Author: BBC

NHS England has confirmed its patient data managed by blood test management organisation Synnovis was stolen in a ransomware attack on 3 June.Qilin, a Russian cyber-criminal group, shared almost 400GB of private information on their darknet site on Thursday night, something they threatened to do in order to extort money from Synnovis. In a statement, NHS England said there is “no evidence” that test results have been published, but that “investigations are ongoing”. More than 3,000 hospital and GP appointments were disrupted by the attack.”Patients should continue to attend their appointments unless they have been told otherwise and should access…

4 hours agoBy Mark Savage, Music CorrespondentGetty ImagesAyra Starr’s videos have smashed YouTube records in her home country, NigeriaFor most musicians, releasing their debut album is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. It’s a moment fraught with excitement, nerves, giddiness and pride. Afrobeats star Ayra Starr had all of those emotions, too. But her response to the momentous occasion was slightly different to most. She fell asleep.”When I woke up the next day, I had so many missed calls saying, ‘Oh, Ayra, I loved your album’,” she laughs.The Nigerian musician was still a teenager at the time, but that record, 19 And…

2 hours agoBy Tom McArthur, BBC NewsYonhapParasites from human waste and defaced Hello Kitty clothing have been found in bags of rubbish carried by North Korean balloons into South Korea, officials say.More than 1,500 waste-carrying balloons have been released by Pyongyang across the border since May, in retaliation for a leaflet campaign sent northwards by opponents of North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un.Analysis of some of the balloon packages detected “roundworms, whipworms and threadworms” in the soil. The chance of infection from the parasites in the packages is low, South Korea’s ministry of unification assured people.Other items carried by the balloons included…

15 hours agoBy Maria Sobolewska, Professor of Political Science, University of ManchesterGetty ImagesMargaret Thatcher had Essex Man and New Labour boasted Mondeo Man. David Cameron secured the Mumsnet Mums and for Boris Johnson it was Workington Man. They all symbolise voters who switched their votes in the election, effectively deciding who will lose and win.So what of 2024? When working out the key electoral blocs, it is possible that Renter Ruth could be key if Labour are to win, as the polls currently suggest. In the last decade the numbers of renters has increased while the Conservative party has seen its share…

15 hours agoBy Fergus Walsh, Medical editorBBCOran (R) with his mum, brother and sisterA boy with severe epilepsy has become the first patient in the world to trial a new device fitted in their skull to control seizures.The neurostimulator, which sends electrical signals deep into his brain, has reduced Oran Knowlson’s daytime seizures by 80%.His mother, Justine, told the BBC he was happier and had a “much better quality of life”.The surgery was carried out in October as part of a trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London when Oran – who is now 13 – was 12.Oran, from Somerset, has…

4 hours agoBy Riyah Collins, BBC NewsbeatGetty ImagesCharli XCX says she “won’t tolerate” the chants at her showsCharli XCX has urged fans to stop chanting “Taylor Swift is dead” at her gigs.There were reports of crowds at her Sunday show in São Paulo, Brazil, joining in with the attacks on the megastar.Posting on Instagram, the Brat singer said she “will not tolerate” it any more. “Can the people who do this please stop,” Charli wrote on Instagram. “Online or at my shows.”It is the opposite of what I want and it disturbs me that anyone would think there is room for this…

Israel’s prime minister has said the “intense phase” of fighting Hamas in Gaza is nearly over, allowing forces to move to the northern border with Lebanon to confront its ally Hezbollah.In his first Israeli media interview since the start of the war in October, Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected the ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah to be completed soon.But he stressed that “doesn’t mean the war is about to end”, with action continuing until Hamas was completely driven from power.Addressing the escalating hostilities with Hezbollah, which have raised fears of a wider regional war, he said:…

31 minutes agoBy Jonny Humphries and Marc Waddington, BBC NewsSome passengers whose travel plans were thrown into chaos by a power cut at Manchester Airport face further delays as airlines rearrange grounded flights while others have been left without luggage and their final destinations.Airport bosses said all its system were “running as normal” again, but urged passengers to check the status of their flights before travelling.It said airlines would be in touch with travellers whose flights had been cancelled on Sunday.The airport said it was “likely to be slightly busier than usual” throughout Monday due to passengers hit by cancellations. Large queues…

9 minutes agoBy Imran Rahman-Jones, Technology reporterGetty ImagesEuropean Union regulators have accused Apple of being in breach of new laws designed to rein in big tech companies.The European Commission, which regulates competition in the EU, said Apple’s App Store squeezes out rival marketplaces, marking the first time it has found a company in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).The firm faces a potential fine of up to 10% of its global revenue if it fails to comply with the rules.Apple said it is “confident our plan complies with the law”.The tech giant has been given the opportunity to review the investigation’s…

1 hour agoBy Sarah Turnnidge & PA Media, BBC News, West of EnglandPAThe gates to the festival are just days from opening With just days to go until gates open, thousands of people across the country are preparing to head to one of the biggest festivals in the world. But among the sparkly outfits and sleeping bags, there are a few essentials Glastonbury Festival-goers should bear in mind to stay well during their stay on the farm. While tens of thousands of people descend on Worthy Farm each year without incident, the experience is not without its hazards. So here is a…