Iraq ‘could take Tikrit in a week’
Pro-government Shia militias battling to oust Islamic State from Tikrit tell the BBC they hope to retake the Iraqi city within a week. BBC News – Middle East
Craig Taylor
Chancellor to unveil annuity reforms
George Osborne is set to extend pension freedoms to retirees who already have an annuity as part of next week’s Budget, the BBC understands. BBC News – Business
First missing UK schoolgirl named
A missing London schoolgirl who travelled to Syria ahead of her three friends is named by her father as 15-year-old Sharmeena Begum, from Bethnal Green. BBC News – UK
Serbia mourns baby rescue dead
National mourning is declared in Serbia after a rescue helicopter crashes while carrying a baby for medical treatment, with the loss of seven lives. BBC News – Europe
Thousands flee Chile forest fire
Chile declares a state of emergency as a raging forest fire near the city of Valparaiso forces thousands of people to flee their homes. BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean
US evacuates aid workers over Ebola
Ten US aid workers who were possibly exposed to Ebola are being evacuated back to America from Sierra Leone, US officials say. BBC News – US & Canada