Author: BBC

Getty ImagesThe most popular mobile games in the UK are being advertised without disclosing they contain loot boxes – random in-game purchases which critics say are “exploitative” and “foster addiction”.The regulator, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), says it bans and removes ads which fail to make the clear whether or not a game contains a loot box.But a BBC investigation found only two of the top 45 highest-grossing games on the Google Play store actually followed those rules.Dr Jane Rigbye, chief executive of Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (Ygam), called the findings “deeply concerning”. “In the absence of robust…

EPAOn Friday, after weeks of fierce and passionate debate, MPs began their formal scrutiny of the bill that would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their own life. It was a day of tears, hope, relief and fear. This is the story of how it unfolded inside and outside of parliament – and how Labour MP Kim Leadbeater secured a historic win for her proposed law. It is nine in the morning. The MPs’ debate hasn’t started yet but campaigners on both sides are already gathering outside the Houses of Parliament.Those…

ReutersIt may be Saturday but you’ll still find plenty of Black Friday sales on as the event carries on into the weekend.It can be easy to get swept up in the shopping frenzy and end up out of pocket – instead of bagging a bargain.The vast majority of Black Friday offers are cheaper or the same price at other times of the year, consumer group Which? has warned.We’ve spoken to some experts who have shared tips on how to shop Black Friday without getting ripped off.Make a list and stick to it”It’s only a deal if it’s something you genuinely…

BBC/ShineGregg Wallace has presented Masterchef since 2005Television host Gregg Wallace has been accused of making “lesbian jokes constantly” by a woman who worked on a travel show with him.The woman, who we are calling Anna, said he was “fascinated” by the fact she dated women and asked her the “logistics” of how it worked. She is one of a number of workers across a range of shows who came to BBC News with claims about the TV presenter.On Thursday, MasterChef’s production company said Wallace is to step away from presenting the show while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated.Wallace’s lawyers…

Jamie MatthewsJamie Matthews tracked down heat loss at his home with a thermal imaging cameraIt’s like X-ray vision – for heat loss. Last year, web engineer Jamie Matthews bought a thermal imaging camera. His home, in the southeast of England, was about to give up some of its secrets.The colourful images on the device’s small screen soon revealed how his loft hatch was letting him down.“That was really obvious on the camera,” he says, explaining that he could see cool areas on the hatch, where heat was apparently escaping.Mr Mathews, who runs a software company that supplies the clean tech…

BBCKim Thomas has worked in the industry since 2012, and says social media influences many tattoo trendsThere are fears tattoo artists will have to increase their prices as Wales becomes the first part of the UK to introduce new rules for artists.The Welsh government rules mean practitioners will have to meet stricter hygiene and safety standards in order to be given a licence, which they’ll have to renew every three years.It follows concerns from medics about the risk of serious infections.”I imagine the prices of tattoos are going to go up to accommodate this,” said Kim Thomas, a tattoo artist…

Tens of thousands more former mineworkers could be set to benefit after the government announced it would review a controversial pension scheme.The chancellor used last month’s Budget to scrap a 30-year old arrangement that saw the government receive hundreds of millions of pounds a year from the Mineworkers Pension Scheme (MPS).The first instalment of the £1.5bn Rachel Reeves pledged to pay back will be made on Friday. The government has now confirmed it will look at a second miners’ pension after former pit managers in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) challenged their exclusion from the new payments.Earlier this…

BBC/Shine TVProduction company Banijay said Wallace is “fully co-operating” with their investigationGregg Wallace is to step away from presenting MasterChef while allegations of historical misconduct by individuals are investigated, the show’s production company has said.It comes after BBC News sent a letter to Wallace’s representatives on Tuesday setting out allegations of inappropriate sexual comments by 13 people who worked with him across a range of shows over a 17 year period.Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011 said he told “sexualised” jokes during filming.Wallace’s lawyers say it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of…

Uber is facing an investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into its flagship subscription plan, the company has said.As first reported by Bloomberg, the US consumer watchdog was probing the ride-hailing giant over the enrolment and cancellation procedures of the service.Uber One, which has more than 25 million subscribers around the world, offers fee-paying members discounts on rides and deliveries.The FTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BBC News.“We will continue to answer any questions the FTC may have about our cancellation policies,” said an Uber spokesperson.“The Uber One cancellation process follows both the…

Getty ImagesResearchers say they have found the first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years. The injection dampens part of the immune system that can go into overdrive in flare-ups of both asthma and a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Benralizumab is already used in the most severe cases, but the latest research suggests it could be used routinely for around two million attacks in the UK each year. The research team at King’s College London said the drug was a “game-changer” that could “revolutionise” care. The findings stem from the realisation that not all asthma or…