bbcuk--2020-01-14--Least used railway station Redcar British Steel gets visitor boost

Hundreds of people visiting Britain 's least used railway station may have saved it from the title this year , according to the Office of Rail and Road ( ORR ) .
Redcar British Steel station saw 360 entries and exits during 2018-19 , up from just 40 the year before .
Two railway stations in north-west England have inherited the title .
Stanlow and Thornton in Cheshire and Denton in Greater Manchester had 46 entries and exits each in 2018-19 .
The ORR said Redcar British Steel `` may have attracted visitors '' because of being named the least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The station closed to the public in December 2019 but the new figures only cover up to the end of March .
Usage fell after the nearby SSI steel plant in Teesside shut in 2015 .
One of Redcar British Steel 's visitors over the last year was Geoff Marshall , from London .
Mr Marshall has a YouTube channel dedicated to visiting stations across the UK and says he has nearly completed a challenge to go to the least visited station in every English county .
`` It 's a great way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marshall said .
`` There 's also a fascination with why certain rarely used stations exist .
`` You research the history and in some cases the world has changed and communities have moved on . ''
`` It 's great going to small , lesser seen places in the country , '' he said .
`` It 's an adventure . ''
For 12-year-old Danill Owens visiting the least-used station is an annual tradition .
His father Lewis , of Ruislip , Middlesex , said : `` It is a family tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although there `` was n't a great deal to see '' at the site , the 47-year-old said it was sad to see the SSI plant in the background , showing `` the loss of the steel industry '' in the area .
You may also be interested in : • 'Worst prison ' conditions 'improve dramatically'Private cars to be banned from going through city • The club helping 'guys run towards their purpose' Where will enthusiasts who like to boost the passenger numbers of Britain 's loneliest stations want to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Denton station in Tameside , Greater Manchester .
Along with Stanlow and Thornton station in Cheshire just 46 passengers were recorded in the year ending March 2019 .
And it looks like the kind of place even tumbleweed snubs .
Tucked behind a bus stop near a motorway flyover you enter via a steep set of metal stairs .
Once on the platform there are just two benches , no shelter and no toilets .
There are signs that human life has passed by as discarded cans lie on the track and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridge .
Yet some people clearly do care for this forlorn outpost of the rail network .
The Friends Of Denton Station have planted three flower beds to bring a semblance of colour to somewhere that looks particularly bleak on a wet and windy January day .
London Waterloo remained the most used station , with more than 94 million entries and exits in the last year .
Cardiff Central was the busiest station in Wales with 14.2 million entries and exits .
Sugar Loaf in Powys recorded the fewest passengers with 708 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's least used with 122 entries and exits , while Glasgow Central was the most used with nearly 32.8 million .
The estimates are largely based on ticket sales .
Many stations are kept open despite being rarely used because it is easier to arrange for a train to stop infrequently than obtain permission to close a station .
Rail operator Northern said it was contractually obliged to run a minimum level of services to the rarely visited stations , but there was `` no demand '' and `` low usage '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the title of least used in Britain include Barry Links in 2016-17 and Teesside Airport , Darlington , between 2012 and 2014 .
Shippea Hill , in Cambridgeshire was the least used for two years but received a boost in passengers after Great British Bake Off finalist Ian Cumming offered mince pies to people who disembarked at the station on Christmas Eve 2016 .

Although there "wasn't a great deal to see" at the site, the 47-year-old said it was sad to see the SSI plant in the background, showing "the loss of the steel industry" in the area.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Former Speaker John Bercow claimed £1,000 taxi fare

Former Commons Speaker John Bercow spent £1,000 on a taxi fare and £12,000 on leaving parties for staff in the run-up to his retirement .
Mr Bercow , who stood down before the election , also spent £7,000 on a US visit in his final months in the job .
His expenses were obtained via a Daily Mail Freedom of Information request .
A Commons spokesman said the 260-mile trip from London to Nottingham , in April , was made by taxi rather than train for security reasons .
Mr Bercow was in Nottingham to deliver a speech about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age '' .
He had travelled from London to Nottingham by train in 2018 , for a meeting of the UK Youth Parliament , at a cost of £70 , according to earlier Freedom of Information disclosures .
`` Due to heightened security concerns for the safety of MPs , Mr Bercow was advised it was safer for him to travel to Nottingham Trent University by taxi , rather than by train , '' said a Commons spokeswoman .
In May 2019 , Mr Bercow spent £7,000 on a visit to Washington DC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` role of Parliament in today 's Britain '' to a think tank , a trip that also took in Virginia and Boston .
The former Speaker 's expenses also included a £118-a-month Sky TV subscription for Speaker 's House , the apartment within the Palace of Westminster where Mr Bercow lived with his family .
The biggest expense in the final months of Mr Bercow 's nine-year tenure as Speaker was staff leaving parties .
The £12,000 bill included an invoice for £3,168 for a retirement party for Speaker 's chaplain Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the Bishop of Dover .
Mr Bercow also spent £2,376 on a retirement party for the Commons invitations secretary in February , and a month later another £3,187 for a formal farewell to Clerk of the House David Natzler .
In May , the Speaker 's official account spent £3,696 on giving the principal clerk of the Table Office a send-off .
A Commons spokeswoman said : `` The Speaker 's Office has funded retirement receptions for senior staff many times in the past . ''
Before standing down on 31 October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to settle a £234 drinks bill at a reception for the Panel of Chairs - MPs who help him oversee Parliamentary debates .
He also spent £560 on lunch for his counterparts in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
The Speaker is not subject to the same rules on expenses as other MPs , whose claims for food and drink are capped .
Mr Bercow has faced scrutiny over his expenses in previous years - in 2018 , he spent £13,000 on an official visit to Canada and a similar amount in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The former Speaker has signed up to a public speaking agency since retiring from the chair .
He has also made a number of lucrative media appearances , including as a pundit for Sky News on general election night in December .
His successor as Speaker , Sir Lindsay Hoyle , has vowed to bring a `` different style '' to the job .

Before standing down on 31 October, Mr Bercow used his official account to settle a £234 drinks bill at a reception for the Panel of Chairs - MPs who help him oversee Parliamentary debates. He also spent £560 on lunch for his counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Flybe: UK government considers new funding for airline

The government is considering measures including short-term funding to save Flybe from collapse .
This is in addition to a potential cut in air passenger duty ( APD ) on domestic flights to help Flybe , which operates more than half of UK internal flights outside London .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC there was `` no doubt '' about the importance of the airline .
However , environmental groups said a cut in APD would be `` reckless '' .
Why is Flybe so important ?
The prime minister told the BBC that it was `` not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save companies that run into trouble .
But he added : `` We see the importance of Flybe in delivering connectivity across the whole of the United Kingdom . ''
The airline carries about eight million passengers a year from airports including Birmingham , Manchester , Southampton , Belfast City , Cardiff and Aberdeen , to the UK and Europe .
Tim Jeans , chairman of Cornwall Airport , said Flybe was `` very important not just to our airport but to regions , to nations and to island communities across the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to destinations across the rest of the UK that simply are not replicated by either other airlines or convenient and affordable train services . ''
Regular Flybe passengers have also expressed their concern , with many describing its routes as `` vital '' .
• Are you affected ?
Please share your experiences by emailing .
Nick Lake , 39 , who works for a property development company , said he uses Flybe at least once a week to fly between Manchester and Edinburgh and `` would be devastated if they went under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The UK government is considering a range of measures to help the Exeter-based company .
These include providing short-term funding to Flybe , using government money that is available to companies for investment purposes and which does not breach EU rules on state aid .
It is understood that Flybe 's owners would also be required to invest tens of millions of pounds into the company as part of any deal .
A cut to air passenger duty ( APD ) on domestic routes is also being considered .
This is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced at the Budget in March .
The change would allow Flybe to defer its tax bill , design a rescue plan , and secure more than 2,000 jobs .
Improving connectivity outside of London was a key Conservative manifesto pledge and at least one of Flybe 's routes , between Newquay and London , is subsidised by the government .
Sky News reported that the possible deal over air passenger duty could see Flybe defer a payment of more than £100m for three years .
It 's also thought any turnaround plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Sir Richard Branson 's Virgin Atlantic , which rescued the airline a year ago .
Virgin Atlantic , Southend Airport-owner Stobart Group and hedge fund Cyrus Capital Partners paid £2.8m for the airline and agreed to invest £100m in the loss-making business .
Flybe has refused to comment on talks over a rescue .
Air passenger duty ( APD ) is charged on all passenger flights from UK airports , excluding the Scottish Highlands and Islands region .
The amount depends on the destination and class of travel .
Under current rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in APD for a single journey , with higher rates for longer flights and premium cabins .
Flybe is a long-time critic of APD , which it says disproportionately burdens its domestic customers because they have to pay it each time they take off from a UK airport .
Changes to air passenger duty could reduce the billions of pounds the charge generates for the government , which is expected to reach £3.7bn this financial year , according to Office for Budget Responsibility .
What do environmental groups think ?
Doug Parr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said cutting air passenger duty would be `` a shocking decision '' .
`` They can not claim to be a global leader on climate one day , then making the most carbon-intensive kind of travel - flying - cheaper the next .
Jenny Bates , a campaigner for the Friends of the Earth charity , told the BBC any cut to air passenger duty would be `` reckless '' .
Ms Bates said : `` These short UK trips are exactly the ones we need to avoid in the drive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate breakdown .
`` Instead the government could invest more in our rail system , helping make such trips more affordable . ''
The proposed cut in air passenger duty has shocked many commentators .
AA president Edmund King said car drivers were taxed much higher than air passengers .
He calculates that for every 100 miles driven , an average car incurs around £10 in tax .
So driving from Newcastle to Newquay would cost about £35 in tax .
In comparison an air traveller would pay just £13 in air passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group HACAN said it believed many of Flybe 's routes were simply commercially unviable , with insufficient business traffic .
They doubted cutting the tax would make much difference .
But the biggest outcry has come from environmentalists .
Aviation is the fastest-growing source of the emissions that are heating the planet , and there are calls for the government to make it more expensive , not cheaper .
Is there another solution ?
Former transport secretary and Labour peer Lord Adonis said that if the tax was cut , it was likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised to make up for the lost revenue .
He added : `` There may be a case for subsidising more routes .
If they are vitally necessary there is a case for subsidising them ... but not to give Virgin and BA a free lunch at the expense of the general tax payer . ''
BBC business editor Simon Jack said a cut to air passenger duty could create what Boris Johnson has previously described as a `` moral hazard '' - a dangerous precedent that would lead struggling companies to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them if they got into financial difficulties .
What are your rights ?
As long as Flybe carries on flying , there is no need to worry and certainly no reason to try to get your money back , writes Simon Gompertz , BBC personal finance correspondent .
If the airline was to fail , however , all flights would most likely be cancelled .
Those with paid-for bookings could find they lose their flights and their cash .
If your flight is part of a package deal covered by the ATOL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have the right to a re-booking or refund .
Otherwise you can try to retrieve the money from your credit card company , if that 's how you paid .
There is also a debit card chargeback scheme which can help .
Many travel insurance policies are not much use in these situations , unless you stumped up extra for the Scheduled Airline Failure option or something similar .
Those stuck overseas might be left hoping that the government will direct the CAA to step in , as it did when Monarch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring back stranded passengers for free .
What questions do you have about Flybe 's difficulties ?
Let us know and a selection will be answered by a BBC journalist .
In some cases your question will be published , displaying your name , age and location as you provide it , unless you state otherwise .
Your contact details will never be published .
Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy .
Use this form to ask your question : If you are reading this page and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include your name , age and location with any question you send in .

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--One in five adults experienced abuse as children - report

One in five adults in England and Wales experienced abuse before they were 16 years old , according to a report by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) .
The research studies emotional , physical and sexual abuse from threats and belittlement to beatings and rape .
The ONS estimates that 8.5 million people aged between 18 and 74 were abused or witnessed abuse as children .
Around 14 % of adults who called one charity helpline last year had not told anyone before .
The research was compiled using data from the Department for Education , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ( NSPCC ) and the National Association for People Abused in Childhood ( Napac ) , which runs the helpline .
It aims to provide a better understanding of the scale and nature of the abuse of children .
There is no single definition of child abuse , and the report includes a variety of offences or negative experiences .
It includes sexual abuse , such as rape and other assaults like indecent exposure ; physical abuse , such as throwing objects and smacking ; and emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child is not loved .
The report also takes into consideration people who witnessed as children any of those forms of abuse .
It shows that at the end of March last year , more than 54,000 children were in the care of local authorities in England and Wales because they had experienced or were at risk of abuse .
In the year leading up to March 2019 , Childline delivered 19,847 counselling sessions to children in the UK where abuse was the main concern .
That is a slight fall from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were given for this reason .
What 's most significant about today 's research is that it suggests 8.5 million people have not only experienced abuse , but could be living with the life-long effects of having experienced it .
Sexual abuse , in particular , can have an impact throughout adulthood - resulting in failed relationships , involvement in crime , depression and suicide .
Any one of the victims may need help later in life , and experts working in the field increasingly talk about the need for what they call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words : help for adults that takes into account the experiences they had as children .
As for preventing the abuse of children , this research could add to the pressure for so-called mandatory reporting , making it a legal duty for people working with children to report evidence of abuse .
The ongoing public inquiry into child sexual abuse looks increasingly likely to support it .
The findings on adults experiencing abuse as children were compiled using data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales ( CSEW ) .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults who were abused as children because it does not count abuse against 16 and 17-year-olds .
The ONS report also found that half of adults ( 52 % ) who experienced abuse as children also experienced domestic abuse later on .
Of those who did not experience abuse as children , the figure was 13 % .
• Around one in four women experienced abuse before the age of 16 compared with one in six men .
• 32 % of CSEW respondents who had mixed or multiple ethnic identity experienced abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of white respondents , 17 % of black respondents and 11 % of Asian respondents .
• Children who lived with adults with a long-term health condition , disability , mental health condition , problem drinker or drug user , were more likely to have experienced abuse .
• 52,260 children in England were the subject of a Child Protection Order in March last year .
Alexa Bradley , from the ONS Centre for Crime and Justice , said : `` Child abuse is an appalling crime against some of the most vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that is little discussed or understood .
`` Today 's release is ONS 's first attempt to fill an important evidence gap on this critical issue . ''
NSPCC spokesman Andrew Fellowes said the report shows how the `` devastating effects '' of child abuse can impact victims in adulthood , but said that it is still not clear how many children `` are suffering right now '' .
`` It 's crucial government conducts a prevalence study so we get a true picture of the scale of abuse in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then will we know what services are needed to protect and support abused young people . ''
If you or someone you know has been affected by these issues , help and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Alexa Bradley, from the ONS Centre for Crime and Justice, said: "Child abuse is an appalling crime against some of the most vulnerable in society, but it is also something that is little discussed or understood.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Boy, 7, dies after being hit by minibus in Monmouth

A minibus driver has been arrested after a collision in which a boy , aged seven , died .
Ambulance crews were called to the scene on the A466 Hereford Road in Monmouth at about 15:50 GMT on Monday .
Osbaston Church in Wales School said it was `` hugely saddened '' by the death of the boy , who it described as `` a huge part of the school life '' .
The bus driver , a man , 45 , from Gloucester , was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving .
The school 's head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of governors , Shonagh Hay , said in a joint statement : `` We are hugely saddened by the loss of our pupil .
`` This lovely little boy was a huge part of the school life , lively and always smiling .
`` The whole school community is coming to terms with this tragic news and we are holding our memories of a very popular little boy , full of character and energy .
`` He will be deeply missed by all . ''
Peter Fox , the leader of Monmouthshire council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not possible to put into words how sad we feel .
`` We are here to help and will be supporting the school , children and colleagues over the coming days and for as long as is necessary . ''
A spokeswoman from West Midlands Ambulance Service - which attended the scene along with crews from Wales - said the boy was a pedestrian .
She said : `` Sadly , nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead on scene . ''
Gwent Police closed the road between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the incident .
The driver remained in custody while the force appealed for witnesses .

"As a family, we are upheld and sustained by our faith in Jesus. While we wish we might have had longer with Samuel, we know that he is now with the Lord Jesus Christ in eternal peace."


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Princess Anne handed honorary degree from Camilla in Aberdeen

Princess Anne has received an honorary degree from the Duchess of Rothesay at the University of Aberdeen .
The Princess Royal was conferred with the degree by sister-in-law Camilla in her role as the university 's chancellor .
Princess Anne was nominated by the university for the honour in recognition of her charity work .
She is patron of Save the Children , and is involved with scores of other organisations .
Camilla - known as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland - said she was not sure if there was `` a collective noun for chancellors '' , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Edinburgh .
She then told the audience : `` Ladies and gentlemen , we shall have no talk of rivalry today .
`` But I might just casually observe that , while we are to celebrate our 525th birthday next month , the University of Edinburgh is comparatively youthful - a mere 437-years-old . ''
The Princess Royal said it was a `` real honour '' to be recognised by the university .
• Queen 's statement on Harry and Meghan in full Camilla became the university 's chancellor - a role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 .
A special award was also being presented to the Denis Law Legacy Trust , which provides free outreach projects to children and young people .
The Aberdeen-born former Scotland and Manchester United striker was among the trust 's representatives at the event .
Prof George Boyne , principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Aberdeen , said he was `` delighted '' those `` acting in the service of others '' were being recognised .

Camilla - known as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland - said she was not sure if there was "a collective noun for chancellors", as Princess Anne is chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Brit Awards 2020: Why weren't more women nominated?

`` Here 's to more women on these stages , more women winning awards and more women taking over the world , '' said Dua Lipa , as she picked up best British female at the 2018 Brit Awards .
A year later , her wish had been granted .
The number of women nominated in the three mixed-gender categories ( best album , best single and best new act ) had risen from four to 12 .
For the second time in Brits ' history , female artists outnumbered men for the night 's biggest prize , album of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's a different story .
The shortlist for best album is exclusively male ; while only one woman - Mabel - has been nominated in categories where both men and women are eligible .
`` How do they look at that list and go , 'Yeah , that 's cool , let 's go with that ' ? ''
asks the NME 's editor , Charlotte Gunn .
`` I find it really strange . ''
• Sweeping changes coming to the Brit Awards Interestingly , the Brits seem to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out , the press release announcing this year 's nominees came with a footnote that explained : `` The eligibility list has been compiled by the Official Charts Company and includes artists who have released product and enjoyed top 40 chart success .
Record companies have had the opportunity to inform Brit Awards Ltd ( BAL ) of any eligible artists they wish to be added or inform BAL of any incorrect entries . ''
`` In other words , '' wrote the paper 's chief music critic , `` do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies who are at fault . ''
And it 's true .
If you look at the top 40 best-selling albums of 2019 , only two were by British women - Jess Glynne ( for a 2018 release ) and Dua Lipa ( for a 2017 release ) , both of which were ineligible for this year 's Brits .
In the singles chart , Mabel 's Do n't Call Me Up was the only female solo record to make the top 10 - and duly receives a nod in the best single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also nominated as a featured artist on Mark Ronson 's Nothing Breaks Like a Heart ) .
You could argue , as the permanently-reasonable denizens of Twitter have argued , that `` women would be up for these prizes if their records had been good enough '' .
And that 's true to an extent : Adele , Emeli Sande , Dua Lipa , Little Mix and Jorja Smith have all won prizes in recent years .
But the harsh reality is that the pool of female talent is smaller , because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artists .
Need proof ?
Well , take a look at the number of artists who were put forward for the Brits ' best male and best female prizes over the last three years .
Similarly , of the 193 albums submitted for consideration for this year 's best album prize , only 35 were by women .
So even though 49 % of the Brits ' voting academy is female , there 's a huge imbalance in the records they get to choose from .
Why , then , is the music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I 've heard that labels are not too keen on signing and developing female talent because it costs more , '' says Rhian Jones , a contributing editor to Music Business Worldwide .
`` There 's stylists , there 's make-up artists and the shows tend to be bigger productions .
Whereas Lewis Capaldi can just get a guitar out , put a t-shirt on and everyone loves it . ''
An underlying problem is that the upper ranks of the UK music industry are still dominated by men .
A 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held just 30 % of senior executive roles , despite making up more than half of entry-level positions .
An updated version in 2018 did n't even break down the gender gap - simply stating there was a `` lower number of females and males in senior posts '' ( UK Music was unable to share its latest data with the BBC upon asking ) .
The result is that the `` vast majority '' of people who `` sign and invest '' in new artists are still men , says Jones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men are signing lots of other men '' .
In fact , just 19 % of the artists signed to record labels in the UK are women , according to research by music industry consultant Vick Bain .
Even when female acts do get signed , they face extra pressure , says rapper Little Simz .
`` It 's almost like you 've got one album to get it in the bag , and if you do n't people move on , '' she told the BBC last year .
`` Which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're always going to get it right that one time .
`` My first album was n't my breakthrough .
If I 'd been signed to a major record label , that might have been the end of my career . ''
The star 's latest record , Grey Area , was nominated for a Mercury Prize last year and featured on several critics ' Best Of 2019 lists ; but was considered ineligible for the Brits because it did n't crack the Top 40 .
`` The Brits need to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because [ success ] is n't necessarily about record sales any more , '' says Jones .
She suggests that organisers could consider factors such as critical acclaim , social media following , and live ticket sales `` because that 's where acts are making money and breaking out these days '' .
`` The system has completely changed and I do n't think the Brits ' eligibility criteria has changed with it , '' she observes .
In recent years , several initiatives have sprung up to address the industry 's inequality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bebe Rexha 's Women In Harmony programme , which hosts dinners where female artists , songwriters and producers can foster links and provide support .
`` The way we make [ things ] better is we make more room for ourselves , '' Rexha told the BBC .
`` How do you do that ?
You build relationships .
You support other females .
You call each other , you have hits with each other , you collaborate with each other .
`` I want to support artists that are coming into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't get support when I came in . ''
'Trying to be woke' In the UK , the PRS Foundation runs a Women In Music fund , and spearheads the Keychange initiative , which has seen more than 300 festivals and music organisations pledge to achieve a 50/50 gender balance by 2022 .
`` We have found that positive action is essential if we are serious about creating equal opportunities as an industry , '' says Maxie Gedge , who runs the scheme .
`` We recognise this can not be done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to support and encourage everyone to collaborate , take responsibility and make change wherever they can .
Artists like Freya Ridings and Joy Crookes who triumph despite adversity give us hope , whilst we value important allies such as Sam Fender and The 1975 . ''
The NME is also playing a role with a series of free concerts under the banner `` Girls At The Front '' .
`` They 're small shows with two female bands or artists , helping to showcase female talent , '' says Gunn .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was tokenistic , and the NME 'trying to be woke ' but we need more things like that - more people getting behind new artists - and then hopefully in 10 years , maybe sooner , it will genuinely be a fair , balanced , level playing field . ''
So what does this mean for the Brits ?
Organisers will point to the fact that this year is a blip , while the overall trend is for better representation of women ; and that all three of the Rising Star nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Celeste , will also get to perform at the ceremony ) .
`` I think we do need to worry about it , '' she says .
`` After the # MeToo movement , everybody was suddenly very conscious of female representation and now it 's like , 'OK , we did our bit and we can all move on ' .
`` But it 's a systemic problem that is going to take a long time to change .
And really , from the top down , the Brits should have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is this representative ?
Maybe we should check ourselves here . '
'' Full disclosure : The author of this article is a member of the Brits ' academy .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

Interestingly, the Brits seem to know something's amiss. As The Guardian pointed out, the press release announcing this year's nominees came with a footnote that explained: "The eligibility list has been compiled by the Official Charts Company and includes artists who have released product and enjoyed top 40 chart success. Record companies have had the opportunity to inform Brit Awards Ltd (BAL) of any eligible artists they wish to be added or inform BAL of any incorrect entries."


bbcuk--2020-01-14--The imaginary friend who was actually my separated-in-care sister

More than 12,000 children in care are not living with at least one of their siblings , the BBC has discovered .
Freedom of Information requests sent to more than 200 UK local authorities revealed that more than half of sibling groups in care are split up .
The law says brothers and sisters should be placed together if possible because it is in their best interests .
The Department for Education said where siblings can not be accommodated together , contact should be maintained .
Latest figures show the number of children in care is rising .
In England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is an increase of 28 % in the last decade .
Many of them will have brothers and sisters , but there is little data about the extent of sibling separation .
File on 4 submitted Freedom of Information requests to all UK local authorities with responsibilities for care , and two-thirds provided data .
Figures also showed that at least 1,375 children who were placed for adoption between April 2018 and November 2019 had been separated from birth siblings .
However , the real figure could be higher because a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Sophia was little , she told her adoptive mother she had an imaginary friend .
She even had a name for her - Theighan But it turned out Theighan was not imaginary at all .
She was Sophia 's older sister , who had been separated from her at the age of four while both girls were in care .
The memory had simply faded over time .
`` I just remember having the person there that I trusted and then I did n't and then I was alone , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but her little sister was never far from her thoughts .
`` I would write birthday cards to her on her birthday and write Christmas cards to her .
I was n't allowed to send them to her because she was adopted .
I was n't allowed to talk to her in any way , so I kept all these cards hoping that I 'll be able to give them to her some day , '' she said .
Daniel Monk , professor of law at Birkbeck , University of London , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at individually , the importance of these relationships should not be overlooked .
`` The evidence from some young people is they found this hugely traumatic , '' he said .
`` Wherever possible they should be kept together and I think people will say that is what the current law states at the moment .
The problem is that is easily outweighed by other considerations . ''
Those considerations include shortages of foster carers , the space to accommodate large sibling groups and a lack of clarity over the definition of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sisters and step-siblings ?
For those separated while in care , guidance says that every effort should be made to keep them in contact with each other .
But , in practice , these arrangements can slip because of shortages of time and resources .
There is a legal duty for children in care to have reasonable contact with their parents , but siblings are not specified by statute .
Adoption can also be a risk moment for brothers and sisters in maintaining their relationships .
`` When a child is adopted they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their birth relatives , '' said Prof Monk .
`` The effect of adoption is that the relationship with siblings ends in law . ''
Eventually Theighan managed to get a letter to Sophia after 12 years apart .
Then they made the momentous decision to meet .
`` It was just like the missing piece of the jigsaw just clicked back into place .
There really was no awkwardness , and it was my favourite date ever , '' said Theighan .
It has been three years since they met , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they reflect on all the years they spent apart .
`` We love each other and we get along so well .
And we could have been getting on so well for 12 years and that 's over a decade of not seeing each other and missed memories , '' said Sophia .
The Scottish government told the programme a bill going through its parliament will place a new duty on local authorities to promote contact between siblings whenever a child is taken into care .
In England , the Department for Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help adoptive families open up their homes for hard-to-reach groups , including siblings .
In Wales , children in care are entitled to an advocate to help them understand their rights and entitlements .
Northern Ireland says it already has legislation to promote direct contact between siblings .
File on 4 's Separated Siblings is on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 14 January at 20:00 GMT and available afterwards on BBC Sounds .

"I would write birthday cards to her on her birthday and write Christmas cards to her. I wasn't allowed to send them to her because she was adopted. I wasn't allowed to talk to her in any way, so I kept all these cards hoping that I'll be able to give them to her some day," she said.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Scottish independence: Could a new referendum still be held?

Boris Johnson has rejected Nicola Sturgeon 's call for a new referendum on independence in 2020 - but the Scottish first minister says this `` will not stand '' .
The SNP 's goal is for Scotland to leave the United Kingdom and rejoin the EU as an independent member state .
So how is Ms Sturgeon likely to respond ?
Why is Scottish independence back in the spotlight ?
Scotland held an independence referendum in September 2014 , with the No campaign winning 55 % of the votes .
But then , in 2016 , Brexit happened .
Voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - but those across the UK as a whole voted Leave by 52 % .
The SNP saw this as a `` material change in circumstances '' which would justify a second independence ballot , because Scotland faced being taken out of the EU `` against its will '' .
And the party has since performed strongly in elections .
It won 48 of the 59 seats north of the border in last month 's general election , while campaigning to `` put Scotland 's future in Scotland 's hands '' .
Does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referendum ?
There has long been legal debate over whether the Scottish Parliament , rather than MPs at Westminster , could pass the laws needed for a new vote on independence to be held - but the matter has never been tested in court .
In any case , Ms Sturgeon wants the UK government to agree a transfer of powers allowing a referendum to be held , as happened in 2014 .
Ms Sturgeon , the SNP leader , says this would ensure the referendum result was seen as being entirely legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has flatly rejected her request , arguing that the 2014 poll was a `` once in a generation '' event .
What will Nicola Sturgeon do now ?
The first minister says Mr Johnson 's position is unsustainable , and that his refusals will simply increase support for independence .
She has warned that `` you ca n't hold Scotland in the union against its will '' .
If these political arguments do not budge Mr Johnson , the first minister has not ruled out taking him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a difficult and potentially lengthy process , and constitutional scholars have warned that `` there are no legal short cuts '' around the political battlefield .
One thing Ms Sturgeon has ruled out is an unauthorised vote .
She says the example of Catalonia proves this `` does not lead to independence '' .
Perhaps the clearest option open to her might be to target a really big win in the Scottish Parliament elections in 2021 , on an explicit platform of demanding a referendum - but the SNP argues that it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the big question - after all Nicola Sturgeon does n't just want to hold a referendum , she wants to win one .
Polling data collected by What Scotland Thinks suggests an increase in support for independence - but it generally remains just short of a majority .
Excluding `` do n't knows '' , the average of polls this year has been 51 % No to 49 % Yes .
The average for 2018 was 55 % to 45 % - the same as the 2014 referendum .
The SNP hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within Scotland to Mr Johnson 's refusals will start to push the dial further in its direction .
Would an independent Scotland stay in the EU ?
In practice , Scotland would not become independent the day after a Yes vote - there would have to be a period of transition .
In 2014 , the pro-independence side said it would take 18 months to set up an independent Scottish state .
Even if a referendum was held tomorrow , the transition would therefore run beyond the end of 2020 - when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the EU .
This means Scotland would leave the EU with the rest of the UK , and would need to apply to join again .
Scottish ministers accept they would have to go through an `` accession process '' for EU membership , but want to start this `` as soon as possible '' .
What would it take for Scotland to rejoin the EU ?
Scotland would have to meet the same accession criteria as any state seeking to join the EU , although it would have the advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of Scotland 's laws and regulations already match EU standards , the entry rules throw up a whole series of questions about things like currency , deficit levels and borders .
Ms Sturgeon has been pressed on many of these topics already , arguing that Scotland could initially continue to use the pound and would not need to join the euro .
She says the country 's financial position could be brought within EU rules by growing the economy .
However , her own party 's prospectus for independence suggests this could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rejoin the EU as quickly as possible .
The first minister also wants to avoid a hard border between Scotland and England .
She has said answers about this and a whole range of other questions will be set out in detail ahead of any vote .

The UK government has accused the SNP of failing to give clear answers to key questions on issues such as currency and pensions in an independent Scotland. It also warns that any attempt by Scotland to rejoin the EU would lead to a hard border between the two countries.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--How has Game of Thrones star got involved in a farming row?

Actor Jerome Flynn says people in a village have been `` gazumped '' by a council over farmland .
Locals near Solva want to buy Trecadwgan Farm from Pembrokeshire council for community farming .
However , after initially agreeing a price , the local authority said a higher bid for the land was made .
Game of Thrones star Flynn , who lives nearby , said locals ' plans could create a template for the whole of the UK to follow .
`` It 's important for all our local communities that we start to bring food production back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Summers on BBC Radio Wales .
`` It is clear from the situation we have created for ourselves on the planet , we are facing a crisis .
`` One large part is where is our food coming from ? ''
The land at Trecadwgan has been farmed since the 11th century and was bought by Pembrokeshire council after World War One .
Since then it has offered tenancies to young farmers , with some families working there for generations .
However , last July , the local authority decided to sell the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when locals came in with a bid .
They want to turn it into a community hub for ecological farming , crafts and healthy living .
`` It could set a precedent for holistic models for the whole country , '' Flynn added .
`` Most farms around here have become holiday homes .
`` We have to find our food locally - everything comes to our plates very easily .
That can change . ''
Locals said they raised £50,000 to have Trecadwgan Farm removed from public auction .
However , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another , with the council formally accepting their bid in December .
Despite this , they said officials contacted them on 7 January saying a higher offer had been made and asked if they would like to make a counter offer .
Flynn added : `` The council is gazumping its own people . ''
Community group Cymdeithas Trecadwgan called for the local authority to halt the process so a workable solution can be found .
`` Alongside our backer we have participated in the bidding process in good faith and submitted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said secretary Gareth Chapman .
`` But we both have serious concerns over our continued participation in a flawed process which , could prevent perfectly proceedable , accepted bids made by ourselves or any other bidder , reaching completion . ''
A council spokesman said : `` We are following due process . ''

Despite this, they said officials contacted them on 7 January saying a higher offer had been made and asked if they would like to make a counter offer.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--How to make your packed lunch healthier

How to make your packed lunch healthier

About half of primary school children in the UK have a packed lunch .
But unlike school dinners , there are no official rules about what should be in them to make them nutritious .
And a new study from Leeds University found 98 in every 100 packed lunches eaten by children at primary school failed to meet nutritional standards .
Some schools set their own standards and even inspect lunchboxes and remove `` contraband '' unhealthy foods such as sausage rolls .
And one academy , in Norwich , recently suggested scrapping packed lunches for infants entirely to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So what does a healthy packed lunch look like ?
Experts say the `` main event '' should be something filling , such as bread , rice , pasta or potatoes .
Choose wholegrain where you can .
When it comes to the filling of a sandwich , wrap or bagel , always add salad if you can because it will count towards your child 's recommended five a day of fresh fruit and veg .
The study , published in BMJ Open , which looked at how healthy children 's packed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 , found the most popular filling was ham , followed by cheese , chicken , tuna and then a chocolate nut spread or jam .
Veg , such as sweetcorn and carrots , rarely featured although experts say these would be good , healthy fillings to give children , along with hummus or coleslaw , especially as an alternative to sugary jam or chocolate spread .
Try to avoid using lots of mayonnaise , butter and spread - a little bit can go a long way .
Reduced-fat alternatives are available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study found while the amount of sugar in packed lunches was declining overall , many still contained foods too high in sugar , salt or fat .
Most lunchboxes in the surveys of nearly 1,500 children contained crisps or other savoury snacks , while about one in three included a chocolate biscuit .
• malt loaf , fruited teacakes , fruit breads or fruit instead of cakes , chocolate , cereal bars and biscuits • plain rice cakes or popcorn instead of crisps • low-sugar yoghurt or fromage frais or a pot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chopped apple , peeled satsuma segments or melon slices to make it easier for young children to eat and enjoy .
A squeeze of lemon juice can stop the fruit going brown .
Water is the obvious choice but milk or unsweetened ( no added sugar ) fruit juice is also good .
Study author Dr Charlotte Evans said getting children involved in shopping for and preparing packed lunches could help with educating them about making healthy choices .
`` Changing behaviour is very difficult , '' she said .
`` We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food industry to help by making the choices that are available healthier .
`` But involving children and getting them engaged with food choices from a young age is important .
`` Encouraging a child to go to the shops with you and buy a pepper , then go home and slice some off and put it into their lunchbox would be great .
`` It 's about making it feel normal to have vegetables . ''
Loughborough University 's Dr Emma Haycraft has studied the psychology of getting kids to eat more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown that children need to be exposed to foods a number of times before they learn to like them .
So it 's important that foods are offered in lunchboxes on multiple times .
`` These can be small portions initially , to minimise waste , but this will allow children time to become familiar with foods that they might not be used to eating . ''

She said: "Research has shown that children need to be exposed to foods a number of times before they learn to like them. So it's important that foods are offered in lunchboxes on multiple times.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Why people use bots to buy limited edition trainers

Getting your hands on the latest pair of trainers can be hard , and some people are now turning to technology in an attempt to jump the queue .
Mention the word `` bot '' to sneakerheads and you 'll probably be met with a quiet anger .
That 's because automated programs are increasingly being used to help people get hold of the latest limited edition kicks .
Popular brands , such as Nike and Adidas , regularly release trainers with celebrity or designer collaborations , often in relatively small numbers and to widespread anticipation .
Buying the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be lucrative .
The right design can be sold for huge mark-ups on secondary sale sites .
That 's because getting hold of them is often no easy task .
A few years ago , thousands of people used to descend on a high street shop on big release days , often resulting in scuffles and trouble .
But these days sneakerheads have to sign up to apps , be on mailing lists and scour the internet for titbits of information to discover when their desired shoe will hit the market .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered into a raffle by retailers , via social media .
In some cases buyers have to prove their fandom with pictures in their favourite pairs .
And only then will the winners be allowed into the actual shop .
Once there , you 'd better hope your size has n't sold out before you get to the counter .
To bypass all this , some have turned to computer software to buy trainers online .
The right bot can be bought off the internet for as little as £20 .
They can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , address and bank details , so that as soon as that much-anticipated drop is announced , fans can hit go and the program will head to the retailers ' systems , often bypassing their security , and buy those sought after trainers .
Without an app you could be stuck in a queue on the website , hitting refresh over and over again .
`` Mark '' , not his real name , says using bots is a `` dirty shoe secret '' .
He admitted using one to get his hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after failing to get hold them in the shop .
The 31-year-old from Manchester - who does not want to be named for fear of being blacklisted - said he had signed up for updates about the trainer 's release .
`` On the Thursday night everyone got an email to say the trainers were going to be dropping in store on the Friday .
As soon as I got that email , it was straight online , booked my Megabus ticket down to London . ''
Through the night , more and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmosphere changed .
He said things started to get aggressive when people began queue jumping .
`` In the end I thought there 's no point .
So I rang a friend who has a pretty decent bot .
I offered him an extra £50-£100 to see whether he could get me a pair .
On the day , the retail was , I think , £135 or £150 .
The person that I knew bought 20 pairs and flipped them all for £600 each . ''
He 's not alone .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainers was dubbed the `` trainer of the season '' by some .
Fans could buy a pair in the shops for around £140 .
However , the BBC found some for sale at the trainer convention , Crepe City , in London , with a price tag of £1,400 .
You can find them online for upwards of £2,500 .
And getting a bot is n't difficult .
The internet is littered with ones specifically designed to help people get the trainers they want .
At one point , you could buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple 's app store for just £20 .
`` It is a big problem , '' says Franklin Boateng , known as `` the King of Trainers '' because of his collection .
He has been collecting trainers for around 20 years but says the big brands have now cottoned on to the practice .
He says there is a big market for resale in Asia .
`` They have n't got as many of the actual retailers .
Some people will buy some women 's sizes here .
It could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of people in Asia will pay a lot of money for it - probably double or triple the amount they would pay in the UK . ''
George Sullivan runs The Sole Supplier , a website dedicated to discussing all things trainers .
`` Generally , resellers will get banned from retailers , if they 're known , because the brands just do n't like it , '' he says .
`` They want people to be able to wear their shoes .
It 's just like people reselling tickets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He says teenagers as young as 13 with coding knowledge are the ones behind some of the most sophisticated bots on the market .
One sophisticated bot was recently being sold for about £1,500 because it was so good at buying shoes .
He added that the buzz around the release of the bot reminded him of the release of a rare pair of shoes .
`` There was a limited release of it and people were reselling the bot because it was so successful . ''
Reebok says it is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give fans a fair chance of getting their hands on their trainers .
The firm said it was an `` ever-changing landscape '' and resellers were `` constantly finding new methods of beating the system '' .
It said it had a `` dedicated team tasked with ensuring our technology is as bulletproof as possible '' .
Meanwhile , Adidas said : `` We will often limit purchases to one pair per consumer to allow each fan an equal and fair chance to get hold of limited edition designs . ''
Nike did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , while Asics said it does not have an official comment at this stage .
However , Mark says the resale side has kicked up a notch .
He says he knows more than a dozen 18-year-olds who are using bots to buy and resell trainers .
Most do it to bump up their spending money .
`` If they know there 's a hype behind the shoe , it does n't matter how ugly it is or how rare it is , as long as there is a hype , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could also be a jacket , or a watch , it could be jumpers and hoodies .
As long as there 's a market for it , and they know there 's going to be a profit in it , they 'll go after it . ''

Even then, trainer fans are sometimes entered into a raffle by retailers, via social media. In some cases buyers have to prove their fandom with pictures in their favourite pairs. And only then will the winners be allowed into the actual shop. Once there, you'd better hope your size hasn't sold out before you get to the counter.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Veganuary: The makers behind the vegan-friendly kilt

When Scott Wood realised the ethical minefield vegans face wearing Scotland 's national dress , he decided to create an alternative .
A kiltmaker for more than 10 years , he switched to vegan-friendly kilts after adopting veganism three years ago .
The made-to-order garment avoids animal-based products such as wool and leather , making it suitable for vegans .
His kilts cater to the diet and beliefs that are becoming more and more popular in Scotland .
`` I still wanted to wear my kilt but it collided with my new beliefs , so I made a vegan one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC Scotland 's The Nine programme .
`` Then I had a light bulb idea that there may be other people in my situation . ''
• Is one of these dishes the next big vegan hit ?
• Why are more people going vegan ?
Based in Torry , Aberdeen , he uses cotton and polyester viscose instead of traditional materials to craft world-famous garment .
His range includes about 100 different tartans people can choose from for their vegan kilt , fastened with faux leather straps .
Mr Wood claims these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the traditional kilt which he says `` tends to start to rot after several years '' .
They are even machine washable .
The latest figures suggest there are about 600,000 vegans in the UK and this number continues to rise .
Although still a relatively new idea , Mr Wood is one of several kiltmakers developing garments free from animal by-products across Scotland as demand grows .
Slanj , a Glasgow-based kiltmakers , became the first company to register a vegan tartan with the Scottish Tartans Authority in August 2019 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kiltmakers pride themselves on marrying Scottish tradition with vegan living .
However , they have acknowledged how `` tricky '' it is to bring the traditional national dress into the 21st Century .
Ross Lyall , general manager at Slanj , explained : `` We 've had the usual naysayers who believe it 's not really a kilt because it 's not made from wool .
`` But we 've also come across a bit of backlash .
The big problem is vegan-friendly kilts are not necessarily sustainable '' .
Their kilts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a polyester viscose and although free from animal products , are `` massively unsustainable for the environment '' .
This problem - along with the fact the kilt itself makes up for just one part of the traditional outfit - means there is a long way to go before Scottish national dress is accessible for everyone .
The dream at Slanj is to move towards using hemp for their kilts , a vegan and sustainable alternative - although this is a tricky and expensive process .
Mr Lyall said their first vegan-friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long journey '' to making kilts greener and has proved successful with customers already .
`` The feedback has been more positive than negative .
It really has meant a lot to people and it 's massively high on the agenda for us going forward , '' he said .
What does it feel like to wear one ?
Isaac Barnes , 20 , works in Aberdeen 's only vegan café and has been vegan himself for a year and a half .
He has one of Mr Wood 's made-to-order vegan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lightweight and warm .
However , he admitted he did not know how the vegan alternative fared compared with traditional woollen garments , having never worn one .
`` I was stood outside in Aberdeen for hours and although my knees were purple , it still keeps the heat in and everywhere else was warm , '' he said .
Being Scottish , Mr Barnes said he had always wanted to own a kilt but thought it would not be possible after becoming vegan .
`` I always just thought I would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I 've always had to wear suits to weddings and things .
`` Now I have my very own vegan kilt and I 'm already planning to wear it to Hogmanay this year . ''
For Mr Wood , his aim is to branch out into creating vegan alternatives for the full Highland outfit , from the shoes to the jacket to sporrans .
`` Veganism in general is kicking off in a big way , '' he said .
`` And I think in maybe five , ten years time there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me . ''

This problem - along with the fact the kilt itself makes up for just one part of the traditional outfit - means there is a long way to go before Scottish national dress is accessible for everyone.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Five things we learnt from the PM's interview

Five things we learnt from the PM 's interview From Brexit to 'bunging a bob for a Big Ben bong @ @ @ @ @ you need to know from Boris Johnson 's interview .

From Brexit to "bunging a bob for a Big Ben bong" – here's what you need to know from Boris Johnson's wide-ranging interview on BBC Breakfast.
Read more: Replace Iran nuclear plan with 'Trump deal' - PM


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Boris Johnson on US-Iran tensions: 'I don't want a military conflict'

The prime minister has addressed ongoing tensions between the US and Iran in an interview with BBC Breakfast .
Boris @ @ @ @ @ Iran made a terrible mistake '' , but added that the `` most important thing @ @ @ @ @ calm down '' .
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani , has called the shooting down of @ @ @ @ @ killed 176 people an `` unforgivable error '' .
The incident followed the killing of @ @ @ @ @ 's second most powerful man , in a US drone strike in Iraq .
Read @ @ @ @ @ to come up with new Iran plan Watch the full interview with the prime minister @ @ @ @

The prime minister has addressed ongoing tensions between the US and Iran in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
Boris Johnson said that "clearly Iran made a terrible mistake", but added that the "most important thing is tensions in the region calm down".
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, has called the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed 176 people an "unforgivable error".
The incident followed the killing of Gen Qasem Soleimani, Iran's second most powerful man, in a US drone strike in Iraq.
Read more: PM urges Trump to come up with new Iran plan
Watch the full interview with the prime minister on BBC iPlayer.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Typewriter artist James Cook says 'it's a weird way of having fun'

An artist who draws with typewriters says he finds it a `` weird way of having fun '' .
James @ @ @ @ @ to use typography to design pictures while doing his A-levels and now receives commissions for @ @ @ @ @ the world , including an album cover for a contestant on American Pop Idol .
@ @ @ @ @ says the machines can be really hard to come by .
`` People don ’ @ @ @ @ @ to charity shops - they either chuck them out because they do n't quite work @ @ @ @ @ through time .
`` For me a faulty typewriter can often work just fine in @ @ @ @ @ a tool to create art . ''

An artist who draws with typewriters says he finds it a "weird way of having fun".
James Cook, 23, started to use typography to design pictures while doing his A-levels and now receives commissions for his work from all over the world, including an album cover for a contestant on American Idol.
The architecture student from Braintree says the machines can be really hard to come by.
"People don’t tend to give them to charity shops - they either chuck them out because they don't quite work properly or they get lost through time.
"For me a faulty typewriter can often work just fine in terms of using it as a tool to create art."


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Cathy Come Home: The TV drama that put homelessness on the map

The groundbreaking television drama Cathy Come Home caused shockwaves when it was broadcast on BBC One in 1966 .
It @ @ @ @ @ a fictional young family evicted from their home , putting disadvantage and homelessness into the @ @ @ @ @ the political agenda in a new way .
The drama , directed by Ken Loach @ @ @ @ @ Garnett , who died on Sunday .
But the legacy of Cathy Come Home continues @ @ @ @ @ later .
The homelessness charity Shelter was , by coincidence , launched a few days @ @ @ @ @ Both it , and Crisis – founded soon afterwards – credit the programme with creating @ @ @ @ @ helped establish their early work .

The groundbreaking television drama Cathy Come Home caused shockwaves when it was broadcast on BBC One in 1966.
It told the harrowing story of a fictional young family evicted from their home, putting disadvantage and homelessness into the public consciousness and on to the political agenda in a new way.
The drama, directed by Ken Loach, was produced by Tony Garnett, who died on Sunday. But the legacy of Cathy Come Home continues, more than five decades later.
The homelessness charity Shelter was, by coincidence, launched a few days after it was broadcast. Both it, and Crisis – founded soon afterwards – credit the programme with creating a surge of support that helped establish their early work.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Madalyn Davis death: Police review CCTV footage over Sydney cliff fall

Police are reviewing CCTV footage to establish how a British woman died falling from a cliff in Australia .
Madalyn Davis , 21 , from Lincoln , was fatally injured at Diamond Bay , Sydney , on Sunday .
The alarm was raised by a group of people who could not find her after taking photos at the site .
New South Wales ( NSW ) Police are speaking to the people who were with Ms Davis as part of the investigation .
One friend said they had been `` having the time of their lives '' in Australia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at about 06:30 local time following reports she had fallen off the cliff in the eastern suburbs of the city .
Her body was retrieved from the water about four hours later .
A police spokeswoman said the body was yet to be formally identified but was believed to be that of Ms Davis .
Officers have since spoken to her next of kin .
There were other people with her at the time and officers are trying to establish the cause of the fall , the spokeswoman said .
`` She did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jagged rocks at the bottom , '' she said .
`` The cliff area is covered by CCTV and police are speaking with people she was with and other witnesses . ''
A report will be prepared for the coroner , she added .
Signs warn tourists to stay away from the cliff edge and local mayor Paula Masselos said the height of fences in the area had been increased .
Ms Davis had been in Australia for a number of weeks .
According to her social media accounts on Instagram , Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialising in eyelashes and had been travelling in Thailand and Bali before heading out to Australia .
She had been posting photos online of her work and travels .
On social media , Ms Davis 's mother Rebecca Smith paid tribute to her `` one in a million '' daughter before hitting out at online trolls .
In one Instagram story post , she described how her daughter was subjected to online trolling and told trolls : `` Fill your boots you nasty people , you are the ones that has to sleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madalyn was loved , she had integrity and decency , '' she said .
`` If you need to believe otherwise in order to feel better about yourself then that 's your pain .
I wish you healing to whatever trauma [ led ] you to behave this way . ''
In another story post , Ms Smith said : `` She always wanted to be famous so thank you trolls you are making this happen ... '' But friends also posted tributes online , including Jord Salthouse , who said her death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartbreak '' .
Posting on Facebook , he said : `` Less than two hours before this happened we [ were ] partying and having the time of our lives living our dreams in Australia .
`` Honestly Madalyn Davis you will be missed so much you was always the life of any party and could make anyone smile . ''
Heather Widdup , principal of Retford Oaks Academy where Ms Davis was a former pupil , paid tribute to a `` much-liked , popular and well-respected member of the academy community '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Madalyn 's family and friends at this very difficult time , '' she added .
Jane Hopkinson , headteacher of the Priory Academy LSST in Lincoln where the eyelash technician studied before attending Retford , said the community was `` shocked and saddened by such a terrible tragedy '' .
`` All of our thoughts are with her family and loved ones as they try to cope with this heartbreaking news , '' she said .
In a tweet posted on Saturday night , Marine Rescue New South Wales said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people taking photos inside the fence early this morning re-gathered and could not find the woman . ''

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bbcuk--2020-01-14--Cairngorm rescuers in rare 'rant' after storm-hit call-out

Rescuers walked for miles in bad weather to help an injured man only to find him safe with his friends in a bothy with a `` sore tendon '' .
Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team were assisted by members of Tayside MRT in Monday night 's call-out in high winds and snow in the Cairngorms .
The man and his friends were found in the shelter in their sleeping bags .
In what they described as a `` rare rant '' , Cairngorm MRT said the incident had been a `` total abuse '' of resources .
The team stressed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed .
The man , described as being in his 20s , had dialled 999 after getting into difficulty and also separated from his two friends on a walk along the shores of Loch Ericht , south of Dalwhinnie .
He told police he was cold , wet and had injured a leg .
He was able to give a grid reference for his location .
But Cairngorm MRT said the man had then carried on walking to Ben Alder Cottage Bothy , without letting the emergency services know he had done this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the rescue effort , but was unable to fly because of the weather conditions during Storm Brendan .
Members of Cairngorm MRT made a round trip of 16 miles ( 26km ) , while members of Tayside MRT had started a search from the south of the grid reference given to police .
After not finding the man where he said he was , the rescue team decided to check the bothy .
On social media , Cairngorm MRT thanked well wishers for their messages following the call-out before saying : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total abuse of our resources .
`` He was found in the bothy with his mates in their sleeping bags .
He said he had a sore tendon .
Oh well . ''
The team added : `` Rant over and it 's full winter conditions at last on the hill .
Enjoy yourselves .
But if you need us we will come . ''
Cairngorm MRT leader Willie Anderson told BBC Scotland online it appeared to have been an `` honest mistake '' made by an inexperienced , young walker .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a lack of preparedness for the forecast bad weather in a remote area , adding that the emergency services should have got a follow-up call to say the man was safe with his friends .
The group planned to return to where they had parked their cars on Tuesday morning .

But he said there had seemed to have been a lack of preparedness for the forecast bad weather in a remote area, adding that the emergency services should have got a follow-up call to say the man was safe with his friends.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Stormont deal: Health minister Swann makes £30m pay offer

Health Minister Robin Swann has said that pay parity for Northern Ireland health workers can be restored .
He told the assembly it would cost an extra £30m that would come from within existing Stormont finances .
Mr Swann met the unions on Tuesday morning to brief them on the decision and described talks as `` constructive '' .
He told the assembly : `` The breakthrough that we all wanted has been achieved - this is a good day after some very difficult days . ''
• Why are Northern Ireland 's nurses going on strike ?
• Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister said his department had already gathered together £79m to increase pay for health workers and give them the same wage as colleagues in England .
An extra £30m would now be pulled from existing finances at Stormont , he said .
However , he said that the money had not been the result of any additional money offered to Northern Ireland by the government .
He also said that he recognised that a move to pay parity would have implications for the budget in future years .
Finance Minister Conor Murphy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from within existing Stormont finances , but said it was not a case of `` robbing peter to pay Paul '' .
He said as the executive had not yet been able to tie down funding commitments from the British government , they had `` dipped into existing finances '' .
Nurses and other health workers in Northern Ireland have been taking industrial action over pay and staffing levels .
The health minister said his officials would work with the unions on the issue of safe staffing levels in the health service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawn up to establish such levels `` within a reasonable period of time '' .
This would be a `` long-term endeavour , '' he told the assembly .
He said that the unions would meet Department of Health officials on Wednesday to agree on the detail and he hoped for a `` swift end '' to their industrial action .
`` Our nurses and great social care workers can come off the picket-line , '' Mr Swann said .
The Northern Ireland executive met earlier on Tuesday to discuss the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
Finance Minister Conor Murphy has said that the proposed financial support was `` way short '' of what was expected .
He was speaking following a meeting between the Stormont parties and Secretary of State Julian Smith where the financial offer was made .
BBC NI political correspondent Enda McClafferty said he understood that the financial package was £2bn .
Earlier , the minister for education Peter Weir announced that 18 schools are to benefit from school building improvements worth around £45m in total .
The improvements are the latest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( SEP ) .
It provides for new school buildings worth between £500,000 and £4m .
But on Monday the new finance minister said the government 's proposal did not go far enough .
`` We have to analyse the verbal figures that were given to us tonight by the secretary of state , but my initial read of them is they fall way short and I would n't tend to accept that , '' he said .
Earlier , the prime minister said the government had made `` huge commitments '' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not state how much money would be provided to support the deal , saying it was not about money but leadership .
Speaking after the executive meeting , First Minister Arlene Foster said : `` We are energised and resolute in moving forward together for the benefit of all of the people of Northern Ireland .
`` There are significant challenges ahead of us , but equally we have a real opportunity .
`` With strong leadership and collegiate working we will make sure that our public services are transformed . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There is a collective will among all parties in the Executive to transform our public services and deliver the improvements that are desperately needed .
`` This wo n't happen overnight .
It will need a coordinated , sustained approach to bring lasting , positive change for all the people of the north .
`` Our immediate priorities will include dealing with the issues impacting the most vulnerable .
The extension of welfare reform mitigations , a plan to tackle waiting lists and the urgent publication of a Mental Health Action Plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The assembly is also sitting as MLAs appoint the new chairs of Stormont 's nine scrutiny committees .


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Newport psychiatrist stalked patients with 'creepy' advances

A psychiatrist who made `` sexually motivated '' advances to two patients in his care has been given a suspended sentence for stalking them .
Dr Noel Sardar pretended to be working on call to gain access to one woman 's home and bought the other alcohol , telling her he was trying to get her drunk , Swansea Crown Court heard .
The woman contacted the police after he continued to call and text her .
Sardar admitted stalking without fear of causing harm or distress .
The 45-year-old had originally denied two counts of stalking causing harm or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two lesser charges on the second day of his trial in December .
He received a 20-week suspended sentence for each stalking charge and 30 days of rehabilitation .
Sardar , of Gaer Street , Newport , was practising at The Forge Mental Health Centre in Port Talbot in early 2019 when the offences took place .
During the trial , the court had heard both women suffered from significant mental health problems .
Prosecutor Paul Hobson told the jury Sardar `` had abused the doctor-patient relationship '' by making contact with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtained his victims ' phone numbers from medical records and would call and text to meet up .
On one occasion , he took one woman to a cafe , asked why she was single and bought her alcohol , telling her he was trying to get her drunk , The woman said she felt he was hoping to get invited to her flat and contacted police after calls and texts continued two days later .
Sardar continued to visit the other victim even after he was suspended from work following allegations about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sardar 's advances were `` persistent , unwelcome and downright creepy '' and had destroyed the women 's faith in the medical profession `` upon which they are both so reliant '' .
`` You knew their frailties and their mental health problems but that did not , I 'm afraid , stop you from exploiting them for your own purposes , '' he said .
`` I consider your behaviour was sexually motivated . ''
Sardar will face a hearing with the General Medical Council later this week to decide if @ @ @ @ @

On one occasion, he took one woman to a cafe, asked why she was single and bought her alcohol, telling her he was trying to get her drunk,


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Michael Oluronbi: Birmingham pastor guilty of raping children

A church pastor repeatedly raped children after `` holy baths '' he claimed would ward off evil .
Michael Oluronbi targeted seven victims over 20 years , telling some they would fail exams or become a witch if his advances were refused .
Four girls became pregnant and his wife Juliana Oluronbi arranged abortions - with one girl estimating she had five or six during secondary school .
Oluronbi , a self-styled prophet who also worked as a pharmacist , `` had such a hold over the congregation that anything he said was taken as read '' , said police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC the pastor 's actions had been `` terrible '' and `` affected everyone 's lives '' .
The Crown Prosecution Service ( CPS ) said those abused `` fell under the benign influence and authority the defendants held , and honestly believed their actions were on God 's behalf '' .
The abuse of one boy and six girls started when they were children - one as young as eight , and for some , continued in to adulthood .
It began after Oluronbi , originally from Nigeria , set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church at a private home in Birmingham .
`` Spiritual baths '' would take place in an upstairs bathroom , a pretext for sexual abuse ranging from indecent assault during `` washing '' to rapes afterwards , the court heard .
The children were often made to wear red sashes as he carried out the abuse .
Three of the four who became pregnant had multiple abortions , which police said often happened after Oluronbi booked them into clinics under false names .
The abuse went on for years until one victim came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May 2018 at Birmingham Airport as he tried to flee the UK .
Police released a filmed confession in which he tells a victim 's relative `` everything was my fault '' and describes himself as `` an animal '' .
Oluronbi , aged 60 , of Orchard Drive , Longbridge , Birmingham , was convicted of 15 rape charges , seven indecent assaults and two sexual assaults .
His wife , aged 58 , of Walker Road , Walsall , was found guilty of three charges of aiding and abetting rape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not guilty of one rape and an attempted rape , could not reach a verdict on six charges .
The CPS announced on Tuesday it would not be seeking a retrial , meaning the Oluronbis ' crimes can now be reported .
Det Insp Dave Sproson , from the Public Protection Unit , said : `` These were sickening crimes committed against children who had put their trust in Oluronbi and looked up to him .
`` I hope his conviction offers some closure to the victims and I would like to thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The Oluronbis will be sentenced at a later date .
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The abuse of one boy and six girls started when they were children - one as young as eight, and for some, continued in to adulthood.


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Flybe: Government strikes a deal to rescue troubled airline

The government has agreed a rescue plan for troubled regional airline Flybe .
Ministers agreed to work with Flybe to figure out a repayment plan for a significant tax debt that is thought to top £100m .
Meanwhile , the firm 's owners have agreed to pump more money into the loss-making airline .
Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said the deal would keep the company operating .
That will be a relief to many of the eight million passengers who fly with the airline each year .
Flybe services dozens of UK domestic routes that are not flown by other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fly out of some regional airports like Newquay .
`` Flybe plays a critical and unique role in the UK aviation system , supporting the development of the regions , providing essential connectivity to businesses and stimulating the growth in trade , '' the boss of the Airport Operators Association , Karen Dee , said in a statement welcoming the rescue deal .
As part of the agreement , Flybe 's shareholders , which include Virgin Atlantic and Stobart Group , have agreed to put more money into the business .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air passenger duty that is levied on domestic UK return fights , which has added to the airline 's losses .
• ' I would be devastated if it went under' '' Delighted that we have reached agreement with Flybe 's shareholders to keep the company operating , ensuring that UK regions remain connected , '' Ms Leadsom tweeted .
`` This will be welcome news for Flybe 's staff , customers and creditors and we will continue the hard work to ensure a sustainable future . ''
Lucien Farrell , the chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - said the group had agreed to `` keep Flybe flying with additional funding alongside government initiatives '' .
`` We are very encouraged with recent developments , especially the government 's recognition of the importance of Flybe to communities and businesses across the UK and the desire to strengthen regional connectivity , '' he said .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government had worked closely with Flybe to ensure its planes were able to continue flying .
He said the Department for Transport would conduct an urgent review that will seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connectivity and ensure airports continue to function across the country .
But the prospect of cutting taxes on flying has angered climate activists who argue that flying is the most carbon intensive mode of transport .
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said reducing air passenger duty was `` utterly inconsistent with any serious commitment '' to tackle climate change .
`` Domestic flights need to be reduced , not made cheaper , '' she wrote on Twitter .
But the government has said the review of the tax will be consistent with its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news for 2,400 Flybe staff whose jobs are secured and regional communities who would have lost their air connectivity without Flybe , '' general secretary , Brian Strutton said in a statement .
Flybe , which flies to 170 different destinations , has been struggling under the weight of an estimated £106m bill for air passenger duty as well as a slowdown in demand that has hurt the airline 's finances .
The carrier 's boss , Mark Anderson , said : `` This is a positive outcome for the UK and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our customers and planning for the future .
`` Flybe is made up of an incredible team of people , serving millions of loyal customers who rely on the vital regional connectivity that we provide . ''


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Mail on Sunday defends publishing Meghan's letter to her father

The Mail on Sunday has argued there is a `` huge and legitimate public interest '' in the Royal Family and its `` personal and family relationships '' , as it published its defence to a legal claim made by the Duchess of Sussex .
Meghan is suing the newspaper and its parent group for publishing a letter she wrote to her father in 2018 .
Her claims include misuse of her private information , selective editing of the letter and breach of copyright .
The Mail on Sunday rejects all claims .
Evidence from the duchess 's father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper 's defence .
In what BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond described as a `` very robust '' response from the paper , it argued in a court document that members of the Royal Family , including Meghan , `` rely on publicity about themselves and their lives in order to maintain the privileged positions they hold and promote themselves '' .
It said the duchess `` did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy that the contents of the letter were private and would remain so '' .
`` There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Royal Family and the activities , conduct and standards of behaviour of its members , '' it said .
`` This extends not merely to their public conduct , but to their personal and family relationships because those are integral to the proper functioning of the monarchy . ''
The 44-page legal filing by the Mail on Sunday aims to tackle the duchess ' claims one by one : • Meghan claimed she had not courted publicity for her relationship with her father , but the paper says she has not denied authorising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an article in a US magazine • The duchess said publishing the letter breached her copyright , but the Mail on Sunday says it was not a protected `` original literary work '' but a recounting of existing facts • Meghan said it infringed her data rights , but the newspaper says the data was not sensitive and concerned topics she had put in the public domain • Accused of selective editing , the Mail on Sunday says the extracts it released accurately conveyed the tone , content and meaning of the letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her privacy , the paper says the letter was `` immaculately copied '' in Meghan 's `` elaborate handwriting '' , arguing that this care in its presentation meant she anticipated it would be seen and read by a wider audience .
It comes as the Royal Family seek to redefine the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 's role after the pair issued a surprise statement last week expressing their wish to `` step back as 'senior ' members of the Royal Family '' .
The Queen , the Prince of Wales , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harry met at Sandringham on Monday to discuss the couple 's future , but Meghan did not take part .
A palace official said `` in the end it was decided by the Sussexes that it was n't necessary for the duchess to join '' .
In October , law firm Schillings , acting for the duchess , filed a High Court claim against the Mail on Sunday and its parent company Associated Newspapers over the alleged misuse of private information , infringement of copyright and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he and his wife were forced to take action against `` relentless propaganda '' .
Referring to his late mother Diana , Princess of Wales , he said : `` I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces . ''
The legal proceedings are being funded privately by the couple and any proceeds will be donated to an anti-bullying charity .
It is not the first time the royals have taken legal action against the press .
In 2017 , the Duke and Duchess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ euros ) in damages after French magazine Closer printed topless pictures of the duchess in 2012 .

"The fact that so much of the evidence appears to come directly from him and that he appears to be co-operating with the paper presents at least the possibility of him being called to testify in court against his own daughter," BBC reporter John Donnison said.


bbcuk--2020-01-15--Miscarriage can lead to 'long-term post-traumatic stress'

One in six women who lose a baby in early pregnancy experiences long-term symptoms of post-traumatic stress , a UK study suggests .
Women need more sensitive and specific care after a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy , researchers say .
Toni Edwards-Beighton , 36 , says she felt she was losing her mind after a miscarriage in 2016 .
`` I felt my grief was wrong because it was n't a real baby - but I was in complete shock , '' she says .
Warning : Some readers may find part of this article distressing Toni and husband Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their baby had no heartbeat at 12 weeks , before she miscarried naturally at home in the bathroom .
But she did n't expect to bleed heavily for eight days and then have to go through painful contractions .
`` I thought I was going mad , '' she says .
`` I had no information about what what would happen to me or what I could expect to see . ''
In the end , something `` recognisable and the size of a palm '' fell between her legs in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital the following day , they told her to `` bring the pregnancy tissue in and we 'll get rid of it '' .
`` It was n't 'tissue ' to me , it was our baby , '' Toni says .
In the weeks that followed , she started to panic about everything , especially their daughter who was four at the time .
`` I worried she was going to die - I could see her falling to the ground . ''
Months later , Toni 's GP diagnosed her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offered her counselling - but she did n't go because by that time she was pregnant again .
`` The following nine months were awful - I was convinced I 'd lose my baby again , '' she says .
Toni and Matt now have two daughters , Phoebe who is eight and Willow who is two .
• 'They called my baby biowaste - it broke my heart' In the study of 650 women , by Imperial College London and KU Leuven in Belgium , 29 % showed symptoms of post-traumatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining to 18 % after nine months .
Most had been through an early miscarriage before 12 weeks - while the rest had had an ectopic pregnancy .
The women , who attended three London hospitals - Queen Charlotte 's and Chelsea , St Mary 's , and Chelsea and Westminster , completed questionnaires about their feelings over the course of a year .
One month following their loss , 24 % had symptoms of anxiety and 11 % of depression .
This reduced to 17 % and 6 % after nine months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage in the UK - with most happening early before 12 weeks • There are 250,000 miscarriages every year and 10,000 ectopic pregnancies • Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks • An ectopic pregnancy is one that develops outside the uterus , or womb Dr Jessica Farren , specialist registrar and clinical fellow at Imperial College London , said miscarriage could be a very traumatic experience .
`` For some women , it 's the first time they have experienced anything beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profound events which stay with you . ''
Even though these losses are at a very early stage , `` women are looking for validation for them '' , Dr Farren says .
Being told it 's `` only a bag of cells '' is not always helpful .
Among a control group of women who had healthy pregnancies , 13 % had symptoms of anxiety and 2 % of depression one month after giving birth .
The study recommends that women who have miscarried are screened to find out who is most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and support will help many women , but those with symptoms of PTS need specific treatment if they are going to recover , the research says .
This can range from cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) to medication , and should be given by a qualified professional .
An earlier , smaller study from 2016 found that early pregnancy loss could trigger symptoms of post-traumatic stress .
`` For too long , women have not received the care they need following a miscarriage and this research shows the scale of the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive of miscarriage and stillbirth charity Tommy 's .
`` Miscarriage services need to be changed to ensure they are available to everyone and women are followed up to assess their mental wellbeing with support being offered to those who need it , and advice is routinely given to prepare for a subsequent pregnancy . ''

"Miscarriage services need to be changed to ensure they are available to everyone and women are followed up to assess their mental wellbeing with support being offered to those who need it, and advice is routinely given to prepare for a subsequent pregnancy."


bbcuk--2020-01-14--Rutland no longer England's only McDonald's-free county

Rutland will lose its status as the only county without a McDonald 's after councillors rubber-stamped plans for a new restaurant .
Some in the small rural East Midlands county have boasted of its unique independence from the American fast food giant .
But at a meeting on Tuesday councillors approved the application for a drive-thru on the outskirts of Oakham .
McDonald 's said it was `` delighted '' at the decision .
The company said the plans had a `` great reception '' and would create `` at least 65 new jobs for local people '' .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midlands Before the meeting , Rutland County Council received 23 representations of support and 55 objections for the restaurant off Lands End Way .
Charlie Pallett , who runs a blog about Rutland , said : `` Our high streets are scattered with wonderful independents that offer something unique ...
I think we do n't need a McDonald 's .
`` Our county is the last one in England without one .
I think that is really special . ''
But many supported the plans , arguing the town `` needs '' more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Goodchild told BBC East Midlands Today : `` I 'm all for it .
I think it 's a load of nonsense we have n't got one already .
`` The high street is full of charity shops and coffee bars , so what 's the problem ? ''
Rutland resident Ella Peters added : `` I think it is a positive thing in regards to bringing new jobs but I do n't believe it is a good idea to bring fast food - it is not very good for children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ support local compared to the big nationals . ''
Council officers had recommended plans for the restaurant be approved with 27 conditions , including the walls and roof should not be built until the details of materials and colours have been agreed with the authority .
Other conditions include trees should be protected and the restaurant should not open until a litter management plan has been approved by the council .
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Council officers had recommended plans for the restaurant be approved with 27 conditions, including the walls and roof should not be built until the details of materials and colours have been agreed with the authority.