Author: BBC

Microsoft’s Azure cloud services have been disrupted by undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, the US tech giant says.Users of Azure – one of the world’s leading cloud computing platforms – would experience delays because of problems with internet traffic moving through the Middle East, the company said.Microsoft did not explain what might have caused the damage to the undersea cables, but added that it had been able to reroute traffic through other paths. Over the weekend, there were reports suggesting that undersea cable cuts had affected the United Arab Emirates and some countries in Asia. Cables laid on…

Jenny ReesHealth correspondent, BBC WalesBritish Medical AssociationDr Alice Gatenby has been told “it’s too much hassle” to change shifts to accommodate her disabilityA disabled doctor, who believes the NHS sees it as “too difficult or inconvenient” to give her support, says she has considered leaving the profession. Dr Alice Gatenby said senior colleagues told her she was “not a real doctor” because her epilepsy means she does not work night shifts.A survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) of more than 800 disabled and neurodivergent doctors and medical students found more than half felt ableism was a bigger issue in…

The leader of the UK’s biggest trade union has warned it would be a “huge mistake” for the government to water down its Employment Rights Bill, which is due to become law in the next few weeks.Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said she is concerned the government is no longer committed to implementing the bill in full, following Angela Rayner’s departure and the cabinet reshuffle. Other unions have also raised concerns.The legislation would be a major shake-up of workers’ rights, which would include protection against unfair dismissal, and a ban on “exploitative” zero-hours contracts.The warnings come as a senior Labour…

Dennis MorrisDennis Morris took this photo, called Babylon by van, during Bob Marley’s first tour of EnglandOn a chilly morning in 1973, a 14-year-old Dennis Morris made a decision that would change his life forever.”Bob Marley was coming over to do his first tour of England and I decided I wanted to photograph him, so I bunked off school to go to the club where he was doing the first date in London.”As he walked towards me, I said ‘can I take your picture?’ and he said ‘yeah man, come in’.”During breaks in the soundcheck, Marley began chatting to the…

Chris BaraniukTechnology ReporterBoston MetalMaking steel using electricity is less carbon intensive than traditional methodsA day care centre for children, a gym, a tax advisor – and a mini experimental steel plant. These businesses are among those that make up a small retail and industrial estate in the city of Woburn, Massachusetts.”People are dropping off their kids. That kind of shows you an extreme example of what the future of steel looks like,” says Adam Rauwerdink, vice president of business development at US-based green steel start-up, Boston Metal. “You can be making steel and sharing a parking lot with a daycare.”Boston…

Is drinking milk good for us, or an unnecessary habit?

A programme providing school holiday clubs for thousands of children in Cornwall has been extended.The Time2Move holiday programme supports families with activities and healthy food for children aged between five and 16, and is fully funded for those eligible for benefits-related free school meals, the government has confirmed.The government announced a three-year extension for the scheme, as part of a £600m investment nationally.The programme is run by Active Cornwall, which brings together providers across the county, and said £8m had been invested in it since 2021.Tim Marrion, partnership manager at Active Cornwall said: “We know that school holidays can bring…

Italian designer Donatella Versace carried a bouquet of white flowers as she arrived to pay tribute to the late fashion designer Giorgio Armani. Armani’s coffin is on public view this weekend in Milan, Italy, before a private funeral on Monday. The designer’s casket was surrounded by candles at the Armani/Teatro as mourners queued to say goodbye. Giorgio Armani died at the age of 91 on Thursday.

Google has been fined €2.95bn (£2.5bn) by the EU for allegedly abusing its power in the ad tech sector – the technology which determines which adverts should be placed online and where.The European Commission said on Friday the tech giant had breached competition laws by favouring its own products for displaying online ads, to the detriment of rivals.It comes amid increased scrutiny by regulators worldwide over the tech giant’s empire in online search and advertising.Google told the BBC the Commission’s decision was “wrong” and it would appeal.”It imposes an unjustified fine and requires changes that will hurt thousands of European…

Jonathan MorrisBBC News, South West andTamsin MelvilleBBC News, CornwallBBCNeil Hopper was motivated by sexual interest in amputation, the court heardAn NHS vascular surgeon who had his own legs removed has been jailed for two years and eight months for insurance fraud and possessing extreme pornography.Neil Hopper, 49, of Truro, Cornwall, carried out hundreds of amputation operations before having his own legs removed in 2019.Truro Crown Court heard he lied to insurers by claiming that injuries to his legs were the result of sepsis and not self-inflicted.It heard that in May 2019 Hopper had below knee amputations after a “mysterious illness”.…