Author: BBC

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…

Florida rapper Julio Foolio has been killed in a shooting in Tampa, his lawyer says.Police said four people were hit with gunfire in a hotel car park early on Sunday. One person died, whom they believed to be Foolio pending a medical examination.The 26-year-old victim, whose legal name was Charles Jones, was identified in a statement by a law firm that represented him.Foolio had been celebrating his birthday when the incident occurred, said the lawyer, Lewis Fusco.The musician was “reportedly ambushed” in the hotel car park, Mr Fusco said in a statement, quoted by a local affiliate of the BBC’s…

11 minutes agoBy Malu Cursino, BBC News Delphine MAYEUR / AFPPro-independence supporters object to the detention of activists in New CaledoniaProtests in New Caledonia have flared up after seven pro-independence activists were detained and taken to France for their alleged role orchestrating riots against a controversial voting reform bill. A town hall, police station and several other buildings were set alight across New Caledonia, France’s high commission to the South Pacific territory said.Among those flown to mainland France was Christian Tein, who was charged in connection with riots, looting and arson last month in which nine people were killed.The violence broke out…

The UK’s main political parties have “ducked” addressing the challenges facing the public finances in the election campaign and ignored the “painful choices” those imply, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The leading economic research group has accused Labour and the Conservatives of engaging in a “conspiracy of silence” in their manifestos. It warned it would be a “considerable surprise” if taxes did not have to rise in the next parliamentIn an analysis of the main parties’ manifestos, the IFS said debt was at its highest level in 60 years.At the same time, the tax burden is edging…

A mother-of-three has shared how Deborah James helped save her life from bowel cancer.Lyndsey Ainscough, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer after experiencing symptoms for a number of months.She told BBC Breakfast she sought medical attention after seeing bowel cancer campaigner Dame Deborah on TV.Mrs Ainscough was joined on programme by Dame Deborah’s mother, Heather, who said she was very proud of her daughter’s legacy.”Breaking down all that stigma of bowels and poo has really helped, I hope, a lot of people,” she added.

Pirates of the Caribbean actor Tamayo Perry has died after being attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii.The 49-year-old died on Sunday afternoon, Honolulu’s emergency services confirmed in a press conference.Emergency services were called to Malaekahana Beach at around 13:00 local time.But Perry, who was also a lifeguard, was pronounced dead by paramedics after being brought to shore by jet ski.Perry acted in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth film in the franchise.The 2011 film, which follows Johnny Depp as eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, also stars Penelope Cruz and Geoffrey Rush.Perry also had roles in…

The body of a man has been found after three people went missing when floodwaters swept through the south-eastern Swiss town of Misox in the alpine valley of Graubünden – also known as Grisons.A massive thunderstorm on Friday night caused rivers to break their banks, flooding streets and causing several dozen residents to be evacuated.Four were initially reported missing, but a woman was found under rocks and taken to hospital in the city of Lugano. The body of a man was found eight kilometres (5 miles) from where he disappeared, police said on Sunday.Rescuers continue to search for the remaining…