Author: BBC

Actor Ryan Moloney, who has played Toadie Rebecchi on Neighbours for nearly three decades, has announced he is stepping down from playing the much-loved character. The 44-year-old joined the Australian series in 1995 as troublesome teen Jarrod – or Toadfish to his friends. He has been a stalwart of Ramsay Street ever since, but now plans to leave Toadie behind to take on a new role on the series as a director. As he is remaining with the show’s production team, Moloney hinted it was possible the character could return in the future.In a statement, Moloney said: “After 30 years…

Paris Hilton has called for change to youth treatment facilities and described her own traumatic experience of alleged abuse before a US congressional committee. The American socialite and businesswoman said she was “force-fed medications and sexually abused by staff” after being sent to a private youth facility in Utah as at a teenager. Her testimony shines a light on the so-called “troubled teen industry”.While some children are placed with relatives or foster families, others are sent to treatment centres that are essentially group homes for children – some of whom have complex medical or behavioural needs.Hilton, 43, accused the industry,…

Private car parks are to offer UK motorists a 10-minute “grace period” before they hand out fines.The measure was announced as part of a new code of practice companies have pledged to implement in the autumn.Industry trade bodies say the code will also introduce a fairer appeals system and maintain an existing cap on charges.Motoring organisations say the code “falls far short” of the standards required to protect “innocent” drivers from the “sharks running private car parks” and government legislation is required.The code was published by the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community, the two trade bodies representing…

2 hours agoBy Nick Triggle, Health correspondent, @nicktriggle • Elena Bailey, BBC NewsPAJunior doctors in England have begun a five-day strike – the 11th walkout in their long-running pay dispute. British Medical Association (BMA) members walked out from 07:00, with NHS England warning of significant disruption to routine hospital services. The union said it was taking action as there had been no credible new offer – the last walkout was in February. But NHS bosses have criticised the timing of the latest action in the week running up to a general election.Extra pressureThe NHS Confederation said striking during the election campaign, when none of the political…

US actor Bill Cobbs, who appeared in Night At The Museum and The Bodyguard, has died aged 90.His agent confirmed to the PA news agency the actor died on Tuesday evening in California surrounded by his family. Cobbs played Whitney Houston’s manager Bill Devaney in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, which also starred Kevin Costner.The veteran actor also portrayed security guard Reggie in 2006’s Night at the Museum, opposite Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.Cobbs’ agent said it is thought the actor died of natural causes. The actor’s other film credits included Air Bud, Sunshine State, Get Low, Ghosts of Mississippi,…

Getty ImagesWhen Americans choose their next president, the contest is always closely watched around the world.There are countless ways US foreign policy – and the actions of the White House – has an impact on different parts of the globe.American influence abroad is sure to play a part in the first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on Thursday.But it’s not just in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza that this election matters. Eight of the BBC’s foreign correspondents explain why this election rematch is making waves where they are.Russians will watch closely for instabilityBy Steve Rosenberg, Russia editor, MoscowImagine you’re…

Hundreds of jobs are at risk after a nappies and wet wipes manufacturer announced it is considering closing one of its sites.Kimberly-Clark said the UK government’s deadline to remove plastic from wet wipes by mid-2026 “significantly limits” its ability to adapt its processes in time, meaning it may “no longer be viable” to keep its site running in Flint, Flintshire.The manufacturer said phasing out plastics from its baby wipes had “long been part” of its sustainability plans. The UK government announced new legislation to ban wet wipes containing plastic in April 2024. Around 220 people are employed at the factory…

The Indian government has sought a detailed report from Tamil Nadu state following media reports that Apple supplier Foxconn was allegedly rejecting married women for iPhone assembly jobs.A Reuters investigation alleged that Foxconn had excluded married women from jobs at its main India iPhone plant near Chennai, citing their greater family responsibilities compared to unmarried women.The federal labour ministry says the law “clearly stipulates that no discrimination (is) to be made while recruiting men and women workers”. Neither Apple nor the Tamil Nadu state government responded to requests for comment from Reuters.The BBC has also reached out to Foxconn and…

3 days agoBy Chloe Harcombe, BBC News, West of EnglandPA MediaPeople will be travelling from all over to attend Glastonbury FestivalWith just days to go before the gates of Glastonbury Festival open, many will be in the process of planning their journeys.About 200,000 people are expected to descend on Worthy Farm in Somerset. With various modes of transport available, some may be considering what their options are. The site can be reached by train, coach bike or car – but festival-goers are encouraged to “travel green” by making eco-friendly journeys. The organisers have launched a carbon calculator which can be used to…

There was shock in the Bolivian administrative capital of La Paz on Wednesday, after soldiers stormed the presidential palace as part of an attempted coup by breakaway military chiefs. There were no reports of serious injuries or deaths.The coup leader, General Juan José Zúñiga, said he wanted to “restructure democracy” in the country and called for a change of government. He was later arrested and is now the subject of a criminal investigation, alongside those who helped him. The attempted coup has been denounced by the Bolivian government and several Latin American countries. Here are some of the best images…