Author: BBC

More than 50 people have been killed in a crush at a religious gathering in northern India, officials have said.The incident took place at a satsang (a Hindu religious event) in Hathras district in Uttar Pradesh state.”A figure of nearly 50-60 deaths has been reported to me by doctors,” district magistrate of Hathras Ashish Kumar said.The victims, including a large number of women and some children, are still being identified.Survivors have described how the disaster unfolded as they tried to leave the event in Mughalgarhi village.”When the sermon finished, everyone started running out,” a woman named only as Shakuntala told…

5 hours agoBy Harrison Jones, BBC News BBCThe highest debt known to the Student Loan Company now stands at more than £250,000Almost 1.8 million people are now in at least £50,000 of UK student debt, data obtained by BBC News reveals.More than 61,000 have balances of above £100,000, figures from the Student Loans Company (SLC) also show, while another 50 people each owe upwards of £200,000.The statistics were released after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for the number of loan holders with above average debts who are eligible to start repayments.The SLC previously said the average balance for loan holders in…

29 minutes agoBy Steven McIntosh, Entertainment reporterFrank Cottrell-Boyce: Being Children’s Laureate is like ‘being the next Doctor Who’Novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce has been announced as the new children’s laureate.He will take on the role, which involves championing reading and children’s books, from this year until 2026. Cottrell-Boyce said he was “so proud” to be the new children’s laureate, adding: “Writing and reading has transformed my life.”He takes over from Joseph Coelho, known for his Luna Loves picture books and Fairy Tales Gone Bad, who has held the position for the last two years.Other previous incumbents of the role include Julia Donaldson,…

12 minutes agoBy Basillioh Rukanga, BBC News, NairobiReutersClouds of tear gas can be see in downtown Nairobi Kenyan police have fired tear gas in the capital, Nairobi, to disperse anti-government protests. In the city centre many businesses have remained closed. Demonstrators have also taken to the streets of other cities including Mombasa and Kisumu.Human rights groups say since the protests against a controversial finance bill began two weeks ago 39 people have been killed by security forces.President William Ruto has since dropped the proposed tax increases – but the demonstrations have morphed into calls for him to resign and anger over police…

1 hour agoBy Nikki Fox & Laura Devlin, BBC News, BedfordshireFamily handout Amelia Butlin took her own life in her first year at universityThe family and friends of a student who took her own life have called on the next government to prioritise mental health support for young people in schools, colleges and universities.Amelia Butlin, 19, from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was a bubbly, outgoing and popular teenager who was in her first year at university, with lots of friends and a family who loved her.She had ADHD and struggled with anxiety and depression, and after the pandemic had found it difficult to…

The mother of rescued Israeli hostage Noa Argamani has died, three weeks after her daughter was freed in a dramatic raid after being held for eight months by Hamas in Gaza.Liora Argamani, who was born in China, had suffered from brain cancer. She was 61.Liora released a video in December, pleading with Hamas to release her daughter, saying: “I don’t know how long I have left. I wish for the chance to see my Noa at home.”Noa was rescued on 8 June, when Israeli commandos raided an apartment where she was being held in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.…

Sainsbury’s has reported a slowdown in sales after the soggy spring weather hit trading at its Argos business.The UK’s second largest supermarket said it had seen strong food sales, but the wet weather hit demand for garden equipment and outdoor furniture at Argos.Sales overall were up 3% in the 16 weeks to 22 June, Sainsbury’s said, but this was slower than in the previous quarter.One analyst suggested the Argos business was an “albatross” around the supermarket’s neck.Sainsbury’s saw food sales rise 4.8%, with Nectar offers and Aldi price matching helping to attract shoppers. It also said its ‘Taste the Difference’…

11 minutes agoBy Michelle Roberts, Digital health editorEddie’s familyEddie was treated for his cancer at Great Ormond Street Hospital in LondonChildren with cancer are getting better treatment thanks to a genetic test the NHS has been offering, say experts. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) checks the entire DNA code of the tumour to identify each cancer-causing mutation. That information helps doctors quickly decide what medicines will work best. It can also give clues about why the cancer occurred and whether family members might be at risk too. Eddie’s storyEddie’s familyEddie is now clear of cancerEddie, from London, was six when he became unwell…

A play which has not been performed for more than 350 years after it was considered “too controversial” will be brought back to life in Kent.The Canterbury Players are performing The Amorous Prince or The Curious Husband, by Aphra Behn, from 2-4 July at Canterbury Christ Church University.The play has not been shown since 1671, when many people felt the topics it poked fun at should not be joked about on stage.“It’s an exciting challenge because there’s nothing really to go from,” said director Natalie Cox. “We can imprint our own interpretation on this” she said.Behn, who was born in…

The death of a Chinese teenage badminton player who collapsed on court has sparked an outcry across Chinese social media. Zhang Zhijie, 17, was competing in a youth match when he suddenly fell to the floor in convulsions. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.Footage of the incident, shared widely online, showed a pause of about 40 seconds before medics rushed to attend to Zhang. Officials have come under intense criticism and questions on whether his life could have been saved by quicker medical intervention.Indonesia’s badminton association PBSI later said he had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.The Badminton Asia…