Author: BBC

1 hour agoBy Jaroslav Lukiv, BBC NewsAFP via Getty ImagesThe Azov brigade is seen as one of Ukraine’s most effective fighting units The US has lifted its long-standing ban on weapons supplies and training to Ukraine’s Azov brigade, whose origins were mired in controversy over alleged links to far-right groups.A state department spokesman told the BBC a vetting process “found no evidence of gross violations of human rights” by the brigade. The Azov brigade, now a unit within Ukraine’s National Guard, hailed the move, saying Russia’s “lies… received a devastating blow”.Moscow condemned the decision, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the US…

31 minutes agoBy Ian Aikman, BBC NewsPAThe interview, broadcast on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel, featured a direct discussion of how Mr Spacey views his past actions. When asked to clarify what he meant by “pushing the boundaries”, the double Oscar winner said: “Being too handsy, touching someone sexually in a way that I didn’t know at the time they didn’t want.”Pressed on the potential for this being criminal conduct, Mr Spacey said he has “been gentle with people” and he would not use the word “grope” to describe his actions. “You want to be gentle. You want to see if…

56 minutes agoBy Matt Murphy, BBC News Getty ImagesHamas says it has submitted its response to a US-backed plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, with a senior group official telling the BBC that it still requires an Israeli commitment to a permanent ceasefire. In a statement, the group, and its Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) allies, expressed “readiness to positively” reach a deal. The proposed ceasefire plan – which was endorsed by the UN security council on Monday night – calls for a six-week ceasefire that would eventually become permanent. Qatar and Egypt – who, along with the US, have mediated negotiations between…

The guitar heard in the solo of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights debut track has sold for £21,500 – including fees – at auction.The 1974 Les Paul Custom was expected to attract bids of up to £10,000 at Gardiner Houlgate auctioneers in Corsham, Wiltshire, but went under the hammer for £17,000.Guitarist Ian Bairnson – who died last year aged 70 – played the piece with a broken arm.Auctioneer Luke Hobbs said the price in the end “was quite deserved, in my opinion”.Explaining how much the background of a guitar can change the price, Mr Hobbs said: “The guitar itself – in…

The United States’ envoy to Sudan has warned that the El Fasher, a besieged city in western Darfur, could fall to rebel forces imminently.El Fasher is only city still under army control in the western Darfur region.The armed forces have been fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in a civil war that has lasted for 14 months.US envoy Tom Perriello told the BBC that some in the RSF think capturing El Fasher will help them establish Darfur as a breakaway state.Mr Perriello said the US would not recognise an independent Darfur “under any circumstances”.”I think if there’s anyone in…

7 minutes agoBy Daniel Thomas, BBC News Getty Two former directors of BHS have been ordered to pay at least £18m to creditors over their role in the collapse of the retailer eight years ago.A court found Lennart Henningson and Dominic Chandler liable for wrongful trading, misfeasance trading and misfeasance over their management of the High Street chain.BHS made headlines when it fell into administration with a billion pounds worth of trading liabilities and pension debts in 2016.It came after retail tycoon Sir Philip Green sold the ailing business to Dominic Chappell, a former racing driver with no retail experience, for £1…

12 minutes agoBy Noor Nanji, @NoorNanji, Culture reporter, BBC NewsBBCThe band have “made their peace” with the name changeThe band formerly known as Easy Life have changed their name to Hard Life, after a threat of legal action by the brand owners of airline EasyJet.Last year, the indie band said EasyGroup was suing them because their name was too similar.”We felt angry and powerless,” frontman Murray Matravers told BBC News. “But if our name affects them that much, I’ll walk away from it – because it’s not worth it.”EasyGroup has said it would have been “unfair” to let the band use the Easy…

11 minutes agoBy David Gritten, BBC NewsAFPHamas-run authorities in Gaza say dozens of homes were damaged during the operationThe UN human rights office says it is “profoundly shocked” at the impact on civilians of the Israeli operation in central Gaza that rescued four hostages held by Hamas.Palestinian health officials said hundreds of people were killed and injured in the densely-populated Nuseirat refugee camp on Saturday. Israel’s military said fewer than 100 were killed.UN spokesman Jeremy Laurence said the action by Israeli forces “seriously calls into question whether the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution… were respected” and could amount to war crimes.He…

7 minutes agoBy Michelle Roberts, Digital health editorGetty ImagesThe Japanese scientist whose pioneering work led to the creation of statins, the life-saving drugs used by millions, has died at the age of 90. Akira Endo’s pivotal work has been likened to the discovery of penicillin. The biochemist is said to have been inspired by Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, prompting him to study mould, or fungi, in his quest to find new medicines.In 1973, Prof Endo found the first cholesterol-lowering compound able to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.Paying tribute, Prof Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the…

Multiple artists say they have pulled out of this year’s Download Festival in protest against its links with Barclays.Thrash metal outfit Pest Control and hardcore punk bands Scowl, Speed and Zulu all posted to announce they would not be performing at the three-day event in Leicestershire.Barclaycard is listed as the official payment partner for Download and campaigners have accused the bank of increasing its investment in arms companies that trade with Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza.It has said it doesn’t make its own investments, but that its customers do include businesses in the defence sector.”We cannot sacrifice the…