August 1st, 6.30 a.m. BBC Radio 4 news headlines

A package of measures intended to break the deadlock in the Northern Ireland peace process will be presented to the political parties there later today. Proposals have been drawn up by the British and Irish governments after the intensive talks three weeks ago which ended without agreement.

The Metropolitan Police says it’s considering issuing its officers with electric stun guns later this year. The force will be the first in Britain to introduce the weapons, which are intended to help officers tackle violent suspects. The news comes two weeks after police in south London shot dead a man who was brandishing a replica pistol.

From today police forces and local authorities in England and Wales can apply for curfews to keep children under the age of 16 off the streets. Young people would not be allowed out after 9 at night unless they were accompanied by an adult. The critics say the measures are heavy-handed and unworkable.

Tony Blair will become the first British Prime Minister to set foot in Argentina today. He’ll meet the President but the subject of the Falkland Islands will be strictly off the agenda.

The wide-spread disruption to computers from the internet virus known as the Code Red worm hasn’t happened but in the United States the FBI remains on guard saying it could be a week before the extent of any damage is known.

Newly qualified junior hospital doctors will be able to sue hospital trusts who force them to work more than the legal limit of 56 hours a week. The Department of Health believe that most trusts will be able to comply with the legislation.

The Rural Affairs Minister, Elliot Morely, (?) is visiting North Yorkshire today to inspect bio-security precautions introduced to tackle Foot and Mouth disease around Thirsk. Ministry officials will travel with milk tankers and feed lorries visiting farms to make sure disinfection procedures are followed correctly.

Scottish Power has revealed plans to build Europe’s biggest wind farm. The company wants to put a network of turbines on moorland near Glasgow which would generate enough electricity for 150,000 homes.