Author: BBC

More shoppers are buying Blu-Ray and DVDs of movies and TV shows despite the rise in streaming platforms, the boss of HMV has claimed.Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV, said the retailer was in “good health” with all of its main product areas back in growth.His comments come after the revival of the High Street stalwart, which was saved from administration in 2019.Mr Halliday said that “physical visual” sales had increased, adding that “4K and Blu-Ray have been doing particularly well”, but figures suggest sales across the industry are still declining.”When streaming first came out I think a lot of…

A mass IT outage has caused travel chaos all around the world, with many flights grounded, huge queues and delays at airports.Several airports and airlines have reported issues with their IT systems.Berlin airport posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it is experiencing delays to check-ins due to a “technical fault”, and in Spain, an “incident” has been reported at all of the country’s airports.Cyber-security firm Crowdstrike says the problem was caused by a “defect” in one of its software updates. Source link

Meet the Stampfli Express – a 24-seater rowing boat which will be a part of the Paris 2024 Olympic torch relay on Sunday.Just days before the start of the Olympic Games, the impressive shell will take 23 rowers and an Olympic torch bearer down a section of the River Marne, just east of Paris.It will not be a part of the official competition – rowers are only allowed to compete alone or in teams of two, four or eight in the Olympic Games.The boat is especially made by Swiss manufacturers Stampfli Racing Boats for big occasions. Source link

2 days agoBy Sam Cabral and Brandon Drenon, BBC News, WashingtonGetty ImagesJoe Biden does not appear ready to call time on his re-election bidJoe Biden’s campaign has been thrust into a pressure cooker of doubt, as panic and worry about his election chances pour in from the highest levels of the Democratic party. In recent days, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have all reportedly expressed concerns in private to Mr Biden about his candidacy.Even his former running mate, former President Barack Obama, has reportedly said Mr Biden’s chances of winning the…

BBC/PAAmanda Abbington says she found her former Strictly Come Dancing dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s alleged behaviour “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”.The actress, who withdrew from last year’s series in October, told the Sun on Sunday she feared a backlash if she complained and claimed the BBC had known about Pernice’s behaviour for years.Pernice’s spokesperson said he refuted the allegations and denied any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour.The BBC would not comment on the latest claims, but has previously said it has robust duty of care procedures.Strictly has been at the centre of controversy after complaints about former dancers Pernice…

2 days agoBy Anthony Zurcher, @awzurcher, North America correspondentBBCDonald Trump took the stage on Thursday night at the Republican National Convention like a conquering hero. He had cheated death. His Democratic opponents were tearing themselves apart.His loyalists, who now fill the ranks of his party, packed the Milwaukee arena and cheered enthusiastically throughout his hour-and-a-half speech.He pledged to serve all Americans if elected then recounted, in a subdued, but almost messianic tone, his brush with a spray of bullets. Some delegates even wore bandages over their right ears like their injured political idol in tribute to him.”I stand before you in this arena…

7 hours agoBy Bushra Mohamed,  BBC NewsBBCWarning: This story contains graphic descriptions of the practices involved in female genital mutilationShamsa Sharawe has become infamous within the Somali community across the world for speaking out against female genital mutilation (FGM) . In a video to illustrate what happened to her vulva when she was aged six she cut off the petals of a rose with a razor blade and then stitched up what was left of the flower.The TikTok post went viral – with nearly 12 million views since it was shared 16 months ago.No Somali, even in the diaspora, talks openly…

The chancellor has hinted that she may give public sector workers above-inflation pay rises this summer. Rachel Reeves’ comments come after independent pay review bodies recommended an increase of 5.5% for teachers and some NHS workers. In her first interview from No 11 Downing Street, she said: “I really value public service workers, in our schools, in our hospitals, in our police as well…”There is a cost to not settling, a cost of further industrial action, and a cost in terms of the challenge we face recruiting.”But Ms Reeves told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that “we will do it in…

The gunman who tried to assassinate Donald Trump flew a drone above the site of the shooting ahead of time, law enforcement officials have told US media. They say it remains unclear whether Thomas Matthew Crooks did this hours or days before the fateful rally in Pennsylvania on 13 July, reports CBS, the BBC’s US media partner.Trump, now officially the Republican presidential nominee, has said he was saved “by luck or by God” when a bullet pierced his right ear during a campaign speech.A spectator was killed in the attack, while two others were seriously injured.Crooks, 20, was shot dead…

Just nowBy Graeme Baker, BBC News, WashingtonReutersThe flinch was instinctive as the first crack sounded around Butler’s showgrounds. Donald Trump’s hand darted to his ear as more cracks came in. Screams welled up from the crowd as he ducked, and as Secret Service agents buried him in the mass of their bodies.It had just gone 18:12 on Saturday, 13 July, and Thomas Matthew Crooks, having already been flagged by police as suspicious, had managed to climb onto a warehouse roof, line up his AR-15 style rifle, and fire a hail of bullets towards the former president. What happened in just a few…