However Anna May Mangan, mother of four and author of Getting into Medical School: The Pushy Mother's Guide, told the BBC that being a hands-on parent was important because "our schools don't teach children to be competitive".

BBC: British children 'babied' by intrusive parents, says MP

Meanwhile Anna Kournikova may have to pull out of Thursday's second round match against fellow Russian Nadia Petrova.

BBC: Johansson crashes out in Moscow

The prosecution had initially rejected calls for a delay, but now admits that "operational constraints", such as the availability of court space, may make an April date "untenable", reports the BBC's Anna Holligan from The Hague.

BBC: ICC Kenyatta trial 'may be delayed' on defence complaint

The BBC's Stephen Evans in Berlin that there is speculation about whether the authorities were alerted to the German couple by the same person - whoever that may be - who told the FBI in the United States about the Russian spy ring uncovered there involving Anna Chapman.

BBC: Russia 'spies' go on trial in Germany