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Survey: Quarter of new mothers 'left alone' during labour
A quarter of new mothers surveyed in England say they were left alone at a time that worried them during labour and birth, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found.
The survey of some 23,000 women, who gave birth in February, revealed an overall improvement in maternity services, but also some areas for improvement.
A higher proportion of women than in 2010 felt they were involved in decisions about their care and that they were able to find a comfortable position during labour and birth.
But concerns were raised about the support given during labour and birth, the cleanliness of wards and about seeing different midwives before and after the birth.
Wallis Simpson jewels to be auctioned
Precious jewels that once belonged to controversial royal couple Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson - the American divorcee he abdicated in 1936 to marry - are to be auctioned to the public today.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor's collection includes a sapphire and diamond Cartier bracelet and cigarette boxes given the the Duke by his mother, Queen Mary, which included inscriptions she had written into the silver.
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers said: "What's very interesting about the Duchess of Windsor and her jewels is her jewels are very much not understated.
"They are all quite powerful, they are all quite visible, they are all quite strong, brightly coloured, sharp and well-defined, which is rather like her features and she knew that.It wasn't by any means done by chance."
He singled out singled out a coral choker, expected to sell for between £40,000 to £60,000 as one of the key items on offer at Sotheby's in London
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People patiently queue to see Mandela despite heat
Despite the intense midday heat, South Africans have been queuing patiently for their turn to see Nelson Mandela as he lies in state for a second day in Pretoria.
Drink driver sends thank you note to police
Police got a surprise in the mail - a thank you note from a motorist they had arrested and charged with drink-driving.
The woman motorist took the unusual step of thanking Surrey Police's traffic officers who pulled her over after a drinking session.
The motorist, aged in her late 20s, was caught behind the wheel whilst over the drink-drive limit in Tadworth.
She was arrested on December 1 and taken to a police station where she was later charged.
Today the woman penned her thanks to the officers for their caring manner after arresting her.
She said: "I was scared but they looked after me and were really caring."
Inspector Richard Mallett, from the force's Road Policing Unit, said: "It's not every day Surrey Police gets a thank you message from someone arrested for drink-driving."
Queen 'upset' about police eating Palace nuts
The Queen was "upset" about police officers eating nuts left out at Buckingham Palace, the trial into alleged phone hacking at the News of the World has heard.
Officers "irritated" the monarch by eating all the Palace snacks, and a memo was sent telling them to "keep their sticky fingers out", according to an email sent by Clive Goodman, former royal editor at the now-defunct Sunday tabloid newspaper.
"Problem is that police on patrol eat the lot... memo now gone around to all palace cops telling them to keep their sticky fingers out," Mr Goodman wrote in the email, which he sent to himself and to former NotW editor Andy Coulson, the Old Bailey heard.
Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC told the jury that the Queen was "upset" about the behaviour of the officers, according to Goodman's email.
"Apparently they were helping themselves to nuts," the barrister said. "They were all being scoffed by police. That irritated Her Majesty apparently."
Prime Minister asks Santa for 'squidgy tennis balls'
David Cameron has put "squidgy tennis balls" and "a bit of peace and quiet" at the top of his Christmas list this year.
The keen tennis fan said he had started playing the sport with his son Elwen, and wanted balls that would not travel too far when you "really whack" them.
Speaking to BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, he said: "If Santa's listening, you can get them down the chimney pretty easily and there will be a very happy recipient at the other end."
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Helicopter operator grounds part of UK fleet over 'defect'
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has been grounded while emergency checks are carried out. The helicopter, which is leased by Bond Aviation in Gloucestershire, is the same model as the craft which crashed into a Glasgow pub earlier this month. All EC-135's have been grounded.
Report: Helicopter firm connected to Glasgow crash
The company that has grounded part of its helicopter fleet is believed to have operated the police helicopter that crashed in Glasgow last month.
According to media reports, Bond Air Services operated the EC135 helicopter on behalf of Police Scotland and employed the pilot who died in the incident.
The company confirmed to ITV News that it has grounded its UK fleet of EC135 aircraft after a "defect" was detected in one of them.
A statement on its website said the firm is "committed by law to ensuring that the proper compensation is paid to all those who have suffered loss" in the incident.
Jurors in Nigella case warned to ignore PM's comments
Jurors in the trial of two former personal assistants of Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi have been warned by Judge Robin Johnson to ignore comments made by Prime Minister David Cameron about the celebrity cook.
The trial continues at Isleworth Crown Court in London.
NHS 'never events' - how did your health trust perform?
As figures reveal serious incidents that occurred in NHS hospitals over six months, see a full breakdown of how the hospital trusts fared.
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