Author: BBC

A community health and well-being day is taking place in Grimsby on Saturday.The event follows on from concerns raised during a meeting in January over mental health support and public safety.It has been organised by local councillors, North East Lincolnshire Council’s public health team, along with the East Marsh Involve community group.The event, which is being held at Freeman Street Market between 10:00 and15:00 BST, includes family activities aimed at promoting creativity and wellbeing.These include arts and craft sessions, where children can create a “breathing buddy” – an imaginative creature to help them manage anxiety, as well as a poster…

Paul GlynnCulture reporterGetty ImagesThe 40-year-old singer and presenter has had hits with songs like TroublemakerOlly Murs says scrutiny of his physique is “disappointing” and “absolute madness” after pictures of his body before and after a fitness regime prompted a flood of reactions online and in the media.Social media users and newspaper columnists have been offering opinions about whether the English singer and presenter looked better before or afterThanking fans following his gig in Dublin on Tuesday, the star responded on a video posted on his Instagram story, admitting it had been “a weird day”. “I don’t know if you guys…

Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentBBCShops and services may have to be forced to accept cash in the future to help protect vulnerable people who rely on it, MPs have said.A Treasury Committee report into cash acceptance stopped short of recommending a change in the law, but said the government had to improve its monitoring of the issue.”There may come a time in the future where it becomes necessary for HM Treasury to mandate cash acceptance if appropriate safeguards have not been implemented for those who need physical cash,” the report said.Some countries, such as Australia or parts of the EU,…

It’s now been more than a week of chaos for Marks and Spencer (M&S), one of the UK’s biggest brands, following what – it is now obvious – is a significant cyber attack. It has cost it millions of pounds in lost sales and a lower share price.M&S has not said what or who knocked out its online ordering systems, paused deliveries and left empty shelves in stores.The BBC has been told by security experts that ransomware called DragonForce was used in the attack.Ciaran Martin, the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, said it had “serious” consequences…

Julian O’Neill and Chris PageBBC News NIGetty ImagesGerry Adams alleges the BBC defamed him by falsely claiming he sanctioned the killing of Denis DonaldsonGerry Adams’ reputation as a peacemaker suffered “an unjustified attack” by the BBC, which wrongly alleged he sanctioned the murder of informer Denis Donaldson in 2006, the High Court in Dublin has been told.The claim was made by a lawyer for Mr Adams who is suing the broadcaster for defamation.He said the BBC had committed a “journalistic no-no” by relying on unverified claims made by an anonymous single source.The former Sinn Féin president believes he was defamed…

Saiorse explains how it’s important to share moments of joy with those you love.

The sugar tax applied to fizzy drinks could be extended to pre-packaged milkshakes and lattes under new government plans.The government is consulting on proposals to end the exemption from the tax for milk-based drinks, as well as non-dairy substitutes such as oats or rice.Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her autumn budget last year that the government was considering widening the levy.Shadow chancellor Mel Stride labelled the move a “sucker punch” to households when Labour had “already pushed up the cost of living for families”. The sugar tax, known formally as the soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), is a tax on…

Some Marks & Spencer stores have been left with empty shelves as the retailer continues to struggle with a cyber attack affecting its operations.Over the Easter weekend, customers reported problems using contactless pay and Click & Collect, and online orders have been paused on the company’s website and app since Friday.It is not clear how widespread the empty shelves are but the retailer confirmed “pockets of limited availability in some stores”.The BBC understands M&S’s operations will take until the end of the week before beginning to return to normal.Although issues with contactless pay, Click & Collect and gift cards have…

Ian YoungsCulture reporterBBCThe review was commissioned in the wake of allegations against Huw EdwardsA small number of BBC stars and managers “behave unacceptably” at work, and bosses often fail to tackle them, a report into the broadcaster has found.The review, commissioned by the BBC’s board in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal, concluded there is not a widespread “toxic” culture, but that there is “a minority of people” whose bad behaviour “is not addressed”.In response, the BBC said it would introduce reforms, and its chairman Samir Shah said he would draw “a line in the sand”.He told presenters: “After…

EPAA leading health think tank says urgent and emergency care in England is performing “far worse” than before the pandemic.The Health Foundation argues that the NHS was “in distress” this winter with A&E waiting times reaching a record high.The group says it would be wrong just to blame relatively high levels of flu.The government is due to publish an urgent and emergency care plan soon. The Department for Health and Social Care said that hospitals were “feeling the strain” but that it was taking “decisive action” to prevent winter crises.The Health Foundation report on the recent winter says that the…