Can China stay on top of the Olympics medal table?

Summary: In the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, China won 51 gold medals and became world leader in the medal table for the first time. With the games in London now beginning, the BBC's Yuwen Wu looks at the current medal hopes of China - and what winning gold means to the country.

China's participation in the Olympics got off to an uncertain start. The People's Republic of China (PRC) first competed at the Olympic Games in 1952 - at the summer games in Helsinki - only participating in one event. At that time the International Olympic Committee allowed both the PRC and the Republic of China - which had recently relocated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War - to compete, although the latter withdrew in protest over the PRC's inclusion. The dispute over the political status of China meant that the PRC did not participate in the Olympics again until the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Its first appearance at the summer Olympic Games after 1952 was at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, when it took 15 gold medals and came fourth on the medal table, largely in gymnastics, shooting and diving. Their success was partly due to the fact that the Eastern Bloc countries boycotted the games. The first ever gold medal for China, won by Mr Xu Haifeng in the men's pistol event in the Los Angeles Games, was hailed as the "great breakthrough", ending China's shame over its "sick man of Asia" image. All the gold medallists became instant national heroes and were given all sorts of honours. First or second? Since then, China has steadily climbed the medal table, finally claiming top spot on home soil in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games. It defeated its fierce rivals, the US and Russia, to second and third place respectively. Apart from strong performances in traditional favourite categories such as table tennis and diving, China also won gold in more diverse sports including boxing and yachting. The question on everybody's mind for the London games is whether China can sustain its dominant position and continue occupying the top spot in 2012. Not likely, if you believe the predictions given by Goldman Sachs. According to them, China stripped of home advantage will come second in the medal table with 33 gold medals, while the US will come first with 37 gold medals. However the Chinese official news agency Xinhua is more optimistic. It predicts that London 2012 will see China and the US fighting for dominance - and if all goes well China will ultimately prevail, with 37 gold medals. Their prediction is based on two factors: First, China should do well in traditional categories of table tennis, badminton, diving, gymnastics, shooting and weightlifting - securing about 28 gold medals. On top of this, there is credible potential to get another 10 golds in competitions such as swimming, athletics, judo, boxing and taekwondo. If this happens, Xinhua says, China will once again top the table. BBC Chinese Olympics reporter Chen Zhuang - who has studied past performances and present form of the Chinese and US teams - sits somewhere in between these two predictions. He thinks that the US will somehow overcome China's challenge and become dominant again, with 37 gold medals compared to 34 for China. But in contrast to the games four years ago, when China faced immense pressure to perform at its best, the pressure seems to be lessened somewhat this time around. For starters, China is sending a smaller delegation, with some 200 fewer athletes than four years ago, suggesting a more pragmatic approach. Secondly, the authorities seem to be playing down medal expectations, stressing the unpredictable nature of sport. Just one goal A closer look at media reports reveals, however, that the hunger for gold is just as fierce as before. The head of the gymnastics delegation, Huang Yubin, told the team that there is just one goal in London - to win more gold medals. Table tennis team leader Huang Biao is equally ambitious, telling BBC Chinese that his members are confident of winning gold in all four competitions. There is a political dimension as well, as expressed by Liu Peng, chairman of China's Olympic Committee. This will be the first Olympics after the Beijing games, he says, and will show that China is becoming a big sporting nation. He asks Chinese sportsmen and women to remember the "historic responsibilities" on their shoulders and do their best for their country as a positive contribution to the important party congress later this year at which the country's new leadership will be unveiled. So it seems that sport cannot be separated from politics after all. There will be rich rewards for the gold medallists financially as well. Officials deny that a fixed sum of money will be presented to the winners, but according to Chinese media reports, hundreds of thousands of Yuan will be presented to medallists. The top stars can also expect lucrative sponsorship deals. For some this is in itself a win-win situation. More medals are good for the country and provide bigger pockets for the medallists.

2008 में बीजिंग में हुए ओलंपिक खेलों में चीन ने 51 स्वर्ण पदक जीते और पहली बार पदक तालिका में विश्व नेता बना। अब लंदन में खेल शुरू होने के साथ, बीबीसी के युवेन वू चीन की वर्तमान पदक की उम्मीदों को देखते हैं-और देश के लिए स्वर्ण जीतने का क्या मतलब है।


Dudley man's murder bid charge after security guard injured at factory

Summary: A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a security guard was seriously injured at a factory.

Lee Parsons, 44, has also been charged with burglary after the attack on the 73-year-old guard at Stokes Forgings in Vine Street, Brierley Hill, on Sunday. Mr Parsons, of Highgate Road, Holly Hall, Dudley, was remanded in custody at Dudley Magistrates' Court. He is due at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 19 April. Read more news for Birmingham and the Black Country

एक कारखाने में एक सुरक्षा गार्ड के गंभीर रूप से घायल होने के बाद एक व्यक्ति हत्या के प्रयास के आरोप में अदालत में पेश हुआ है।


How India avoided its 'Lehman Brothers moment'

Summary: India's government has taken over a major private infrastructure financing and construction group after it began to default on its $13bn (£10bn) debt repayment - and the news sparked panic in the financial market. Devina Gupta and Pooja Agarwal explain the reasons behind this crisis.

Many are calling it India's "too big to fail" moment, referring to big financial firms so large that their collapse could spark economic chaos. On Monday, India took over the beleaguered IL&FS, an acronym for Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services - a major non-banking financial institution, or a shadow bank. The firm's six directors have been dismissed and the new board is now led by a top banker, Uday Kotak. The default spooked the markets and raised fears of a Lehman-like crisis, referring to the collapse of the US investment bank Lehman Brothers 10 years ago. The event rocked global stock markets and led to the biggest financial crash since the Great Depression. IL&FS was set up in 1987 when a clutch of banks came together to fund the infrastructure boom which began in India in the 1990s. The idea was to have an institution that could not only provide financial assistance but also give technical solutions for infrastructure projects. The non-banking firm raised money through short and long-term bonds, that could be traded in financial markets. (If a government wants to borrow money, they usually do it by selling bonds to investors. The investor then gets to receive a stream of future payments.) Major shareholders of IL&FS include India's largest life insurance company Life Insurance Corporation, Japan's Orix Corporation and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. The money is invested in different infrastructure projects undertaken by private and government-run companies. Over the next three decades, the company formed 169 subsidiaries which managed a long list of investments. However, slower-than-expected growth in the Indian economy in recent years led to stalled projects and delays in payments to the firm. The group's venture into buying real estate in India's slowing market also backfired. As the money drained out, IL&FS defaulted on a series of its loan repayment commitments. This has shaken investor confidence in the non-banking financial institutions. These institutions have been lending money to corporate borrowers as banks have struggled to do so due to their mounting debts. According to Reuters, there are about 11,400 shadow banking companies in India with a combined balance sheet worth $304bn and their loan portfolios have grown nearly twice the pace of banks. But now the IL&FS default has shaken investor confidence over the stability of the non-banking financial sector. "There are definitely some uncomfortable questions about the liquidity, assets quality and credit ratings of many non-banking finance companies. We had a lot of such firms and they have proliferated," Ananth Narayan, a former banker, said. That makes all the more worrying the risk of a domino effect on the savings of tens of thousands of investors who have parked their money in the mutual funds which have high exposure to these institutions. According to one study, in the last four years, fixed investment by mutual funds in non-banking finance companies has jumped by more than 2.5 times to about $33bn. Experts say the IL&FS crisis is a wake-up call. The equity markets, too, are feeling the jitters - last week share prices of listed non-banking financial companies like Dewan Housing Finance Corporation and Indiabulls Housing Finance were under tremendous pressure. But the storm has been brewing for a while. Just three months ago, the first warning sign about the financial status of IL&FS was flashed when its chairman Ravi Parthasarathy stepped down after three decades, citing health reasons. Then came the ratings downgrade. In August, IL&FS found itself down from AAA to AA+ for loans and debentures. By the end of September, this rating was revised multiple times to junk status. Experts say the government could have moved in earlier. "The government, regulators, board and auditors allowed this crisis to grow into this mess. There were warning signs but now deeper investigation will reveal why they were ignored. Hopefully, the lessons from this crisis will improve the level of regulation and governance," says analyst Pranjal Sharma. This is the second time in nine years the Indian government has taken control of a beleaguered firm. In 2009 a corporate scandal in a leading Indian IT firm, Satyam, forced the ruling Congress party-led government at the time to step in. This time, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is following in their footsteps: it has appointed a six-member board, which now includes banking and corporate governance veterans. The board will restructure the firm and arrange fresh funds so that existing projects don't stop. Also, a fraud investigation has been initiated to look into financial mismanagement. "The main thing is to figure out what are the requirements for liquidity," said Mr Narayan, the former banker. "It is a complicated set-up. But the biggest challenge for the new board will be to come clean and be honest about the entire situation."

भारत सरकार ने अपने 13 अरब डॉलर (10 अरब पाउंड) के ऋण पुनर्भुगतान में चूक करने के बाद एक प्रमुख निजी बुनियादी ढांचे के वित्तपोषण और निर्माण समूह को अपने नियंत्रण में ले लिया है-और इस खबर ने वित्तीय बाजार में दहशत फैला दी। देवीना गुप्ता और पूजा अग्रवाल ने इस संकट के पीछे के कारणों की व्याख्या की।


Former Guinness boss for Jersey electoral commission

Summary: A former senior manager for Guinness could sit on Jersey's new electoral commission, according to its chairman.

Colin Storm, who also worked at the top of Burger King, must be approved by all three politicians on the body. The commission will look at types of States member, constituencies, mandates and how long they hold office for. Its chairman, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, also proposed Professor Ed Sallis from Highlands College and Newsnight producer Dr Jonathan Renouf. If approved by the States, they will join the three political members, Senator Bailhache, Deputy James Baker and Constable Juliette Gallichan.

गिनीज के अध्यक्ष के अनुसार, एक पूर्व वरिष्ठ प्रबंधक जर्सी के नए चुनाव आयोग में बैठ सकता है।


Commanding officer's letter defends Sergeant Alexander Blackman

Summary: One of Britain's highest-ranking Royal Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Chapman, pledged his "full support" for Alexander Blackman in a letter to the judge. He described the marine as "a normal citizen tainted only by the impact of war".

He wrote: "I am the Commanding Officer for Sergeant Alexander Blackman. "He is known to the general public as Marine A, a man who has been found guilty of murder on a foreign battlefield. "I know Al Blackman as a caring and devoted family man who, until recently, had a bright future in a Corps with a worldwide reputation as one of the elite fighting forces. "From the rank of marine up to sergeant, he has served his Queen and country loyally for 15 years, completing six operational tours of Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Talented and capable' "In doing so, he has won himself a justifiable reputation as a talented and capable soldier and senior non-commissioned officer in a corps with many such men. "Through hard work and determination, he has progressed up through the ranks, earning the privilege of mentoring junior officers and leading and training corporals and marines. "Like many of his peers, he has made personal sacrifices and foregone precious time at home with his family to serve on operations overseas in times of crisis. "He has done so uncomplaining and without seeking accolade. "Al Blackman stands before you as a sergeant and he would have been promoted to colour sergeant already, but for this incident. "Such is his ability he has previously been employed as such, albeit in acting rank, specially selected from a talented cohort to train and advise soldiers and marines deploying to theatres of war overseas." "His momentary and fatal lapse of judgment on the battlefield two years ago not only served to end an enemy combatant's life prematurely, but it has also altered his own life, and that of his family, immeasurably. "He had so much to behold - a proud career and a promising future. Sadly, this is no longer the case. "But, fundamentally, he is not a bad man. In fact, in almost every respect, he is a normal citizen tainted only by the impact of war. "However, his good work has been undone and his reputation and standing are lost. His career is over - he has no future as a Royal Marine. 'Significant punishments' "But more than this, for a period of his life to come, he must contend with the loss of his freedom and opportunities to spend cherished moments with family and friends. "This, and the loss of the comradeship of his fellow marines, are the most significant punishments for him to bear." Lt Col Chapman described the last year as "extraordinarily difficult" for Blackman and his family, whose love and support allowed him to face "incomprehensible pressures with great fortitude and dignity". The letter added: "Not once in 14 months has he asked for anyone's sympathy or requested special treatment. "Nor has he sought to excuse his actions on that day in Afghanistan. "He has continued to serve loyally and obediently, treating every day as an opportunity to better himself and give something back to the Corps that he has served so well." Lt Col Chapman said he was confident Blackman would use "strength of character" to forge a future beyond the Royal Marines. "I cannot overlook what has occurred, nor condone what Sgt Blackman has done, but he has my full support and he will continue to do so as he makes the difficult transition from military to prison life," the letter concluded. "The Naval Service is supporting his family and, in due course, the Royal Marine Association will examine what further support can be offered to Sgt Blackman and his family. "With the help of others, I very much hope they can negotiate this extremely trying period in their lives and build a new future together."

ब्रिटेन के सर्वोच्च रैंक वाले शाही मरीन में से एक, लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल साइमन चैपमैन ने न्यायाधीश को लिखे एक पत्र में अलेक्जेंडर ब्लैकमैन के लिए अपना "पूर्ण समर्थन" देने का वादा किया। उन्होंने मरीन को "केवल युद्ध के प्रभाव से दागी एक सामान्य नागरिक" के रूप में वर्णित किया।


Cornwall Eden Project closes after heavy rain causes floods

Summary: The Eden Project in Cornwall has been forced to close after flooding caused several landslips at the site.

Heavy rain across the wider region on Friday meant some people had to evacuate their homes. A spokesman said managers closed the site as a precaution and were assessing the damage. The botanical gardens have been open since 3 December, when the county was categorised in tier one, the mildest of the coronavirus restrictions. Advice on when the site is likely to reopen will be available on the company's website, the spokesman added.

कॉर्नवॉल में ईडन परियोजना को बाढ़ के कारण स्थल पर कई भूस्खलन के बाद बंद करने के लिए मजबूर होना पड़ा है।


A wind farm will provide electricity for Derry and Strabane

Summary: A wind farm project will provide electricity for more than 12,200 homes across Derry and Strabane District Council area according to renewable energy company RES.

The company received consent to create the seven-turbine project near Londonderry on Wednesday. Barr Cregg Wind Farm will power over 20% of the district's households. Head of wind projects for RES, Fraser Merry anticipates an injection of £7.7m into the local economy. "We anticipated £7.77m will be spent during construction and £6m of inward investment in Derry and Strabane District Council area in the form of business rates. "We have a track record of using local contractors to deliver our projects and look forward to working with businesses in the area to deliver Barr Cregg Wind Farm," he said.

अक्षय ऊर्जा कंपनी आरईएस के अनुसार एक पवन फार्म परियोजना डेरी और स्ट्रैबेन जिला परिषद क्षेत्र में 12,200 से अधिक घरों के लिए बिजली प्रदान करेगी।


Tit-for-tat trade

Summary: Scotch whisky has been harshly caught in the cross-fire of two disputes between the EU and USA, one about steel, the other about airliners. When the EU targeted bourbon, Scotch looked vulnerable to retaliation. A rough reckoning of the cost could be a £66m drop in exports and £70m added cost in tariffs. But Scotch could prove resilient, if its American drinkers are willing to absorb higher prices, or if they switch to premium brands of blended Scotch. However, this trade war isn't over, and blends being exported to the US, worth twice as much as single malts last year, could become the next victim.

Why pick Scotch? Isn't Donald Trump half Scottish, with a love for its golf courses, or at least the ones that belong to him? The selection of premium end whisky from the president's late mother's homeland as retaliation for UK subsidies to Airbus may not have registered as one of the details crossing the Oval Office desk. But it came as no surprise to the Scotch whisky industry. It saw the risk that came with the European Commission's choice, in 2017, of American whiskey in its retaliation in another trade dispute. That one was about steel, with President Trump putting up trade barriers against Chinese imports of subsidised steel, and doing a lot of damage to trading relations with others by imposing import levies on them as well. The European Commission chose iconic American products with which to retaliate, including tariffs on Harley Davidson motorbikes and 25% on imported bourbon. In a game of tit-for-tat, which is a feature of such trade wars, Scotch looked vulnerable. Absorbing cost So how much will it suffer? A back of the envelope calculation suggests the fall in exports of Scotch to the US might come to around £66m. That would leave sales of £270m, on which tariffs will be levied, bringing £68m into the American Treasury. Who pays that? Some will likely be absorbed by the importer. In some cases of large multinational drinks companies, the exporter and importer is one and the same. But over time, you can expect the American drinker of Scotch whisky to pick up that tab. In the end, the customer pays. This calculation is based on some bold assumptions, but the Scotch Whisky Association has noted the effect of the European Union imposing that 25% tariff on the import of American whiskey. EU imports of US whiskey were down around 20%. Karen Betts, chief executive of the SWA, reckons that is a benchmark for the likely impact on Scotch single malts. So from around £330m of single malt sales last year - 33% of the total for Scotch whisky, including blends - you would see a 20% drop, to around £270m, on which the 25% is then levied. Canny traders However, there are some factors that could get to a different result. Scotch whisky may have a less elastic demand, particularly among the more affluent drinkers of single malt. In other words, demand may not be that closely related to price. In some circumstances, albeit rare, whisky enthusiasts could even be persuaded that the higher price is a signal that the brand carries a higher value and status. There's also the question of how much whisky has already been stockpiled, thus avoiding any tariff - at least, while stocks last. It's currently being imported into the US without any tariff, and that's the way it's been since 1994. Canny traders will have noted that whisky was on the list of possible targets linked to the Airbus dispute, published in July by the US Trade Representative, and they could have bet on getting stocks in ahead of the September ruling. But canny exporters will also have been busy stockpiling in other countries where Scotch exports could be hit by Brexit. That is partly to avoid any congestion at trading ports, but also some potential tariffs. Without a deal, there was a risk that Scotch would lose out on the tariff-free arrangements hammered out by the European Commission with South Korea, Vietnam, Colombia and Morocco. Reverting to WTO rules on trade would have brought tariffs back into effect on exports to those countries. However, the whisky industry sounds reassured that the UK government has signed deals to roll over the existing European Union free trade arrangements, temporarily, with almost all those governments involved. Only Morocco has yet to be concluded, and that is expected before long. Ammunition Yet another factor: substitutability. Will American drinkers of Scotch readily shift to alternatives from the Republic of Ireland, Canada, Japan or their own home-distilled liquor? Maybe so, but the targeting of single malt means there is an opportunity for the larger distillers to shift their marketing on to Scotch blends. Thus, Diageo could push the more premium colours of Johnnie Walker label, and Pernod Ricard has an opportunity with Chivas Regal. However, they should be careful. The split of single malts from blends, in the choice made by the US trade authority, was not expected by the distilling industry in Scotland. And by not including blends in retaliation for the Airbus-Boeing dispute, the Americans have kept some ammunition in reserve for any escalation of the trade war. There's another £670m-worth of whisky blend exports, on the basis of last year's trading figures, that could still be hit with tariffs. This trade war is far from over. The European Commission awaits a WTO ruling on its complaints about subsidy to Boeing. That is likely in the middle of next year. It suggests to the US that being allowed to retaliate by the WTO doesn't mean that Washington has to do so, because it must be aware that an equal and opposite response is likely. It's easy, in such trade wars, to ratchet them up. It's much more difficult to negotiate them down - least of all for UK trade negotiators, who have no experience and a lot to do, in a hurry, after Brexit.

स्कॉच व्हिस्की यूरोपीय संघ और संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका के बीच दो विवादों, एक इस्पात के बारे में और दूसरा विमानों के बारे में, के बीच टकराव में कठोरता से फंसी हुई है। जब यूरोपीय संघ ने बोर्बन को निशाना बनाया, तो स्कॉच जवाबी कार्रवाई के लिए असुरक्षित लग रहा था। लागत की एक मोटी गणना निर्यात में 66 मिलियन पाउंड की गिरावट और शुल्क में 70 मिलियन पाउंड की अतिरिक्त लागत हो सकती है। लेकिन स्कॉच लचीला साबित हो सकता है, अगर इसके अमेरिकी पीने वाले उच्च कीमतों को अवशोषित करने के लिए तैयार हैं, या यदि वे मिश्रित स्कॉच के प्रीमियम ब्रांडों पर स्विच करते हैं। हालाँकि, यह व्यापार युद्ध समाप्त नहीं हुआ है, और संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका को निर्यात किए जा रहे मिश्रण, जो पिछले साल एकल माल्ट से दोगुने मूल्य के हैं, अगले शिकार बन सकते हैं।


'The greatest gift': How I became a surrogate

Summary: Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West and her husband Kanye West have announced the birth of their third child - a baby girl delivered by a surrogate. Her surrogate had made their "dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give", she said.

By Marie JacksonBBC News One woman who knows exactly what it is like to give that gift is Laura Mott, a 31-year-old from Essex, who acted as a surrogate mum last year. On 5 February, she gave birth to a 6lb 14 oz baby girl. Moments later, the baby was in the arms of her intended mother, Melissa. By the end of the day, Laura was back home having a Chinese takeaway, a bath and then bed - without baby. "It was so emotional," says Laura. "Joy for them and for me. They had completed their family and I had succeeded in doing something I'd always dreamed of." Laura - who has two daughters, aged seven and three and is pregnant again with her third child - says she knew she wanted to be a surrogate the moment she gave birth to her eldest. "It was the thought of someone never being able to have a child. I knew straight away one billion per cent I would be a surrogate," she says. 'The middleman' Laura had become friends with Melissa through a mutual friend and decided she wanted to help her once she heard about her circumstances. After Melissa's first son was born, she tried for a second but lost three babies one after the other at around 20 weeks. Doctors advised against trying again. So she tried surrogacy, first having another son and then turning to Laura when she wanted another child. Shortly after Laura's 30th birthday, a frozen embryo - formed from the egg and sperm of Melissa and her husband - was successfully transferred to Laura. Her daughters, her partner and the baby's parents were all present. "It's like having an extended family," she explains. The pregnancy was straightforward - no morning sickness, no complications, and she had fortnightly scans with Melissa by her side. The two exchanged daily updates by text. When Laura felt the baby kick for the first time, her immediate thought was to let Melissa know. And it was Melissa and her husband's choice to find out whether it was boy or a girl. "It was their child. I was the middleman," Laura says. In her experience, a lot of people found that idea hard to grasp. "People keep asking how did I give up the baby. I just laugh. "I never doubted that I'd be able to do it. I did not feel attached. It was completely different - we all knew we were having a baby for them," she says. "Some people thought I was silly, some were supportive and some people said it was amazing I could do it, but they never would." What is surrogacy? Surrogacy is where a woman becomes pregnant with the intention of handing over the child to someone else after giving birth. Generally, she carries the baby for a couple or parent who cannot conceive themselves - they are known as "intended parents". There are two forms of surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother's egg is used, making her the genetic mother. In gestational surrogacy, the egg is provided by the intended mother or a donor. The egg is fertilised through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and then placed inside the surrogate. Surrogacy is allowed in the UK so long as the surrogate is not paid, or at least only paid expenses. Paying the mother a fee - known as commercial surrogacy - is legal in some US states. Laura says that her partner was supportive from the start, understanding it was a selfless act by Laura. The couple were open and honest with their own girls about the process, making it clear the baby was going back to her home, not their home. A non-legally binding contract was drawn up with the help of surrogacy agency, Cots, to agree on what to do in case of the worst possible what-ifs. The UK only allows for a surrogate's expenses to be covered, so Laura, a stay-at-home mum, was reimbursed for any maternity clothing, medication, travel and car park charges. "I was never out of pocket," she says. "They will probably forever feel indebted to me but I would never expect anything from them." In hospital, Melissa was by Laura's side when she gave birth. Her partner and Melissa's husband waited outside. There were tears of joy all round when the baby was delivered. And next month the two families will be together again one year on, to celebrate baby's first birthday. "It was as perfect as it could be. I will definitely do it again," says Laura, who has already pencilled in another surrogacy for January next year.

रियलिटी टीवी स्टार किम कार्दशियन वेस्ट और उनके पति कान्ये वेस्ट ने अपने तीसरे बच्चे के जन्म की घोषणा की है-एक सरोगेट द्वारा एक बच्ची को जन्म दिया गया है। उन्होंने कहा कि उनके सरोगेट ने "सबसे बड़े उपहार के साथ उनके सपनों को सच कर दिया था।"


Coronavirus doctor's diary: 'They say I have blood on my hands'

Summary: Within Bradford's Asian community a few individuals are spreading fake news that non-white patients will be left to die in hospital. Dr John Wright of Bradford Royal Infirmary hears from an anaesthetist who has been receiving abusive messages as a result.

The isolation of patients in the hospital from the community outside continues to spark small fires of uncertainty and false rumours. This is happening in cities across the country, and Bradford is no exception. Sometimes it's claimed that the higher death rate among black, Asian and other ethnic minority patients is because they are being killed off by the very hospital staff meant to help them. For our Muslim clinicians, to have their dedication and professionalism questioned as they work long shifts in the Covid wards while fasting during the holy month of Ramadan must be especially galling. But one of my colleagues, consultant anaesthetist Fozia Hayat, has been telling me about a malicious and foolish message she recently received from a local scaremonger. It came after her husband tried to dispute a story about hospitals leaving people to die that has been circulating for weeks, as I wrote on 18 April. He said it was wrong, and that his wife, Fozia, could vouch for this as a result of her work in the infirmary's intensive care unit. Front line diary Prof John Wright, a doctor and epidemiologist, is head of the Bradford Institute for Health Research, and a veteran of cholera, HIV and Ebola epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa. He is writing this diary for BBC News and recording from the hospital wards for BBC Radio. At this point Fozia started getting sent videos, most of which she didn't open. But there was one she did watch, and she posted a brief reply. "I essentially replied to say, 'Just be careful what you share, and look at both sides of the argument. It's important to ensure that you've got all the information as you might cause harm - you might stop somebody coming into hospital.'" The abusive messages continued, despite the start of Ramadan and one text message was particularly offensive. "I've been sent a message saying that NHS workers are working on bonuses, that we're taking money for putting Covid on death certificates and we are essentially taking money for life. And I think that's a really cruel thing to say to someone," she told me. The message accused doctors of forcing people to sign Do Not Resuscitate forms. It also suggested that Covid-19 didn't actually exist. Then it said: "Please stop selling out and being a mushroom and stand up for the truth. You'll be held responsible in the court of Allah for the deaths of these people, for negligence in this life, and life is very short." Fozia looked up the meaning of "mushroom" on the internet and discovered it was someone who was kept in the dark and fed false information. "This is the month of Ramadan and we fast in our family, we are practising, and it was quite hard to have somebody send me a message to say, 'You're a sell-out, you're corrupt, a mushroom… You've got blood on your hands,'" she says. She was also surprised that it was sent by someone who runs a successful business in Bradford. Not the kind of person you would necessarily expect to fall for fake news. "They seem like fairly sensible people, but that makes it even more worrying," she says. "It's fine to have an opinion. But don't be cruel. And don't accuse people of things. It's Ramadan and it's meant to be a time to be kind and generous to each other." Our concern is that one or two scaremongers are influencing our patients to stay away from hospital when they really need care. We know from our own data in the hospital that outcomes for our white and South Asian patients are equally good, but careless talk will cost lives and change this for the worse. We also know that overall - looking at national and international data - black and South Asian patients are at greater risk of dying from Covid-19, so it is imperative that they seek appropriate care without delay. Fozia reported the offensive message to the police. They were sympathetic, but she decided not to take it further. Instead, she is going to talk about it on Radio Ramadan, at the suggestion of Zulfi Karim, head of the Bradford Council of Mosques - and she will reassure people that if they are sick they will be looked after in hospital regardless of their creed or colour. When I put Zulfi and Fozia in touch, he was disturbed by what she had been through, at a time when she had been working hard to save lives, and said he was determined to tackle false rumours. "We can investigate where it's coming from and perhaps speak to some of those involved. So much good work is going on in the community to educate and inform people and it's really sad that this is happening, and it's very worrying," he said. "I think we need to deal with the urgent issues and we need to react to messages to make sure we keep people coming into the hospital." Follow @docjohnwright and radio producer @SueM1tchell on Twitter You may also be interested in:

ब्रैडफोर्ड के एशियाई समुदाय के भीतर कुछ लोग झूठी खबर फैला रहे हैं कि गैर-श्वेत रोगियों को अस्पताल में मरने के लिए छोड़ दिया जाएगा। ब्रैडफोर्ड रॉयल इन्फर्मरी के डॉ. जॉन राइट एक एनेस्थेटिस्ट से सुनते हैं जिसे परिणामस्वरूप अपमानजनक संदेश मिल रहे हैं।


Florida shooting: Fear and panic as school launches 'code red'

Summary: Students and parents have painted a harrowing picture of the attack that unfolded at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Wednesday, when a gunman killed 17 people. Their stories are here.

Michael Katz, a student, heard "frantic screaming" and what he thought was a lorry. "I've never heard such loud screams in my life," he told ABC News. "Then we realised there was a shooting at my school." Another student told ABC News: "He was just going from class to class, just shooting at random kids." Matthew Walker continued: "When the police were escorting me out of the building, there was a dead guy ... on the floor next to me. I'm blessed to be alive." Student Jeiella Dodoo told CBS News that she and her schoolmates had evacuated their classroom calmly after hearing what they thought had been a routine fire alarm. In fact, reports suggest this was a deliberate ruse by the gunman. "The alarm went off so we had to evacuate from our classes," she said. Then the gunshots started. "I heard about six gunshots," she said, "and then some people started running and then everyone started running because we were like 'If it's real, then just run.'" "I heard three gunshots," one student told the Guardian. "And then some more down the corridor. We shut our classroom door and stood to the side of it so we wouldn't be seen. I was terrified." Kyle Yeoward told Reuters news agency he was upstairs in the bathroom when he heard two shots. "He let loose on the freshman building," Kyle said, referring to first-year students. Kyle and 15 other students and teachers hid for two hours in a cupboard before police arrived on the scene. Jeremiah Baez told reporters: "There were teachers pulling us in and telling us to get in the rooms and be quiet." Colton Haab, a member of the school's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, brought other students with him to a room where they grabbed two lengths of wood, a fire extinguisher and a chair in the hope of defending themselves. "If he was going to try to come in the room we were going to try to stop him with whatever we had." 'Code red' Masiel Baluja told CNN she started to hear shots from the floor below her. "That's when me and a group of people ran downstairs, and I could tell [the shooter] was on my left side because that's where I heard the gunshots from, and it was very loud. And then I went to make a right, and I just ran." The police kept Masiel and her friends down on the ground before they would allow them to run to safety. "I was with a group of kids. I didn't know if any of them were shooters or not," she said. "I felt very uncomfortable because anybody could be a shooter." The high school football coach, Willis May, described how he and six others hid in his office after hearing a 'Code Red' warning over the school intercom. Mr May told the Sun-Sentinel they had seen the shooter attempt to blend in with other students filing out of the building. The football coach also described hearing his assistant, Aaron Feis, over the radio before he was killed by the shooter as he defended a student. The last words he heard Mr Feis say were: "No, that is not firecrackers." 'Still in shock' Kevin Trejos hid for an hour and a half with fellow students until police came to escort them from the building. "I'm still in shock", said Kevin. "None of my close friends were killed or injured but some people who I know from some of my classes have been." "I feel like I have to cry but I haven't been able to." Teachers and students at the high school had reportedly undergone training for such a shooting only six weeks previously. TEN Eyewitness News tweeted footage of locked-down classrooms, as the attacker prowled the halls.

छात्रों और माता-पिता ने बुधवार को फ्लोरिडा के पार्कलैंड में मार्जोरी स्टोनमैन डगलस हाई स्कूल में हुए हमले की एक दर्दनाक तस्वीर चित्रित की है, जब एक बंदूकधारी ने 17 लोगों की हत्या कर दी थी। उनकी कहानियाँ यहाँ हैं।


When class sizes fall so does teachers' pay

Summary: Making class sizes smaller sounds like a success story.

By Andreas SchleicherOECD director of education and skills But an international analysis of its impact shows unintended consequences - it often seems to mean lower pay for teachers and there isn't much evidence that it brings better results. Reducing class sizes has been a popular policy in many countries, often supported by parents, politicians and teachers. It has been one of the big trends of the last decade. Class sizes fell on average by 6% between 2006 and 2014 in the lower secondary school years in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This includes more than 30 of the most developed countries, including most of western Europe, Japan, Australia and the United States. Smaller classes, more teachers The expectation was that smaller class sizes would mean a more personalised education, with improvements in behaviour and learning. And when all other factors are equal, test results show there are better outcomes from smaller classes. But when it comes to investing in schools there are always trade-offs - and countries can only spend their money once. When education budgets are focused on cutting class sizes, the figures show there are usually reductions elsewhere - in particular in lower increases in teachers' pay. Across a whole education system, smaller class sizes result in a greater number of classes, which require more teachers to lead them, which in turn means higher costs. As well as needing more teachers, cutting class sizes can also mean building more classrooms and expanding schools. Spending choices For the first time, the OECD has quantified those trade-offs - and their magnitude is surprising. To offset the cost of cutting the average class size by just one student, teachers' salaries would need to decrease by more than $3,000 (£2,320) per year in more than half of countries in the OECD. In Switzerland and Germany it would mean cutting pay by more than $4,000 (£3,100) and more than $3,000 (£2,320) in countries including Austria, Norway, the United States, Finland, Australia, Spain and the Netherlands. Teachers' salaries represent a major part of school spending and any measure that is going to increase the number of teachers will soon have a big impact on education budgets. The trade-offs of reducing class sizes are showing up in the bigger picture. Teachers in the lower secondary school years are now paid only 88% of what other full-time graduate workers earn. Recruitment problems If teachers' salaries are not competitive, there will be problems of recruitment and a risk that they will leave the profession for jobs which are more highly compensated. Between 2005 and 2015, teachers' pay across the OECD increased on average by only 6% after inflation. In a third of OECD countries there was a real-terms decrease in pay. There can be other national and economic factors affecting teachers' pay - such as the financial crash and policies on public-sector pay. But cutting class sizes will still mean taking money that could have been spent elsewhere. There could be other options. Teachers could work for longer hours in the classroom and reduce their preparation and non-teaching time. Or there could be a reduction in lesson time. But getting a balance from this would have a heavy price tag. In some countries it would mean cutting students' instruction time by almost 70 hours per year to save the extra cost of recruiting more teachers to reduce class sizes. Better results? Is reduced class size worth these costs? There is no clear link between education systems with smaller classes and better learning. Results from the latest Pisa tests show no association between average class size and science performance. In fact, East Asian countries such as Singapore and China often top the rankings both in terms of performance and in having the biggest class sizes. The science results, perhaps unexpectedly, show higher scores for students in larger classes and in schools with higher student-teacher ratios. Perhaps this is a question of degree - and there might need to be a significant reduction in class size to have a positive impact. But it seems whenever high-performing education systems have to make a choice between smaller classes and investments in teachers, they go for the latter. Of course, there could be other political and economic decisions, such as more funding for schools, so that the number of teachers and their salaries could both be increased. But given that budgets are often constrained, this study shows how spending choices can have unanticipated outcomes. Reducing class size is a costly measure, so it's worth considering the benefits against other policy choices. If this was a financial decision how would you get more bang for your buck? How would it compare with spending more on increasing teachers' salaries, investing in teacher training or changing the curriculum? Could cutting class sizes, seen as such a popular policy, come at the expense of the quality of teaching? More from Global education The editor of Global education is Sean Coughlan (sean.coughlan@bbc.co.uk).

कक्षा के आकार को छोटा बनाना एक सफलता की कहानी की तरह लगता है।


Alleged Tamil tiger extradited to US

Summary: Officials in Indonesia say they have extradited an alleged Tamil Tiger rebel to the United States.

A police spokesman in Jakarta said that Pratheepan Thavarajah has been sentenced by a court in the US, in absentia, to fifteen years in prison for trying to smuggle weapons to his home country. Mr Thavarajah was arrested in Indonesia earlier in January, as he tried to board a flight to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

इंडोनेशिया के अधिकारियों का कहना है कि उन्होंने एक कथित तमिल टाइगर विद्रोही को संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका को प्रत्यर्पित कर दिया है।


Q&A: Statins

Summary: A review of existing evidence on the cholesterol-lowering drugs statins has concluded they are safe to take, and that their benefits have been underestimated while their side-effects have been exaggerated.

What are statins? Statins are drugs that help to lower harmful cholesterol levels in the body by slowing down the production of cholesterol in the liver. Around 6 million people take the drugs in the UK. They are given to people who have already had a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, and to people who are at risk because of their age, high blood pressure or other factors. What does the review say? Published in the Lancet, it is an examination of studies into statins since they were first introduced in the 1980s. There has been controversy over how widely they should be used, and especially if they should be given to otherwise well people who are at risk of cardiovascular disease. There have also been concerns about potential side-effects, particularly muscle pain. However, the Lancet says the best-designed studies into statins over the years show they have significant benefits in reducing the number of people who become ill or even die from heart attack and stroke. The authors say there have been "misleading claims" about side-effects which have meant people who could benefit from statins have stopped taking them. The review is backed by major health organisations, including the Royal College of GPs and the British Heart Foundation. What are the arguments against statins? Some doctors are concerned about the drug being over-prescribed - especially for people who haven't had any cardiovascular symptoms. It is possible to make lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol, such as a healthier diet, with less saturated fat and more fruit, vegetables and fibre, and being more active. How many will experience side-effects? This is a question to which the Lancet review sought to give a definitive answer. All drugs have side-effects, and doctors will discuss these with a patient when they are considering taking them. The Lancet says that in 10,000 people, on an average dose, there would be between 50 and 100 cases - so up to 1% - of side-effects such as muscle pain, which could be addressed by lowering the dose of statins or even stopping taking the drug. An article in another journal, the British Medical Journal, published in 2013, suggested up to 20% of people would have side-effects - but these figures were later withdrawn and the BMJ said the data they was based on was incorrect. Editor Fiona Godlee said it was: "So that patients who could benefit from statins are not wrongly deterred from starting or continuing treatment because of exaggerated concerns over side-effects." What if I already take statins? The experts who put together the review did so with the aim of reassuring patients who are already taking statins, or who may do so in the future. However, anyone with any concerns should discuss them with their doctor.

कोलेस्ट्रॉल कम करने वाली दवाओं स्टैटिन पर मौजूदा साक्ष्य की समीक्षा ने निष्कर्ष निकाला है कि वे लेने के लिए सुरक्षित हैं, और उनके लाभों को कम करके आंका गया है जबकि उनके दुष्प्रभावों को अतिरंजित किया गया है।


Swindon attempted murder accused appears in court

Summary: A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after an alleged hit-and-run in Swindon.

A 26-year-old man was struck by a car outside the Dolphin on Rodbourne Road on 6 March and remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital. Mohammed Shajeed Ali, 20, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court earlier and was remanded in custody. Mr Shajeed Ali, of Warneford Close, Toothill, will next appear at Bristol Crown Court on 20 April.

स्विंडन में कथित हिट-एंड-रन के बाद हत्या के प्रयास के आरोप में एक व्यक्ति अदालत में पेश हुआ है।


'Tony the Fridge' fails in four-marathon charity bid

Summary: A charity runner has failed in his bid to run the London marathon four times in 24 hours with a six-and-a-half stone (42kg) fridge on his back.

Tony Phoenix-Morrison, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, completed the second of the four 26.1m (42km) marathons but has been forced to abandon his mission. Known as "Tony the Fridge," he is suffering from sunstroke and was described by one of his support staff as "safe but really sick". He was running for Cancer Research UK. His previous challenges include completing the Great North Run half-marathon route every day for 30 consecutive days in August and September 2012. Mr Morrison also claims to have run the furthest distance in 24 hours while carrying a fridge - 67.1 miles (107.9km) - which he did non-stop around the quayside in Newcastle in April 2013. His efforts have raised thousands of pounds for charity.

एक चैरिटी धावक अपनी पीठ पर साढ़े छह पत्थर (42 किग्रा) के फ्रिज के साथ 24 घंटे में चार बार लंदन मैराथन दौड़ने की अपनी कोशिश में विफल रहा है।


Work starts at former HP Sauce factory site in Aston

Summary: Work has begun to turn the former HP Sauce factory site in Birmingham into a wholesale cash and carry and spice distribution centre.

East End Foods bought the site in 2007 when Heinz US relocated production of HP Sauce to the Netherlands, making 125 workers redundant. The factory in Aston was demolished in July 2007. East End Foods said its £9m development would create 95 local jobs and help to regenerate the area. Labour ward councillor Ziaul Islam said: "There is very high unemployment here. Anything that helps bring jobs to this area is a good thing and I welcome it." As part of East End Foods' planning application the firm said recruitment would be targeted at people who had been out of work for more than 12 months.

बर्मिंघम में पूर्व एच. पी. सॉस फैक्ट्री स्थल को थोक नकदी और कैरी और मसाला वितरण केंद्र में बदलने का काम शुरू हो गया है।


RBS to close 20 NatWest bank branches across Wales

Summary: Twenty NatWest bank branches are to close in Wales.

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced it would shut the branches in May and June next year. The bank said the closures were due to changes in the way people use its services, with customers choosing to bank online or on mobiles instead. Unite said serious questions needed to be asked about whether the closures marked the end of branch network banking. All but one branch in Wales have less than 100 regular customers each week, RBS said. Porthcawl has 106 customers who visit the branch on a weekly basis, yet Cardiff North has 27 regular customers while Chepstow has just 24. 'Decimate communities' Members of the public have criticised the announcement. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales' Dot Davies programme, Paula Lewis, 52, from Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot, said: "We live in a very rural part of Pontardawe, a lot of the time our telephones don't work, let alone online banking. "It's just not sustainable, they keep on taking everybody who's well-qualified and taking all the jobs away. Where's it all going to end? It's going to crash." Jon Lewis, 34, from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, called it a "very sad day". "Fewer people will come into the centre of Cowbridge... banks are often seen as the hub of the community, people come into the town to use a bank but also while they're there they go and do some shopping or visit restaurants and cafes," he said. "So if you're taking away the reason for people to come in to a high street, then I think over time what you're going to do is decimate communities." One woman, from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, said: "I'm 89 and I haven't got a computer... It's really disturbing to older people like myself. "Will I have to hand my banking over to my children? I'm very independent and I don't want that to happen." The closures are part of UK-wide cuts, with RBS closing 259 branches - one in four of its outlets - and cutting 680 jobs. "We provide our customers with more ways to bank than ever before - customers can choose from a range of digital, face-to-face and local options," a RBS spokesman said. "The way people bank with us has changed radically over the last few years: since 2014, the number of customers using our branches across the UK has fallen by 40%. "During the same period mobile transactions have increased by 73%; and in the first half of 2017, there were 1.1 billion mobile and online transactions carried out by our customers: an increase of 41% since 2014." Banks are set to close in:

वेल्स में नैटवेस्ट बैंक की बीस शाखाएँ बंद होने वाली हैं।


Faces of the year 2011 - the women

Summary: Some of the women who have made the headlines in 2011, left to right: Gabrielle Giffords, Adele, Eman al-Obeidi, Sarah Burton (top), Nafissatou Diallo, Jelena Lecic, Princess Charlene, Pauline Pearce (middle), Rebecca Leighton, Duchess of Alba, Corporal Kelsey de Santis, Sweetie the panda (bottom). The men who made headlines round-up was published on Tuesday.

January US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was attending a "Congress on Your Corner" gathering in her native Tucson, Arizona, when a gunman shot her through the head. He killed six and injured 13, including Giffords, who was given emergency brain surgery. Giffords' husband, Nasa astronaut Mark Kelly, flew immediately to her bedside. By August, she had recovered enough to appear in Congress to vote for the raising of the US debt limit, prompting a standing ovation. In a subsequent TV interview she said her recovery had been "difficult". American congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in head After performing her single Someone Like You at the Brit Awards, Adele shot straight to number one on the UK singles chart while the album from which it came, 21, was already the top seller. She became the first living artist to achieve two top-five hits simultaneously in both the album and singles charts since The Beatles. In addition, Someone Like You became a number one hit around the world and 21 also topped the album charts in 18 countries including the United States. Adele retains historic double with album and single top of charts A 29-year-old Libyan woman Eman al-Obeidi stunned onlookers when she burst into the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli to tell the assembled foreign media that she had been beaten and gang-raped by 15 members of Muammar Gaddafi's militia over a two-day period. She showed off bruises and scars on her body. Government officials then dragged the screaming al-Obeidi away amid chaotic scenes in which journalists were kicked and punched. She was taken away for interrogation but subsequently released. She has now been granted asylum in the United States. Libya rape claim woman in Tunisia When Kate Middleton first stepped out to reveal her wedding dress, months of rumour and speculation as to its designer were ended. The honour had gone to Sarah Burton, the Macclesfield-born creative director of the Alexander McQueen fashion house, who had achieved critical acclaim for her collections since McQueen's death in 2010. The dress was made of ivory silk and lace with long sleeves and sported a two-metre train. Burton described the dress's creation, done with the utmost secrecy, as "the experience of a lifetime". Sarah Burton reveals dress 'honour' A 32-year-old immigrant from Guinea, Nafissatou Diallo, caused a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic when she accused the head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, of sexually assaulting her and trying to rape her when she went to clean his room at New York's Sofitel Hotel. The French politician, 62, denied the claims and resigned as head of the IMF to defend himself. The case was eventually dismissed because of inconsistencies in Diallo's evidence. Strauss-Kahn sex case dismissed A London-based Croatian woman, Jelena Lecic, became a victim of an unusual identity hoax. She found pictures of herself, taken from her Facebook page, on a blog entitled A Gay Girl in Damascus that had gained worldwide prominence. It purported to be written by a gay Syrian woman, Amina Arraf, and described her persecution at the hands of the Syrian government of President Assad. However, it emerged that Arraf did not exist and the blog was in fact written by an American student in Edinburgh, Tom McMaster. Londoner says missing Syrian blogger stole her identity When Charlene Wittstock married Prince Albert of Monaco it appeared to be the archetypal fairy tale. Here was the daughter of a photocopier salesman from South Africa marrying into one of Europe's oldest royal families. But the event was clouded by press reports suggesting Ms Wittstock had come close to returning to South Africa, after learning information about Prince Albert's private life. The royal family dismissed the claims, as well as suggestions she had only turned back after royal aides persuaded her to stay. Monaco's Prince Albert weds South African Charlene Wittstock Mother-of-four Pauline Pearce was dubbed the Hackney Heroine when she gave a group of looters the benefit of the sharp edge of her tongue during the August riots. She lambasted them for stealing rather than fighting for a cause and told them they made her feel "ashamed to be a Hackney person". Her heart-felt speech was captured on film and became an internet sensation. Pearce had previously campaigned against gang culture after her teenage son Ronald was stabbed in the street. She has since spoken about the issue on national TV and radio. Heroine of Hackney Pauline Pearce: I was petrified, but angry Nurse Rebecca Leighton, 28, was arrested by Greater Manchester Police after three patients at Stockport's Stepping Hill hospital had died and another 16 were injured because their saline solutions had been unlawfully contaminated with insulin. She always protested her innocence and in September she was released without charge, after spending six weeks in prison. In subsequent interviews she said she had been in a "living hell". She was later sacked from the same hospital after she admitted to stealing painkillers and has lodged an appeal. My hell, by nurse cleared of hospital saline murder plot One of Spain's richest and flamboyant women, the Duchess of Alba, married again at the age of 85 to a civil servant, Alfonso Diez Carabantes, 24 years her junior. The wedding took place at a palace in Seville from which she emerged to dance flamenco. The duchess is said to be worth more than $4 billion. She allayed family suspicions about her new husband by dividing up her wealth between her six children and grandchildren, and, reportedly, by making Diez relinquish his rights to her fortune. Spanish duchess remarries at 85 A US Marine from Virginia, Corporal Kelsey de Santis, had a dream come true when actor and singer Justin Timberlake accepted her YouTube appeal that he take her to the Marine Corps Ball in Richmond, Virginia. The combat instructor was inspired to invite him after Timberlake had publicly encouraged his friend and Hollywood star Mila Kunis to accept a similar invitation from a serviceman. "It was wonderful, a really good experience," she said after the event. Although she said there was no goodnight kiss. Timberlake keeps 'date' promise Sweetie (Tian Tian), along with her fellow giant panda Sunshine (Yang Guang), was welcomed at Edinburgh airport with cheers and bagpipes after the pair's 11-hour journey from Chengdu in western China. Their arrival is the culmination of five years of lobbying by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the government. Even the four pilots wore kilts in the pandas' honour. The pandas are on loan for a decade at a cost of £600,000 per year. Zoo bosses are hoping that Sweetie will produce cubs during that time. Pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrive in Scotland Compiled by Bob Chaundy This Faces of the Year appears on the UK edition of the BBC News website. There is also a version for international readers, which reflects a more global perspective and appears on the international edition.

2011 में सुर्खियां बटोरने वाली कुछ महिलाएं, बाएं से दाएंः गैब्रिएल गिफोर्ड, एडेले, इमान अल-ओबेदी, सारा बर्टन (ऊपर), नफिसाटो डियालो, येलेना लेसिक, राजकुमारी चार्लीन, पॉलिन पीयर्स (बीच में), रेबेका लीटन, डचेस ऑफ अल्बा, कॉर्पोरल केल्सी डी सैंटिस, स्वीटी द पांडा (नीचे)। सुर्खियां बटोरने वाले पुरुषों का राउंड-अप मंगलवार को प्रकाशित किया गया।


Randalstown: Boy, 14, suffers facial injuries in attack

Summary: A 14-year-old boy is being treated in hospital for serious facial injuries after being attacked by a number of men, police have said.

A 17-year-old boy also sustained minor injuries in the incident in Randalstown, County Antrim. It happened in Neillsbrook Park at about 21:30 GMT on Saturday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) appealed for information and urged anyone who saw a group of men in the town to contact police.

पुलिस ने कहा है कि कई लोगों द्वारा हमला किए जाने के बाद चेहरे पर गंभीर चोटों के लिए एक 14 वर्षीय लड़के का अस्पताल में इलाज किया जा रहा है।


Apple offers free iPhone 4 cases

Summary: Apple is offering a free case to every owner of its iPhone 4.

Apple boss Steve Jobs unveiled the offer at a press conference called to tackle the ongoing speculation about the iPhone 4's antenna problem. The case will help overcome a widely reported issue in which phone signal strength was drained when the phone was held a certain way. Declaring "We're not perfect", Mr Jobs said reception problems were endemic throughout the smartphone industry. To get their free case, owners will be able to apply via the Apple website from 22 July. Mr Jobs said Apple could not make enough for all owners of the phone but would source a supply and offer a range of cases. Based on retail prices of iPhone cases, supplying one to all three million customers could cost Apple about $180m (£118m). Apple will offer the free cases for phones purchased before 30 September. Mr Jobs also extended an offer to iPhone 4 users to give them a full refund within 30 days if they were still unhappy with the handset's performance. "They had to do something," Van Baker, research vice president at Gartner, told BBC News. "The buzz kept getting louder and louder and louder and the evidence kept mounting more and more and more. They just couldn't ignore it." Brian Marshall, managing director of Gleacher & Company, said he did not think the negative headlines hurt Apple in the marketplace though he was pleased to see it take action. "This has been blown out of proportion and is a media firestorm," he said. Common problem Apple called the press conference at which the case offer was made in response to ongoing speculation about the antenna issue. The problem is thought to be caused by the steel case of the phone which houses several of the phone's antennas. Holding the phone on the lower left bridges the gap between two antenna depleting the signal. Putting a case or "bumpers" around the phone stops this gap being bridged. Opening the conference, Mr Jobs said that the drop in signal strength was not a problem "unique" to the iPhone 4. "This has been blown so out of proportion, it's incredible," he said. Apple had been looking closely at the issue since the first reports of problems surfaced just over three weeks ago, he said. Videos comparing the iPhone 4 signal drop to other smartphones, such as the Blackberry Bold 9700, were aired by Mr Jobs during the conference. He said this was a reflection of life in the smartphone world and presented a challenge for the whole industry. Mr Jobs said the design of the iPhone 4, with a gap separating two sections of antenna, might have contributed to the problems as it perhaps subliminally encouraged people to touch that spot. In the firm's defence, he cited figures from its Apple Care service arm which showed that only 0.55% of all iPhone 4 users have complained to the company about the issue. "Historically for us, this is not a large number. This doesn't jibe with what you read about this problem." The number of phones returned to Apple was 1.7%, less than the 6% of 3GS models taken back to the shop by their owners. Mr Jobs also shared data about the number of calls the iPhone4 dropped compared to the 3GS. This revealed that the iPhone 4 drops only one call more per hundred than its predecessor. He speculated that this was because most people who own a 3GS have a case for it. By contrast, he said, most iPhone4s leave Apple stores without a case. Technology reporter Maggie Shiels who attended the conference for the BBC said it was a "sterling" performance by Mr Jobs. "For Steve Jobs to publicly apologise to customers problem was amazing to hear," she said. "It didn't come until 45 mins into the event but it was clear throughout that he has taken the criticism personally." "While he constantly underscored how hard Apple had worked to resolve the problem, he came out swinging for the fences and defended the phone to the hilt," she said.

एप्पल अपने आईफोन 4 के प्रत्येक मालिक को एक मुफ्त केस दे रहा है।


Naga Munchetty: It’s time to talk about race

Summary: The killing of George Floyd last year triggered a national debate about racial injustice not just in the US, but in the UK, too. Naga Munchetty travelled across the UK to understand what race and racism means today.

By Naga MunchettyBBC News I have experienced racism. You never forget the first time you hear that painful and distressing word. I was seven, when someone I thought was a friend at school, told me we could no longer hang out. They used the P-word, making clear the reason was because of the colour of my skin The sense of shame was overwhelming. I was told I didn't belong when up until then I assumed I did. From that moment I knew I was seen as different. That first hurt never goes away. I grew up in south London. My dad was from Mauritius and my mum was from India. Both were nurses. They too received racial insults at work, including the P-word. News events last year catapulted the subject of race into many conversations people were having. Whether you attended, agreed with, or condemned the Black Lives Matter protests - I imagine a conversation in your social group or your home, took place about race, regardless of the colour of your skin. The death of George Floyd, after being restrained by US police, led to Black Lives Matter protests across the world. In the UK, thousands took to the streets in the biggest anti-racism protests for decades. In Bristol, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston, which was prominent in the city for more than 125 years, was pulled down. Protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement continued for months. Twenty-year-old Corey, who was born and raised in Bristol, went along to a BLM protest. He's a semi-professional basketball player who told me that he doesn't "feel that comfortable as a black man in our society". When I asked him why, he said because he cannot show all of his personality outside his home. He has been brought up not to be too loud, or too passionate, or come across as intimidating. Since he was small, his father Vernon - who represented Great Britain at the 1988 Olympic Games and was a member of the Gospel choir which sang at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 - told him that he needed to be more aware than his non-black friends, about how he is perceived at school or out in public. Corey says his dad told him that the rules were not going to be the same for him. "The reality is we live in a time and place which like it or not, isn't equitable in terms of how races are perceived," Vernon explains. He never wants his son to be stereotyped as an angry black man, or as someone with a chip on their shoulder. He acknowledges it is sad that he has to have a conversation with his son asking him not to draw attention to himself. It's not one he thinks a white father would have to have with his child. Corey understands that he and his brother Taylor can't show everything of themselves. I understand that, and I don't like the fact that I've lived by those rules too. It hurts Vernon to see that his sons have had to do the same thing. Corey doesn't feel that racism today is as bad as when his grandmother first came to the UK from Jamaica. Still, he thinks that "things are not where they need to be". Find out more You can watch Naga's Panorama programme on Monday 8 March at 19:00 GMT on BBC One, or afterwards on BBC iPlayer. Corey's grandmother Hermie was part of the Windrush generation, many of whom faced a hostile reception in the UK in the early 1960s. It was while working as a nurse for the NHS shortly after she arrived that she experienced blatant racism for the first time. A patient told her while she was trying to clean her, "Don't touch me, you black creature." She has never forgotten that. When I asked her if she was surprised that her grandchildren still see evidence of racism 60 years later, her resigned response was, "It's as though nothing's changed". She constantly reminds her grandchildren that they have to be "twice as good as [their] white counterpart". Many families of colour have been having these conversations - for them, it's an everyday consideration. I also met Jason, a black man born and raised in east London. He remembers his mum being chased by the National Front and shot with a pellet gun in her leg. He says she still has a scar. He tells me that the racism he experiences today is different, not as overt or blatant, but more under the surface, and no better. "There's no way you can feel or live my life unless you have that shade of skin." Like Vernon, he is preparing his son for life as a black male in Britain. Jason first began to talk to Ezra about how to behave outside the home, when he was just nine years old. Jason tells Ezra, who is now 14, not to wear all-black clothing. That way it's harder for him to match a generic description and be stopped by the police. If Ezra is stopped by the police, Jason has prepared him for how to behave. Ezra tells me what he has been taught - "Just be respectful, keep composed". He adds that he knows he will be stopped eventually, "because of the colour of my skin". Jason thinks Ezra will eventually have to have similar conversations with his son when the time comes. "Unfortunately he will," he tells me. When I asked Jason what he would like to see change - his answer was simple: "Let me speak first, then judge me. Don't judge me before I speak." Why should anyone ask for that in 2021? Jason's sister Frankie, 33, is a receptionist. She spoke to me about the kind of racism she experiences. "I think the worst one for me is getting me confused with another black receptionist, or not even another black receptionist, but just another black colleague that doesn't even actually work in my department. "We might not even look the same. We might not even have the same hair texture or anything like that. But we're all black. "It is humiliating. It's horrible. It's absolutely horrible." This type of covert racism isn't uncommon but it's difficult to prove, says Professor Kalwant Bhopal, director of the Centre for Research in Race and Education at the University of Birmingham. "It can take the form of individuals not given eye contact. Black and minority ethnic people not even being asked their opinion. People pushing in front of you in a queue," she says. Despite Frankie's experiences, she also told me about how she believes it is important for the young black women she mentors to not hide their identities in order to fit in, and their lives should be celebrated not compromised. I questioned why these conversations need to take place in the 21st Century. She said: "I may not be experiencing racism in the same [way] as my mum, I think it has changed, but it's a really slow change." Everyday racism isn't obvious and it's hard to explain. It's like when someone asks you, "Where are you really from?" That's telling. It makes me feel that I'm the other, that I don't belong. If I call it out, I'm being difficult. It chips away at you. Stephen lives in Blyth, Northumberland, which is 98% white. He told me that he followed the Black Lives Matter protests and understands the raw emotions around police brutality. As I sat by the harbour with the warehouse worker and his dad John, a retired mining engineer, he said he supported the right for people to protest - but he was concerned when some elements turned violent, and caused criminal damage. He then found it difficult to carry on backing the movement. John said until this year, he never thought about race, and had never had a conversation with anyone about racism other than with his son. He says that's because it's something that has never touched his life. Unemployment is 7% in Blyth, higher than the national average. John has concerns that the push for diversity after the Black Live Matter protests could impact jobs. He's worried if the government were to introduce quotas for apprenticeships that would mean "you've got to have a certain colour skin. Is that the way forward?" While some companies do have diversity targets, it's against the law to hire a less suitable candidate just because of the colour of their skin. Steve admits he knows people with racist views, and that makes him cringe, and sometimes upset. He says people need to challenge their thought processes - it's something he does himself. "It's about exploring different viewpoints." Alum Rock is one of the most deprived parts of Birmingham. Almost 60% of those living there are of Pakistani heritage Usman works as a GP there. His grandfather arrived in the 1960s and worked as a road digger. Usman knows that his grandfather experienced racism, but believes things have moved in the right direction. "Have they moved quick enough? No," he says. "Do they need to continue to move in the right direction and faster? Yes." He helps young people in his area by giving interview tips to some local students. "You can accept that you may not have the same opportunities that other people have, but you can either be miserable and say, 'I'm not working from a level playing field' or you can say, 'I'm going to do something about it,' and that's why we're here to try and help." Asian students I met in Birmingham told me they are proud of being British and of their heritage - wearing traditional clothes with pride and not embarrassed that their home lives are different from White-British students. One student, Zahnab, told me: "I think over the years I have accepted my culture. I realise that I'm always probably going to be different. One day I might come in and smell of my mum's curry - I just embrace it." I remember being paranoid about smelling of the curries my mum cooked when I was at school. That's something I had conveniently forgotten until I spoke to the students. I was heartened to see that they have no sense of that embarrassment. They say to me: "My food smells good, of course my clothes may smell a bit of it, but what's to be ashamed of?" I know what it's like to hide parts of my whole self, to play down my Asian heritage - It's difficult to acknowledge that I've done it, and hard to admit. Since I was young, I felt I needed to, so that I fitted-in more easily. The conversations I have been part of have been honest and sometimes painful. People opened up about race and racism, and voiced their fears and frustrations. It feels different to the way I've heard people talk about it before. Maybe that's a start. All photographs subject to copyright.

पिछले साल जॉर्ज फ्लॉयड की हत्या ने न केवल अमेरिका में, बल्कि ब्रिटेन में भी नस्लीय अन्याय के बारे में एक राष्ट्रीय बहस छेड़ दी। नागा मुंचेट्टी ने यह समझने के लिए पूरे ब्रिटेन की यात्रा की कि आज नस्ल और नस्लवाद का क्या अर्थ है।


M6 closure over River Eamont for bridge maintenance

Summary: A motorway bridge in Cumbria will be partially closed for four nights from Monday to allow for repairs.

Lanes of the southbound M6 near Penrith will be closed where the road crosses the River Eamont. The work, taking place from 20:00 GMT until 06:00, involves replacing joints which allow the bridge to expand and contract in extreme weather. Mark Mosley from the Highways Agency said the work had been scheduled to minimise disruption. There will be no access to the southbound M6 from junction 40 for the duration of the project.

कुम्ब्रिया में एक मोटरवे पुल को मरम्मत के लिए सोमवार से चार रातों के लिए आंशिक रूप से बंद कर दिया जाएगा।


Vauxhall van contract to continue at Luton plant

Summary: The future of a car plant in Bedfordshire looks to have been secured after an announcement that work on vans will continue.

There had been fears that the Vauxhall factory in Luton could close under job cut plans outlined by owner General Motors (GM) in November 2009. Vauxhall and Renault have now announced they will continue to work together on the next generation of the Vivaro van. The existing joint venture had been due to run out in 2013. In May, workers at Vauxhall's plants in Luton and Ellesmere Port agreed a two-year pay freeze as part of a Europe-wide restructuring deal.

ऐसा लगता है कि बेडफोर्डशायर में एक कार संयंत्र का भविष्य एक घोषणा के बाद सुरक्षित हो गया है कि वैन पर काम जारी रहेगा।


Karachi in fear after Altaf Hussain arrest

Summary: As soon as it became known that police in London had arrested the leader of Pakistan's MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) party, Altaf Hussain, fear gripped the southern Pakistani city of Karachi which his party controls.

Reports are already emerging of sporadic violence and shootings, and several vehicles have been burned. Upon hearing the news, the city effectively shut down. Offices and shops were closed and transport companies immediately suspended their services, with many passengers left stranded on the streets. Paramilitary forces have been deployed at the British deputy high commission in Karachi. 'Afraid of bloodshed' BBC Urdu's Riaz Sohail reports that in a city well used to routine violence, there is palpable concern over what could happen if anger among Mr Hussain's supporters turn violent. The MQM is one of the country's leading political parties and has political control of Karachi. "There is a lot of fear in the public. We have heard of vehicles burned already as well as shooting in locations around the city." He described roads packed with people trying to find a way back home before the violence they dreaded broke out. "Everyone wants to go home, where it is safe. There were many people stuck in traffic in cars - it is a very uncertain situation and people are afraid of more bloodshed in a city that is already violent. "There is a big traffic jam and many vehicles do not even have enough fuel. Petrol stations are closed. They are effectively stuck. One colleague told me he was pushing his motorbike around in search of fuel. " Who is Altaf Hussain? Born in Karachi in 1953 to a middle-class family; studied pharmacy at university. Formed MQM party in 1984 to represent Mohajirs - descendants of Urdu-speaking Muslims who migrated from India to Pakistan. Requested political asylum in UK in 1992, later gained British citizenship; continues to run MQM from north London. Pakistan's powerful but absent politician Many road transport operators have suspended services because of the risk of damage to their vehicles should violence break out, and Pakistan's railway authorities have cancelled all outbound trains from the city. MQM leaders have appealed for party workers to keep calm. They deny any MQM involvement in violence across the city, blaming instead "miscreants" in search of chaos. 'Karachi in jeopardy' A security professional in the city also told the BBC that as soon as the news filtered out, it became clear that things could get out of control and Karachi was effectively in lockdown. "When it comes to Karachi, if anything happens to Altaf Hussain, you can count on the city just shutting down and a lot of violence," he told the BBC. He said that whenever something like this took place, it was the party workers who were most outraged. The leaders have made appeals for calm. Several readers have also emailed the BBC News website describing the situation. "MQM supporters are firing in streets and shopkeepers have closed down the shops as their supporters set fire to any shop which is open," Tahir reports. One student wrote in to say that his university exams had been postponed as a result of the latest developments. "I live in Karachi and currently the city is in turmoil," Nabil wrote in, while another reader simply said the lives of Karachi's people "are in jeopardy now".

जैसे ही यह पता चला कि लंदन में पुलिस ने पाकिस्तान की एमक्यूएम (मुत्ताहिदा कौमी मूवमेंट) पार्टी के नेता अल्ताफ हुसैन को गिरफ्तार कर लिया है, डर ने दक्षिणी पाकिस्तानी शहर कराची को जकड़ लिया, जिसे उनकी पार्टी नियंत्रित करती है।


Iran pushes app with 'Death to America' emoji

Summary: Iran is promoting a domestically-produced mobile messaging app, complete with a "Death to America" emoji, in an attempt to get millions of Iranians to abandon the popular Telegram service, which it blames for promoting unrest in the country.

By News from Elsewhere......as found by BBC Monitoring Among the features on new app Soroush are a series of emojis featuring a chador-clad woman clutching a picture of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and placards wishing death to Israel, America and Freemasons. The Soroush app is even the subject of a competition in the country's elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, where five lucky people will be given gold coins for signing up. The competition was announced on the Force's Telegram channel. Ayatollah Khamenei has emerged as a champion of the new app, closing down his account on Telegram and telling users to do the same and sign up to the Iranian-produced service. "The activities of the presidency's Telegram channel have stopped in support of domestic messaging apps," state broadcaster IRIB also reported last week. Some 50 million Iranians, attracted by Telegram's strong security and privacy features, use the app. But the authorities blame its use for the spread of anti-establishment protests in the country in December. Soroush, which currently claims five million users, closely resembles Telegram in that it allows users to join channels, follow news, and conduct business online. But users don't seem to be buying assurances by officials - including the Supreme Leader himself - that user privacy will be fully protected on the domestic app. One joke doing the rounds on social media says that Soroush's three-tick message receipt notification (as opposed to Telegram's two ticks) confirms that an intelligence officer has read the message in addition to the sender and receiver. Telegram vs Tehran and Moscow Iran's Supreme Cyberspace Council has issued a ban on the use of foreign apps by public institutions, amid reports that Telegram, as the most popular messaging app in Iran, may be blocked by the Iranian government any time. The Islamic Republic wants Telegram to abide by its laws, a demand which has been repeatedly turned down by the company's Russian founder Pavel Durov, who says Telegram will always "stand for freedom and privacy". Telegram was banned recently in Russia after Mr Durov refused to hand over encryption keys to the authorities. Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader, president and other officials are still posting on their accounts on Twitter, which is still officially banned in Iran, and Ayatollah Khamenei's office is still active on Facebook. The Supreme Leader has seven pages on Twitter in different languages. Reporting by Alistair Coleman Next story: Chinese university hosts grenade-throwing contest Use #NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via Twitter.

ईरान एक घरेलू रूप से निर्मित मोबाइल मैसेजिंग ऐप को बढ़ावा दे रहा है, जिसे "डेथ टू अमेरिका" इमोजी के साथ पूरा किया गया है, ताकि लाखों ईरानियों को लोकप्रिय टेलिग्राम सेवा को छोड़ने के लिए प्रेरित किया जा सके, जिसे वह देश में अशांति को बढ़ावा देने के लिए दोषी ठहराता है।


Board for services company 'to save taxpayer money'

Summary: A management team has been announced for a joint company which aims to save council taxpayers in Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire millions of pounds.

The firm Local Government Shared Services (LGSS) has been set up by the two county councils. Its aim is to provide business support services, finance, human resources, procurement and legal services. By sharing services, the LGSS aims to save the councils more than £25m over the next 10 years. John Reynolds, lead member of the joint committee from CCC, said: "LGSS is one of the largest shared service ventures of its kind and the appointment of the management board is a historic moment for local government."

एक संयुक्त कंपनी के लिए एक प्रबंधन दल की घोषणा की गई है जिसका उद्देश्य नॉर्थम्पटनशायर और कैम्ब्रिजशायर में परिषद के करदाताओं को लाखों पाउंड की बचत करना है।


Manchester Metrolink lines closed for engineering work

Summary: Three of Manchester's tram lines will be closed on Sunday while work to expand the network is carried out.

The South Manchester, Altrincham, and Eccles Metrolink lines will be closed all day, while services on the Bury and Oldham lines will operate to Victoria. Transport for Greater Manchester said replacement buses would be running until normal service resumes on Monday. Engineering work is under way on several new lines between the city centre and Greater Manchester. Lines to Rochdale, Droylsden, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Oldham, Rochdale, Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe are all under construction.

मैनचेस्टर की तीन ट्राम लाइनें रविवार को बंद हो जाएंगी, जबकि नेटवर्क के विस्तार का काम किया जा रहा है।


Reading police car crash: Three people injured

Summary: Three people, including two police officers, have been injured in a crash involving a police car and another vehicle.

The crash happened on the A33 in Reading, Berkshire, near the Rose Kiln Lane junction at 19.45 BST on Monday. The officers - who did not require hospital treatment - had been on an "immediate response call", Thames Valley Police said. A man driving an MG was admitted to hospital with minor injuries. He has now been discharged. The force warned drivers on social media shortly after the collision to avoid the area. The crash has not been referred to the IOPC, Thames Valley Police said.

पुलिस की कार और एक अन्य वाहन की टक्कर में दो पुलिस अधिकारियों सहित तीन लोग घायल हो गए हैं।


The only way is Essich

Summary: Asda has started work on its first store in the Highlands on a site within Highland Council's Inverness city ward of Ness-side. Here the BBC News Scotland website looks at the area's influence on how Inverness will grow in the near future.

By Steven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporter "You used to get the best tatties in Inverness from the farms that were once here," said a 71-year-old man sitting next to me on the bus home. The number seven service from Inverness city centre to Culduthel was rolling through a pleasant 1970s era housing development as he said this. Shaking his head, the man gestured with a hand and added: "Fifty years ago there were no Tarmac roads here. My grandchildren don't believe me when I tell them that." He pressed the bell and stood up. "I missed my usual bus, but I think I can walk home from here," he said as he passed me and then made his way off the bus. Standing on the pavement he looked a little lost. In his lifetime the Invernessian must have witnessed huge changes to his hometown and some of the most rapid of that growth in the 10 years since Inverness was made a city in 2001. The 2001 Census recorded a population of 66,576. Highland Council said it grew to 72,748 by 2008 and has projected the population to rise to 98,681 by 2033. For Inverness to grow in the immediate future the only way is Essich - a south westerly direction and area covered by the council ward of Ness-side. The ward has an estimated 10,207 residents with its main population centres being Hilton, Lochardil, Holm Mains, Drummond, Culduthel and Castle Heather. In this area, a number of new housing developments have been completed recently, or are about to be finished, including new properties at Greenfields and Holm. Between, 2006 and 210 there were 221 homes completed in Ness-side, the second highest number of completions in a city ward after Inverness Central's 250. Highland Council's Local Plan has programmed for delivery of a further 408 homes for Ness-side by about 2014, second to Inverness West with 1,075. However, the growth goes beyond housing. Two supermarkets are being built in the ward - an Asda at Slackbuie and a Tesco on the Dores road. Major flood alleviation measures to offer protection to the wider city from flooding are also being constructed in Ness-side. Some of that work has taken place off Essich Road. There are also plans to upgrade the Southern Distributor Road and also to eventually link it up with the A82 trunk road across the River Ness. Inverness Ness-side SNP councillor John Finnie said the projected growth in ward would bring both benefits and challenges. He said: "There is a real need for additional housing and I hope a significant proportion of those new houses will be for rent or shared equity." But he added: "The growth will place significant pressures on the infrastructure, and public services such as schooling." Mr Finnie said because of public sector spending cuts controls would need to be placed on builders to make sure infrastructure was put in place ahead of housing and not the other way around as has been done in the past. He added: "The completion of the Southern Distributor Road will be required and I hope the views of the public will be taken on board, not least the need to retain as much of our valuable open space in as possible. "Most importantly, this scheduled growth must not damage the attractive environment of Ness-side." 'More popular' Chartered surveyors Allied Souter and Jaffrey said that for much of the last decade developers have focused on east Inverness, but the firm expected the opening of the Asda and Tesco to revive interest in areas such as Lochardil and Holm. Director Jeff Collins said: "We foresee the renaissance of the western suburbs of Inverness. "Many years ago Lochardil was one of the city's most popular areas, but it has been superseded by newer developments at Inshes, Westhill and Cradlehall. "I believe that the presence of two new supermarkets in the west of the city will realign that balance. "The retailers will bring job opportunities and infrastructure investment, making the area more popular, particularly with families." Most importantly, this scheduled growth must not damage the attractive environment of Ness-side." Back at the bus stop, my fellow passenger was getting directions from a woman of similar age to him. As the bus pulled away I saw she was kindly giving him directions, or maybe they were reminiscing how one time all the houses spread out before them were fields.

असदा ने हाईलैंड्स में अपने पहले स्टोर पर हाईलैंड्स काउंसिल के इनवर्नेस सिटी वार्ड के नेस-साइड के भीतर एक साइट पर काम शुरू कर दिया है। यहाँ बीबीसी न्यूज़ स्कॉटलैंड वेबसाइट इस क्षेत्र के प्रभाव को देखती है कि निकट भविष्य में इनवर्नेस कैसे बढ़ेगा।


Snowdon rescue: Ill man airlifted from Watkin Path

Summary: A 46 year old man with a heart condition has been rescued from Snowdon after he became tired and hypothermic while walking.

Properly equipped, he was descending with his son, aged 15, on the Watkin Path when he became ill on Thursday at about 16:00 BST. A Sea King rescue helicopter from RAF Valley, Anglesey, landed on Snowdon and members of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team carried him to the aircraft. He was flown to hospital in Bangor.

दिल की स्थिति वाले एक 46 वर्षीय व्यक्ति को स्नोडन से बचाया गया है क्योंकि वह चलते समय थका हुआ और हाइपोथर्मिक हो गया था।


Is it time for Scotland to stop jailing so many women?

Summary: Baroness Helena Kennedy QC has been an advocate for prison reform since her earliest days at the Bar. She wrote a book on the unequal treatment of women in the justice system which is still used in the training of young lawyers today. She's now a prominent human rights lawyer and a high-profile Labour peer in the House of Lords. In a BBC programme, broadcast on Wednesday night, she asks whether it is time for Scotland to stop jailing so many women.

"Twenty five years ago I wrote a book called Eve Was Framed. It was all about women and criminal justice and the ways in which a system that was not designed for women, frequently failed to deliver fair outcomes for them. Crime was all about men and male behaviour; women did not fit. As a young lawyer I had seen it all up close. When women were the victims of crime, especially rape and domestic violence, they often came up against a hostile court. They were judged on different standards. Were they behaving appropriately? How were they dressed? Had they been drinking? Were they flaky? Did they provoke men? Did they make things up? Were they promiscuous? Were they good wives and mothers? Did they make men hit them? Was it six of one and half a dozen of the other? The mythology about women and the stereotyping of what constituted good womanhood blighted the system. And not just for women at the receiving end of crime but the same underlying attitudes to women disfigured justice for women who appeared as the accused. The judges, prosecutors and police who were mainly men were not even aware they were doing it. A lot has changed within our society and within the legal system. There is far greater awareness of gender bias and how it works in insidious ways. And for that we should be truly glad. The courts now have many more women sitting as judges and acting as lawyers, which makes a difference to the discourse. Men are generally more alert to the ways in which the reality of women's lives can be very different from that of men. They are more often the primary carers of children. Their job opportunities can be even more circumscribed. They rarely have money to pay fines. They are more likely to have experienced domestic violence and more likely to have been abused as children. In the past few months I have revisited the issue of women in prison. BBC Scotland gave me the opportunity to author a programme on the Scottish prison system, which is about to embark on some serious reform. One of the great scandals is that we have seen a massive increase in the numbers of women going to prison yet no significant change in the seriousness of women's offending. Women very rarely commit serious crime. It is all low level offending and invariably is as a result of wretched circumstances. So why are all these women being sent to prison? Partly it is a consequence of the political Dutch auction that occurs around crime, with parties trying to outdo their opponents on who is dealing more seriously with offenders. This leads to changes in sentencing because judges and sheriffs are not immune to pressure from the media. But there is also the problem about the absence of real alternatives to prison. Judges tell you they would like to avoid prison for many women but have no other option. Many console themselves that at least it will give the women some respite from the pressures that lead to drink and drug abuse and will help them clean up. Visiting Cornton Vale Prison and sitting with women who had volunteered to take part in the programme was like being catapulted back in time. It is all still the same. Just more of them - doing time. Women who have been battered and abused by partners, violated as children, been subjected to cruelty that breaks your heart. Is it any wonder they have drink and drugs problems or that they self-harm? Arms were held out - criss-crossed in patterns of scars that are silent screams telling of internal wounds that has never been healed. And then there are the stories of their children. The pain of separation. Losing your children to the care system. Feeling you have failed so utterly. And I left the prison asking myself what we think we are doing as a society. But there is hope. I saw it in the small number of alternative projects where women can receive the support they so urgently need. Help with therapy and grief counselling. Help with acquiring skills. Rehabilitation for addiction problems. Kindness and compassion on offer in abundance. Not a soft option by any means. It is hard confronting your own behaviour. What is needed is more of these projects but that requires investment. What we have to remember that they are still cheaper than prisons. The good news is that there are reforms afoot and the Scottish government may be leading the world if it works. Cornton Vale is going to be torn down and a smaller prison for serious offenders built in its place. Five further small prison units will be created around Scotland so that other women can be located closer to home. The new units will be much more therapeutic in approach and help prepare women for living well in the community. The piece that still needs to be championed is a serious reduction in prison sentences altogether. Why are so many women remanded in custody in Scotland and then when they face the court they never receive a prison sentence at all or are acquitted? It is as though they are sentenced in advance of trial. Why prison at all? What has happened to the probation service? And how about funding a real spread of alternatives to prison which help women get their lives on an even keel. Most of these women are themselves victims - victims of unacknowledged crime in many cases. Certainly victims of a world that gave them few chances. Now Scotland can show the way." Women Prisoners: Throw Away the Key? will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland on Wednesday 15 June, at 21;30, and for a month afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.

बैरोनेस हेलेना कैनेडी क्यू. सी. बार में अपने शुरुआती दिनों से ही जेल सुधार की वकालत करती रही हैं। उन्होंने न्याय प्रणाली में महिलाओं के साथ असमान व्यवहार पर एक किताब लिखी जिसका उपयोग आज भी युवा वकीलों के प्रशिक्षण में किया जाता है। वह अब एक प्रमुख मानवाधिकार वकील और हाउस ऑफ लॉर्ड्स में एक हाई-प्रोफाइल लेबर पीयर हैं। बुधवार की रात को प्रसारित एक बीबीसी कार्यक्रम में, वह पूछती हैं कि क्या स्कॉटलैंड के लिए इतनी सारी महिलाओं को जेल में डालना बंद करने का समय आ गया है।