Author: BBC

Getty ImagesA 25% import tax on engines, transmissions and other key car parts has come into force in the US, raising pressure on an industry finding its way through a thicket of policy changes. The new tariff comes days after Donald Trump eased the measure in response to business worries, but did not eliminate it.The US president has said the new tariff, along with a 25% import tax on cars that went into effect last month, is intended to push carmakers to do more manufacturing in the US.But analysts said any immediate expansions in the US were likely to come…

Joe TidyCyber correspondent, BBC World ServiceGetty ImagesCyber criminals have told BBC News their hack against Co-op is far more serious than the company previously admitted.Hackers contacted the BBC with proof they had infiltrated IT networks and stolen huge amounts of customer and employee data.After being approached on Friday, a Co-op spokesperson said the hackers “accessed data relating to a significant number of our current and past members”.Co-op had previously said that it had taken “proactive measures” to fend off hackers and that it was only having a “small impact” on its operations.It also assured the public that there was “no…

The number of assisted deaths could be more than 4,000 in the 10th year after the law comes into force in England and Wales if MPs vote for it, a review of the policy says.The estimate forms part of the official impact assessment, carried out by civil servants to inform MPs as they debate whether to allow assisted dying.It said initially the numbers coming forward would be low, but are expected to grow over time.The impact assessment says that the total number of assisted deaths is estimated to range from between 164 and 787 in the first (half) year of…

Getty ImagesTrump alleged that both organisations have engaged with “biased and partisan news coverage”US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order calling for all federal funding to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR) to be blocked. On Thursday evening, Trump alleged that both organisations have engaged with “biased and partisan news coverage”. The order instructs the board of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting (CPB), who distributes funding to PBS and NPR stations, to “cease direct funding” to the “maximum extent allowed by law”.PBS called the order “blatantly unlawful”, while CPB said the organisation is not…

Getty ImagesThe retail giant has paused orders on its website and apps since Friday as it attempts to restore operations.The boss of Marks & Spencer has told customers the retailer is “working day and night” to manage the cyber attack that has forced it to temporarily shut down its online operations.Stuart Machin said he was “really sorry” for the disruption to services, but did not say when normal business would resume.M&S’s problems began over the Easter weekend, with customers reporting problems with Click & Collect and contactless payments.Last week, the company confirmed it was dealing with a “cyber incident” and…

Lily JamaliNorth America Technology CorrespondentNatalie ShermanBusiness reporterGetty ImagesApple says it is shifting production of most iPhones and other devices to be sold in the US away from China, which has been the focus of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.The majority of the iPhones bound for the US market in the coming months will be made in India, while Vietnam will be a major production hub for items like iPads and Apple Watches, chief executive Tim Cook says.It comes as the technology giant estimated that US import taxes could add about $900m (£677.5m) to its costs in the current quarter, despite Trump’s…

Tom BurgessBBC News, North East and CumbriaNiki CotsonMore than 700 people have signed Niki’s petition to have the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust put into special measuresA mum who says she has been left in chronic pain a year after giving birth has called for an NHS trust to be put into special measures.Niki Cotson, 31, gave birth in April 2024 at the North Tees Hospital in Stockton before experiencing what she believes was poor care in the aftermath.Miss Cotson, who has amassed more than 700 signatures to her petition calling for special measures to be imposed at North…

Abigail TaylorBBC News NIPA MediaKneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandiseThe Metropolitan Police’s counter-terror officers will investigate online videos showing rap trio Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.A video emerged of the west Belfast trio at a November 2023 gig where one person from the band says: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. Kneecap say they have never supported…

Richard Price & Eleanor LawsonBBC News, West MidlandsMoorcroftMoorcroft Pottery became known for its colourful depictions of wildlife and geometric patternsThe directors of Moorcroft Pottery have announced the firm has stopped trading after more than 100 years, which the GMB Union says means the loss of 57 jobs.In a post on social media on Wednesday, bosses at the Stoke-on-Trent firm, based in Burslem, said they had told insolvency business Moore Recovery to help with voluntarily liquidating the company.They said Moore would contact creditors in due course but did not give an explanation for the firm’s closure. However, industry commentators have blamed…

A US district judge has found Apple wilfully violated her injunction in a case brought by Epic Games – and that a top Apple executive “outright lied” under oath.The injunction was supposed to block Apple from anti-competitive conduct and pricing, opening the App Store up to outside payment options. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said she was referring the matter to the US Attorney for Northern District of California to investigate whether a criminal contempt proceeding is appropriate.Apple responded to the ruling late on Wednesday.”We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order and we will appeal,”…