Author: BBC

Mark SavageMusic CorrespondentGetty ImagesAmadou Bagayoko learned guitar by studying British bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink FloydThousands of people gathered in Mali on Sunday for the funeral of musician Amadou Bagayoko, of the world-renowned duo Amadou & Mariam.Friends, relatives, fans and fellow artists flocked to the ceremony in the capital, Bamako – including musician Salif Keita and former prime minister Moussa Mara.One of the most successful African musical acts of the 2000s, husband and wife duo Amadou & Mariam achieved global fame by combining West African influences with rhythm and blues.Their breakthrough album, 2004’s Dimanche à Bamako, sold half a…

Angus Crawford and Tony SmithBBC News InvestigationsRUSSELL FAMILYInstagram’s owner Meta and Pinterest have made significant donations to a charity set up in the name of 14-year-old Molly Russell, the BBC understands.Molly, from Harrow in northwest London, took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to a stream of suicide and self-harm content on the two platforms. A coroner concluded the negative effects of online material contributed to her death.The donations are thought to have gone to the Molly Rose Foundation, which campaigns for internet safety. Meta and Pinterest declined to comment.Molly’s family said they had decided not to take…

Jenny ReesHealth correspondent, BBC Wales NewsGetty ImagesThere could be increased levels of intervention to get patients fit for surgery, such as people being asked to lose weight or exercise more, before they are placed on a waiting listMore details on plans to only add people who are “fit and well” to surgery waiting lists and crack down on missed appointments are expected to be revealed on Monday.Health Secretary Jeremy Miles will give a speech to health leaders on the Welsh government’s bid to cut waiting lists by around one quarter by March 2026.Hospital volunteer John Timmons, 70, said he saw…

The government has announced a relaxation of electric vehicle (EV) sales targets to help the car industry in the face of recent tariffs from the US.A ban on producing new petrol and diesel cars will still come into effect in 2030, but manufacturers will now have more flexibility on annual targets as well lower fines. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told BBC Breakfast its changes were not a “silver bullet” but part of the solution to responding to US tariffs.UK opposition parties said Labour’s measures would not be enough to boost the car industry.President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% levy…

An artist whose official portrait of Donald Trump was publicly lambasted by the president said his comments are “directly and negatively impacting” her business, threatening its future.British-born artist Sarah A Boardman painted Trump’s official portrait for the Denver State Capitol Gallery of Presidents, where it hung for six years.In January Trump described Ms Boardman’s picture as “truly the worst” in a post on Truth Social, adding that is had been distorted and the artist had lost her talent as she aged. It was later removed.In a statement Ms Boardman said her business was now in “danger of not recovering”.”President Trump…

Tom GerkenTechnology reporterNintendoNintendo has been the talk of the gaming world this week after it finally unveiled details of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, the sequel to the third-best selling console ever made.Despite excitement over its upcoming launch in June, fan conversations have been dominated by one topic – the price of its games.The console itself is priced similarly to its rivals – Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X.But the games are a different story: Mario Kart World, which is being launched alongside the Switch 2, comes in at £74.99.”It makes it inaccessible, it’s a lot to drop…

Men are more likely to die prematurely than women – and worse at seeking care when they need it.

London Borough of SuttonParents, like Zana, are taught how to cook low-cost, healthy mealsResidents in south London have been learning how to use a slow cooker to dish up healthy meals on a budget for their families. Sutton Council has been providing free lessons at “Slow Cooker Club” in an effort to tackle food poverty in the area. The local authority said it was also using the club to provide helpful advice to lower income and vulnerable residents.Family Hubs and Children’s Centres lead Claire Borg, who came up with the idea, said: “I had no idea the course would be…

Getty ImagesRichard and Philip Burton, seen here with Richard’s then wife Elizabeth Taylor, remained close throughout their lives Richard Burton was a global icon – famed for his powerful, baritone voice and passionate yet tumultuous relationship with fellow megastar Elizabeth Taylor.But until now, few had ever heard of Philip Burton.Philip was Richard’s school teacher who spotted his potential, became his legal guardian, lent him his name and helped propel him to international stardom.”It was a friendship built for the ages, an unlikely friendship,” said Ed Talfan, a producer on new biopic Mr Burton, which was released in UK cinemas on…

Jessica MurphyBBC News, TorontoGetty ImagesUS President Donald Trump has granted TikTok a second 75-day extension to comply with a law that requires the hugely popular video app to either sell its US operation or face a ban in the country.”We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark’,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal.” The platform is currently owned by Chinese company ByteDance.Trump’s first extension was granted after he took office in January and was set to expire on Saturday.The social media platform, which says it has more than…