US President Barack Obama has said there is "no excuse" for the glitches that have plagued the rollout of an element of his 2010 healthcare law.

At the White House, Mr Obama said that despite their problems, the insurance enrolment websites were enabling people to sign up for affordable coverage.
Those attempting to sign up for health insurance have reported persistent issues since the 1 October rollout.
Mr Obama said a "tech surge" was under way to fix the snags.
The website's issues have been overshadowed by the recent partial government shutdown, in which Republican lawmakers attempted to gut the law through budgetary brinkmanship.
'No sugar coating'
In Monday's Rose Garden event, Mr Obama conceded that healthcare.gov "hasn't worked as smoothly as it was supposed to work".
By Nick BryantBBC News, White House
For 30 minutes in the Rose Garden, President Obama became America's customer-care-manager-in-chief as he explained the glitches in the healthcare.gov website. In parts this sounded more like an infomercial than a speech.
"Nobody's madder than me," he said, in that rather unconvincing way he tries to affect irritation. To that end he promised a "tech surge", with some of the country's brainiest geeks from the private sector working 24/7. But his main message was that "Obamacare" is more than a website - it is about giving millions of uninsured Americans quality and affordable care.
The irony, of course, is the snags would have presented a far larger political problem for the White House had the Republicans not tried defund Obamacare by shutting down the federal government and haggling over the debt limit. Obamacare was being damaged by self-inflicted wounds at the very moment Tea Party Republicans were trying to kill it off.
"The number of people who've visited the site has been overwhelming, which has aggravated some of these underlying problems."
Mr Obama added: "There's no sugar coating - the website has been too slow, people have been getting stuck during the application process and I think it's fair to say that nobody's more frustrated by that than I am."
He said that notwithstanding the website's problems, there was "massive demand" and the homepage had been visited nearly 20 million times since its launch.
"Precisely because the product is good, I want the cash registers to work; I want the checkout lines to be smooth," said Mr Obama. "And there's no excuse for the problems, and these problems are getting fixed."
He was joined at Monday's event by people who have successfully enrolled during the first three weeks.
Janice Baker, a Delaware business owner who was the first person in her state to enrol for coverage through the exchange website, introduced Mr Obama.
She said she had "a number of frustrating attempts" to use the site, but kept trying as she had been rejected from insurance plans previously because of a pre-existing condition.
Ms Baker said she expected to save $150 (Â£93) a month with the policy she had signed up for on the exchange.
The website is supposed to be a clearinghouse for uninsured Americans searching for medical coverage.
The site acts both as a check on whether applications qualify for government subsidies for private insurance, as well as being the first enrolment step for specific plans.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects the exchanges will be the gateway for providing health coverage to an estimated seven million Americans during the first year.
The White House has said almost half a million people have applied for healthcare through both federal and state-run exchanges since 1 October.
Exchanges run by individual states do not appear to have been plagued to the same extent by malfunctions.
White House officials initially blamed the glitches on the heavy volume of visits to the site, but they recently conceded the flaws were larger and involved software and system design issues.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which runs the exchanges, said in a blog post it had already begun to make improvements.
But the administration has offered few details on who was being brought in from outside the government and the specific causes of the ongoing glitches.
Passed in 2010, the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, has rolled out in multiple steps, including coverage requirements on insurance companies and future tax penalties for those who remain uninsured.
Republicans unanimously oppose the law and have worked to undermine it since it was enacted.
Republican-led state governments have used their authority to frustrate its implementation. Republicans in Congress have repeatedly attempted to repeal the law or eliminate its funding, most recently by refusing to pass a budget in an attempt to force Mr Obama's hand. A subsequent 16-day shutdown of the federal government ended with no major concessions from Mr Obama.
"Obamacare costs too much and it's not working the way they promised," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday.
"It's time for the president to consider delaying this rushed effort."
Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has also been criticised by Republican lawmakers for declining an invitation to testify about the snags on 24 October.
But a spokeswoman for the health department said the secretary would testify at some point.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Monday there had been "for many months and years now a concentrated, concerted effort by critics of Obamacare to undermine it".
"There's clearly some joy being taken in some quarters by the experiences that some Americans have had, frustrating experiences that they've had, in trying to get information about affordable health insurance."
Although the law remains divisive, a recent Gallup poll suggests only 29% of the public favours a complete repeal.


Teachers in parts of Tanzania's capital Dar es Salaam are being given free transport to and from their schools.

Kinondoni District Commissioner Paul Makonda said he hopes to expand the scheme across the entire city.
The trips on the "daladala" bus taxis will be paid for by the city's associations, echoing a scheme where soldiers travel for free on buses.
Mr Makonda set up the scheme after First Lady Janeth Magufuli visited a local school in February.
Her former colleagues at the Mbuyuni primary school, where she taught for over 15 years, mentioned room shortages and transport difficulties as current problems.
Teachers greeted the news with smiles and proudly showed the new ID cards showing they are entitled to free transport to the BBC's Tulanana Bohela in Dar es Salaam.
Kinondoni, which has a population of over one million, currently provides students with 50% discount on travel and has around 35,000 teachers.
The ID cards are expected to be available for 3,000 teachers by the end of the week.
Journeys which normally cost around 400 shillings (18 US cents; 12p) are free between 05:30 and 08:00 and 15:00 to 17:00 to those holding the special card.


Actress and director Jodie Foster is to direct an episode of Charlie Brooker's satirical drama series Black Mirror.

The Silence of the Lambs star will direct an episode in the fourth season of the show, to premiere on Netflix on 2017.
Rosemarie DeWitt, currently to be seen in the Oscar-tipped La La Land, will appear in Foster's episode.
The third series of Black Mirror makes its debut on Netflix on Friday, following its move from Channel 4.
It will be the first of two six-episode series.
Brooker retweeted a link to Variety reporting Foster and DeWitt's involvement with the series, saying: "This is true."
Foster won Academy awards for her performances in The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs in 1989 and 1992 respectively.
The 53-year-old has since moved into directing with such films as Little Man Tate, The Beaver and Money Monster.
Black Mirror is described by Netflix as "an anthology series that taps into our collective unease with the modern world".
Bryce Dallas Howard, Kelly MacDonald and Game of Thrones' Jerome Flynn, are among the stars of the show's third series.
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A police helicopter has joined the search operation to try to find a man who went missing after a camping trip near Moffat.

Stephen Talbot, 58, from Wamphray, was last seen at about 16:00 on Monday.
He had been on a camping trip at Garrogill, near Moffat, and is thought to be wearing a maroon jumper, dark jogging trousers and walking boots.
Moffat and Galloway Mountain Rescue teams have been helping with the search.
Insp Gordon McKnight said that as time passed concerns for the welfare and safety of Mr Talbot were growing.
"We have carried out intensive searches of the area this week, in what I would describe as fairly challenging terrain due to the current state of the summer growth of vegetation in the area," he said.
"The search continues and will do so over the weekend with the invaluable assistance and support of the mountain rescue personnel.
"At this stage there are no indications, or indeed sightings which lead us to think that Mr Talbot is not still in the area where we are concentrating our searches."
However, he said that if anyone had spotted the missing man further afield they should contact police immediately.


Mattie McGleenan has been confirmed as Cavan manager for a second season, but he has lost two key men from his backroom team.

Trainer Finbar O'Reilly and strength and conditioning coach Eoin Maguire have stood down from their roles.
Former Tyrone attacker McGleenan said he has already begun preparations for next season, after his maiden term in inter-county management this year.
The Breffni men were relegated from Division One of the league in April.
Cavan lost their Ulster Championship opener to Monaghan and scored a qualifier win over Offaly, before losing to Tipperary.


An Irish court has again refused to extradite former journalist Ian Bailey to France for questioning over the murder of a filmmaker 21 years ago.

The French authorities want to question him over the death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, who was murdered in the Republic of Ireland in 1996.
It is the second time extradition has been refused - with the first refused by the Supreme Court in Dublin in 2012.
Mr Bailey denies any involvement in the murder near Schull, west Cork.
Ms Toscan du Plantier, 39, was beaten to death two days before Christmas in 1996.
Under French law, authorities can investigate the suspicious death of a citizen abroad but cannot compel witnesses to go to Paris for questioning.
A European arrest warrant was issued for Mr Bailey last year.
An Irish judge refused the extradition application, describing it as an "abuse of process".
Manchester-born Mr Bailey worked as a journalist in Gloucester and Cheltenham before moving to Ireland in 1991.
He was arrested twice in the Republic of Ireland in connection with the murder but was never charged.
Leaving court on Monday, Mr Bailey said : "It's not the end of it - The state will almost certainly appeal.
He also expressed sympathy for Ms Toscan du Plantier's family.
"I know they believe, for whatever reasons, that I had something to do with the death of their daughter and I'm very sympathetic. But I had nothing to do with it," he said.


Michael Hoey made sure of surviving the halfway cut with birdies on three of the last four holes in the second round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Playing on a sponsor's invite in South Africa, the 37-year-old Belfast man is on four under par after a 71 on Friday.
After an encouraging start, Hoey's second round threatened to unravel as he dropped five shots in six holes.
But he recovered for a one-under-par round and lies seven shots behind leader, South African Brandon Stone.
Hoey has endured a dismal 2016 as he lost his European Tour card and then also missed out at the qualifying school in Spain.
However, he carded an opening five-birdie 69 on the Leonard Creek course on Thursday.
Ireland's Paul Dunne shared the lead along with defending champion Charl Schwartzel after day one but is now six off the pace, having followed his opening 66 with a round of 73.
Schwartzel was the early clubhouse leader after a 68 left him 10 under, but Stone's round of six-under 66 saw him move one shot ahead by the end of day two.
Darren Clarke was 10 over par after two rounds and missed the cut.


A man who ran to the aid of Tunisia beach attack victims said he hoped to get some closure following the national minute's silence for those who died.

Allen Pembroke, 61, from Chelmsford, Essex, helped a badly wounded woman at the resort in Sousse last Friday.
Cheryl Mellor, 55, was lying injured. Her husband Stephen died trying to shield her from gunfire.
Mr Pembroke said he and his wife were still in shock over the "harrowing" attack, in which 30 Britons died.
A minute's silence will be held across the UK at midday to remember the 38 victims of the attack.
Mr Pembroke was on the beach with his wife when the attack started, and the couple fled to their hotel room.
But he said he had to follow his "gut reaction" and go back outside to help those injured.
"I immediately saw quite a few bodies among the sunbeds. The beach was covered with blood," he said.
He came to the aid of Mrs Mellor, who was lying face down in the sand.
"Her hand was two or three inches from her wrist - she was semi-conscious.
"She'd also been shot in her left leg. I secured it as best I could with the towels. I checked her husband's pulse but he'd gone."
Mr Pembroke said he had seen a second man with a gun approaching the beach on a speedboat but could not be sure if he was "friend or foe".
"I believe the beach could have been more secure.  There'd been a terror incident in March and they should have upgraded security in that knowledge," he said.
Although he returned to work earlier this week, Mr Pembroke said he was "probably in shock".
"I'm trying not to think about it. Thankfully while I'm at work I'm absorbed with that.
"But when I lay down at night in the quiet, the slightest noise and I feel alert and awake. But time will heal that."


Gavin Henson kicked all Bristol's points on his injury return as they beat rivals Bath for the first time in 11 years to boost their survival hopes.

The former Wales fly-half's long-range drop-goal was the highlight of an otherwise low-key first half.
Bath's Harry Davies and David Denton had tries disallowed before Semesa Rokoduguni intercepted to score.
But Rhys Priestland crucially missed the conversion and Bristol held on to move two points behind Worcester.
Mark Tainton's side remain bottom of the table despite the victory, which ended their seven-game losing streak, while Bath are in the final play-off spot just a point above fifth-placed Leicester.
Veteran Henson won 33 caps for Wales between 2001 and 2011 and got the better of the kicking battle with his opposing number 10 and countryman Priestland.
Bath's Davies and Denton were denied scores by last-gasp tackles from Will Hurrell and Alby Mathewson respectively, on both occasions their feet ending up in touch.
The Premiership's record try-scorer Tom Varndell was forced off against his wishes after failing a head injury assessment but, in front of their biggest crowd of the season, they stood firm to defeat Bath for the first time since December 2006.
Todd Blackadder's side have now lost their last four away games in the league.
Bristol interim head coach Mark Tainton:
"Our defensive effort was massive and to beat our neighbours was fantastic as we stood up to them but the fight against relegation will go all the way to the end.
"Gavin will be sore after his comeback but he controlled the game as he was accurate with both his place kicking and line-kicking.
"He's a confidence player and grew into the game. He's a big man so he threatens the defence before releasing good off-loads and pop-up passes."
Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder:
"We beat ourselves as we didn't hold on to the ball enough and had plenty of opportunities to win.
"The breakdown was messy where they did a good job at slowing us down, but there are no excuses as Bristol showed real tenacity and never stopped believing."
Bristol: Woodward; Lemi, Hurrell, Piutau, Varndell; Henson, Mathewson; Bevington, Jones, Perenise, Tuohy, Evans, Eadie, Lam, Crane.
Replacements: Crumpton, O'Connell, Ford-Robinson, Jeffries, Fenton-Wells, Williams, Pisi, Wallace.
Bath: Homer; Rokoduguni, Joseph, Tapuai, Davies; Priestland, Cook; Obano, Batty, Lahiff, Stooke, Ewels, Ellis, Denton, Grant.
Replacements: Van Vuuren, Marfo, Palma-Newport, Douglas, Mercer, Homer, Hastings, Clark.
Referee: Greg Garner.
For the latest rugby union news follow @bbcrugbyunion on Twitter.


A body has been found in the hunt for a missing British backpacker in Malaysia.

Gareth Huntley, 34, from Cricklewood in north London, went missing while on a trek to a waterfall on Tuesday 27 May.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "Malaysian police have confirmed that a body has been found on Tioman island in Malaysia."
More than 100 people had been involved in the search for Mr Huntley, but Malaysian authorities were initially criticised over the search effort.
BBC Correspondent Andy Moore said the body was found in a pond near the Juara Turtle project where Mr Huntley was living and working.
He said Malaysian authorities had been searching along the route to the waterfall, but were on their way back when they found a body close to a kayak storage area.
Mr Huntley's mother Janet Southwell had earlier said she believed her son had been injured but was still alive.
She arrived in Malaysia on Monday and said she wanted to join the search for her son.
The UK government said it had been assured "all available search assets" were involved in the hunt, which includes police officers and rescue teams.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond was in Malaysia on Sunday and was assured by his counterpart that the authorities had deployed significant assets including dogs, boats and a helicopter.
Mr Huntley's brother, Mark, arrived on the island on Monday and said 103 people were involved in the search alongside several helicopters and speedboats.
Johari Jahaya, the man leading the rescue team, had narrowed the hunt after finding clues in the area.
Mr Huntley left on his trek in the morning and told friends at the Juara Turtle Project he would return by 14:00 the same day.
He failed to come back so a group set out to search for him, checking various routes to the waterfall which is 6km away.


A member of the Alliance Party's youth wing has returned to the UK after being deported from Israel.

Gary Spedding was held by immigration officials on Thursday after he arrived at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport.
Mr Spedding, 23, had travelled to Israel to meet Israeli politicians and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The Israeli embassy in London said Mr Spedding was denied entry into Israel because he "organised a violent protest" in Belfast.
Mr Spedding, 23, was put on a flight bound for the UK on Friday evening after being detained overnight.
He told BBC News the authorities deported him and issued him with a 10-year ban from entering the country because of his campaigning on Twitter.
"I'm in contact with numerous Israeli activists. I'm very engaged with the Israeli and Palestinian peace movement," he said.
"This seems to be the first time that the security and emigration at Ben Gurion airport have said that the reason they are giving is specific to my social media activities."
Mr Spedding is originally from England but had spent the last number of years studying in Northern Ireland.
He was a member of the Palestine Solidarity Society at Queen's University, Belfast.
He has claimed that during his detention, the Israeli authorities examined his mobile phone and got access to personal contacts with his "Palestinian and Israeli friends" and "fellow activists".
Mr Spedding also said the Israeli authorities viewed confidential Alliance Party submissions to the recent Haass talks, aimed at resolving outstanding issues in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster on Saturday, Mr Spedding said that he found the explanation given for his deportation "completely perplexing".
"I'm an international activist, I'm not some huge, famous person or anything like that, so I can't go into a country and organise protests.
"It's not my country, it's not my place to go into a different country and organise protests.  The protest is already happening," he said.
Mr Spedding told the BBC that he now intends to take legal action.
Alliance MP Naomi Long said Mr Spedding had been travelling in a personal capacity.
"He was detained on the basis that his campaigning for Palestinian rights was viewed by the authorities in Israel to be a threat to stability in that he could have arranged campaigns or protests while he was in the country," she said.
"I think that was largely based on work that he had done, particularly campaigns led on social media.
"However, I was concerned to learn he had been detained and I was understandably worried for his welfare.
"I contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on his behalf as soon as I learned of his circumstances and ensured he received consular assistance.
"I am glad he is safe and well," Ms Long added.
A spokesman for the Israeli embassy in London said: "Mr Spedding's entry into Israel was denied due to his involvement in organising a violent protest in Queens University, Belfast, in which an Israeli representative was attacked, and others were forced to take shelter to prevent being hurt.
"No country has an obligation to allow foreigners who have been involved in violent activities targeting its nationals to enter its territory."


Jeremy Meeks, the man known as the 'hot criminal', has been sentenced to more than two years in prison on a gun charge.

The 30-year-old, whose mugshot went viral when it was released, was arrested last June in a gang crackdown.
He pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and has been jailed for 27 months and ordered to take part in a substance abuse programme.
Meeks became an online sensation when his photo generated 95,000 likes.
"Hottttttt," wrote Melissa Stiles on the Stockton Police Department's Facebook page.
"OMG come to mama," Nicole Seba Lorena Elena commented.
"Holy [heck] I would arrest him too... hottest bad boy I've seen," wrote Ellie Abbey.
"Why is he breaking the law when he should be making millions modelling! Wowzas," said Tanya H. Thomas.
His photo shows off his light blue eyes and teardrop tattoo - which is often thought to represent being linked to a gang.
The picture was trending on Twitter as #hotfelonfriday and #stillpretty.
His mugshot inspired memes like "The only crime he's guilty of is stealing your heart" and "I'm too sexy for shackles."
A Facebook community set up for Meeks also posted pictures under the nickname "Dreamy McMugshot."
It turns out his rap sheet is not so pretty though, in the last 10 years he's been arrested for theft, fraud and forgery.
Officer Joseph Silva, a spokesman for the Stockton Police Department, called him "One of the most violent criminals in the area."
They also claim he's an active gang member, something Meeks has denied in the past telling ABC News in the States he was, "not some kingpin."
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European leaders should do "whatever it takes" to save Ukraine, says billionaire investor George Soros.

Echoing the famous phrase used by Mario Draghi to shore up the eurozone, the investor and philanthropist says that rather than fretting about Greece, European leaders should be focusing on the crisis unfolding in a country that shares the same values as the rest of Europe.
"Here is a country that wants to be European, is sacrificing lives for that principle, and yet Europe is ignoring it. Europe needs to wake up before it's too late," he told the BBC's In the Balance programme.
Russia's annexation of Crimea a year ago, and its continued support for armed rebels in eastern Ukraine, has devastated Ukraine's economy.
Its GDP [gross domestic product] shrank by 7% in 2014 and is expected to fall by another 5% this year.
Ukraine's currency has collapsed - losing more than half its value against the dollar. That has boosted the cost of imports and seen inflation soar to more than 20%.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already provided $17bn (Â£11bn) in financial aid, but much more is needed says Mr Soros.
His scheme involves delivering $50bn in financial aid.
He says the EU's balance of payments assistance facility, offered in the past to Hungary and Romania, had $47bn in unused funds. A financial stability mechanism, used in Portugal and Ireland, has $16bn.
However, he acknowledged existing regulations would need to be modified to make these funds available for a non-EU country like Ukraine.
George Soros says he will add $1bn of his own money through his Open Society Foundations, which was formed in 1979 and has focused on promoting democracy in former Communist countries in central and eastern Europe.
His critics say his plan requires more generosity to be shown to a country outside the EU than is being shown to a eurozone country like Greece.
He describes the situation in Greece as "a long-festering wound that was mishandled from the beginning. Now there is a lot of bad blood and the best you can hope for is to muddle through".
He believes Greece's economy is on a downward spiral and that the chance of it staying in the eurozone is now no more than 50/50.
But he warns against making the same mistake with Ukraine.
"We must not drip-feed Ukraine, but allow it to flourish," he says. "That is what is needed to turn the tables on Putin who is the aggressor".
He argues that the appetite for radical reform in Ukraine is much greater than in Greece.
His conclusions amount to a dire warning.
"If Europe doesn't help, Ukrainian blood currently being spilt will become European blood.
"If Russia tries to divide the Baltics, who have large Russian-speaking populations but are also members of Nato, then Nato will be obliged to defend them.
"It is much more serious than people realise."
Speaking in his London home, George Soros also had a word of caution for the UK. He, of course, was partly responsible for ensuring the UK did not join the eurozone.
His hedge fund's attacks on the value of the pound in 1992 saw the UK crash out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism - a precursor to the euro.
However, he clearly thinks he did the UK a favour and has this warning: "The UK has the best of both worlds - access to the single market and its own currency.
"It would be foolish to throw that away."


A 16-year-old girl was killed and six other teenagers were injured when a car crashed into pedestrians in south London.

The red Audi A3 was being driven at speed when the driver lost control at a corner and hit the group on Pixton Way, Croydon, just before 01:30 BST.
The driver fled the scene on foot after the crash. A man in his 30s has since been arrested.
The Met do not believe the car was deliberately driven into the group.
The six teenagers who were hurt were taken to south London hospitals for treatment. Their injuries are not said to be life-threatening.
The 16-year-old girl's next of kin have been informed.
Police said the man attended a south London police station and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.


South Africa has deported more than 400 Mozambicans, weeks after anti-foreigner violence in Durban and Johannesburg left several people dead.

The move follows a police operation that uncovered hundreds of undocumented migrants.
Many unemployed South Africans accuse foreigners of taking their jobs in a country where the unemployment rate is 24%.
Mozambique's government said it was surprised by the deportations.
"We expected to hold talks with the South Africans to discuss the problem, but we just saw people being arrested," said Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi.
A wave of xenophobic attacks in April left at least seven people dead, including one Mozambican.
Mobs targeted workers from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique and other African countries.
Correspondents say that although South African authorities condemned the violence, they have also sought to address complaints about foreigners working illegally in the country.
Officials have strongly denied that the police operation targeted foreigners.
A government statement on Sunday said that more than 3,900 people, including 1,650 illegal immigrants, had been arrested since April's clashes.
"We are satisfied that we have stabilised the situation and further loss of life has been prevented," the statement said.
"Security agencies continue to work around the clock to protect both foreign nationals and South African citizens against any attacks."
Many of the deported Mozambicans have been housed in tents in a transit centre near the capital Maputo.
When violence erupted, Mozambique set up border camps to cope with the exodus of its citizens.
Jose Macuacua said he had entered South Africa illegally and had lived there for two years selling mobile phone SIM cards.
"The police first asked for my ID, which I didn't have," he said, adding that he hadn't been allowed to gather his belongings before he was taken to a repatriation centre.
Maria da Gloria Mathe said she and her husband had lived in the city of Rustenburg for four years selling clothes.
"We collected what we could in a hurry because the police were standing at the door of our shop," she said.
South African President Jacob Zuma described last month's violence as "shocking" and appealed for calm.
Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini was accused of fuelling the attacks by saying that foreigners should "go back to their countries". However, he said his comments had been distorted.


1814 - Malta a crown colony of the British Empire.
World War ll - Heavy bombing by German and Italian air forces targeting Allied bases.
1942 - King George VI awards colony the George Cross - Britain's highest civilian decoration - for heroism.
1947 - Self-government granted.
1959 - Self-government revoked.
1962 - Self-government restored.
1964 - Full independence.
1964-71 - Nationalist Party pursues pro-Western alignment.
1971 - Dom Mintoff's Malta Labour Party takes power, new era begins of non-alignment and special friendship with Libya and Communist states.
1974 - Malta becomes republic.
1979 - Closure of British military base.
1984 - Mintoff resigns, succeeded by Carmelo Mifsud-Bonnici.
1987 - Victory of Nationalist Party marks move toward European integration. Eddie Fenech Adami becomes prime minister.
1989 - Malta hosts first summit between Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and US President George Bush.
1990 - Malta submits application for full membership of the European Union (EU).
1995 April - Malta joins Nato's Partnership for Peace programme, only to leave in October 1996 in order to maintain its neutrality
1996 - Labour Party, led by Alfred Sant, regains power and shelves application for EU membership.
1998 - Eddie Fenech Adami's Nationalist Party returns to power, revives application to enter EU.
1999 - Guido de Marco sworn in as president.
2001 May - Pope John Paul II visits Malta, where 98% of the population are Roman Catholic. The Pope beatifies three Maltese clerics at an open-air ceremony.
2002 December - EU summit in Copenhagen formally invites Malta to join in 2004.
2003 March - Just over 53% of voters say yes to EU membership in a referendum.
2003 April - Adami's ruling Nationalist Party claims victory in a general election, confirming the pro-EU referendum result.
2004 March - Lawrence Gonzi sworn in as prime minister following retirement of veteran leader Edward Fenech Adami.
2004 May - Malta is one of 10 new states to join the EU.
2005 July - Parliament ratifies proposed EU constitution.
2008 January - Malta adopts the euro.
2008 March - General elections. Ruling Nationalist Party wins by a razor-thin margin.
2009 April - Pope Benedict XVI makes pilgrimage to Malta, following in footsteps of early Christian missionary St Paul, who was shipwrecked on the island 1,950 years previously, in 60 AD.
2011 July - Maltese parliament passes law allowing divorce after the move was approved in a referendum in May; the mainly Catholic state had been the only country in Europe to ban divorce.
2012 January - Malta's credit rating, along with that of several eurozone countries, is downgraded by Standard and Poor's rating agency. The IMF warns that the Maltese economy is at risk of contagion from the global financial crisis.
2013 March - Labour Party returns to power after winning elections.
2013 August - Malta refuses to allow a tanker carrying a hundred rescued African migrants to dock.


Fears for the welfare of frogs at a pond at a model village prompted a visit from an RSCPA inspector - only to find the animals were mating.

A visitor to Merrivale Model Village in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, contacted the charity after seeing dozens of frogs "climbing on top of each other" in an apparent bid to flee the pond.
But the inspector found "no welfare issues" when he visited the site.
The frogs "were simply expressing natural behaviour", the charity said.
Peter Williamson, who owns the model village, said there had been "over 100 pairs of cuddling frogs" in the pond and the site had "never seen so much frogspawn".
"The first I knew was when the red-faced RSPCA man came to us," he said.
"This poor chap had to describe to me how the member of the public thought the frogs were climbing on top of each other to escape the pond.
"He said, 'I'm sorry, I had to come and have a look, but actually it was the pairs of frogs getting friendly'."
Mr Williamson said the model village was a "haven for wildlife on the seafront", and he was always happy to address visitors' concerns.


Burnley want promotion to the Premier League by winning the Championship title, says Clarets defender Michael Keane.

Keane scored an injury-time equaliser at Brighton as Burnley drew 2-2 to remain three points clear of Middlesbrough at the top of the table.
Sean Dyche's side were promoted to the top flight in 2014, when they finished second behind champions Leicester.
"The point gives us a bit of breathing space in the top two," Keane said.
The 23-year-old told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Obviously we want to go and be champions, we want to win the league. That is our aim but we've got to take it one game at a time.
"To get a point at Brighton in the way that we did is a great result."
Burnley have not been beaten in the league since Boxing Day and have won six of their last eight games to occupy top spot with just over a month of the campaign to go.
"We feel like no one can beat us at the minute," added former Manchester United trainee Keane.
"Even when we're down and we don't play well we just keep going, stick to what we believe in and it's paid off again.
"We've got seven games so there are a lot of points to play for, but a lot of the players have done it before, so hopefully they can help see the players like myself over the line who have never done it."


Raith Rovers moved to within two points of third-placed Hibernian, having played two games more, after coming from behind to win at Dumbarton.

Christian Nade's early strike gave the Sons a 1-0 lead at the interval.
But goals from Ryan Hardie, Aidan Connolly and James Craigen in the second half secured Rovers a seventh win in their last nine unbeaten games.
Steven Saunders' last-minute goal came too late for Dumbarton, who remain five points clear of Livingston.


A former French diplomat charged with raping his three-year-old daughter in India has been cleared of all charges.

Pascal Mazurier, who was a consular official in the southern city of Bangalore, was arrested in 2012 after complaints from his Indian wife.
Mr Mazurier told BBC Hindi's Imran Qureshi that "justice had been done" and a "five year battle" had ended with the ruling.
His wife, Suja Jones Mazurier, has said she will appeal against the verdict.
She told an Indian television channel that his acquittal meant that her daughter "did not get justice".
French envoy charged over child rape
French envoy out on bail in India
Mr Mazurier said that he now intended to be a part of his children's lives.
"They are still young and they need to get the advice of their father. It is nowhere in my plans to abandon my children. I love them and they love me. What has been done by their mother is not their fault. So, I want to be there for them," he told the BBC.
The verdict was announced by a special fast track Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) court, which had examined 27 witnesses during the course of the trial.
Mr Mazurier was arrested and held in the crowded Parapanna Agrahara jail for three days, before being released on bail for 100,000 rupees ($1,548; Â£1,205).
He had spoken out against his arrest, insisting that he was innocent.


The Northern Ireland secretary is due to visit Dublin on Tuesday to discuss Brexit and the political stalemate at Stormont.

James Brokenshire will hold talks with the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney.
It is understood he will also meet representatives from the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Brokenshire is expected to discuss the UK government's Brexit position proposals.
The series of papers, which were published last week, looked at a range of issues including the "unique circumstances" of the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
They emphasised the need to avoid a hard border and said there should be no physical infrastructure, or check points which could impact cross-border trade.
Beyond Brexit, Mr Brokenshire will also discuss the restoration of the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.
Northern Ireland has been without a functioning power-sharing executive since it collapsed in January, with the last round of talks suspended in July.
On Sunday, Sinn FÃ©in's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill wrote to the UK and Irish governments proposing that talks should recommence next week.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) described the proposal as a "stunt".


Three people have been charged with with the murder of a man who was stabbed to death at his home.

David Miller, 56, died at his house on Patterdale Walk, Northampton, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Zena Kane, 35,  Ian Cuthbertson, 49, and 37-year-old Michael Hallett, all of no fixed address, have appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court and will appear at Northampton Crown Court on Friday.
Three others are being questioned.


South Korea's Song Young-han held off world number one Jordan Spieth to win his maiden title at the Singapore Open.

The duo were among 13 players who had to finish their final rounds on Monday after Sunday's play at Sentosa Golf Club was curtailed by thunderstorms.
American Spieth sank a five-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a five-under-par 66 to finish 11 under.
Song, resuming on 12 under, parred his remaining three holes for a one-under 70 and victory by one shot.
The world number 204 began the day with a testing 12-foot putt at the 16th, but a simple tap-in at the last secured his first professional victory after two second-place finishes on the Japan Tour.
Song, 24, led from the second round and was five in front of Spieth heading into the final round.


A terminally-ill doctor who raised £250,000 for a cancer charity has died, her husband has confirmed.

Dr Kate Granger set about fundraising for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2011.
Her husband Chris Pointon announced her death on social media.
He said the 34-year-old died on Saturday "peacefully & surrounded by loved ones". He added: "RIP my soul mate & TY. Love u 4ever."
Dr Granger, who had been receiving care at St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds, achieved her fundraising target just three days ago.
Dr Granger, from East Ardsley near Leeds, had also tried to improve the way doctors and nurses speak to patients by launching the "Hello my name is..." campaign.
She had previously described how the doctor who informed her that her cancer had spread did not introduce himself to her, and did not look her in the eye.
The campaign went on to win the backing of more than 400,000 doctors, nurses, therapists and porters across 90 NHS organisations.


Ministers should renationalise the Southern rail service, following weeks of disruption for passengers, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

The Labour leader said the "misery" that those travelling to London had faced made a "very good case" for a change of ownership.
Southern passengers have faced delays, cancellations and a reduced timetable amid staff shortages and strikes.
The operator is in a dispute with the RMT union over the role of guards.
Two days of talks aimed at averting a five-day strike by the union are due to begin later at the conciliation service Acas.
Southern has promised to run 60% of its normal timetable if the strike, due to begin on Monday, goes ahead.
The company is also facing fresh strike action after the TSSA union said it would be balloting workers in a dispute over ticket office closures.
"I want to see Southern back in public ownership. I don't believe it's fulfilling its obligations under the franchise it was given, " Mr Corbyn said at a leadership rally in Brighton.
He said that it was a "enormous mistake" not to take all the train operating franchises back into public ownership after the 2001 collapse of the company then running the network, Railtrack, and he re-stated his commitment to renationalise each train service as its contract expires.
At the rally, Mr Corbyn also said the government should have intervened to prevent the financial difficulties at the retailer BHS, which went into administration in April.
Earlier, Mr Corbyn said he was disappointed at an attack on him by David Blanchflower, an economist who has resigned from the committee advising the shadow chancellor John McDonnell.
Mr Blanchflower said Mr Corbyn had no credible economic policy and was more interested in addressing rallies than leading the party to power.
Mr Corbyn said: "I'm disappointed because he was helping us, we were developing and are continuing to develop a very strong and very credible economic policy which is about dealing with inequality in Britain and the need for investment in Britain by the promotion of a National Investment Bank."
He spoke to about 500 people outside the rally, standing on top of a fire engine, before addressing 1,000 inside the event.
Scores of his fans, many wearing "Jeremy for Labour" or "I love Jeremy" t-shirts, queued for hours to get a seat at the rally in the Hilton Metropole.
Meanwhile Mr Corbyn's challenger for the party leadership, Owen Smith, has promised the "biggest boost to living standards for a generation" with a pay rise for five million workers if he becomes the next prime minister.
In a speech in Milton Keynes, he committed the party to pushing the minimum wage up to Â£8.25 and forcing employers to give it to all adults on the payroll, not just those over 25 - to be funded by tax increases for the highest-earners in society and businesses.
Mr Smith said he was offering a "clear plan of action" to combat the "perfect Tory storm" of falling wages, diluted workers' rights and social security cuts.
He said: "I am committed to delivering a real living wage for everyone over the age of eighteen - ending the discrimination of those under 25.
"Increasing support for low-paid workers through our social security system - cruelly slashed by the Tories - and delivering a revolution in workers' rights to give people a strong voice at work."
Mr Smith told the audience he was the "underdog" in the contest and his rival had a "very large following". But he insisted he was putting forward "big ideas" that were both radical and credible, adding that Labour needed to win the arguments in Parliament as well as the country and "not just shake our fists through the bars" in protest.


Celtic survived an early scare against Championship side St Mirren to reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Media playback is not supported on this device
The visitors took a shock lead on 13 minutes when John Sutton nodded down for Harry Davis to tap home.
Two Celtic goals in as many second-half minutes from Mikael Lustig and Scott Sinclair turned the match on its head and the home side never looked back.
Moussa Dembele and substitute Leigh Griffiths struck as the 36-times winners reached the last four.
Celtic paid Saints the respect of naming an unchanged side. Yet even though the Paisley club had won their previous two league matches, they were still being offered at odds of 40-1 for a victory here.
Emotion was thick in the air, as the match was preceded by a minute's silence in honour of Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell, who died this week.
Incredibly, it was St Mirren who took the lead. It was a cleverly worked free-kick down the left, as Stevie Mallan set up Cammy Smith with a disguised pass to the byline. His cross was nodded back into the heart of the six-yard box by Sutton and Davis was there to turn the ball home.
As the match progressed, it became clear Saints were equipped to give Brendan Rodgers' side as big a domestic test as they have faced this season at Parkhead.
In the wake of the goal, they sat in with a very disciplined 5-3-2 formation and survived some close calls, the most significant of which was a Scott Brown cut-back that Dembele made a total hash of.
Rodgers replaced the ineffective Gary Mackay-Steven with Patrick Roberts at half-time - but seven minutes into the second period, Celtic had a remarkable escape.
Mallan drove in a low free-kick to the near post which Dembele managed to divert against his own crossbar. It proved to be the turning point of the match.
With 58 minutes on the clock, Celtic were level. Roberts' delivery into the box from a free-kick out wide was good and Lustig headed home to give his team a grip on the tie again.
Not much more than a minute later, they were ahead with a quite audacious goal from Sinclair. The Saints defence looked to have the situation under control but somehow the striker opened his foot and curled an outrageous effort into the top corner.
It was over as a contest now. Celtic made it 3-1 with an electric break with Sinclair at its heart. He powered forward, released Roberts, took the return and laid it on a plate for Dembele to tap home.
Saints were suffering in a way they didn't deserve. Griffiths, who had a huge influence on the game after coming off the bench, added a fourth with a fine left foot shot from just inside the box and the Paisley side were out on the floor.
Celtic march on to the semi-finals. St Mirren's thoughts turn back to Championship survival.
Match ends, Celtic 4, St. Mirren 1.
Second Half ends, Celtic 4, St. Mirren 1.
Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
Gary Irvine (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
Cameron Smith (St. Mirren) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
Jack Baird (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by Gary Irvine.
Substitution, St. Mirren. Craig Storie replaces Kyle Magennis.
Attempt saved. Cameron Smith (St. Mirren) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Goal!  Celtic 4, St. Mirren 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Substitution, Celtic. Eboue Kouassi replaces Stuart Armstrong.
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by Jack Baird.
Substitution, St. Mirren. Jack Baird replaces Gary Mackenzie.
Attempt missed. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Attempt missed. Lewis Morgan (St. Mirren) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution, St. Mirren. Rory Loy replaces John Sutton.
Foul by Patrick Roberts (Celtic).
Stelios Demetriou (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!  Celtic 3, St. Mirren 1. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Scott Sinclair.
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by Gary Mackenzie.
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by Gary Mackenzie.
(Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by John Sutton (St. Mirren).
Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is too high.
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by John Sutton.
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by Gary Mackenzie.
Attempt missed. Gary Irvine (St. Mirren) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
Goal!  Celtic 2, St. Mirren 1. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Leigh Griffiths.
Goal!  Celtic 1, St. Mirren 1. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Stelios Demetriou (St. Mirren) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Stelios Demetriou (St. Mirren).
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by Billy O'Brien.
Corner,  Celtic. Conceded by Kyle Magennis.
Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Nir Bitton.
Nir Bitton (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
Cameron Smith (St. Mirren) wins a free kick on the right wing.


Anti-water charges protesters have surrounded the Irish deputy prime minister's car, trapping her vehicle which was unable to move for two hours.

Police were called to the scene in Jobstown, Dublin, and they deployed a helicopter and their public order unit.
The protesters targeted Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste) Joan Burton as she was leaving a graduation ceremony.
Officers got her out of the car and transferred her into an unmarked police car, which was able to leave the scene.
State broadcaster RTÉ reported police officers had earlier tried to free her car by pushing it forward "inch by inch".
It said that about 100 protesters were involved in the incident and that eggs were thrown during scuffles.
The protesters chanted "we won't pay" and some chased after the minister as she was driven away in the unmarked police car.
The Irish coalition government has recently faced unprecedented protests over its recent introduction of domestic water charges.
The charges are being imposed in every household in the Republic of Ireland and the bills will begin to arrive early next year.
The new measure was a condition of the international deal struck in 2010, when the state sought a multi-million euros bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Union.
Earlier this week, anti-water charges protesters disrupted the Irish government's official announcement of its plans for the 1916 Easter Rising centenary commemorations.
The protesters gathered outside the event at Dublin's General Post Office - the focal point of the original 1916 rebellion - and staged a noisy demonstration.
They banged loudly on the doors and windows, drowning out speeches by Ms Burton and Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny.
One man was removed from the event when he heckled Mr Kenny from the audience.
On 1 November, tens of thousands of people took part in nationwide marches against the introduction of water charges.


A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman who was knocked down by a car in Doncaster.

Susan Gravel, 62, was hit while walking along Station Road, in Stainforth, at about 12:55 GMT on Saturday.
Police said she was struck by a grey or silver BMW 5 Series that failed to stop and was later found abandoned in Goole.
The teenager has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.


There is a "very good" chance the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Conservatives will agree a parliamentary deal by next week, a DUP MP has said.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said that it was a case of "the sooner, the better".
Theresa May is seeking the support of the DUP's 10 MPs after losing her majority in the general election.
Both sides have been talking, but have not confirmed a deal to support a Conservative minority government.
Sir Jeffrey said that the prime minister had been "moving this process forward" and was "engaged".
He added: "I'll say this about Ulster men and Ulster women, we're no pushover."
Sir Jeffrey, the MP for Lagan Valley, was speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today after sources told the BBC that the DUP is seeking £2bn in extra funding for Northern Ireland in return for supporting the Conservatives.
He described the reported figures as "wide of the mark" and "nonsense".
"We're talking about funding across a range of issues, certainly some money for health and education and some money for our infrastructure, but certainly the scale that we're talking about is nowhere near what's being speculated in the media."
He said that would "become evident" when the agreement is published.
Sir Jeffrey also rejected criticisms that the agreement would affect the British government's neutrality in Northern Ireland's peace process.
"The deal relates to how we operate in Westminster, let me be clear on this - we're not asking the government to take sides on the devolution debate in Northern Ireland.
"We're not seeking to drag the politics of Northern Ireland onto the national stage. I've read stuff about parading and other things, none of this will feature (in an agreement)."
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has poured cold water on reports that his party was seeking an extra £2bn in health and infrastructure spending to support a minority Conservative government.
That was - according to the Lagan Valley MP - "wild speculation" and "wide of the mark".
However, the sources for those reports were reliable.
So is it possible the DUP is now seeking to manage down the expectations of its supporters?
Read more here.
His comments came after political parties in Northern Ireland raised concerns that ongoing DUP-Tory talks are undermining the negotiations on restoring devolution at Stormont.
The government has set a 29 June deadline for a Stormont deal but parties are frustrated that the delay in an agreement at Westminster could affect the chances of a deal in Northern Ireland.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds told MPs on Wednesday evening that his party wants to see the Stormont Executive up and running as quickly as possible.
However, Colum Eastwood, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), claimed the "chaotic talks" between the DUP and the Conservatives were holding Northern Ireland politics to ransom.
"We're all, of course, a bit preoccupied by what's going on - or not going on - in London and it's quite clear that the DUP and Tory Party aren't quite sure what they're doing, but they need to get on with it, because it is affecting the process here," Mr Eastwood said.
"If people think that anyone is going to sign a deal here without knowing what's coming from London, that doesn't make any sense at all, because what we're trying to do here is form a government - a government that will need a budget."
He added: "We can't be secure or clear about any of that until we see what's coming from London."
Sinn Féin sources are "equally unimpressed", the BBC has learned.
They point out that, despite the fact the government has imposed a Stormont deadline of next Thursday, ministers have spent most of the last 10 days in a bilateral negotiation with the DUP aimed at propping up Theresa May's administration.
Republicans sources told the BBC said the Northern Ireland Executive will not be re-established from Westminster, but as a result of negotiations in Belfast.
They argued Stormont is where the focus of the government and the DUP should be.


Swansea City manager Garry Monk has confirmed a proposed loan move of striker Marvin Emnes to Championship side Bolton has fallen through.

Emnes, 27, has not featured for Swansea in the Premier League this season and has been limited to one substitute's appearance in the Capital One Cup.
The Dutch forward's proposed move collapsed prior to the Swans' 1-0 League Cup defeat at Hull City.
"I only got told as I was walking into the ground," Monk said.
"I have to speak to the relevant people to understand what's gone on there."
Monk made 10 changes for the League Cup fourth round tie at Championship side Hull City, which was settled by David Meyler's close-range finish.
Eder and Wayne Routledge missed chances for the Swans and Monk blamed wasteful finishing for their defeat.
"It's definitely wasteful finishing," Monk said.
"There were no defenders about when we were taking those chances and we should have scored three, four or five goals in that first half.
"We showed a lack of composure which was disappointing because we were so far in control of that game.
"We were playing some excellent football and really creating those opportunities, carving them open and we couldn't manage to get that goal."


The Scottish Prison Service has said a number of sites are being considered for a new prison in the Highlands.

It has been six years since the plan to replace 112-year-old HMP Inverness was announced.
Earlier this week, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland David Strang said the jail had problems with overcrowding and needed repairs.
The SPS said it was working on finding a suitable new site.
Spokesman Tom Fox told BBC Radio Scotland: "We require to identify a site before we can begin the procurement process to find someone to build a new prison, and that is not something we are going to be able to achieve overnight.
"I think it is fair to say the Scottish government has been very generous to the prison service over the last few years in terms of allowing us to do a major refurb of our estate."
Mr Fox said before funding could be sought from the government for a new prison in the Highlands, a site would have been found, the land bought and outline planning permission for the building approved.
Conservative Highlands MSP Mary Scanlon said a replacement prison was "essential".
She said over the last 15 years the 103-prisoner-capacity jail "had regularly" held up to 150 to 160 prisoners.
The MSP said: "Inverness Prison is the smallest and one of the oldest in Scotland."
In 2010, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) was told it could not build a new prison on land where a new academic and research campus is being built in Inverness.
The SPS had been in discussion with landowner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) about constructing the jail at Beechwood.
HIE said the plan was given serious consideration but it did not have "a strong strategic fit" with its vision.
It offered to help the SPS find another site.


Paying the National Living Wage will be the "last straw" for some care homes already struggling with rising costs, providers have said.

A Gloucestershire care home closed last week, citing the "substantial increase in costs" it would bring.
Campaigners have said one in four homes could face closure when the living wage is introduced in April.
The government says it is making up to £3.5bn available for councils to cover the extra cost of social care.
When Chancellor George Osborne announced that a living wage would be introduced from April, he said it would mean a "direct pay rise" for 2.5m low-paid people.
However, care homes are often run by charities or non-profit companies, and nearly half of the care bills are paid by local authorities.
Joyce Pinfield, who runs a care home in Clevedon, Somerset, said councils "just can't afford to pay higher fees that reflect the true cost of care".
Over five years she has seen council payments fall, regulation get tighter, insurance rise and new standards bring the need for modernisation. Many care homes are contributing to staff pensions for the first time.
"All these things are good things," Mrs Pinfield said, "but they all cost money, and the national living wage is just the last straw."
She pays her most junior staff at least 50p an hour above the minimum wage of £6.70. But when the new living wage comes in, £7.20 will be the norm. Care homes will face a 7% rise in wages every year, for four years.
Of 200 members surveyed, the National Care Association said, 24% expect to "exit the market" unless finances improve dramatically.
Chris Davies, chairman of Somerset Care, a non-profit company running care homes across the south of England, took the decision to close The Priory nursing home in Tetbury.
He said: "The state has to fund the bill for the people that it supports in care homes, or those very staff will suffer.
"We will have to ask our private residents to pay more ... It is possible, and the market will bear it, but I really don't think it is fair."
The government says it is allowing councils to raise more via council tax to meet the costs of social care - as well as making more funds available via the Better Care Fund,  a joint pot of money used by councils and the NHS to support care services.
"Councils will have almost £200bn to spend on local services over the lifetime of this parliament," a Department of Health spokesman said.
"The National Living Wage will benefit hundreds of thousands of care workers and help attract new workers to the sector".


Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald has urged his players to be wary of Celtic's threat from the opening whistle at Firhill.

Archibald's side were outplayed in the opening 45 minutes of their visit to Celtic Park last month before earning a 1-1 draw.
"In the first half, they nearly blew us away, we couldn't touch them," Archibald said.
"We touched on that with the lads. We can't afford to start that way."
Celtic scored three goals in the opening 11 minutes at Pittodrie last Friday night as Brendan Rodgers' side continued their quest to end the domestic season unbeaten.
The Premiership champions have won two of the sides' three meetings this season and they have dropped only six points in their last nine Premiership games.
They have also won all of their post-split matches.
"You saw the way they blew Aberdeen away in the first 15 minutes on Friday night," Archibald said.
"They are sometimes better away from home, they are a bit more dynamic and go for the jugular, so we need to make sure we start well and are well in the game.
"We know now that we have got a point from them and we can hopefully exploit some of their negatives. There are not many, but hopefully we can do that.
"We did well to get a point that night. You need to tick every box, you need eight or nine guys playing at the top end of their game, your goalkeeper to produce good saves and take your chances and we did that."
Thistle have yet to win a game since the split, losing to Rangers and St Johnstone and drawing 2-2 with Hearts at Tynecastle.
Archibald, who was linked with the managerial vacancy at Swindon Town, is still targeting a win for his side from their top-six finish.
"It would be a massive three points," Archibald said. "We just want to sign off with three points in one or two of our last games.
"We have got in the top six and not won a game and that has been hugely frustrating, so it is more about our pride."
Thistle would capture the headlines should they end the champions' season-long domestic unbeaten run.
"We are not really interested in stopping Celtic in terms of that," added Archbald.
"It is more about three points and give our fans something to cheer about for the end of the season."


An inquest has begun into the deaths of three patients treated by the same surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Alan Tringham, 78, Peter Brookes, 72 and Alan Lucas, 77, all died after being operated on by Ian Wilson.
Mr Wilson was sacked amid claims he inaccurately reported medical data. Concerns arose after an audit found 15 of his patients died in a year.
The inquest at Birmingham Coroner's Court is expected to last four days.


Notts County caretaker boss Alan Smith says he can see positives despite their 4-1 defeat at Morecambe.

The Magpies were beaten for the 10th League Two game in a row and remain only a point above the relegation zone.
Smith told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I learnt a lot from them in the second half. They coped from setback after setback after setback really well.
"I think the second-half performance is what they've got to put in game in, game out right from the start."
The 36-year-old took over the reigns at Meadow Lane on 3 January following the sacking of John Sheridan, but he expects the game against Morecambe to be his only one in charge.
Nottingham businessman Alan Hardy is set to take over the club this week and he said last week on Twitter he was down to two candidates for the manager's job.
"I thanked the lads for their effort and I thanked Norm (assistant manager Mark Crossley) for helping this week in difficult circumstances," continued Smith.
"We wanted to give everyone a lift. The result has not done that but when the new owner does come in and I hand the reigns over to someone else, I hope the week we have had has been positive for the lads and given them some beliefs."


Middlesbrough's Jonny Burn has joined Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal.

The 22 year-old defender, who captained Boro's under-21 side but never played a first-team game, had been on loan at Kilmarnock this season where he made 10 league and cup appearances.
Burn is League One Rovers' fourth signing in the January transfer window.
"Jonny is another highly rated young, hungry, defender looking to establish himself in the Football League," boss Darrell Clarke told the club website.
He joins Joe Partington, Joe Lumley and Ryan Sweeney who have also arrived at the Memorial Stadium this month.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page or visit our Premier League tracker here.


A pair of white boots worn by Elvis Presley during arguably his most famous TV performance have been bought by a UK collector for £29,500.

The King wore the size-11 Verde boots while singing If I Can Dream during his '68 Comeback Special, broadcast on NBC.
Elvis recorded the song two months after the assassination of Martin Luther King and the lyrics include quotes from the civil rights leader.
The boots went under the hammer at Henry Aldridge auctioneers in Devizes.
Elvis wore a black leather outfit for most of the famous performance before changing into a white suit and shoes for the finale.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said Elvis had recorded the song "in several incredibly passionate takes".
He said: "To show producer Steve Binder his performance was so staggering it seemed almost like a religious experience.
"Out on the floor with a hand mic, Elvis fell to his knees. For a moment, it appeared like he was back in church, singing the gospel songs of his youth.
"These boots represent a tangible link to this truly iconic moment in showbusiness history.
"If I Can Dream was the closing number of one of the greatest moments in entertainment history and is regarded by Elvis collectors as one of the 'Holy Grails'."
The boots were sold along with a handwritten letter from stage director Charlie Hodge, who appeared with Elvis on the NBC show.
Mr Hodge wrote in his letter: "These white Verde brand boots are the boots that Elvis wore on stage on his 1968 NBC TV special.
"He wore these in the closing number of the show, If I Can Dream, while he was wearing a white suit. Elvis later gave me these boots."
Some of Elvis Presley's belongings that have previously sold at auction:
Elvis's pink 1961 Cadillac sold for £21,000 in 2006
A strand of Elvis' hair, saved by his personal barber, fetched £1,055 in 2009
His bible sold for £59,000 in 2012
Presley's record player sold for £4,400 in 2013
The first record Elvis ever made sold for £198,000 in January
And two items that failed to sell:
A pair of soiled underpants with a reserve price of £10,000 in 2012
A tooth said to have been pulled out of Elvis's mouth after an injury also failed to sell on eBay in 2003


Vietnam has granted Australians restricted access to a battle site in order to mark the 50th anniversary of a bloody incident in the Vietnam War.

More than 1,000 Australian veterans and their families travelled to Vietnam to commemorate the battle of Long Tan.
A commemoration ceremony, gala dinner and concert remain cancelled.
Eighteen Australian soldiers and hundreds of North Vietnamese fighters died in the battle, deep in southern Vietnam, on 18 August 1966.
Local sensitivities are thought to have been behind the sudden decision to stop the event going ahead.
Police blocked access to the site, which is on private land, without explanation on Wednesday.
Australian Veterans Affairs Minister Dan Tehan confirmed that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke on Wednesday night.
"As a result of PM Turnbull's urging for the Vietnamese government to show empathy and compassion towards our veterans and their families who have travelled to Vietnam, the Vietnamese government has decided that they will allow a wreath laying at the site," he told the Nine Network.
"They will also allow groups of up to 100 to visit the site and pay their respects."
An official party involving the ambassadors of Australia and New Zealand will lay a wreath at the site.
Visitors to the site are not permitted to wear medals or uniforms, carry banners or make speeches.
Fought in a rubber plantation in the southern province of Phuoc Tuy on 18 August 1966, the Battle of Long Tan was the costliest battle for Australian troops in the Vietnam war.
Around 100 Australian and three New Zealand troops held off a Viet Cong force estimated at between 1,500 and 2,000 men in size. The most intense part of the battle lasted three-and-a-half hours and took place in a heavy storm.
The Vietnamese force was finally driven away by several waves of reinforcements in armoured personnel carriers, securing a victory against the odds for the Australian troops.
Eighteen Australians died and 21 were wounded. At least 245 Vietnamese troops were killed in the battle.
In 1969 a cross was established at Long Tan to mark the battle. Except for one French monument, it is the only place in Vietnam where a foreign memorial has been allowed.
War historian Mat McLachlan suggested that the high profile of the event may have led to its cancellation.
"They've allowed us to do it but on the proviso that it was very low-key. We should be relatively grateful that they've allowed us to do that," he told the ABC.
"I think the problem this year is that we made a bit of a mistake, we tried to make it too much of a song and dance, and eventually the Vietnamese just decided enough was enough."
Meanwhile hundreds of people have gathered at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to commemorate the battle.
Brendan Nelson, the director of the Australian War Memorial, said he hoped Vietnam would loan Australia the Long Tan cross, a monument that troops erected at the battle site.
"Several years ago we had the privilege to have the Long Tan cross on loan to the Australian War Memorial. I would very much like at some point for the Vietnamese Government to allow it to return on loan here."


Donald Trump's election as president came despite clashes with the traditional leadership of the Republican party, conflict that has not gone away since he moved to the White House.

Mr Trump has described himself as a "commonsense conservative" and he has millions of Republican votes to back his policies.
Here are five key issues upon which Mr Trump diverges from Republican orthodoxy.
Mainstream Republicans: Traditionally Republicans have favoured increased immigration, in keeping with the party's close relationship with the business community. Both President Ronald Reagan and President George HW Bush extended amnesty to millions of undocumented workers while in office. Mainstream Republican figures such as Florida Senator Marco Rubio initially favoured similar immigration reforms that would have provided a "path to citizenship", but those efforts stopped after meeting resistance from more conservative members of Congress.
Trump: Views on immigration have shifted rightward across the Republican Party in recent years, but Mr Trump's views are some of the most extreme in American politics. He has:
Most Republicans oppose mass deportations. While they support increased border security, they do not advocate a border wall paid for by the Mexican government.
Mainstream Republicans: Almost all Republicans oppose abortion. In recent years, Republican-controlled state legislatures have supported a wave of regulations that have limited access to abortions - new laws that have been met with legal challenges. The Supreme Court will likely decide the fate of these regulations, making the vacancy on the high court a critical issue for social conservatives.  Social conservatives have also aggressively targeted Planned Parenthood. Although the group is one of the leading abortion providers in the US, the health care organisation also provides cancer screenings, contraception and screening and treatment for sexual transmitted diseases. It receives federal reimbursements for those services through the Medicaid programme. It also receives family planning health care grants, though regulations prohibit federal funds for abortions. Conservatives have sought to cut off its federal funding to weaken the organisation.
Trump: While Mr Trump's stance is comparable to many Republicans, his consistency is the issue. In the course of a week in early 2016, Mr Trump changed his position on abortion at least five times, alarming many social conservatives. This flexibility led to fears among many social conservatives that Mr Trump could not be trusted to appoint a Supreme Court justice who would oppose abortion rights. In the end, he nominated Neil Gorsuch, whose stance on abortion is far from clear. He has also publically praised the work of Planned Parenthood, saying their non-abortion services should receive federal funding. The organisation has done "very good work for millions of women," Mr Trump said.
Mainstream Republicans: Republicans have long supported trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), which increased trade between Canada, the US and Mexico. Many Republicans in the Congress supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement negotiated between the US and many Pacific Rim countries. Supporters of these agreements say the pacts increase economic growth and enhance American competitiveness in the global market.
Trump: Early in his presidency, Mr Trump signed an executive order putting the final nail in the TPP's coffin. He has aggressively criticised international trade agreements, particularly Nafta, saying the pacts have harmed the US manufacturing sector and cost millions of US jobs. He has pointed to the country's massive trade deficit with China, saying tariffs are needed to address the imbalance. Most Republicans oppose tariffs, saying they would spark a trade war that would damage the economy.
Are Trump and Sanders right about trade?
Mainstream Republicans: Republicans have long supported a muscular foreign policy and have not shied away from supporting the use of military force aboard. While generally opposed to government spending, Republicans make a key exception for defence spending, allowing the US military to maintain scores of bases overseas and protect the interests of its allies in Europe and the Pacific.
Trump: Mr Trump has been a vocal critic of the Iraq War and says the US need not be the world's policeman. While Mr Trump has supported strengthening the military, he says he would do so by extracting concessions from allies. He has repeatedly said the US should rethink its commitments to Nato, saying other member countries do not pay their fair share of the organisation's budget. He has also floated an idea that South Korea and Japan could arm themselves with nuclear weapons - eliminating the need for US protection.
Trump's foreign policy assessed by experts
Mainstream Republicans: A key faction of the Republican Party is made of fiscal conservatives who view the federal deficit as a major long-term problem for the country. After defence spending, two social services programmes that benefit the elderly - Social Security and Medicare - are the next biggest contributors to the deficit. Social Security provides living expenses for workers older than 65 and Medicare provides health care benefits to older Americans. Republicans - in particularly House Speaker Paul Ryan - have long supported changes to Social Security and Medicare that would turn those programmes over to the private market. Mr Ryan currently supports turning Medicare into a programme in which the government provides vouchers that would be used to purchase private insurance.
Trump: Efforts to make changes to Social Security and Medicare are deeply unpopular with American voters. Mr Trump has said he would not make cuts or changes to those programmes and instead he would bolster their funding sources by strengthening the US economy and reallocating some foreign aid to the coffers of Social Security and Medicare. However, one of his top advisors indicated to the New York Times that Trump would support "block grants" to states in lieu of Medicaid, an insurance programme for low-income Americans. And his pick for Health and Human Services secretary, Tom Price, supports privatising Medicare.
Reporting by Tim Swift


Chris Froome remains over three minutes behind race leader Nairo Quintana in the Vuelta a Espana as Luxemburg's Jean-Pierre Drucker won stage 16.

BMC's Drucker out-sprinted German Rudiger Selig to win the 156.4km stage from Alcaniz to Peniscola.
Team Sky rider Froome finished in the peloton, alongside Quintana, and stays three minutes 37 seconds adrift.
A win for the Briton would make him the first to win the Tour de France and Vuelta in the same season for 38 years.
The race, the third Grand Tour of the season, has a rest day on Tuesday before resuming on Wednesday with five stages remaining.
Froome will expect to gain time on Colombian Quintana in Stage 19's individual time trial on Friday, as he bids to win his first Vuelta a Espana.
1.  Jempy Drucker (Lux/BMC) 3hrs 21mins 18secs
2.  Rudiger Selig (Ger/BORA) same time
3.  Nikias Arndt (Ger/Giant)
4.  Gianni Meersman (Bel/Etixx-Quick-Step)
5.  Lorrenzo Manzin (Fra/FDJ)
6.  Jonas Van Genechten (Bel/IAM Cycling)
7.  Kristian Sbaragli (Ita/Dimension Data)
8.  Kiel Reijnen (US/Trek)
9.  Tosh Van der Sande (Bel/Lotto)
10. Jhonatan Restrepo (Col/Katusha)
1. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) 64hrs 57mins 27secs
2. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +3mins 37secs
3. Esteban Chaves (Col/Orica) +3mins 57secs
4. Alberto Contador (Spa/Tinkoff) +4mins 02secs
5. Simon Yates (GB/Orica)+5mins 07secs
6. Samuel Sanchez (Spa/BMC) +6mins 12secs
7. Andrew Talansky (US/Cannondale) +6mins 43secs
8. Davide Formolo (Ita/Cannondale) +7mins 17secs
9. David De La Cruz (Spa/Etixx-Quick-Step)+7mins 23secs
10. Michele Scarponi (Ita/Astana) +7mins 39secs


A gardener whose Lego versions of birds were turned into official kits by the toy company has turned his attentions to some of their larger cousins.

Thomas Poulsom, a former tree surgeon, is building a life-sized crane and flamingo for a nature centre's display.
They will form part of a "menagerie" at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.
The ten-creature collection, including a 4ft (1.2m) otter, is set to go on show next month.
His work will be displayed alongside animals made by certified Lego builders.
"It's very painstaking," Mr Poulsom said, "the flamingo took about two weeks to build - 10 days of working eight hours a day."
Since getting a box of bricks back from a friend a few years ago, Mr Poulsom, has created nearly 100 Lego birds in his two-bedroomed flat in Bristol.
But it was his first creation, a Robin called 'Bobby' that has remained his favourite.
"A Robin landed on my foot while I was digging and I thought I'd have a go at making one," he said.
"Once I started building it snowballed and now I don't want to stop making them."
In January, three of his detailed creations - a blue jay, hummingbird and robin - were commissioned by Lego.
Now he is hoping another three species of bird - the great spotted woodpecker, cardinal and common Kingfisher - will also became official kits.
"I can build anything out of Lego but I really enjoy birds," he said.
"But building something to look organic from bricks is not easy. It's very painstaking but once I get in the zone - I enjoy it."
The exhibition at Slimbridge will open on 18 July until 6 September.


Zulu Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is among those attending the 50th anniversary screening of the film Zulu.

Buthelezi starred as his own great-grandfather King Cetshwayo, but could not attend the original premiere because of restrictions imposed by the apartheid government.
He was joined by Prince Harry and Welsh actor Sir Stanley Baker's widow.
The event was raising money for charities helping wounded soldiers and African children.
The screening is a digitally re-mastered version of the 1964 film starring Sir Michael Caine, which recounts the battle of Rorke's Drift in 1879, when some 150 British soldiers - many from Wales - held off around 4,000 Zulu tribesman whose land they had invaded.
Lady Ellen Baker said it would be "lovely" to see Buthelezi again.
She said: "We formed a great friendship."
Buthelezi, 85, who played his own great-grandfather in the film, has described how the set was an "oasis" where "whites and blacks could mingle without any fuss".
Lady Ellen said Sir Stanley, who took the lead role as well as co-producing the film, had been determined to treat the warrior extras in the film with respect - despite its location in apartheid South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province.
"Stanley had to be very skilful and diplomatic," said Lady Ellen, whose husband was from Ferndale, Rhondda. "It was the height of apartheid."
Funds raised at the Leicester Square Odeon screening are going to Walking with the Wounded, Sentebale and The David Rattray Memorial Trust.


The Christian owners of a Northern Ireland bakery have lost an appeal against a ruling that their refusal to make a "gay cake" was discriminatory.

24 October 2016 Last updated at 13:15 BST
"The fact that a baker provides a cake for a particular team or portrays witches on a Halloween cake does not indicate any support for either," said the appeal court judges in their ruling.
Two years ago, the family-run firm Ashers refused to make a cake for gay rights activist Gareth Lee with the slogan "Support Gay Marriage".
Mr Lee welcomed the ruling, as did the Equality Commission's Michael Wardlow, while Ashers boss Daniel McArthur of Ashers said the case was "never about the customer", and called for a change in the law.


The case of a three-year-old girl in the US who developed type 2 diabetes has driven doctors to raise fresh concerns about diet in childhood.

The child had a version of the illness more commonly seen in older people.
She weighed 35 kg (5.5 stone) when she saw specialists. And experts believe an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise played a large role in her condition.
The case is being discussed at this month's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
In the UK only 2% of children with diabetes have type 2 and the youngest patients on record are aged between five and nine.
Most children are instead diagnosed with type 1, a condition unrelated to lifestyle - where the immune system mistakenly attacks cells responsible for blood sugar control.
But type 2 diabetes is increasing across the world, fuelled in part by a rising tide of obesity.
Dr Michael Yafi at the University of Texas Health Science Center, one of the first specialists to see the toddler, warns young children with the condition may be being missed because of the incorrect assumption they are too young to develop it.
He added: "I'm very vigilant and screen all obese children I see for signs of the disease but I was surprised to find it in someone so young.
"The case is probably the youngest reported but with no global register it is hard to be sure."
He says an early diagnosis, changes to lifestyle and in some cases medication can give children better odds of remaining healthy and sometimes reverse the condition.
The Hispanic girl was been given treatment and her family improved her diet and the amount of exercise she took.
Only six months after diagnosis the girl no longer needed medication and her blood sugars returned to normal.  She had lost nearly 9 kg (1.4 stone) by this time.
Dr Dr Justin Warner, diabetic lead at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "The fact that this child's blood sugars returned to normal after she lost weight demonstrates that this was obesity related but also that you can change your risk by changing your lifestyle.
"We haven't seen a child that young with diabetes yet in the UK.
"But it is a worry. People don't tend to see the fact that obesity in children means you are storing up health problems for the future."


A BBC investigation has seen evidence that details what happened to the $10m sent from Fifa to accounts controlled by former vice-president Jack Warner.

The money, sent on behalf of South Africa, was meant to be used for its Caribbean diaspora legacy programme.
But documents suggest Mr Warner used the payment for cash withdrawals, personal loans and to launder money.
The 72-year-old, who has been indicted by the US FBI for corruption, denies all claims of wrongdoing.
Fifa says it is co-operating with the investigation.
And South Africa's Football Association has issued a detailed statement denying any wrongdoing.
The papers seen by the BBC detail three wire transfers by Fifa.
In the three transactions - on 4 January, 1 February and 10 March 2008 - funds totalling $10m (Â£6.5m) from Fifa accounts were received into Concacaf accounts controlled by Jack Warner.
At the time, he was in charge of the body, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The money had been promised by South Africa's Football Association for its so-called diaspora legacy programme to develop football in the Caribbean.
The documents reveal how the money was spent and moved around.
JTA Supermarkets, a large chain in Trinidad, received $4,860,000 from the accounts.
The money was paid in instalments from January 2008 to March 2009. The largest payment was $1,350,000 paid in February 2008.
US prosecutors say the money was mostly paid back to Mr Warner in local currency.
Jack Warner: The US charge sheet
Key questions answered
Jack Warner: Controversial ex-Fifa chief
Who are the indicted officials?
Fifa in crisis - Special Reports
The BBC gave details of its investigation to Brent Sancho, Trinidad and Tobago's sports minister and a former footballer.
He said: "He [Mr Warner] must face justice, he must answer all of these questions. Justice has to be served.
"He will have to account, with this investigation, he will have to answer for his actions."
The documents also show $360,000 of the Fifa money was withdrawn by people connected to Mr Warner.
Nearly $1.6m was used to pay the former Fifa vice-president's credit cards and personal loans.
The documents show the largest personal loan Mr Warner provided for himself was $410,000.
The largest credit card payment was $87,000.
Mr Sancho says he is now angry and disappointed.
"I'm devastated because a lot of that money should have been back in football, back in the development of children playing the sport.
"It is a travesty. Mr Warner should answer the questions," he added.
Jack Warner is one of 14 people charged by US prosecutors over alleged corruption at Fifa.
The US Justice department alleges the 14 accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m (Â£97m) over a 24-year period.
Mr Warner denies all charges of corruption.
He resigned from Fifa's executive committee and all other football commitments in 2011 amid allegations he had bribed his Caribbean associates.
He later stepped down as Trinidad and Tobago's security minister amid a fraud inquiry.
A key figure in the deepening scandal, in a recent statement he said he had given lawyers documents outlining the links between Fifa, its funding, himself and the 2010 election in Trinidad and Tobago. He said the transactions also included Mr Blatter.
"I will no longer keep secrets for them who actively seek to destroy the country," he said in an address on Trinidadian TV last week entitled "The gloves are off".
Speaking to his supporters at a rally later the same day, he promised an "avalanche" of revelations to come.
Mr Warner, who faces extradition to the US, was released on bail after handing himself in to police in the Trinidad and Tobago capital Port of Spain last week.
He says he is an innocent scapegoat who will  soon reveal the truth of what happened inside Fifa.
The announcement of the FBI charges in late May has driven Fifa into its greatest crisis; last week its president, Sepp Blatter announced he was stepping down, only days after being re-elected to a fifth term.
Additional  reporting by Ashley Semler and Peter Murtaugh.


The International Monetary Fund has warned that "global financial stability is not yet assured".

The note of caution came from senior IMF official Jose Vinals, as he presented the organisation's latest Global Financial Stability Report.
But the nature of the danger has changed, he said.
Financial stability in advanced economies has improved, but risks have moved towards emerging economies, Mr Vinals explained.
The shift in the focus of the IMF's concern partly reflects issues raised in the fund's report about the wider global economic outlook published on Tuesday.
One of the key messages in that analysis was that emerging and developing economies are experiencing their fifth consecutive year of slowing economic growth.
That is one of the key factors behind the increased risks to their financial stability.
Company and bank finances are "stretched thinner in many emerging markets", the report says. The IMF estimates there is $3.3 trillion in what it calls "overborrowing" by companies and banks in emerging markets.
China, Thailand, Turkey and Brazil are identified as countries where credit has expanded markedly compared with past trends.
Another issue is businesses with foreign currency debts that could be hit by a strengthening dollar, which makes their debts more expensive to repay in national currency terms.  On that measure, Hungary, Mexico, Indonesia and Chile are particularly exposed.
One big question posed by the report is "can China avoid destabilizing markets while achieving its objectives", namely moving to a more sustainable rate of economic growth based more on services and spending by Chinese consumers.
The problem for the rest of the world is that the transition involves at the very least slower growth in Chinese demand for commodities, especially energy and industrial raw materials. That has already had a marked impact on some emerging economies that supply them and the share prices of companies in the business.
The report notes that global financial markets have become more sensitive to changes in China's economic performance and policy.
There is no definitive answer to the question, but a pretty clear recognition that the Chinese slowdown does pose a risk to financial stability beyond its own borders.
The fact that the focus is increasingly on emerging economies does not mean the IMF thinks all is rosy in the rich countries. There are still legacy issues from the financial crisis, particularly in government finances and the banks in the euro area.
But it is striking that the IMF's attention is showing signs of moving away from the direct aftermath of the financial crisis that shook the rich world in 2007 and the years that followed.


A £500,000 development for a bar, restaurant and gym using more than 20 second-hand shipping containers has been approved by planners in Sheffield.

Krynkl on Shalesmoor, near Kelham Island, in Sheffield is to see a three and four-storey building made entirely of steel containers stacked together.
It would be the city's first such building, said Sheffield City Council.
Work on the vacant site is to be completed by January, said the developers.
The steel containers would be "predominantly dark grey" and  there were no sensitive historic buildings nearby, said the report to the council's planning and highway committee.
The site is in a mixed residential and commercial area on the inner ring road and previously housed a conservatory sales business.


A man and a woman have been hurt in a suspected hammer attack in south London.

The pair were found at an address in Alpha Road, Croydon, at about 07:20 BST. The woman, 37, was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The man, aged 25, was also wounded but his injuries were not thought to be life threatening.
A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. Police said the trio knew each other.


Signs have mysteriously appeared in an Essex village warning motorists to slow down for crossing peacocks.

The birds are often seen wandering around Stansted Mountfitchet from their home at the nearby castle.
One of the peacocks, Percy, is often seen running across roads, especially during the mating season. One peacock was killed on the road in January.
Signs have appeared at three junctions but the parish council and castle said they did not know who put them up.
The signs have been well-received by people commenting on the village Facebook group.
One wrote: "Well I for one would like to say thank you to the peacock sign putter-upper, these signs make me smile every time I see them, and they help keep Percy safe."
Another asked: "Do we have any fast peacocks?"
Jeremy Goldsmith, co-owner of Mountfitchet Castle, said: "There's a real love for the peacocks in the village, although we get the occasional complaint during mating season because Percy can become quite vocal."
The signs "suddenly appeared" overnight, he said. It is thought they were installed late last week.
"Sadly we lost one of our peacocks on a village road in January and It think some good-natured person just took it on themselves to have the signs made up," Mr Goldsmith said.
"It's one of the quirky things that makes the village what it is."


Jeremy Corbyn and his shadow defence secretary had a "friendly and constructive" meeting, Labour sources said, after a reported row over Nato.

Nia Griffith was said to be "livid" about reports that Mr Corbyn's spokesman had suggested Nato troops should be withdrawn from Estonia.
Hours earlier she had told Forces TV she backed the deployment.
Sources said she had been assured, in a meeting with the Labour leader, that his spokesman had not said that.
The spokesman did however refer to 'escalating tensions' on the Russia/Nato border and it is understood Ms Griffith did not welcome policy being made "on the hoof".
Five hundred UK troops are to go to Estonia as part of Nato's effort to deter Russia from any "aggression".
The UK has been building up its military presence in the Baltic region - sending RAF Typhoons since 2014 - following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Questioned by reporters in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Corbyn's spokesman said: "What we don't want to see is a ratcheting up of tensions between Russia and the West, as has been taking place. We want to see an engagement with Russia - on a critical basis, but a serious basis."
He added: "We've said repeatedly that we want talks and engagement to wind down military tensions, particularly on the Nato-Russian border and in the Middle East.
"Jeremy has expressed concerns about that being one of the escalations of tensions that have taken place."
BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said the Labour leader has not called for the withdrawal of British troops from Estonia, but it was clear Ms Griffith - and a number of other Labour MPs - were concerned about the leadership's approach to defence.
Prior to the comments, Llanelli MP Ms Griffith told Forces TV she thought it "very important that we now play a very strong role in Nato, particularly as we are leaving the European Union".
Nato had "to be absolutely clear, following what has happened in Ukraine, that we are standing together as Nato nations and there is no way that we would tolerate any attack on any one of our member states", she said.
Deployment imminent
"I think that's why it's so important that we have this partnership work now with the three Baltic states and Poland."
When questioned, a source close to Ms Griffiths said she was "absolutely furious" and "livid" about the intervention by Mr Corbyn's spokesman and that her support for Nato was a "red line".
Asked about the reports earlier on Thursday, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn said:  "I had a chat with Nia briefly last night and we are having a longer discussion later on today."
He told BBC Wales he wanted to see a "de-escalation of tensions between Nato and Russia", adding: "I want to see a de-militarisation of the border between them. I'm sure everybody wants that, we don't want to see increased tensions."
The Labour leader said it was "unfortunate that troops have gone up to the border on both sides" and he wanted to see better relations between Russia, Nato and the EU. He said while he had "many criticisms" of Russia - its human rights record and of the bombing campaign in Syria - he said there had to be a relationship.
"I don't want to see any more troops deployed on the borders between Nato and Russia, I want to see a de-escalation, ultimately a de-militarisation and better relationships between both sides of it... there cannot be a return to a Cold War mentality."
In June 2015, RAF Typhoons, which have been deployed to the Baltic region each year since May 2014, were scrambled from Estonia to intercept and shadow two Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
The Ministry of Defence announced last July that 500 UK troops would be permanently based in Estonia, that number being increased to about 800 in October. They are set to be deployed soon.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the military build-up was intended to "deter Russia from any further aggression".


Footage from inside a hospital in a rebel-held part of the Syrian city Aleppo shows the risky conditions doctors must work in.

14 April 2016 Last updated at 00:03 BST
Despite a partial ceasefire bringing relative calm after years of war, fighting is continuing in parts of Aleppo between government forces and rebels.
Dr Zahed Katurji explains why he and his team must operate underground and in constant fear.
Video produced by Mohamed Madi and Cordelia Hemming