Democratic congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. Mr Lewis, 79, said in a statement that he was diagnosed with the advanced cancer after a “routine medical visit”.

He said he would continue to work while receiving treatment, but added that he “may miss a few votes”. “I have been in some kind of fight – for freedom, equality, basic human rights – for nearly my entire life,” his statement said. “I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now.” Mr Lewis joined Congress in 1987, representing a Georgia district that includes almost 75% of the city of Atlanta and some affluent suburbs. But he is best known as a leading figure in the civil rights movement.(BBC)…[+]