New president elected in Latvia

Latvia's president elect, Andris Berzins, is a banker turned politician

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The challenger Andris Berzins has won the presidential election in the Baltic state of Latvia, in a second round of voting.

Mr Berzins defeated incumbent Valdis Zatlers, winning the support of 53 MPs out of 100 in a parliamentary ballot.

The outgoing president had called for radical reforms to curb the corrupting influence of oligarchs.

Mr Berzins, 66, is a former banker turned politician in the Greens and Farmers' Union.

President Zatlers, 56, had been widely expected to win the vote, until he accused lawmakers last Saturday of being soft on corruption and called a referendum on the dissolution of parliament.

His outburst came after parliament stopped the country's anti-corruption bureau from searching the home of a powerful local politician who has been engulfed in scandal.

The confrontation plunged Latvia into political turmoil just as the country was recovering from a near economic collapse.

Latvia is struggling to meet the conditions of a massive loan from the International Monetary Fund and European Union.

President Valdis Zatlers caused a political crisis last weekend, shortly before the election

In Latvia, it is parliament that chooses the president.

To win, a candidate must secure an outright majority of the vote.

The election had been scheduled for July, when President Zatlers' term ended.

"Thank you for the honour you have shown me," Mr Berzins told parliament after the vote.

Andris Berzins was active in politics after Latvia regained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991.

Later he ran a leading bank until 2004, and then became head of the country's chamber of commerce.

He returned to parliament just last year, in October.

The outgoing president, Mr Zatlers, is an orthopaedic surgeon by training. He became president in July 2007.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-13628945

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Calls for Strep B tests for women

A woman who lost her unborn baby as a result of the Strep B infection has called for routine testing to detect the presence of the bacteria.

Group B streptococcus is a bacteria that can be passed between the mother and child during a natural birth.

It is the most common cause of blood infections and meningitis in newborns and often causes the death of the baby.

Gillian Boyd said her pregnancy had been perfectly normal up until her baby was stillborn at full-term.

She said when midwives told her they could not detect her baby's heart-beat "my world was falling apart, but I still didn't want to believe them.

"After an actual scan a doctor then confirmed there was no heart-beat and that Erin had already died.

"After that they gave me some gas and air and I knew at that stage that I had to deliver a baby who wasn't going to cry."

“For the families involved it would be a very sensible and worthwhile investment. I happen to personally feel that women should be tested”

Alasdair McDonnell MP and doctor

It was only after a post mortem examination that she found out her baby had died due an infection caused by Group B streptococcus.

"I know that if this bacteria is detected in a pregnant woman, that it can be easily prevented," Gillian said.

"They could prevent more if a test was done."

Health Minister Edwin Poots said it was understandable that people were calling for screening after such tragedies.

"However, the UK National Screening Committee, the expert body which advises the four UK health departments on screening programmes, has kept under review the evidence for screening for Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection, and following the most recent review in 2009 the NSC reaffirmed its advice that screening for GBS should not be offered.

"I will continue to keep this situation under close review."

South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell said testing would be expensive, but worthwhile for families affected.

"It's one of these balancing acts that we've got into in the health service," he said.

"It makes perfect sense to test, but you're in a situation where there's something like 75 babies a year are affected yet it would cost probably something in the region of millions of pounds to do the test.

"But for the families involved it would be a very sensible and worthwhile investment. I happen to personally feel that women should be tested."

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-13618476

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C.diff probe to hear from experts

A total of 55 patients were infected by the bug at the Vale of Leven Hospital

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Nursing experts are to give evidence to a public inquiry into Scotland's worst Clostridium difficile (C.diff) outbreak.

Between 2007 and 2008, 55 patients at Dunbartonshire's Vale of Leven Hospital developed the bug and 18 died.

The inquiry, being chaired by Lord MacLean, is taking place at Maryhill Community Central Halls.

After hearing from the experts, nursing staff at the hospital will be the next witnesses.

Lord MacLean will take evidence until late-July when the inquiry will break for the summer.

A final report and recommendations are expected to be published by September 2012.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13595578

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Sinclair fires Swansea into Premier League

Swansea seal their place in the top flight for the first time since 1983 after a Scott Sinclair hat-trick helps them beat Reading in the Championship play-off final.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/sport1/hi/football/13497817.stm

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Strauss demands focused England

England captain Andrew Strauss wants his side to step up their quest to become the world's number one Test side when they begin the first Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/sport1/hi/cricket/13543960.stm

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Boss quits Edinburgh tram project

Richard Jeffrey was at the helm of the Edinburgh tram project for two years

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The chief executive of Edinburgh's tram project has resigned after just two years in the post.

Richard Jeffrey, 44, who took on the role in May 2009, will step down from the project, which is behind schedule and over budget, on 8 June.

The news follows a dispute between Tie and its contractors Bilfinger Berger, which halted work on the £545m project.

The previous chief executive, Willie Gallagher, also resigned after two years in the role.

Mr Jeffrey was previously the managing director of Edinburgh Airport.

Last week a report published by Edinburgh City Council said work so far had cost £440m, out of a total budget of £545m for the scheme.

The report also confirmed up to 10 of Edinburgh's unused tram vehicles could be leased to Transport for London to be used on the Croydon Tram Network.

Officials said they would not be needed in Edinburgh for "several years".

Following completion of mediation over the controversial project, Edinburgh City Council announced last week it was to close Princes Street from July until next spring to allow works on the tram line to be repaired.

Mr Jeffrey said: "Following the mediation earlier this year I believe now is the optimum time to move on and allow the project to proceed to the next stage.

"I remain convinced that trams are part of the solution for future generations, and I look forward to travelling on the city's trams.

"I would like to pay tribute to my board, partners, stakeholders and my colleagues, whose support, dedication and commitment in trying circumstances has been fantastic."

“The organisation will continue as before for the current time”

Vic Emery Tie chairman

Vic Emery, Tie chairman, said: "Richard has been an energetic force during his time on the project and has seen the organisation through a particularly challenging period.

"I would personally like to pay tribute to his determination, integrity and resilience during his time here with Tie.

"The organisation will continue as before for the current time. We are working closely with Edinburgh City Council and there is a great deal of work ongoing in terms of moving forward the different work streams agreed from the mediation in March."

Gordon Mackenzie, Edinburgh City Council's transport convenor, said: "I am grateful for the energy and focus Richard has given to Tie and the tram project.

"He has worked tirelessly for the city in very difficult circumstances and as a unique individual, much respected in the business community and amongst partners, I wish him the very best in his career."

SNP MSPs for the city of Edinburgh welcomed the resignation.

Colin Keir, who represents Edinburgh West, said: "Richard Jeffrey was supposed to turn the tram project around and instead it simply stalled.

"There are tough decisions to be made about the tram project and the future of Tie. It is right that those responsible for the problems of the last few years remove themselves from the future of the organisation."

Mr Jeffrey is a chartered civil engineer and has a first class degree in civil engineering from Imperial College, London.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-13454021

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Death prompts care residents move

The woman died at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

Police are investigating the death of a woman who became ill at a private care home in Edinburgh.

The 59-year-old was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Monday but died two days later.

Edinburgh City Council said that following her death, some residents at Elsie Inglis Nursing Home were moved to other care homes.

A spokesman said there had been "concerns" about the quality of care at the home.

The care home's director, Nawal Bagaria, told The Herald newspaper: "Elsie Inglis Nursing Home is fully co-operating with the regulatory bodies and until these discussions are over we have no further comment."

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders police are working together with partner agencies to establish the circumstances around how she became unwell at the private nursing home she was residing in.

"However these proceedings are at a very early stage".

An Edinburgh City Council spokesman said: "Following concerns surrounding the quality of care at the nursing home, extra staff from the council and NHS Lothian have been put in place.

"In addition a number of residents have been placed in other care establishments.

"The current situation is being regularly reviewed".

A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-13483442

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