Author: BBC

For the leaders of both Hamas and Israel, ending the war in Gaza has become a deadly game of survival.The terms on which the war finally ends could largely determine their political future and their grip on power. For Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, even his physical survival.It’s partly why previous negotiations have failed. It’s also why the question of how to permanently end the fighting has been put off to the last stages of the plan outlined by US President Joe Biden on Friday.That transition between talks on a limited hostage-for-prisoner deal to discussions about a permanent ceasefire would, Mr…

Israel’s military says it has established the deaths of four more people abducted by Hamas on 7 October.It says the four were killed while together during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, adding that their bodies were still being held by the militants.The men were named as British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, 51, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85.IDF spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said intelligence gathered in recent weeks had led to the assessment.”We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during our operation there…

47 minutes agoIan Youngs,Culture reporterSidemen/YouTubeKSI is one of the seven members of the SidemenYouTube superstars the Sidemen have launched their own reality show, locking 10 influencers in a house for a week to battle for a prize worth up to £1m.The first episode of Inside racked up more than four million views on YouTube within 24 hours, after being released on Sunday.The contestants include Love Island’s Chloe Burrows, Made In Chelsea star Liv Bentley and YouTuber Joe Weller.Inside is the Sidemen’s own spin on successful reality TV formats like Big Brother, and will provide competition for Love Island, which is…

AFPPalestinians who have returned to Jabalia refugee camp since the Israeli withdrawal say homes and infrastructure have been destroyedPalestinians who have returned to Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza in recent days have expressed shock at the level of destruction following a three-week Israeli military operation there against Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.One displaced man who was among the more than 60,000 people who fled the intense battles and bombardment in the camp and its surrounding area last month said he had witnessed “horrifying scenes”.“Even the sand beneath our feet is scorched; it’s unbearable to walk on,” he told…

BBCWriter Daf James says his bilingual drama about a same-sex couple adopting feels like a “massive triumph”When Daf James and his husband adopted two young children, he found the experience so profound he “couldn’t not write about it”.”It felt very dramatic, it felt insane, it felt beautiful, extraordinary, remarkable… it was such a complex well of emotions,” he said.The result is three-part BBC One drama Lost Boys and Fairies.The fictional tale inspired by his real-life experience is billed as a tender, glittering story of “queer” club performer Gabriel and his partner Andy’s journey to adoption.Kirsten McTernan Daf James is a…

Grass wildfires have burned over 14,000 acres (57sq-km) near San Francisco in California. At least two firefighters were injured in the region’s first major wildfire of the season. A significant portion of the fire has been contained. Officials say this is a “reality check” for the upcoming fire season. Source link

9 hours agoJamie Russell,BBC Scotland NewsRegan CaieRegan Caie wrote her fourth-year dissertation about Swift’s re-recorded albums and copyright lawWhile Taylor Swift was on her record-breaking Eras Tour, one Swiftie was using the star’s music in a bid to pass her law degree.Regan Caie, a law student at the University of Glasgow, wrote her fourth-year dissertation about Swift’s re-recorded albums and copyright law.The music star has re-recorded and re-released four of her first six albums over a copyright dispute with producer and artist manager Scooter Braun.Regan, 21, said her dissertation combined her love of Swift’s music with her ambition to eventually…

French intelligence officials believe Russia is behind a stunt in which five coffins draped in a French flag and bearing the inscription “French soldiers of Ukraine” were deposited near the Eiffel Tower.Three men were seen arriving in a van at about 09:00 (07:00 GMT) on Saturday. The coffins that they left were later found to contain sacks of plaster.Police rapidly apprehended the driver, who claimed he had been paid €40 (£34) by the two others to transport the coffins. He himself had arrived in Paris only the day before from Bulgaria.Later, police caught the two others at Bercy coach station…

41 minutes agoMark Savage,Music correspondentReutersColdplay have taken a lead in developing sustainable touring technologyIn 2021, Coldplay announced a 12-point plan to cut the carbon footprint of touring by 50%.Now, they’ve given an update on their progress, saying the first two years of their Music of the Spheres tour saw a 59% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared with their previous world tour.They have used things like a dancefloor that generates electricity when fans jump up and down, and have cut down on air travel.They have also revealed that seven million saplings have been planted as part of a commitment to…

4 hours agoMansur Abubakar,BBC News, KanoGift Ufeoma/BBCThis is the fourth national strike since Bola Tinubu became president last yearMillions of Nigerians are without electricity after the national grid was shut down as part of a nation strike over the rising cost of living.The country was plunged into darkness shortly after 02:00 local time (01:00 GMT) when union members prevented operators at the country’s power control rooms from working and shut down electricity substations.Many flights have also been cancelled in the country’s busiest airport in Lagos, and in the capital, Abuja, with passengers left stranded.Unions are demanding a huge increase in…