel on edge and that pedestrians have looked at them differently," he says. "In the last couple of weeks, with every courier I've met, this has been the first thing we've talked about," the 27-year-old adds. He spends 9-10 hours a day delivering packages on the roads of central London and is paid on a job-by-job basis, so weaving in and out of traffic to complete the work quickly is vital. 'Sensation of control' Michael rides a fixie - a fixed-wheel bicycle - with no front brake. This is illegal. By law, a bike on a public road in the UK must have two brakes. A fixed-wheel bicycle has a single gear and no freewheel mechanism. The rear fixed wheel of a fixie - which a rider can slow using the pedals - counts as a brake. "I didn't actually know it was against the law until this case," he says. "It takes a long time to get used to riding a bike without brakes," Michael says. "People do it because it's this personal sensation of control with the bike. You never get that quick in London, it's more about how you cycle. I think most couriers who spend hours riding every day have the credentials." He does admit you "can probably slow down quicker with a front brake". "I wouldn't advise it for an 18-year-old kid who's been watching cycling videos," he adds. The trial of Charlie Allison over the death of Kim Briggs heard how the then teenager had compared the experience of riding without a front brake to videos by a stunt cyclist. 'Most trained urban cyclists' Mrs Briggs's husband, Matthew, asked why those who rode bikes without a front brake would take that "risk with somebody else's life". But Michael does not believe he is taking a risk: "I wouldn't ride it if I felt there was a risk to others." He does concede that it makes riding "exciting" and "fun" but says his fellow couriers are among the most trained urban cyclists in London. Following the case, Michael is planning to get a brake fitted. But this isn't for the reason you might think. "I'm worried going out on my bike, that the police are going to take my bike off me and then I won't be able to work," he says. Mr Briggs said he hoped courier companies would communicate clearly and forcefully that bikes without two brakes are not legal. Michael said this could have little effect as "so many [cycle] couriers are self-employed". Cycling organisations and charities have widely supported Mr Briggs. Duncan Dollimore, from Cycling UK, called riding without a front brake on a busy road "stupid". Josh Lane - a mechanic at Look Mum, No Hands, a cafe and workshop for cyclists in central London - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme many fixie riders "just think about their own safety" rather than anyone else. He said: "The problem is you have younger guys that see these riders and think 'Damn , that is so cool. That's how I want to look'. Take their brakes off and maybe they can't stop or move in the way that these really professional riders can." He said: "In this particular circumstance… someone has crashed into someone - that could have been avoided if they had brakes. You've got to take that into account. You've got to think of other people, not just yourself." Mr Lane, who rides a fixie himself with a front brake, suggested that bikes should have to be regularly serviced and checked, much like the MOT system for cars. He said: "People need to be intelligent enough to look at these videos, take away certain aspects of them but then maybe take a look at how they ride a bike, where they ride a bike and what the consequences can be." But Michael believes there has been too much "fixation" on the issue of the brakes. "It would be an entirely different story here if [Alliston] fell away from Mrs Briggs into an oncoming bus. This was a freak accident. "People just step out in front and expect us to stop. There needs more education for pedestrians dealing with cyclists. The law needs to look at better cycling infrastructure." He did agree, however, that "pedestrians have the right of way, even if they are wrong". Crash investigators who studied CCTV of the incident concluded Alliston would have been able to stop and avoid the collision if the bike had been fitted with a front brake. Alliston is due to be sentenced on 18 September.

जैसा कि एक विधुर अपनी पत्नी की मृत्यु से सीखने के लिए "लापरवाह" साइकिल चालकों से आग्रह करता है, जिसे पूर्वी लंदन में बिना किसी फ्रंट ब्रेक के बाइक पर एक किशोर ने नीचे गिरा दिया और मार डाला, एक कूरियर बीबीसी की लौरा ली को बताता है कि उसने "फिक्सी" की सवारी क्यों की-और अब यह क्यों बदल सकता है।


Ikram Abdi Omar: the hijabi model breaking boundaries

Summary: "It's all about modesty for me. As a Muslim, being modest is a major thing and I just wanted to showcase to everyone that you can be modest and be into fashion because the hijab itself - apart from representing Islam - represents beauty."

By Osob ElmiBBC News Ikram Abdi Omar was the UK's first hijab-wearing model to feature on the cover of Vogue at the age of 21 and became the face of Burberry in 2019. The Swedish-born Somali model, now 23 and living in Bristol, said her heritage and religious beliefs have greatly influenced her modelling career. "I like how everyone can express themselves differently and manage to portray a message with clothing alone," she said. "I believe my role in this industry embodies women's empowerment itself, because it shows that women have the choice to dress however they like, whether that includes showing skin or not, and still feel brilliant." "The hijab itself is an extremely significant thing to me as it stands for modesty and beauty, it shows confidence and is a reminder that I have the choice to dress the way I want. "In a more spiritual sense, I feel closer to God and more connected to Islam when I wear the hijab and that in fact has intensified over the years." Breaking the news to her relatives in 2018 that she would be quitting her biomedical science degree to pursue a modelling career prompted mixed reactions. She said: "I feel like when grandparents hear the word modelling, they start to think of modelling that isn't modest and it worries them. "But with explanations about modest modelling, they are aware now and have seen images which puts them at ease." While her father, Abdi Omar, wanted her to finish the course at the University of the West of England (UWE), he has been supportive of her choice. He said: "I think as long as it's not compromising her religious beliefs, it was fine with me. "There were many people in the Somali community that questioned Ikram's chosen career path but we had to explain. "When we go back to our traditional roots, the older generation do not approve of anything to do with modelling or involving women being at the forefront in the public eye, but it's important to educate them and highlight that if you have morals and values, the western society respects you." Being one of the first ever hijab-wearing models, Ikram has paved the way for women from the Muslim community to enter the modelling industry. She said: "It's exciting to see a new wave of young Somali models because I feel like I have more sisters that I can connect and share experiences with. "We can all help support, learn and lean on each other because it can be very intense and draining with a schedule in this industry. We can get advice on how each of us copes with everything. "Stepping into a field where the hijab isn't a common thing to see, it gives hope to younger girls that wear the hijab, showing them that heights can be reached no matter the race, gender, age or religion. As long as you stay true to yourself." Ikram has walked for the likes of Roland Mouret, Tommy Hilfiger, Molly Goddard, Iceberg, British fashion designer Richard Quinn, Juicy Couture and more. In November 2019 she was featured in the Burberry festive campaign depicting motherhood. "I felt honoured to be able to portray how motherhood is the first view of courage and leadership to a child," she said. "My mother keeps me humble and discussions with her help me stay true to my beliefs. "I think it's very important for children to feel that bond and have that sense of relationship with their parents." Her mother, Khadra Egeh, 50, said: "Growing up, Ikram was very talented, she always liked singing and dancing. "When we were in Sweden and she was in nursery school, her teachers asked me if she could star in a film and I didn't allow her because I didn't want her to mix in the film industry and drift away from her culture and religion." Somali model Iman and supermodel Naomi Campbell have been Ikram's inspiration. She remembers the "major adrenaline rush" of walking alongside Campbell on the Tommy Hilfiger runway. "I felt like I was representing a bigger role than just myself, but a community that has dreams and aspirations of reaching places in different industries, regardless of how they look," she added. Ikram was born in Husby, Stockholm and moved to Bristol in 2004. Her modelling career began in the summer of 2018 when a casting director from Premier Models spotted her in Bristol's Cabot Circus shopping centre. The agency also represents Campbell. "Growing up as a Somali, I used to look up to my mum and aunties. "Our culture has such beautiful, colourful and detailed clothing which definitely has had a massive influence on my clothing style today and my interest in fashion as a whole. "For instance, our traditional clothing called the Dirac - which is one of my personal favourites - and the baati that we wear at home which also has such fantastic patterns and colours." She says she has not faced any challenges in the industry "yet" due to her religious or cultural identity. Ikram has a "my rules" segment in her contract which enables her to set boundaries that conform with her religious beliefs. She was also featured on Nike's modest swimwear campaign, Victory Swim, in 2019. "This campaign was a nice blend of being fashionable and modest which are both fundamental to my style," she said. "Being a part of something so revolutionary relating to the history of a company like Nike was right up my alley, full modest wear aimed at Muslim females, as opposed to blending my modest wear in with a brand." Born in Djibouti, Ikram's father came to England in 2004, having previously lived in Sweden. He is proud of the "great connection" he has with his daughter. "She always loved art, henna and at the age of five, she liked style and fashion and photography," he said. And he remains supportive of her career choice. "When both parents are educated they are often more open-minded and can share their lived experiences with their children. "Carrying the name of Islam holds a very deep meaning and although modelling is not culturally accepted in our culture, as her father I had no doubt in her, there is a fine line that cannot be crossed. "I taught her to love herself because to love yourself means you preserve, protect and respect yourself before anyone else and this is a foundation we built from her childhood. "You can share your lived experience and try to make your child understand the consequences and reasoning behind why you don't approve of something they may want. "Understanding is key from both sides." Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk

"यह सब मेरे लिए विनम्रता के बारे में है। एक मुसलमान के रूप में, विनम्र होना एक बड़ी बात है और मैं बस सभी को दिखाना चाहता था कि आप विनम्र हो सकते हैं और फैशन में हो सकते हैं क्योंकि हिजाब स्वयं-इस्लाम का प्रतिनिधित्व करने के अलावा-सुंदरता का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है।"


Severe pregnancy sickness: 'I thought I was dying'

Summary: For Hannah Dalton, pregnancy meant not being able to drink fluids for eight months without throwing up, going into hospital 27 times for intravenous drips and living off ice lollies and anti-sickness medication.

By Georgie Bevan BBC News Hannah, 30, from Thundersley, Essex, had hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), the severe pregnancy sickness the Duchess of Cambridge experienced during her three pregnancies. She was bedridden for six months, ended up in a wheelchair and, at her worst, her body started to shut down. "I seriously questioned was this still worth doing," Hannah says. "We wanted a bigger family but was there a chance that we would lose me. I thought I was dying." Killing themselves With support from her family, Hannah continued with her pregnancy and, in April, gave birth to a girl. The moment she went into labour, the sickness stopped. More than 5,000 women from across the UK have shared their experience of HG with BBC News: Last year, UK hospitals saw more than 36,000 admissions for pregnant women needing urgent care because of extreme sickness and dehydration. Hormonal changes The causes of HG are unknown. There is some evidence it runs in families. And if a woman had HG in a previous pregnancy, she is more likely to have it in the next. Now, scientists at King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital are launching a four-year study - the world's largest - in the hope of finding some answers. Blood samples and medical histories will be taken from at least 1,000 women admitted to hospital with the most severe HG symptoms and others recruited via the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support. The study will be looking for genetic links and hormonal changes, in particular a protein, GDF15, produced by the placenta, which affects the part of the brain controlling vomiting and nausea. 'Lifelong consequences' Consultant obstetrician Prof Catherine Williamson says: "The problem we have is that the treatments aren't good enough. "Our ambition is to identify genetic causes of this condition so we can tell why women have it and identify those at risk. "We can then develop new treatments that are much more effective so hopefully there won't be any more women with severe hyperemesis, because we can control it." What is hyperemesis gravidarum? Ever since the thalidomide scandal 50 years ago, there has been concern about taking anti-sickness drugs during pregnancy. The sedative, which was found to ease nausea and vomiting in expectant mothers, left thousands of babies with severe birth defects. But most women with HG do end up taking some sort of medication to control the vomiting. Only one, Xonvea, is permitted in Britain for use in pregnancy - but alternatives, such as cyclizine, prochlorperazine and ondansetron, are also regularly prescribed and considered safe by doctors who treat the condition. Women may also be given vitamin B6 and B12 or steroids. If these don't work, women may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment including intravenous fluids. Here are the words of one woman who terminated three pregnancies because of HG. She now has a young child. "It's your own personal hell that you can't escape from. It's devastating. It completely takes over your life, your family's life, so it would be easier either to just miscarry or die. "The vomiting and retching was so violent and so intense, I couldn't breathe. "I couldn't take a breath while I was retching, so I passed out and woke up on the bathroom floor and I thought, 'Oh my God, I can't do this.' 'Ginger biscuits' "I did have some dark moments. "I wanted this baby so badly but I felt like it was killing me and ultimately, out of pure desperation, led me to have three terminations. "I developed PTSD. I had insomnia and nightmares when I could sleep. "The senior consultant came round and said, 'Have you tried ginger biscuits and salty crackers?' and I was like, 'Oh my God.' "It's like saying to somebody with a broken leg, 'Have you tried rubbing lavender oil on it?'... because if the senior consultant didn't understand, what hope did I have?" Caitlin Dean, from Pregnancy Sickness Support, says not treating HG has serious risks. "Increasingly evidence suggests that, while the actual nausea and vomiting is unlikely to harm the offspring, the complications of HG, such as malnutrition, dehydration and mental ill health, can cause lifelong consequences for both mother and baby," she says. "There are many wonderful, compassionate doctors out there providing excellent evidence-based care for people with HG but unfortunately there are also doctors who do not recognise the condition, are reluctant to prescribe appropriate treatment or are unaware of the evidence base. "This leads to a vast amount of unnecessary suffering, costly hospital admissions and, all too often, terminations of otherwise wanted pregnancies. "In 2019, there is very little excuse not to provide this basic level of care for pregnant women." 'Living hell' Felicity Collins, from Northamptonshire, was desperate for doctors to prescribe her stronger drugs to help her cope with HG. She was already in hospital, and 24 hours away from terminating her twin pregnancy, when she was finally given steroids to ease the constant vomiting. "It was such a dark time," she says. "It was a decision we made because I knew without those drugs, I couldn't carry on. "I couldn't eat or drink. Everything made me sick. It was so bad. That's how close it came." For the next six months, she injected herself daily with steroids, finally giving birth to twin boys, Arthur and Harry, who are now three years old. In eight weeks of pregnancy, Laura Anderson lost one stone (6.3kg). "I dream about eating again and drinking again," she says. "This illness makes you a shadow of who you were… it's nine months of living hell." 'God forbid' Laura faces about 20 more weeks of HG before she gives birth. She says: "I fully intend on getting to the end of this pregnancy with a baby, no matter what it does to my health. "And when this baby girl is born and the HG has gone, I will spend the rest of my life trying to raise awareness about this awful illness. "I'm doing it for my daughter, in case she gets it, and God forbid that she does."

हन्ना डाल्टन के लिए, गर्भावस्था का मतलब आठ महीने तक बिना फेंके तरल पदार्थ नहीं पीना, अंतःशिरा ड्रिप के लिए 27 बार अस्पताल जाना और बर्फ की लोली और बीमारी-रोधी दवाओं से दूर रहना था।


Sheffield stabbing: Two teenagers held over murder bid

Summary: Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 17-year-old boy was seriously injured in a stabbing in Sheffield.

The victim was injured during an altercation in Winn Gardens on Friday afternoon, South Yorkshire Police said. He remains in hospital in a "critical but stable" condition, the force added. An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were held on suspicion of attempted murder. A 17-year-old boy was detained on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three have been released on bail. Any witnesses to the stabbing are asked to get in touch with police. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk or send video here.

शेफ़ील्ड में चाकू से एक 17 वर्षीय लड़के के गंभीर रूप से घायल होने के बाद हत्या के प्रयास के संदेह में दो किशोरों को गिरफ्तार किया गया है।


Christopher Nolan defends sound in Interstellar

Summary: Director Christopher Nolan has defended the sound in his film Interstellar.

Some viewers have complained that sections of dialogue are difficult to hear, but Nolan told the Hollywood Reporter that was intentional. He said the idea was "to experience the journey the character is going on." "I've always loved films that approach sound in an impressionistic way and that is an unusual approach for a mainstream blockbuster, but I feel it's the right approach." In the epic sci-fi film Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey's characters go in search of new habitats for humankind after Earth is devastated by an agricultural crisis. The Batman and Inception director said he used dialogue as a sound effect at points "so sometimes it's mixed slightly underneath the other sound effects... to emphasise how loud the surrounding noise is." "I don't agree with the idea that you can only achieve clarity through dialogue. Clarity of story, clarity of emotions - I try to achieve that in a very layered way using all the different things at my disposal - picture and sound." Explaining about one scene set in the spaceship Nolan said "the experience of being in the cockpit is you hear the creaking [of the spacecraft]. "It's a very scary sound. We wanted to be true to the experience of space travel. We wanted to emphasise those intimate elements." Nolan spent six months mixing the sound with composer Hans Zimmer, re-recording mixers Gary Rizzo and Gregg Landaker and sound designer Richard King. Some had questioned whether they could not hear some of the dialogue because of problems with cinema equipment, but Nolan said he has visited screenings in a number of theatres and praised the way the film was being shown.

निर्देशक क्रिस्टोफर नोलन ने अपनी फिल्म इंटरस्टेलर में ध्वनि का बचाव किया है।


Woman raped in Dorchester town centre alleyway

Summary: A man has been arrested after a woman was raped in a town centre alleyway.

The victim, in her 20s, was assaulted in Grey School Passage, off High West Street, in Dorchester, at about 05:10 GMT. A 22-year-old man, from Weymouth, has been arrested on suspicion of rape and is assisting officers with their inquiries, Dorset Police said. A cordon put in place while an investigation was carried out has since been lifted. Related Internet Links Dorset Police

टाउन सेंटर गली में एक महिला के साथ बलात्कार के बाद एक व्यक्ति को गिरफ्तार किया गया है।


Isle of Man car smoking ban comes into force

Summary: A new law banning Isle of Man drivers from smoking in their cars if they are carrying children has come into force.

The move follows similar bans in England and Wales and aims to protect under-16s from second-hand smoke. Both the driver and the smoker, would typically be fined £50, although this could rise to £5,000, the Manx government said. The regulations - brought under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2006 - were formally backed by Tynwald in February. The law applies even if doors, windows and sun-roofs are open and prohibits the smoking of all cigarettes, cigars and pipes, but it does not include electronic cigarettes or vaporisers. Related Internet Links Department of Health

आइल ऑफ मैन के चालकों द्वारा बच्चों को ले जाने पर अपनी कारों में धूम्रपान करने पर प्रतिबंध लगाने वाला एक नया कानून लागू हो गया है।


In at the deep end: who should run our pools and leisure centres?

Summary: Half of local authorities in Wales have handed over the running of their leisure services to outside organisations, with four more councils considering similar moves. Outsourcing is seen as a way to save money without losing leisure centres and swimming pools. But opponents say it is simply passing the buck.

By Delyth LloydBBC News "It's been tough, very tough," said Heidi Williams. "We were given a sinking ship and expected to make it float." Ms Williams chairs Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure (HAL), a community company which took over the running of Harlech swimming pool in 2010, after Gwynedd council said it could no longer afford to run it. "It's a massive thing to take on," she added. "At the end of the day, if it was making money, the local authority would have kept it open and not handed it over to us." Her view is shared by Darrell Wright, former chairman of Splash Community Trust, which took over Wrexham's Plas Madoc leisure centre in 2014. "You have to realise you will never, ever keep the place going from the people coming through the door," he said. "The overheads are frightening - it costs about £75,000 to £80,000 a month just to pay the bills. We didn't realise that when we took it on. When we finally opened, we sat down and thought, 'dear me, what have we done here?'" Both groups have had to go cap in hand to their councils, just to keep the doors open, and their money worries are far from over. But despite the difficulties, these volunteers have managed to save - for now, at least - community facilities which would otherwise have shut. As they look to cut costs, many Welsh councils see outsourcing as their best - or only - option to keep pools and leisure centres open. In December, Cardiff council handed over eight leisure centres to GLL, a not-for-profit company which runs 300 such facilities across the UK. It said the new arrangement would save £31.9m over 15 years, while providing "greater future certainty over the future of leisure provision in Cardiff". At the other end of the country, in Denbighshire, the council has a different stance. The authority's head of leisure, Jamie Groves, said there is no "clear rationale" for outsourcing. "I think councils across Wales have been too ready to consider alternative models because they think the grass is greener. "If you ask someone else to provide a service for you, it's got to be for betterment, it can't just be for quick-win savings. Denbighshire was one of the first councils to outsource leisure services - in 2001 it set up Clwyd Leisure - an arms-length trust - to run Rhyl Sun Centre, Prestatyn Nova and the North Wales Indoor Bowls Centre. It did not end well - the trust went into liquidation in 2014 and all three facilities were shut down. While the Sun Centre was demolished in 2016, the Nova and Bowls Centre have been refurbished and reopened, this time under council control. One year in, said Mr Groves, the Nova is already "overachieving". "The council has invested just under £4m in this place and at the moment, it's on course to pay all that back and more. Mr Groves is not alone in his doubts about outsourcing - public services union Unison warned it "spells disaster" for local communities and leisure centre staff. Dominic MacAskill, Unison Cymru's head of local government said outsourced companies would "inevitably... look to make savings by sacking workers or not replacing staff who leave and squeeze wages and employment conditions. "It is a short-term economic fix and cannot benefit people in the long term." Flintshire council, which is currently handing over its leisure centres to outside organisations, insists its outsourcing plans are future proof. Chief executive officer Ian Bancroft vows the authority "will not walk away" from two social enterprises which are taking on facilities at Connah's Quay and Holywell. "They are cooperative relationships and we will continue to put in 20% of the cost of those centres, so those organisations will get a grant", he said. "We've also set aside capital funding that they can draw down over a long period of time to deal with building issues. "If you plan and you do it cooperatively... then I think it can be a success." The rest of Flintshire's leisure facilities will be handed over to a community benefit society this summer - the first of its kind in Wales and, according to managing director Mike Welch, the only employee-owned one in the UK. "We've worked really hard to get the employees on board," he said. "Their dedication and hard work will help to achieve some savings because they have a vested interest in it succeeding." "There will be no pay cuts, no changes to benefits like holidays and pensions - there is no downside for staff at all." Increased productivity, a more commercial approach and - because it is a charitable organisation - 80% relief on business rates, will result in a £500,000 saving in the first year, Mr Welch added. "The alternative would have been quite simple," said Cllr Kevin Jones, Flintshire's cabinet member for leisure. "We'd have had to choose which centre to close." Meanwhile HAL's Heidi Williams has some advice for community groups thinking about taking on a leisure centre: "Don't underestimate how strong your board needs to be. You need accountants, people who have HR and marketing skills. "But really you can't run a facility like this without proper revenue support." Six community councils have now agreed to contribute £50,000 to the leisure centre in a move that will mean council tax bills in the area rising by up to £25 a year. It was a last resort, said Ms Williams. "The local authority doesn't have the money to contribute so it was either do this or close. "The most important thing is that local children still have somewhere they can learn to swim. "Communities have to look after themselves now."

वेल्स में आधे स्थानीय अधिकारियों ने अपनी अवकाश सेवाओं को बाहरी संगठनों को सौंप दिया है, चार और परिषदों ने इसी तरह के कदमों पर विचार किया है। आउटसोर्सिंग को अवकाश केंद्रों और स्विमिंग पूल को खोए बिना पैसे बचाने के तरीके के रूप में देखा जाता है। लेकिन विरोधियों का कहना है कि यह केवल पैसा खर्च कर रहा है।


Paramount theme park consultation draws crowds in Kent

Summary: A public consultation on the planned £2bn Paramount theme park has attracted 1,500 people in its first three days, its organisers have said.

Exhibitions will be held across the Kent boroughs of Dartford and Gravesham at 10 locations in April and May. The developers have said the entertainment resort will bring up to 27,000 jobs to the area. However, more than 50 companies on the Swanscombe Peninsula have said they fear compulsory purchase orders. The developers said the theme park would have more than 50 rides and attractions based on films and TV programmes. The plans have yet to get government approval.

इसके आयोजकों ने कहा है कि नियोजित £2 बिलियन के पैरामाउंट थीम पार्क पर एक सार्वजनिक परामर्श ने अपने पहले तीन दिनों में 1,500 लोगों को आकर्षित किया है।


Hull murder inquiry starts after man found dead

Summary: A man aged in his 50s has been found murdered on a grassy area in Hull.

Police started a murder inquiry following the discovery in the Dane Park Road area of the city on Friday night. Det Supt Matthew Hutchinson, from the Major Crime Team, said police were currently carrying out forensic examinations of the scene. "A cordon remains in place and we expect there to be a continuing police presence in the area," he said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Humberside Police.

हल में एक घास वाले क्षेत्र में 50 वर्ष की आयु के एक व्यक्ति की हत्या कर दी गई है।


Berkshire and Oxfordshire flooding timeline

Summary: Weeks of heavy rain have brought flooding to Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated, residents have been left without power and there has been widespread travel disruption. BBC News looks at how events unfolded.

And so it begins (23 December) Power cuts, road closures and flooding are beginning to cause problems across Berkshire and Oxfordshire after heavy rain and gale-force winds. About 60 residents at sheltered accommodation in Bicester in Oxfordshire are moved out overnight due to flooding. The night before Christmas (24 December) The bad weather means hundreds of homes across Oxfordshire lose electricity supplies on Christmas Eve. Scottish and Southern Energy say a total of 1,400 homes are without power. High winds bring down dozens of trees, blocking a number of roads. In Berkshire, some 3,700 homes are without power in Reading and Newbury after high winds bring down lines. Newbury Station closes because of flooding and flood warnings are issued for the Loddon, Kennet and Enborne rivers. Abbey Street in Reading closes after a panel on The Blade, Reading's tallest building, comes loose. Building repairs (2 January) Workmen start repairs to The Blade in Reading after a panel on its roof was damaged. The damage to the office block caused Abbey Street to be closed due to fears of falling debris. Dramatic rescue (7 February) Heavy rain results in roads being closed around Oxfordshire. Near Faringdon, children from King Alfred Academy, Wantage, are rescued from a bus trapped in flood waters. Elsewhere in the county, more than 20 properties in Chalgrove, Grove, and Thames are flooded. Residents in the Berkshire village of Waltham St Lawrence, near Maidenhead, call for a tanker to pump away water from overflowing sewers. Nicola Goodman, who lives in The Street, describes the water as "bubbling like a jacuzzi". Military might (8 February) Soldiers help to lay down sandbags outside the Pingewood substation a few miles from their barracks in Reading in an attempt to halt the relentless progress of flood water. More soldiers fill up bags from a supply of sand at Chieveley. Sandbag saviours (9 February) As the bad weather continues, so does the military might. The reservists continue to help laying sandbags in a bid to hold back flood waters threatening the Pingewood electricity substation. About 50 soldiers from the 7th Battalion The Rifles join firefighters to build a dam with hundreds of sandbags. The substation supplies power for about 40,000 homes and businesses in Berkshire. It comes as a number of severe flood warnings are issued along the Thames between Old Windsor and Datchet. Parts of Caversham are also flooded by rising waters. Meanwhile 20 residents from a flooded caravan park next to the River Thames in Oxfordshire, are rescued for the second time in five weeks. Moving out (10 February) There is no sign of the weather easing up, with 14 severe flood warnings issued along the River Thames in Berkshire and Surrey by the Environment Agency. The village of Datchet, in the shadow of Windsor Castle, is hit by flooding, and some residents are evacuated from their homes by emergency services. Rising waters at the village's railway station disrupt rail travel while the main road through Datchet becomes impassable. Elsewhere in the county, councillor Colin Rayner speaks to the BBC about the flood situation in Wraysbury, Berkshire, and says "we need help here". Call for action (11 February) With the flooding showing no sings of easing, residents in Wraysbury, Berkshire, say not enough has been done to help those affected. Later that day, the army arrives to help. During a visit to the village, Labour leader Ed Miliband says more money needs to be spent on flood defences. Meanwhile, the prime minister, David Cameron, says money will be no object as flood relief efforts continue in Berkshire. Volunteers, including the RSPCA, are working to help those affected by the floods. Despite hundreds of people being evacuated from their homes along the River Thames, some residents refuse to leave. Elsewhere, water flowing out of the swollen Thames floods the railway on the Windsor line into London, where it passes through Datchet in Berkshire. While flooding at Maidenhead causes problems on the railway line between London Paddington and Reading. First Great Western advises passengers not to travel. Transport links in Oxfordshire are faring no better, with one of Oxford's main routes remaining closed because of flooding for the second time in a month. Elsewhere, an Oxfordshire farmer tells the BBC he has lost tens of thousands of pounds because 400 acres (160 hectares) of his land have been under water since mid-December. Another day, same story (12 February) Fourteen severe flood warnings are put in place by the Environment Agency in Berkshire and Surrey, while two remain in Somerset. More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated in Berkshire. Of those that did stay, hundreds of residents spend hours without power, whilst many roads remain closed and train services disrupted as the flooding continues. Residents in Wraysbury demand the military be called in, and it comes as a huge relief when about 100 troops help flood victims. In Oxfordshire, flood barriers are raised and roads remain closed as the flooding continues. Letters are also been sent to some residents in west Oxford, including in Earl Street and Botley Road, warning of potential flooding to their homes. Flood sightseeing (13 February) Tens of thousands of homes across the UK start the day without power, and there is renewed travel disruption after hurricane-force winds batter the UK on Wednesday. Wraysbury resident, Ham Sandhu tells the BBC what it is like living with contaminated flood water, which runs thigh deep through his house. Microbiologist Lance Weaver tests the water and tells Mr Sandhu that the flood water is full of faecal matter. "It's worrying," Mr Sandhu says. Meanwhile, motorists in Berkshire are urged not to go "flood sightseeing" by police. Drivers trying to see deluged communities are causing extra damage by creating waves of water which then hit flood-affected properties, the force said. It is not all doom and gloom in Datchet thought. A couple are spotted paddling in a gondola through the flooded central square in the village. A moment of light relief. The clean-up begins (15 February) Over the next two days, the waters recede in Datchet and the village green returns to a more familiar condition. Rail services between Windsor and London Waterloo resume at the village's station. Residents and businesses begin planning for the clean-up, but businesswoman Julie West remained cautious. "The water may return, so not everything can return to normal immediately," she said. "It's a case of looking out for each other and helping who we can as the community comes together."

हफ्तों की भारी बारिश ने बर्कशायर और ऑक्सफोर्डशायर में बाढ़ ला दी है। सैकड़ों घरों को खाली करा लिया गया है, निवासियों को बिजली के बिना छोड़ दिया गया है और यात्रा में व्यापक व्यवधान पैदा हो गया है। बीबीसी समाचार देखता है कि घटनाएँ कैसे सामने आईं।


Saving money through energy efficiency

Summary: With the UK's major energy suppliers bumping up their prices by up to 18% this winter, the belated arrival of the cold winds represents a great opportunity to look at ways of cutting your fuel bills.

By Richard Anderson and Damian KahyaBusiness reporters, BBC News The imminent announcement of a consultation on the government's Green Deal, which aims to help you make your home more energy-efficient, should provide an added incentive. And there are lots of ways you can save money - in some cases a great deal - just by making a few simple upgrades to your home. Some improvements cost virtually nothing and can take a matter of minutes to install; others require a bit of capital and expert help. Others still require small changes in habits that should more than reward the effort. All are well worth considering. According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the average household could save about £280 a year on its fuel bills by being more energy efficient. Bearing in mind the average bill is about £1,300, that's quite some saving. This equates to more than a tonne of carbon emissions every year, thus helping to combat rising global temperatures. There are plenty of schemes around to help you get a better idea of what upgrading your home to make it more efficient actually involves. Old Homes Superhomes is one such project, which is supported by the National Energy Foundation. Sarah Harrison, head of Eco-refurbishment, says the scheme can help people understand not just the financial benefits of so-called retro-fitting, but also how upgrading homes can improve your quality of life. Insulation When it comes to energy efficiency, the smallest measures are often the most effective, so insulation is a good place to start. For example, a simple hot water tank cover can cost as little as £10-£15 but it could save you three times this much in a single year. Doors and windows can then be sealed quickly and easily using self-adhesive foam and rubber strips, and draught excluders. Seal up any gaps between your floors and skirting boards and, together, these measure could save you more than £50 a year, according to the EST. Next look at insulating your loft and walls properly - about a third of an uninsulated home's heat is lost through the walls, and about a quarter through the roof. Walls will require varying degrees of works depending on their construction, but proper insulation can save hundreds of pounds a year. Just topping up your loft insulation can also shave a substantial amount off your annual bills. Also look at secondary and double glazing - almost 20% of heat loss from the average home comes from windows. Heating Upgrading old electric storage heaters to modern alternatives can save you more than £100 a year, and in some cases considerably more. Replacing an old, inefficient boiler with an A-rated condensing model could save as much £300 a year, although you will have to decide whether this is worth the £1,000 to £2,000 cost of buying and installing one. Even fitting a room thermostat could save you more than £50 a year. Energy-efficient behaviour You may scoff at the point of turning off appliances when you're not using them, but add up all the savings and they can be worthwhile. For example, switching plugs off at the wall and avoiding standby mode on TVs, computers, stereos and the like, together with switching off lights when you don't need them, could save you almost £50 a year. Wash your clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 and don't use a tumble dryer in the summer, and you could save another £30. Upgrading appliances/electronics Replacing an old fridge freezer or dishwasher just to save on energy is not a particularly efficient way to spend your money, but if you need to replace any domestic appliance, then it may be worth spending a little extra to get the most energy-efficient model you can afford. They are all rated by law, from A to G, so you can tell how efficient they are. However, there is a great deal of variation within these bands, so also make sure you look at the specific figures on energy consumption. Some appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, also have grades A+++, A++ and A+. Very roughly, a new efficient appliance could save you between £20 and £40 a year on energy bills, according to the EST. More modern consumer electronics are also more energy-efficient. And if you're looking for a new television, bear in mind that LED TVs are more efficient than LCDs, which in turn are a good deal more efficient than Plasmas, according to Which? Not strictly an appliance, granted, but replacing old incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient versions can save you £3 a pop. Energy generation and renewables These measures aren't about upgrading what you already have, but investing in technologies that allow you to generate your own energy. As a result, they can be quite expensive, which is one of main reasons why the government is launching its Green Deal. One way is to use wood to heat your home. According to the EST, replacing electric heaters with a wood pellet heating system could save as much as £580 a year. Carbon emissions would also be reduced, as the carbon dioxide given off when burning is offset by the carbon absorbed by the tree from which the wood was cut. Solar panels are another popular way to generate power, and can typically provide about three-quarters of an average home's electricity needs. Wind turbines are an alternative that, if situated in the right part of the country, can provide more than enough electricity to power a typical home. Government feed-in tariffs mean you get paid to generate electricity, and for selling any excess to the main grid. In fact, one turbine could generate savings and income of more than £3,000 a year including tariffs, the EST says. Another option is heat pumps, which take heat from the air or the ground but which need electricity to run. In some cases, these are better at saving on carbon emissions than money. You will need to calculate the payback time carefully when deciding whether to invest in any of these technologies. But remember that if you sell your home, the buyer can also benefit from the cost savings, which can add to the value of your property in their eyes.

ब्रिटेन के प्रमुख ऊर्जा आपूर्तिकर्ताओं द्वारा इस सर्दी में अपनी कीमतों में 18 प्रतिशत तक की उछाल के साथ, ठंडी हवाओं का देर से आगमन आपके ईंधन बिलों में कटौती करने के तरीकों को देखने का एक शानदार अवसर दर्शाता है।


World Cup 2018: Is Paul Dubberley England's biggest fan?

Summary: Could this be England's biggest football fan?

Paul Dubberley, 58, has been travelling the globe watching the national team in World Cup bids for more than 30 years. His first competition was Mexico in 1986, where he witnessed Maradona use his infamous "hand of God", and he has been to every tournament since. Mr Dubberley, of Aldridge, in the West Midlands, said the "atmosphere" and the fans he meets bring him back each time - and love of the beautiful game. He even went to the United States in 94, when England failed to qualify, but said it wasn't just watching the home nation he enjoys. He also uses the tournaments as a chance to travel, saying: "The World Cup is a great way to do it. "With Japan, I went overland and we travelled through places like Iran and Pakistan. "After Mexico, I took a year off work to travel the world." Joined on the latest trip by fellow West Brom fans, he said: "All the Russians I have met have been really friendly. "I've met people from Iran, Brazil, you don't get to do that being in Birmingham." Talking of going to Mexico in 1986, he had no idea how memorable Maradona would make that particular tournament. "I bought my ticket for the match for £12," he said. "Out here I got talking to someone and said I saw the 'hand of God' at my first World Cup finals and he couldn't believe it." You may also like: Now he also travels with son Jack, now 19, who went with him to South Africa 2010, for his first World Cup. "Nelson Mandela came on to the pitch, which was great for him," said Mr Dubberley, "It is always a different experience." Mr Dubberley said he was "optimistic" about England's chances. "I think sometimes, when there isn't so much expectation, we do better," he said. "If we get knocked out, I'll still watch other games."

क्या यह इंग्लैंड का सबसे बड़ा फुटबॉल प्रशंसक हो सकता है?


MP Margaret Ferrier appears in court accused of Covid rule breach

Summary: An MP who travelled from London to Glasgow after testing positive for Covid has appeared in court charged with culpable and reckless conduct.

Margaret Ferrier, who represents Rutherglen and Hamilton West, is accused of ignoring Covid regulations when she made the trip last September. The 60-year-old made no plea during the two minute appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Ms Ferrier was bailed, pending further examination. In September, she was suspended by the SNP and apologised after admitting she had taken a test after experiencing "mild symptoms". But she said she had then decided to travel to Westminster from Scotland by train because she was "feeling much better". She then travelled home again on a train after receiving the positive test result, and said she "deeply regretted" her actions.

कोविड के लिए सकारात्मक परीक्षण के बाद लंदन से ग्लासगो की यात्रा करने वाले एक सांसद को दोषी और लापरवाह आचरण के आरोप में अदालत में पेश किया गया है।


Debenhams first-half sales lifted by Queen's Jubilee

Summary: Debenhams said the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations helped to lift trading in the first half of its financial year, but wet weather hampered clothing sales.

Like-for-like sales were up 1.4% for the period between last September and March. The company said that shoppers responded to promotions around the Jubilee, Mother's Day and Easter. But the department store group said bad weather hit sales of clothing. But it sold more beauty and health products in the period, alleviating the impact. Despite the dip in clothing sales, the department store operator said its key womenswear division did grow in the first half of its financial year. Debenhams had thought it would report broadly flat financial performance for the full year, but has now said that profits would be less in 2012 than last year, although it remains "comfortable" with market expectations for pre-tax profit.

डेबेनहैम्स ने कहा कि रानी के हीरक जयंती समारोह ने अपने वित्तीय वर्ष की पहली छमाही में व्यापार को बढ़ाने में मदद की, लेकिन गीले मौसम ने कपड़ों की बिक्री में बाधा डाली।


'Trojan Horse' school parents speak out about claims

Summary: Parents of children attending Nansen Primary, one of the Birmingham schools caught up in the Trojan Horse claims, remain almost entirely loyal to the school - but they are angry. And some are very worried.

By Pippa StephensReporter, BBC News Nansen sits opposite its elder brother, Park View, in a grey, quiet street to the north-east of Birmingham town centre. As the rain falls hesitantly from the sky during the morning school run, a man with an Alsatian dog on a lead shouts at the TV vans with satellite dishes parked outside the school gates they were the "very worst kind". Mothers and fathers lead their small children by the hand, blinking, through the media furore. 'Very worrying' One young mother, Shahedah Shah, whose son is at Nansen, is worried. She says had been thinking about which secondary school to send her child to. He had a place at Park View. "These reports about extremism [in Park View] are very concerning," she says. "We don't know what is going on in there. "When you are deciding what school to send your children to, and you hear these things about the school they are supposed to be going to, it is very worrying. "I am not going to send my son to Park View now. I will send him elsewhere." But another young mum, who wished to remain unnamed, says such reports were giving the schools a "bad reputation". Muslim prayers "It is unfair. The kids just want to learn and there is no proof or evidence of any of these incidents of extremism," she says. "You wouldn't hear this about Christian or Catholic schools. Why Muslim? The kids are scared about the attention. They don't know what's going on." Minaz Murtaza, who has two children at Nansen, says she is "really happy" with the school. "All children get a good education going in here. I would not be pleased if it shuts down," she adds. She says she sends her son to Nansen to improve his English. Ms Murtaza says she has heard about the "speaker business" - rumours of Muslim prayers being played through loudspeakers at some of the schools. "There is Islamic praying here, but after school, not in lessons," she says, adding after school "all the children" used to pray. She says during the prayers, there was a leader at the front praying with the children, but that they "know it by the heart, as they do it at home - they are not just doing it in their minds". "I don't want my kids to learn anything wrong, like how to make a bomb," she says. "Just English and maths. "They are worried about all the attention, it stresses them out. I am not worried about Park View though. "If these allegations continue, it will get the wrong reputation and it will affect the kids." 'All completely untrue' Ismail Abduille, who has three children at the primary school, agrees: "These rumours are not true, we are not worried. My kids are happy. "Maybe some people are not happy with the school and they are using these stories as a way to show it. "I haven't noticed segregation. My children would say if there were not happy, but they are. Like any school, there are good and bad bits, but it is mostly good." Musaddik Ahmed's son is six years old. He says: "My main aim is for my son to learn English and to stay and learn maths and get a good education. "I think these stories are not true. I am not taking any notice." A mother of three children, who also did not want to be named, says she has been sending her children to Nansen for 12 years, and attended too when she was younger, and stresses it is a "good school". "Please don't close this school," she says. "All the parents would like their children to stay in this school. If it closes there will be many problems for kids. "We don't believe the stories about extremism. "If we have seen anything in school, the kids would complain and that would be a sign of the problem, but it is all completely untrue."

ट्रोजन हॉर्स के दावों में फंसे बर्मिंघम स्कूलों में से एक नानसेन प्राइमरी में पढ़ने वाले बच्चों के माता-पिता लगभग पूरी तरह से स्कूल के प्रति वफादार रहते हैं-लेकिन वे गुस्से में हैं। और कुछ बहुत चिंतित हैं।


Gorefield: Sheep startled by dog flock into back garden

Summary: Dozens of startled sheep flocked into a garden after they were chased out of their field by a dog off its lead.

Police were called to a house in Gorefield, Cambridgeshire, after being alerted to the frightened flock at about 11:50 GMT on Tuesday. They were found hiding in the garden, ignoring a "beware of dog" sign on its gate. No sheep were injured, but Cambridgeshire Police said "words of advice" were given to the dog owner. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

दर्जनों चौंका देने वाली भेड़ें एक बगीचे में जमा हो गईं, जब एक कुत्ते ने उन्हें अपने खेत से बाहर खदेड़ दिया।


Woman born deaf who is now going blind takes beauty spot tour

Summary: Last year Joanne Milne became an internet sensation when footage of her hearing for the first time was posted on YouTube. But, cruelly, she is now slowly losing her sight because of a rare disorder. To build up a visual memory bank, she has taken a tour of three beauty spots in her native North East that were suggested to her by BBC radio listeners.

"It's like a tunnel which is unfortunately closing in and in," says Joanne Milne of the gradual loss of her eyesight. More than a year ago Ms Milne, who was born deaf, was fitted with cochlear implants and heard for the first time at the age of 39 - footage of her tears of emotion on hearing a nurse read to her went viral. But she has known for some time now that she is going blind due to a disorder called Usher syndrome, although she is totally accepting of her fate. Determined to be positive, she is trying to build up a bank of memories for when the inevitable happens. Ms Milne, from Gateshead, spends hours looking at old photos of her family, trying to "imprint" them on her memory. "I can see these photographs perfectly, the colours and the faces, but I can't see my fingers wiggling in front of my face," she says matter-of-factly, without a trace of self-pity. "This picture is of me in a bonnet as a baby with my father and elder sister, and when I close my eyes I can see this picture. "It does seem very, very cruel but the positive thing I can say about that is because of the lack of my senses, it makes me appreciate life and admire a view for that little bit longer. "It's probably the worst thing imaginable for someone who is deaf to be told they are going blind. "I still have some sight and while I have that sight I'm going to grab every opportunity and live every day like my last." Recently BBC Newcastle asked listeners to suggest places for the 40-year-old to visit to help her mission to build up a memory bank of images. Hundreds responded and Ms Milne, who says she feels "overwhelmed" that so many people care, chose three places she had never been to. First stop was to see radio listener Jane Lancaster, who nominated Low Newton beach, Newton Point, on the Northumberland coast. Asking Ms Milne to close her eyes, she led her to her favourite coast in all its rocky splendour with views of 14th Century Dunstanburgh Castle. Ms Lancaster said: "Every time I look at this view my heart skips a beat. The castle leads your eye in and the rocks lead it out to the sea." Ms Milne describes the view as "breathtaking", adding: "I felt like a child on Christmas morning, not being allowed to open my eyes for a moment." Next on the list was High Force waterfall in the heart of the Durham Dales. Ms Milne sits on rocks listening to the torrent of water. She says: "I feel very emotional - it's not just about what I can see but what I can hear, too. It's noisy but it's peaceful, if you know what I mean." Despite living only an hour's drive away, Ms Milne had never been to the Lake District, which attracts millions of visitors a year. For her final destination she chose a boat trip on the tranquil waters of Ullswater, the region's second largest lake. Ms Milne takes several minutes to find the words to describe the view. "It doesn't matter which direction I look, every view is beautiful and the skyline is so dramatic. I've now got a picture of the Lake District in my memory and the sound of this boat and it's absolutely magical. "I will never forget this for the rest of my life. It has also been very touching because it's about places the general public has nominated for me." Joanne Milne's tour will be shown on Inside Out on BBC1 at 19:30 GMT on Monday 28 September.

पिछले साल जोआन मिल्ने इंटरनेट सनसनी बन गई जब पहली बार उसके सुनने की फुटेज यूट्यूब पर पोस्ट की गई। लेकिन, क्रूरता से, वह अब एक दुर्लभ विकार के कारण धीरे-धीरे अपनी दृष्टि खो रही है। एक दृश्य स्मृति बैंक बनाने के लिए, उसने अपने मूल पूर्वोत्तर में तीन सौंदर्य स्थलों का दौरा किया है जो उसे बीबीसी रेडियो श्रोताओं द्वारा सुझाए गए थे।


Budget 2016: What will the chancellor do to pensions?

Summary: It is less than a year since the government launched what came to be known as the pension "freedoms" - the right for those over 55 to take as much money as they like from their pension pots, subject to tax.

By Brian MilliganPersonal Finance reporter Now, ahead of the budget on 16 March, the pensions industry is again on the edge of its seat. Amongst the rumours: The chancellor is about to abolish the 25% tax-free lump sum; the maximum annual contribution could be cut to as low as £25,000; or the whole tax relief system could be abolished, in favour of an Isa-style system of tax upfront, but tax free on the way out. So what are the chancellor's options - and which is he likely to favour? Flat-rate relief on contributions At the moment, basic rate taxpayers who pay into a pension get 20% tax relief. Higher rate taxpayers get 40% - and top rate taxpayers get 45%. But higher rate tax relief costs the Treasury some £7bn a year, and clearly favours the well-off. Replacing this with flat-rate relief would be beneficial to most workers, AND save the government money. The lower the figure is set, the better off the Treasury would be, but the smaller the benefit to savers. Options being talked about are 25%, 30%, 33% or, if the chancellor was in generous mood, even 35%. But, as has been pointed out vehemently by the pensions industry, higher and top rate taxpayers stand to lose. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has lobbied hard for this solution, calling it a "savers' bonus". But The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has said it would produce little benefit to basic rate taxpayers, especially if set at 25%. Winners and Losers Clearly basic rate taxpayers would gain from a flat rate of tax relief, while higher and top rate taxpayers would lose out. But even under the current system, calculating tax relief is a complex matter. Suppose John, a basic rate taxpayer, wants to contribute £8,000 into his pension. To earn that sum, he would have been paid £10,000 gross - ie before tax. The difference - £2000 - is what he gets back in tax relief. £2000 is 20% of the gross, or pre-tax, amount. If John were a 40% taxpayer he would need to make only a £6,000 net payment for a gross contribution of £10,000. His tax relief would be £4,000. The table below provides an indication of how much John would stand to win or lose if we changed to a flat rate system. Top rate taxpayers (45%) stand to lose even more. Isa-style system One idea the Treasury has examined is to make pensions like Individual Savings Accounts, or Isas. Pension savers currently pay no tax on money they put into a pension, but they do pay tax on the money they take out. An Isa system would be the opposite: Income tax would be paid before the money was saved, but it would be tax-free when taken out. If this was chosen, the current 25% tax-free lump sum would also disappear. The huge advantage to this from the Treasury's point of view is that the government would immediately save billions of pounds in up-front tax relief. But to run an Isa system alongside the current system would be horribly complex. And there would be no immediate incentive to encourage people to save more, as the tax benefits would only occur after they had retired. While the former pensions minister, Steve Webb, thinks this option is still a strong possibility, in practice it is unlikely. After all, the title of the Treasury's consultation is: "Strengthening the incentive to save". Furthermore one Treasury minister confirmed to the BBC that this will be the main focus of the changes. Cutting Allowances The amount anyone can save into a pension - and get tax relief - is already capped in two regards: Cutting these limits further would save the Treasury more money. Tom McPhail, pensions expert with Hargreaves Lansdown, thinks a reduction to the Annual Allowance is "highly likely, possibly down to as low as £25,000". But reducing it would be difficult for savers who make large contributions near retirement, to catch up on earlier under-funding. As for the Lifetime Allowance, Mr McPhail describes it as a "perverse irrelevance", but believes the government may be reluctant to give it up. Abolishing salary sacrifice Many employers offer their staff "salary sacrifice". Employees agree to take a smaller salary, in return for increased benefits, including pension contributions. This can mean the employee pays less income tax, while the employer saves on National Insurance contributions. This is widely seen as a loophole, which costs the Treasury a significant amount of revenue. The chancellor could well decide to abolish it, or place restrictions on the way it operates. Doing nothing After an eight-month Treasury consultation - which has the potential to save the government money and improve fairness - it is unlikely the chancellor would choose this option. "Incredulity meters would explode, jaws would drop and hats would be eaten," says Tom McPhail. But equally well, the chancellor may decide not to do anything too radical. Last year's pension reforms are still bedding in, and the government's big idea of auto enrolment has a long way to go. Many small employers, and workers, are struggling to understand those changes. The last thing they want - or the industry can stand - will be another upheaval of the pensions system.

एक साल से भी कम समय हो गया है जब सरकार ने पेंशन "स्वतंत्रता"-55 वर्ष से अधिक उम्र के लोगों के लिए कर के अधीन अपने पेंशन बर्तनों से जितना चाहें उतना पैसा लेने का अधिकार शुरू किया है।


Caring for sick babies: The dilemma facing China's poor

Summary: When Liu Jiaomei gave birth to her daughter Miaomiao in March, she was forced to leave the hospital an hour after her labour was over. Ms Liu and her husband, both poor migrant workers, had no money to pay for extra care.

By Celia HattonBBC News, Beijing Ms Liu and her husband brought their newborn home, but they knew their child was seriously ill. Miaomiao has serious hip and leg deformities. A large hole in her mouth makes it difficult for her to swallow. Now six weeks old, she's clearly losing weight. "I wanted to look after Miaomiao myself," Liu Jiaomei, explains, tears streaming down her face. "But my husband asked: what if our daughter dies because we can't care for her?" With no money and no government healthcare, this couple faced a heart-wrenching choice: hold on to their daughter or hand her over to the state where - in theory - she would receive treatment. "No-one wants to abandon their child," Miaomiao's father, Lei Zebao says. "But if we gave her away, at least she would have a slim chance at life." They decided to take her to a "safe baby hatch" not far from their home. In January, the hatch opened beside the local orphanage, offering parents a place to anonymously abandon children they couldn't care for. On the evening of 16 March, the couple wrapped their daughter in blankets and travelled to the orphanage gates. Fate intervened. Overwhelmed with sick children, the baby hatch had stopped accepting new babies hours before the family arrived. Miaomiao stayed in her mother's arms. "I was secretly hoping they wouldn't take my girl, though I didn't know if we could keep her alive," Liu Jiaomei admits. "I was torn." Pressures remain. The family are living inside a concrete garage space next to a busy road. They're struggling to pay for basics like baby formula and nappies, let alone expensive medical care. Struggle to cope In March, the closure of Guangzhou's baby hatch drew international attention. In the six weeks the hatch was open, an average of five children a day were dropped off there. In total, 262 children had been surrendered to the state, officials said. All of them had serious health problems, including congenital heart defects and severe cerebral palsy. Some of the children were as old as five or six. Those who work with seriously ill children say that by that age, adults who are caring for children on their own find it difficult to physically lift them. That's when parents often give up, believing local welfare institutes can provide the care they can't. The vast majority of children in Chinese orphanages are seriously ill or they're suffering from a disability that requires special care that poor migrant workers cannot offer. "I've never seen a healthy child in a government orphanage," explains Naomi Kerwin, an American expatriate who has worked as a child advocate for years inside China. "But I've seen quite a bit of spina bifida, I've seen cleft palates with heart problems and lots kids with genital issues." To be fair, China has made great strides in maternal and infant health in recent years. Maternal mortality - the likelihood a woman will die during pregnancy or childbirth - has plunged more than 13% a year in China since 1990, the fastest drop in the world according to a new global study from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. A related study showed that children in China are also much more likely to live past the age of five than in previous decades. But all of these numbers mean little to poor families who are struggling to keep their children alive, despite empty bank accounts. 'I thought of jumping' One desperate father is getting attention for his radical campaign to fund his daughter's medical care. A retired soldier from China's central Sichuan province, Cheng Bangjian regularly parades in Beijing's streets holding a sign that reads: "I will work the rest of my life for anyone who funds my daughter's medical care." Few ever make eye contact with him. Cheng's nine-year-old girl, Siyi, has a blood disorder. Following years of expensive treatment, a bone marrow transplant is her only hope and a donor has been found. The entire family relocated to Beijing because it has the country's only hospital that can treat Siyi's condition. But her parents can't pay for the $96,000 (£57,000) operation. "I've already borrowed from all my relatives," Cheng Bangjian weeps. "I've even thought of jumping off a bridge. If I died, my daughter could be saved because more people would care for us." In the future, there is hope that other families won't be driven to the same desperate lengths as Miaomiao's family in Guangzhou and Cheng Siyi's family in Beijing. Some promising initiatives lie on the horizon. Many charitable organisations are trying to address infant health concerns early on, preventing some congenital disabilities by handing out free folic acid to pregnant women, for example. Other groups are trying to reach struggling families with sick or disabled babies, offering them early support to help them care for their children at home. Others in China are lobbying the government to introduce national health insurance for children up to the age of 18. Every year since 2009, children's advocate Melody Zhang has submitted a proposal for a children's health insurance plan to China's parliament through a slew of parliamentary representatives. It's difficult to know what happens to the proposal behind the scenes, explains Ms Zhang, the founder and executive director of Children's Hope Foundation, one of China's largest charitable organisations offering medical help to orphans. However, she's optimistic a plan like the one she's proposing is inevitable. "More and more cities are coming up with their own medical insurance plans, so coverage is spreading," she explains. On average, only a few of China's 300 million children would need access to expensive medical care, so her proposal for 100 renminbi (£9.50; $16) annual insurance is realistic, she says. Until then, millions of parents in China are struggling to hold on to their children, while also keeping them healthy. In desperation, nine-year-old Cheng Siyi's family recently took out a shadowy high-interest loan. They needed a $40,000 deposit to fund her bone marrow surgery before time ran out. "Of course what we have gone through is worth it," Siyi's father explains. "Once our kid is healthy, she'll grow up just like a normal girl."

जब लियू जियाओमी ने मार्च में अपनी बेटी मियाओमियाओ को जन्म दिया, तो उसे प्रसव पीड़ा समाप्त होने के एक घंटे बाद अस्पताल छोड़ने के लिए मजबूर होना पड़ा। सुश्री लियू और उनके पति, दोनों गरीब प्रवासी श्रमिकों के पास अतिरिक्त देखभाल के लिए पैसे नहीं थे।


I bequeath my iTunes credits to...

Summary: Imagine the scene. Sober solicitor, probably with half-rim glasses, surrounded by grieving relatives about to read out the last will and testament of Great-Uncle Johnny: "And to my beloved niece, I leave access to my online poker and bingo account and to my great-nephew Frankie, all my iTunes credits."

By Jane WakefieldTechnology reporter It might seem far-fetched but as more and more of us amass digital assets, it is exactly the kind of will we might need to consider drawing up. Online estates Real-life solicitor Matthew Strain is already advising clients about digital inheritances and says making provision for these things in a will or codicil is "relatively straightforward". "With more photos, books, music and so on being stored online and in digital format, the question of what happens to these when people are gone becomes more important every day," he said. "Online possessions - from digital photos and videos to music and apps have monetary and emotional value to their owners, and potentially their loved ones." People who do not take care of their digital possessions risk losing them when they die and they could leave relatives with unpaid bills. "Their estate may be liable for ongoing subscriptions to online magazines or newspapers," said Mr Strain. The bluntly-named iCroak is an online service aiming to help people plan how their digital assets are managed after their death. For an annual fee of between £10 to £15 or a one-off membership of £150, the user can categorise their assets and create "Guardian" accounts for those assets they want to preserve or bequeath. The "Guardian" will receive an email with a unique username and password and link to iCroak. When the person who has nominated them dies - and a death certificate must be verified first - they will be able to see what has been left to them. Of course some people will have accounts of a more questionable or embarrassing nature that they would not particularly want anyone to access so there is also an option to mark them for deletion upon death. Digital treasures Cloud hosting firm RackSpace is convinced that, as we store more of our online stuff remotely, we face a real dilemma about what to do with it after we've gone. It commissioned a study in association with the centre for Creative and Social Technology at London's Goldsmiths University and found that we are sitting on a goldmine of digital assets. According to the survey, Britons are storing £2.3bn worth of music, film, applications and subscriptions online. It found that one in 10 have already put their passwords in their wills so that relatives can access their digital treasures. Nearly a third of the 2,000 respondents to the study said that they have considered their digital inheritance while over half believed some of their treasure possessions were in services such as Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.One of those surveyed, Kelly Harmer, said she had been forced to think about her digital assets following a recent car accident. "I store many of my most treasured memories online, as digital photos and often don't have printed copies. I also have things online which are worth money, such as my music collection and digital magazine subscriptions. "I wanted to make sure that, if something happens to me, my family and friends would be able to access these digital possessions," she said. She has now written down all of her relevant login details and passwords in a document. "I've given this to my mother for safe keeping and I'm now looking to take this a step further and put instructions in my will regarding my digital assets," she said. It is advice we could all do with following. Now I just have to work out who to leave my vast collection of armour sets from World of Warcraft to.

उस दृश्य की कल्पना कीजिए। सॉबर सॉलिसिटर, शायद आधे-रिम चश्मे के साथ, महान-चाचा जॉनी की अंतिम वसीयत और वसीयतनामा पढ़ने वाले शोक संतप्त रिश्तेदारों से घिरा हुआ हैः "और अपनी प्यारी भतीजी के लिए, मैं अपने ऑनलाइन पोकर और बिंगो खाते और अपने भतीजे फ्रैंकी के लिए, अपने सभी आईट्यून्स क्रेडिट छोड़ता हूं।"


Blur are to debut two new songs on their Twitter feed

Summary: A reunited Blur are to debut two new songs on Twitter.

The band will play the new tracks, which have not been performed in public, in a live web stream next week. The performance on Monday comes ahead of their appearance at London's Hyde Park in August, in a show to mark the close of the Olympics. The quartet will play Under The Westway and The Puritan from a secret location in the UK. The songs will later be available to download and a limited edition vinyl 7in single will be released by Parlophone on 6 August. The live stream takes place on Twitter at 6.15pm on 2 July @blurofficial. There will also be an interview with the band. Frontman Damon Albarn said: "I wrote these songs for Hyde Park and I'm really excited about getting out there and playing them for people." The group - made up of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree - are also playing warm-up dates in August at Margate Winter Gardens, Wolverhampton Civic Hall and Plymouth Pavilions.

एक रीयूनियन ब्लर ट्विटर पर दो नए गानों की शुरुआत करने वाला है।