Author: BBC

A New York grand jury has indicted a former US Central Intelligence Agency analyst on charges of acting as a spy for the South Korean government in exchange for cash, luxury goods, bags and fancy meals. Sue Mi Terry, who previously worked as a senior official for the White House National Security Council, faces two counts of failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Federal officials say Ms Terry – a prominent US expert on North Korea – acted as an agent for the South Korean government for over a decade,…

MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences/Duke UniversityTwo mice, both the same age, the one on the left has aged normally, but the one on the right has been given an anti-ageing drug. A drug has increased the lifespans of laboratory animals by nearly 25%, in a discovery scientists hope can slow human ageing too.The treated mice were known as “supermodel grannies” in the lab because of their youthful appearance.They were healthier, stronger and developed fewer cancers than their unmedicated peers.The drug is already being tested in people, but whether it would have the same anti-ageing effect is unknown.The quest for a…

4 hours agoBy Tom Oakley, BBC News, NottinghamStewart Halforty/NASUWTFour members of the Kanneh-Mason family joined striking teachers on WednesdayA mother from a world-famous family of classical musicians has joined striking teachers at the school where her children were educated.All seven of Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason’s children attended The Trinity Catholic School in Aspley, Nottingham, where action is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in a dispute over staffing levels.She said the number of music teaching hours pupils received would be reduced under new proposals being put forward.The trust that runs the school said it would continue to “prioritise the arts” in its curriculum. Jack…

Yemeni Houthi rebels have released a video of an attack they claim to have carried out on an oil tanker in the Red Sea. The footage shows a small vessel approach, then collide with the left side of the ship, resulting in a large explosion. BBC Verify has confirmed that the tanker seen in the video is the CHIOS Lion by comparing the video to known images of the vessel. Ship-tracking data shows that the CHIOS Lion set off from the Russian port of Tuapse on 2 July and entered the Red Sea on 11 July. There is no tracking…

44 minutes agoBy Ian Youngs, Culture reporter, BBC NewsGetty ImagesBrückner based Loneliness on a song he found in a charity shopGerman DJ and producer Thomas Brückner, better known as Tomcraft, who was behind the massive 2003 club hit Loneliness, has died at the age of 49.Tributes have been paid in the dance-music world, with Judge Jules – who championed Loneliness on its release – writing he was a “lovely guy, who made one of the greatest records ever”.A message from Brückner’s family posted on social media, on Tuesday, said: “With a heavy heart, we need to inform you that yesterday, 15 July…

1 hour agoBy David Gritten, BBC NewsReutersHuman Rights Watch says Hamas and other armed groups committed a widespread and systematic attack directed against civilians on 7 OctoberHamas and at least four other Palestinian armed groups committed numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity against civilians during the 7 October attack on southern Israel, the campaign group Human Rights Watch says.A new report accuses the hundreds of gunmen who breached the Gaza border fence of violations including deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, wilful killing of persons in custody, sexual and gender-based violence, hostage-taking, mutilation of bodies and looting.It also found the killing…

The King’s Speech seeks to fix some of the plumbing, wiring and foundations of the economy to “get Britain building”.It will take well into next year before we see any impact on economic growth from these plans.In fact, the primary piece of legislation announced by His Majesty is to promote “economic stability”. This is noteworthy. Stability is not something that normally needs legislating for, but something which would be taken for granted in the UK.The plans outlined include a lot of fiddly changes to how the government makes big decisions on planning, infrastructure, housing and transport. The bottom line is…

2 hours agoBy Ian Youngs, Culture reporter, BBC NewsGetty ImagesAndress said her performance “was not me”Country singer Ingrid Andress has apologised and admitted being drunk while performing a much-derided rendition of the US national anthem, at a baseball stadium.Andress’s erratic performance of The Star-Spangled Banner was widely shared after Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby, in Texas, on Monday.”I was drunk last night,” wrote Andress, who has previously received four Grammy Award nominations.”I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I…

14 minutes agoBy Chris Ewokor & Ifiokabasi Ettang, BBC News, JosCourtesy of Chidera Onovo’s familyJotted down on paper, this playful story about a lazy lion is now a memento of a young life lost.Chidera Onovo, 15, was a caring boy who loved to draw and was his mother’s unabashed favourite.”He saved up his lunch money to buy biscuits to share with his siblings,” Blessing Onovo recalls. “And he was always the one who noticed my moods and would ask: ‘Mummy are you fine?’.”Last Friday morning Chidera went to secondary school with his younger sister Chisom but only one of them would return.Official…

UK-based banking giant HSBC has announced that 50-year-old Georges Elhedery will be its next chief executive.It comes after current CEO Noel Quinn unexpectedly announced in April that he was retiring from the bank.Mr Elhedery joined HSBC in 2005 and is currently the firm’s finance chief. He is expected to take up his new role from 2 September.”[Mr Elhedery] is an exceptional leader and banker who cares passionately about the Bank, our customers, and our people,” HSBC’s chairman Sir Mark Tucker said in a statement.“I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me to lead this great institution into the…