Author: BBC

A “significant amount” of private data including criminal records has been hacked from the Legal Aid online system, the Ministry of Justice has said.The MoJ said it became aware of a cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency’s (LAA) online services on April 23 of data dating back to 2010. It later realised the incident was “more extensive than originally understood”.The agency’s chief executive Jane Harbottle apologised for the breach, saying she understood the news “will be shocking and upsetting for people”. The group that carried out the attack claimed it accessed 2.1 million pieces of data, according to the PA…

Yang Tian and James ChaterBBC NewsReutersFormer US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.Biden received the news on Friday after he saw a doctor last week for urinary symptoms.Here’s what you need to know about prostate cancer and its treatment options.What is prostate cancer?Prostate cancer affects tissue of the prostate gland, the part of the male reproductive system that helps make semen. It is located between the penis and the bladder.According to the NHS, it usually develops slowly, meaning some live for decades without symptoms or needing treatment.In…

BBCGas and electricity bills are expected to fall in July, when a new price cap takes effect.It is likely to reverse the increase for millions of households on 1 April, under the current cap.The annual bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity rose to £1,849 per year, an increase of £111, in April.The energy price cap sets the maximum amount customers can be charged for each unit of energy, but actual bills depend on how much gas and electricity you use.What is the energy price cap and how is it changing?Those who pay their bills…

Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has announced the birth of her twin daughters.In a post on Instagram, the 33-year-old said that two girls were born prematurely at 31 weeks on Thursday but said they were “healthy and fighting strong”.Nelson said her and her partner Zion Foster were “so blessed” and had “never felt more in love”, sharing pictures of them holding the girls in hospital.They have been named Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster.Nelson wrote: “So, our beautiful baby girls decided to come at 31 weeks plus five days.”It all happened so quickly, but we are so blessed that…

Sir Elton John angry at ‘criminal’ AI plans for artistsSir Elton John described the government as “absolute losers” and said he feels “incredibly betrayed” over plans to exempt technology firms from copyright laws.Speaking exclusively to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said if ministers go ahead with plans to allow AI firms to use artists’ content without paying, they would be “committing theft, thievery on a high scale”.This week the government rejected proposals from the House of Lords to force AI companies to disclose what material they were using to develop their programmes.A government spokesperson said that “no changes” to copyright…

BBC / Twenty Twenty Productions LtdNicole went to therapy because she has a fear of drivingNicole enters the therapist’s room and clutches what she calls her hugging pillow. She admits to being nervous about sitting down with a stranger to discuss her mental health.She is 31, lives in London and works as chiropractic assistant. She suffers from anxiety when she drives.”There are so many things that so quickly go through my head,” she says. “How far away is it? What is the route? I somehow forget how to drive.”She suffers from panic attacks and her fear of driving means she…

Joe TidyCyber correspondentBBCJoe Tidy interacted with hackers who claimed to have done the M&S and Co-op hackAlmost daily, my phone pings with messages from hackers of all stripes. The good, the bad, the not-so-sure.I’ve been reporting on cyber security for more than a decade, so I know that many of them like to talk about their hacks, findings and escapades.About 99% of these conversations stay firmly locked in my chat logs and don’t lead to news stories. But a recent ping was impossible to ignore.”Hey. This is Joe Tidy from the BBC reporting on this Co-op news, correct?” the hackers…

A second man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault at a London nightclub involving R&B star Chris Brown.US national Omolulu Akinlolu – the artist known as HoodyBaby – was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, the Metropolitan Police said.Brown, 36, appeared at the same court on the same charge on Friday and was remanded in custody.He is accused of using a bottle to cause grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw at the Tape club in London’s Mayfair in 2023.Brown, who was arrested at Salford’s Lowry Hotel on…

Tesco has apologised after IT problems left some customers unable to alter online orders or access digital versions of their Clubcards.People took to social media to complain about a series of problems with the company’s website and mobile app on Friday afternoon.”We have fixed a software issue that temporarily impacted customers using our website and app this afternoon,” a Tesco spokesperson told the BBC. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience.”Customers on social media listed multiple problems with its services, including being unable to process changes to online orders.Tesco’s account on X replied to one user saying it was having “intermittent system…

In the 1940s vulnerable hospital patients were fed sugar to see if their teeth decayed