Author: BBC

Sir Keir Starmer has said he has “no plans” to join the Bluesky social media platform.There has been a rising wave of popularity for the app – an alternative to Elon Musk’s X – in recent weeks.Bluesky has at times been the most downloaded app on both the US and UK Apple Stores, with many social media users leaving X in the wake of the US election.But the prime minister told reporters that “at the moment” there are no plans to establish official UK government accounts or a personal one in his name.Some politicians have already set up Bluesky accounts…

A senior coroner has warned that more babies could die unless “action is taken”, following the deaths of three infants who had received contaminated feed while being cared for in hospital.Three-month-old Aviva Otte died in January 2014 after being given contaminated feed at St Thomas’ Hospital, south London.In June that year, one-month-old Oscar Barker and nine-day-old Yousef Al-Kharboush died after a similar, but separate contamination incident.Following an inquest, Dr Julian Morris said he was concerned that St Thomas’ Hospital was not legally required to report the first incident and called for a change in the law.All three babies, who had…

Getty ImagesSam Fender’s new album People Watching will be out in February 2025Sam Fender has has opened up about how the death of a “very close” friend and mentor inspired his latest single. The singer said People Watching is about Annie Orwin, who he described as “a surrogate mother in a lot of ways”.He told BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders the song was inspired by walks to and from the care home where Annie died last year.Sam said Annie “always used to complain about me not ever mentioning her” but hopes he has “repaid her” with the single.”I hope she’s…

Getty ImagesThe National Farmers Union has accused the government of “betrayal” over changes to inheritance tax as thousands of farmers prepare to gather in London for a rally.Its president Tom Bradshaw told the BBC the measures announced in the Budget were “completely unjust”.From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which were previously exempt, will be liable to the tax at 20%, half the usual rate.Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “We’ve had to ask those with the broadest shoulders to pay a little bit more”. He added “the vast majority of farmers will pay nothing” even after the…

George MatthewGeorge Matthew moved into cocoa production to keep his farm goingIf it hadn’t been for the squirrels, George Matthew’s attempt to become a cocoa bean producer might have failed.His farming career began in the 1970s when he inherited a rubber plantation in the the southern Indian state of Kerala , which he managed alongside his career as a doctor. It was a bad time to inherit a rubber plantation, falling rubber prices meant it kept losing money. So, 10 years ago Dr Matthew decided to experiment with cocoa trees, hoping they would generate some funds to support the rest…

TV presenter Davina McCall is out of intensive care and has made an “enormous leap forward” in the last 24 hours, following her surgery to remove a rare brain tumour.In an update on her Instagram account her partner Michael Douglas said: “Thanks so much to all the well wishers. She really has made an enormous leap forward in the last 24 hours. She is out of ICU.”The 57-year-old previously posted a video on Instagram, to say she had been diagnosed with a type of benign tumour called a colloid cyst.A benign tumour is not cancerous, but such cysts tend to…

Getty ImagesThe Christmas Day show will be the first time Beyoncé has performed Cowboy Carter live Beyoncé has announced she will perform during the NFL’s half-time show on Christmas Day.The singer will perform as the Houston Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens – one of two fixtures scheduled for that day. The second match will see Kansas City Chiefs play the Pittsburgh Steelers and both matches will be streamed on Netflix. It will be the first time Beyoncé has performed tracks from her latest album, Cowboy Carter, which she first revealed during February’s Super Bowl.She released singles Texas Hold ‘Em…

Getty ImagesDomestic energy prices are expected to edge up again in the New Year, according to consultancy Cornwall Insight.A household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will pay £1,736 a year from January, according to the forecaster, which is widely regarded for its accurate predictions. That would be a £19 a year rise, or a 1% increase, compared with the current typical annual bill of £1,717, with prices forecast to stay high for the rest of winter.Energy regulator Ofgem will announce the next official quarterly price cap on Friday, with some charities concerned about how less well-off households…

Getty ImagesNetflix says 60 million households worldwide tuned in live to see Mike Tyson take on Jake Paul, in the streaming giant’s first foray into live boxing.The event, which was free for subscribers, is being hailed by the tech giant as a “record breaking night”.However, fans hoping to watch have expressed their anger and disappointment after some reported Netflix crashed repeatedly throughout the fight.But there was also criticism from those who were able to tune in, with many saying they found the boxing match lacklustre.In the bout, which took place at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, former world heavyweight champion…

ReutersSouth African police say they will continue to arrest any illegal miners who emerge from a disused gold mine where hundreds, possibly thousands, of people are in hiding.This follows a court order which said the mine-shaft in Stilfontein, around 90 miles (145km) south-west of Johannesburg, should not be blocked.Emergency services have been at the site, for several days. Police have been preventing food and water entering the mine to, as one government minister put it, “smoke them out”.The miners – who have been underground for a month – have so far refused to exit the mine over fears of being…