Author: BBC

Eleanor LawsonBBC News, West MidlandsBBCThe Jewellery Quarter has been a manufacturing centre for more than 200 yearsBirmingham’s global influence in jewellery making has been recognised by being granted World Craft City Status.World Crafts Council President, Saad Al-Qaddumi, said the title celebrated the city’s “rich heritage, skilled artisans, creative designers, proud makers, and innovative contributions to the jewellery industry.”Only eight other cities in Europe have been awarded the title. This includes Stoke-on-Trent which was awarded the status last year for its pottery craft.The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) said the award “signifies a landmark moment for Birmingham and the wider West…

Marie-Louise Connolly, Denise O’Connor and David HunterBBC SpotlightBBCShelley Browne was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis after Ruby’s birthA new mother who was detained in a psychiatric hospital for five weeks says she “felt like a prisoner” because she was separated from her baby.Shelley Browne, who had postpartum psychosis, was admitted under a mental health order after giving birth three years ago.In Great Britain, mothers are cared for in specialist mother and baby units, but women in Northern Ireland are admitted to general psychiatric wards, separated from their babies.The business case for a mother and baby unit is months overdue, but the…

Global economic growth is set to be slower this year largely because of Donald Trump’s US tariffs, according to a leading international policy group.Worldwide growth is now expected to slow to a “modest” 2.9%, down from a previous forecast of 3.1%, said the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).It blamed a “significant” rise in trade barriers for the downgrade and warned that “weakened economic prospects will be felt around the world, with almost no exception”.Since the US president returned to the White House, a long list of countries have been targeted by tariffs, but Trump’s unpredictable approach to implementing…

Elon Musk-owned electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla is “not interested in manufacturing in India”, the country’s heavy industries minister has said.The remarks were made on Monday as the Indian government issued detailed guidelines for a scheme to promote EV manufacturing in the country. This is the first time that India has publicly admitted that it has not been able to lure investment dollars from Musk, even after unveiling incentives for global EV giants last March. Minister HD Kumaraswamy confirmed that Tesla would open two showrooms in India and have a retail presence. “Mercedes Benz, Skoda-Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia have shown…

Jessica LawrenceBBC News NIGetty ImagesJonathan Anderson and actress Cate Blanchett attended a Vogue runway show in London in November”I have always been inspired by the rich history of this House, its depth, and empathy,” he said in an Instagram post on Monday.”I look forward to working alongside its legendary Ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story.”Getty ImagesJonathan Anderson and singer/songwriter Charli XCX backstage after the designer’s fashion show during London Fashion Week in 2020Anderson is to take on the womenswear collection after its artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, announced her departure after almost a decade in the…

Getty ImagesPharmacists have warned that “one of the worst” examples of medicine shortages is affecting cancer patients.Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), helps digestion and is required by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis. It is thought more than 61,000 patients in the UK need the medicine.Some patients are said to be “skipping meals” to ration their medication due to a shortage of it, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said there were “European-wide supply issues” and it was “working closely with industry and the NHS” to mitigate…

Plans to fast-track the remodelling of the UK’s flight paths could lead to quicker flights and fewer delays for passengers, the government says.Ministers are set to announce the creation of the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) later which will re-design the routes planes must take over UK airspace – many of which were decided around 70 years ago.The initial shake-up will focus on modernising the complex airspace in and around London.Cagne, a community aviation and environment group for Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, has warned the plans could mean there would be new flight paths over houses that are not currently…

PA MediaThe government’s plans to allow AI developers to access copyrighted material to train their systems has sparked backlash – and protests – by British creatives.The fierce battle over artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright – which pits the government against some of the biggest names in the creative industry – returns to the House of Lords on Monday with little sign of a solution in sight.A huge row has kicked off between ministers and peers who back the artists, and shows no sign of abating. It might be about AI but at its heart are very human issues: jobs and…

Shefalee VasudevFashion writerGetty ImagesDiljit Dosanjh made his Met Gala debut dressed like an early 20th Century maharajah Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh’s Met Gala debut last month left a lasting impression on global fashion.The 41-year-old singer, who is the only Punjabi musician to perform at Coachella, walked the red carpet dressed like an early 20th Century maharajah.His opulent ivory and gold ensemble – created by designer Prabal Gurung – complete with a feathered bejewelled turban, trended in India for weeks.He also wore a gorgeous diamond necklace, its design inspired by a Cartier piece worn by an erstwhile king of the northern…

Annabel Rackham and Steven McIntoshCulture reportersBBCRanganathan said he used running, reading and breathing exercises to help centre himself when feeling downRomesh Ranganathan has said he is in “one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life”, after years of struggling with his mental health.Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the comedian described how he had used running, reading and breathing exercises to help centre himself, after previously having suicidal thoughts.”Recognising it is half the battle,” he told host Lauren Laverne. “So sometimes I just go through a dark period and I know that I’ve got to…