22 February: Blockchain launched in Guernsey

1. World War Two bomb found in Portsmouth Harbour delays Clipper
2. Legal history to be made: Guernsey jurats sworn in to Jersey court
3. Uefa membership could bring 'hundreds of thousands' to Jersey
4. Updates on Wednesday 22 February 2017

Local Live in the Channel Islands

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

That's it for Local Live today, but join us again from 08:00 tomorrow morning for all the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

Don't forget to tune in to BBC One tonight at 18:30 for all the latest headlines with BBC Channel Islands News.

Backlog of Jersey mail made office look 'like Christmas'

Kenan Osboure, an operations director from Jersey Post, said the backlog of mail caused by delivery plane cancellations made the sorting office look "like Christmas".

The plane that normally delivers the mail has been delayed or cancelled due to the recent fog.

Mr Osbourne said staff had put in overtime to deliver "special delivery" and "first class" packages.

Ambulance service missing target times in a third of 'serious' calls

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

Jersey's ambulance crews are only getting to two thirds of their most serious emergency calls within their target time, a freedom of information request has revealed - and the figure is slipping further as they are trying to deal with more calls.

Staff aim to get to the scene of the most serious calls within eight minutes - but only managed that in 67% of incidents last year compared to 69% the year before.

BBC

Officers say the service is becoming increasingly stretched, giving last Wednesday as an example when they were called out 18 times in less than 4 hours.

In 2010, the ambulance was called to just over 6,300 emergencies, but last year that had risen to 8,700.

The Chief Ambulance Officer Peter Gavey says the service may review its staffing levels for the future.

Criticism of finance sector in the Channel Islands 'unfair'

Parliamentlive.tv

A UK government minister has called criticisms of the financial services sector in the Channel Islands "unfair".

In a meeting of the Justice Committee inquiry into the implications of Brexit for the Crown Dependencies, Sir Oliver Heald said Crown Dependencies had "responded well to the calls for openness".

The inquiry was created to discuss how the UK exiting the EU would impact on the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

The UK is responsible for the islands' international relations.

Weather in the Channel Islands

BBC Weather

There is a gale-force wind warning in place for the Channel Islands this evening.

This is the forecast for Guernsey...

BBC

And this is the outlook in Jersey...

BBC

GHA to start work on building 90 affordable homes this year

Guernsey Press

Work will start on more than 90 affordable homes this year, as the Guernsey Housing Association aims to meet ever-increasing demand.

Latest headlines in the Channel Islands

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

Jersey

• Jersey's ambulance crews are only getting to two thirds of their most serious emergency calls within their target time, an FOI reveals
• A bomb which delayed the Commodore Clipper getting into Portsmouth this morning has been detonated at sea
• New figures show that Emily and Oliver have been the most popular baby names in Jersey for the past three years

Guernsey

• Guernsey has been chosen to launch the first ever commercial use of "blockchain technology" in the private equity market
• A heart doctor living in Guernsey but standing in tomorrow's Stoke Central By-Election says he'll be back at work on Monday, regardless of the result
• The president of Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce hopes politicians value the "vital" e-gaming industry that he says brings much needed diversity to the economy

And the winner for the boys...

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

There aren't really many surprises on this one.

The most popular baby names for boys in Jersey born from 2014 to 2016...

Jersey Stats Unit

It seems like Jersey residents are a fairly conventional bunch when it comes to naming their children.

Not an Apple or Harper Seven in sight...

'I've been promised I can drive a tractor in Sark'

Parliamentlive.tv

Sir Oliver Heald mentions he's been "promised" he can have a go at driving a tractor the next time he visits Sark.

The MP is reporting to the panel of the parliamentary inquiry looking at the implications of Brexit for Crown Dependencies.

Who is Jersey's new signing?

Tim Pryor

BBC Sport

Jersey Reds have today announced the signing of South African Ayron Schramm, but who is he?

• Age: 21
• Position: Back-row (Number Eight)
• Educated: Kearsney College, near Durban, where former pupils include England caps Brad Barritt and Matt Stevens
• Former clubs: KwaZulu-Natal U18, Sharks (Durban)

And what does he look like? Well, here he is...

BBC

Guernsey 'at the forefront' of financial innovation

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

Guernsey's chief minister says the island is "at the forefront of financial innovation" after it was announced that Northern Trust will be launching the first ever blockchain private equity fund from the island.

Blockchain is a new technology that allows transactions to be distributed in real time to people that need financial information.

It means regulators, auditors, administrators and fund managers can share live information from one source.

As a jurisdiction we continually monitor new technologies, support businesses in developing ground-breaking new ideas and provide a supportive environment where products can not only flourish but be first-to-market. The fact that this pioneering solution to the private equity market has been domiciled in Guernsey... shows the commitment of government to being at the cutting edge of financial services technology."

Deputy Gavin St PierGuernsey's Chief Minister

Taxi drivers call for police to impound illegal cabs

Jersey Evening Post

Islanders who operate illegal taxi services should have their vehicles impounded, according to the chairman of the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association.

Jersey's most popular baby names revealed

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

The top 10 most popular baby names for children has been released by the Jersey Stats Unit.

The list is based on children born between 2014 and 2016.

Here are the most popular girls names...

Jersey Stats Unit

There are some pretty standard names on there, but also a couple of surprises.

I'm told Ava is popular because it's the name of Myleene Klass' daughter, in case you're wondering...

BBC Weather Watchers: Mooooo

BBC Weather Watchers

Cows must be used to the sight of a smartphone peering over the hedge, as we get quite a lot of cow-based Weather Watcher photos sent in.

This one's from Theo in St Ouen's, Jersey.

BBC

Fancy becoming a Weather Watcher?

Here's how to do it.

Guernsey doctor candidate in Stoke by-election

Rob Byrne

BBC Radio Guernsey

A Guernsey heart doctor is standing in tomorrow's Stoke Central by-election.

Dr Zulfiqar Ali, from Stoke, works for the Medical Specialist Group. 

He's taken three weeks' holiday to campaign for the Liberal Democrats in the hotly contested seat, where, among others he’ll come up against UKIP leader Paul Nuttall.

BBC/PA

Pictured left to right: Zulfiqar Ali (Lib Dem), Jack Brereton (Conservative), Paul Nuttall (UKIP) and Gareth Snell (Labour)

Stoke had the highest proportion of leave voters in the EU referendum, but Dr Ali wants to see Britain stay in the single market and a second vote on any exit deal.

He says if he wins, he's not going to "wash his hands" of his cardiology work in Guernsey, and that he'll be back at work on Monday, regardless of the result.

A full list of the candidates standing in the Stoke-on-Trent by-election can be found here.

Portsmouth Harbour: World War Two bomb detonated

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

A World War Two bomb containing 290lb (131kg) of "high explosives" has been blown up after being found in Portsmouth Harbour.

The 500lb (227kg) German device was discovered in the early hours following dredging works, prompting the suspension of rail and ferry services.

The discovery delayed the Commodore Clipper by just under three hours this morning.

Royal Navy experts detonated the device off the Isle of Wight...

WW2 bomb destroyed

Long-term role of Alderney breakwater being considered

Guernsey Press

Options for the future of the Alderney breakwater are being reviewed by Environment & Infrastructure, with the aim of establishing a long-term purpose ‘beyond just routine maintenance’.

Jersey club captain signs for Worcester

Tim Pryor

BBC Sport

Jersey lock Pierce Phillips, who was named club captain in July, is to leave this summer to join current Premiership side Worcester Warriors.

BBC

The announcement of Phillips' exit comes just a day after Worcester confirmed Jersey prop Simon Kerrod would be making the same move from St Peter to Sixways.

Phillips has so far made 48 appearances for Jersey, scoring three tries.

The Reds have also confirmed flanker James Doyle has been released from his contract, and that they've signed 21-year-old South African back-row forward Ayron Schramm.

Little Chapel will be 'world-class attraction'

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

A "world-class attraction" will be created at Guernsey's Little Chapel, according to the foundation's vice chairman.

Work to restore the island's most visited tourist site is approaching the halfway point.

John Silvester says the £500,000 project will enhance its already enviable reputation.

We're going to produce an absolutely stunning, world-class attraction. We would love to see the thing listed properly in the world as a place to visit. All the cruise passengers want to come, that's another reason why we've got to be finished for Easter."

John SilvesterVice President, Little Chapel Foundation

BBC

Blockchain technology: What is it?

Chris Quevatre

BBC News Online

I've done my research, I've phoned around, I've read the press release.

I'm slightly closer to understanding what blockchain technology is.

Thinkstock

Blockchain technology is a way of allowing everyone involved in a financial network to receive live updates about what's going on.

If you administer, regulate, manage or potentially invest in a fund you can find out - whenever you want - what transactions are being made; whether it's a new investment, a change of ownership, or anything that affects the value of your stake.

Each entry into the ledger, which is the point of source for all accounting techniques, is time-stamped and cannot be changed, meaning there is a shared record of everything that happens.

It is commonly used for Bitcoin transactions, for which there is a public ledger which constantly grows as "completed blocks" are added in chronological order every time a transaction is made.

The use of blockchain technology in the private equity market is unprecedented, and Northern trust will be administering the first ever commercial use from its Guernsey office.