Author: BBC

BBCPlans for an upgraded NHS App to allow more patients in England to book treatments and appointments will be part of a package of measures unveiled by the government on Monday.The changes will allow patients who need non-emergency elective treatment to choose from a range of providers, including those in the private sector.Ministers and NHS leaders will publish this week what is described as an elective reform plan designed to speed up planned treatment. But the British Medical Association (BMA) said there was a risk the policy would “discriminate or alienate” patients who did not have access to digital technology.The…

PA MediaBad weather can cause travel disruption for passengers, as seen at the end of 2024 in the UK (file photo from 2017)Passengers at British airports have faced travel chaos on multiple occasions over the last few weeks, from heavy winds to fog. Now, the Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow and ice in the Midlands, north of England and Wales, which says that delays and cancellations to air travel are “expected”.It can seem a mystery to many frustrated flyers that a brief spell of bad weather can upend schedules, especially since British weather isn’t exactly famed…

Getty ImagesThe iPhone 6 and Apple Watch were two devices owned by the lead plaintiff in the lawsuitApple has agreed to pay $95m (£77m) to settle a court case alleging some of its devices were listening to people without their permission.The tech giant was accused of eavesdropping on its customers through its virtual assistant Siri.The claimants also allege voice recordings were shared with advertisers.Apple, which has not admitted any wrongdoing, has been approached for comment. In the preliminary settlement, the tech firm denies any wrongdoing, as well as claims that it “recorded, disclosed to third parties, or failed to delete,…

Filmmaker Jeff Baena, the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza, has died aged 47, according to US media reports.His body was discovered by an assistant at his Los Angeles home on Friday morning, where he was later pronounced dead, the reports say.The American director, best known for films The Little Hours, Life After Beth and Joshy, married Ms Plaza in 2021.The family told Deadline they were “devastated” and asked for privacy at this difficult time.Ms Plaza, 40, star of TV series The White Lotus and Parks and Recreation, has not yet commented publicly on the death of her husband.The circumstances of…

Getty ImagesThe number of people with flu in hospital in England has quadrupled over the past month and is rising “at a very concerning rate”, NHS chiefs have warned. Latest data shows there were 5,000 patients with the virus being treated in hospital at the end of last week – almost 3.5 times higher than the same week in 2023, although not as high as in 2022. The head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine told the BBC that pressure on hospitals is “unacceptably awful” and flu is pushing them to breaking point.It comes as health officials warn about…

Getty ImagesUS President Joe Biden has blocked the takeover of US Steel by a bigger Japanese firm, delivering on a political promise despite fears the move could hurt Washington’s relations with Tokyo and scare off other foreign investors.Biden cited threats to national security in rejecting the Nippon Steel purchase, saying US ownership was important to keeping the US steel industry and its supply chains strong.His intervention follows pressure from the United Steelworkers union, which had opposed a transaction that was a sensitive political issue in the 2024 US presidential campaign.The Japanese government has called Biden’s decision “incomprehensible”.Nippon Steel and US…

Getty ImagesLuke Littler does not play in the PDC World Championship final until Friday evening A news summary from Apple falsely claimed darts player Luke Littler had won the PDC World Championship – before he even played in the final. The incorrect summary was written by artificial intelligence (AI) and is based on a BBC story about Littler winning the tournament semi-final on Thursday night.Within hours on Friday, another AI notification summary falsely told some BBC Sport app users that Tennis great Rafael Nadal had come out as gay.Apple, which has been contacted for a response, previously declined to comment…

PA MediaColdplay were the headline act at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, which was held in Luton in the summerA cyber hacker has pleaded guilty to stealing unreleased music from artists including Coldplay, Canadian singer Shawn Mendes and US singer Bebe Rexha.Skylar Dalziel made about £42,000 by selling the tracks online, according to City of London Police.Prosecutor Richard Partridge said she “selfishly used their music to make money for herself by selling it on the dark web”.The 22-year-old, of Winchester Gardens in Luton, admitted 11 copyright offences at Luton Crown Court and was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for 24…

Getty ImagesWes Streeting has defended the timescale for reforming adult social care in England, with proposals on its long-term funding unlikely to be delivered before 2028 at the earliest.The health and social care secretary is promising “to finally grasp the nettle on social care reform”, but said on Friday the process “would take time”.The independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Carey, is set to begin work in April but not due to publish its final report until 2028.Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of health think-tank The King’s Fund, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the timescale “feels far too long” and…

Getty ImagesThe US tech giant cuts prices in China as it faces growing competition from local rivalsShoppers in China are getting rare discounts on iPhones as Apple faces growing competition from local brands.The four-day promotion, which starts this Saturday (4 January), includes discounts of as much as 500 yuan ($68.50, £55.30) on some of the US technology giant’s newest handsets.Chinese phone maker Huawei has also cut prices of its high-end mobile devices by as much as 20%.The discounts come as consumers in China remain hesitant about spending because of the country’s economic challenges.The offer covers Apple’s top models as well…