Inquest begins for doctor who died in Syria

The inquest is taking place into the death of a doctor from Streatham in south London who was found dead in a jail cell in Syria in 2012.

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NHS calls for young black Londoners to give blood and save lives

A new campaign is being launched to encourage young black Londoners to give blood and save lives. Currently half the country's black population lives in the country- and NHS Blood and Transport wants to recruit 7000 new black donors by 2020.

NHSBT aim to recruit 7,000 new black donors by 2020 Credit: PA

The black community makes up around 5% of the UK population - with about half living in London - but active black donors currently account for only 1% of blood donors. *

·NHSBT collects 1.8 million units of blood each year from over 23,000 blood donation sessions in more than 3,000 venues

Rarer blood groupsinclude B+, Ro and RoR which are more common and more in-demand among black communities.

Female blood donors can give blood every 16 weeks, while male blood donors must wait 12 weeks between donations. Platelets can be donated every 2 weeks.

Inquest into death of doctor who died in Syria enters its second day

The inquest into the death of a London doctor who died in a Syrian prison last December enters its second day today. Abbas Khan -- who was from Streatham -- was being held by the Syrian government when he died.

Dr Abbas Khan's mother Fatima outside court yesterday Credit: ITN

His family has always mantained he was murdered- while the authorities insist he took his own life. Yesterday his mother Fatima collapsed in court as she gave evidence. The inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice is set to last three weeks.

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