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How the AD36 virus infects people and why it affects people differently is not known

A virus which causes respiratory infections has been linked to childhood obesity, in a study that is likely to reignite a controversial debate.

Previous animal research has implicated common viruses in weight gain, but the evidence has been disputed.

The latest study, in Pediatrics, found that obese children with antibodies specific to a certain virus weighed 35lbs (15.8kg) more than those without.

Nothing has yet been proven on this theory, say UK experts.

Previous research has shown that chicken or mice injected with similar types of viruses showed a statistically significant weight gain.

A link between the AD36 virus (adenovirus 36) and obesity in human adults has also been written about previously.

But how AD36 infects people and why it affects people differently is still not known.

In the University of California study of 124 children aged eight to 18, half of the children were considered obese based on their Body Mass Index.

The researchers found the AD36 antibodies in 19 of the children, 15 of whom were in the obese group.

Within the group of obese children studied, those with evidence of AD36 infection weighed an average of 35lbs more than obese children who were AD36-negative, says the study.

Jeffrey Schwimmer, lead researcher and professor of clinical paediatrics at the University of California school of medicine, said he hoped his research would change attitudes to obese people.

“Many people believe that obesity is one’s own fault or the fault of one’s parents or family. This work helps point out that body weight is more complicated than it’s made out to be.

“And it is time that we move away from assigning blame in favour of developing a level of understanding that will better support efforts at both prevention and treatment.

“These data add credence to the concept that an infection can be a cause or contributor to obesity,” he said.

Julian Hamilton-Shield, professor in diabetes and metabolic endocrinology at the School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, says the jury is still out on this idea.

“It’s an interesting if small and non-definitive study. This does not show causation, just an association.

“For instance, it may be that obese people are at more risk of catching AD36.

“However, it does add a little evidence to suggestions that AD36 may be implicated in some way with childhood obesity,” he said.

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

The storm has sent huge waves crashing over coastal defences in Bermuda

Fierce waves and high winds from Hurricane Igor are pounding the Bermuda islands, causing flooding and cutting power to thousands of homes.

The storm, which is sweeping west from the Atlantic Ocean, has been downgraded to a category one hurricane.

However, Bermudan authorities warn that it could be the worst storm the British overseas territory has ever seen.

A Royal Navy warship and helicopter are standing offshore ready to help with relief efforts.

The eye of the hurricane is passing just west of the islands, but with winds extending 90 miles (150km) from the centre, substantial damage is feared.

Residents battened down their homes and property, as winds of 75mph (120km/h) brought down trees and power lines.

Flooding was reported in low-lying areas, while streets in the capital Hamilton were under several inches of water and littered with storm debris.

“Everybody just hunker down and wait until this thing is over,” a spokesman for the island’s emergency measures organisation advised.

Officials have warned that Igor could rival Hurricane Fabian, which claimed four lives and caused millions of dollars of damage in 2003.

“Our country and our people have, throughout our history, rarely faced the full fury of a storm of this magnitude,” warned Premier Ewart Brown.

“As a people we will continue to pray that once again we will be spared.”

As well as having the Royal Navy ship standing by, authorities have also mobilised the island’s forces – the Bermuda Regiment.

Bermuda is a chain of 138 islands, many of them small and uninhabited, spanning only 22 sq miles (57 sq km).

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

The fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday

A man and a woman arrested after a 19-month-old girl died in a fire at a south London flat are still being questioned by police.

A family of five were rescued from the first-floor flat in Arnould Avenue, Camberwell, on Saturday morning.

Two women, an 11-year-old girl, a four-year-old boy and the 19-month-old girl were unconscious. A murder inquiry was launched after the toddler later died.

A man, 27, and a woman, 28, were arrested at an address in south London.

They have been in custody at a south London police station since Saturday night.

The emergency services were called to the two-bedroom flat at about 0440 BST on Saturday.

Fire crews said the flat was completely destroyed in the blaze.

The other family members rescued from the fire remain in hospital.

The 11-year-old girl was in a critical condition, with the four-year-old-boy and the two women, aged 23 and 45, said to be in a serious but stable condition.

A post mortem examination into the toddler’s death is due to take place on Monday.

The Metropolitan Police said they are “looking to the community” for help.

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

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has visited the mine where 33 miners remain trapped underground.

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

Keir Starmer gave the woman a personal apology and a pledge that the issue would not be repeated

The Crown Prosecution Service has agreed to pay compensation to a woman over its failings in dealing with an allegation of a serious sexual assault.

The £16,000 will go to the woman who accused a man of the assault. The case collapsed and the CPS has now admitted he should have faced a retrial.

Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales, Keir Starmer, has issued a personal apology to the woman.

The CPS also admitted it breached her human rights.

In a statement, Mr Starmer said he was “very sorry for the distress these failings have caused the complainant. I am determined this will not happen again”.

The woman, who for legal reasons is known only as Josephine, said she had been assured that when her case got to court she would be able to give evidence from behind a screen.

But on the day of the trial she was told there would be no screen, and said she was “petrified” to face the accused man in court.

While in the witness box, she inadvertently let slip something about the man’s history, which stopped the trial.

She says prosecutors then blamed her for the collapse of the case.

“If you put your faith in the system, and then it falls apart that is bad enough but then to be blamed for it, it just leaves you feeling completely worthless that nobody cares,” she said.

The Crown Prosecution Service has now admitted the man should have faced a retrial rather than being acquitted, and it has paid Josephine damages.

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

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson said his party had been treated unfairly in the election

A far-right party in Sweden has won seats in parliament for the first time, denying the governing centre-right coalition an overall majority.

The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats have won 20 of the 349 seats in the country’s single assembly, following Sunday’s general election.

The alliance led by centre-right Prime Minsister Fredrik Reinfeldt fell short of a clear victory with 172 seats.

Mr Reinfeldt says he will seek the support of the opposition Green Party.

The Greens are currently allied with the centre-left Social Democrats.

Green Party co-chair Maria Wetterstrand said the opposition bloc – which won 157 seats – remained united.

Mr Reinfeldt also did not rule out working with the Social-Democrats.

“On many questions there is a possibility for broader co-operation,” he told reporters. “Not seldom have agreements been made between Social Democrats and alliance parties, but I can’t really say more about that, if there is any room for that now.”

However the prime minister reiterated that his four-party Alliance for Sweden would not form a coalition with the far-right.

“I have been clear on how we will handle this uncertain situation,” he said. “We will not co-operate, or become dependent on, the Sweden Democrats”.

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson said his party would use the opportunity to make itself heard, as it had not been invited to official debates during the campaign.

“We have in many ways been treated as anything but a political party in this election,” he said.

“Even so, today we stand here with a fantastic result. The situation is a bit uncertain just now, but we have four years ahead of us to speak out on the issues that matter to us and influence Swedish politics.”

PM Fredrik Reinfeldt says he will not make a deal with the far-right

BBC regional reporter Damien McGuinness said the success of the far right has shocked many voters in Sweden.

He says the Sweden Democrats appear to have tapped into voter dissatisfaction over immigration.

Immigrants make up 14% of the country’s population of 9.4 million.

The centre-left Social Democrats have ruled Sweden for 65 of the past 78 years, and are credited with setting up the country’s generous welfare state.

Conceding defeat on Sunday, party leader Mona Sahlin said they had not been able to win back voters’ confidence.

“The Alliance is the largest majority. It is now up to Fredrick Reinfeldt how he plans to rule Sweden without letting the Sweden Democrats get political influence.”

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

Unite is suing BMI over an unpaid pay rise which was initially deferred for a year

The airline BMI is being taken to court by the union Unite over claims it has failed to honour a three-year pay award to its staff.

The union says as a result its 3,000 members at the company have not had a pay rise, worth millions of pounds, since 2008.

It has now instructed its lawyers to begin action in the High Court.

A BMI spokesman said: “Constructive talks are continuing and discussions remain ongoing.”

Unite and BMI entered into a a three year pay agreement in 2007, the union said, which meant staff would receive pay rises in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The first two rises were paid but, due to economic circumstances, the union said it agreed to defer a 4.75% pay rise, due in April 2009, until 31 March 2010 instead.

Unite claims BMI has not honoured the agreement to pay the third year of the deal.

Unite’s national officer Brian Boyd said: “Unite is lodging a High Court claim against BMI because the company owes its employees a long overdue pay increase.

“Staff agreed to defer the increase to help the company during difficult times but they are still waiting for the company to honour its end of the bargain.

“Lufthansa, which owns BMI, is a huge airline and employees need reward for their dedication and loyalty.”

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

Bermuda is bracing itself for the arrival of the full force of Hurricane Igor, a category-two storm expected to bring torrential rains and fierce winds.

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

The target for reducing poverty is likely to be met, but not all will benefit

World leaders are descending on the UN headquarters in New York for a display of commitment to reduce sharply global poverty and hunger. The summit aims to take stock of progress on eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted 10 years ago, and redouble efforts to meet them by 2015. BBC UN correspondent Barbara Plett looks at the issues officials will face.

The United Nations is billing this as a high-stakes event.

“The path that will be set at the summit will determine the direction and results, success or failure, of the entire MDG venture,” says Olav Kjorven, a senior official in the UN’s main development agency, the UNDP.

“With five years to go, it’s a moment of truth for the whole international community.”

The Millennium Development Goals aim to tackle global poverty and improve living standards for developing countries. We’ve taken key indicators, broken down by UN-defined regions as shown here, and set the 2015 target as a baseline to reveal the true picture of how each region is faring. Developing nations are on track to meet the poverty target largely because of progress in China. But in Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Asia the proportion of hungry people has increased. Globally, the number of hungry people rose from 842 million in 1990-92 to 1.02 billion people in 2009. While countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen great improvements by abolishing school fees and offering free school lunches, the target is unlikely to be met. The drop-out rate is high, and although there has been some investment in teachers and classrooms, it is not enough. Gender gaps in education have narrowed, but remain high at university (tertiary) level in some developing countries because of poverty. Employment for women has improved but there are still many more women than men in low-paid jobs. There have been small gains for women in political power. Child deaths are falling but at the current rate are well short of the two-thirds target. They more than halved in Northern Africa, Asia,Latin America and the Caribbean but remain high in parts of Southern Asia. In Sub-Saharan Africa the absolute number of children who have died actually increased. Although in all regions there are advances in providing pregnant women with antenatal care, the maternal mortality rate is unacceptably high, with progress well short of the decline needed to meet the target. Those at most risk are adolescent girls, yet funding on family planning is falling behind. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has stabilised in most regions, but new infections are rising in some areas and antiretroviral treatment has mushroomed. Global funding has helped control malaria but is still far short of what is needed. On current trends tuberculosis will have been halted and started to reverse. The world will meet the drinking water target on current trends but half the population of developing regions still lacks basic sanitation. The 2010 target to slow decline in biodiversity has been missed. Improving the lives of 100 million slum dwellers has been achieved but their actual numbers are rising. Levels of aid continue to rise, but major donors are well below target. In terms of volume the USA, France, Germany, UK and Japan are the largest donors. G8 countries have failed to deliver on a promise to double aid to Africa. Debt burdens have been eased for developing countries.

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The truth is that poverty has fallen, but progress has been uneven, and most of the goals are off-target to meet the deadline.

One of them – halving world poverty – is likely to be met, largely because of robust economic growth in China and India.

But less has been achieved on others, such as decreasing hunger, improving access to health and education, and helping mothers and children.

Many countries do have success stories to tell.

African farmers, for instance, have seen enormous benefits from seed and fertiliser subsidies. Such interventions turned Malawi from staving off famine in 2005 to harvesting crop surpluses.

There are also plenty of failures.

World hunger is on the rise since the adoption of the UN goals, with nearly a billion people suffering.

And the number of women who die in childbirth every year is still in the hundreds of thousands, falling far short of the UN goal to cut maternal deaths by three quarters.

One reason for failure is that, although the amount of development assistance has increased over the past decade, the richest states have failed to meet their commitment to donate 0.7% of gross national income.

Of the so-called G-8 countries, the United Kingdom gives the highest level of aid at 0.51% and Italy the lowest at 0.15%. The US is not far behind at 0.20%, although given the size of its economy, it supplies the highest volume of development assistance.

G8 countries also failed to meet a promise to double aid to Africa by 2010, made at a summit in Gleneagles, in Scotland, five years ago.

They maintain that it is due to the global financial crisis.

But there was a shortfall well before the crash, says Jeffrey Sachs, an MDG adviser to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

“One could say there was a certain lack of seriousness in this process from the start,” he says.

“In 2007 and 2008 I would say [to G8 officials], what about Gleneagles? You have a commitment, 2010 is very explicit. And very senior officials in the German government would say to me, ‘Oh Professor Sachs, you don’t think they’re going to be honoured, do you?'”

Prof Sachs also argues that the aid which is given could be used much more effectively.

Rich countries tend to focus on their own projects rather than pool their money into global funds that support programmes designed by developing nations – a model that has proven successful, he says.

Donor nations counter that developing states are not always effective partners, because of corruption and poor governance. And the UN is urging governments in the developing world to improve tax collection, as well as make sure that economic growth benefits the very poor.

Another reason for failure is the inferior position of women and girls in many poor nations, due to entrenched inequalities. Aid workers say rectifying this is crucial, because the status of women has a huge impact on MDGs related to children, health and education.

Given these systemic problems, some activists want the summit to frame the UN goals not as mere aspirations but as human rights anchored by legislation, as a way of holding governments to account.

And, alongside calls for greater commitment to meet aid pledges, some also want a greater emphasis on what they say are structural causes of global poverty: the burden of foreign debt in the developing world, and trade regimes that do not allow poor countries to develop their economies in ways that would best meet the needs of their people.

“The MDGs have been useful in mobilising money and energy,” says Olivier De Schutter, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the right to food. “But they attack the symptoms of poverty – underweight children, maternal mortality, HIV prevalence – while remaining silent on the deeper causes of underdevelopment and hunger.

“Statistics are not a substitute for politics.”

The summit is expected to declare that achieving the Millennium Development Goals is do-able by 2015, with the right combination of money, policies and, above all, political will.

But there is scepticism, and critics will be looking out for mention of specific steps and practical action plans to flesh out the rhetoric.

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