Author: BBC

Getty ImagesAbout 300 hospice inpatient beds are currently closed or out of use in England, hospice leaders have warned.They say a lack of funding and staff are the primary reasons why some of England’s 170 hospices have had to close beds permanently or take them out of use.Hospice UK, which represents the sector, is now calling for an urgent package of government funding to prevent further cuts. The Department of Health said it was looking at how to financially support hospices to ensure they are sustainable.The debate over assisted dying has increased the focus on hospices, with some arguing that…

Getty ImagesThree rail operators will be renationalised by Labour next year after it passed a law allowing it to do so.South Western Railways will be renationalised in May 2025, C2C in July 2025, and Greater Anglia in autumn 2025, the transport department has confirmed.”The primary aim of this is to improve reliability and clamp down on the delays, the cancellations, the waste and the inefficiency we’ve seen over the last 30 years,” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told BBC Breakfast.But some have criticised the plans, arguing that public ownership will not make much difference unless it is paired with fresh investment…

A deal that could see the Parthenon Sculptures returned to Greece is “close”, a former adviser to the country’s government has told the BBC.Prof Irene Stamatoudi said it “seems negotiations have gone forward” over relocating the antiquities – also known as the Elgin Marbles – which were taken from Athens more than 200 years ago and are displayed in the British Museum.It comes as Sir Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart met for talks in Downing Street on Tuesday, though No 10 has said the issue is not on the agenda.The sculptures were not discussed at the opening of the…

Getty ImagesThe Type 00 is part of Jaguar’s relaunch as an electric-only brandLuxury car maker Jaguar has unveiled its new electric concept car and, like a recent controversial teaser video, it has divided opinion. Some on social media said the new Type 00 car is “exciting” and “absolutely stunning” while another told Jaguar’s designers to “go back to the drawing board”.The carmaker, which is embarking on the biggest change in its history, announced a new logo and released a so-called “social media tease” last month, ahead of its relaunch as an electric-only brand.Many critics pointed out that the promotional video…

The new Covid corruption commissioner has started an investigation into personal protective equipment (PPE) fraud.Tom Hayhoe’s first task will be reviewing the £8.7bn of PPE bought during the pandemic that then had to be written off the government’s books.Mr Hayhoe is also likely to review the previous government’s abandoning of attempts to reclaim money from deals worth £674m.The National Crime Agency is separately investigating possible criminal offences committed in the PPE procurement system.Chancellor Rachel Reeves has asked him to try to recover the public money lost to fraud and underperforming contracts using his experience in procurement as the former chair…

Getty ImagesTesla chief executive Elon Musk’s record-breaking $56bn (£47bn) pay award will not be reinstated, a judge has ruled.The decision in the Delaware court comes after months of legal wrangling and despite it being approved by shareholders and directors in the summer.Judge Kathaleen McCormick upheld her previous decision from January, in which she argued that board members were too heavily influenced by Mr Musk.Reacting to the ruling, Mr Musk wrote on X: “Shareholders should control company votes, not judges.”Tesla vowed to appeal against the ruling, saying the decision was “wrong”.”This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers…

BBC/Shine TVThe BBC should consider pausing MasterChef while Gregg Wallace is investigated, an MP has suggested.Rupa Huq, who is also a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the continued broadcast of MasterChef could be “triggering” for the women involved.Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today, she said: “I think possibly there is an argument for pausing while this investigation takes its course, and maybe not airing it tonight.”Wallace, 60, has denied behaviour of a sexually harassing nature, after 13 people came forward last week with allegations of inappropriate comments.Currently, the next episode of MasterChef: The Professionals is scheduled…

Adam RichesAdam Riches has spent the past three-and-a-half years making a game with his brother “Everything is on fire at the moment,” says indie developer Adam Riches.It’s not a controversial view, and when Adam says it he’s almost casual.Just a fact of life these days.Widespread lay-offs and studio closures that rocked the industry last year have continued into 2024, and the rush of investment off the back of the Covid pandemic gaming boom has slowed down.There’s also evidence people have been spending less money on new games, choosing to stick with long-running online games like Fortnite or yearly franchises including…

OuraSmart rings have built-in sensors that monitor the wearer’s heart rate and other health issuesWearable tech – currently dominated by smart watches – is a multi-billion dollar industry with a sharp focus on health tracking.Many premium products claim to accurately track exercise routines, body temperature, heart rate, menstrual cycle and sleep patterns, among others.Health Secretary Wes Streeting has talked about a proposal to give wearables to millions of NHS patients in England, enabling them to track symptoms such as reactions to cancer treatments, from home.But many doctors – and tech experts – remain cautious about using health data captured by…

Typhoo Tea has been rescued by vape maker Supreme which will buy the company for £10m.The 120-year-old teamaker fell in to administration in November as its sales slumped and debts rose.The new owner said the deal keeps Typhoo “in British hands” but that manufacturing will be moved abroad.Manchester-based Supreme makes the e-cigarette brand 88Vape and distributes nicotine and home products to supermarkets.“Typhoo is such an iconic brand,” said Supreme chief executive Sandy Chadha. “I grew up with Typhoo. Drinking it and watching the ‘you only get an OO with Typhoo’ ads with Su Pollard from Hi-di-Hi. That was my era.”He…