Datasets:

faisaltareque

/

consum_v8

like 0

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44483000

Kat Von D: The make-up mogul who has reignited 'anti-vax' row

Kat Von D might not be a household name to everyone, but the celebrity tattooist-turned-make-up mogul is extremely influential in her field, with a social media reach of millions.

In recent days the pregnant 36-year-old has found herself at the centre of a huge online row after announcing on Instagram that she and her husband plan to raise their son vegan and vaccination-free. Many fans have accused her of being irresponsible for airing anti-vaccination views to a huge audience - with a growing movement threatening to boycott her brand. After the huge backlash, she finally addressed the scandal on Thursday, asserting their right to medical privacy and complaining about online harassment. But in recent days some had praised her for speaking out - asserting her, and their right, to choose how they raise their children. Experts say this logic is flawed because widespread immunisation is integral to keeping society as a whole, and especially its most vulnerable, protected. Despite science overwhelmingly and indisputably advocating in favour of immunisation, a growing number of parents around the world are resisting medical advice by going their own way. Californian couple Gina and Jeremy Frattini also raise their five children vegan and choose not to have them immunised. They share posts about their lifestyle online with thousands of followers. Gina says her oldest children had a limited immunisation schedule, but vowed to stop giving any further injections after her two-year-old son suffered cardiac arrest shortly after receiving a DTaP (Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine. "I almost lost my son, I did lose him - but luckily I was able to gain him back," she says. She has friends and family that don't agree with her choices, but stands by her views nonetheless. "We're bringing our children into this world, and we're trying to do the absolute best we can with the information we have and the information we're given," she says. Although Kat Von D did not elaborate on why she was questioning vaccination, many who take a similar stance base their views on a study - now thoroughly discredited - that claimed the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab was linked to autism. Some vegans resist vaccinations because animal by-products are found in them. After an outbreak of measles at Disneyland in 2015, Californian state officials passed a controversial law that restricted non-medical (personal and religious) exemptions for children entering private or public schools without immunisations. Data shows that nursery school vaccination rates jumped after the law passed. Those without protection instead often get home-schooled, like the Frattini family - but are still subject to state testing. "It's her uterus, it's her body, it's her child - it's their child together and it's 110% her choice," Gina says, in support of Kat Von D. But experts, and most politicians, disagree. A number of laws have been enacted around the world to try to coerce parents into opting into immunisation. Alison Bernstein, 39, is a neuroscientist and assistant professor at Michigan State University. She speaks out under the username Mommy PHD against pseudo-scientific misinformation among parenting communities. She expresses extreme sympathy with Gina's son's story, but insists that on a population-wide level, the vaccine injury risk is overall low. She urges people consult with doctors if they have concerns, rather than abstaining. "Do I care if you dye your kid's hair blue? No - because it doesn't really affect anyone else," she says. "But this affects people around you. It affects every child that your kid interacts with." She explains that diseases have different contagion levels and vaccinations only work effectively if a high enough percentage of the community get them to stop the disease spreading: a concept known as herd immunity. "It's a luxury of herd immunity that our generation has never seen anyone with these sorts of diseases - but they will come back and are coming back." A recent study has identified a number of non-medical exemptions "hot spots" in the US that experts believe are vulnerable to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr Bernstein says these pockets often emerge when information is shared by word-of-mouth but worries that online communities of so-called anti-vaxxers are creating "echo-chambers" in a similar way. She firmly disagrees with Kat Von D speaking publicly. But the make-up mogul and her husband are not alone - a number of high-profile celebrities, including actors Jim Carey and Selma Blair, have been linked to the anti-vaccination movement. "In the online world, the amount of followers you have is a type of power," says Dr Bernstein. "Your words have power even though you have not an ounce of expertise in medicine, science, vaccine, immunology, microbiology or infectious disease." The sentiment is echoed by Courtney Goodman, a fan of the Kat Von D make-up line, who has a daughter with a weakened immune system. "I just wish she'd educate herself and keep an open mind. Talk to real professionals and real physicians," she says. "This isn't mom shaming or an attack on her personally. I think she's great. I just simply wish she'd look at all the facts." Some parents have been more cutting in their criticism. A look at Kat Von D's personal accounts shows thousands of critical comments. Others troll the beauty account by suggesting eye shadow shades should be renamed after infectious diseases - even creating Photoshop mock-ups. Caroline Hirons, a UK-based industry expert and blogger with hundreds of thousands of followers, responded by sharing a heart-wrenching story about the near-death of her 23-year-old son from mumps last year. "You have the absolute unbelievable arrogance of 'a choice' because the rest of us responsible people/parents DID vaccinate," part of her post reads. Speaking to the BBC, with her son back to full health by her side, she said she felt compelled to speak. "I responded as a mother who had gone through something horrific, speaking to a pregnant person," she says. "I don't want people to go through what we went through - but that's what's going to happen if people don't get their kids vaccinated." YouTuber Leesha Ritchie from Arizona has more than 500,000 subscribers, and was one of the first in the beauty community to post a video response to the row. "I feel like what she [Kat Von D] is doing is kind of irresponsible. The fact she has such a huge platform - it bothers me," she says. As a veteran to vlogging, she is not reliant on receiving the latest free products from brands like some others are, but understands why concern about PR blacklisting could lead some to resist taking a stand. Neither Kat Von D nor her beauty line had addressed the anti-vax argument publicly since the controversy snowballed until Thursday. Kat then addressed it on her Instagram account - denying she was an "anti-vaxxer" and saying she had been subject to harassment and even death threats in recent days. "Just because we have hesitancies and valid concerns about injecting our baby with specific chemicals and toxins does not mean we are anti anything," the post says. Elisha Burns, 24, from Texas, is a vegan lifestyle blogger and mother who believes many in her online community are reluctant to talk about vaccines because of this kind of potential reaction online. "My family and friends are very understanding because they love me no matter what. They have open minds about it," she says. "Online on the other hand, when people don't know you, they feel able to attack and voice their opinion." Because some of the response to Kat Von D's post has been positive, she thinks it has been in some ways inspiring. "People are appreciating her coming out talking about things that people are too scared to talk about it," she says. "If everyone showed a little bit more compassion for each other, I think we could all live a bit more civilly, despite our beliefs and lifestyle differences."

['Cosmetics', 'Vaccination', 'Tattoos', 'Body art', 'United States', 'California']

[{"entity": "Kat Von D", "label": "PER"}]

Kat Von D

["Cosmetics", "Vaccination", "Tattoos", "Body art", "United States", "California"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53333366

Burkina Faso: 180 bodies found in 'killing field'

At least 180 bodies have been found in mass graves in northern Burkina Faso where soldiers are fighting jihadists, a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report says.

"Available evidence suggests government forces were involved in mass extrajudicial executions," HRW says. Over seven months, the bodies had been dumped near the town of Djibo in groups of up to 20, before being buried by local residents. Burkina Faso's defence minister suggested militants might be to blame. "It is difficult for the population to distinguish between armed terrorist groups and the defence and security forces," Chérif Moumina Sy told the campaign group in response to the findings. But the minister said the government would investigate the allegations. Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, has been fighting Islamist insurgents with ties to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group since 2016. Corinne Dufka, Sahel director at HRW, said Djibo had been turned into a "killing field". The campaign group said the government should seek assistance from the UN and others to conduct proper exhumations, return the remains to families and hold those responsible to account. The men had been found shot dead under bridges, in fields and along major roads within a 5km (three-mile) radius of Djibo between November 2019 and June 2020, HRW said. HRW researchers interviewed 23 people in the town - including farmers, traders, herders, civil servants, community leaders and aid workers - who believed the security forces had detained the men as suspected members or supporters of Islamist militant groups. "So many of the dead were blindfolded, had their hands tied up… and were shot in the head," one community leader told HRW. "The bodies I saw appeared in the morning... dumped at night on the outskirts of Djibo, a town under the control of the army and in the middle of a curfew imposed and patrolled by the army." Residents said the bodies they found and later buried had not turned up on days when they had been aware of clashes or battles taking place between the security forces and militants. "At night, so many times I'd hear the sound of vehicles and then, bam! bam! bam! And the next morning we'd see or hear of bodies found in this place or that," a farmer told HRW. People in Djibo told HRW how 17 men were arrested near a market on Wednesday 13 May. "I was in the market, when at around 10am, I saw two vehicles with about 10 soldiers drive up. I don't know if they were gendarmes or army," one resident said. "I was too afraid to stare at them, but I saw they were in uniform, with helmets and vests and all held semi-automatic weapons. The 17 men had come from other villages to buy and sell that day. I recognised many of them, who worked as blacksmiths." The next day the bodies of 17 men were found along a path in an area of the town called sector five near the airfield. "They were killed as darkness fell. I saw a vehicle from afar, coming from the direction of town," a sector five resident said. "Sometime later we heard shots. Around 15 minutes later the same vehicle returned, this time with the headlamps on. "On Thursday 14 May, around 9am, we discovered the bodies - eight on one side close together… their faces covered with their shirts - and around 20m [65ft] away, nine more bodies. They'd been shot in the head." According to HRW, an ethnic dynamic underscores the violence in the north where jihadist groups largely recruit from the nomadic Peul or Fulani communities. Their attacks have primarily targeted farming groups including the Mosssi, Foulse, and Gourmantche. Most of those found dead near Djibo were Peul, who are perceived to support the armed Islamists, the HRW report says. The security crisis in the Sahel began when an alliance of separatists and Islamist militants took over northern Mali in 2012. France then launched a military intervention against them. Although a peace deal was signed in 2015, it was never fully implemented. New armed groups have since emerged and expanded to central Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, including groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group (IS).

['Burkina Faso']

[{"entity": "Burkina Faso", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Human Rights Watch", "label": "ORG"}]

Burkina Faso

["Burkina Faso"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42291071

Israel strikes Gaza Hamas sites after rocket attacks

Israel says it has targeted sites in Gaza belonging to militant group Hamas in retaliation for rocket strikes.

Israel's military said it had hit weapons sites early on Saturday. Two people died, a Gaza hospital said, bringing the deaths in Israeli strikes and gunfire over the past day to four. Three rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza late on Friday. Israeli-Palestinian tensions have risen since President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Wednesday's decision reversed decades of US neutrality on one of the most sensitive issues between the two sides. Israel has always regarded Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem - occupied by Israel in the 1967 war - as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The diplomatic fallout over Mr Trump's move has continued, with Palestinian officials saying that President Mahmoud Abbas will refuse to meet US Vice-President Mike Pence later this month. Egypt's Coptic Church has also cancelled a planned meeting, saying Mr Trump's declaration "did not take into account the feelings of millions of Arab people". At a security conference in Bahrain, the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said the Jerusalem announcement was "a gift to radicalism", Reuters news agency reports. Frank Gardner: Counter-terror efforts at risk? There have been fresh protests in the West Bank city of Bethlehem and in East Jerusalem. In other developments: Earlier on Friday, Fathi Hammad, a senior Hamas leader, said anyone seeking to move their embassy to Jerusalem was "an enemy of the Palestinians". Speaking before the United Nations on Friday, US ambassador Nikki Haley said the US "recognises the obvious; that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel". She said the US continued to be "committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement", and accused the UN of bias, saying it "has outrageously been one of the world's foremost centres of hostility towards Israel". "Israel will never be, and never should be, bullied into an agreement by the United Nations or by any collection of countries that have proven their disregard for Israel's security," Mrs Haley said. Israel had deployed extra battalions to the West Bank in anticipation of violence after Palestinian leaders called for protests after Friday prayers. There were protests held elsewhere on Friday against Mr Trump's announcement. Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters held demonstrations in Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Tunisia and Iran. Further afield, protesters rallied in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indian-administered Kashmir and Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Israel's military said it had hit weapons sites early on Saturday. Two people died, a Gaza hospital said, bringing the deaths in Israeli strikes and gunfire over the past day to four. Three rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza late on Friday. Israeli-Palestinian tensions have risen since President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Wednesday's decision reversed decades of US neutrality on one of the most sensitive issues between the two sides. Israel has always regarded Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem - occupied by Israel in the 1967 war - as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The diplomatic fallout over Mr Trump's move has continued, with Palestinian officials saying that President Mahmoud Abbas will refuse to meet US Vice-President Mike Pence later this month. Egypt's Coptic Church has also cancelled a planned meeting, saying Mr Trump's declaration "did not take into account the feelings of millions of Arab people". At a security conference in Bahrain, the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said the Jerusalem announcement was "a gift to radicalism", Reuters news agency reports. Frank Gardner: Counter-terror efforts at risk? There have been fresh protests in the West Bank city of Bethlehem and in East Jerusalem. In other developments: Earlier on Friday, Fathi Hammad, a senior Hamas leader, said anyone seeking to move their embassy to Jerusalem was "an enemy of the Palestinians". Speaking before the United Nations on Friday, US ambassador Nikki Haley said the US "recognises the obvious; that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel". She said the US continued to be "committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement", and accused the UN of bias, saying it "has outrageously been one of the world's foremost centres of hostility towards Israel". "Israel will never be, and never should be, bullied into an agreement by the United Nations or by any collection of countries that have proven their disregard for Israel's security," Mrs Haley said. Israel had deployed extra battalions to the West Bank in anticipation of violence after Palestinian leaders called for protests after Friday prayers. There were protests held elsewhere on Friday against Mr Trump's announcement. Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters held demonstrations in Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Tunisia and Iran. Further afield, protesters rallied in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indian-administered Kashmir and Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Jerusalem is of huge importance to both Israel and the Palestinians. It contains sites sacred to the three major monotheistic faiths - Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Israel occupied the eastern sector - previously occupied by Jordan - in 1967, and annexed it in 1980, but the move has never been recognised internationally. Some 330,000 Palestinians live in East Jerusalem, along with about 200,000 Israeli Jews in a dozen settlements there. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel does not regard them as settlements but legitimate neighbourhoods. According to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, the final status of Jerusalem is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks. The last round of talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014 and while the US is formulating fresh proposals, Palestinian officials say Mr Trump's announcement has disqualified the US from brokering future negotiations. Jerusalem is of huge importance to both Israel and the Palestinians. It contains sites sacred to the three major monotheistic faiths - Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Israel occupied the eastern sector - previously occupied by Jordan - in 1967, and annexed it in 1980, but the move has never been recognised internationally. Some 330,000 Palestinians live in East Jerusalem, along with about 200,000 Israeli Jews in a dozen settlements there. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel does not regard them as settlements but legitimate neighbourhoods. According to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, the final status of Jerusalem is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks. The last round of talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014 and while the US is formulating fresh proposals, Palestinian officials say Mr Trump's announcement has disqualified the US from brokering future negotiations.

['Israel & the Palestinians', 'Israel', 'Gaza', 'Jerusalem']

[{"entity": "Israel", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Gaza", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Hamas", "label": "ORG"}]

Israel ||| Gaza ||| Hamas

["Israel & the Palestinians", "Israel", "Gaza", "Jerusalem"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58487905

The pressures - and rewards - of being an influencer

Michelle Phan says she had to quit making her popular makeup and beauty YouTube videos because she was burned out.

"It became harder and harder for me to pretend to be happy," she says. "And [as a result] I had become toxic with my relationships and friendships. I had my threshold." Ms Phan, 34, is looking back on the period from 2017 to 2019 when she took a break from uploading her tutorial videos. A so-called social media influencer or creator, she says she needed time off from the constant pressure to upload ever more content, and chase more and more views and likes. Today her eponymous YouTube channel has 8.84 million subscribers around the world, and Los Angeles-based Ms Phan mentors and supports other people who are making and uploading videos. She says that many feel stressed about running out of ideas, and compelled to make new content multiple times per day. But what exactly is a social media influencer? There is no hard and fast definition, but in essence it is someone who has enough followers on social media, and typically YouTube, Instagram or TikTok, that they can monetise it. The income comes from two main sources - a share of the advertising revenue, and deals with companies to promote their brands. Regarding the former, on YouTube you can apply to start getting a share of the revenues from adverts placed on your videos, if you have more than 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watched hours. YouTube is tight-lipped about how much you can earn, but according to one report it is typically between $3 to $5 (£2 to £3.60) per 1,000 views of one of your videos. And, when it comes to deals with brands, it varies according to how many followers you have. On Instagram, if you have more than one million follows, one report says that if a company wants you to promote something, you can earn more than $10,000 for just one post. We spoke to Ms Phan and four other influencers about their experiences. While there is potentially big money to be made, Ms Phan says that creators "need to know when to draw the line, and take care of themselves" rather than post all the time. This concern is echoed by media analyst Rebecca McGrath, of research firm Mintel, who says that some influencers are chasing revenues so much that they post "even if they don't have anything new to create or say". Ms Phan also cautions that you have to be able to deal with online trolls writing horrible things below your videos. "You're also exposed to hateful comments, which I think people aren't prepared for". This issue was raised back in July by UK social media influencer Em Sheldon, when she spoke before MPs at the House of Commons. A committee of MPs is now continuing to investigate the growth of influencer culture. TikTok is the most recent new kid on the block among the big social media sites - having only been available outside China since 2018. It now has more than one billion global users, and people are spending more time watching it than YouTube. Brothers Colin and Dylan McFarland, and their father Dan, have been uploading comedy skits and dances to the video app since 2019. Known as The McFarlands, the trio from Louisville, Kentucky, now have 2.6 million TikTok followers. "Influencers are a new wave of people you can trust on the internet," says Colin, 27. "If you're selling a product, or giving advice, people are going to trust the people they see on their phone everyday." Dylan, 25, adds that their humour made brands like Colgate and Gillette "want to work with us, and see what we could do, because we are genuinely acting how we are with our family". Over the past two years their earnings allowed both brothers to ditch their day jobs, buy homes, and even invest in other properties. "I wholeheartedly believe anyone can do this," says Colin, who started out editing the videos on his iPhone. "Just find your niche, and stick to it." Toronto-based YouTube creator, Kevin Parry enjoys a good living making stop-motion animation videos for his 936,000 subscribers and other viewers. In 2018, his first year alone, he says he made revenues of more than 100,000 Canadian dollars ($79,000; £57,000). The 32-year-old, who has worked with Disney, Apple, Amazon and Lego, says that 90% of his income comes from brand deals. The remaining 10% comes from advertising, and an agency that claims revenues from people stealing and monetising his content. He cautions would-be influencers to not share too much of their personal life. "If people don't like a video that I made then at least that's just creative work, and I can try to get better at that skill, versus sharing my life and people don't like it," he says. "How do you compensate and fix that? You can't." Mr Parry advises creators to hone a specific skill set, such as filmmaking or carpentry, and share that passion, instead of talking about their day-to-day life. Author Shan Boodram has been talking about sex and relationship issues on her YouTube channel Shan Boody since 2012. She has 664,000 subscribers, and her videos have been watched more than 71 million times. She says that new creators should recognise if they are in a bad headspace, and not make content if that is the case. And regarding what to upload, she has a golden rule: "Think of the last person you'd ever want to see that content first. And if you are cool with that, press upload." Despite the downsides to being an influencer - the need to always put up more videos or posts, and the likely online abuse - a great many people would like to be one. It can be a fun and lucrative way to earn a living. Yet psychologist Stuart Duff of Pearn Kandola cautions that you need a certain personality to hope to be successful at it. "Clearly there are a huge diversity of successful influencers, in terms of style and personality, but to be really successful the influencer will use a great deal of psychology to influence their followers," he says. "They will be highly relatable, tell great stories, have a strong, unique brand, and stick to the message. They will be clearly passionate about what they want to say, and always seem to know what their audience wants to hear." New Tech Economy is a series exploring how technological innovation is set to shape the new emerging economic landscape. Ms Phan first started putting videos on YouTube in 2007, and thanks in a large part to her success she has gone on to now own and run her own multi-million dollar company - EM Cosmetics. "If you are a good storyteller then you can grow an immense audience and change your life," she says.

['Social media', 'Social media influencers', 'Coronavirus pandemic']

[{"entity": "Michelle Phan", "label": "PER"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Social media", "Social media influencers", "Coronavirus pandemic"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39474138

Canada's Trudeau ready for rematch of fight with Perry

In the history of great fights, the names of a few truly stand out.

Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier. Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson. Sugar Ray Leonard vs Tommy Hearns. And now entering the ring: Matthew Perry vs Justin Trudeau. The Friends star and the Canadian prime minister have suggested they might soon be exchanging blows after Mr Trudeau challenged the actor to a rematch to a fight that took place in a school playground more than 35 years ago. The tweet - which the politician wrote on 1 April, his tongue firmly in his cheek - came after Perry admitted he once "beat up" Mr Trudeau. Perry told American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel that the pair were at primary school together in Ottawa when he and a friend decided to beat the younger boy up - motivated, he thinks, by jealousy. But there may have been another reason. "I think he was the only kid in school that we could beat up," he conceded. Things have changed somewhat in the intervening years. Perry has become one of most famous actors in the world, thanks to his success as Chandler Bing on Friends. Mr Trudeau, who counts boxing among his hobbies, has followed in his father's footsteps to become prime minister of Canada. And that has made Perry think twice about Mr Trudeau's invitation.

['Friends', 'Justin Trudeau', 'Canada']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["Friends", "Justin Trudeau", "Canada"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-34395451

Aldeburgh Music turns phone box into 'concert hall'

A red phone box has been turned into a "virtual reality concert hall" at the music venue founded by composer Benjamin Britten.

Aldeburgh Music has rigged up the phone box with a headset showing 360-degree footage of a performance inside its Snape Maltings Concert Hall in Suffolk. Visitors can listen to the music and move the camera to offer different views of the stage and audience. The video of Frank Bridge's The Sea is also available on YouTube. Matt Jolly, digital manager at Aldeburgh Music, said: "We are trying out a number of ways that digital technology can help us make our venue and our work accessible to more people. "We hope the Concert in a Phonebox and online video will give visitors to the site and viewers at home a fun and immersive introduction to Aldeburgh Music and Snape Maltings Concert Hall." The phone box has been in its current position since 1990 when it was used to provide a hotline to venue's box office which was five miles away in the town of Aldeburgh There was no box office at Snape Maltings on non-concert days, but that has since changed.

['Snape', 'Aldeburgh']

[{"entity": "Benjamin Britten", "label": "PER"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Snape", "Aldeburgh"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-35337737

'Best year' for Guernsey Museum since 1996

Guernsey Museum has had its best year for visitor numbers since the 1990s, its director has said.

In 2015, more than 60,000 people visited Castle Cornet and more than 21,000 visited the museum. Director Dr Jason Monaghan said more tourists were visiting Guernsey and the museum had been targeting people who would not normally attend. He said in 1996, about 63,000 people attended the castle and about 23,000 visited the museum. Dr Monaghan said: "We've held well targeted events such as the Big Geekend, which focused on hobby groups including Minecraft, Morris dancing, specialist cow breeding and extreme knitting. "Saver season tickets, which enable people to visit more than once, are also becoming more popular, and more residents are visiting." Last year, it was reported that leisure day visitors to the island were up by 36% from 29,450 through 2013 to 40,050 in 2014, and more people were staying on the island.

['States of Guernsey']

[{"entity": "Guernsey Museum", "label": "LOC"}]

NoPresentEntity

["States of Guernsey"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-25556776

China doctor tried for trafficking babies

A Chinese obstetrician is on trial for stealing newborn babies and selling them to child traffickers, a court and state media report.

Zhang Shuxia was accused of selling seven babies. She told the parents their infants were sick, and convinced them to give them up, reports said. Ms Zhang admitted the charges in a court in Fuping, Shaanxi province. The case emerged after two parents went to the police, suspecting their child had been abducted. Ms Zhang sold seven babies to child traffickers between November 2011 and July 2013, including a pair of twins, an indictment posted on Weinan Intermediate People's Court's verified microblog said. Six of the babies were rescued, but one baby girl died. Ms Zhang worked in Shaanxi's Fuping Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital. In the most recent case, a baby born on 16 July was trafficked after Ms Zhang told his parents the boy had a serious congenital disease, and convinced them to give up the child. Ms Zhang sold the baby to two other suspects, who sold the boy to a buyer in Henan province. The parents reported the case to police on 20 July after they suspected that their baby had been trafficked. The baby was found and returned to his parents in early August. Ms Zhang and several other suspects were arrested. Ms Zhang's defence lawyer said that the parents had voluntarily given up their babies, and that she had received several awards in her work, the court said. Under China's strict population control policies, most couples can only have one child, and there is a strong preference for healthy baby boys. Earlier this month, China's top legislature formally adopted a resolution easing the country's one-child policy, allowing couples to have two children if either parent is an only child.

['China']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["China"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-34709383

Welsh Tory leader's fears of moving 'backwards' on devolution

The Welsh Conservative leader has said he has "concerns" over the draft law on further powers for Wales.

Andrew RT Davies said he did not want devolution to "move backwards", with Welsh ministers needing permission from UK ministers to make laws more often. First Minister Carwyn Jones called the idea of extending UK ministerial consents over Welsh laws a "relic". Mr Davies said he believed Tory Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb was in "listening mode" on the Wales Bill. Mr Crabb and Carwyn Jones met to discuss the matter on Monday. On Tuesday, Mr Davies told AMs: "I and my colleagues on this side do have issues and concerns around the consenting process. "Ultimately, what we don't want to do is move backwards. "What we do want is clarity and coherence in the settlement, as the prime minister outlined in the St David's Day agreement." Opening a Senedd debate on the draft Wales Bill, Mr Jones said it was "the most important debate that we've had in Wales for some time". Reiterating his concerns about the draft bill, he said: "What we cannot see is the creation of a Welsh parliament that cannot enforce its own laws."

['UK devolution', 'Carwyn Jones', 'Stephen Crabb', 'Welsh government', 'Welsh Parliament']

[{"entity": "Welsh Conservative", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Wales", "label": "LOC"}]

Wales

["UK devolution", "Carwyn Jones", "Stephen Crabb", "Welsh government", "Welsh Parliament"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-40253429

Vegetarian beef farmer gives herd to animal sanctuary

A vegetarian farmer has given his herd of cows to an animal sanctuary to protect them from the slaughterhouse.

Jay Wilde, 59, who farms in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, sent 63 cattle to a Norfolk rescue centre as he could no longer bear to send them to be killed. Mr Wilde, a vegetarian for 25 years, grew up herding cows and took over the family farm when his father died. "Cows have good memories and a range of emotions. They form relationships. I've even seen them cry," he said. "It was very difficult to do your best to look after them and then send them to the slaughterhouse for what must be a terrifying death." The Hillside Animal Sanctuary near Frettenham said 30 of the cows are pregnant and all the animals "would live out their lives essentially as pets". Founder, Wendy Valentine, said Mr Wilde is not the first farmer to have donated his herd. She recalls a couple who "could not bear to continue dairy farming and kept their cows as pets with the help of the sanctuary". Mr Wilde, who switched from dairy farming to organic beef production on the death of his father in 2011, said he always wanted to give up animal production because he "couldn't believe it was right to eat them". He believes dairy farming is particularly hard because calves and cows would often become distressed on separation. "I'm relieved to have made the decision to no longer farm animals, something which I always found quite upsetting," he said. His brother-in-law told him he was "absolutely insane" to give away cattle which could fetch up to £40,000 at market. He said "a lack of imagination" had previously stopped him switching to arable farming. Mr Wilde will now be running a vegan organic market farm supplying garden produce without using animal products or fertilisers.

['Ashbourne']

[{"entity": "vegetarian", "label": "FOOD"}]

vegetarian

["Ashbourne"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34863120

The department pretending to run North Korea

A section of the Berlin Wall on display in Seoul acts as a reminder of South Korea's fractured relationship with the North. But thoughts of reunification are never far away and there's a whole government department dedicated to the idea, although its staff don't seem very busy, writes Stephen Evans.

There is now a bit of the Berlin Wall in the middle of the South Korean capital. A concrete section of three slabs stands outside one of the museums as part of an exhibition comparing divided Korea with divided Germany. Schoolchildren gaze attentively. They touch the rough concrete and take selfies in front of it. They are entranced by it - as they would be. "If reunification could happen in Germany, why not in Korea?" is the question hanging over them and their country. Under the South Korean constitution, the five provinces of North Korea remain part of the united Korea (which last existed 70 years ago) that South Korea continues to pretend to administer. I say pretend because in Seoul there is a whole building full of civil servants who technically oversee North Korea. There are departments for each of the provinces. Except they can't administer them from Seoul because these provinces are in North Korea. There is the small matter of the inaptly named demilitarized zone in the way - Korea's version of the Berlin Wall. I went to visit the ministry the other day and it has to be said that the Southern administrators of North Korea do not seem to be overburdened. There seemed to be a bit of online shopping occurring on some of the computer screens. And who can blame them? The imminent collapse of the North Korean regime has been predicted since 1990. And today it seems no nearer. The shadow government is in a gloomy building, with a staff of 44 people preparing for something not likely to happen soon and perhaps not ever. The corridors are long and empty and quiet. I met one of North Korea's putative rulers who told me that one of their main roles is to keep North Korean culture alive until the great day of reunification comes. That means organising folk-dancing displays in the South. On their way into work, these theoretical administrators of North Korea pass a light blue postbox by the main entrance. On it is written in English: "Homesickness Post Box". This is for people from the North living in the South to post letters home - except that the letters will never get there because there is no postal service between the two Koreas. The postbox is a gesture, the administrator told me. So is the ministry, if you ask me. There was a time, back in the 1950s and 60s, when the department was seen as a real government-in-exile, ready to take over. Nowadays, it is not. The bureaucrats there do not imagine that they will soon be sitting in similar seats in Pyongyang running the place instead of Kim Jong-un. The talk in the South these days is not so much about the imminence of the collapse of the North, but more about the consequences whenever - if ever - it happens. The exhibition in Seoul with the chunk of the Berlin Wall makes clear how different the Korean and the German situations are. There are charts showing how, even during the last years of divided Germany six million people were reunited with their families from the other side of the wall. In Korea, in the past 14 years, the number has been less than 2,000. People in North Korea have virtually no contact with outsiders. All of East Germany, apart from the most eastern part around Dresden, could watch West German TV every night - they saw the outside world. North Koreans do not. Incomes in South Korea are 10 to 20 times higher than they are in North Korea - a much bigger gap than that between East and West Germany. That means that if reunification happened, the economic jolt would be much, much greater. Already, North Koreans who defect find that their skills aren't adequate for South Korea. Doctors who defect from the North often fail to pass standard South Korean medical exams. This all indicates that the immense effort and money required for reunification would dwarf the scale of the task in Germany. But the bureaucrats in the shadow ministry in Seoul have some time yet to ponder the problem. Kim Jong-un does not fear their imminent arrival to take his job in Pyongyang. In the meantime there is much to do - like a spot of online shopping and organising folk dances. How to listen to From Our Own Correspondent: BBC Radio 4: Saturdays at 11:30 Listen online or download the podcast. BBC World Service: At weekends - see World Service programme schedule or listen online. Subscribe to the BBC News Magazine's email newsletter to get articles sent to your inbox.

['South Korea', 'North Korea']

[{"entity": "Berlin Wall", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Seoul", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "South Korea", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "North", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Stephen Evans", "label": "PER"}]

Berlin Wall ||| Seoul ||| South Korea ||| North

["South Korea", "North Korea"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38010130

How could a shipwreck disappear?

Dutch and British World War Two shipwrecks have mysteriously disappeared from the Java Sea, prompting outrage. The BBC asks experts what could have happened to the vessels.

For decades the wreckages of three Dutch warships - HNLMS De Ruyter, HNLMS Java and HNLMS Kortenaer - were lost to the world, sitting at the bottom of the Java Sea. The victims of a fierce 1942 sea battle with the Japanese, the ships had gone down along with 915 Dutch and 259 Indonesian sailors. Their 2002 discovery by amateur divers was a cause for celebration, and the ships were declared war graves. But now it seems they have been lost again - possibly permanently - with the Dutch government confirming this week that the ships have vanished from the seabed. The Indonesian navy is investigating. In Britain, the Guardian newspaper reported that three UK warships that had been sunk in the same battle had disappeared as well. There is now suspicion that the ships were stolen and sold as scrap metal, a commonplace practice in a region that is littered with old wrecks. The diver who found the wrecks intact in 2002, Vidar Skoglie, told Dutch broadcaster NOS that he believed Indonesians had towed the ships to the port-city of Surabaya for demolition - although this theory was disputed by an expedition team that recently visited the site. The three ships were located 100km (60 miles) off the Java coast at a depth of between 60 and 70m. Ship salvage experts told the BBC that any attempt to raise and tow huge ageing warships from such depths would be a massive operation involving multiple barges, cranes and trained divers. This raises the question of how the ships could have been taken without authorities noticing - though some have pointed out that Indonesia has a vast coastline, and its navy and coast guard have limited resources. What was more likely was that locals clandestinely stripped the wrecks in a piecemeal fashion over the years until nothing was left. Bas Wiebe, commercial manager of salvage company Resolve's Asia operations, said they could have cut away parts of the rotting wreckage using mechanical equipment known as grabs. "If time is not of the essence, you have a barge and equipment, you could just nibble away," said another expert who declined to be named citing political sensitivities. Another possibility is that the ships were blown up into smaller pieces - a cheaper and faster way to disintegrate wrecks. "It is not like an huge explosion like you see on TV. It's basically fairly contained but enough to break apart the vessel and if you do it a few times, you can just fish out the pieces," said Mr Wiebe. But one expert disputes this theory citing a lack of debris surrounding the ships' imprints on the seabed. "Using regular explosives would create a debris field, and an even bigger one if ordnance remaining onboard exploded as well," said Arnab Chakravorty, from ship salvage firm Ardent Asia-Pacific. Some experts raised the possibility that heavy storms, shifts in tectonic plates, or even the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami may have caused the ships to drift to a different location. Mr Wiebe cast doubt on that theory given the ships' depth and duration spent at the bottom of the sea. "Over the decades the ships would have filled up with sand, so they would be even heavier now. Even if they moved, they wouldn't have shifted very much," he said. What is certain is that the Dutch have lost an important part of their maritime history - and it remains to be seen whether the ships can ever be found again.

['Indonesia', 'Netherlands', 'World War Two']

[{"entity": "British World War", "label": "EVE"}, {"entity": "Java Sea", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "BBC", "label": "ORG"}]

Java Sea ||| BBC

["Indonesia", "Netherlands", "World War Two"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-46859323

Man charged over boy's hit-and-run death in Beswick

A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after an 11-year-old boy was killed in an alleged hit-and-run.

Michael Robinson, 31, of Toft Road in Manchester, is accused of fatally injuring Taylor Schofield, who was knocked down on Albert Street in Beswick on Saturday. He is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court later. Greater Manchester Police said the car left the scene afterwards. Officers were called to reports that a grey VW Golf had collided with a pedestrian on Albert Street shortly after 18:10 GMT on Saturday evening. Taylor, who was described by his family as a "loving and caring kid", was treated at the scene for his injuries before being taken to hospital where he later died.

['Manchester']

[{"entity": "hit-and-run", "label": "DIS"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Manchester"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-53007269

Coronavirus: How Northern Ireland's new restrictions affect you

When lockdown was first introduced in Northern Ireland at the end of March, it saw a raft of new restrictions introduced on everyday life.

While many of those measures were relaxed, a number have since been tightened again. A new six-week lockdown took effect in NI on 26 December, which will be reviewed after four weeks. Further measures were also agreed on 5 January by the executive, in response to the rising number of cases after Christmas. Here is a breakdown of what you can and can't do under the new guidelines and laws.

['Coronavirus lockdown measures', 'Coronavirus pandemic']

[{"entity": "Northern Ireland", "label": "LOC"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Coronavirus lockdown measures", "Coronavirus pandemic"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36693835

Labour leadership: Eagle in fresh appeal for Corbyn to quit

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn should resign for the good of the "party and the country", Angela Eagle has said.

The ex-shadow business secretary, who is considering a challenge for the leadership, said the UK was in "crisis" and needed "strong opposition". It comes as former Labour leader Lord Kinnock said MPs were "fundamentally alarmed" by the party's prospects. But James Schneider, from grassroots movement Momentum, said Mr Corbyn still had "enormous support". Events have been taking place in support of the Labour leader, including in Leeds and Liverpool - where more than 1,000 demonstrators attended. Mr Corbyn has come under increasing pressure from Labour MPs following the EU referendum, resulting in a host of shadow cabinet resignations. On Tuesday, a motion of no confidence in the Labour leader was passed by the party's MPs by 172-40 votes. Ms Eagle and shadow secretary of state for work and pensions Owen Smith are both considering a challenge to Mr Corbyn. Renewing her call for Mr Corbyn to resign, Ms Eagle said: "He's lost the confidence of the parliamentary party. "He's losing confidence in the party. And let's face it the country's in a crisis and we need strong opposition." Earlier former Labour leader Lord Kinnock said he supported the moves to remove Mr Corbyn. "I totally understand and I completely support the members of Parliament who voted in the no-confidence motion," he told BBC Radio 5 Live,. "They were doing the clear, honest thing when they are so fundamentally alarmed by the prospects for the party." BBC Newsnight understands shadow cabinet members are drawing up plans to encourage Mr Corbyn to resign. A delegation of MPs tried to meet Mr Corbyn on Thursday to put forward their plan, but were unsuccessful, the BBC has learned. Under the plan, potential leadership contenders would agree to pursue some of Mr Corbyn's key policies on issues including tackling inequality and making the party more democratic. Mr Corbyn has previously said he would not "betray" party members who elected him last year by standing down. Momentum spokesman Mr Schneider told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Corbyn had shown "incredible steel" in remaining leader, and he accused other MPs of trying to "subvert democracy in the party". "If they are unhappy with Jeremy Corbyn's leadership or the policies which he is standing for, they need to get 51 signatures, they need to find a candidate, they need to find a platform and they need to go for it," he said. "But they don't have a candidate who can beat Jeremy Corbyn." He said there was a "reasonable amount of evidence" to suggest people who had joined the Labour Party in a recent surge had joined to support Mr Corbyn, as 60% of the first 13,000 members had put this on their joining form. Meanwhile, former Welsh Secretary Lord Hain told the BBC's Sunday Politics Wales programme he had never been as concerned as he was now about the party's prospects ,saying it was "much more serious" than the "early 1980s strife". Mr Corbyn has faced a series of walkouts by shadow cabinet members and mounting calls for him to resign, following the EU referendum. In the Commons last week Prime Minister David Cameron, told him: "For heaven's sake man, go." Mr Corbyn's predecessor, Ed Miliband, also told BBC Radio 4's The World at One the Labour leader's position was "untenable". But senior allies of Mr Corbyn, who has strong support among the party's members, are determined to keep him in place. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said he is confident Mr Corbyn would see off any challenge to his leadership.

['Angela Eagle', 'Labour Party', 'Jeremy Corbyn']

[{"entity": "Labour", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Jeremy Corbyn", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Angela Eagle", "label": "PER"}]

Labour ||| Jeremy Corbyn

["Angela Eagle", "Labour Party", "Jeremy Corbyn"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-44610271

Cockatoo identified in 13th Century European book

Researchers have discovered the oldest-known European illustrations of an Australasian cockatoo, in a manuscript from the 13th Century.

Four drawings of the white bird were found in a falconry book once owned by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The book is now in the Vatican Library. They pre-date other European depictions of cockatoos by 250 years. Researchers say the images in the book, dated between 1241-1248, provide insight into medieval trade routes. "The fact that a cockatoo reached Sicily during the 13th Century shows that merchants plying their trade to the north of Australia were part of a flourishing network that reached west to the Middle East and beyond," said co-author Dr Heather Dalton, from the University of Melbourne. The bird was either a yellow-crested or a triton cockatoo, she said, meaning it most likely came from northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, or islands off Indonesia. Dr Dalton and a team of Finnish scholars studied the Latin language book De Arte Venandi cum Avibus (The Art of Hunting with Birds). It features more than 900 drawings of birds and animals that were kept by Frederick II at his palaces. A description in Latin next to one drawing identifies the cockatoo as a gift from a sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty, which was centred in Egypt. "Scholars, including me, were aware the sultan had given a white parrot to Frederick II, [but] few were aware there were surviving images of this bird," Dr Dalton said. Dr Dalton said she believed that the cockatoo was taken from its original habitat to Sicily via Cairo in a journey lasting several years. The research has been published in the journal Parergon. Previously, the oldest-known European depiction of a cockatoo was a 1496 artwork by Italian painter Andrea Mantegna.

['Art', 'Australia']

[{"entity": "Australasian cockatoo", "label": "ANIM"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Art", "Australia"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-42803471

Cow walks on wild side with Polish bison

A domesticated cow has surprised Polish naturalists by spending the winter living with a herd of wild bison in the primeval Bialowieza Forest.

The cow "chose freedom" by running away from a farm late last autumn, and has been seen lingering on the fringes of a herd of some 50 bison in the forest on the Belarusian border, Poland's TVN24 news portal reports. Ornithologist Adam Zbyryt was the first to spot the cow. He made the news in November when he told TVN24: "it's not unusual to see bison near the Bialowieza Forest, but one animal caught my eye. It was a completely different light-brown shade from the rest of the herd. Bison are chestnut or dark brown". He dropped his initial idea that this was a mutation when he trained his binoculars on the creature, and saw that it was Limousin cow - a French breed popular in Poland. The young animal appeared healthy, and unthreatened by the larger animals. Naturalists assumed it would wander back to its pasture once winter set in. Then biologist Rafal Kowalczyk spotted the cow again this week, still apparently healthy, and keeping pace with the herd. Dr Kowalczyk told TVN24 that this is the first time he has seen a cow join a bison herd. "She is not very integrated with the group, as bison act like one organism and she stands out." He added that the herd had probably saved her from the wolves that prowl the edges of the Bialowieza Forest through the winter. Although the cow may be out of danger, Dr Kowalczyk warns she could pose a threat to the bison themselves. The unusual friendship could lead to mating, which would contaminate the vulnerable population of about 600 Bialowieza bison with hybrids. "Another danger is that hybrid calves are large, and the cow could die giving birth," the biologist told TVN24. The interloper is still too young to breed, but it looks like her winter adventure must end in recapture before spring comes. Reporting by Martin Morgan Next story: Finland plans to rebury civil war dead in churchyard Use #NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via Twitter.

['Cattle', 'Bison', 'BBC Monitoring', 'Forest', 'Poland']

[{"entity": "Bialowieza Forest", "label": "LOC"}]

Bialowieza Forest

["Cattle", "Bison", "BBC Monitoring", "Forest", "Poland"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36407338

European migrant crisis: Weekly boat rescues reach 13,000

The rescue of more than 600 migrants off Libya on Saturday by a flotilla of EU ships took the weekly total to at least 13,000, Italian authorities say.

The rescues were the latest by a patrol of Italian, German and Irish ships operating in the Mediterranean. Spring weather has led to a surge of people attempting the perilous crossing from Africa to Europe. It is now the main migration route since an EU-Turkey deal curbed numbers sailing to Greece. An Irish vessel saved 123 migrants from a people's smugglers' rubber dinghy on Saturday, the Irish military said, while the Italian coastguard said a German ship had carried out four rescue operations from similar unseaworthy vessels. Meanwhile, about 4,000 migrants plucked from the sea earlier in the week arrived in Italy on Saturday. Many others are known to have drowned. In one dramatic operation caught on camera by Italian rescuers on Wednesday, a migrant boat overturned after spotting a patrol boat. The Italian navy rescued 562 people, while five died. The same patrol boat rescued a further 108 migrants in another incident later that day. On Tuesday, another 3,000 people were rescued from smugglers' boats. Most migrants are fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East. Under a European Union plan, tens of thousands of those rescued at sea were supposed to be relocated to other EU countries from Italy and Greece, where most land. However anti-migrant sentiment in other countries have meant that few of have actually been transferred. A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.

['Libya', 'Europe migrant crisis', 'Italy']

[{"entity": "Libya", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "EU", "label": "ORG"}]

EU

["Libya", "Europe migrant crisis", "Italy"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-56290432

Covid: Care home visits return brings joy and fear

The daughter of a care home resident in north Wales has said it will be "such a boost" to see her family again after nearly a year.

Sharon Jones said her mother Edith, who turns 90 on Sunday, has struggled with her mental health, which she fears could have a lasting impact. The Welsh Government is expected to allow indoor care home visits from 13 March. One designated visitor could be allowed per patient. The government has been working with local authorities, Public Health Wales and care home representatives to examine the matter, said deputy health minister Julie Morgan. "We're doing it carefully and cautiously but we're very anxious that indoor visiting should be resumed because with many residents and their families there hasn't been any contact face-to-face for a long time," she said. The ban on care home visits has come under fire in recent weeks, with some families saying it was "cruelty". Speaking to Radio Wales Breakfast Sharon Jones, from Llangollen, explained what having the opportunity to see her mother Edith Davies again would mean for both of them. "I can't believe it, to be honest with you. I'm really just quite emotional all over again, about the prospect," she said. Ms Davies and her brother last saw their mother in August, but have not had actual contact with her for almost a year. "I totally understand what's being said, that the fact that Covid hasn't gone away is very, very true. But we'd have to try and get back to some sort of normality," she said. "The mental health of people who have been separated for over 12 months, it's been very hard, and I think it will take some time for us all to get over." She added said she was also concerned about the toll the lack of contact had taken on her mother. "Mum has been very, very low - depressed, confused, and frequently saying that she wishes she wasn't on this earth anymore, which, to hear on the other end of Facetime is very, very hard to deal with." Glyn Williams, who owns Gwyddfor Residential Homes in Bodedern on Anglesey, said he understands how families have felt over the ban on visits. But staff at care homes are "simply terrified", he said, amid concerns a vaccine-resistant variant of the virus could appear. "Everyone wants to be able to open, we all want to go back to the parties that we used to have... we all really want to get back to that," he said. "This is very welcome news from the Welsh Government, but Covid hasn't gone away. This has to be done in a very cautious manner." He added his staff are getting tested for Covid several times a week, and this is available to visitors. The home has also invested in "visitor pods". "But the downside of that is, of course, is that if a visitor tests positive, and has been in the home, then the home is closed down again, for 20 days - which means that residents have then got to be in their rooms again for another 20 days. "We've got new variants coming out. The biggest concern - the biggest variant of concern - is the one we haven't seen yet. If we get a new variant that is resistant to the vaccine to come into the home, then we're in a terrible place again."

['Coronavirus lockdown measures', 'Public health', 'Elderly people', 'Depression', 'Holyhead', 'Social distancing', 'Welsh government', 'Care homes', 'Elderly care', 'Social isolation', 'Mental health', 'Coronavirus pandemic']

[{"entity": "Wales", "label": "LOC"}]

Wales

["Coronavirus lockdown measures", "Public health", "Elderly people", "Depression", "Holyhead", "Social distancing", "Welsh government", "Care homes", "Elderly care", "Social isolation", "Mental health", "Coronavirus pandemic"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31746204

Shania Twain announces final tour

Singer Shania Twain has announced her final tour.

The star, whose 1997 album Come On Over remains the best-selling country album ever, will play 48 dates across the US and Canada, kicking off in June. "This is my last tour, so I'm going to make the most of it," Twain said on US TV. "I want to go out with a bang." The Rock This Country tour will be Twain's first tour in more than 10 years, and follows a two-year residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. "I feel that Las Vegas, the show, was a huge mountain to climb for me," Twain - who turns 50 later this year - said on ABC's Good Morning America. "I not only got through it, but I enjoyed it." The Canadian singer became a massive star in the mid-1990s, with hits such as Man! I Feel Like A Woman and That Don't Impress Me Much. Twain sold more than 75 million albums worldwide and became the best-selling female artist in the history of country music, but largely disappeared from the limelight between 2004 and 2009, citing personal issues and creative inertia. She returned to live performing in 2011. The new tour will begin in Seattle, before heading north to Canada, then returning to the US for dates across the country - including New York, Washington and Miami. The "custom-made" tour will conclude in Fresno, California, days ahead of the singer's birthday in August. Twain also announced that she is currently "working on new music" to be released after the tour. "I want to enjoy that party and then I'll get back to the record," she said. "I want it to come out when I'm 50, so I'm going to make it happen."

['Music']

[{"entity": "Shania Twain", "label": "PER"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Music"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-47910421

Seven in hospital after Edinburgh park suspected gas leak

Seven people have been taken to hospital after a suspected gas leak at a park in the south west of Edinburgh.

The emergency services were called to the Walled Garden area of Saughton Park, which is in the final stages of a £7m restoration project. The Scottish Ambulance Service sent various units to the scene and took seven park staff to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as a precaution. Gas engineers disconnected two central heating units in a park building. A fire and rescue service spokesperson said one fire engine was sent to the park after they were called at 12:23 and the crew left the scene after ensuring the area was safe. A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: "The Walled Gardens in Saughton Park have been temporarily closed due to some staff feeling unwell. The area is now being thoroughly checked by various services. "While we have not had any reports from members of the public being affected the gardens will remain closed until we have established the cause." Saughton Park was the site of the Scottish National Exhibition in 1908 but had been neglected in recent years. A six-year restoration project costing more than £7m has almost finished and most of the park has been opened to the public.

['Edinburgh']

[{"entity": "Edinburgh", "label": "LOC"}]

Edinburgh

["Edinburgh"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38806573

Ocado profits rise after 'robust trading'

Online grocer Ocado has announced a rise in annual profits, but a long-awaited overseas deal has not yet materialised.

The company reported a 21.8% increase in pre-tax profits to £14.5m for the year to 27 November. Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner said it had achieved "robust trading" in a challenging environment. However, the average order size fell 2.7% to £108.10 against the backdrop of continuing supermarket price wars. The rise of German competitors Aldi and Lidl has shaken up the sector, putting pressure on the big four supermarkets, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. But investors welcomed Ocado's latest results, sending its share price up by more than 7% to 262p in morning trading. Annual revenues rose 14.8% to £1.27bn, and the retailer's customer base grew by almost 14% over the year to 580,000. However, Ocado said it was still in continued talks with several international retailers in regards to a partnership using the Ocado Smart Platform. When it released its full-year results in February last year, Ocado said it was in "advanced discussions with multiple potential international partners" for the platform, adding it expected to sign "multiple deals" in the medium term. Analysts believe agreements with retailers in the US and western Europe are important in driving Ocado's share price. George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown said: "The group has long said it's making progress on deals with third parties, but there hasn't been much in the way of tangible progress recently. "The appointment of Luke Jensen [from Sainsbury's] as head of Ocado's Smart Platform will raise hopes that the group can finally get someone to sign on the dotted line." However, Mr Salmon warned that "following Amazon's entry into the market, competitive pressures are rising in its core business". "In this context, it's arguably more important than ever for the group to get something over the line." Last year, Morrisons agreed to supply groceries to Amazon customers in the UK under a new deal with the US online giant. Amazon's entry into the market was seen as escalating competition in the sector. In August 2016, Morrisons also built on its existing relationship with Ocado expanding its home delivery service nationwide in a new deal with the online grocer. Ocado said it had "provided the capability and execution for strong growth" in regard to its partnership with Morrisons.

['Companies', 'Ocado', 'Retailing']

[{"entity": "Ocado", "label": "ORG"}]

Ocado

["Companies", "Ocado", "Retailing"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43815369

Why a faecal transplant could save your life

The faecal transplant, also known as trans-poo-sion, surely has the title of medicine's most disgusting procedure.

It is pretty much what you are imagining - part of a faecal stool is taken from one person and given to another. The purpose is to introduce new beneficial microbes to the receiving patient's digestive system. And it can be life-saving. It shows just how important microbes, which colonise nearly every surface of our body, are to our health. The gut is an exceptionally rich world with many different species of micro-organisms interacting with each other and our human tissue. Down in the dark, oxygen-deprived depths of your bowels is an ecosystem as rich as a rainforest or coral reef. But a bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) can take over and dominate the bowels. It is an opportunist and normally takes hold after patients have been treated with antibiotics. Antibiotic drugs are one of the miracles of the modern age, but they kill good and bad bacteria alike. They are like a forest fire burning through the gut's microbiome - the collected micro-organisms living down there - leaving behind a scorched microbial earth on which C. difficile flourishes. It is pretty much what you are imagining - part of a faecal stool is taken from one person and given to another. The purpose is to introduce new beneficial microbes to the receiving patient's digestive system. And it can be life-saving. It shows just how important microbes, which colonise nearly every surface of our body, are to our health. The gut is an exceptionally rich world with many different species of micro-organisms interacting with each other and our human tissue. Down in the dark, oxygen-deprived depths of your bowels is an ecosystem as rich as a rainforest or coral reef. But a bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) can take over and dominate the bowels. It is an opportunist and normally takes hold after patients have been treated with antibiotics. Antibiotic drugs are one of the miracles of the modern age, but they kill good and bad bacteria alike. They are like a forest fire burning through the gut's microbiome - the collected micro-organisms living down there - leaving behind a scorched microbial earth on which C. difficile flourishes. More than half your body is not human Gut Instinct: Why I put my poo in the post Does vaginal seeding boost health? More than half your body is not human Gut Instinct: Why I put my poo in the post Does vaginal seeding boost health? The problem with C. difficile is that patients will have multiple bouts of watery and even bloody diarrhoea every day, tummy cramps, fever and in the most severe cases the infection is fatal. The best that medicine has to offer is more antibiotics; it is the definition of a vicious circle. A stool transplant - or to give it its full title "a faecal microbiota transplant" - aims to repopulate the patient's gut with the microbes from a healthy person. A relative is often used as they would have had similar gut bacteria. After a "sample" is produced, it is mixed with water. Some techniques break the poo up by hand while others blitz it in a household blender. There are two routes for getting the sample into the required location - down through the mouth or up through the rectum. Listen to The Second Genome on BBC Radio 4. The next episode airs 11:00 BST Tuesday April 24, repeated 21:00 BST Monday April 30 and on the BBC iPlayer Dr Janet Jansson, a microbial ecologist from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington State in the US, was part of the team trying to prove trans-poo-sion works. The patient was a 61-year-old woman who had had chronic diarrhoea for around eight months and had lost 27kg in weight. "It was really a desperate plea for some kind of solution, she was at risk of dying from this C. difficile infection, all of the antibiotics were ineffective," said Dr Jansson. A sample of healthy stool was transplanted from her husband. Dr Jansson told the BBC she was very surprised at its success. "Amazingly two days after that she was able to have normal stools, normal bowel movements, she was basically cured," she said. "As a microbial ecologist, this is very unusual. "We saw she went from a very diseased state, when you look at the microbial species, to a healthy microbiome that was very similar to her husband's," Dr Jansson added. Trials have suggested the procedure is around 90% effective. The excitement in the field has led to some people even performing their own DIY faecal transplants with groups like OpenBiome in the US - essentially a public stool bank - being set up. But will trans-poo-sions mean anything for medicine beyond C. difficile? The interaction between our human and microbial selves is being investigated in nearly every disease you can think of. The microbiome has been linked to diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, whether cancer drugs work and even depression and autism. But this means there could be unintended consequences of a faecal transplant. There was a report in 2015 of a woman gaining 36lb (16kg) and being classed as obese after a transplant from her daughter. It is possible to make mice thinner or fatter by transplanting into them the microbiome from either a lean or obese human, although the jury is still out on whether the same rules apply in people. There is also the more obvious risk of transferring dangerous disease-causing microbes. It is why scientists are trying to move on from donating faeces to donating cocktails of bacteria. Dr Trevor Lawley, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said future treatments had to be more refined and targeted. "Faeces is an undefined community, and when you develop a drug first and foremost you have to consider the safety of the patient," he said. "We have an idea of what bugs to put in now, so if you have a defined mixture that's proven safe, we can overcome that." And that is likely to be the future of microbial medicine - knowing what is the problem in an individual patient's microbiome and being able to address that. Follow James on Twitter. Illustrations: Katie Horwich The problem with C. difficile is that patients will have multiple bouts of watery and even bloody diarrhoea every day, tummy cramps, fever and in the most severe cases the infection is fatal. The best that medicine has to offer is more antibiotics; it is the definition of a vicious circle. A stool transplant - or to give it its full title "a faecal microbiota transplant" - aims to repopulate the patient's gut with the microbes from a healthy person. A relative is often used as they would have had similar gut bacteria. After a "sample" is produced, it is mixed with water. Some techniques break the poo up by hand while others blitz it in a household blender. There are two routes for getting the sample into the required location - down through the mouth or up through the rectum. Listen to The Second Genome on BBC Radio 4. The next episode airs 11:00 BST Tuesday April 24, repeated 21:00 BST Monday April 30 and on the BBC iPlayer Dr Janet Jansson, a microbial ecologist from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington State in the US, was part of the team trying to prove trans-poo-sion works. The patient was a 61-year-old woman who had had chronic diarrhoea for around eight months and had lost 27kg in weight. "It was really a desperate plea for some kind of solution, she was at risk of dying from this C. difficile infection, all of the antibiotics were ineffective," said Dr Jansson. A sample of healthy stool was transplanted from her husband. Dr Jansson told the BBC she was very surprised at its success. "Amazingly two days after that she was able to have normal stools, normal bowel movements, she was basically cured," she said. "As a microbial ecologist, this is very unusual. "We saw she went from a very diseased state, when you look at the microbial species, to a healthy microbiome that was very similar to her husband's," Dr Jansson added. Trials have suggested the procedure is around 90% effective. The excitement in the field has led to some people even performing their own DIY faecal transplants with groups like OpenBiome in the US - essentially a public stool bank - being set up. But will trans-poo-sions mean anything for medicine beyond C. difficile? The interaction between our human and microbial selves is being investigated in nearly every disease you can think of. The microbiome has been linked to diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, whether cancer drugs work and even depression and autism. But this means there could be unintended consequences of a faecal transplant. There was a report in 2015 of a woman gaining 36lb (16kg) and being classed as obese after a transplant from her daughter. It is possible to make mice thinner or fatter by transplanting into them the microbiome from either a lean or obese human, although the jury is still out on whether the same rules apply in people. There is also the more obvious risk of transferring dangerous disease-causing microbes. It is why scientists are trying to move on from donating faeces to donating cocktails of bacteria. Dr Trevor Lawley, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said future treatments had to be more refined and targeted. "Faeces is an undefined community, and when you develop a drug first and foremost you have to consider the safety of the patient," he said. "We have an idea of what bugs to put in now, so if you have a defined mixture that's proven safe, we can overcome that." And that is likely to be the future of microbial medicine - knowing what is the problem in an individual patient's microbiome and being able to address that. Follow James on Twitter. Illustrations: Katie Horwich

['Antibiotics', 'Bacteria', 'Medicine']

[{"entity": "faecal transplant", "label": "PLANT"}]

faecal transplant

["Antibiotics", "Bacteria", "Medicine"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30289800

Audrey Hepburn show announced by National Portrait Gallery

A photography exhibition celebrating the life and career of British actress Audrey Hepburn will open at London's National Portrait Gallery in July.

The show will chart her rise from West End chorus girl to one of Hollywood's most photographed stars and also document her later humanitarian work. Classic images of the Breakfast at Tiffany's actress will be displayed alongside rarely seen family photos. It includes work by photographers such as Sir Cecil Beaton and Richard Avedon. Some of the most famous images in Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon are taken from the Oscar-winning actress's film posters, vintage magazine spreads and publicity shots. Many were taken behind the scenes on her films, including those by photographer Mark Shaw who was given exclusive access to the set of 1953's Sabrina for Life magazine. Other highlights include Hepburn in her Broadway dressing room when she starred in Gigi, and family shots of Hepburn performing ballet as a young girl. The exhibition also marks the 65th anniversary of Hepburn's career-changing performance at a leading West End night-club called Ciro's, in the same building that now houses the National Portrait Gallery's public archive. The Oscar-winning actress' performances in revues at the club in her early twenties helped launch her career and led to her being scouted for British films, including 1951's Laughter in Paradise. Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon runs from 2 July until 18 October.

['Film']

[{"entity": "Audrey Hepburn", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "London", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "National Portrait Gallery", "label": "LOC"}]

Audrey Hepburn ||| National Portrait Gallery

["Film"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-50247089

'Wrong' for Shard climber George King-Thompson to be locked up

The parents of a free-solo climber who scaled London's Shard unaided say it was "very wrong" for him to be jailed.

George King-Thompson was sentenced to six months in a young offenders institution for climbing the 310-metre (1,017ft) skyscraper, one of Europe's tallest buildings. His parents Hilary and Clive said their son climbed to get a "message across to everyone to follow your passion". The 20-year-old admitted being in contempt of court at the High Court. After scaling The Shard, King-Thompson was given a police caution but the building's owners began legal proceedings against him for breaching an injunction. Mrs King-Thompson said her son's punishment should have been "community service or to be tagged". "He has got ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). It's wrong to lock someone like that in a cell," she said. "He climbs because he wants to get a message across to everyone to follow your passion. For him it is climbing to help mental health." London Bridge Station was briefly closed when King-Thompson took 45 minutes to make the free-solo climb - without ropes or protective equipment - at about 05:00 BST on 8 July. David Forsdick QC, representing Teighmore Construction Ltd, told the court that King-Thompson had been planning the climb for about eight months, including moving to east London and visiting the building up to 200 times "specifically to prepare" for it. He said the 20-year-old "knew of The Shard injunction" and "recognised that the climb was illegal" by using the hashtag "rooftopillegal" when he posted a video of his efforts on Instagram. Mr King-Thompson said his son's punishment was a "complete departure" from precedents set for other climbers in the past. He said he did not think his son "understood the consequences" of scaling the building, which he added would be attempted by "very few people in the world".

['Free climbing', 'The Shard', 'Oxford']

[{"entity": "London's Shard", "label": "LOC"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Free climbing", "The Shard", "Oxford"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-31131316

Gay blood donation: 'No evidence' to support outright ban

Northern Ireland's Department of Health does not have any medical evidence of its own to support a permanent ban on gay men donating blood, a BBC investigation has found.

Other parts of the UK have a one-year deferral period for men who have had sex with men and want to donate, but Northern Ireland has an outright ban. A judge has ruled the health minister did not have the power to keep the ban. The current health minister, Jim Wells, is appealing the judgment. John O'Doherty from gay support group, the Rainbow project, said there was no medical evidence to justify the ban imposed by former health minister Edwin Poots, DUP. He told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster on Thursday: "It is a ridiculous situation. "We supported a lifetime ban during the Aids crisis because it was in response to medical need. "This is a decision that has to be made on a medical basis. We are continually hearing from the blood service that they need blood, yet we are blanket saying no to gay and bi-sexual men. "At the same time, Northern Ireland is taking blood from Scotland where they have removed the ban on gay and bi-sexual men giving blood." Mr O'Doherty said the equality legislation was "only as strong as those who implement it". The bar on gay men donating blood was put in place across the UK during the Aids crisis of the 1980s, but was lifted in England, Scotland and Wales in November 2011. New rules were introduced that allowed blood donations from men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than a year earlier, but Northern Ireland did not follow suit. A gay man, granted anonymity due to his perceived vulnerability, launched a judicial review challenge to the then health minister Edwin Poots' decision not to adopt the same policy on this side of the Irish Sea. A judge ruled that Mr Poots' decision was "irrational" and "infected with apparent bias". Mr Poots said he had kept the ban on the basis of ensuring public safety. Under a freedom of information request, the BBC asked the Department of Health to release any medical evidence it held that supported the minister's decision to continue to enforce the lifetime ban. The response stated that "this department does not hold any papers in relation to medical evidence to support maintaining the permanent blood donor deferral for men who have had sex with men donating blood". "The department takes advice on blood safety matters from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO). "SaBTO was content that based on this and other evidence, a change to 12 month deferral would maintain the safety of blood transfusions, and recommended that communications about policy change should emphasise the importance of compliance. "SaBTO found that the evidence no longer supported a lifetime ban." The SaBTO evidence held by the department says that with enhanced compliance the risk of HIV being released into the blood supply "could be reduced to as low as 0.161 per million donations". Other parts of the UK have a one-year deferral period for men who have had sex with men and want to donate, but Northern Ireland has an outright ban. A judge has ruled the health minister did not have the power to keep the ban. The current health minister, Jim Wells, is appealing the judgment. John O'Doherty from gay support group, the Rainbow project, said there was no medical evidence to justify the ban imposed by former health minister Edwin Poots, DUP. He told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster on Thursday: "It is a ridiculous situation. "We supported a lifetime ban during the Aids crisis because it was in response to medical need. "This is a decision that has to be made on a medical basis. We are continually hearing from the blood service that they need blood, yet we are blanket saying no to gay and bi-sexual men. "At the same time, Northern Ireland is taking blood from Scotland where they have removed the ban on gay and bi-sexual men giving blood." Mr O'Doherty said the equality legislation was "only as strong as those who implement it". The bar on gay men donating blood was put in place across the UK during the Aids crisis of the 1980s, but was lifted in England, Scotland and Wales in November 2011. New rules were introduced that allowed blood donations from men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than a year earlier, but Northern Ireland did not follow suit. A gay man, granted anonymity due to his perceived vulnerability, launched a judicial review challenge to the then health minister Edwin Poots' decision not to adopt the same policy on this side of the Irish Sea. A judge ruled that Mr Poots' decision was "irrational" and "infected with apparent bias". Mr Poots said he had kept the ban on the basis of ensuring public safety. Under a freedom of information request, the BBC asked the Department of Health to release any medical evidence it held that supported the minister's decision to continue to enforce the lifetime ban. The response stated that "this department does not hold any papers in relation to medical evidence to support maintaining the permanent blood donor deferral for men who have had sex with men donating blood". "The department takes advice on blood safety matters from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO). "SaBTO was content that based on this and other evidence, a change to 12 month deferral would maintain the safety of blood transfusions, and recommended that communications about policy change should emphasise the importance of compliance. "SaBTO found that the evidence no longer supported a lifetime ban." The SaBTO evidence held by the department says that with enhanced compliance the risk of HIV being released into the blood supply "could be reduced to as low as 0.161 per million donations". Mr Poots said in 2012 that he had seen two pieces of evidence that had helped him make his decision to maintain the ban. The BBC understands that these pieces of evidence were a letter and a European Council report. The BBC has now obtained a copy of the letter from the former Irish Health Minister James Reilly and the European Council report and has published them online. In a subsequent letter to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, in July 2014, Mr Reilly asked for a review of the position in the Republic of Ireland. He said he was "concerned that the ban on donation of blood by gay men may no longer be justified on scientific grounds". In January 2012, the director general of health improvement and protection in the Department of Health in Whitehall replied to a letter from the Stormont health department on the issue. Prof David Harper wrote that it was "SaBTO's clear view that the available evidence showed that lifetime deferral for blood donations from men who have had sex with men was no longer appropriate." He added: "Our decision on such blood donations is based on these findings, and, we were also minded that for our policy on permanent deferral to be lawful and defensible, it would need to be proportionate and based on reasonable grounds." The Northern Ireland Department of Health has issued a statement saying: "As the appeal is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on matters that are before the courts." In a recent ministerial question, Mr Wells revealed that £40,000 had so far been spent on legal fees challenging the ruling. It has also been revealed in court that despite the unidentified applicant's sexual orientation, he has become a born-again Christian who now disapproves of homosexual practices. The department also confirmed it had not made any attempt to prevent blood from the rest of the UK coming into Northern Ireland. Mr Poots and Mr Wells are members of the DUP, which said that it was not appropriate to comment while the case was ongoing. Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin, chair of Stormont's health committee, has called for the ban to be lifted immediately. "There is a very clear equality issue at the heart of all of this and there is the issue of public funding," she said. "It has been clearly documented and stated that there is no medical evidence to support this outright ban. It should be lifted. This has gone through a judicial court process where it has been deemed irrational. "Lift this ban and halt all court proceedings." Mr Poots said in 2012 that he had seen two pieces of evidence that had helped him make his decision to maintain the ban. The BBC understands that these pieces of evidence were a letter and a European Council report. The BBC has now obtained a copy of the letter from the former Irish Health Minister James Reilly and the European Council report and has published them online. In a subsequent letter to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, in July 2014, Mr Reilly asked for a review of the position in the Republic of Ireland. He said he was "concerned that the ban on donation of blood by gay men may no longer be justified on scientific grounds". In January 2012, the director general of health improvement and protection in the Department of Health in Whitehall replied to a letter from the Stormont health department on the issue. Prof David Harper wrote that it was "SaBTO's clear view that the available evidence showed that lifetime deferral for blood donations from men who have had sex with men was no longer appropriate." He added: "Our decision on such blood donations is based on these findings, and, we were also minded that for our policy on permanent deferral to be lawful and defensible, it would need to be proportionate and based on reasonable grounds." The Northern Ireland Department of Health has issued a statement saying: "As the appeal is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on matters that are before the courts." In a recent ministerial question, Mr Wells revealed that £40,000 had so far been spent on legal fees challenging the ruling. It has also been revealed in court that despite the unidentified applicant's sexual orientation, he has become a born-again Christian who now disapproves of homosexual practices. The department also confirmed it had not made any attempt to prevent blood from the rest of the UK coming into Northern Ireland. Mr Poots and Mr Wells are members of the DUP, which said that it was not appropriate to comment while the case was ongoing. Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin, chair of Stormont's health committee, has called for the ban to be lifted immediately. "There is a very clear equality issue at the heart of all of this and there is the issue of public funding," she said. "It has been clearly documented and stated that there is no medical evidence to support this outright ban. It should be lifted. This has gone through a judicial court process where it has been deemed irrational. "Lift this ban and halt all court proceedings."

['HIV & Aids', 'Belfast', 'Sinn Féin', 'NI Health', 'DUP (Democratic Unionist Party)', 'LGBT', "Men's health"]

[{"entity": "Northern Ireland", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Department of Health", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "BBC", "label": "ORG"}]

Northern Ireland ||| Department of Health ||| BBC

["HIV & Aids", "Belfast", "Sinn F\u00e9in", "NI Health", "DUP (Democratic Unionist Party)", "LGBT", "Men's health"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-58439503

Borth Fire: High Street blaze ‘coming to an end’

A blaze which broke out at a house on Friday afternoon is "coming to an end".

About 10 firefighters remain at High Street in Borth, Ceredigion, after 45 were first called to the scene at about 15:30 BST. Neighbouring properties were initially evacuated as a precaution with gas cylinders believed to be involved in the fire, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said. It is thought the fire started at the rear of the building and then spread. The High Street remains closed by emergency services while three fire engines and a water tower dampen down. Ieuan Ellis, who lives close to the scene, told BBC Radio Wales the fire seemed to have started in a shed at the rear of the property. Nobody is believed to have been injured in the blaze and nearby residents have been escorted back to their homes and told to keep their windows closed. In total, 13 fire engines were sent, including a water bowser from Llandrindod Wells and specialist vehicles from Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, Aberaeron, Tregaron and New Quay. As well as these crews from the Mid and West Wales area, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent a crew from its Aberdyfi station to help.

['Aberystwyth', 'Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service', 'Borth']

[{"entity": "Friday afternoon", "label": "TIME"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Aberystwyth", "Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service", "Borth"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28942986

Rotherham child sexual exploitation report: At a glance

An estimate that 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013 is among the key findings of an

Prof Jay's report describes the abuse as "appalling" and says it included the rape of girls as young as 11 by "large numbers of male perpetrators". Children were raped by multiple attackers, trafficked to other towns and cities in the north of England, abducted, beaten and intimidated, the report revealed. Some were doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, while others were threatened with guns, made to watch "brutally violent rapes" and warned they would be next if they told anyone. The report said the "collective failures" of political and officer leadership were "blatant" over the first 12 years covered by the inquiry. Senior managers within social care were said to have "underplayed" the scale and seriousness of the problem. Police were said to have given CSE no priority, regarding many child victims "with contempt" and failing to act on their abuse as a crime. The report found that three other publications in 2002, 2003 and 2006 provided "stark evidence" to the police and council. The first of these was suppressed, which the report said had led to suggestions of a cover-up, while the other two were ignored. Staff were said to have believed the extent of CSE had been exaggerated, while some were "overwhelmed" by the numbers of cases involved. The majority of those behind the abuse were described as Asian, while the victims were young white girls. Yet the report found that councillors failed to engage with the town's Pakistani-heritage community during the inquiry period. Some councillors were said to have hoped the issue would "go away", thinking it was a "one-off problem". The report said several staff members were afraid they would be labelled racist if they identified the race of the perpetrators, while others said they were instructed by their managers not to do so. Several councillors interviewed believed highlighting the race element would "give oxygen" to racist ideas and threaten community cohesion. Despite identifying "systemic failings", the report highlighted "many improvements" by the council and police over the past four years. Police have been trained and resourced to deal with CSE, while there was now a central team in children's social care that worked jointly with police on the issue, the report said. It made 15 recommendations in total to Rotherham Council, its partners and the Rotherham Safeguarding Children Board. These included areas involving risk assessment, looked-after children, outreach and accessibility, the joint police and council CSE team, collaboration with Children and Young People Service, ongoing work with victims, post-abuse support, quality assurance, minority ethnic communities and the issue of race, and serious case reviews.

['Rotherham child abuse scandal', 'Rotherham']

[{"entity": "Rotherham", "label": "LOC"}]

Rotherham

["Rotherham child abuse scandal", "Rotherham"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44164747

Malaysia police seize cash and luxury goods in Najib-linked raids

Police in Malaysia say they have seized hundreds of boxes of luxury items and handbags full of foreign currency from properties linked to ex-PM Najib Razak.

The raids on properties across the capital, Kuala Lumpur, were related to investigations into state development fund 1MDB, they said. Corruption claims against 1MDB were a major cause of Mr Najib's election loss to his former ally, Mahathir Mohammad. Billions of dollars are unaccounted for from the fund, which Mr Najib set up. Mr Najib himself was alleged to have pocketed $700m (£517m), which he has always denied. He has been cleared by Malaysian authorities but is being investigated by several other countries. Mr Mahathir has said he is considering reopening the case and that he believes the missing money can be recovered. He has banned Mr Najib from leaving the country. The police raids on Mr Najib's office, private residence and several other properties linked to him in an upmarket area of the capital have been going on for several days, in the full view of the media. At one point a locksmith was brought in to open a safe removed from Mr Najib's home. On Friday, the head of the police commercial crime investigation unit, Amar Singh, told reporters the items removed included "284 boxes containing designer handbags". "Our personnel checked these bags and discovered various currencies including Malaysian Ringgit, US dollars, watches and jewellery in 72 bags. "Exactly how much jewellery, I would not be able to say, because we know that we confiscated bags containing jewellery and the amount of jewellery is rather big," Reuters quoted him as saying. Mr Najib's lawyer has complained that the raids amount to "unwarranted harassment" and that the items seized "would seem of insignificant value". Jonathan Head, BBC News, Kuala Lumpur It is customary in much of South East Asia to allow the powerful and wealthy a degree of privacy when facing criminal investigation. No such privilege is being accorded Mr Najib. The police searches are being streamed live on social media. Pictures of shopping trolleys, piled high with the signature orange boxes for Hermes Birkin handbags favoured by his wife, Rosmah, are going viral. Police officers are leaking details of what they are finding - the bricks of cash, high-priced watches, a who's-who of designer brand names. How much any of this evidence of princely living has to do with Mr Najib's culpability in the 1MDB scandal is not clear. A particularly unkind photo of Mr Najib - in a plain red sweater, slumped asleep on his sofa while the search went on - sent a very clear image of a spectacular downfall, of a once seemingly all-powerful man. It was surely, then, no accident, that newly-elected Mahathir Mohamad allowed himself to be photographed wearing a pair of $4 sandals. There was plenty of corruption and mismanagement in Mr Mahathir's heyday as prime minister in the 1980s and 90s, but he has always led a modest lifestyle. Much about the last nine days in Malaysia has been unplanned and unscripted. But the wily Mr Mahathir is now writing the script, and very clearly painting his ousted predecessor as the villain.

['Najib Razak', 'Kuala Lumpur', 'Malaysia', 'Mahathir Mohamad']

[{"entity": "Malaysia", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Najib Razak", "label": "PER"}]

Malaysia

["Najib Razak", "Kuala Lumpur", "Malaysia", "Mahathir Mohamad"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-42735016

What to do if you're being stalked

More than one million people are thought to be victims of stalking every year, according to

While a majority of the victims are women, men face high rates too and the impact of stalking can be devastating. So what can you do if you are worried you're being stalked? The legal definition of stalking is unusual as it relies on the effect it has on a victim to decide whether or not a crime has been committed. The law was changed to make stalking a specific crime six years ago. In black and white it reads like this: "[Stalking is] a course of conduct, it may then cause significant alarm, harassment or distress to the victim." So that can mean as little as two text messages (a course of conduct) - or anything and everything beyond that. Despite the large number of victims, statistics from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) show there were only 780 prosecutions in England and Wales in 2015/16 for stalking, with just 529 convictions. A man who's been stalking BBC News presenter Emily Maitlis for more than 20 years was recently jailed. She's spoken about the impact it's had on her and her family. Clare Elcombe Webber, who's in charge of the National Stalking Helpline, has advice for people worried they're being stalked: "The most important thing is to tell someone. Stalking thrives on secrecy - if nobody knows what's going on that gives the stalker the opportunity to keep on going. Whereas if people know they can do things to keep you safe and they can take power away from the stalker." "Keep a log of any events or contact, any evidence you might have. It helps victims themselves understand there's a pattern of behaviour. Also if they do want to go to the police or take any formal action it gives people a really clear picture of what's been going on." "About 40% of people who contact us have experienced some kind of cyber stalking. Not only the individual but also their friends and family - so all their social media is as secure as it possibly can be. They don't let people post pictures of them or check them in to places, for example." "Talk to schools, places of work, colleges - make sure people are aware there may be a problem. That helps other people actively keep you safe as well." "If at any point somebody feels unsafe for any reason they need to be calling 999. We want the police to be on board in these situations and on board as early as possible. We know that the sooner there's some kind of formal intervention the sooner it's likely to stop. We know that stalkers don't generally stop on their own." Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat

['Cyber-stalking', 'Stalking']

[{"entity": "stalking", "label": "DIS"}]

stalking

["Cyber-stalking", "Stalking"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-45968005

Mum's voice makes better smoke alarm for children

Adding a recording of a mother's voice to smoke alarms could save lives, according to US scientists.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found the modified alarms were more effective at waking children than conventional alarms. And they had the potential to buy vital seconds to escape a burning building. Fire chiefs welcomed the research, but said families should not worry about the alarms currently in their homes. The research team at the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio said children were "remarkably resistant" to being woken up by sounds because they have longer and deeper sleep than adults. The study compared a traditional high-pitch smoke alarm with voice-based ones. There were 176 children who took part, and alarms were personalised with a recording of the mother's voice instructing their child to wake up. Only half woke up to the blaring noise of a conventional smoke alarm. But nine in 10 woke up to the voice alarms. The experiments were performed in a sleep laboratory, and the alarms were played once the children were in the deepest phase of sleep. Dr Mark Splaingard, one of the researchers, said: "The fact that we were able to find a smoke alarm sound that reduces the amount of time it takes for many children five to 12 years of age to wake up and leave the bedroom, could save lives." The researchers now want to test whether any voice will do, or if it has to be the mother. And they want to assess what impact such alarms might have on waking up adults. Rick Hylton, from the UK's National Fire Chiefs Council, said he was looking forward to seeing how the research panned out. He said: "People shouldn't be concerned about the effectiveness of their current smoke alarms. "We know smoke alarms save lives so we ask that people ensure they have installed smoke alarms. "They will alert occupants early if working, fitted and installed in the correct location. This gives adults, parents or guardians the opportunity to wake children, and leave the house."

['Children', 'Sleep', 'Ohio', 'Parenting']

[{"entity": "US", "label": "LOC"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Children", "Sleep", "Ohio", "Parenting"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58204857

Afghanistan: Boris Johnson defends UK's role amid evacuation

Boris Johnson has said the UK can be "extremely proud" of its role in Afghanistan, despite the situation in the country having "deteriorated".

The UK will evacuate the "vast bulk" of its embassy staff in the coming days as the Taliban continues to advance. The prime minister said there was "no military solution" after an emergency Cobra meeting on Friday afternoon. On Thursday, the UK said it would send 600 troops to help evacuate British nationals and former Afghan staff. Thousands of civilians have fled the Taliban onslaught, heading for the capital of Kabul. The World Food Programme has warned that food shortages are "dire", while the UN has urged Afghanistan's neighbours to keep their borders open. The militants now control about a third of Afghanistan's provincial capitals, including Herat, Ghazni and Lashkar Gar. Mr Johnson insisted there was no military solution following the gains made by the Taliban in recent days and said that a team of Home Office officials would be sent to step up efforts to relocate Afghans who worked for British forces in the country. "It is very difficult obviously, but I think the UK can be extremely proud of what has been done in Afghanistan over the last 20 years," he said. The prime minister said that thanks to the efforts of the UK armed services there had been no al-Qaeda attacks on the West for "a very long time". He also added that three million girls and young women in Afghanistan had been educated who otherwise would not have been, during the last 20 years. "I think we've got to be realistic about the abilities of the UK or any power to impose a military solution, a combat solution in Afghanistan," Mr Johnson said. "What we certainly can do is work with all our partners in the region and around the world who share an interest with us in preventing Afghanistan from once again becoming a breeding ground for terror." Earlier, Lisa Nandy, Labour's shadow foreign secretary, told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme there was "far more" the UK could do to support the people of Afghanistan and accused the government of "hiding". She warned the government that cross-party MPs could push to recall Parliament to hold the government to account if it did not show a clear strategy. Ms Nandy said that people in the country felt "abandoned" and were looking to the US and UK for "a level of leadership". Her concerns were echoed by former Conservative Defence Minister Johnny Mercer, who served in Afghanistan. He described the situation in the country as a "world tragedy" which would have repercussions "for years to come". Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has also backed the idea of recalling Parliament "given the tragedy unfolding before our eyes" and called on the UN to deploy peacekeepers. Earlier, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace acknowledged that the country could be "heading towards civil war". He blamed former US President Donald Trump's "rotten deal" with the Taliban in 2020 for the withdrawal. The UK government has launched "Operation Pitting", to help evacuate British nationals, former UK staff and others who are eligible to relocate to the UK. Mr Wallace said around 600 troops were being sent to Afghanistan to ensure the safe return of about 500 Foreign Office and other UK government officials, along with around 3,000 British citizens working in other roles, such as security guards for aid agencies. About 2,000 Afghan interpreters and "other people we have an obligation to" would also be transported to the UK, he said, joining some 3,000 who had already been taken out of the country. RAF aircraft could be used if needed and the Home Office would also be deploying a small team of officials to assist with processing new visas, the Ministry of Defence said. The US said it would have the bulk of the 3,000 troops it is sending to assist with evacuation in place by the end of the weekend. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby added that the US military was "certainly concerned about the speed with which the Taliban is moving". Nato said it had discussed the situation on Friday and would aim to support the Afghan government and security forces "as much as possible". Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the Taliban would not be recognised by the international community if it took the country by force, adding that there was deep concern about reports of serious human rights abuses. Wendy Rayner, whose husband Peter died in action in Helmand province in 2010, said the withdrawal undermined the sacrifice of soldiers who had lost their lives. "My husband died to give them a better life, and by them not having a better life, it's taken away his fight," she told the BBC. "All these young people in Afghanistan that are having their families slaughtered because nobody cares, because we've just left them in the lurch - it's just going to create another terror threat. They're going to hate us and I don't blame them." Mr Johnson said he did not think the sacrifices made by British forces were "in vain". "I believe it was right, it was worth it and what we must do now is not turn our backs on Afghanistan," he said.

['War in Afghanistan (2001-present)', 'Afghanistan', 'Lisa Nandy', 'Ben Wallace']

[{"entity": "Boris Johnson", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "UK", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Afghanistan", "label": "LOC"}]

UK ||| Afghanistan

["War in Afghanistan (2001-present)", "Afghanistan", "Lisa Nandy", "Ben Wallace"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29796039

Glowing 'smart cycle lanes' are pitched to UK

A stretch of glow-in-the-dark road markings has been installed in the Netherlands after being proposed as one of several "smart highway" features that could be put to wide use.

Route 66 of the Future uses special green paint, charged by daylight. It is designed to be clearer than existing cat's eye reflective spheres. Its creators are also due to test glow-in-the-dark cycle lanes, which they said had already attracted the interest of UK planners. "The glowing lines are a little ... Daft Punk look-alike but they are to do with safety," said artist Daan Roosegaarde, one of the road markings' designers. "The three lines merge into one and you feel that it guides you. With fog, you see them more than with standard light," He has worked on the project - and many others - with Hans Goris, a civil engineer at infrastructure firm Heijmans. "There is much less energy used," said Mr Roosegaarde of the photo-luminescent paint he uses. "There will be big projects, we have requests from China and India - these are places where you need safe roads that are disconnected from the energy grid." A stretch of road at Oss, near Nijmegen in the south of the country, is being used to showcase the design. Their first cycle highway, called the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Light Emitting Bicycle Path, is due to be launched in December in Nuenen, which was once home to the Dutch post-impressionist artist. According to Mr Roosegaarde, it was inspired by Van Gogh's masterpiece "Starry Night". He said he had demonstrated the technology to authorities from Birmingham and London earlier this month. Both, he said, were due to watch follow-up tests in the coming months with a view to introducing the innovation to the UK. Prof David Bailey, an automotive expert at Aston Business School in Birmingham, backed the idea of a test to see it it truly made cyclists more visible at night and encouraged motorists to give them more space. "The Netherlands is much better organised than the UK, they have a much better laid-out network of highways," he commented. "It is a good idea to try it, though. "There is a possibility of reducing electricity use as well." Mr Roosegaarde said that his team had around 20 ideas that it wanted to try to implement over a five-year period. He was speaking from Beijing, where he said he was constructing a "smog-free park by building the largest vacuum cleaner in the world". "We think half of the ideas will influence roads in the future to make them energy neutral and functional," he added. "It is not just an artwork, we want to update reality." He also remarked that Britain's tradition of blending craftsmanship and function made it a perfect place to install his cycle highway. "For a small country like the Netherlands, we have to be creative - that is how we will survive. I won't say what the UK should and shouldn't do but I can see similarities. You cherish your heritage but you want to make it contemporary too. "There is a great connection between the art and the technical in Britain - the Spitfire is a good example." He said he hoped that, if the project went ahead, it would be finished within two years. Both the Mayor of London's office and Birmingham Council were contacted about the tests but neither were able to confirm plans to send a delegation.

['Car Technology', 'Cycling', 'Netherlands']

[{"entity": "Netherlands", "label": "LOC"}]

Netherlands

["Car Technology", "Cycling", "Netherlands"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30221775

Philippines economy slows sharply in third quarter

Growth in the Philippine economy slowed sharply in the third quarter due to weaker growth in all sectors, the government said.

The economy grew by 5.3% from July to September from a year ago, well below market expectations of a 6.6% rise. That compared to 6.4% growth in the previous three months from a year earlier. Its gross domestic product (GDP) fell to a three year low with the slowest pace of growth since 2011. Lower state spending was blamed for the slowing growth in the Southeast Asian country. But Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told the BBC that the government still had a lot of fiscal spending room to accelerate expenditure. "The elements for growth are all there. Although this is a bump in the road we believe the trajectory for the economy is still pointed in the right direction," he said. Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said it would be a "big challenge" to reach the government's growth target of 6.5% to 7.5% this year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the third quarter grew 0.4% from the second one, well below forecasts of a 1.4% rise. This also marked the weakest pace of growth since 2009. News of the surprise downside in the economy has led the region's economists to downgrade their growth forecasts for the country. Rahul Bajoria, economist at Barclays, said he was lowering his 2014 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6% from 6.5%. "The largest source of the slowdown was the level of fiscal spending. Government spending fell 2.6% year on year in the third quarter and public construction projects contracted by 6.2% in the same period," he said in a note. Trinh Nguyen, economist at HSBC, meanwhile, said she expected even slower growth, keeping her yearly forecast below 6%. "Our GDP forecast is 5.9% for this year and we think growth will likely hover around there," she told Reuters. "Although some might despair that this is not a good number, the Philippines is still growing above trend growth rate of 5% and still very good considering the global landscape." With the recent data showing slowing growth, economists agreed that the country's central bank would not raise interest rates in a meeting next month, because of signs that inflation was easing. On Wednesday, the central bank had said that it had room to pause its tightening cycle after two rate increases this year because it expected the rate of annual inflation this month to slow to between 3.5 to 4.3%. The bank's target is 3-5%.

['Economics', 'Philippines', 'Asia economy']

[{"entity": "Philippine", "label": "LOC"}]

Philippine

["Economics", "Philippines", "Asia economy"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35529960

Andy Murray's wife gives birth to a girl

Tennis star Andy Murray's wife Kim Sears has given birth to an 8lb 10oz girl, who arrived on Sunday morning.

The couple were married in Murray's home town of Dunblane last April and announced the pregnancy in the summer. Confirming the news, the tennis star's agent said: "Andy and Kim had a daughter in the early hours of Sunday morning and the family are doing well." Shirley Erskine, Andy Murray's grandmother said she was delighted at her great granddaughter's arrival. Andy's mother Judy tweeted a photograph of Andy Murray's gold post box in Dunblane which has been adorned with pink ribbons, with the words "Dunblane baby love.......xxx". The post box was painted gold when Andy won the gold medal at the London Olympics. She later tweeted another picture of tennis balls and a dummy, with the caption "Tennis family #cute". In the run-up to last month's Australian Open, Murray, said his family would be a "priority". The world number two made it clear that he would have cut short his first grand slam of the year and flown home if the baby had arrived earlier than expected. He said: "My child is more important to me, and my wife is more important to me, than a tennis match. "It's a big change for me and my wife, but that's the current priority and I'll see after that. "I have no idea how that will change things. I still love tennis." The couple were married in Murray's home town of Dunblane last April and announced the pregnancy in the summer. Confirming the news, the tennis star's agent said: "Andy and Kim had a daughter in the early hours of Sunday morning and the family are doing well." Shirley Erskine, Andy Murray's grandmother said she was delighted at her great granddaughter's arrival. Andy's mother Judy tweeted a photograph of Andy Murray's gold post box in Dunblane which has been adorned with pink ribbons, with the words "Dunblane baby love.......xxx". The post box was painted gold when Andy won the gold medal at the London Olympics. She later tweeted another picture of tennis balls and a dummy, with the caption "Tennis family #cute". In the run-up to last month's Australian Open, Murray, said his family would be a "priority". The world number two made it clear that he would have cut short his first grand slam of the year and flown home if the baby had arrived earlier than expected. He said: "My child is more important to me, and my wife is more important to me, than a tennis match. "It's a big change for me and my wife, but that's the current priority and I'll see after that. "I have no idea how that will change things. I still love tennis." Speaking from her home in Dunblane, Mrs Erskine said: "I am absolutely delighted, as you can imagine. It seems a long time that we've been waiting for this but all's well now as far as I know. "I don't have any details I just know that I've got a great granddaugher so that is just lovely. "All I could think of after Andy had finished playing his final [in the Australian Open] was 'Oh good, at least he'll get home now'. "It's not easy getting home from Australia. He couldn't have been further away. Fortunately, he was home in plenty of time and all's well." Mrs Erskine said the first she heard was a text saying "she's doing well" as she had missed the first multiple recipient text Andy had sent. "I thought 'Oh something's happened'," she said. "So, I frantically texted him back, saying 'What's happened?, what's happened?'. She said Andy then apologised as he realised she had not received the first message as she had an old phone. "We didn't know what the baby's sex was going to be. Andy and Kim said from the outset that they didn't want to know." Speaking from her home in Dunblane, Mrs Erskine said: "I am absolutely delighted, as you can imagine. It seems a long time that we've been waiting for this but all's well now as far as I know. "I don't have any details I just know that I've got a great granddaugher so that is just lovely. "All I could think of after Andy had finished playing his final [in the Australian Open] was 'Oh good, at least he'll get home now'. "It's not easy getting home from Australia. He couldn't have been further away. Fortunately, he was home in plenty of time and all's well." Mrs Erskine said the first she heard was a text saying "she's doing well" as she had missed the first multiple recipient text Andy had sent. "I thought 'Oh something's happened'," she said. "So, I frantically texted him back, saying 'What's happened?, what's happened?'. She said Andy then apologised as he realised she had not received the first message as she had an old phone. "We didn't know what the baby's sex was going to be. Andy and Kim said from the outset that they didn't want to know." Andy's other grandmother Ellen Murray, 82, said the tennis star phoned her on Monday to give her and husband Gordon the news. Speaking from her home in Kilsyth, she said: "Andy phoned yesterday and said 'congratulations, you're a great granny'. "He told me the baby was 8lb 10oz when she was born." "It's wonderful news," she added. "We watched him in the Australian Open final and I think he just wanted to come home. "I don't really know about her name yet but I hope we'll see them all soon. I'll be looking forward to a cuddle. "Gordon is very happy too. They did a good job." After being beaten in the final of the Australian Open, Murray tearfully told his wife he would be on "the next flight home". Speaking to the crowd after the defeat, he gave a message to Kim, who was "watching back home". He said: "You have been a legend the last two weeks, thank you so much for all of your support. I'll be on the next flight home." Following news of the birth, sports personalities and politicians tweeted their congratulations, along with hundreds of members of the public. Sports broadcaster Gabby Logan said: "Kim and Andy Murray have had a baby girl -huge congrats." And in a note to Murray's mother Judy, the presenter added: "@judmoo - great news for Fed Cup team 2036..." Presenter Annabel Croft, a former British number one tennis star, wrote: "Congratulations Kim & @andy-murray on the birth of their baby daughter. Fantastic news." Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Lovely news. Congratulations to @andy_murray and Kim on the birth of their daughter. Wishing every happiness." Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale tweeted: "It's a girl! Huge congratulations to Kim Sears and @andy_murray on their wonderful news." The couple, both 28, met as teenagers in 2005 through tennis circles. They live in Surrey and married in Dunblane last April, cheered on by a large crowd of well-wishers. Kim's pregnancy was confirmed publicly in August after they had told family and friends the news, following the 12-week scan. Murray, the British number one and a double grand slam winner, has been crowned BBC Sports Personality Of The Year twice. Andy's other grandmother Ellen Murray, 82, said the tennis star phoned her on Monday to give her and husband Gordon the news. Speaking from her home in Kilsyth, she said: "Andy phoned yesterday and said 'congratulations, you're a great granny'. "He told me the baby was 8lb 10oz when she was born." "It's wonderful news," she added. "We watched him in the Australian Open final and I think he just wanted to come home. "I don't really know about her name yet but I hope we'll see them all soon. I'll be looking forward to a cuddle. "Gordon is very happy too. They did a good job." After being beaten in the final of the Australian Open, Murray tearfully told his wife he would be on "the next flight home". Speaking to the crowd after the defeat, he gave a message to Kim, who was "watching back home". He said: "You have been a legend the last two weeks, thank you so much for all of your support. I'll be on the next flight home." Following news of the birth, sports personalities and politicians tweeted their congratulations, along with hundreds of members of the public. Sports broadcaster Gabby Logan said: "Kim and Andy Murray have had a baby girl -huge congrats." And in a note to Murray's mother Judy, the presenter added: "@judmoo - great news for Fed Cup team 2036..." Presenter Annabel Croft, a former British number one tennis star, wrote: "Congratulations Kim & @andy-murray on the birth of their baby daughter. Fantastic news." Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Lovely news. Congratulations to @andy_murray and Kim on the birth of their daughter. Wishing every happiness." Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale tweeted: "It's a girl! Huge congratulations to Kim Sears and @andy_murray on their wonderful news." The couple, both 28, met as teenagers in 2005 through tennis circles. They live in Surrey and married in Dunblane last April, cheered on by a large crowd of well-wishers. Kim's pregnancy was confirmed publicly in August after they had told family and friends the news, following the 12-week scan. Murray, the British number one and a double grand slam winner, has been crowned BBC Sports Personality Of The Year twice.

['Dunblane']

[{"entity": "Andy Murray", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Kim Sears", "label": "PER"}]

Andy Murray ||| Kim Sears

["Dunblane"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33618724

Toshiba sells Kone stake to bolster books amid scandal

Toshiba has sold its stake in Finnish firm Kone in a bid to bolster its books amid the recent accounting scandal.

The Japanese conglomerate said it had sold its 4.6% stake in the elevator maker for €864.7m ($946.2m; £607.6m). The deal comes a day after Toshiba's president resigned amid an accounting scandal regarding overstated profits. In a statement, the firm said the sale would help "efficient use of the company group assets" and "improve its balance sheets". Kone on Wednesday announced the resignation of board member Kazunori Matsubara, formerly president of Toshiba Elevators, who had joined the board in February 2015. The Finnish company said the sale of the shares and the resignation had "no other effect on the strategic alliance" between the two companies. On Tuesday, Toshiba chief executive and president Hisao Tanaka and vice-chairman Norio Sasaki both stepped down after an independent panel found the firm had overstated its operating profit by a total of 151.8bn yen ($1.22bn, £780m) over a six-year period from 2008. The overstatement was roughly triple an initial estimate by Toshiba. The computers-to-nuclear conglomerate's shares dropped by 1.7% on Wednesday after their rally of 6% on Tuesday, the day the resignations were announced.

['Companies', 'Japan']

[{"entity": "Toshiba", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Finnish", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Kone", "label": "ORG"}]

Toshiba ||| Finnish ||| Kone

["Companies", "Japan"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44029158

Why HSBC whistleblower Hervé Falciani fears for his freedom

Hervé Falciani's life in Spain is far from normal.

A fugitive from Swiss justice since 2009, this former HSBC computer systems analyst turned anti-fraud activist is constantly on the move. He has faced threats to his life considered credible enough by Spanish authorities to provide him with bodyguards. Even so, it came as a shock when Falciani was arrested on 4 April on the basis of an old Swiss extradition request. The hall at Comillas University in Madrid was packed with people waiting to hear him take part in a discussion on tax evasion entitled "When telling the truth is heroic". His first thought when he saw police officers approach him at the lecture theatre door was that Spanish authorities were in urgent need of his services, according to his legal team. This whistleblower has co-operated with Spain's government on a regular basis, since a Spanish court first refused to extradite him to Switzerland in 2013. "He has an almost permanent position in Spain's tax office," Juan Barallat, his defence lawyer in the extradition case, told the BBC. It was in 2009 that the Monaco-born IT expert fled Geneva to France, accused of stealing secret bank files from HSBC Private Bank (Suisse). His "Swiss Leaks" data had revealed accounts held by more than 100,000 wealthy individuals and legal entities. For the Swiss he was an internationally wanted person in 2009. But he co-operated with French authorities in their hunt for wealthy tax evaders and last year HSBC reached a deal with France over a long-running tax evasion inquiry. Austria, Belgium and Argentina launched their own investigations and Spain too was able to recover around €300m (£265m; $360m) in unpaid tax, thanks to the files Falciani extracted from the HSBC subsidiary's database. When he was arrested in Barcelona in 2012, the Swiss extradition request was turned down as Spain's High Court said the accusations were not offences in Spain. In 2015 Falciani was sentenced to five years in absentia in Switzerland for industrial espionage. Nothing changed regarding Falciani's situation in Spain. He became part of the fabric of political life, standing as a candidate in elections for the anti-corruption X Party and supporting whistleblowing activism platforms. So why did Spain decide to arrest him for a second time on 4 April, since the latest move did not come from the Swiss? When asked by the BBC, a spokesman at Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice said that an updated request for Falciani's extradition had been sent on 5 April after his arrest in Madrid. And another Swiss justice spokesman revealed that Spain had contacted them as early as March before the surprise arrest. The idea that Spain has seemingly taken it upon itself to reopen the Falciani file has raised eyebrows among his supporters, and heightened suspicions of a possible Spanish attempt to trade high-profile fugitives with Switzerland. Two leading Catalan pro-independence politicians, Marta Rovira and Ana Gabriel, fled from Spain to Switzerland earlier this year after being targeted by a criminal investigation into Catalonia's illegal declaration of independence last autumn. A supreme court judge in Madrid has filed a European Arrest Warrant for Ms Rovira while reportedly continuing to consider Ms Gabriel's position. "It's disloyal on Spain's part," Falciani's fellow X Party activist, Simona Levi, said of his arrest. "It is treating justice as merchandise merely for short-term political benefits." And his lawyer, Juan Barallat, is wary of the government's motives: "My client trusts the Spanish judiciary, but not the Spanish state. Extraditions are part diplomacy, part legal process." But Spain's justice minister has denied government involvement in Falciani's arrest or any connection with the Catalan situation. "These are judicial cases sought in the realm of international co-operation," Rafael Catalá said last month. "We shouldn't see into it more than that." Mr Barallat says his client still has confidence in the Spanish judiciary, although he sees government influence in the aggressive attitude of state prosecutors, who asked for Falciani to be remanded in custody after his arrest. "At first, he was frightened and did not understand why he was being arrested but he was released and now only has to report to the police on a weekly basis," says the lawyer. A further extradition hearing is expected in the next three months. "A fundamental rule of law is that someone cannot be judged twice for the same offence," says Mr Ballarat. "This case has already been cleared up in Spain."

['Spain', 'Whistleblowers', 'Switzerland']

[{"entity": "Herv\u00e9 Falciani", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Spain", "label": "LOC"}]

Spain

["Spain", "Whistleblowers", "Switzerland"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-51233003

Church of England sticking by LGBT sex guidance

The Church of England will not be withdrawing guidance that said sex is only for "heterosexual married couples".

But the archbishops of Canterbury and York are "very sorry and recognise the division and hurt" last week's statement caused. Justin Welby and John Sentamu say the statement "jeopardised trust". It came ahead of a study by the Church into human sexuality, due to be published later this year. Jade Irwin, an LGBT Christian, felt "really disheartened and deflated" when the guidance was issued by the Church of England last week. It said sex in gay or straight civil partnerships "falls short of God's purpose for human beings". The statement came after the law changed to allow straight couples to have a civil ceremony. It added that Christians can only have sex if they're married, which it called the "life-long union between a man and a woman". Jade, who's from LGBT charity Diverse Church, says the apology is a "positive step" - but admits she'd hoped for more. "I want to know what this means for us - otherwise the apology could just be empty words." The Church has been divided over how to deal with LGBT issues for decades and is in the middle of a large study of human sexuality, Living in Love and Faith, which is due to be published later this year. When Jade heard about the guidance last week, she was worried it could lead some LGBT Christians to lie in order to be accepted. "That can create all sorts of guilt, shame and mental health problems, as we know all too well." The guidance would mean that heterosexual couples who haven't taken any vows and are having sex are also going against the Church. The Church of England doesn't permit same-sex marriage but it allows clergy to be in same-sex civil partnerships - if they are sexually abstinent. Some people have criticised the guidance for being out of touch, but others have defended it saying the guidance isn't new or surprising. "Nobody questions me because I'm straight," says Sophie, who's on the General Synod - a group which meets regularly to discuss the running of the Church of England. "People that are gay get questioned all the time - 'If you're gay then you must be sinning' - but people don't generally ask me that because they assume that I'm following the 'correct' way." She was upset by the Church's initial statement but is keen to point out that the Church of England didn't say anything new. "It still sits that marriage should be between a man and a woman and the only thing that's new is that this is about civil partnerships," she says. Sophie believes the statement is "too blunt" and neglects the work that's really going on towards liberating homosexuality in the Church. "I'm not under any threat in the Church whereas people that are in same-sex relationships are being really alienated here." Ultimately though, Sophie says the rules are often different to what's happening in churches all over the UK. "There's the doctrine, which is what is said we should be doing, but no-one is going round strictly enforcing that doctrine in day-to-day life," she explains. "It's not like if I came out and said I was having sex with someone I'd be banished from the church." Jem is 27 and married to a woman. She's been to church all of her life - but says ultimately it's her faith in God that's important, and not the institution. "The church is sticking with the same line. And that isn't necessarily the healthiest advice we're putting out there. "It just sucks a bit because I believe that I married and that sex is part of marriage. I think the Church needs to find a way to be able to be fairer to LGBT couples - the opposite can push LGBT people into some really unsafe practices." Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.

['Marriage', 'Civil partnerships', 'Same-sex marriage', 'Life', 'LGBT', 'The Church of England']

[{"entity": "Church of England", "label": "ORG"}]

Church of England

["Marriage", "Civil partnerships", "Same-sex marriage", "Life", "LGBT", "The Church of England"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41441639

School discipline: How strict is too strict?

"Everyone will sit up extra straight, eyes front, looking at the teacher. You will follow their instructions first time, every time."

Pretty comfortable with that? Parents may well agree that this excerpt from Great Yarmouth Charter Academy's school rules is no bad thing. The rules also require pupils to read with a ruler and to wait for teacher's instructions before picking up a pen or anything else. When they are not reading or writing they must sit up straight with their arms folded and they must "track the teacher" around the room. "You never turn around - even if you hear a noise behind you. You don't look out of the window. You don't lose focus," the rules from new academy sponsors, Inspiration Trust, say. Still reasonable? Well, a group of parents did not think so and responded by contacting newspapers with claims children had wet themselves in class because they were not allowed to go to the toilet. One upset parent, Sarah Vincent, said: "If we treated our children like that we would be reported to social services." Her daughter, Summer, had become "withdrawn" and "miserable" after being repeatedly pulled up for uniform infringements, she said. She was then given a demerit because she did not have her arms folded as per the school rules, Sarah added. Others complained pupils were being isolated for as little as dropping a pencil, and parents of at least 16 children have applied to move them to other schools. But the school, which the new academy trust is trying to turn around after it was rated inadequate, insists it is simply trying to enforce new, high standards of behaviour where they had been lacking. Children were in school to learn, not look out of the window, a trust spokesman said. "Setting out clear expectations means everyone knows what is expected and lessons start promptly and run efficiently, so that every pupil gets the most of their time in school." Pupils had been getting out of their chairs and sometimes leaving classrooms and it was necessary now to enforce order, he said. "It's very early days," he added. "And there's been a culture shock from where the school was previously." And some parents have been delighted with the change. Parent Tanya McCormick said it had been "so far so good" for her daughter and that she thought parents might be "pleasantly surprised" by the effect of the new regime by the end of term. But the case has certainly prompted parents, particularly those of children new to secondary school, to ask how strict is too strict. David, an 11-year-old who has just started a very popular London boys' state school, describes all the things for which you can get a detention. "For talking too loudly in the playground, for talking while you are lining up... "You can get one if you don't take your bag off within five seconds of going inside, if you take more than 10 minutes to eat your lunch, or if you have a sweet wrapper in your pocket. "It just feels like you're only really behaving because you are scared you will get a detention," he says. Christopher, a pupil at another successful boys' state school, says about 80% of the boys in his class had been given a detention in the first week. He says his best friend crosses himself every time a detention is dished out in class, like he has "dodged a bullet". But are these boys enjoying their new schools? The answer's yes - they love them. But both think teachers should stop handing out quite so many detentions. Jarlath O'Brien, director of schools with the Eden Academy Trust, says every September a slew of stories about parents horrified at the strictness of their new schools hits the headlines. "No teacher would say 'we don't really care about bullying or the lessons being disrupted'," he says. "My concern is when you have a set of rules which start to interfere with the flow of things." He gives the example of a school allowing short or long-sleeved shirts in its uniform, but not allowing rolled-up sleeves. "A child might inadvertently roll his sleeves up, and then the lesson is disrupted because the teacher has to pick the child up on it." There has been a tendency in recent times to equate smart uniform with high standards of behaviour, he says, but the two are not the same. Being too strict can "smack of professional insecurity", he says, adding that this can backfire when "kids find themselves getting into bother without even trying". The government's behaviour tsar Tom Bennett says people outside the UK "marvel at our obsession with school uniform". He says the media pander to it by reporting examples of entire forms being sent home for wearing the wrong shoes or some such. But it can used as a way of fostering a sense of belonging, he says, and letting pupils know: "This is the way we do things around here." The best behaviour policies balance a culture of discipline with lots of pastoral support, he says. "You need to have the compassion within the school structure. "If you have that, if you have the love as well as the discipline, then things can really sky-rocket."

['Secondary education']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["Secondary education"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49908048

Jon Roberts became author to help daughter with autism

A father who has written two books about autism said he wanted to help his daughter's peers understand why she does some things differently.

Jon Roberts based the main character on his daughter Kya who was diagnosed with autism when she was four. He gave Through The Eyes of Me to his daughter's school in Swansea to be read out during their assembly. After a positive reception, 47-year-old Jon approached publishers Graffeg - and is now planning his third book. "I wasn't an author, I'm just a web developer," he said. "When we found out Kya had autism, I wanted to write something down that answered children's questions. "It wasn't going to be published and out there, I gave it to the school and people said it was a lovely book to get published so I approached Graffeg." Kya is now seven, and while Jon is still working full time as a web developer he has since released a second book and hopes to keep writing so fictional Kya can grow up with real-life Kya. Jon said autism was not well represented in children's literature when Through The Eyes of Me was published in 2017 but added this has since changed - along with more characters with autism appearing on television too. "It's been picking up over the last couple of years, since the first book funnily enough. "In [Kya's] school they read out the book in assembly, she's a bit of a celebrity. "Primary school is the best age to educate about it because they haven't made their minds up yet, it's easy to learn about why somebody does something differently. "The children in her class look after her, say hello to her, and it's lovely to see." Jon's second book Through The Eyes of Us, released last August, introduces another girl with autism, nine-year-old Martha, who is based on Jon's friend's daughter. She has a completely different personality to Kya, with different likes and dislikes - showing the vast spectrum of people with autism. While the pair have not spent much time together in real life, in the book they are best friends. "Autism is a huge spectrum," Jon said. "Everybody is really different, one person with autism is never the same as the next and they all have their own traits. "Kya doesn't speak but she loves cuddles and enjoys loud noises which a lot of children with autism don't. "Everybody is different on the spectrum so the two girls both have autism but they are so different." The book was illustrated by Hannah Rounding from Cardigan, Ceredigion, who Jon found via a website for freelancers. "I sent her what I'd written and a couple of pictures of Kya but no pictures of me or my wife, and she managed to capture me and my wife spot on, which was pretty amazing. "I'd like to carry on with the books about Kya and how she's getting on, a diary of her life."

['Swansea', 'Parenting', 'Autism']

[{"entity": "autism", "label": "DIS"}]

autism

["Swansea", "Parenting", "Autism"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34979174

DUP to have new leader in two weeks

The DUP will have a new leader in just over two weeks time.

The replacement for Peter Robinson will be chosen by the party's 46 most senior elected representatives. Last month, Mr Robinson confirmed that his seven-year term as DUP leader and first minister was coming to an end. Now the party has said his successor will be chosen on 17 December, at a hotel in Mr Robinson's east Belfast constituency. The decision is in the hands of the party's MLAs, MPs and single MEP. Nominations open immediately and will close on 9 December. However, it will be a surprise if more than one name is put forward, that of the current DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds. Mr Robinson is expected to remain as first minister until the new year when his replacement will be announced. It is expected to be the current finance minister Arlene Foster.

['DUP (Democratic Unionist Party)', 'Arlene Foster', 'Nigel Dodds']

[{"entity": "DUP", "label": "ORG"}]

DUP

["DUP (Democratic Unionist Party)", "Arlene Foster", "Nigel Dodds"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58335611

Uber and union bosses to meet after landmark deal on workers' rights

The UK boss of Uber is to meet with the new leader of a trade union for the first time since a landmark court ruling on workers' rights.

Jamie Heywood and GMB's Gary Smith seek to end years of discord over the ride-hailing giant's business practices. Uber recognised the union for the first time in May after the Supreme Court ruled its drivers should be classed as workers and entitled to better rights. The bosses said "the exploitation" of all ride-hailing drivers must stop. In a joint statement ahead of the meeting, Uber and GMB said an estimated 230,000 drivers were not receiving "their legal rights" from companies such as Bolt and Addison Lee. However, Addison Lee boss Liam Griffin rejected the claims, saying drivers were "at the heart" of his business. "We guarantee the drivers that work with us get the London Living Wage level of earnings, as opposed to only the National Minimum Wage paid by Uber," he said. "Drivers working with Addison Lee also get access to a pension and holiday pay." Bolt said record numbers continued to earn through Bolt "because they can take home more money". "We don't take business advice from competitors motivated by their own agenda," it added. Separately, the former Uber drivers James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam, who spearheaded the Supreme Court case against Uber, accused the ride hailing giant of running a "propaganda" campaign. The App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) leaders accused the firm of failing to implement the court's ruling by not paying drivers for waiting time, which they said made up 40% of drivers' working hours. The BBC has approached Uber for a comment. Under the May deal between Uber and GMB, the union will be able to represent up to 70,000 Uber drivers across the UK in discussions over earnings, pensions, benefits and their health and wellbeing. The agreement came after Uber lost the third and final stage of a five-year legal battle with drivers who claimed it had wrongly classified their employment status. For years, Uber resisted calls to recognise unions, which had criticised the firm for not granting drivers basic rights such as sick pay or a minimum wage. It argued it was a third-party booking agent, and its drivers were self-employed, but the Supreme Court ruled its drivers were workers, a category that means they are entitled to minimum legal, holiday and pension rights. Mr Smith, GMB's general secretary, said the deal with Uber was the "first step towards a fairer working life for millions of people". "It showed that when companies and trade unions work together, standards can be raised across these industries," he said He said the Supreme Court ruling had set a precedent for all ride-hailing apps and urged others to follow. "GMB and Uber today take the next step in our commitment to ending the exploitation of hundreds of thousands of ride-hailing app drivers," Mr Smith said. Jamie Heywood, Uber's regional general manager for northern and eastern Europe, said he hoped working with GMB would "show the rest of the industry what can be achieved". "We may not seem like obvious allies, but together we made history by striking a recognition agreement to improve workers' protections and, crucially, give drivers a stronger say in how Uber operates," he added. Mr Heywood told the BBC that UK employment law had been "extremely ambiguous" on issues such as who was an employee and who was self-employed. The Supreme Court had now "clarified" the law and given Uber the "mechanism" that it needed to act, he said. When it was put to him that Uber had spent years exploiting that very ambiguity, he denied the charge, saying the firm was now able to "keep the flexibility that workers value, but also provide them with the protection that they deserve". On the issue of whether Uber Eats riders would receive the same protection, Mr Heywood said he was "committed to providing good flexible work across both our Eats and our rides business". However, he said the law was different for people in the Eats business, since the Court of Appeal had ruled in June that Deliveroo riders were self-employed and not employees of the company. Employment experts and unions have heralded Uber's deal with GMB as a big step forward for workers' rights that would be felt across the gig economy. However, the UK is the only country in which Uber has recognised a union, and it is still being challenged by drivers in other markets over similar issues. Mr Griffin, chief executive of Addison Lee, said a decline in driver earnings and wellbeing across the industry was a "product of Uber's operating practices and predatory pricing model", which had led to a race to the bottom and threatened driver livelihoods. Responding to the comments, Uber said its drivers were making "more than ever before driving with Uber, so the claim of a race to the bottom is totally untrue".

['Companies', 'Trade Unions', 'Gig economy', 'GMB', 'Employment', 'Uber', 'Self-employment']

[{"entity": "UK", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Uber", "label": "ORG"}]

UK ||| Uber

["Companies", "Trade Unions", "Gig economy", "GMB", "Employment", "Uber", "Self-employment"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47146844

Electric buses for Cardiff and Caerphilly win funding

Electric buses are set to go into service in Cardiff and Caerphilly backed by £8.5m worth of UK government funding following trials last year.

Cardiff will have a fleet of 36 buses, while Stagecoach will have 16 for its Caerphilly depot. The money comes from a £48m Department of Transport grant scheme to promote greener public transport across England and Wales. Newport Transport is being awarded just under £1m to fund one electric bus. Caro Wild, Cardiff Council's cabinet member for transport, said the grant aid would help support the city's clean air ambitions. "People are excited about electric buses - they can see the health benefits," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. "This announcement is pay-off for the hard work we've been putting in behind the scenes to try and maximise every opportunity we have to improve air quality in Cardiff." Nigel Winter, managing director of Stagecoach South Wales, said the first single-decker e-buses would be running from its Caerphilly depot in 2020. He said the new zero-emission vehicles would help to "significantly improve the customer experience" and encourage motorists to switch to a greener means of travel. Mr Winter added that the firm was working with others to create an all-electric passenger transport network for Caerphilly, with new electric trains promised from 2021 as part of the South Wales Metro project. Buses Minister Nusrat Ghani said the UK government was "doing more than ever before to reduce emissions across all modes of transport". "I'm delighted to see the bus industry putting itself at the forefront of this," she said.

['Wales business', 'Cardiff Council', 'Caerphilly', 'Cardiff', 'Transport', 'Green economy', 'Bus travel', 'Caerphilly County Borough Council']

[{"entity": "Cardiff", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Caerphilly", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "UK", "label": "LOC"}]

Cardiff ||| Caerphilly ||| UK

["Wales business", "Cardiff Council", "Caerphilly", "Cardiff", "Transport", "Green economy", "Bus travel", "Caerphilly County Borough Council"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25322185

General Motors names Mary Barra as new boss

US car giant General Motors (GM) has named product development chief Mary Barra to the post of chief executive.

She will replace Daniel Akerson, and be the first woman to run a US carmaker. Ms Barra joined GM as an electrical engineering student in 1980 and has worked her way up to lead GM's global product development. The product development job is considered a critical role at a carmaker and Ms Barra received praise for her leadership of GM's unit. Under her leadership, GM rolled out new pick-up trucks and the Chevrolet Impala, which was highly rated by Consumer Reports magazine. "With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today's GM," Ms Barra said in a company statement. Ms Barra also has a reputation for keeping costs down and cutting bureaucracy. As head of human resources after the 2009 bailout, she was credited with slashing paperwork - including a 10 page-dress code. She's also of GM lineage: her father worked for 39 years as a dye maker for the car manufacturer in its now defunct Pontiac division. Earlier this week the US government sold its remaining shares in GM. Overall, it lost around $10bn (£6bn) on its bailout of the carmaker in the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009. The US Treasury spent $49.5bn bailing out GM, and took a 61% stake in the company. GM's current chief executive and chairman, Mr Akerson, will leave both of his posts in mid-January. His wife has recently been diagnosed with advanced cancer. In a message to the company's employees on Tuesday, Mr Akerson said: "I will leave with great satisfaction in what we have accomplished, great optimism over what is ahead and great pride that we are restoring General Motors as America's standard bearer in the global auto industry." Current chief financial officer, Dan Ammann, was named GM president. He will also take responsibility for the Cadillac and Chevrolet brands.

['Car industry']

[{"entity": "General Motors", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "GM", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Mary Barra", "label": "PER"}]

General Motors ||| GM

["Car industry"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-38184935

German PoW leaves £384,000 to Perthshire village

A former German soldier has left £384,000 in his will to the Perthshire village where he was held as a prisoner of war during World War Two.

Heinrich Steinmeyer was 19 when he was captured in France and held in the PoW camp at Cultybraggan by Comrie. Mr Steinmeyer, who died in 2013 aged 90, bequeathed the money in return for the kindness he was shown there. He said in his will he wanted the money to benefit the village's "elderly people". Part of his will reads: "Herewith, I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Scotland for the kindness and generosity that I have experienced in Scotland during my imprisonment of war and hereafter." Comrie Development Trust, who Mr Steinmeyer asked to manage his legacy, has launched a consultation on how the money should be used. Trust secretary Andrew Reid said: "Throughout his captivity, Heinrich Steinmeyer was very struck by the kindness shown to him Scottish people, which he had not expected. "After the war, he visited Comrie and made lasting friendships in the village. "He vowed to leave everything he owned for the benefit of older people in the place he wanted to thank." Mr Reid said overseeing the will and the sale of Mr Steinmeyer's property had involved a "complex and very lengthy process" in Germany. Mr Steinmeyer was held at Cultybraggan along with about 4,000 other prisoners. Hitler's deputy Rudolph Hess also spent a night there after parachuting into Scotland in 1941. After the end of the war, Mr Steinmeyer worked on a farm before returning to Germany. Mr Steinmeyer died two weeks after Comrie resident George Carson, who became a close friend of the former soldier. Mr Carson said of Mr Steinmeyer: "He was a dyed in the wool Nazi and once thought that Hitler was the finest thing ever to happen to Germany. "He was captured and taken to Comrie and eventually was allowed to work and was treated with great kindness by people."

['Comrie']

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["Comrie"]

english

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38333159

Southern rail dispute talks end with no deal

Talks aimed at stopping industrial action on the Southern rail network have ended with no deal, the rail operator has said.

Aslef has been in negotiation with the rail company at conciliation service Acas but talks ended on Thursday. Nick Brown, chief operating officer of Govia Thameslink (GTR) Southern's parent company, said Aslef had been unable to accept their proposals. Aslef said talks had continued but without progress. A spokeswoman for the union said Aslef was open to resuming talks next week although nothing had been set up yet. And Aslef later issued an official statement which said: "Talks between Aslef and GTR continued at Acas today but no progress was made. Aslef's door remains open for future talks." Mr Brown said: "We're deeply disappointed, as our passengers will be, that Aslef has been unable to accept our proposals and we cannot find a way forward to end this dispute with the drivers' union at this stage. "We're sincerely sorry that commuters' work and family lives are being punished with this unjustified and unprecedented industrial action. "The unions must stop the pain and suffering blighting passengers and commerce." Both Aslef and the RMT union are in dispute with GTR over changes to guards' roles on driver-only operated (DOO) trains. The RMT fears job cuts and has raised safety concerns, and Aslef has described DOO as "inherently unsafe". But Mr Brown said the company would continue with its plans to modernise the railway. He said: "We urge the union to think again and work with us and move forward together. Our door remains open." Aslef has been in negotiation with the rail company at conciliation service Acas but talks ended on Thursday. Nick Brown, chief operating officer of Govia Thameslink (GTR) Southern's parent company, said Aslef had been unable to accept their proposals. Aslef said talks had continued but without progress. A spokeswoman for the union said Aslef was open to resuming talks next week although nothing had been set up yet. And Aslef later issued an official statement which said: "Talks between Aslef and GTR continued at Acas today but no progress was made. Aslef's door remains open for future talks." Mr Brown said: "We're deeply disappointed, as our passengers will be, that Aslef has been unable to accept our proposals and we cannot find a way forward to end this dispute with the drivers' union at this stage. "We're sincerely sorry that commuters' work and family lives are being punished with this unjustified and unprecedented industrial action. "The unions must stop the pain and suffering blighting passengers and commerce." Both Aslef and the RMT union are in dispute with GTR over changes to guards' roles on driver-only operated (DOO) trains. The RMT fears job cuts and has raised safety concerns, and Aslef has described DOO as "inherently unsafe". But Mr Brown said the company would continue with its plans to modernise the railway. He said: "We urge the union to think again and work with us and move forward together. Our door remains open." The rail chief also said the company had put a "practical offer" on the table and he said the union had welcomed its attempts to find solutions. But he added: "Regrettably, they simply will not shift from their entrenched position and rigid opposition to our modernisation plans. "Once again, Aslef want to go back and not look forward." Referring to Aslef claims that DOO is unsafe, he said both the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Safety & Standards Board had stated that drivers closing doors is a safe mode of operation. A spokesman for Acas said: "Acas conciliation talks have concluded. Our services remain available." The rail chief also said the company had put a "practical offer" on the table and he said the union had welcomed its attempts to find solutions. But he added: "Regrettably, they simply will not shift from their entrenched position and rigid opposition to our modernisation plans. "Once again, Aslef want to go back and not look forward." Referring to Aslef claims that DOO is unsafe, he said both the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Safety & Standards Board had stated that drivers closing doors is a safe mode of operation. A spokesman for Acas said: "Acas conciliation talks have concluded. Our services remain available." Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said he was "deeply disappointed". He said: "I have reaffirmed my offer for talks with the unions if they call off strike action, but they have failed to come to the table without pre-conditions." He said no jobs were being lost and no pay was being cut, but the unions were in dispute over who presses the button to close the train doors. Mr Grayling said: "Driver-only operated services have been safely used across the rail network for 30 years and the rail regulator has confirmed it is safe." On Thursday evening, passengers gathered at London Victoria station and then marched to the Department for Transport where they delivered a toy train set and called on Mr Grayling to resign. Brighton commuter Patrick Olszowski said Mr Grayling was trying to break the unions and "leaving the unions and the privatised rail companies to duke it out with one another". The crowd demanded immediate government intervention in the long-running dispute and an independent inquiry into what they described as the "collapse of Southern rail". The DfT has told the BBC the dispute is between Southern and the unions and "not something the government is involved in". Drivers will go ahead with a 24-hour strike on Friday. A two-day strike by train drivers on Tuesday and Wednesday brought all Southern services to a halt and left services severely disrupted on Thursday. Industrial action is also due to continue next week with a 48-hour strike by conductors. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said he was "deeply disappointed". He said: "I have reaffirmed my offer for talks with the unions if they call off strike action, but they have failed to come to the table without pre-conditions." He said no jobs were being lost and no pay was being cut, but the unions were in dispute over who presses the button to close the train doors. Mr Grayling said: "Driver-only operated services have been safely used across the rail network for 30 years and the rail regulator has confirmed it is safe." On Thursday evening, passengers gathered at London Victoria station and then marched to the Department for Transport where they delivered a toy train set and called on Mr Grayling to resign. Brighton commuter Patrick Olszowski said Mr Grayling was trying to break the unions and "leaving the unions and the privatised rail companies to duke it out with one another". The crowd demanded immediate government intervention in the long-running dispute and an independent inquiry into what they described as the "collapse of Southern rail". The DfT has told the BBC the dispute is between Southern and the unions and "not something the government is involved in". Drivers will go ahead with a 24-hour strike on Friday. A two-day strike by train drivers on Tuesday and Wednesday brought all Southern services to a halt and left services severely disrupted on Thursday. Industrial action is also due to continue next week with a 48-hour strike by conductors. 00:01 Friday 16 December to 23:59: Friday 16 December (Aslef and RMT drivers' strike) 00:01 Monday 19 December to 23:59 Tuesday 20 December (RMT conductors' strike) 00:01 Saturday 31 December to 23:59 Monday 2 January (RMT conductors' strike) 00:01 Monday 9 January to 23:59: Saturday 14 January (Aslef and RMT drivers' strike) 00:01 Friday 16 December to 23:59: Friday 16 December (Aslef and RMT drivers' strike) 00:01 Monday 19 December to 23:59 Tuesday 20 December (RMT conductors' strike) 00:01 Saturday 31 December to 23:59 Monday 2 January (RMT conductors' strike) 00:01 Monday 9 January to 23:59: Saturday 14 January (Aslef and RMT drivers' strike)

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["Southern", "Rail travel"]

english

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-36903196

Brexit: Scotch whisky producers in tariffs warning

Scotch whisky producers have warned the recent Brexit vote is likely to result in a big rise in tariffs imposed on exports to key growth markets.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said countries such as South Korea, South Africa and Colombia currently had trade arrangements with the EU that meant no or very low tariffs on whisky. It warned levies to those markets could rise to 20% as a result of Brexit. SWA called for a trade policy that was "as open and free trading as possible". The industry body also urged the UK government to provide clarity on future trading arrangements as soon as possible. More than £3.8bn worth of Scotch was exported last year, almost a third of which was shipped to the EU. Having completed a post-referendum consultation with its membership, SWA said Scotch would continue to benefit from existing zero tariffs in countries such as the US, Canada and Mexico. But the industry body warned that leaving the EU meant the UK would eventually lose access to the EU's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). It argued that unless there were transitional arrangements, Scotch would lose "significant tariff reductions" in markets such as Korea, South Africa, Colombia and Peru. The SWA said: "The UK will eventually need to negotiate its own FTAs or rely, as the EU largely does with most countries, on WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules. This will take a major upgrade of capacity within the UK government and can't be done quickly." The body also called for the UK to develop its own network of trade agreements with non-EU countries over the medium term. SWA chief executive David Frost said: "We are calling on the UK government to bring clarity to the transition to Brexit as soon as possible, and to negotiate to ensure that the current open trading environment is not affected. "Finding practical ways forward on export practicalities and on free trade agreements should be high on the agenda as negotiations begin in the coming months. "We plan to play an active role in influencing this whole process to ensure that Scotch remains a product enjoyed across the globe." There are few details on how trade is expected to develop after the break from the EU. But in his first major speech as the new UK Trade Secretary last week, Liam Fox said: "Leaving the EU gives us back control of our trade policy to set our own terms with the rest of the world. "We will have the opportunity to make our tax systems even more competitive, take an axe to red tape that can hinder businesses, and shape a bright future for the UK as a beacon for open trade. "And in due course, we will set out a very ambitious programme of free trade areas (FTAs) with some of the most important and growing economies. "I have already had conversations with foreign counterparts who are keen to strike deals with the UK as soon as possible. And we will recruit and train many more trade experts so we are match fit to negotiate the best for Britain."

['Scotch Whisky Association', 'Food industry', 'Liam Fox', 'European Union', 'Brexit', 'Trade']

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["Scotch Whisky Association", "Food industry", "Liam Fox", "European Union", "Brexit", "Trade"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-54664355

Sudbury 'bag of bones' murder: Remains 'from one victim'

Police investigating the discovery of human bones in a river have confirmed that additional remains found in subsequent searches are from the same person.

The initial remains were found in two bin bags in the River Stour near Croft Bridge in Sudbury, Suffolk, on 27 August, prompting a murder inquiry. Tests revealed the remains were of a man of "athletic or muscular build". Police have spoken to more than 700 people to try to identify the victim. Officers are also appealing to trace a man seen swimming in the river one week before the remains were found. A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: "Tests to establish the timescale in which the victim died are continuing, as are efforts to identify him through the comparison of DNA across national and international databases." Det Ch Supt Eamonn Bridger said a "significant amount of work" had been carried out to "try to identify the victim and also who is responsible for depositing the bags". "We expect to receive further forensic test results by early next month, which may help us to determine how long the victim has been deceased," he said. "Establishing an approximate age for the victim is even more complex, with these tests taking much longer to complete and it is not guaranteed we will get a definitive answer." The force has appealed for anyone with concerns about a relative, friend or colleague they have not seen or heard from in a long time to contact officers. It has also asked for people to report anyone who was "acting suspiciously or displayed a real change in their character" in the days or weeks before the remains were discovered. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

['Sudbury', 'Missing people']

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NoPresentEntity

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english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-45612749

Hong Kong express rail link launches amid controversy

A high-speed rail link has been launched in Hong Kong, connecting the territory with mainland China.

The Express Rail Link connects Hong Kong to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in 40 minutes - less than half the time taken by older trains. Chinese authorities will be able to operate at a joint checkpoint at the station, and on the trains. This is controversial as it marks the first time Chinese criminal law will be enforced in Hong Kong territory. Critics say this violates Hong Kong's freedoms and mini-constitution. The rail link was launched at a ceremony on Saturday, with one local lawmaker praising the first bullet train journey to Guangzhou South as "very quiet, like I was on a plane". Government officials say the rail link will boost businesses in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The rail link will open to the public on Sunday - and also boost train connections with the rest of mainland China, including the capital Beijing. However, pro-democracy legislators boycotted the opening ceremony, and staged a protest outside the station, saying the rail link undermines Hong Kong's independent legal system. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997, under an agreement that the territory would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs", for 50 years. As a result, Hong Kong has its own laws, protections for certain rights and freedoms, and most mainland Chinese laws cannot be applied in the territory. The new rail link will mark the first time Chinese officials can enforce Chinese law in Hong Kong, in parts of the station, and on trains. China's top legislative body has said the arrangement does not undermine Hong Kong's autonomy, and its proponents argue it streamlines the immigration process. However, legal experts from the Hong Kong Bar Association have criticised the arrangement, saying it contravenes Hong Kong's mini-constitution. The rail link project has also been criticised for being delayed by three years, and going over budget by close to $3bn (£2bn).

['China', 'Rail travel', 'Hong Kong']

[{"entity": "Hong Kong", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "China", "label": "LOC"}]

Hong Kong ||| China

["China", "Rail travel", "Hong Kong"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49995909

British IS fighters taken into US custody, says Trump

Two of the so-called "IS Beatles" have been taken out of Syria to "a secure location controlled by the US", President Donald Trump has said.

El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey are accused of being part of an Islamic State group cell which kidnapped and murdered Western hostages in Syria. The pair - who are from London - are in the custody of the American military, according to US media reports. In a tweet, Mr Trump described them as "the worst of the worst". He said the decision to remove them from Syria had been taken "in case the Kurds or Turkey lose control". The New York Times and Washington Post say the pair have been removed from a prison run by Kurdish militia in northern Syria. The announcement comes after the US withdrew its forces from the region this week. On Wednesday President Trump told reporters the US had transferred "some of the most dangerous IS fighters" amid fears they could escape custody as Turkish troops invade Kurdish-held territory in northern Syria. The Kurds - who helped defeat IS in Syria and were key US allies in that fight - guard thousands of IS fighters and their relatives in prisons and camps in areas under their control. It is unclear whether they will continue to do so now that fighting has broken out. Other members of the IS cell - dubbed "The Beatles" because of their British accents - included Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John, who was killed in a US air strike in 2015, and Aine Davis, who has been jailed in Turkey. Emwazi is thought to have killed US journalist James Foley in 2014. All four were radicalised in the UK before travelling to Syria. Elsheikh and Kotey have since been stripped of their British citizenship. The pair are designated as terrorists by the US State Department, which links them to the group's executions and "exceptionally cruel torture methods" including electric shocks, waterboarding and mock executions. They were said to have been captured by Kurdish forces in January 2018. The New York Times reports the US is planning to take Elsheikh and Kotey to Virginia, where they will be put on trial. However, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said they should "come home to face justice". A Home Office spokesperson said "it would be inappropriate to comment whilst legal proceedings are ongoing". By Quentin Sommerville, BBC Middle East Correspondent The Kurds have only one purpose-built, refurbished prison. It's in Hassakeh, far from the Turkish incursion. There, the men are crammed in, nose to tail in orange jumpsuits, shaven-headed and emaciated. There are 2,000 foreign fighters held there and in informal jails - former schools and office buildings, with weaker security - closer to the front lines. Many thousands more Iraqi and Syrian IS supporters are also locked up. Despite warnings from the Kurdish authorities that Western countries must repatriate their jihadists, few have obliged. Britain has stripped most of its IS suspects of their citizenship, in the hope of preventing their return. The prisons were already overwhelmed before Turkey attacked the Kurds; now they are undermanned too, as the Kurdish militia has sent prison guards to fight at the front. Western military and intelligence personnel have already left the areas for fear of encountering Turkey's advance. There is the risk of a counter-terrorism crisis in Syria. It took an international coalition and thousands of Arab and Kurdish lives to put IS fighters behind bars. The group super-charged its growth 10 years ago by breaking hundreds of people out of prison in Iraq. Many IS supporters believe they will try again. It remains to be seen whether the evidence against the pair amassed by British investigators will be handed over in full to US authorities. Former Prime Minister Theresa May, when she was home secretary in 2015, told Washington the UK would only hand over evidence after receiving a categorical guarantee that neither man would be executed. The UK has long sought and obtained such a death penalty assurance from the US. That position was reiterated by Mrs May's successor, Amber Rudd, but then reversed after Sajid Javid entered the Home Office in April 2018. Mr Javid decided to hand over 600 witness statements, without seeking any kind of guarantee that Elsheikh and Kotey would not be put to death. Elsheikh's mother, Maha Elgizouli challenged the decision but, in January, lost that case in the High Court. The issue is currently being decided by the UK Supreme Court.

['United States', 'Islamic State group', 'Syria']

[{"entity": "IS Beatles", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Syria", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "US", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Donald Trump", "label": "PER"}]

Syria ||| US

["United States", "Islamic State group", "Syria"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-39305690

Week in pictures: 11-17 March 2017

Our selection of some of the most striking news photographs taken around the world this week.

All photographs are copyrighted.

['Documentary photography']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["Documentary photography"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34664544

Tech giant Sony swings to profit on PS4 sales

Japanese tech giant Sony swung to a net profit in the second quarter of its financial year, driven by strong sales of its PlayStation 4 video games.

Profit was 33.6bn yen ($278m; £182m) in the three months to September, compared with a 136bn yen loss a year earlier. The results are big turnaround for the firm that has seen years of losses and undergone a restructuring, which has resulted in job cuts and asset sales. Its first half restructuring charges were down 35% at 15.7bn yen. But sales of its smartphones continued to decline. "In the Mobile Communications segment, sales decreased primarily due to a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales resulting from a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability," the company said. Overall, its sales fell 0.5% to 1.8tn yen despite the uptick in demand for PS4 games and image sensors. Expecting to sell more PS4 consoles, Sony left its forecast for earnings for the year ending in March 2016 unchanged. "Sales are expected to be higher than the July forecast primarily due to an expected increase in PS4 hardware unit sales and PS4 software sales," the company said. The earnings report comes a day after Sony announced that it would take over Toshiba's image sensor business.

['Companies', 'Japan', 'Sony']

[{"entity": "Sony", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "PlayStation 4", "label": "INST"}]

Sony

["Companies", "Japan", "Sony"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52667502

'Surge' in illegal bird of prey killings since lockdown

The wildlife charity the RSPB says it has been "overrun" by reports of birds of prey being illegally killed since the lockdown started six weeks ago.

Species of raptors (birds of prey) that had been targeted include hen harriers, peregrine falcons, red kites, goshawks, buzzards and a barn owl. The wildlife charity described the crimes as "orchestrated". It said the "vast majority" had connections with shooting estates, or land managed for shooting. Some raptors are known to feed on pheasant and grouse chicks. The head of the RSPB's investigations unit, Mark Thomas, told the BBC it was like "the Wild West" out in the countryside. He said people who wanted to kill birds of prey had been "emboldened" by the absence of walkers and hikers. He said the surge correlated exactly with the date the lockdown was imposed. At this time of year he said that the RSPB would normally be getting three or four reports of the killing of protected bird species each week. They now have three or four reports of a killing each day, and they are coming from across the country. The wildlife charity alleges that the incidents are overwhelmingly connected with land managed for sport shoots. Raptors prey on bird species that have been specifically reared for be killed for sport, like grouse or pheasant. Mr Thomas said, "I am genuinely disturbed. in more than 20 years of investigating, I've never seen anything like it. We are having to put ongoing investigations on hold in order to triage all these reports... This isn't youngsters with air rifles but orchestrated wildlife crime." According to the RSPB, on 29 March a buzzard was found shot at Shipton, near York. Its wing was fractured in two places and an X-ray revealed several pieces of shot within the bird's body. The buzzard recovered and was released. Over the Easter Weekend, a red kite was found shot dead near Leeds. It had 12 shotgun pellets lodged in its body. The following weekend, a dead red kite was found in Powys, which had been shot. There were also reports of another two shot red kites in the region. In another case, in South West England, ten buzzards were found, all thought to have been poisoned. The Investigation Unit suspects that the true number of incidents could be much higher, as there are fewer people out in the countryside who might report cases, with walkers and specialist raptor groups under lockdown. All birds of prey are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). The Moorland Association (MA), whose members include many shooting estates in England and Wales, said it condemned illegal activity. The MA's Director, Amanda Anderson, said: "Any confirmed reports of raptor persecution are cause for concern. The incidents specified near Leeds and York in the RSPB release are clearly not on grouse moors, while reports we have from our members in the uplands have suggested that many birds of prey are in fact benefiting from the lock-down restrictions and the subsequent reduction in disturbance from members of the public. "Estates across the country have reported a number of raptors including peregrine, merlin and hen harriers nesting and living on those landscapes. "We condemn any illegal activity and Moorland Association members have signed up to a cross-sector zero tolerance approach to wildlife crime. Estates and gamekeepers have been the eyes and ears on the ground during lockdown, reporting suspicious activity. They are also actively working with police authorities in Operation Owl - an initiative to raise awareness of raptor persecution. We always encourage reporting of any suspicious incident."

['RSPB', 'Birds']

[{"entity": "RSPB", "label": "ORG"}]

RSPB

["RSPB", "Birds"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38663537

City banks warn of Brexit job moves

Two of the largest investment banks in the City of London have confirmed that some staff will definitely have to move abroad when the UK leaves the EU.

HSBC's chief executive, Stuart Gulliver, told Bloomberg he was preparing to move 1,000 staff from London to Paris. And Axel Weber, boss of Swiss bank UBS, told the BBC "about 1,000" of its 5,000 London jobs could be hit by Brexit. The comments underline that many thousands of banking jobs may move. The statements from the two banks come just a day after UK Prime Minister Theresa May outlined the UK government's Brexit negotiating strategy which would, she said, involve leaving both the European single market and the EU's customs union. Analysis: Simon Jack, BBC business editor It seems that HSBC wasn't bluffing. The day after Theresa May confirmed the UK will be leaving the single market, HSBC confirmed plans to move 1,000 bankers to Paris. We always knew how many but today we learned how much business they would take with them from London. Those bankers generate 20% of HSBC's European banking revenue - a number that HSBC wouldn't split out but is in the billions. Revenue is not the same as profit but the move will dent government tax receipts, as will the loss of income tax from a thousand highly paid investment bankers. UBS has also previously threatened to move 1,500 bankers, nearly a third of its workforce, to Europe in the event of Brexit. But today the chairman Axel Weber told the BBC he hoped the final number would be lower. UBS privately acknowledge that whatever happens a significant number of jobs will leave, most probably to Frankfurt, and that process will start soon after the UK triggers Article 50 - the mechanism to leave the EU. With Britain's exit from the single market confirmed by the Prime Minister, what were once contingency plans are now becoming reality. UK citizens voted in a referendum last June that the country should leave the European Union. Since then, there has been widespread speculation that many financial jobs based in London might migrate to cities in the rest of Europe, such as Dublin, Paris or Frankfurt, so that the banks concerned could continue to offer their services to EU clients. Mr Gulliver said his bank was in no rush, but added: "Specifically what will happen is those activities covered specifically by European financial regulation will need to move, looking at our own numbers. "That's about 20% of the revenue," he told Bloomberg Television at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. But he added: "I don't see the foreign exchange market moving, the investment grade bond market moving, the equity market moving and the high-yield bond market moving." HSBC has already said that post-Brexit it would keep its global headquarters in London and its UK headquarters in Birmingham. And Mr Gulliver explained that HSBC was helped by the fact that it already had a bank established within the EU as it had bought Credit Commercial de France in 2002. But he said the position for other banks was different. "Some of our other fellow bankers have to make decisions pretty quickly now - given that the UK said it will come out of the single market - about applying for banking licenses in some of the EU countries. We don't have to do that," he said. Last week, the chairman of HSBC, Douglas Flint, told a committee of MPs that 1,000 jobs at his bank's London offices would move to France once Brexit was triggered, a point his bank first made in the aftermath of the referendum last June. UBS chief executive Sergio Ermotti told Bloomberg he would have a better idea towards the end of 2017 about how many jobs at his bank will need to move out of London. But one of his senior executives, Andrea Orcel, also speaking at Davos, said: "With Brexit we will have to [move] and the question is how many. "That will very much depend on the agreement that the UK will reach with the EU - but we will definitely have to go." Mr Orcel added that his bank was "anticipating the worst". He explained that if the UK and the EU did not reach any sort of transition deal about Brexit, then some of his staff in London would have to be moved as soon as the UK government invoked Article 50, the legal procedure to leave the EU. Meanwhile the Irish airline Ryanair says it may abandon its few routes which are wholly within the UK, once Brexit is achieved. Its finance director, Neil Sorahan, said it might take this step rather than to comply with new regulations which demand that it obtain a UK air operating certificate. Domestic UK flights involve only 2% of the company's routes.

['UK banking', 'HSBC', 'UBS', 'Banking', 'Brexit']

[{"entity": "City of London", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "UK", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "EU", "label": "ORG"}]

UK ||| EU

["UK banking", "HSBC", "UBS", "Banking", "Brexit"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30569101

'Real change' in Scots NHS urged by BMA chief

Real change is needed to tackle the challenges facing the NHS in Scotland, the body representing doctors has said.

Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, Dr Peter Bennie, said the health service must learn from past "mistakes and missed opportunities". He said there had been huge reliance on the goodwill of staff, but that this was not a sustainable solution. The Scottish government said it agreed that the way health and social care is delivered in Scotland must change. In his first Christmas message since taking over as chairman of the BMA, Dr Bennie highlighted a number of recent reports which have been critical of the NHS. These have included a probe into above-average mortality rates in NHS Lanarkshire, and an inquiry into a deadly Clostridium difficile outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire. He said: "Before we look forward, we first need to look back to learn from mistakes and missed opportunities. "In October of this year, an Audit Scotland report raised questions around the impact of the target culture in the NHS; flagging up points of concern shared by the profession. "It found that the drive to achieve targets at all costs diverted resources and undermined the professionalism of doctors. "The Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) report into NHS Lanarkshire and the inquiry into the Vale of Leven both illustrate that systems can become unstable when resources are stretched too thinly." The BMA chairman also mentioned the HIS review at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and said it was "reassuring" that showed that patient care had not suffered in spite of the "cultural and organisational problems" at the hospital. He added: "There has been a huge reliance on the goodwill of staff across Scotland to keep things going but this is not a sustainable solution. "The focus must be on delivering high quality care to the people of Scotland and to make sure our NHS is sustainable for future generations." Dr Bennie also expressed disappointment that legislation to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol continued to be challenged in the courts, and highlighted concerns over the implications for the NHS of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Protocols (TTIP) negotiations. "The possible increased risk of privatisation of NHS services is now well recognised, but the opportunity for public health policies to be undermined by investor protection arrangements within TTIP is not," he said. The Scottish government said legislation to bring the delivery of health and social care together was passed earlier this year and will be fully implemented across the country by April 2016. A spokeswoman added: "The full integration of these services is designed to get patients home or to a homely setting as quickly as possible and ease pressure across the system. "The health secretary has identified reducing delayed discharge as one of her key priorities for the year ahead and we have invested an additional £10m in ensuring people are not waiting unnecessarily in hospital, when they are fit to be discharged. "This is as part of the Scottish government's £28m investment this year in preparing for winter. "As part of our focus to treat more people at home and in the community, we have also committed to investing £40m in GP and primary care services to support new ways of working that can help meet the changing demographics of our population." On the issue of TTIP and what effect it could have on the NHS in Scotland, the spokeswoman added: "We have made clear to both the UK government and the European Commission that, like the BMA, we have concerns about the possible impact of TTIP on the NHS and have pressed to ensure that the NHS is explicitly exempt from TTIP. "The Scottish government and the public must see the full legal text of any agreement before we can be fully assured that the NHS will continue to be safe in public hands."

['Scottish government', 'NHS Scotland']

[{"entity": "Scotland", "label": "LOC"}]

Scotland

["Scottish government", "NHS Scotland"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35907385

Primary tests: What are the changes?

Year 6 pupils across England are sitting new, more rigorous, national curriculum tests, known as Sats. The BBC News website answers some of the key questions about changes to - and complications with - the tests this year.

Children in Year 2 (aged 6-7) and Year 6 (aged 10 and 11) are the first cohort to take new, more rigorous Sats tests this summer term. Children will still sit tests in reading, maths and spelling, punctuation and grammar. But the tests are more demanding than previous years, with more expected of pupils. Up until last year, Sats tests were graded on levels - for example Level 4 was the expected level for children finishing primary school. But these national curriculum levels have now been scrapped. Instead parents will be given their child's raw score (the actual number of marks they get) and whether they have reached the national average. Year 6 Sats are largely marked externally, while Year 2 Sats will still be marked by teachers at the school. Children who do not reach the expected level in their Key Stage 2 tests at the of primary will be expected to re-sit tests when they go on to secondary school. Children in Year 2 (aged 6-7) and Year 6 (aged 10 and 11) are the first cohort to take new, more rigorous Sats tests this summer term. Children will still sit tests in reading, maths and spelling, punctuation and grammar. But the tests are more demanding than previous years, with more expected of pupils. Up until last year, Sats tests were graded on levels - for example Level 4 was the expected level for children finishing primary school. But these national curriculum levels have now been scrapped. Instead parents will be given their child's raw score (the actual number of marks they get) and whether they have reached the national average. Year 6 Sats are largely marked externally, while Year 2 Sats will still be marked by teachers at the school. Children who do not reach the expected level in their Key Stage 2 tests at the of primary will be expected to re-sit tests when they go on to secondary school. Tests for Year 6 (Key Stage 2) pupils are taking place between Monday 9 May and Friday 13 May this year. Tests for Year 2 (Key Stage 1) pupils are taking place during the month of May, at a time chosen by the school. Tests for Year 6 (Key Stage 2) pupils are taking place between Monday 9 May and Friday 13 May this year. Tests for Year 2 (Key Stage 1) pupils are taking place during the month of May, at a time chosen by the school. Yes. It emerged in the early hours of Tuesday, on the morning it was due to be taken by 600,000 children, that a spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) test had been published online. The Sats answers appeared for four hours on a password-protected website. The Department for Education blamed a "rogue marker" and put the leak down to an "active campaign by those people opposed to our reforms to undermine these tests" and says Tuesday's tests will go ahead as planned. It also emerged at the end of last month that a spelling and grammar test for Year 2 pupils had been accidentally put online by officials and the government was forced to scrap it. Half a million seven-year-olds in England had been due to take the test. Yes. It emerged in the early hours of Tuesday, on the morning it was due to be taken by 600,000 children, that a spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) test had been published online. The Sats answers appeared for four hours on a password-protected website. The Department for Education blamed a "rogue marker" and put the leak down to an "active campaign by those people opposed to our reforms to undermine these tests" and says Tuesday's tests will go ahead as planned. It also emerged at the end of last month that a spelling and grammar test for Year 2 pupils had been accidentally put online by officials and the government was forced to scrap it. Half a million seven-year-olds in England had been due to take the test. Many schools run booster classes in the run-up to Sats, particularly for Year 6 children, to bolster pupils' chances of doing well. Some parents have their children privately tutored. The stakes are high for schools, as the data from the Year 2 and 6 Sats tests is used to publish school "league tables", which rank primary schools on performance. Critics of the tests, which were brought in 25 years ago to regulate educational standards, say this pressure on schools means pupils are taught to the test in their final year of primary school. Many schools run booster classes in the run-up to Sats, particularly for Year 6 children, to bolster pupils' chances of doing well. Some parents have their children privately tutored. The stakes are high for schools, as the data from the Year 2 and 6 Sats tests is used to publish school "league tables", which rank primary schools on performance. Critics of the tests, which were brought in 25 years ago to regulate educational standards, say this pressure on schools means pupils are taught to the test in their final year of primary school. Some schools offer pre-Sats breakfasts in an attempt to raise children's morale - and also to make sure they aren't hungry! Others write letters to pupils explaining that the tests are not the be all and end all of their school career. Earlier this week, an inspiring letter sent out to pupils by several schools went viral. Some schools offer pre-Sats breakfasts in an attempt to raise children's morale - and also to make sure they aren't hungry! Others write letters to pupils explaining that the tests are not the be all and end all of their school career. Earlier this week, an inspiring letter sent out to pupils by several schools went viral. Yes and no. Tests for Reception pupils are known as "baseline tests". They cover reading, writing and maths and are carried out when pupils start school. The government had intended to use these tests to assess primary schools' performance. Schools could have opted to use them in September 2015 for the current Reception cohort. The tests were to be rolled out across all schools in September 2016 - but they have been postponed. In April, ministers abandoned the tests after a study showed the papers - which are offered by three different providers - could not be reliably compared. Ministers admitted using them to measure primaries would be "inappropriate and unfair". With regard to these tests, critics had always maintained that testing four-year-olds is too much, too soon. Yes and no. Tests for Reception pupils are known as "baseline tests". They cover reading, writing and maths and are carried out when pupils start school. The government had intended to use these tests to assess primary schools' performance. Schools could have opted to use them in September 2015 for the current Reception cohort. The tests were to be rolled out across all schools in September 2016 - but they have been postponed. In April, ministers abandoned the tests after a study showed the papers - which are offered by three different providers - could not be reliably compared. Ministers admitted using them to measure primaries would be "inappropriate and unfair". With regard to these tests, critics had always maintained that testing four-year-olds is too much, too soon. Primary tests have changed in line with a new curriculum brought into England's schools by the Department for Education (DfE) in September 2014. The new curriculum covers primary school pupils, aged five to 11, as well as secondary school pupils up to the age of 14. Primary tests have changed in line with a new curriculum brought into England's schools by the Department for Education (DfE) in September 2014. The new curriculum covers primary school pupils, aged five to 11, as well as secondary school pupils up to the age of 14. We first knew about the changes two years ago, when the new curriculum was announced in March 2014, by the then Education Secretary Michael Gove. Parents can be forgiven for not remembering all this new information in a seemingly ever-changing landscape of education reform. The DfE has given schools further information on the changes to help them adapt their approach and assessment arrangements, including sample papers. We first knew about the changes two years ago, when the new curriculum was announced in March 2014, by the then Education Secretary Michael Gove. Parents can be forgiven for not remembering all this new information in a seemingly ever-changing landscape of education reform. The DfE has given schools further information on the changes to help them adapt their approach and assessment arrangements, including sample papers. The government says all children must leave primary school with a good standard of reading, writing and maths. The DfE's website says "previous expectations for children were too low". It says the new assessment system has been designed to reflect the "new, more challenging national curriculum". The government says all children must leave primary school with a good standard of reading, writing and maths. The DfE's website says "previous expectations for children were too low". It says the new assessment system has been designed to reflect the "new, more challenging national curriculum". No. Critics say all these tests for primary-age children are an unnecessary burden. In the week before this year's round of primary tests, some parents took their children out of school for the day in protest at the pressure being put on children. But those in favour of testing say it holds schools to account - and that can only be good news for pupils and parents. No. Critics say all these tests for primary-age children are an unnecessary burden. In the week before this year's round of primary tests, some parents took their children out of school for the day in protest at the pressure being put on children. But those in favour of testing say it holds schools to account - and that can only be good news for pupils and parents. There are no Sats in Scotland. However, Scotland's First Minister announced in August 2015 that new national, standardised assessments will be introduced for pupils in P1 (equivalent to Reception in England and Wales), P4 (Year 3) and P7 (Year 6). The new assessments will start in 2017, after being piloted in 2016, and will focus on literacy and numeracy. In Wales, statutory teacher assessments take place at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6), but pupils do not take Sats. From May 2013, all children in Wales from Years 2 to 9 have taken national reading and numeracy tests as part to a new national literacy and numeracy framework. Pupils in Northern Ireland are given computer-based assessments in numeracy and literacy - or InCAS tests - in Years 4 to 7 (equivalent to Years 3 to 6 in England and Wales). Teachers give pupils levels at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 4) and Key Stage 2 based on how they perform in the general cross-curricular skills of communication, using Mathematics and using IT. There are no Sats in Scotland. However, Scotland's First Minister announced in August 2015 that new national, standardised assessments will be introduced for pupils in P1 (equivalent to Reception in England and Wales), P4 (Year 3) and P7 (Year 6). The new assessments will start in 2017, after being piloted in 2016, and will focus on literacy and numeracy. In Wales, statutory teacher assessments take place at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6), but pupils do not take Sats. From May 2013, all children in Wales from Years 2 to 9 have taken national reading and numeracy tests as part to a new national literacy and numeracy framework. Pupils in Northern Ireland are given computer-based assessments in numeracy and literacy - or InCAS tests - in Years 4 to 7 (equivalent to Years 3 to 6 in England and Wales). Teachers give pupils levels at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 4) and Key Stage 2 based on how they perform in the general cross-curricular skills of communication, using Mathematics and using IT.

['Schools', 'Exams']

[{"entity": "England", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "BBC News", "label": "ORG"}]

England

["Schools", "Exams"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-58087826

Aya Hachem: Men jailed for student's drive-by murder

Seven men have been jailed for murdering a student who was shot dead in a feud between two rival tyre firms.

Aya Hachem, 19, was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" when she was killed in the botched drive-by shooting in Blackburn on 17 May last year. Tyre firm boss Feroz Suleman, 40, had arranged the execution of a rival businessman but the gunman he hired shot dead Ms Hachem instead. He was jailed at Preston Crown Court for life with a minimum of 34 years. The judge, Mr Justice Turner, told Suleman he was "the driving force behind the whole deadly enterprise from beginning to end and followed through this plan with obsessive determination". "When you were in prison you commented you were the captain of the ship and if you were to go down then everyone would go down with you. How right you were," he said. Ms Hachem was shot as she was walking to the supermarket to buy food for her family to eat when they broke their Ramadan fast. The Salford University law student, who dreamed of becoming a solicitor, was fatally struck by the second of two bullets fired at 15:00 BST. Gunman Zamir Raja, 33, who agreed to carrying out the shooting for £1,500, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 34 years.  Accomplices Kashif Manzoor, 26, Ayaz Hussain, 36, Abubakr Satia, 32, Anthony Ennis, 31, and Uthman Satia, 29, were also jailed for life. In a moving victim impact statement, Ms Hachem's father Ismail said he had brought his family to the UK to "seek a better life" in 2011 after fleeing from violence in Lebanon. He told the court his daughter was a "shining star in our lives and would always make us smile and happy even when times were bad". "Aya was determined to do well in life. I once told her she would be the prime minister," he said. "They didn't just kill Aya they killed our whole family. The light in our lives has gone out, all of our hopes and dreams have gone." The feud between the two businesses started in early 2019 when Quickshine Tyres, which previously only washed cars, began selling tyres next door to RI Tyres. The bitter dispute escalated and Suleman hatched a murderous plot to kill Pachah Khan, the proprietor of Quickshine, with the help of his accomplices. The court heard how a Toyota Avensis driven by Ennis with hitman Raja on board drove past Quickshine on three occasions shortly before the fatal fourth journey. Footage from CCTV cameras captured Suleman standing outside his premises with a "ringside seat" to the shooting. Giving evidence at the 12-week trial, father-of-two Suleman, who was previously jailed in 2001 for causing the death of a 67-year-old man by dangerous driving, denied any knowledge of a plot to kill Mr Khan However, Hussain told jurors that Suleman wanted Mr Khan "roughed up" and introduced him to Raja who suggested a drive-by with shots fired in the air to scare him. Suleman was quoted a price of £1,500 and excitedly agreed straightaway, said Hussain, who also claimed there was no plan to kill Mr Khan. On Tuesday, jurors took less than four hours to find the seven men guilty of murdering Ms Hachem and the attempted murder of Mr Khan. Sentencing them, Mr Justice Turner said: "None of you seven showed any remorse in the aftermath of the shooting. Together you tried to lie, scheme and plot your way out of trouble. "It was not long before you all started to sacrifice your co-defendants in an attempt to save your own skins." Judy Chapman, 26, of Great Harwood, who drove the gunman and driver from Bolton with her boyfriend Uthman Satia, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and will be sentenced on 1 October. Follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

['Partington', 'Blackburn', 'Great Harwood', 'Stretford']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["Partington", "Blackburn", "Great Harwood", "Stretford"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-31743598

China's Premier Li Keqiang sets out economic goals

China's Premier Li Keqiang unveiled a lower growth target and pledged tighter environmental controls as he opened parliament's annual session.

Addressing the National People's Congress (NPC), Mr Li said China would target growth of about 7% in 2015. With traditional drivers of growth weakening, more structural reform was needed going forward, he said. Describing pollution as a "blight" on quality of life, he said environmental laws would be strictly enforced. Some 3,000 legislators from across China convene for the annual legislative session at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. China describes the NPC as the "supreme organ of state power". It has the power to enact and amend legislation. In practice, it is generally considered a rubber stamp for the ruling Communist Party. The premier's work report traditionally opens the session, which ends on 15 March. Every year, the Chinese premier's annual work report skims a wide variety of topics. The speech is supposed to function as a grand overview of the government's triumphs and failures in the past year, while also signalling Beijing's future priorities. This year showed a narrowed focus on two major topics: the economy and the environment. Thirty pages of Li Keqiang's 38-page speech were devoted to the slowing economy. He used the now-ubiquitous phrase the "new normal" to reassure his audience that a lower GDP forecast of 7% was natural and would be in place for a few years. But the most heartfelt language focused on environmental pollution, an issue that Li Keqiang acknowledged was "a blight on people's quality of life and a trouble that weighs on their hearts". A long list of promises followed, from forest protection to the promotion of electric vehicles. On both issues, Mr Li attempted to strike the same tone: he wanted to appear in touch with problems on the ground and the frustrations of the Chinese people, while reassuring the public that his government knows how to tackle the problems. Announcing the annual growth target, Mr Li said China had to "maintain a proper balance between ensuring steady growth and making structural adjustments". The 7% figure is lower than the 7.5% set last year - a target that was missed as China grew at its slowest pace in 24 years. After years of double-digit growth, China's leaders are now advocating a "new normal" of slower expansion. The world's second largest economy is trying to move from an export-led growth model fuelled by government investment to one driven by higher domestic consumption and a larger services sector. "Deep-seated problems in the country's economic development are becoming more obvious," said Mr Li. "The difficulties we are facing this year could be bigger than last year. The new year is a crucial year for deepening all-round reforms." He said China aimed to create more than 10 million new urban jobs in 2015 and maintain an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Job creation is seen as vital to providing employment for the millions of new graduates who emerge on to the job market each year. On the environment, Mr Li promised to fight pollution "with all our might". "We must strictly enforce environmental laws and regulations; crack down on those guilty of creating illegal emissions and ensure they pay a heavy price for such offences," he said. China is facing major pollution problems after runaway industrialisation. Last year, a government report found almost a fifth of China's soil was contaminated. Unhealthy levels of smog frequently hit its major cities. Mr Li touched on corruption only briefly, telling lawmakers that the "tough stance" was here to stay. The government also confirmed that the military budget would rise 10.1% in 2015, as indicated on Wednesday by an official.

['China']

[{"entity": "China", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Li Keqiang", "label": "PER"}]

China ||| Li Keqiang

["China"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44924814

Uber driver streamed hidden camera videos on Twitch

An Uber and Lyft driver who broadcast videos of his passengers online has been suspended from both car-sharing services.

Jason Gargac live-streamed passengers' journeys on video-sharing site Twitch, where viewers would comment on their behaviour and appearance. Local newspaper the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said passengers were seen kissing, vomiting and gossiping about relatives and work colleagues. His Twitch channel has been suspended. Mr Gargac worked as a part-time Uber and Lyft driver in the St Louis area of Missouri, USA. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, passengers did not always know he was live-streaming their journey from a camera mounted on the windscreen. The practice is not typically illegal in Missouri as long as one party - in this case Mr Gargac - has given consent for the recording to take place. However, there are additional rules about broadcasting footage where a person might have a "reasonable expectation of privacy". Many viewers of Mr Gargac's videos left derogatory comments on the videos, rating passengers for their attractiveness. "The blonde is a seven, the brunette a five," one wrote. "She doesn't sit like a lady," another added. Some of the videos also revealed passengers' names and addresses. Following questions from the newspaper, Uber said it had suspended Mr Gargac. "The troubling behaviour in the videos is not in line with our community guidelines," it said in a statement. "The driver's access to the app has been removed while we evaluate his partnership with Uber." Lyft also suspended Mr Gargac. Mr Gargac told the newspaper he had made changes to offer passengers more privacy, including switching off the street-facing camera when approaching passengers' homes. Some conversations and visuals were also blocked from his livestream.

['Internet privacy', 'Uber', 'United States', 'Privacy']

[{"entity": "Uber and Lyft", "label": "ORG"}]

Uber and Lyft

["Internet privacy", "Uber", "United States", "Privacy"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38178625

Trump names Gen James 'Mad Dog' Mattis as defence secretary

US President-elect Donald Trump has named Gen James Mattis, a former marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as his defence secretary.

"He's our best," Mr Trump said, as he announced his pick in a speech in Ohio. Gen Mattis, who is known as "Mad Dog", was an outspoken critic of the Obama administration's Middle East policy, particularly on Iran. He has referred to Iran as "the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East". Mr Trump made the announcement in Cincinnati at the start of a "USA Thank You Tour 2016" for his supporters. "We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defence," he told the crowd. "They say he's the closest thing to General George Patton [World War Two commander] that we have." This was billed as the first stop on President-elect Donald Trump's "thank you" tour of states he flipped from Democrat to Republican in the 2016 election. It ended up being more like an extended end zone dance, an "in your face" primal scream at all his critics and naysayers. He took swipes at Hillary Clinton, to a chorus of "lock her up" chants from the crowd. He bemoaned the lack of support he received from his own party. And, as always, he fired invective at the media, as the boos rained down on the reporters typing away in their cordoned-off pen. The one bit of news he did reveal - that he had picked retired General James Mattis to be defence secretary - was seemingly impromptu. "Don't let it out of this room, promise," he said, to cheers. It was Campaign Trump in top form. He clearly had a script - unveiling his "action plan" for his presidency - but he enthusiastically deviated from it, much to the crowd's delight. "Should I go on just a little bit longer?" he asked. The crowd roared. During his speech he said a divided America must come together, but it seems unlikely any Democrats watching felt like sharing a group hug. Trump settles scores in "thank-you" event Mr Trump has previously described Gen Mattis, 66, as "a true general's general". However, a legal hurdle must be overcome before he can be appointed. Under US law, a retired officer must be out of uniform for at least seven years before he or she can serve as defence secretary. The Republican-controlled Congress will need to approve legislation bypassing the requirement so he can take up the role. But at least one Democratic senator, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, says she will not approve a waiver. "Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy," Ms Gillibrand said in a statement, "and I will not vote for an exception to this rule." Gen Mattis led an assault battalion during the first Gulf war in 1991 and commanded a task force into southern Afghanistan in 2001. The retired Marine Corps officer also took part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and played a key role a year later in the battle of Fallujah against Iraqi insurgents. Gen Mattis retired in 2013 after serving as the commander of the US Central Command. Correspondents say his nomination will be popular among US forces. He also received the backing of Senator John McCain, chairman of the armed services committee, who will conduct his confirmation hearing. "He is without a doubt one of the finest military officers of his generation and an extraordinary leader who inspires a rare and special admiration of his troops," Senator McCain said in a statement. "America will be fortunate to have General Mattis in its service once again."

['Donald Trump', 'United States']

[{"entity": "Donald Trump", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "James Mattis", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Iraq", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Afghanistan", "label": "LOC"}]

Donald Trump ||| James Mattis ||| Iraq ||| Afghanistan

["Donald Trump", "United States"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44594652

Trump calls for deportations without judicial process

US President Donald Trump has called for speedy deportations that bypass any judicial process in a tweet on Sunday.

"When somebody comes in, we must immediately, with no Judges or Court Cases, bring them back from where they came," Mr Trump wrote. His comments come days after Mr Trump reversed a policy to separate migrant children from their parents following fierce backlash at home and abroad. More than 2,300 children were separated from their parents in May and June. As of May, all migrants who cross the US border illegally face criminal prosecution under the "zero tolerance" policy. The president did not make the distinction between economic migrants and those seeking asylum. Mr Trump has faced criticism, including from his own Republican Party, for his choice of language on Twitter. When he earlier said illegal immigrants threatened "to pour into and infest our Country", Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tweeted back at him saying his "baseless rhetoric" was "repugnant" and dehumanised those looking for a better life. US immigration officials say 2,342 children were separated from 2,206 parents from 5 May to 9 June. On 20 June, Mr Trump backed down from his support for the policy and signed an executive order ending the practice of separating families. He said at the time: "I did not like the sight or feeling of families being separated." Mr Trump's directive allows for long-term detention of immigrant children (albeit with their parents), which violates federal law that limits child detention to 20 days. Chris Buckler, BBC Washington Correspondent A public outcry over migrant children being separated from their parents, forced Donald Trump to soften his immigration policy. But since then, in a series of speeches, he has called for tougher laws - and claimed America's current legislation is laughed at by the rest of the world. His latest comments on Twitter go even further. He says that everyone found illegally trying to cross the border should be returned to their own country immediately - without involving judges or holding court cases. Political opponents will be furious that that's even been suggested but President Trump clearly believes his supporters back his hardline stance. Following Mr Trump's election in 2016, the numbers of migrants held or detained entry while crossing the border had dropped significantly. However, since February 2018, the number of migrants crossing the border illegally is up, with arrests last month more than double those in May 2017. While illegal crossings cannot be accurately counted, border arrests are used as a measure of illegal border crossings.

['Social media', 'Immigration', 'US migrant family separations', 'Deportation', 'Mexico–US border', 'US immigration', 'Twitter', 'Donald Trump']

[{"entity": "Donald Trump", "label": "PER"}]

Donald Trump

["Social media", "Immigration", "US migrant family separations", "Deportation", "Mexico\u2013US border", "US immigration", "Twitter", "Donald Trump"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32888039

Ghosts of the Mediterranean

Since the start of the year, about 75,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean to get to Europe, usually in overcrowded boats that aren't seaworthy. Often the boats are impounded to stop people smugglers using them again.

I found the spot where some of the migrant boats are laid to rest. Their graveyard is a patch of bare concrete tucked inside the port of Pozzallo. The decrepit fishing vessels used to ferry the migrants from the other side of the Mediterranean lie at awkward angles on the ground. Their names are daubed on their sides in bright colours, the Arabic lettering peeling off, their cabin roofs rounded like giant children's bath toys, their hulls painted in tasteful shades of light blue and red. I get talking to a man called Giuseppe who runs a cargo company at the port. "You see those boats at the back?" he says, pointing towards the perimeter fence. "Which would you say is cleaner?" The one on the left must have been out of the water for months, if not years. But nobody had ever called lost property about the belongings its final load of passengers had left behind. On the deck I can see a black rucksack, a man's padded jacket, fraying at the seams, and a child's shoe on which you can just about make out some brownish embroidered love hearts. Dozens of grubby, faded orange life jackets have spilled over the side on to the ground. My mind whirrs with the possibilities - did that mean there had been a false alarm, and that help had arrived before the life jackets were needed? Or that the craft had foundered before there had been time to put them on? In comparison, the boat next to it looks almost fit to return to sea. The migrants' luggage has been tidied into three enormous white sacks, of the type so huge that only a hydraulic lift can move them. Giuseppe tells me that he and his staff cleaned that boat up out of respect. After it had been brought to shore it, was discovered there had been 46 young people locked below deck. "They'd had no air down there," says Giuseppe. "By the time we found them, they'd been dead for four days. We worked all through the night without a break to bring the bodies out. We cut holes in the deck to let the stench out. That smell will stay with me for the rest of my life," he says, his eyes welling up with tears. "Do you know why it's so rare to find bodies when one of these boats sinks?" he asks. "It's because many of the migrants can't swim, so when they realise the ship's going down, they cling onto the side for dear life. Then rigor mortis sets in, and they're joined to the boat on the bottom of the sea forever more. A friend of mine is a diver in Lampedusa. He saw it for himself." Time and again, we hear that the migrants' real aim is to reach northern Europe. Italy is just a transit point, as it offers the closest and most accessible European shore. They have no intention of staying here. Indeed, some are even reported to have booked and paid for taxis to meet them at their intended landing points so they can be taken straight to Italy's borders with its richer, northern neighbours. The Italian authorities are said to be quite happy to turn a blind eye. But when the ships break down or when the coastguard intervenes, the media arrive and the bureaucratic machine has to process them. Then the migrants' choice is to try to stay here or be repatriated. Before visiting the ships' graveyard I'd been to a foster home in the nearby town of Noto, where a group of Egyptian teenagers had been living for two years. The seven youngsters I met were obviously well cared for, and integrated into their community. They had learned to speak not exactly Italian, but the Sicilian dialect, and had all adopted names like Ciccio and Roberto rather than use the Arabic names they'd arrived with. Now so many people come from North Africa it's clear that Italy can't possibly offer that sort of hospitality to all of them. "It's not that we don't want the migrants here," Giuseppe tells me, "we've taken their natural resources, so we do owe them." He points again at the group of rotting and rusting hulks at the water's edge. More than 150 of them have come into this harbour alone, he says. And every port in Sicily now has its own collection of migrant boats. "How can Italy possibly deal with all of these people by itself?" he asks adding: "You're a journalist, please tell the world, we need help." How to listen to From Our Own Correspondent: BBC Radio 4: Thursdays at 11:00 BST and Saturdays at 11:30 BST Listen online or download the podcast. BBC World Service: At weekends - see World Service programme schedule or listen online. Subscribe to the BBC News Magazine's email newsletter to get articles sent to your inbox. I found the spot where some of the migrant boats are laid to rest. Their graveyard is a patch of bare concrete tucked inside the port of Pozzallo. The decrepit fishing vessels used to ferry the migrants from the other side of the Mediterranean lie at awkward angles on the ground. Their names are daubed on their sides in bright colours, the Arabic lettering peeling off, their cabin roofs rounded like giant children's bath toys, their hulls painted in tasteful shades of light blue and red. I get talking to a man called Giuseppe who runs a cargo company at the port. "You see those boats at the back?" he says, pointing towards the perimeter fence. "Which would you say is cleaner?" The one on the left must have been out of the water for months, if not years. But nobody had ever called lost property about the belongings its final load of passengers had left behind. On the deck I can see a black rucksack, a man's padded jacket, fraying at the seams, and a child's shoe on which you can just about make out some brownish embroidered love hearts. Dozens of grubby, faded orange life jackets have spilled over the side on to the ground. My mind whirrs with the possibilities - did that mean there had been a false alarm, and that help had arrived before the life jackets were needed? Or that the craft had foundered before there had been time to put them on? In comparison, the boat next to it looks almost fit to return to sea. The migrants' luggage has been tidied into three enormous white sacks, of the type so huge that only a hydraulic lift can move them. Giuseppe tells me that he and his staff cleaned that boat up out of respect. After it had been brought to shore it, was discovered there had been 46 young people locked below deck. "They'd had no air down there," says Giuseppe. "By the time we found them, they'd been dead for four days. We worked all through the night without a break to bring the bodies out. We cut holes in the deck to let the stench out. That smell will stay with me for the rest of my life," he says, his eyes welling up with tears. "Do you know why it's so rare to find bodies when one of these boats sinks?" he asks. "It's because many of the migrants can't swim, so when they realise the ship's going down, they cling onto the side for dear life. Then rigor mortis sets in, and they're joined to the boat on the bottom of the sea forever more. A friend of mine is a diver in Lampedusa. He saw it for himself." Time and again, we hear that the migrants' real aim is to reach northern Europe. Italy is just a transit point, as it offers the closest and most accessible European shore. They have no intention of staying here. Indeed, some are even reported to have booked and paid for taxis to meet them at their intended landing points so they can be taken straight to Italy's borders with its richer, northern neighbours. The Italian authorities are said to be quite happy to turn a blind eye. But when the ships break down or when the coastguard intervenes, the media arrive and the bureaucratic machine has to process them. Then the migrants' choice is to try to stay here or be repatriated. Before visiting the ships' graveyard I'd been to a foster home in the nearby town of Noto, where a group of Egyptian teenagers had been living for two years. The seven youngsters I met were obviously well cared for, and integrated into their community. They had learned to speak not exactly Italian, but the Sicilian dialect, and had all adopted names like Ciccio and Roberto rather than use the Arabic names they'd arrived with. Now so many people come from North Africa it's clear that Italy can't possibly offer that sort of hospitality to all of them. "It's not that we don't want the migrants here," Giuseppe tells me, "we've taken their natural resources, so we do owe them." He points again at the group of rotting and rusting hulks at the water's edge. More than 150 of them have come into this harbour alone, he says. And every port in Sicily now has its own collection of migrant boats. "How can Italy possibly deal with all of these people by itself?" he asks adding: "You're a journalist, please tell the world, we need help." How to listen to From Our Own Correspondent: BBC Radio 4: Thursdays at 11:00 BST and Saturdays at 11:30 BST Listen online or download the podcast. BBC World Service: At weekends - see World Service programme schedule or listen online. Subscribe to the BBC News Magazine's email newsletter to get articles sent to your inbox.

['Europe migrant crisis', 'Italy']

[{"entity": "Mediterranean", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Europe", "label": "LOC"}]

Mediterranean ||| Europe

["Europe migrant crisis", "Italy"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48531019

Trump says 'climate change goes both ways'

President Donald Trump has said he believes climate change "goes both ways" following a 90-minute discussion with environmentalist Prince Charles.

"I believe that there's a change in weather and I think it changes both ways," Mr Trump told Piers Morgan in an interview that aired on Wednesday. Mr Trump said he shared the prince's desire for a "good climate" but blamed other nations for increasing pollution. He has rolled back many US climate laws despite warnings from his own agencies. Mr Trump said his meeting with Prince Charles was meant to last only 15 minutes. "He did most of the talking, and he was really into climate change and I think that's great," Mr Trump said of Prince Charles on the ITV programme Good Morning Britain. "He wants to make sure future generations have climate that is good climate as opposed to a disaster and I agree." But Mr Trump once again placed the blame on other countries, namely China, India and Russia, for worsening air and water quality while claiming the US has one of "the cleanest climates there are". "Don't forget, it used to be called global warming, that wasn't working, then it was called climate change, now it's actually called extreme weather because with extreme weather you can't miss," the president said. Mr Trump pointed to past examples of weather disasters to refute the idea that "extreme weather" is becoming more common due to climate change. "I don't remember tornados in the United States to this extent but then when you look back 40 years ago we had the worst tornado binge we ever had. In the 1890s we had our worst hurricanes." The president said he was moved by Prince Charles' "passion for future generations" but stopped short of changing any of his views on climate science. The Prince of Wales has advocated for environmental issues for decades. Mr Trump has accused climate scientists of having a "political agenda" and called climate change a "hoax", though he later retracted that statement. In 2017, he pulled the US out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement, saying the international deal to keep global temperatures rises below 2C was disadvantageous to US workers. Mr Trump has continued to ignore warnings from his own government agencies, dismissing a 2018 report warning of devastating economic consequences from climate change, saying he did not believe it. His administration has rolled back dozens of environmental and climate protections and proposed ending rules on oil drilling and coal plants. The world is now about 1C warmer than it was during "pre-industrial times", according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Top scientists and agencies across the world have warned that this rapid, human emissions-induced warming could have serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate. For decades, researchers argued the global temperature rise must be kept below 2C by the end of this century to avoid the worst impacts - but that number has changed to below 1.5C in recent years. Meanwhile, former vice-president and 2020 presidential hopeful Joe Biden revealed his own climate plan on Tuesday. Mr Biden's $1.7tn (£1.3tn) "clean energy revolution" aims to create green jobs nationwide while addressing climate and energy concerns. Under the plan, the US would have a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 - the same goal as the Obama administration - and would strive for a "100% clean energy economy" where polluters would "bear the full cost of the carbon pollution they are emitting". There would be "aggressive" limits on pollution from oil and gas, protections for federal lands and biodiversity, and investments of $400bn over 10 years in climate science. Allegations of plagiarism immediately followed the release of Mr Biden's plan, after conservative news site The Daily Caller found several instances where the campaign directly copied language from other groups. His campaign corrected the passages, and said in a statement that several citations "were inadvertently left out" and had been added back in. Mr Biden's 2020 Democratic rival Elizabeth Warren also unveiled her climate plans on Tuesday. The Massachusetts senator's plan would invest $2tn in environmental technology, research, jobs and see the creation of a National Institute of Clean Energy.

['Trump UK visit', 'Climate change', 'Donald Trump', 'Prince Charles, Prince of Wales', 'United States']

[{"entity": "Donald Trump", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Prince Charles", "label": "PER"}]

Prince Charles

["Trump UK visit", "Climate change", "Donald Trump", "Prince Charles, Prince of Wales", "United States"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53485673

Ryanair to close base after pilots reject pay cut

Ryanair is shutting its base at Frankfurt Hahn airport after German pilots voted to reject pay cuts.

The firm said in a memo to pilots that its bases at Berlin Tegel and Dusseldorf airports were also at risk of closure by the end of the summer. Airlines have been struggling because of global travel restrictions aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus. Ryanair's UK pilots and cabin crew recently voted to accept pay cuts to reduce job losses. "We must move on with alternative measures to deliver savings, which regrettably will mean base closures and dismissals," Ryanair said in a memo to its German pilots. Ryanair announced in May it was set to cut 3,000 jobs across Europe. However, earlier this month, the company revealed that it had cut a deal with the Unite union so that UK cabin crew jobs would be safeguarded. Ryanair is yet to specify how many jobs will be impacted by the changes in Germany. German airline union Vereinigung Cockpit said that "less than half of pilots were in favour of accepting" the pay deal. "We believe the agreement would have the potential to harm the entire pilot community across Germany," it said. Ryanair said the proposed cuts are based on current schedule plans, and insisted that they could become "considerably worse" if there is a resurgence of coronavirus. "We made it clear throughout negotiations that if the vote was unsuccessful, then the next step would have to be dismissals," it said. "It is bizarre that the union canvassed against the deal knowing full well that the result would be base closures and job losses."

['Companies', 'Germany', 'Air travel', 'Ryanair', 'Coronavirus pandemic']

[{"entity": "Ryanair", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Frankfurt Hahn", "label": "LOC"}]

Ryanair

["Companies", "Germany", "Air travel", "Ryanair", "Coronavirus pandemic"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-41744347

Twitter promises more ad transparency

Twitter has pledged to make advertising more transparent as it attempts to fend off proposed new regulations.

It said it would be clearer about who funded ads and to what end, especially those pushing a political agenda. The company, like several tech firms, is keen to show it can self-regulate after it was found that Russian-backed groups were exploiting its ad platform. Several key senators, from both sides of the US political divide, have backed measures clamping down on online ads. The Honest Ads Act would regulate ad sales on social networks, search engines, websites or apps that have more than 50 million US visitors each month for the majority of months in a year. The rules would bring it closer in line with restrictions and disclosures required when placing political messages on TV or radio stations. 'Good first step' Twitter hopes its own measures, announced on Tuesday, will be at least partly enough to convince senators it is capable of tackling the problem itself. Senator Mark Warner described the changes as “a good first step”, adding: “Online political ads need more transparency and disclosure.” Twitter’s new measures include: A blog post outlining the changes added: "People can also report inappropriate ads or give negative feedback (i.e. “I don’t like this ad”) for every ad running on Twitter, whether the ad targets you or not. "This feedback will help us more quickly remove inappropriate ads from Twitter, and show you more relevant ads in your timeline.” From Russia with tweets Twitter, Facebook and Google face a Senate hearing next week in which they will be expected to describe and explain the extent in which Kremlin-backed accounts abused the sites’ advertising platforms. At a hearing held last month, Twitter was criticised for not doing enough research into the matter. Senator Warner, who sits on the committee investigating Russian interference in last year’s presidential election, said Twitter’s appearance was “deeply disappointing”, and consistently mainly of information already divulged by Facebook. That information included details about more than 400 Facebook profiles that the company found were likely being run by so-called “trolling farms” in Russia. These farms would employ people to trawl the internet to post inflammatory comments - often focusing on a particular issue, like race or immigration, rather than a specific candidate. Analysis of the activity has suggested the efforts were targeted at US swing states, i.e. areas where the election race is tight. Google has said it discovered a small amount of ad buy - $4,700 - linked to Russian government groups. However, that does not include advertising and accounts on YouTube, something Google is still investigating, it said.

['Twitter', 'Advertising']

[{"entity": "Twitter", "label": "INST"}]

Twitter

["Twitter", "Advertising"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-47485592

NHS signals four-hour A&E target may end

The four-hour A&E target may be dropped under plans announced by NHS England.

NHS bosses have unveiled plans for an overhaul of the A&E target alongside changes to waiting times for cancer, mental health and planned operations. It said the targets were becoming outdated. But it comes after many of them have been missed for years. Instead of aiming to see and treat virtually all A&E patients in four hours, the sickest patients will be prioritised for quick treatment. NHS England wants to see patients coming in with heart attacks, acute asthma, sepsis and stroke starting their care within an hour. The changes will be piloted this year and, if successful, could be introduced in 2020. The plans have been unveiled after NHS England was asked by the prime minister to look at the system of targets last year. If you can't see the NHS Tracker, click or tap here. The four-hour target, which expects 95% of patients to be seen in time, was introduced in 2004 and has not been met since July 2015. Last month, only two hospital trusts hit it. NHS England said the current target seemed to be distorting priorities. It pointed out that large numbers of patients were admitted into hospital just before the four-hour mark, which has the effect of "stopping the clock". NHS England said hospitals appeared to be motivated by the target rather than doing what was best for the patient. But it said a final decision over whether or not to definitely scrap it would not be made until after piloting takes places over the rest of the year. Currently, the target treats everyone the same - whether a patient has a sore thumb or has had a heart attack. That, of course, does not mean staff do. All accident and emergency units have systems in place to prioritise the sickest patients. It is just that how long they wait is not recorded and published publicly. In doing this, the change will put pressure on those hospitals that are not seeing such patients quickly. That is obviously a benefit. But for people with less urgent needs, there is concern that dropping the four-hour target could mean they wait longer. NHS England plans to counter this by recording the average waits and introducing a new measure to record when all patients see a senior doctor or nurse. But nonetheless the changes still send a clear signal about the pecking order - and, in an under pressure system, that could lead to "less important" cases waiting longer. Not many people would argue with that if it is someone with a sore thumb. But if a patient has a broken bone or is bleeding and is in pain, that is likely to be viewed differently. The NHS will also move towards average waiting times for planned operations, such as knee and hip replacements. Currently 92% of patients should be seen in 18 weeks. But that has not been met since February 2016. Cancer targets - for which there are nine separate ones - will be simplified so that there are two key targets for treatment starting on top of the incoming 28-day goal for diagnosis - something that is not currently measured. Meanwhile, new targets will be introduced for mental health care with the goal of ensuring that everyone who needs urgent crisis care in the community receives it within 24 hours. Access to other community mental health services - for children and adults - will be expected in four weeks. This is the first time that these services will have had targets attached to them. NHS England medical director Stephen Powis said: "Now is the right time to look again at the old targets, which have such a big influence on how care is delivered, to make sure they take account of the latest treatments and techniques and support, not hinder, staff to deliver the kind of responsive, high-quality services that people want to see." Many groups, including medical royal colleges, regulators and patient groups have broadly welcomed the plans. Prof Ted Baker, the chief inspector of hospitals at the Care Quality Commission, said that while the four-hour target had been "valuable" in focusing efforts on improving emergency care, it was the right time to find a better way to measure performance. "Emergency departments need a set of standards which give priority to patients with life-threatening conditions." But the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said it was against the four-hour target being scrapped and instead said it should survive alongside the new measures. "We are keen to ensure that any changes are not imposed due to political will, but are developed responsibly, collaboratively and are based upon clinical expert consensus in the best interests of patients," added college president Dr Taj Hassan. Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said there was a concern the changes could lead to "the return to the bad old days of long waits". Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have a similar four-hour target, but there are no plans to change it. The way the other targets work is quite different.

['A&E', 'NHS']

[{"entity": "NHS England", "label": "ORG"}]

NHS England

["A&E", "NHS"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45461916

Last Night of the Proms: Saxophonist Jess Gillam steals the show

She may only be 20 years old, but saxophonist Jess Gillam was the indisputable highlight of the Last Night of the Proms.

Covered in glitter, the musician gave a sprightly, airborne performance of Milhaud's Scaramouche that brought the Royal Albert Hall to its feet. It came just two years after she made the final of BBC Young Musician, and 12 months after her Proms debut. Her solo was widely praised by viewers and Prommers alike. Gillam, who is still studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, admitted she'd been nervous ahead of the famed Last Night, but was "more settled" than at her Proms debut in 2017. "Last year was the first time I'd ever been to a Prom," she told BBC Radio 3. "I'd never experienced it before. It was quite... not overwhelming [but] I was surprised by the attentiveness of the audience. "You can just tell how much the whole room loves the music." By contrast, the night's other soloist - Canadian baritone Gerald Finley - first attended the festival in 1979, just days after he landed in the UK to study at the Royal College of Music. He was invited to the Last Night, unaware of its eccentric customs and jovial patriotism. "It was a huge surprise," he recalled. "I thought, 'Is it going to be like this all the time?'" For his appearance, Finley performed the touching Soliloquy from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel; as well as Charles Villiers Stanford's rousing Songs of the Sea, an extension of the Last Night's traditional nautical theme. "My father was in the Canadian navy [so] I was completely enraptured by the imagery and the music," he said of the suite, which was partly inspired by the voyages of Sir Francis Drake. Soloists on the Last Night traditionally make an effort with their outfits - and this year's duo were no exception. Finley kept it understated with a black brocade jacket by Jamaican-Canadian designer Rhowan James; while Gillam went for a jacket spattered with what appeared to be molten lava. They were upstaged by the audience at the Royal Albert Hall (yet another tradition), who wore crowns, bow ties, bowler hats and union flag jackets. A significant proportion of the audience also carried flags and berets displaying the EU emblem - a protest against the impact of Brexit on orchestras, and has become more prominent at the event over the last three years. The end of freedom of movement could make life more difficult, and costly, for touring musicians, the protestors say. The composer Howard Goodall said "no-one should be surprised that music lovers want to express their solidarity with professional musicians", and dismissed critics who said the demonstration had no place at the Proms. "Anyone saying that music and politics aren't supposed to mix and that the pageantry of the Last Night of the Proms should be 'just' a concert reveals themselves, I'm afraid, as lacking in even basic knowledge of music's history," he wrote on his website. However, conductor Sir Andrew Davis made a plea for unity and understanding. "Why do you suppose we're all here tonight?" he said from his gaudily-decorated podium. "The answer is: Whether we're listeners or performers, we know, we feel, we believe deeply that music is not mere entertainment but rather one of the most powerful forces for good that we have. "It makes us smile, it makes us weep, it brings us closer to each other. We live in a world that all too often seems dominated by division. "In times like these, music inspires, consoles, heals and gives hope. It has the power to unite us in beauty and in spiritual strength." Overseeing his 12th Last Night, Sir Andrew presented a diverse program that included Berlioz, Hubert Parry and the traditional performances of Auld Lang Syne, Jerusalem and Rule, Britannia - to a chorus of party poppers and air horns. The audience at the Royal Albert Hall also joined concert-goers around the UK in a singalong of war songs, including Roses of Picardy and Keep The Home Fires Burning. In Belfast, the chosen song was Long Way To Tipperary, performed by "singing barrister" Karl McGuckin, who practices law when he's not performing with the Ulster Orchestra. Other artists appearing at Proms in the Park events included Lisa Stansfield, Gladys Knight, Midge Ure and Sophie Ellis Bextor. The spectacular Last Night drew to a close an uncommonly hot Proms season that encompassed 85 live concerts in just under 60 days. Highlights included the first ever Tango Prom, a steamy night of music from Havana, and Sir Andras Schiff's enigmatic, expressive performance of Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier. More than 300,000 concert-goers attended the festival, with one in five purchasing on-the-day tickets for £6. The BBC said 32,500 tickets were bought by first-timers, down slightly from last year, with 12,000 under-18s attending a show. Next year's festival marks a major milestone - the 125th edition of the Proms. The opening night will be 19 July 2019. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

['The Proms', 'Classical music']

[{"entity": "Jess Gillam", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Last Night of the Proms", "label": "MEDIA"}]

Last Night of the Proms

["The Proms", "Classical music"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-51650984

Bosses told to stop spending apprentice cash on themselves

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has attacked employers in England who use apprenticeship funding to pay for qualifications for senior managers.

He wants to stop firms using the apprenticeship levy to subsidise MBA (Master of Business Administration) courses for "highly paid" managers. Mr Williamson says the levy, paid by large employers, should benefit the job chances of the "disadvantaged". He has ordered a review of the use of apprenticeship cash for senior leaders. The apprenticeship levy takes 0.5% of the salary bill from major employers - with the intention of using the money to improve skills and provide training. But the scheme has faced accusations that "fake apprenticeships" are being created to access funding, rather than helping young people into new opportunities. There have been warnings that existing jobs have been "rebadged" as apprenticeships or the money has been used to benefit already well-qualified staff. Mr Williamson has written to the Institute for Apprenticeships with his concerns about the use of apprenticeship funding on management qualifications for senior leaders. "I'm not convinced the levy should be used to pay for staff, who are often already highly qualified and highly paid, to receive an MBA," writes Mr Williamson. "I'd rather see funding helping to kick-start careers or level up skills and opportunities. That's why I've asked for a review of the senior leader apprenticeship standard to ensure it is meeting its aims." He says the levy needs to show it is providing good value for money - and to observe the "spirit" of the apprenticeship scheme in helping improve the chances of people from disadvantaged backgrounds. But in 2018-19 there were more than 3,000 "senior leader" apprentices, taking qualifications such as MBAs, MAs or MScs in management. These represent only a small proportion of those starting apprenticeships, but Mr Williamson's letter says "we absolutely need to safeguard the integrity of the apprenticeship brand". A spokesman for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education said that, as requested by the secretary of state, they would "look again at the senior leadership apprenticeship standard". "The institute has an established process for reviewing individual standards which we will follow."

['Apprenticeships', 'Gavin Williamson']

[{"entity": "Gavin Williamson", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "England", "label": "LOC"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Apprenticeships", "Gavin Williamson"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51587892

Romulus mystery: Experts divided on 'tomb of Rome's founding father'

A sarcophagus discovered in the remains of an ancient temple in Rome is causing a stir among historians who cannot agree if it belongs to the Italian city's legendary founder, Romulus.

The stone tomb, along with circular altar, dates from the 6th Century BC. According to legend, Romulus founded the city on Palatine Hill in 753 BC after killing his twin brother Remus. But experts are divided over whether the empty tomb can be linked to Romulus - or if the brothers even existed. The discovery was unveiled by Italian archaeologists at the Roman Forum on Friday. Historians said that while the find in the heart of the city was significant, it represented a symbolic rather than a real grave. They argue that even if Romulus had existed, there would be no body in the tomb because - depending on your sources - he was either raised to heaven as the Roman god Quirinus, or was torn to pieces by senators envious of his power. "This is not the tomb of Romulus, but is a place of memory where the cult of Romulus was celebrated, a cenotaph," Alfonsina Russo, director of Rome's Colosseum Archaeological Park, said. Archaeologist Patrizia Fortini said that while it was wise to exercise caution, the idea that the tomb may be linked to Romulus was "a suggestion based on ancient sources". "[Stories] speak of the presence of the tomb of Romulus in this area of the Roman Forum," she told AFP news agency. Fabled characters Romulus and Remus were said to have been the twin sons of the god Mars and priestess Rhea Silvia. According to myth, the brothers were nursed by a she-wolf. Romulus is said to have set out an area around Palatine Hill to mark the city's boundary. One element of the Romulus and Remus story has Remus defying his brother by leaping over the settlement's boundary walls - an act that cost him his life. "All myths and legends have an element of truth," Ms Russo added. "I am convinced that there was a founding hero." The newly discovered temple will now be the subject of a thorough archaeological investigation, and is expected to open to the public in two years.

['Archaeology', 'Rome', 'Ancient Rome', 'Italy']

[{"entity": "Rome", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Italian", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Romulus", "label": "PER"}]

Rome ||| Italian ||| Romulus

["Archaeology", "Rome", "Ancient Rome", "Italy"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44962253

WW2 Spitfire pilot Mary Ellis dies

One of the last living female World War Two pilots, Mary Ellis, has died aged 101 at her home on the Isle of Wight.

Mrs Ellis was a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) and delivered Spitfires and bombers to the front line during the conflict. She said she had flown "about 1,000 aeroplanes" during the war, before moving to the Isle of Wight in 1950 to take charge of Sandown Airport. ATA secretary John Webster described Mrs Ellis as an "amazing" person. While she was commonly known as the last-surviving female pilot from the war, in fact there are three others. Mr Webster said that one, Eleanor Wadsworth, lives in Bury St Edmunds, another, Nancy Stratford, lives in the US and the other, Jaye Edwards, lives in Canada. Mary Ellis, then Mary Wilkins, joined the ATA in 1941 after hearing an advertisement for women pilots on BBC radio. She said at the time they were known as the "Glamour Girls", adding: "There were plenty of escorts around." She married Don Ellis, a fellow pilot, in 1961, and continued to live in their marital home beside the runway at Sandown after his death in 2009. Speaking at a surprise party in 2017 for her 100th birthday - held at the airport - Mrs Ellis said the Spitfire had always been her favourite aircraft. "I love it, it's everybody's favourite," she said. "I think it's a symbol of freedom." Tributes have been paid to Mrs Ellis by fellow pilots, including Red Arrow flier Mike Ling. He posted on Twitter that she was a "legend of the Air Transport Auxiliary". "I hope you are enjoying a well-earned sherry up there with Joy Lofthouse [a fellow ATA pilot] again." RAF veteran and military historian Sally McGlone also paid tribute to her. She wrote on Twitter: "Older than the RAF by one year. "Without the ATA #RAF100 might not have happened." Author and former RAF navigator John Nichol described Mrs Ellis as a "truly remarkable lady". He added: "Another giant leaves us to join her heroic friends in the blue skies."

['Royal Air Force', 'Bury St Edmunds']

[{"entity": "World War Two", "label": "EVE"}, {"entity": "Mary Ellis", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Isle of Wight", "label": "LOC"}]

Mary Ellis ||| Isle of Wight

["Royal Air Force", "Bury St Edmunds"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49637873

Grab bag: 'I keep one for peace of mind'

A police campaign to get the public to prepare a "grab-and-go" bag in case of emergencies has been accused of scaremongering and mocked on social media - but for some, they are a sensible precaution.

The BBC spoke to people who keep their essential supplies in one place, just in case they have to drop everything and go. It was 2am when Jo Gardner and her husband were woken by a knock at the door. It was the police, warning that a fire had broken out at a works unit on their road. In the 10 minutes they were given to evacuate the house, they searched frantically for documents, keepsakes and hard drives. "We had to go there and then, there was no waiting. It was very dramatic, very sudden," says Mrs Gardner, who works in education in Lincolnshire. That incident was two years ago. Luckily, they were able to return to their house. But ever since, they have kept emergency supplies for themselves and their nine-year-old son ready to pick up at any minute. They keep most of their things, like documents and hard drives, in an emptied-out toolbox. Mrs Gardner also has her own rucksack full of basic medical supplies, a portable phone charger, torch, water and - crucially - sweets. "I think it's good practice, just for peace of mind," she says. "It's one of those things that you would put off doing unless it happened, because we wouldn't have had one unless something [had] happened. "You could have a knock at the door [and be told] you've got to go now. There's no sticking around, you might not be given the choice." Dom Mottram, who works on railways in the Midlands, also keeps a bag with him in case of emergencies such as fires or car breakdowns. In it, he carries supplies like medicine, food, drink and spare clothes. "Just stuff that, if I were to get stuck out somewhere, would be useful," he says. He believes that the strong reaction to Police Scotland's tweets is a result of current unease about Brexit, and that the term "grab bag" is unhelpful because it makes a simple precaution seem "massively complicated". "If you have young children, if you have a long-term medical condition, if you're the kind of person who takes a coat when you go outside... it's not a 'grab bag', it's just a bag you take outside if you're going out for the day, or going on holiday," he says. "I don't have a survival blanket, I don't have a flare, I don't have a life jacket, I don't have crazy stuff like that. "If [the police] had just done it on a dreary Wednesday afternoon in 2013, no one would have batted an eyelid." For Esme Higgs, from Warwickshire, it is "common sense" to keep a "grab bag" when UK households are at risk from fires, floods or gas leaks. "It is far better to leave knowing you will be prepared for a short absence, and able to prove your identity [and] contact insurance companies," she says. She and her family keep separate bags full of toiletries, spare clothes, and medical supplies in their bedrooms. She also keeps sanitary towels and a sewing kit in hers. She thinks the criticism of the police campaign is "undeserved". "You wouldn't criticise the police for advising you to lock your car or keep your wallet safe, or for helping you to evacuate if one of these scenarios occurred," she says. "We do not live in a happy little bubble of security just because we are British. Sadly these things don't just happen to 'other people'." Dr Philip Lee, a consultant doctor from London who specialises in acute medicine and elderly care, thinks the police should encourage people to prepare for emergencies. "Although there aren't earthquakes or tornadoes in the UK we're not immune from having to evacuate due to gas leaks, or potential dam failures," he says. Although he doesn't have a "grab bag", he keeps emergency essentials - including important documents - near the front door, ready to take with him if he needs to leave home. They include tinned food, tea and coffee, a first aid kit, a torch, batteries, a radio and phone chargers. "The items listed [by the police] seem sensible, and overall it's a good idea," he says. Zec Richardson, from Essex, says he kept a grab bag when he became a father in the 1990s. "I think you worry more about various scenarios when you become a parent," he says, adding that he stopped carrying one for a while, but has started again recently. Inside he keeps a first aid kit, water, waterproofs, and a radio, among other supplies. "I no longer feel secure and safe and that, I think, is partly now because I am disabled," he says. "A few years ago we had riots and I really think that it won't take much to tip the UK into civil unrest." Commenting on the police advising people to pack for emergencies in the run-up to Brexit, however, others had different views about what a "grab bag" should contain.

['Social media', 'Police Scotland', 'Life', 'Brexit']

[{"entity": "scaremongering", "label": "DIS"}]

NoPresentEntity

["Social media", "Police Scotland", "Life", "Brexit"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-43169925

North Wales Police 'like' of Trump tweet 'unintentional'

North Wales Police has said a "like" of a controversial tweet by President Donald Trump on its rural crime team's Twitter account was "unintentional".

The "like" of the tweet calling for some US school teachers to be armed was removed from the social media site on Friday morning. It had been up since Thursday afternoon. A force spokesman said the "like" does not represent any endorsement. Mr Trump's tweet, which said: "A 'gun free' school is a magnet for bad people. ATTACKS WOULD END!", was one of a series in which he called for concealed weapons to be given to "gun adept" teachers as a deterrent. It follows the school shooting in Florida last week which left 17 people dead. The force's rural crime team told the Daily Post newspaper in January that it was curtailing its Twitter activity after becoming "overwhelmed" by the volume of questions and comments. North Wales Police added that the "accidental like" was taken down "as soon as the team was made aware".

['US gun violence', 'North Wales Police', 'Twitter', 'Donald Trump']

[{"entity": "North Wales Police", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Donald Trump", "label": "PER"}]

North Wales Police

["US gun violence", "North Wales Police", "Twitter", "Donald Trump"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58186002

Tokyo Olympic gold medal replaced after first got bitten

An Olympic gold medallist will be given a new medal after the mayor of her hometown chomped on the first.

Takashi Kawamura, mayor of Japanese city Nagoya, sparked fury online when he lowered his mask and bit on softball athlete Miu Goto's medal at an event. He was accused of ignoring Covid-19 restrictions and "lacking respect". Now, Olympic officials say they will swap Ms Goto's medal for an untarnished one, after the mayor apologised and said he would pay for a replacement. The mayor faced a backlash after putting the medal between his teeth at a ceremony last week to celebrate Japan's victory over the USA in the women's softball final. Social media users said the act was unhygienic and impolite towards the athlete. "Apart from showing a lack of respect for athletes, he bit it even though [athletes] are putting on medals themselves or on their team-mates during medal ceremonies as part of infection prevention measures. Sorry, I can't understand it," Japanese silver medallist fencer Yuki Ota wrote on Twitter. "Germ medal" was soon trending on social media in Japan. Even Toyota, the owners of the team Ms Goto plays for, condemned the gesture, calling it "inappropriate" and "extremely regrettable". The 72-year-old mayor apologised later for his actions, which reportedly prompted over 7,000 complaints to city authorities. "I forgot my position as Nagoya mayor and acted in an extremely inappropriate way," he said, adding that he wanted to pay for a replacement medal. A statement from Tokyo 2020 organisers on Thursday said the replacement had been agreed between the International Olympic Committee and Ms Goto. The IOC would cover the costs, it said. Biting medals is a common quirk at the Games, but is usually reserved for winners. The Tokyo 2020 organisers appeared to make light of the incident in late July when they tweeted: "We just want to officially confirm that the #Tokyo2020medals are not edible!" Neither Mr Kawamura nor Ms Goto had any immediate comment. Takashi Kawamura, mayor of Japanese city Nagoya, sparked fury online when he lowered his mask and bit on softball athlete Miu Goto's medal at an event. He was accused of ignoring Covid-19 restrictions and "lacking respect". Now, Olympic officials say they will swap Ms Goto's medal for an untarnished one, after the mayor apologised and said he would pay for a replacement. The mayor faced a backlash after putting the medal between his teeth at a ceremony last week to celebrate Japan's victory over the USA in the women's softball final. Social media users said the act was unhygienic and impolite towards the athlete. "Apart from showing a lack of respect for athletes, he bit it even though [athletes] are putting on medals themselves or on their team-mates during medal ceremonies as part of infection prevention measures. Sorry, I can't understand it," Japanese silver medallist fencer Yuki Ota wrote on Twitter. "Germ medal" was soon trending on social media in Japan. Even Toyota, the owners of the team Ms Goto plays for, condemned the gesture, calling it "inappropriate" and "extremely regrettable". The 72-year-old mayor apologised later for his actions, which reportedly prompted over 7,000 complaints to city authorities. "I forgot my position as Nagoya mayor and acted in an extremely inappropriate way," he said, adding that he wanted to pay for a replacement medal. A statement from Tokyo 2020 organisers on Thursday said the replacement had been agreed between the International Olympic Committee and Ms Goto. The IOC would cover the costs, it said. Biting medals is a common quirk at the Games, but is usually reserved for winners. The Tokyo 2020 organisers appeared to make light of the incident in late July when they tweeted: "We just want to officially confirm that the #Tokyo2020medals are not edible!" Neither Mr Kawamura nor Ms Goto had any immediate comment.

['Japan']

[{"entity": "Olympic", "label": "EVE"}]

Olympic

["Japan"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-44236185

How did it go so wrong for Govia Thameslink?

The headlines faded after day two but it has been an appallingly shocking week for nearly half a million Govia Thameslink commuters.

After all the grand talk of a great new timetable and 400 new trains, and more seats, commuters have been reduced to turning up at the station and hoping for the best. Is this really acceptable? Can anyone say it went well? Most of the commuters work for businesses that go through transition and plan and compromise accordingly. That has clearly not happened here and, somewhere, errors have obviously been made. Many people are ending up with worse services than before but paying the same price. How is that reasonable ? The Department for Transport (DfT) which employs Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) on a management contract has been strangely quiet. Questions will inevitably be asked of them. Is there a coherent oversight over these complex changes? Commuters would say not. GTR - which runs Southern, Thameslink Great Northern and Gatwick Express - has talked the talk but failed abysmally at running anything near the required service. What really irks passengers is they were only told a new reduced timetable would be introduced on Tuesday. Why was that left so late? There have not been enough route-trained drivers for the launch of this timetable and planning has clearly failed. For most passengers that is staggering. Politically, it is no wonder the calls for renationalisation grow stronger. The current system of a mix of public and a large private company has failed commuters. Accountability has become diluted. On what should have been its proudest hour and the delivery of Thameslink, the rail industry in this incarnation couldn't get it to work. And this could last for weeks. Update: The Dft has been in touch and says it hasn't been quiet. In fact, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling addressed the house yesterday: "What we have seen in the last few days has not been good enough. No one should underestimate the logistical challenge of introducing a timetable change. "The changes have been made for a very good reason: they mean a big expansion of services across the country. A timetable change of such a scale involves reorganising staff rotas, training staff for new routes, and reorganising how we deploy our trains. "It needed months of preparation, and I am afraid that a number of things went wrong, but most particularly the fact that for the second time in six months, Network Rail was far too late in finalising planned timetable changes and left the rest of the industry struggling to catch up. "I am not happy with that at all and I have told the leadership of Network Rail that it cannot happen again."

['Govia Thameslink Railway']

[{"entity": "Govia Thameslink", "label": "ORG"}]

Govia Thameslink

["Govia Thameslink Railway"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42513213

Plans to fine drivers flouting smart motorway rules

Drivers could face £100 fines instead of warning letters for ignoring smart motorway lane closures after road-side cameras were installed in a trial.

Smart motorways operate variable speed limits and can open the hard shoulder to traffic to reduce congestion. Highways England expects penalties to be introduced from March for "dangerous" drivers ignoring red X signs on overhead gantries. Road-side cameras to detect lane violations are now being tested. Smart motorways are a feature of congested sections in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Midlands, Avon and Somerset, Greater Manchester and the North East. About 80,000 warning letters have been issued to drivers who have broken smart motorway rules since December 2016. Steve Gooding, director of motoring research at the RAC, said: "We need to see a redoubling of communications by Highways England to leave no doubt in motorists' minds as to what a red X sign means. "It's important that drivers understand that where the carriageway has been blocked by a collision or a breakdown, the price for ignoring the red X could be a lot higher than a fixed penalty notice" A Highways England spokesman said: "We close lanes for a reason and drivers ignoring red Xs puts them and others at risk. "Since we started issuing warning letters we have seen a decrease in the number of drivers ignoring lane closures."

['Highways England']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["Highways England"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-35092780

Helen McCourt: Law change plea over killers who refuse to say where victims are

The law should be changed so convicted killers who do not reveal where their victims' bodies are cannot be set free, the mother of a murdered woman says.

Marie McCourt's daughter Helen, 22, vanished near her home in Billinge, near St Helens, in 1988. Ian Simms was convicted of her murder, but has never said where her body is. Mrs McCourt has launched a petition to bring in a law in her daughter's name to ensure killers are not released without disclosing the information. She said being denied a funeral for her daughter had caused "unimaginable suffering". She added: "For almost three decades Simms has refused to reveal the whereabouts of Helen's body - denying us the chance to grant her the dignity of a funeral and resting place." Mrs McCourt is asking Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May directly to "acknowledge the pain and distress caused to the families of missing murder victims", by ensuring killers who withhold information about the whereabouts of their victims are never set free. Two other mothers whose children were killed and whose bodies have not been found are also supporting Mrs McCourt's campaign. Jean Taylor's daughter daughter Chantel was killed in 2004 in Birkenhead, Merseyside; while Joan Morson's son Paul, from St Helens, Merseyside, was killed in 2011. Pub landlord Simms was convicted of murder after blood and an earring identical to one Helen had were found in the boot of his car. The jury agreed she had been attacked at his pub, The George and Dragon, in Billinge. He is serving a life sentence and has a parole hearing in January.

['David Cameron', 'Theresa May', 'St Helens', 'Birkenhead', 'Billinge']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["David Cameron", "Theresa May", "St Helens", "Birkenhead", "Billinge"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34971535

Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe 'facing Broadmoor exit'

Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe's mental health has improved and he could be returned to jail.

The serial killer, 69, who was convicted of murdering 13 women, has been housed at high-security Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire since 1984. The BBC understands a report by medical experts suggests he be moved from the psychiatric unit to prison. The Ministry of Justice said the final decision would be made by Justice Secretary Michael Gove. Decisions to move prisoners from secure hospitals are based on "clinical assessments" by independent medical staff, it said. Any transfer back to prison is likely to take in the region of six months. The son of Sutcliffe's first victim Wilma McCann said he was willing to leave the decision to medical experts and had let go the anger over what had happened to his mother. Richard McCann said: "My initial thoughts were that, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really change a great deal for us; it does not bring Mum back. "But, having thought about it, I've woken up thinking it's only right that he's returned to prison, as is any prisoner who is deemed fit to return to prison. "There is a difference between Broadmoor and prison, but I'm not in a position where I'm full of anger and hatred and want to see him in a cell. "I am not sure whether he needed to be in Broadmoor or not, but what I do believe is, he is ill, he must have been ill to have done the things that he did. "It is 40 years since it happened and I'll let the professional make the decisions. Hopefully they've made the right one." Former lorry driver Sutcliffe was originally held in HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight following his conviction in 1981 for the murder of 13 women. He was later moved to Broadmoor after he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. David K Ho, a consultant forensic psychiatrist who has previously worked at Broadmoor, said the decision would have been made by the staff who were treating Sutcliffe. "Loosely speaking, schizophrenia is a little like diabetes in the sense that when you treat it its symptoms get less, when you stop treating it, it may recur," said Dr Ho. "So I don't think it's the case that his mental disorder has completely been cured, but I think it perhaps has reached a stage where its symptoms are under control." Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a diagnosis doctors use if someone is experiencing a cluster of psychological symptoms. These include "psychotic experiences, such as hearing voices or seeing things that don't exist (hallucinations) and having unusual beliefs that are not based on reality (delusions). There are different subtypes of schizophrenia - paranoid schizophrenia is one example and this is when the person experiences false beliefs of being persecuted or plotted against. Schizophrenia is a fairly common mental health condition, affecting about one in every 100 people. He said it was not uncommon for patients to be returned to prison after a long period of assessment and treatment. Dr Ho added that while a psychiatrist makes a recommendation pertaining to the Mental Health Act, the approval for a transfer needs to come from the Ministry of Justice. In 2010, the High Court ordered that Sutcliffe, who was given 20 life sentences, should never be released. Brian Dow, director of external affairs at the charity Rethink Mental Illness, said: "There's no cure as such. There's no medication that will make it go away, but people will often be able to manage their symptoms to a point where they can lead a very normal life. "Presumably... he is sufficiently well that he no longer needs to be treated in a clinical setting. "That's very possible as the treatments he may have had may have got him to a point where they deem him to be able to be incarcerated in a prison rather than a high-security ward."

['Bradford', 'Prisons']

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["Bradford", "Prisons"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-44897714

India lynchings: WhatsApp sets new rules after mob killings

WhatsApp has said it will limit how many times messages can be forwarded in India, to curb the spread of false information on its platform.

The announcement comes after a spate of mob lynchings were linked to messages that circulated on WhatsApp groups. The government on Thursday reissued a warning to the company that it could face legal consequences if it remained a "mute spectator". With more than 200 million users, India is WhatsApp's biggest market. WhatsApp said its users in India "forward more messages, photos, and videos, than any other country in the world". Groups on WhatsApp can have a maximum of 256 people. Many of the messages that are believed to have triggered violence were forwarded to multiple groups which had more than 100 members each. In a blog published on its website, the company announced that it was "launching a test to limit forwarding that will apply to everyone using WhatsApp". For Indian users, however, the forwarding option will be limited even further. A WhatsApp spokesperson told the BBC that this means a single person would be able to forward one message only five times. However, this does not stop other members from a group from forwarding the message to a further five chats of their own. WhatsApp added that they hoped this measure would curb the frequency of messages being forwarded. The company also said it would be removing the "quick forward button" next to messages containing pictures or video. These changes come in the wake of a series of mob lynchings that have seen at least 18 people killed across India since April 2018. Media reports put the number of dead higher. The violence has been blamed on rumours of child kidnappings, spread over WhatsApp, which have led people to attack strangers. Police say it is proving hard to get people to believe that the messages are false. In a recent lynching in the north-eastern state of Tripura, the victim was a man employed by the local government to go around villages to dispel rumours being spread on social media. India's federal government had earlier warned WhatsApp, a Facebook-owned company, that it could not evade "accountability and responsibility" for the content its users were sharing. WhatsApp had responded by saying it was "horrified by these terrible acts of violence", and that the situation was a "challenge that requires government, civil society and technology companies to work together". The messaging app is the single largest internet-based service available to people in India. It has tremendous reach, allowing messages to spread exponentially and enabling mobs to gather quickly. Earlier this month, the company outlined steps it was taking to help address the problem, which included enabling users to leave groups and block people more easily.

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[{"entity": "WhatsApp", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "India", "label": "LOC"}]

WhatsApp ||| India

["WhatsApp", "Asia", "Fake News", "India"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44966131

UK heatwave: How much water does Wales pump to England?

Ever since a

As the heatwave rumbles on and a hosepipe ban looms in parts of England, here is the past and present on the water supply in Wales. Wales, England and water have a fractious past. There was an outcry in Wales 53 years ago when 70 people were forced to leave their homes in Capel Celyn before their houses, the village school, chapel and post office vanished under millions of litres of water for the new Tryweryn reservoir, built to service Liverpool more than 60 miles (95km) away. In 2005, Liverpool City Council apologised, saying: "We realise the hurt of 40 years ago when the Tryweryn Valley was transformed into a reservoir to help meet the water needs of Liverpool." Two water companies border Wales - Severn Trent Water and United Utilities - and need what is called an abstraction licence to pump water out of Wales. Welsh Water has a licence to take 133 billion litres per year from Elan Valley reservoirs in Powys to supply Severn Trent customers as part of a deal between the two firms. Severn Trent said it paid "for the upkeep of all the assets in Wales and also reimburse the abstraction fees". United Utilities can take 252 million litres a day from Lake Vyrnwy in Powys - which is owned by Severn Trent - and 50 million litres a day from the River Dee. In total, United Utilities can take 616 million litres from the River Dee daily, with 566 million litres allowed to be removed from a point on the river in Chester. Severn Trent's water from the Elan Valley reservoirs mostly goes to customers in Birmingham via a 63-mile (102km) aqueduct which has been in use for 100 years. Water from Lake Vyrnwy is mostly used to supply United Utilities customers in Liverpool and Cheshire, but can be pumped to Manchester if needed. Comparatively, very little. United Utilities only has about 50 customers in Wales, so said there was no "bulk transfer into Wales". Severn Trent said it had "a large number of small cross-border supplies in the water distribution networks along the border". Thirty-six of these go from Severn Trent to Hafren Dyfrdwy - the company set up when Severn Trent acquired Dee Valley Water - through treatment works and boreholes, with 16 in the opposite direction. If only it were that straightforward! There are multiple factors involved - including where the water originates, the season and what the water is used for. For maths fans, the calculation used is here if you fancy a go but the short answer is: "It depends." Put very simply (and approximately) 300 million cubic metres of water a year results in a charge of £2.5m (but that is only a very rough guide). At the moment? No. Companies are not allowed to exceed their daily or annual maximum permitted under the terms of their licence. The volume is fixed and water companies have to manage their resources to ensure they stay within the limit. Natural Resources Wales, the body which looks after the environment in Wales, ensures the totals are not exceeded and said it had "not had any applications from the water companies to increase their licensed abstraction volumes in the light of the hot weather".

['Natural Resources Wales', 'UK heatwaves', 'Water']

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["Natural Resources Wales", "UK heatwaves", "Water"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57419373

Elderly nun faces 40 years for stealing to support gambling

An elderly California nun will plead guilty to stealing from the Catholic school where she worked for decades in order to support her gambling, according to US prosecutors.

Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, allegedly stole more than $835,000 (£590,000) while working as the principal of a school in suburban Los Angeles. She is now facing 40 years in jail. A plea agreement released on Tuesday says that she will admit to diverting funds to pay off large gambling debts. Sister Kreuper, who had taken a vow of poverty, ran the St James Catholic School in Torrance, California, for 28 years. Officials say she began stealing in the 10 years leading up to her retirement in 2018. "The community of faith at St James was shocked and saddened by these actions and the parish, school and the archdiocese reported the matter and fully cooperated with authorities in the criminal investigation," the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said in a statement, according to The Los Angeles Times. Her lawyer told the newspaper that she was "very remorseful" and that mental illness had clouded her judgement. As the school's principal, Sister Kreuper "controlled accounts at a credit union, including a savings account for the school and one established to pay the living expenses of the nuns employed by the school", the US attorney's office said in a statement announcing the plea deal. She is due to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering later on Wednesday.

['Catholicism', 'Los Angeles', 'United States', 'California']

[{"entity": "California", "label": "LOC"}]

California

["Catholicism", "Los Angeles", "United States", "California"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43816239

Wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino dies at age 82

Bruno Sammartino, who fled his Nazi-occupied hometown before emigrating to the US where he became an icon of professional wrestling, has died.

Sammartino, who was known as "The Living Legend" in his time, fled Italy as a child after World War II, later settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The WWE Hall of Fame confirmed his death at age 82, praising his life story as the "American dream". Celebrity wrestlers have been paying tribute to him on social media. His death was announced on the website of WWE, the organisation known as World Wrestling Entertainment. As a child, his hometown of Pizzoferrato was occupied by German forces, causing him and his family to flee into the mountains around Abruzzo before coming to the US. "When I came to this country, I was a human skeleton," he once told KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. Before becoming a strongman, he was bullied in school due to his lack of English proficiency and slight frame. He began his athletic career by lifting weights, and caught the attention of WWE Chairman Vincent McMahon after breaking a world record in 1959. Sammartino, who was also dubbed "The Italian Superman", bench-pressed 565lbs (256kg). He performed at Madison Square Garden in 1968, only eight days after the famous New York City venue opened to the public. He later when on to sell out the stadium an astonishing 187 times, according to the WWE. In 2013, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sammartino was a two-time champion of the WWWF, which preceded the WWE, reigning for a combined 11 years. His career mostly existed during a time before the WWE admitted that its bouts were not actual competitions, but rather staged performances. Hulk Hogan wrote on Twitter: "RIP Bruno, thank you for loving and living our business". Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto praised him in a statement as "one of the greatest ambassadors the city of Pittsburgh ever had". Singer Bruno Mars, who met Sammartino last year, says that he chose that performing name because of a nickname his father gave him as a child, which was based on the WWE legend. "I was nicknamed after this professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino," the singer wrote on Instagram after the meeting. In June 2010, Mars told the website RapUP that he was given that nickname by his dad, because he was "a chunky little baby".

['Professional wrestling', 'World records', 'World War Two']

[{"entity": "Bruno Sammartino", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "US", "label": "LOC"}]

Bruno Sammartino ||| US

["Professional wrestling", "World records", "World War Two"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-44788448

Alfie Dingley's medical cannabis let through UK border

The mother of a boy with epilepsy has legally brought medicinal cannabis oil through the UK border after being given a special licence by the government.

Alfie Dingley, six, of Warwickshire, has a very rare form of the illness that causes up to 150 seizures a month. His mother Hannah Deacon said: "Today, for the first time ever in this country we have brought back THC oil through the airport legally, which is amazing." She was allowed through London City Airport with the oil from Amsterdam. Last month Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the government would issue Ms Deacon a licence for the banned substance in a move expected to pave the way for reforms on its medicinal use. She had urged the home secretary to intervene in her son's case after Billy Caldwell, 12, was granted a limited licence for the drug to be administered to him in hospital. Ms Deacon, of Kenilworth, said at the airport: "It (the medication) is very, very important for him to have a normal happy life so it's a momentous occasion for us, his whole family and for him most importantly." Alfie's family previously said his condition improved after using the oil in the Netherlands - where it is legal - and had given a petition to Prime Minister Theresa May. Mrs May said in June she wanted the Home Office to look at the family's application quickly.

['Cannabis ', 'Medical cannabis', 'Kenilworth', 'Legality of cannabis']

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NoPresentEntity

["Cannabis ", "Medical cannabis", "Kenilworth", "Legality of cannabis"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-27606486

Musgrove Park Hospital to probe eye surgery issues

About 30 patients in Somerset who had cataract surgery inside a mobile hospital theatre have been left with blurred vision or other complications.

Musgrove Park Hospital said the cause of the "technical issues" in the hired facility was being investigated. Surgery was carried out on 62 patients with just under half reporting complications while some 15 people had "more significant" corneal issues. The use of the mobile facility was ceased when the issues were discovered. All affected patients have been spoken to and care plans are now in place for their ongoing treatment, a hospital spokesperson said. Vanguard Healthcare had been hired to provide the theatre to help clear a backlog for some ophthalmic services. The unit, which consists of an anaesthetic room, operating theatre and two-bed recovery, is at the hospital until the end of the year. Vanguard said it was "co-operating fully" with the hospital for the investigation which would focus on the drugs, equipment, sterilisation and protocols used. "The majority of operations were successful, however a number experienced an unusual level of discomfort after surgery," added a spokesperson. "We have, with the hospital, conveyed to the patients our concern and sympathy for the discomfort or distress they have experienced." The hospital's chief executive, Jo Cubbon, said the issues meant many patients who had already waited longer than they should have, will now have to wait again for their operation. "We are very sorry this has happened and are working to put a solution in place so that these patients will receive their treatment as soon as possible," Ms Cubbon said.

['Taunton', 'NHS']

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["Taunton", "NHS"]

english

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-58274235

Loan scheme launched for Scotland's farmers and crofters

The Scottish government has launched a loan scheme aimed at helping crofters and farmers recover from the impact of Brexit and the Covid pandemic.

A total of £337m will be available to agricultural businesses, which could see each given up to £133,638. Loan offers will be sent to eligible parties this week, with first payments due to be made next month. The Scottish government said it was essential that they "have the cash flow they need to continue operating". The money has been welcomed by the National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland. The 2021 National Basic Payment Support Scheme will give farmers and crofters access to financial support up to three months earlier than the EU's common agricultural policy (CAP) payment period. The announcement comes after sheep farmers and crofters spoke of a dramatic fall in Scottish wool prices, which has been compounded by the pandemic. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: "Our absolute priority is ensuring farmers and crofters receive their payments and this scheme will ensure that farmers can access this support at the earliest ever point. "There are a number of challenges arising from Brexit including around food supplies. "We are continuing to support our farmers and crofters so we that we can maintain domestic food security and help secure local supply chains." She added: "Farmers and crofters have worked incredibly hard to keep us all supplied throughout the challenges brought by Brexit and the Covid pandemic and it is essential that they have the cash flow they need to continue operating." For the first time, businesses in the sector will be able to accept their loans online, which the Scottish government said would enable it to process loan payments "even faster than before". The number of eligible businesses has yet to be confirmed, but the Scottish government expects offers to be made to more than 17,000. NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said the announcement will add "certainty and stability" across Scottish agriculture and the wider rural community. He added: "Previous loan schemes have provided an invaluable boost to the rural economy each autumn, stimulating investment in farms and crofts across the country. "This year, as we recover from Covid-19, the scheme will also provide much-needed cash flow ahead of our first winter since leaving Europe and the CAP." Mr Kennedy urged his members to opt in online in a bid to fast track payments. He said: "Many farmers and crofters will be looking seriously at cash flows this autumn, particularly in areas where dry weather this summer has meant a significant amount of planning around availability of feed, fodder and bedding and this loan scheme will be a huge help."

['Scotland Brexit', 'Scottish government', 'Agriculture', 'Sheep', 'Coronavirus pandemic']

[{"entity": "Scottish", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Brexit", "label": "DIS"}, {"entity": "Covid pandemic", "label": "DIS"}]

Scottish ||| Brexit ||| Covid pandemic

["Scotland Brexit", "Scottish government", "Agriculture", "Sheep", "Coronavirus pandemic"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40281639

San Francisco UPS gunman 'had complained about overtime'

A UPS employee who killed three colleagues at a San Francisco depot of the postal firm before turning the gun on himself has been named.

Jimmy Lam, 38, killed Wayne Chan, 56, Benson Louie, 50, and 46-year-old Michael Lefiti, in the attack, the city medical examiner said. Two other employees were shot at the four-storey facility, but survived. The attacker, who authorities said was armed with an "assault pistol", shot himself as police closed in. United Parcel Service (UPS) spokesman Steve Gaut told AP news agency an employee opened fire on colleagues before drivers were sent out for deliveries. Teamsters Union official Joseph Cilia told AP news agency that Lam had filed a grievance complaining he was working excessive overtime. Mr Cilia said: "I never knew Jimmy to not get along with people. Jimmy wasn't a big complainer." Investigators were still working to determine a motive, but authorities said the incident was not thought to be connected to terrorism. San Francisco police Assistant Chief Toney Chaplin said when officers encountered the armed suspect in the building he "put the gun to his head and discharged the weapon". San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee called the shooting a "senseless act of violence". UPS has said it was "saddened and deeply concerned" about the shooting, which the company said involved six employees.

['San Francisco', 'United States']

[{"entity": "San Francisco", "label": "LOC"}]

San Francisco

["San Francisco", "United States"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57181767

Guatemala prison: Inmates beheaded in deadly gang fight

Police in Guatemala say at least seven prisoners have been killed during a fight between rival gangs in a jail in Quetzaltenango.

Most of them were beheaded as members of the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs attacked each other. The prison, 200km (125 miles) from the capital, was built to house 500 inmates but has more than 2,000. Some 500 police officers were deployed to take control of the prison, National Police spokesman Jorge Aguilar said. Police sources told local media one of the inmates had ordered the attack on rival gang members in retaliation for the murder of his wife, who had been shot dead by two men on motorbikes hours earlier. According to the source, the inmate behind the violence is serving a sentence for murder. Almost half of the roughly 3,500 violent deaths a year in Guatemala are carried out by gangs, officials say.

['Prisons', 'Guatemala']

[{"entity": "Guatemala", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Quetzaltenango", "label": "LOC"}]

Guatemala

["Prisons", "Guatemala"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31966127

Radio 1 to slash live music coverage

BBC Radio 1 is to make dramatic cuts to its live music output, with the number of sessions by pop and rock bands dropping from 250 to 160 per year.

The station will also reduce the number of live events it covers from 25 to 10. The BBC Trust has agreed to the changes, despite audience research showing "that live music is seen as a key strength of Radio 1". It said the cutbacks would enable savings made necessary by the freeze on the licence fee in 2010. Live music has been a component of Radio 1's output since its inception - with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, The Smiths, Nirvana, Pulp and The White Stripes playing at venues including Maida Vale and John Peel's family home in Great Finborough. More recently, the "live lounge" strand on Jo Whiley and Fearne Cotton's show has seen the likes of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys, Katy Perry and Vampire Weekend playing covers of other artist's songs. The cuts are expected to affect late night programmes and expensive, off-site broadcasts - such as recordings of concerts - rather than the live lounge and the station's Big Weekend festival. Agreeing to the cuts, the BBC Trust said: "We expect Radio 1 to maintain a range of genres and artists within its sessions, including a mix of established and newer artists. "We are also narrowing Radio 1's quota for coverage of major live events and festivals so that it excludes special editions of live sessions, and includes only BBC and third-party live events. It will reduce from 25 to 10 events." The changes were revealed in a BBC Trust review of all of the BBC's music radio stations - Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music and the Asian Network. It gave the stations a clean bill of health, saying they were "viewed as high quality by audiences" and "represent good value for money for licence fee payers". Analysis of the music played by each of the stations revealed they played "a wider range of tracks and genres than is available elsewhere on radio," it added. However, the Trust - which is the BBC's governing body - challenged Radio 2 to increase the number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) listeners tuning in to its programmes. It said only 12% of BAME adults aged 35 and over listened to Radio 2 last year, while the figure for all adults over 35 was 35%. The Trust asked Radio 2 for an update on plans to address the disparity in six months time. Among other decisions arising from the review were: Some 49% of the adult population listens to a BBC music station once a week, the Trust said. As a result, it plays "a vital role in the UK's music sector". BBC Radio "could do more to demonstrate awareness of its market impact", it continued, and should meet with the UK music sector and commercial radio to keep them informed of future developments, particularly with regard to its online strategy. The BBC said it "welcomed" the Trust's review and "its recognition that our stations are distinctive, deeply loved by their audiences and vital to the development of British music. "We will implement the Trust's recommendations and will continue to champion UK music and culture whilst delivering a unique, high quality service to licence fee payers."

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[{"entity": "BBC Radio 1", "label": "ORG"}]

NoPresentEntity

["BBC", "Radio", "Music"]

english

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-41145196

Katie Rough death: Teen given interim hospital order

A 16-year-old girl, who admitted the manslaughter of seven-year-old Katie Rough, has been given an interim hospital order.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility in July. Mr Justice Michael Soole told the teenager earlier she posed "a high risk of serious harm" to herself and others. The interim order would, he said, allow further assessment of her mental health ahead of sentencing on 24 November. Read more about this and other stories from across Yorkshire The hospital order would last for 12 weeks, Mr Justice Soole said. "All sentencing options will be open when, at its conclusion, I make my final decision," he told the girl, who appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video-link. Katie was smothered and slashed with a Stanley knife by the teenager near a playing field in Woodthorpe, York, on 9 January. She died later in hospital. Leeds Crown Court heard in July the teenager had developed severe mental health problems before the killing.

['York', 'Mental health']

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["York", "Mental health"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-44990745

Storms cause flooding and disruption

Flooding has caused disruption in parts of Northern Ireland after more than a month's worth of rain fell within a few hours.

A number of elderly people had to leave their homes in the County Antrim village of Muckamore due to flooding. One pensioner told the BBC that at one stage there was more than one foot of water and sewage at her front door. Downpours led to havoc on the roads, cancelled flights and left hundreds of homes and businesses without power. The Met Office upgraded its weather warning to amber for Saturday afternoon, and said that as well as disruption on the roads and rail network, buildings were at risk of damage from flooding and lightning strikes. A less severe yellow warning for rain was in place across all counties but that ended on Saturday evening. Muckamore resident, Florence Allison, described the scene as she was forced to leave her home. "It's just horrendous - water everywhere. It's coming in some people's back doors and out the front because they opened their doors. "My doors haven't been opened but it has come in, seeped in below the doors in my dining room and my kitchen and the front hall." She said she would not know how much damage had been done until she was able to get back inside. Mrs Allison added that the situation was "very upsetting" for herself and her elderly neighbours. The Met Office said Belfast International Airport recorded an "incredible" 88.2mm of rainfall on Saturday afternoon. The figure was more than the average rainfall for the whole of July - 81.2mm. The severe weather resulted in at lease five flights being cancelled at the airport, while other passengers complained of long delays at baggage collection. The cancellations have affected customers travelling between Belfast and Faro, Naples, Glasgow and Gdansk. EasyJet customer Cathal O'Doherty told BBC News NI that he and up to 240 other Belfast-bound passengers were stranded in Naples Airport after an earlier flight from Belfast did not take off. In a message on its flight tracker service, easyJet apologised and said the cancellation was "due to adverse weather in Belfast which caused delays with ground handling services", which in turn caused crew on the flight to "reach their maximum legal working hours". Belfast International Airport's business development director, Uel Hoey, confirmed that for a short period on Saturday afternoon, ground staff had to stop working due to safety concerns caused by the "horrendous" weather. He explained that passengers could not be taken on and off aircraft when there was "thunder and lightning above the airfield". Mr Hoey added it was not the only UK airport to be affected and said his staff "did what they had to do to keep people safe". Tamsin Armstrong, who returned to Belfast from Portugal, said she and her young family had to wait three hours and 20 minutes to collect their bags. She said there were "hundreds of people crammed into baggage reclaim" and described the communication as "completely useless". Across Northern Ireland, officials from councils and other agencies held a telephone conference on Saturday to discuss the response to the severe weather. "All agencies have been in a state of readiness since Friday and are responding to numerous calls from across Northern Ireland," a statement said. "The rain is expected to lessen from 19:00 BST onwards however all agencies will continue to monitor the situation and take action accordingly." In other developments: Police say they are receiving a high number calls relating to flooding and are asking people to call Floodline in the first instance on 0300 2000 100. The police have also asked drivers to slow down and take care on the roads. Have you been affected by heavy rain and flooding in your area? If it's safe to do so, you can share your experience by email: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:

['Belfast', 'Police Service of Northern Ireland']

[{"entity": "Northern Ireland", "label": "LOC"}]

Northern Ireland

["Belfast", "Police Service of Northern Ireland"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36742581

Iraq shrine attack: IS kills dozens in Balad

Suicide bombers and gunmen have killed at least 35 people in an attack by so-called Islamic State (IS) at a Shia shrine in the Iraqi town of Balad.

At least one bomber blew himself up outside the mausoleum of Sayid Mohammed bin Ali al-Hadi, which was then stormed by gunmen, reports say. Another bomber is said to have blown himself up among fleeing worshippers. Meanwhile the death toll from Sunday's suicide bombing in Baghdad has again been raised, from 281 to 292. Amid growing public anger over the truck bombing, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi fired the three top security officials in Baghdad on Friday. They were the head of Baghdad's security command, the head of interior ministry intelligence for Baghdad and the official responsible for Baghdad in the national security adviser's office. IS said five of its members had carried out the raid on the site in Balad. The militant group follows an extreme form of Sunni Islam and often targets Shias, who it regards as apostates. About 50 people were injured in the attack, police and medical sources said. Islamic State: The full story Worshippers were marking the Eid al-Fitr festival, celebrating the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when the site came under mortar fire. The first bomber then struck a market at the entrance to the shrine. A third bomber was shot dead before he was able to detonate his explosive vest, reports say. It came four days after IS carried out the deadliest bombing in Baghdad, 45 miles (70km) south of Balad, since the 2003 US-led invasion. That attack target a shopping complex in the mainly Shia Muslim district of Karrada. IS militants overran large parts of northern and western Iraq two years ago, but government forces have since regained much of the territory. In response to the battlefield setbacks, including the recent loss of the western city of Falluja, the militants have stepped up their attacks on civilians. The Iraqi government has been accused of not doing enough to protect its citizens and has stepped-up security in Baghdad in response to the latest violence.

['Iraq', 'Islamic State group']

[{"entity": "Islamic State", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Shia", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Iraqi", "label": "LOC"}, {"entity": "Balad", "label": "LOC"}]

Islamic State ||| Shia ||| Iraqi ||| Balad

["Iraq", "Islamic State group"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51094109

How to save the UK's crisis-hit High Streets

Our High Streets are in crisis. According to the Centre for Retail Research there are around 50,000 fewer shops on our High Streets than just over a decade ago, and some analysts predict it will only get worse.

It's part of a trend that has seen big names struggling and going bust - including Thomas Cook, Mothercare, Bonmarche and Jamie's Italian amongst many others It's not just shops and shoppers who are affected. High Streets have traditionally been at the heart of communities, but as shops close, it can make whole areas unwelcoming. As fewer people come to the High Street, it can make the cycle of decline even worse. For some it can lose its appeal - especially after dark. So problems for the High Street are problems for us all. Many of us have got fed up with all the hassle of going into town, so we let our fingers do the walking. Online is doing better and better and you can see why; one-click shopping makes buying stuff so painless. But internet shopping still only accounts for around 20% of the total. That can't be the whole reason for the High Street's decline. Professor Cathy Parker is co-chair of the Institute of Place Management (IPM) and helps lead the High Streets Task Force, set up by the government last year to support the transformation of town centres. She is an expert in the development of retail - and in her view, it's been integral to town centres, but they are about much more than shopping. "Retail has only ever been a part of the functions of a town and city. In the 1980s and 90s, we got a little bit fixated on retail and we just thought that the whole town and the whole city was all about retail." As we became more fixated, so High Streets started to lose their individuality. Many once-distinctive town centres became home to the same old set of stores owned by a limited number of powerful chains. And as every street came to look the same - so they lost much of their appeal. On top of that we deserted them in favour of the more convenient visit to the out-of-town shopping centres. The number of people visiting the High Street has dropped by 20.5% over the past decade, according to figures from retail analyst company Springboard. To survive and thrive, High Streets need to adapt. But before they do, according to Prof Parker, "places need to understand their function and the things that draw people in to the town centres". To reinvigorate them, we need what you might call a Mars bar approach; building town centres which aren't just about buying stuff, but places you can "work, rest and play". In Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend, department store Havens has suffered the fate of many similar bricks and mortar shops. Once a destination store visited by generations of families, the business has always tried to keep up with changing shopping habits. But they saw the writing was on the wall for the shop itself when online sales started to overtake those in store. The Havens family who ran the shop for generations, took the brave step of taking their business purely online. That could have left the large listed building empty and neglected. But now an enterprising boss of a local charity has taken over two floors of the building, in the hope of reimagining the store and the local High Street. Age Concern Southend chief executive Lin Boulter's idea is giving the building a new lease of life, with a very different purpose. She showed us around the building as it was being transformed. "We've got our podiatrist here, public health are doing flu jabs and smoking cessation. We've got a kitchen that is going to be serving the cafe. And we've been working with a local day care provider for up to 15 people a day," she says. Lin Boulter has converted the store into a hub of local services for the elderly, and which now bounces to the sound of belly dancing classes and the quieter hum of various providers - including hairdressers and social services. Age Concern Southend leases the building from the shop's owners, and in turn charges rent from the services that are moving in. It's early days but Lin Boulter hopes to bring people back onto the High Street and provide footfall for other shops in the area. The Havens store now runs its online business on the top floor. The owner Nigel Havens is pragmatic - pleased the building could be saved for a new purpose: "The High Street's important but it needs to change. The thinking is still very much in the past. High Streets everywhere were built for an era 50, 60, 70, 80 years ago. Unfortunately the thinking is still in that era, and what we need to do is to get reasons for the public to come back into the High Street. It won't principally be driven by shopping." It's not just individuals who are making a difference, councils have also got increasingly involved. Stockton-on-Tees High Street faces challenges typical of those in many towns around the country. In the last five years, the town centre has lost more than a hundred stores, according to the Local Data Company. M&S shut up shop last year and Debenhams is due to close this week. The town has earned a reputation for being proactive in its approach, and is re-thinking its centre, how it should look and what it should offer, and is consulting the local community about this. It is also investing heavily in regenerating the area. Richard McGuckin is Stockton-on-Tees council's economic growth and development director. He has been one of the leaders of a move to change the whole profile of their High Street. "We've created what we describe as a large outdoor room so that we've got places for performers and our large sporting events that we have right throughout the year here." The council is renovating the Globe, an Art Deco theatre - with the aim of generating footfall and a financial boost for the local economy of £18m a year. An expansion of an original smaller scheme, and structural problems with the building work have pushed the budget up to £26.7m. The council's share of that has risen from an initial £1.15m to more than £22m - £18.65m of that being borrowed. The council has also bought up key sites - including a large old shopping centre and is considering how to redevelop the area in consultation with the local community. It's on the shortlist of 100 towns bidding for money from the government's Future High Streets Fund to help realise these plans. The council says although these acquisitions will make money, the main motivation is to regenerate the town centre. Stockton is not alone. Councils across the country have spent £775m on buying up shopping centres in the last three years - one in five of those that have changed hands - according to research by retail property organisation Revo and real estate consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton. Some worry about the risk to taxpayers of councils borrowing money to purchase property. But David Renard, chair of the Local Government Association's board of economy, environment, housing and transport, says in the right circumstances it's the right approach. "I think each location needs to make their own choices and decisions on that. Some authorities clearly have. They feel that's the right thing, to be able to have ownership," he says. "There's no doubt that if you own something, it is far easier to regenerate it and do what you want to. So, I think it's a case of horses for courses." It's certainly true that ownership does give the councils a much bigger say in what the future of our High Streets will look like. Whoever owns the sites - it is clear that our needs are changing. If the UK's High Streets are to survive, they need to change as well. We might moan about the decline of the High Street, but it's happening in part because we choose not to shop there. To tempt us back and rejuvenate the High Street and its shops, planners and retailers will have to work together to build a much more enticing offer to get us off our computer screens and bring us back from out of town shopping centres. Business reporter Adam Shaw presents Panorama: How to Save the High Street on BBC One at 8.30pm tonight

['Westcliff-on-Sea', 'Economics', 'Online shopping', 'Retailing', 'Stockton-on-Tees', 'UK economy', 'Life', 'Lifestyle', 'UK High Streets']

[{"entity": "Centre for Retail Research", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "High Streets", "label": "LOC"}]

High Streets

["Westcliff-on-Sea", "Economics", "Online shopping", "Retailing", "Stockton-on-Tees", "UK economy", "Life", "Lifestyle", "UK High Streets"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43902599

Windrush: Home Office 'to scrap immigration removals targets'

The Home Office is to axe immigration removal targets - a day after Home Secretary Amber Rudd said they did not exist, the BBC understands.

Ms Rudd told MPs investigating the Windrush scandal on Wednesday targets were not set for immigration officials. But after fresh evidence emerged overnight she was forced on Thursday to admit to MPs that "local" targets for "internal" use had been set. The Home Office is now scrapping them, the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg understands. The instruction to axe the targets is likely to be sent out from Immigration and Enforcement, a division of the Home Office, in the coming days. However, the government's overall target of reducing net migration to under 100,000 a year will stay in place, the BBC's political editor said. The home secretary faced fresh calls to quit following her admission that the targets did exist and, according to union officials, are prominently displayed on posters at regional immigration centres. In a separate development on Thursday, she appeared to cast doubt on the government's policy of not being in a customs union with the EU after Brexit - although she later said she "should have been clearer" that "we will be leaving the customs union". Ms Rudd said she had not been aware of the immigration removal targets but Labour's shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said she was "trying to blame officials" and the "direction will have come from the centre". Ms Abbott said she did not see how Ms Rudd could survive in her job "unless she is only there as a human shield for Theresa May". Asked how the targets had impacted on Windrush migrants, Ms Abbott said: "Immigration officials may have been looking for soft targets in the shape of West Indian pensioners who don't have hot shot lawyers." Her Labour frontbench colleague, Dawn Butler, told the BBC's Daily Politics Mrs May was "presiding over a government that has policies that are institutionally racist". Ms Rudd told MPs investigating the Windrush scandal on Wednesday targets were not set for immigration officials. But after fresh evidence emerged overnight she was forced on Thursday to admit to MPs that "local" targets for "internal" use had been set. The Home Office is now scrapping them, the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg understands. The instruction to axe the targets is likely to be sent out from Immigration and Enforcement, a division of the Home Office, in the coming days. However, the government's overall target of reducing net migration to under 100,000 a year will stay in place, the BBC's political editor said. The home secretary faced fresh calls to quit following her admission that the targets did exist and, according to union officials, are prominently displayed on posters at regional immigration centres. In a separate development on Thursday, she appeared to cast doubt on the government's policy of not being in a customs union with the EU after Brexit - although she later said she "should have been clearer" that "we will be leaving the customs union". Ms Rudd said she had not been aware of the immigration removal targets but Labour's shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said she was "trying to blame officials" and the "direction will have come from the centre". Ms Abbott said she did not see how Ms Rudd could survive in her job "unless she is only there as a human shield for Theresa May". Asked how the targets had impacted on Windrush migrants, Ms Abbott said: "Immigration officials may have been looking for soft targets in the shape of West Indian pensioners who don't have hot shot lawyers." Her Labour frontbench colleague, Dawn Butler, told the BBC's Daily Politics Mrs May was "presiding over a government that has policies that are institutionally racist". By Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor What is remarkable is how the Home Office suddenly ditched the targets. They were introduced under Labour and tightened up under the Tories to try to cut the numbers of people living in the UK without the legal right to do so. Ministers believed then, and still now, that the public demand for tighter rules must be heeded. It is remarkable then that, in less than 24 hours, the home secretary seemed to suddenly ditch that whole approach. In the commotion, she has made a significant break with Theresa May's approach. Read more from Laura The SNP's home affairs spokeswoman Alison Thewlis also called for Ms Rudd's resignation, saying she was presiding over a department "out of control" and it was "no surprise" targets existed as there was "a litany of callous incompetence" at the Home Office. Conservative backbenchers, including Sir Nicholas Soames and Philip Davies, rallied behind Ms Rudd, with Mr Davies saying most members of the public backed tougher action against illegal immigration and accused Labour and the SNP of being "out of touch with working class communities". Answering an urgent question in the Commons earlier on Thursday, Ms Rudd said: "I have never agreed that there should be specific removal targets and I would never support a policy that puts targets ahead of people. "The immigration arm of the Home Office has been using local targets for internal performance management. "These were not published targets against which performance was assessed, but if they were used inappropriately then I am clear that this will have to change. "I have asked officials to provide me with a full picture of performance measurement tools which are used at all levels, and will update the House and the Home Affairs select committee as soon as possible." An inspection report from December 2015, seen by the BBC, showed targets for the voluntary departures of people regarded as having no right to stay in the UK existed at that time. The Windrush row erupted after it emerged relatives of migrants from Commonwealth Caribbean countries who settled in the UK from the late 1940s to the 1970s had been declared illegal immigrants if they could not provide a range of documentation that proved they had lived in the UK continuously. Some of the Windrush generation have been threatened with deportation, lost their jobs or been refused access to medical treatment. Cancer patient Albert Thompson, the man who has been the focus of much of the Windrush row, has now been given a date to start his treatment on the NHS and granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. It comes after he was told last year he would have to pay £54,000 unless he could produce the right documentation. Addressing the Home Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday, Ms Rudd said she had asked for more removals of illegal immigrants to take place, but added: "We don't have targets for removals." Lucy Moreton, general secretary of the Immigration Service Union, had told the MPs a national target, broken down regionally, had been set to remove people in the UK illegally, and staff were under "increasing pressure" to meet it. There are three types of enforceable departures: deportations, administrative removals, and voluntary departures. The term "voluntary" describes the method of departure rather than the choice of whether or not to depart, the Migration Observatory explains. Those leaving in this way are able to approach the Home Office for financial assistance with their travel arrangements. The Green Party has echoed calls for Ms Rudd to quit, saying that her confirmation of the existence of targets had "confirmed our worst fears about the Home Office". "You can't set targets for people you want to kick out without deciding that some people won't get a fair hearing, because there's a quota to meet by the end of the year," said co-leader Jonathan Bartley. Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable has raised concerns about the Home Office's ability to process applications from millions of EU nationals who want to stay in the UK after Brexit if it cannot deal properly with the Windrush generation. The government has set up a task force to help those affected by the Windrush cases formalise their status. So far 3,800 calls have been made to the helpline, of which 1,364 were potentially Windrush cases, MPs were told on Wednesday. By Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor What is remarkable is how the Home Office suddenly ditched the targets. They were introduced under Labour and tightened up under the Tories to try to cut the numbers of people living in the UK without the legal right to do so. Ministers believed then, and still now, that the public demand for tighter rules must be heeded. It is remarkable then that, in less than 24 hours, the home secretary seemed to suddenly ditch that whole approach. In the commotion, she has made a significant break with Theresa May's approach. Read more from Laura The SNP's home affairs spokeswoman Alison Thewlis also called for Ms Rudd's resignation, saying she was presiding over a department "out of control" and it was "no surprise" targets existed as there was "a litany of callous incompetence" at the Home Office. Conservative backbenchers, including Sir Nicholas Soames and Philip Davies, rallied behind Ms Rudd, with Mr Davies saying most members of the public backed tougher action against illegal immigration and accused Labour and the SNP of being "out of touch with working class communities". Answering an urgent question in the Commons earlier on Thursday, Ms Rudd said: "I have never agreed that there should be specific removal targets and I would never support a policy that puts targets ahead of people. "The immigration arm of the Home Office has been using local targets for internal performance management. "These were not published targets against which performance was assessed, but if they were used inappropriately then I am clear that this will have to change. "I have asked officials to provide me with a full picture of performance measurement tools which are used at all levels, and will update the House and the Home Affairs select committee as soon as possible." An inspection report from December 2015, seen by the BBC, showed targets for the voluntary departures of people regarded as having no right to stay in the UK existed at that time. The Windrush row erupted after it emerged relatives of migrants from Commonwealth Caribbean countries who settled in the UK from the late 1940s to the 1970s had been declared illegal immigrants if they could not provide a range of documentation that proved they had lived in the UK continuously. Some of the Windrush generation have been threatened with deportation, lost their jobs or been refused access to medical treatment. Cancer patient Albert Thompson, the man who has been the focus of much of the Windrush row, has now been given a date to start his treatment on the NHS and granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. It comes after he was told last year he would have to pay £54,000 unless he could produce the right documentation. Addressing the Home Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday, Ms Rudd said she had asked for more removals of illegal immigrants to take place, but added: "We don't have targets for removals." Lucy Moreton, general secretary of the Immigration Service Union, had told the MPs a national target, broken down regionally, had been set to remove people in the UK illegally, and staff were under "increasing pressure" to meet it. There are three types of enforceable departures: deportations, administrative removals, and voluntary departures. The term "voluntary" describes the method of departure rather than the choice of whether or not to depart, the Migration Observatory explains. Those leaving in this way are able to approach the Home Office for financial assistance with their travel arrangements. The Green Party has echoed calls for Ms Rudd to quit, saying that her confirmation of the existence of targets had "confirmed our worst fears about the Home Office". "You can't set targets for people you want to kick out without deciding that some people won't get a fair hearing, because there's a quota to meet by the end of the year," said co-leader Jonathan Bartley. Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable has raised concerns about the Home Office's ability to process applications from millions of EU nationals who want to stay in the UK after Brexit if it cannot deal properly with the Windrush generation. The government has set up a task force to help those affected by the Windrush cases formalise their status. So far 3,800 calls have been made to the helpline, of which 1,364 were potentially Windrush cases, MPs were told on Wednesday.

['UK immigration', 'Home Office', 'Windrush scandal', 'Amber Rudd']

[{"entity": "Home Office", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "Amber Rudd", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "BBC", "label": "ORG"}]

Home Office ||| BBC

["UK immigration", "Home Office", "Windrush scandal", "Amber Rudd"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48840075

Welsh food producers have 'major post-Brexit worries'

Welsh food producers have "major concerns" their brands will not be safeguarded under a no-deal Brexit.

Some of Wales' best known food and drinks - including Welsh lamb, laverbread and Caerphilly cheese - are protected by the EU's Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. However, the UK government has warned there are no guarantees that will continue after leaving the EU. One Welsh levy body said 20 years of work "could be lost" without a deal. When it comes to food produce, it is all about making a name and whether it's Champagne, Parma ham or Cornish pasties, those names are protected. Gaining PGI status is highly sought after and can take years to attain. It took close to 11 years for the Melton Mowbray pork pie to be officially recognised. The scheme gives legal protection against imitation, enhanced profile and the chance to get a premium price. It also aims to offer consumers confidence in what they are buying. So there is growing concern at what will happen after Brexit - particularly if there is no-deal. Halen Mon Anglesey Sea Salt said winning EU protection had been "very influential" in its exports. "It's recognised as a symbol of quality in the EU, especially by our markets in Italy and Spain, but also in places like Japan and the USA," said co-founder Alison Lea-Wilson. "We are concerned about what will happen after Brexit because no one seems to know what will or might happen. "We know our brand has been imitated before and, as a small business, would find it very hard to defend an action, particularly overseas." A report commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2015 found that Welsh lamb exports had increased "significantly" after gaining PGI status. According to research for the EU, those designated products were sold at a price 2.23 times higher than products without such trademarks. It also said that the total sales of PGIs in 2010 was €54.3bn (£48.7bn). "Having that status is central to everything we have been doing for Welsh lamb and beef for the last 20 years," said Owen Roberts of Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). "It provides gravitas and means products are recognised around the world as being up there with Champagne and Parma ham. "We've based our entire marketing strategy on having that designation, to show quality and traceability, and there's a danger of all that investment being undermined." Puffin Produce Ltd said gaining protected status for Pembrokeshire Earlies had provided "significant economic and social" benefits across the county. The UK government said it anticipated that the EU PGI schemes would continue to protect all current UK PGIs after the UK leaves the EU. However, it has warned companies to prepare to re-apply in the case of a no-deal and it could also affect new products applying. The UK government is also proposing a separate UK scheme following departure from EU that will "broadly mirror" the current system. There has already been disagreement over the logo to be used, the worth of a new unrecognised scheme and the expense of potentially having to produce separate packaging for the UK and EU markets. Welsh producers have said they do not want to be "subsumed" by a UK brand. "Our research shows consumers respond far more positively to a Welsh flag than a British flag," said Dr Roberts. "Having a UK logo defeats the object of recognising something distinctly Welsh, or Scottish or specific to a region in England." There has also yet to be any guarantee given that current EU funding for PGI products would be replaced under a UK scheme. The Welsh Government said it was working with producers to move into a new scheme once the terms of Brexit hadbeen agreed. A spokesman said: "There is already a precedent in place where countries outside of the EU can access the protected status scheme, such as Colombian coffee, which is protected in the EU market. "If the UK left without a deal there is no reason why existing Welsh products should not retain their current GI status and any potential new products could seek protection as a third country after we leave." The UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it recognised the "crucial role that GIs play in protecting the provenance and heritage of some of our best-loved food and drink products, from Anglesey sea salt to traditional Welsh Caerphilly". "The UK is ready to launch its own GI schemes at the point at which EU rules cease to apply in the UK."

['Sheep farming', 'Wales business', 'UK farming', 'Wales Brexit', 'Gower', 'Food', 'Wales economy', 'Brexit']

[{"entity": "Brexit", "label": "ORG"}]

Brexit

["Sheep farming", "Wales business", "UK farming", "Wales Brexit", "Gower", "Food", "Wales economy", "Brexit"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52043604

Pure gold: Will Gompertz reviews the pick of your online picks ★★★★★

This week I'm picking the pick of your picks. That is, the recommendations you generously made in response to my review last week, in which I suggested five great pieces of content free to see or hear online, and then asked for yours.

Your correspondence covered a lot of bases, from Stevie Wonder's 1960s drum solos on YouTube (astonishing) to Channel 4's terrific adaptation of Anthony Powell's novel A Dance to The Music of Time, itself a post-war masterpiece. And then there was the weird stuff, which fell into two categories: the weirdly weird and the wonderfully weird. In the latter grouping is Hooting Yard On The Air, a radio programme broadcast on the magnificent Resonance FM from 2004 until 2019, written and hosted by the late Frank Key, a man who sat somewhere between Edward Lear and Ivor Cutler in the pantheon of Great British Storytelling Eccentrics. There are hundreds of episodes to choose from, all of which have the same vital ingredient: Frank Key, a man of whom I'd never heard until being tipped off last week on Twitter by Simon Rae (thanks Simon). Hooting Yard is just the antidote we need at a time like this, a magical world of the imagination full of nonsense tales recounted by a man who took the same approach to words as my dog does to mud: he wallowed in them. There are rambling fables about wolves and Petula Clark and unsubstantiated bizarre events; some are accompanied by live knitting, all are delivered in our blathering host's gummy-mouthed baritone voice. If you like Alan Moore, you'll love Frank Key. And if you love Frank Key, the chances are you'll be hooked on the early movies of the pioneering French filmmaker Georges Méliès, which are freely available to watch at the Internet Archive. Ease yourself in with his classic short A Trip to the Moon (1902), in which he stars as the hair-brained visionary Professor Barbenfouillis, an academic who is determined to be the first man on the Moon. Honestly, it's better than the majority of movies made today - and boasts one of the most famous shots in cinema history, which you'll undoubtedly recognise as soon as it appears. The soundtrack is good, too. Prof Barbenfouillis wasn't the only character with a mighty big hairdo put forward as a recommendation. The softly spoken Bob Ross was suggested as the go-to art teacher for our new stay-at-home culture. He seems like a lovely guy, a gentle soul who swapped military life for painting. In the 1980s & '90s he made a series of tutorial programmes, which are now a big hit on YouTube. He's a good teacher, but I'm not so sure about his art. I'd be tempted to go to the opposite end of the hair spectrum and check out the tutorials produced by the Museum of Modern Art, most of which are given by the smooth-headed, smooth-talking Corey D'Augustine. You wanna paint like Yayoi Kusama? Corey will show you how. I know I shouldn't use the C-word because it's horrible, but I'm going to just this once: coronavirus. Specifically, what will be the artistic response to this nasty, nasty bug? We've seen Chris Martin lead the way with at-home gigs, and heard about the National Theatre making some of its biggest hits available for free online (don't miss One Man, Two Guvnors this Thursday with a stand-out performance by James Corden). But the best is probably yet to come. Or, maybe, it is just beginning… A comedian named Tania Edwards started tweeting The Corona Diaries on 16 March, which began like this: "My God everything's been cancelled. Even two shows that were confirmed this morning were off by this afternoon. I spent loads of cash in anticipation of a great March. Now I'm broke in incredible knickers." She told her followers the diaries would mostly be about her getting drunk and taking her temperature. Four days later she started coughing. I'll leave you to pick up her story from this point, but sense there is something very promising emerging from this witty woman, a sort of Bridget Jones meets a global pandemic. If I were a publisher I'd sign her up sharpish. I imagine there are loads of other talented people doing excellent work. Have you come across anything? If so, I'd love to know (tweet me). But for now, I'll leave you with the final tip: check out Chester Zoo on Facebook. It's producing daily streams hosted by its keepers featuring the animals they look after. It's absolutely fabulous. Recent reviews by Will Gompertz Follow Will Gompertz on Twitter

['Chester Zoo', 'Filmmaking', 'James Corden']

[]

NoPresentEntity

["Chester Zoo", "Filmmaking", "James Corden"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39281754

In full: Hammond NI U-turn letter to MPs

Here is the full text of Chancellor Philip Hammond's letter to Conservative MPs explaining his decision to drop National Insurance increases announced in last week's Budget.

Dear Colleague I am writing to clarify the Government's position with regard to the changes to National Insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed, announced in last week's Budget. As I set out last Wednesday, the gap between benefits available to the self-employed and those in employment has closed significantly over the last few years - most notably by the introduction of the new State Pension in April 2016, worth an additional £1,800 to a self-employed person for each year of retirement. It remains our judgment that the current differences in benefit entitlement no longer justify the scale of difference in the level of total NICs paid in respect of employees and the self-employed. Colleagues will be aware that there has been a sharp increase in self-employment over the last few years. Most commentators believe that at least part of the increase is driven by differences in tax treatment. HMRC estimates that the cost to the public finances of this trend is around £5bn this year alone and the parallel increase in incorporation will cost more than £6bn a year by the end of the Parliament. This represents a significant risk to the tax base and thus to the funding of our public services. The measures I announced in the Budget sought to reflect more fairly the differences in entitlement in the contributions made by the self-employed and addresses the challenge of sustainability of the tax base. The Government continues to believe that this is the right approach. Since the Budget, however, there has been much comment on the question of commitments made in our 2015 manifesto. Ahead of Autumn Statement last year, the Prime Minister and I decided that, however difficult the fiscal challenges we face, the tax-lock and spending ring-fence commitments we have made for this Parliament should be honoured in full. I made this clear in the Autumn Statement speech. As far as National Insurance contributions are concerned, the locks were legislated for in the National Insurance contributions (Rate Ceilings) Act 2015. When that Bill was introduced, it was made clear that the lock would apply only to Class 1 contributions (employer and employee). The measures proposed in the Budget fall within the constraints set out by the tax-lock legislation and the spending ring-fences. However, in light-of the debate over the last few days it is clear that compliance with the "legislative" test of the Manifesto commitment is not adequate. It is very important both to me and to the Prime Minister that we are compliant not just with the letter, but also the spirit, of the commitments that were made. In light of what has emerged as a clear view among colleagues and a significant section of the public, I have decided not to proceed with the Class 4 NIC measures set out in the Budget. There will be no increases in NICs rates in this Parliament. We will continue with the abolition of Class 2 NICs from April 2018. The cost of the changes I am announcing today will be funded by measures to be announced in the Autumn Budget. I undertook in the Budget speech to consult over the summer on options to address the principal outstanding difference in benefit entitlement between employed and self-employed: parental benefits. We now intend to widen this exercise to look at the other areas of difference in treatment, alongside the Government's consideration of the forthcoming report by Matthew Taylor, CEO of the RSA, on the implication of different ways of working for employment rights. Once we have completed these pieces of work, the Government will set out how it intends to take forward, and fund, reforms in this area. I plan to make a statement in the House later today. Philip Hammond

['Philip Hammond', 'Conservative Party']

[{"entity": "Philip Hammond", "label": "PER"}, {"entity": "Conservative", "label": "ORG"}, {"entity": "National Insurance", "label": "ORG"}]

Philip Hammond ||| National Insurance

["Philip Hammond", "Conservative Party"]

english

en

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33846756

Network Rail fined £2m for delays

Network Rail has been fined £2m by the rail regulator over train delays and cancellations in 2014-15.

The delays were mainly at London Bridge station, but also in Scotland. Network Rail's performance on Southern, on Govia Thameslink (GTR) and in Scotland was "below expectations and missed punctuality targets", the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said. Network Rail has apologised to passengers for "disruption and frustration". However, it said it had invested more than £11m to "improve performance for Southern and Thameslink passengers" since the start of 2015. Phil Hufton, managing director of network operations at Network Rail, said: "At London Bridge we are undertaking the biggest and most complex station and track redevelopment ever attempted on Britain's railways - while simultaneously continuing to keep services running." Commuters using London Bridge began to face delays in January due to rebuilding work as part of the government-sponsored £6.5bn Thameslink Programme. In March, there were chaotic scenes at London Bridge, which rail union RMT described as "life-threatening", as passengers jumped barriers to avoid crushes on the concourse. The regulator said that Network Rail had failed to liaise properly with operators to understand the extent of the disruption, and had also used flawed data to compile timetables. It said Network Rail had "significantly underestimated the impact of the Thameslink programme on performance, which was further exacerbated by a timetable that was not robust". ORR chief executive Richard Price said: "The scale of the delays suffered by passengers was central to our decision to fine." "The penalty sends a clear message to the Network Rail board: Network Rail must urgently rectify these errors and deliver the reliability of services that passengers have paid for," he added. Errors in timetabling in Scotland were not picked up due to quality assurance issues there, ORR said. The fine either has to be paid to the Treasury, or instead, the £2m will have to be used to improve customer services beyond what is normally expected, a spokeswoman for the ORR said. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the Network Rail fine was "a ludicrous way to run a railway" as it was "effectively the taxpayer fining themselves". Network Rail is a public-sector body. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The fines will have to be paid for by axing works ‎or cutting staff, creating a vicious cycle of decline that is self-defeating and will just mean more fines and more cuts in the future, which is a nonsense." He added that "fragmentation and a proliferation of contractors and agencies on our tracks... are compromising infrastructure projects". A Network Rail spokesman said that it was too early to speculate as to whether the fine would lead to job losses. The public sector body has already had to halt some rail improvement works, however. In June a £500m project to electrify the Midland Mainline was "paused" by the government.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-47853177

Risedale Sports and Community College stops exclusions

A secondary school head teacher has stopped exclusions saying he does not want to give up on pupils, despite its performance falling as a result.

Risedale Sports and Community College, in Catterick, North Yorkshire, gave out 85 fixed-term exclusions in 2015-16 but none so far this academic year. Head Colin Scott, who took up the role in 2017, said he wanted to increase attendance and "work on the kids". But he admitted keeping some pupils had caused performance figures to "drop". "It is our view that if we are going to help support these kids, we can't give up on them," Mr Scott said. "They might give up on themselves but we don't give up on them." In 2016-17 there were 7,720 permanent exclusions at schools in England, a rise of 67% since 2012-13. In 2016-17 there were 381,865 fixed-term exclusions at schools in England, a rise of 43% since 2012-13. A fixed-term exclusion can be anything from part of a day to a maximum of 45 days within a single academic year. The increase in exclusions has prompted Ofsted to write to head teachers urging them to do more for troubled students. The school is in a military town three miles south of Richmond and has one of the largest proportions of service children (50%) of any secondary school in the UK. It currently has 512 students aged 11-16 years. A school's performance is measured through pupils' progress, called Progress 8, via a scoring system of between -1 and 1, with the average being 0. A score lower than 0 is recognised as not achieving the minimum standard expected by the government, with -1 being well below average. Mr Scott, himself an Ofsted inspector and former police special constable, said keeping some children in school, who otherwise would have been excluded, had "caused a 0.2 drop in our P8 figure" despite some pupils "only being with us a matter of months". "What we have been able to do is to support the management of behaviour better, keep kids in school more, and work on the kids while we've got them in school to help support their behaviours," At Risedale, pupils who may previously have been excluded can be moved from their usual class to another for a day, or go to a room to work on their own. Gary Morley, attendance and family support officer at the school, said teachers, students and parents all seemed to be happy with the way behaviour was now dealt with. "Over the past two years it has been a lot calmer - the head teacher and the school have a new system of behaviour management that has made things very calm throughout the school. "It works well. Everybody seems to know where they're going and what they're doing." Children's Commissioner for England Anne Longfield said there were some schools that were "keener on excluding children" to attain better performance levels. "Recent figures we've produced show 88% of exclusions take part in just 10% of schools". "Those schools that are chasing the academic grades are much more likely to want to have those children off site and off their books." She said she wanted schools to provide more support to children at risk of exclusion and to "keep them in school". Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-57468169

Maisie Peters: Meet the singer who's been snapped up by Ed Sheeran

With her candid, tuneful pop songs, Maisie Peters has built up a passionate fanbase that includes everyone from Taylor Swift to Lewis Capaldi.

Now, she can add Ed Sheeran to that list, as he's just signed the 21-year-old to his Gingerbread Records label. The duo have also written a single called Psycho, for Peters' forthcoming debut album, You Signed Up For This. "She's a very special artist who continues to push her storytelling in new directions," says Sheeran. "We had a few great writing sessions together and from there I knew I had to work with her." Peters, meanwhile, can't quite believe she gets to call Sheeran her boss. "I've loved him since his first album," she says. "I mean, who were you if you didn't try and learn I See Fire on the guitar? "It's weird because we're friends now, but sometimes I'm still like, 'Oh wow, that's Ed Sheeran.'" Sheeran isn't the first musician to spot her talents. After hearing Peters cover her song Betty last year, Taylor Swift got in touch to say, "My ears have been blessed." Grammy nominee JP Saxe, who duetted with Peters on the single Maybe Don't, calls her "someone to hold on to". "She's able to be really vulnerable while still having a smile on her face," he says. "I love that about her music and I appreciate that about her as a person, too." Celebrity endorsements aside, Peters has been doing pretty well on her own. Since emerging in 2017, her songs have amassed half a billion streams worldwide, and she's sold out major venues like London's Shepherd's Bush Empire - all without releasing an album. Her profile rose in 2019, when Love Island featured two of her tracks, Favourite Ex and Feels Like This, and she was about to go on tour with One Direction's Niall Horan when the pandemic struck last year. "It was a big, screeching halt, and it was really hard at first," she says, "But ultimately it meant I could make the album that I've made." Due out in August, the record charts her journey from small-town teenager to adulthood, via blossoming relationships (Outdoor Pool), heartbreak (Villain), and holidays with her twin sister (Brooklyn). Psycho, one of three Ed Sheeran co-writes, was the last song she finished for the album. A vivid and wryly-observed pop anthem, it sees Peters confronting an ex who badmouths her in public, but still calls her on the sly. "The song feels like Abba to me, which I'm obsessed with," she says. "Everything is so sharp and concise, and I think that's what makes a perfect pop song." We caught up with Peters in her childhood home - where she was swotting for a driving test - to explore her story so far. Congratulations on the album. When did it all come together? It's funny, I've been trying to make my first album since I was 12, writing songs as a Texas woman who threw my husband in the river! But I've been more concisely working on it since summer 2020. I actually went away and got a cottage and started the seeds of the album there. What's it like to write with Ed Sheeran? He's so fast! And luckily I'm pretty fast too, because you have to keep up. He's insanely skilled at getting to the point of the song, and it's inspiring to be in the same room as him. You wrote your first ever song on a friend's guitar, is that right? Yes, I'm not from a musical family, so I borrowed my friend's guitar and started writing songs for my school music project. And I actually wrote my song and my sister's song, and then I wrote my friend's song. So I was basically a jobbing songwriter at the age of 12. How did you know what to do? Well, I'm a massive Taylor Swift fan and I loved Girls Aloud and Lily Allen - so I think, in a way, I'd studied those songs, growing up. I was always fascinated by lyrics. I would read along to work out what they were saying and then I'd learn them. So when it came to writing my own songs it wasn't like I knew what I was doing, necessarily, but I was so immersed in that world that, in my first years especially, I was really just copying them. You have a real rapport with your audience on stage. Where does that come from? It's something I built up through busking and pub gigs. Those were so formative in learning about stagecraft - but also about how people don't have to listen to you. They have all the rights in the world to walk past and not even look. So you have to make sure you've got something to say, so that people stick around. I saw you headline Shepherd's Bush Empire in late 2019, and it felt like a real "arrival of a pop star" moment. But three months later, the brakes went on. What was that like from your perspective? I felt like I was on a train, on the precipice [of something big] and then it was a big screeching halt. But I wonder what sort of album I'd have made otherwise, because I was meant to be touring. I wasn't going to be home very much. You started an online book club during the lockdown. Do you get lyrical inspiration from reading? Yeah, absolutely. Because I started so young, I really cut my teeth writing as other people. As I've gotten older, I've delved more into my own life - but it's fun when my songs draw from several different people. Or maybe it's about one person but there's three lines which are about my friend's boyfriend. Do people assume everything is autobiographical? Yeah definitely, and I don't mind that. As a songwriter, it's my least favourite job to tell people how they should hear my music. The fact they want to hear it, full stop, is amazing. It's funny, though, because even though I know how I write lyrics, I listen to every Taylor Swift song and I'm like, "Yes that is 100% about her!" What was it like when Taylor Swift contacted you last year? Oh, wow. It was very exciting. I just screamed. My sister Ellen has a video of me running into her room, going: "ELLLEN! TAYLOR SWIFT HAS TWEETED ME!" I love her and she's a massive inspiration to me. If she called up and asked you to duet on one of her new songs, the answer would be... The answer would be, "I love you. Let's get married." I will do anything Taylor Swift wants. There's your headline! You have a really close relationship with your fans, doing regular Zoom calls and joining WhatsApp groups. It's almost a symbiotic thing, I think. Yeah, that's really sweet. I just love them all, they're so funny. A lot of us are really similar ages and we go through really similar things. Have you made any permanent friends? Yeah, I played a show in Montreal, and there was a girl outside called Ashley, who gave me some Canadian crisps. But then she couldn't actually get into the show because she didn't have her ID, so I played this little separate concert for her and her parents outside and now we're friends. I was doing a Zoom recently and Ashley was like, "I'm flying out to meet my boyfriend for the first time." And we were like, "Oh my God, Ashley!" Stuff like that is so the point. I love knowing these people. It's so special. 1) Places We Were Made (2017) That song was my first single, and it's about my hometown, Steyning which is a little village near Brighton. I wrote it when I was 16, and it's very autobiographical. I was finishing school and a lot of my friends were leaving, knowing that we might never come back. 2) Favourite Ex (2019) That was inspired by a conversation with my sister's ex at a party. He was pretty not sober and he said something about my sister being his favourite ex-girlfriend. I remember thinking it was a really nice turn of phrase, and when I was writing the song, that line effortlessly slipped in. I call it Magpie-ing, where you take lots of little shiny bits and store them up. 3) Sad Girl Summer (2020) This is maybe blasphemy, but I think this song has an almost Simon and Garfunkel feel, where it has lots of different characters telling their stories. It's a super-modern pop song, but the narrative is almost like a folk song. 4) John Hughes Movie (2020) This video was my little dreamscape baby. I wanted a combination of those nostalgic 80s movies and the violence of Quentin Tarantino. I spoke to the director and we created this insane, prom night John Hughes movie where everything was allowed. We had cheerleaders, and zombies on skateboards and a heart being ripped out, like an Indiana Jones tribute. It was so much fun. 5) Psycho (2021) One reason I love Psycho is because it's so tight. I went into the studio going, "I want to make a song as upbeat as Call Me Maybe." It was a lofty goal. Who knows if we measured up, but we like to aim high! Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-56346598

Manchester Arena Inquiry: 'No surprise' if failings reoccur

It would be no surprise if fire service failures after the Manchester Arena attack were to happen again, the Fire Brigades Union has told an inquiry.

Fire crews took two hours to get to the scene of the bomb on 22 May 2017. Andy Dark, assistant general secretary of the union, also said he would be surprised if "performance in any such future incident were not to be worse". John Cooper QC, representing some of the bereaved families, said that would "cause profound anxiety" for them. The inquiry has heard previously that police declared a "marauding terrorist firearms attack" amid erroneous reports of gunfire. They failed to inform the fire and ambulance services when discovering this was not the case. This meant firefighters were kept away from the scene for two hours. A total of 22 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a suicide bomber detonated his device as music fans streamed out of Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert. Mr Dark's statement, dated January this year, was read by Mr Cooper at the inquiry into the terror attack. In it, Mr Dark said his union was not surprised by the service's failures, adding: "If a similar incident was to occur in the UK, the FBU would be surprised if those failings were not to be replicated. "In fact we would be surprised if the fire and rescue service performance in any such future incident were not to be worse." Mr Dark told the inquiry he stood by his statement. "Without any sense of satisfaction, it's not a salacious comment and I stand by the comment, both individually and for the Fire Brigades Union." Mr Dark insisted he was not saying the lessons of the arena bombing had not been learned or taken on board. But he said the union had no way of telling how widely they can be applied across fire and rescue services with a marauding terrorist firearms attack capability. The inquiry continues. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-40102762

Priyanka Chopra attacked for 'showing legs' to India PM Modi

Actress Priyanka Chopra's decision to wear a dress that showed her legs for a meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi has been criticised by some social media users in India.

Some Facebook users told her off for "disrespecting" the PM". The unapologetic actress responded by posting a picture of both her mother and her wearing short dresses, captioned "legs for the day". Other Indian actresses have also faced anger over their choice of attire. Deepika Padukone once publicly called out a leading Indian newspaper in 2014 for tweeting a picture of her cleavage. "YES! I am a Woman. I have breasts AND a cleavage! You got a problem!!??" Padukone tweeted to the paper. Many other actresses also came out in support of her. The controversy began after Chopra, who stars in the new Baywatch film and in the US television series Quantico, posted a picture with Mr Modi, thanking him "for taking the time from his packed schedule" to meet her in Berlin. It didn't take long though, before the "disrespectful" dress became the topic of conversation, with many commenting on how it "insulted" Mr Modi and his "pious followers." Chopra chose not to directly respond to people, but instead made what many are calling a "classy comeback" on Instagram, featuring herself, her mother, and of course, legs. The post had received more than 100,000 "likes" in a little over four hours. And while Chopra chose not to directly engage with those criticising her, many of her fans took on her trolls in her defence:

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