Author: BBC

Global oil prices have jumped after Israel said it had struck Iran, in a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East.The price of the benchmark Brent Crude was up by more than 10% shortly after the news emerged, reaching its highest level since January. Traders are concerned that a conflict between Iran and Israel could disrupt supplies coming from the energy-rich region.The cost of crude oil affects everything from how much it costs to fill up your car to the price of food at the supermarket.As trading began in Europe, prices had eased a little, around 5% higher than…

Priti GuptaTechnology ReporterGetty ImagesJammu and Kashmir is India’s biggest apple producing region”My neighbours thought I’d lost my mind,” says farmer Kakasaheb Sawant.In 2022 he had decided to plant some apple trees, not crazy for a farmer unless, like Mr Sawant, you live in subtropical southern India, where temperatures can hit 43C.He bought 100 saplings, of which 80 survived. Last year each tree produced between 30 and 40 kilogrammes of fruit.”My farm has become something of a local miracle. People travel from far-off places just to see the apple trees growing under the hot Maharashtra sun.”It’s not been an unqualified success…

BBCA “Trojan horse” therapy that sneaks toxic drugs inside cancer cells is being made available on the NHS in England in a world first.It can halt the blood cancer myeloma for nearly three times longer than current therapies.The drug is an advanced form of chemotherapy that hits cancer with a bigger dose, while reducing side-effects.Paul Silvester, one of the first people to get it, says the therapy has been “life-changing” and he’s now planning history-themed adventures.Myeloma – also known as multiple myeloma – affects part of the immune system called plasma cells. These are made in the spongey bone marrow…

Dua Lipa has confirmed that she’s engaged to actor Callum Turner, saying it’s “a really special feeling”.The singer, 29, has been with 35-year-old Londoner Turner for almost a year and a half.He’s best known for roles in Fantastic Beasts and Masters of the Air, and was Bafta nominated in 2020 for BBC One’s The Capture.”Yeah, we’re engaged,” she told British Vogue. “It’s very exciting. This decision to grow old together, to see a life and just, I don’t know, be best friends forever – it’s a really special feeling.”The couple sparked engagement rumours last Christmas when she posted pictures of…

Faarea MasudBBC Business reporterGetty ImagesStruggling budget chain Poundland has been sold for £1 and now faces a shake-up which could see up to 100 stores close, the BBC understands.Its owner Polish firm Pepco confirmed it had sold the brand for a “nominal” sum to US investment firm Gordon Brothers.Poundland has 825 UK stores and around 16,000 staff and was struggling to compete with other discount stores, with sales down this January and February.Following the sale a proposed restructure will be put to the High Court in England, Pepco said.It comes after Pepco warned that increased employer National Insurance contributions which…

Disney and Universal are suing artificial intelligence (AI) firm Midjourney over its image generator, which the Hollywood giants allege is a “bottomless pit of plagiarism”.The two studios claim Midjourney’s tool makes “innumerable” copies of characters including Darth Vader from Star Wars, Frozen’s Elsa, and the Minions from Despicable Me.It is part of the entertainment industry’s ongoing love-hate relationship with AI. Many studios want to make use of the technology but are concerned that their creations could be stolen.Midjourney’s image generator makes images from typed requests or prompts.In the lawsuit filed in federal district court in Los Angeles, the studios gave…

Philippa RoxbyHealth reporterMills/Laity family photograph/PA WireMartha Mills died from sepsis in a London hospital in 2021The failings of a doctor responsible for Martha Mills’ care, who died from sepsis, amounted to “gross negligence” and were “particularly grave”, a medical tribunal says.Her death gave rise to Martha’s Rule in hundreds of hospitals in England, making it easier for parents to ask doctors for an urgent second opinion.The tribunal found consultant Prof Richard Thompson failed to appreciate how seriously ill 13-year-old Martha had become in the summer of 2021, following a bike accident.On the crucial afternoon, he did not examine her in…

Evie LakeBBC News, North East and CumbriaBBC/Studio LambertThe final episode of the series airs on Wednesday 11 JuneTwo brothers who competed in the TV series Race Across the World said the experience and associated public recognition still does not feel real.Melvyn and Brian Mole, who are both in their 60s, formed one of five teams who raced more than 14,000km (8,700 miles) across China, Nepal and India to try to win £20,000.Ahead of Wednesday’s final episode, Melvyn, a driving instructor who lives in Middlesbrough, said appearing on the show was “a surreal journey” which did not end with filming.But the…

Lomond BanksFlamingo Land have been seeking to build a holiday resort since 2018The Scottish government has stalled plans for a controversial holiday park at Loch Lomond.Ministers had previously been set to give permission for the development, overturning the national park authority which said it did not comply with environmental and nature conservation policies.Theme park operator Flamingo Land believed it would be given the go-ahead to build a £40m resort called Lomond Banks, featuring a waterpark, monorail, hotel and restaurants.The Scottish government’s Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee, has now said he will recall the plans because “the development raises issues…

Imran Rahman-JonesTechnology reporterGetty ImagesThe online message board 4chan is being investigated by the UK communications regulator over failure to comply with recently introduced online safety rules.Ofcom says it has received complaints over potential illegal content on the website, which has not responded to its requests for information.Under the Online Safety Act, online services must assess the risk of UK users encountering illegal content and activity on their platforms, and take steps to protect them from it.Ofcom is also investigating porn provider First Time Videos over its age verification checks, and seven file sharing services over potential child sexual abuse material.4chan…