Author: BBC

Philippa Roxby,Health reporter and Alison Holt,Social affairs editorGetty ImagesDetails of a new UK clinical trial to assess the risks and benefits of puberty-blocking drugs in children who question their gender have been announced.It follows the banning of the drugs for gender treatment last year after a major review raised concerns about the lack of clinical evidence over their safety for under-18s.Researchers from King’s College London say the trial will involve around 220 children under the age of 16 who are going through puberty, and will examine the impact of the drugs on their physical, social and emotional wellbeing.Some clinicians and…

A recycle and reuse event that aims to reduce costs to families and save items from being thrown away, has expanded to another town.The Forest Exchange project in Coleford, Gloucestershire, allows people to donate items they no longer need so others can make use of them.The items on offer at the “face-to-face freecycle” event include things such as books, clothes and household items.Volunteer Louise Penny said the project, which started as a community scheme in nearby Lydney, has been going from “strength to strength” over the last three years.”We wanted to widen it further into the Forest [of Dean] which…

Nick MarshBusiness reporter, SingaporeWatch: ‘It is a different set of people we are hiring now’The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) may eventually lead to fewer entry-level graduates being hired, the boss of accountancy giant PwC has told the BBC.However, global chairman Mohamed Kande said AI was not behind recent job cuts at the firm, adding that the company actually needed to hire hundreds of new AI engineers but was struggling to find them.But some observers say the technology itself threatens thousands of junior jobs across the professional services industry.Speaking on the sidelines of a business summit in Singapore, Mr Kande…

Fergus WalshMedical EditorGettyA major prostate cancer screening trial aimed at finding the best way to detect the disease has been launched in the UK. The first letters have been sent out from GPs inviting men to join the study, the biggest of its kind in decades.The £42 million Transform trial is funded by Prostate Cancer UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.Hashim Ahmed, trial chief investigator, said: “Transform is truly game-changing… the start of recruitment today marks a pivotal step towards getting the results men urgently need to make prostate cancer diagnosis safe and more effective so…

Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentGetty ImagesMillions of households will see a slight rise in energy prices at the height of winter, after regulator Ofgem outlined its next price cap.The 0.2% increase from the current cap will take effect at the start of January, and affect those on variable tariffs in England, Wales and Scotland.The rise was a surprise after forecasters suggested the cap may fall at the start of the year. Government policy is primarily behind the shift.Gas and electricity bills remain relatively high, and the sudden drop in temperature has brought the costs to the forefront of people’s minds.”While…

America’s Major League Baseball (MLB) has signed a slew of deals with broadcast and streaming giants to show select games for the next three seasons.Netflix, the world’s largest streaming service, will air special baseball events that draw millions of viewers each year. These include the league’s opening night exclusive and its Home Run Derby, where players compete to hit the most home runs.Media companies ESPN and NBCUniversal also have acquired rights to other MLB-related programmes.The three-year agreements will help the league expand its reach, said Baseball Commissioner Robert D Manfred Jr.Starting with the 2026 season, the new deal will grant…

BBCIt was the most momentous event in UK history since World War Two. As a new virus took hold, millions of us were told to stay at home and billions of pounds were spent propping up the country’s economy.The Covid inquiry will publish its second set of findings on Thursday, looking in detail at the huge political choices made at the time – including how lockdowns were introduced, the closure of businesses and schools, and bringing in previously unthinkable social restrictions. “Did the government serve the people well, or did it fail them?” asked the lead counsel at the start…

Danielle KayeBusiness reporterReutersChief executive Jensen Huang said sales for some of Nvidia’s AI components were “off the charts”Chip giant Nvidia has reported stronger-than-expected revenues, easing investor concerns about heavy artificial intelligence (AI) spending that have unsettled markets.The company said revenue for the three months to October jumped 62% to $57bn, driven by demand for its chips used in AI data centres. Sales from that division rose 66% to more than $51bn.Fourth-quarter sales forecasts in the range of $65bn also topped estimates, sending shares in Nvidia about 4% higher in after-hours trading.”There’s been a lot of talk about an AI bubble.…

Shiona McCallumSenior Tech Reporter Getty ImagesChildren will no longer be able to chat to adult strangers on Roblox – one of the world’s most popular gaming platforms – as part of an expansion of its safety measures.Mandatory age checks will be introduced for accounts using chat features, starting in December for Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands, then the rest of the globe from January.Roblox has faced criticism for allowing youngsters to access inappropriate content and communicate with adults, and is being sued over child safety concerns in several US states.The launch also comes just ahead of Australia’s social media…

Marie-Louise ConnollyHealth correspondent, BBC News NIDr Jilly O’Hagan says patients are facing traumatic waits for diagnosis and treatmentA County Antrim GP has said she is “hugely concerned” for women who need breast cancer treatment in Northern Ireland after three patients in her surgery received late cancer diagnoses.The patients are among 32 women in the Notting Hill Medical Practice, based in the Northern Trust, who were red-flagged within a five-month period this year.The three women, who have asked for their identities to be protected, had to wait more than eight weeks to be seen by a consultant, while nine others are…