Author: BBC

Edinburgh Fringe’s annual funniest joke award has been scrapped for this year’s comedy festival, organisers have confirmed (no joke).The award, launched in 2008 – providing many humorous headlines – is usually presented by the TV channel U&Dave [formerly Dave], which is owned by UKTV.But its bosses said in a statement it was on pause “as our commissioning focus evolves”, so it could “reflect on how we continue to support comedy in the best way possible.”It added: “While we’re resting the award this year, we remain committed to championing great comedy across U&Dave and beyond, and we’ll always look for ways…

Chris CraddockBBC Jersey communities reporterBBCSports groups like Skateboard Jersey were at ‘Every Girl Moves’Girls have been encouraged to get involved in different sports at an event where they could have a go at a range of them.The ‘Every Girl Moves’ event was held at Les Quennevais School on Monday with about 15 sports clubs on site to give taster sessions to children.Research from the Youth Sport Trust has shown more than a third of girls in England and Wales drop out of playing sport by the time they reach secondary school.The event was created by 15-year-old Lauren from St Marys…

UK government borrowing rose by more than expected last month, adding to the pressure on the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves.Borrowing – the difference between public spending and tax income – was £20.7bn in June, up £6.6bn from the same month last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.Higher spending on public services and debt interest payments outstripped revenue from other taxes, including employers’ National Insurance contributions which was lifted in April, the ONS said.Analysts say it is increasingly likely that the chancellor will have to raise taxes at the Budget in the autumn, after the government reversed cuts to benefits…

Sam GruetTechnology ReporterGetty ImagesDigital trucking apps look to minimise trucks without cargoWhen Jared first started out in trucking more than two decades ago, he didn’t anticipate he’d be on tour with a country music star, hauling guitars, amps, and other pieces of on-stage equipment.”It just happened, right place, right time,” the Canadian driver, who prefers not to use his surname, explains from behind the wheel of his towering lorry.”I’ve done 5,000 miles in a month and a half, but there’s a lot of breaks this year.”But during time off between driving to shows in New Jersey, New York, Toronto and…

YouTube should give videos made by channels like the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 more promotion to help tackle a “serious threat” to the UK’s public service broadcasting, according to media regulator Ofcom.Children spend much more time watching YouTube than all of the public service broadcasters combined, but “the future of public service media is at risk” if young viewers don’t start watching their output, Ofcom warned.The watchdog suggested broadcasters should “work urgently with YouTube” to make sure their content is “prominent and easy to find” – and there’s “a strong case” for the government to consider a law to…

Amrit PaulAmrit has been waiting over four years for a kidney transplant to save his lifeAmrit Paul was in the middle of his computer science exams when he was told by doctors he would need a kidney transplant.”It was a shock. I didn’t really know how to handle it and, in all honesty, I went into a shell,” he said.He was placed on the organ donation register almost five years ago, having been diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease aged four.Amrit undergoes nine hours of peritoneal dialysis each night, a method of blood purification used when kidneys fail. “People say…

A major signalling failure at London Waterloo has caused severe disruption throughout the morning, with 14 platforms out of use at the station.South Western Railway (SWR) has urged passengers not to travel on its services “until further notice” as there were cancellations on all routes, with problems expected to continue until at least 16:00 BST.Passengers have been told they cannot claim money from SWR for taxis but can use their tickets on some other rail or bus services.The rail operator said engineers were trying to restore the use of the platforms, but “very few trains able to move in and…

BBCRaquel Celina Rodriguez watches her step as she walks across the Vega de Tilopozo in Chile’s Atacama salt flats. It’s a wetland, known for its groundwater springs, but the plain is now dry and cracked with holes she explains were once pools.”Before, the Vega was all green,” she says. “You couldn’t see the animals through the grass. Now everything is dry.” She gestures to some grazing llamas.For generations, her family raised sheep here. As the climate changed, and rain stopped falling, less grass made that much harder.But it worsened when “they” started taking the water, she explains.Ben Derico/BBCRaquel’s family raised…

Cast member unfurls Palestinian flag at Royal Opera HouseA cast member at the Royal Opera House unfurled a Palestinian flag on stage during a curtain call on Saturday night.Video shows a brief scuffle as an official at the central London venue tries unsuccessfully to stop the protest, with the performer refusing to let go of the large flag. It came on the closing night of Il trovatore, a four-act opera by Giuseppe Verdi.Royal Ballet and Opera said the protest was “completely inappropriate for a curtain call”.A spokesperson said: “The display of the flag was spontaneous and unauthorised action by the…

Thirty-eight cases of botulism poisoning have been recorded in England in the last six weeks after the suspected use of unlicensed Botox-like products in cosmetic procedures, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. Botulism is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, a key ingredient in the injection. Cases have been recorded in the East, East Midlands and the North East regions. The UKHSA urged those seeking treatments to obtain proof that their Botox practitioner was qualified and that their products were licensed.Botox injections are a common cosmetic procedure given to reduce facial lines…