Fintech Zilch, which has been named one of the fastest-growing in the UK, said it means more of its customers can make payments in stores.

The lady’s slipper orchid came close to vanishing from the English countryside, with its discovery described as a “truly thrilling moment”.

Drivers across the UK have said they get distracted more by talking to passengers or daydreaming, rather than using mobile phones.

A women’s centre founded by JK Rowling is hosting a conference on the impact of internet pornography in the “epidemic” of violence against women.

Analysis of stop and search data showed a child aged just 10 was among those found with a knife or pointed weapon by Police Scotland last year.

Cancer Research UK warned that, despite improvement in overall survival, many more people are being diagnosed with cancer compared with 50 years ago.

Madeleine, then aged three, disappeared in 2007 while on holiday with her family in the resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal.

Gang leaders who force vulnerable people to hide drugs and cash in their bodies could face up to 10 years in prison under a change in the law.

Researchers found hopeful people tended to fare better, had greater levels of self-care and were less likely to skip taking their medication.