Author: BBC

Bernd Debusmann JrBBC News, White HouseA chainsaw, two hats and Lil X: Musk’s eventful time at DogeElon Musk’s time in the Trump administration is coming to an end after a tempestuous 129 days in which the world’s richest man took an axe to government spending – stirring ample controversy along the way. Earlier this week, the South African-born billionaire, on his social media platform, X, thanked President Trump for his time at the Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge. Trump announced he will host a news conference in the Oval Office on Friday with Musk, writing: “This will be his…

BBCThousands of people have gathered in Denbighshire for the funeral of The Alarm singer Mike PetersThousands of fans have gathered for the funeral of The Alarm’s Mike Peters.The musician and charity fundraiser died last month aged 66 after living with cancer for 30 years, following his diagnosis of lymphoma in 1995 and later having chronic lymphocytic leukaemia twice.The service featured performances from musicians including Billy Duffy of The Cult, and was held in Peters’ home village of Dyserth near Prestatyn, Denbighshire.His widow Jules said the funeral had been planned to be “rock and roll, like a festival” – and the…

Mark NormanBBC South East Health CorrespondentNHS SussexCatherine, 57, said a blood test last October “revealed she was at high risk”A woman from Brighton has said taking part in an NHS programme has helped her avoid developing type 2 diabetes.Catherine, 57, said a blood test last October “revealed she was at high risk”, prompting her to take action for the sake of her health – and her four-year-old grandson.She was referred to the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which is being promoted across Sussex.Dr Binodh Chathanath Bhaskaran, clinical lead for diabetes at NHS Sussex, said: “With the right support at…

Imran Rahman-JonesBusiness reporterGetty ImagesThe number of vehicles manufactured in the UK fell sharply last month, as US tariffs and the timing of Easter hit production.The 59,203 vehicles made was the lowest April output for more than 70 years, with the exception of 2020, when production effectively stopped during the Covid lockdown.The Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said a wider change in the industry as it shifts from petrol cars to electric vehicles (EVs) had also temporarily reduced output.However, new trade deals with the US, EU and India may help boost upcoming production, the industry group said.The April figure…

Christal Hayes and Brandon DrenonBBC NewsWatch: Elon Musk says he is “disappointed” with Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”, in interview with CBS Sunday MorningElon Musk has said he is leaving the Trump administration after helping lead a tumultuous drive to shrink the size of US government that saw thousands of federal jobs axed.In a post on his social media platform X, the world’s richest man thanked Trump for the opportunity to help run the Department of Government Efficiency, known as Doge. The White House began “offboarding” Musk as a special government employee on Wednesday night, the BBC understands.His role was temporary…

Kings of Leon have cancelled their upcoming UK and European shows after lead singer Caleb Followill broke a bone in his heel in a “freak” accident.The American rockers had been due to play a series of dates including at Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields and a headline slot at the Lytham Festival in Lancashire this summer.But Followill confirmed he had undergone emergency surgery after “shattering” his heel while playing with his children and is now unable to travel or perform for at least eight weeks.”The band regrets to report that they will need to cancel all upcoming UK and European festival headline…

Nitrous oxide – known colloquially as “laughing gas” – has many uses, from a painkiller during dental procedures to a whipping agent for canned whipped cream.While its euphoric side effects have long been known, the rise of vaping has helped create a perfect delivery vehicle for the gas – and a perfect recipe for an addiction, experts warn.Meg Caldwell’s death wasn’t inevitable.The horse rider from Florida had started using nitrous oxide recreationally in university eight years ago. But like many young people, she started to use more heavily during the pandemic.The youngest of four sisters, she was was “the light…

Thames Water has been fined £122.7m for breaching of rules over sewage spills and shareholder payouts.The penalty is the biggest ever issued by the water industry regulator Ofwat, which said the company had “let down its customers and failed to protect the environment”.The watchdog confirmed the fines would be paid by the company and its investors, and not by customers who were hit with water bill increases last month.Thames Water said the company took its “responsibility towards the environment very seriously”, and added it was continuing its search for new investment as it struggles under a £20bn debt pile.The penalties…

PDD Holdings, the Chinese owner of online shopping platform Temu, has reported a near 50% drop in profit as US President Donald Trump’s trade policies added to its struggles in its home country.US-listed shares of the e-commerce giant fell by more than 13% on Tuesday, after the firm said its profits for the first three months of the year fell to 14.74bn yuan ($2.05bn , £1.5bn).Earlier this month, the Trump administration ended the so-called “de minimis” exemption that allowed parcels worth less than $800 (£593) enter the US without being hit with import duties.In China, PDD has been locked in…

Andrew DawkinsBBC News, West MidlandsMarc BrennerBeverley Knight (left) and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu are starring in Marie & Rosetta at Wolverhampton Grand TheatreBeverley Knight has said she is planning to record more music after performing in her hometown theatre.For the first time in 40 years, the artist is treading the boards in Wolverhampton this week for a production of Marie & Rosetta.The work features music celebrating the legacy of gospel and blues singer Rosetta Tharpe in the development of rock ‘n’ roll.Knight said “expect to hear some really bluesy vocals going down, some really earthy sounding stuff” in the music she would…