Author: BBC

Getty ImagesThousands of TikTok users have migrated to popular Chinese social media app RedNoteA looming TikTok ban has connected Chinese and American citizens like never before, as they swap jokes and memes in what one user described as a “historic moment”.It’s all unfolding on a popular Chinese social media app called RedNote, or Xiaohongshu (literally translates as Little Red Book), which doesn’t have the usual internet firewall that separates China from the rest of the world. It has been drawing self-professed US “TikTok refugees” seeking a new home on the internet – despite the fact that their own government is…

Getty ImagesCalories must now appear on menus in large restaurants and take-aways Putting calories on food labels and menus “is no silver bullet”, say researchers who analysed the best evidence to date on how effective the policy can be.A review of 25 studies on calorie labelling in a number of countries found a small reduction in the calories people chose to eat – equivalent to two almonds – but even this modest effect could help prevent adults putting on weight as they get older.The new rules on calorie labelling came into force in England in 2022 as part of government…

BBCJohnnie Walker hosted his final show on Radio 2 in OctoberLed Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, as well as former BBC Radio 2 colleagues of Johnnie Walker, were among the mourners at the late DJ’s funeral.The veteran disc jockey’s death aged 79 was announced by his friend and fellow Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris in December.Former colleagues Simon Mayo, Jeremy Vine and Tony Blackburn were among those attending the service at St Peter’s Church in Shaftesbury, Dorset.Following the memorial service, Walker’s friends and loved ones gathered to watch the cortege of Harley Davidson riders escort the DJ’s hearse.Walker was an avid…

Shop sales in the UK unexpectedly fell in the run up to Christmas due to a “very poor month” for food being sold in supermarkets.Sales fell by 0.3% in December, according to official figures, well below expectations of a 0.4% rise.Food sales sank to their lowest level for over 10 years, but clothing shops and department stores saw a boost in trade.The pound slipped to $1.21 from $1.22 following the figures. The shock data will add to concerns over the health of the UK economy.Economists said the figures capped off a “disappointing” end to 2024 for the retail sector, in…

Apple has suspended a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that drew criticism and complaints for making repeated mistakes in its summaries of news headlines. The tech giant had been facing mounting pressure to withdraw the service, which sent notifications that appeared to come from within news organisations’ apps. “We are working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update,” an Apple spokesperson said.The BBC was among the groups to complain, after an alert generated by Apple’s AI falsely told some readers that Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.The…

MARTIN MCQUADE / BBCAmarjit Kaur and Mandip Singh Matharoo’s daughter Asees was stillborn in January 2024The deaths of at least 56 babies, and two mothers, at an NHS trust over the past five years may have been prevented, the BBC has found.The two maternity units at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust are rated “good” by England’s healthcare regulator, but two whistleblowers have told the BBC they believe the units are unsafe.Separate data shows Leeds has the highest neonatal mortality rate in the UK.Bereaved parents say they are concerned that the trust’s chief executive during the period most of…

PA MediaFormer Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan, who was also known for reality TV shows like Celebrity Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, has died at the age of 46.Danan’s management company said he was “known for his television presence, exceptional talent and unwavering kindness”, and had been “a beacon of light to so many”.Paying tribute, former EastEnders actor Michael Greco remembered him as “a genuine and caring man”.Calum Best, who fronted an ITV2 series with Danan in 2006, paid tribute to him as “one of the funniest, kindest, and most real people” he has ever known and a “creative genius”.Danan…

Getty ImagesThe UK economy grew for the first time in three months, driven in part by a boost in trade for pubs, restaurants and the construction industry.Official figures showed an expansion of 0.1% after the economy shrank in each of the two previous months.The return to growth will be a welcome sign for the government after recent turbulence in financial markets sent its borrowing costs to the highest level for several years and the value of the pound fell.But the figure was lower than economists had expected, with declines in manufacturing and business rentals and leasing.Chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterated her…

Getty ImagesPornographic websites operating in the UK have been told they must introduce “robust” age-checking techniques – such as demanding photo ID or running credit card checks – by July, or face enforcement action.The long-awaited guidance, issued by regulator Ofcom, has been made under the Online Safety Act (OSA), and is intended to prevent children from easily accessing pornography online.Research indicates the average at which young people first see explicit material online in the UK is 13 – with many being exposed to it much earlier.”For too long, many online services which allow porn and other harmful material have ignored…

Getty ImagesPatients are dying in corridors and pregnant women are miscarrying in side rooms as overwhelmed hospitals struggle to cope, nurses say.The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said evidence provided by more than 5,000 of its members across the UK this winter also showed cupboards, car parks, bathrooms and nursing stations were being turned into makeshift areas for patients.Nurses warned such practices put patients at risk as staff were unable to access vital equipment such as oxygen, heart monitors and suction equipment, and did not have the time and space to provide CPR.Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he agreed the…