Author: BBC

Ione Wells visits the Rubin Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert.

Dawn French has taken down a video she posted on Instagram about the war in Gaza, saying she apologised “unreservedly” for it.The video sparked a backlash, with critics accusing the actress and comedian of appearing to “mock” the 7 October 2023 attack.On Saturday, French acknowledged on Instagram that the video “appeared one-sided”, and said she never meant to “mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror” of that day.”I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but I clearly have. For which I am sorry and I have removed the video,” she added.In the 40-second video, posted earlier…

When Amanda and Nick learnt their son had a life-limiting condition, they had no-one in the same situation to turn to. Jack is only 11 months old but is one of only 16 children in the world with a genetic condition that is so rare it doesn’t have a name. “We are going to outlive our child, and knowing that his brothers and his sister may one day have to say goodbye to him… I can’t even begin to explain how difficult that is to process each day,” said Amanda. But the mum said finding a woman in Georgia, USA,…

Leila NathooPolitical correspondentChristina McSorleyPolitical producerEd Miliband: Solar panels on new homes is just common senseBuilders will be required to fit solar panels to the “vast majority” of new build homes in England under changes to be published this year, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said.The regulations will require developers to add panels unless the buildings fall under certain exemptions such as being covered by shade.Speaking to the BBC, Miliband said the move was “just common sense” adding that solar panels would save the typical household £500 a year on their energy bills.The Home Builders Federation said it backed fitting more…

Tom GerkenTechnology reporterGetty ImagesNatWest says it has now fixed an issue which left customers unable to use the bank’s mobile app, leaving some unable to access their accounts.Customers reported problems including being unable to make purchases or pay staff.NatWest apologised to customers “for any inconvenience caused”, having previously said its web-based online banking service was still working normally – however some customers disputed this.”We have resolved the issues causing this and customers are now able to log in and make payments as normal,” a spokesperson said.Problems began to be reported on outage-checking site Downdetector at 0910 GMT.BBC/NatWestPeople saw this message…

PAA former Bargain Hunt art expert has been jailed for two years and six months for failing to declare art he sold to a suspected financier of Hezbollah.In the first prosecution of its kind, Oghenochuko Ojiri, 53, admitted eight counts under the Terrorism Act 2000 of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business before his sentencing at the Old Bailey on Friday. Hezbollah is a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK. Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Ojiri had been aware the art he had sold was to Nazem Ahmad, who had been sanctioned in…

MaryLou CostaTechnology ReporterKerry ClaytonWorking around food allergies is time consuming for Kerry ClaytonFor gluten-free, citrus-free and tomato-free Kerry Clayton, shopping and cooking is a challenge.As well as her own food requirements, her 10-year-old son is dairy and wheat-free.The family shops at multiple stores each week to get the best free-from options, cooks adaptable meals like jacket potatoes and pasta, and makes cakes and cookies from scratch.She spends about an hour a week baking, on top of running two online jewellery businesses and parenting another child.When M&S launched its Only range in March, with products featuring six or fewer ingredients, Ms…

Hundreds of social media posts and websites operated by financial influencers are to be taken down following action by the City regulator.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the move was part of an international crackdown, which has led to three arrests in the UK.So-called finfluencers can legitimately give financial tips on social media to large audiences, but sometimes this can stray into illegal financial advice.That can include a lack of authorisation and a failure to explain the risks – all packaged in promotional posts using the pretence of a lavish lifestyle.Regulators across across the UK, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy…

Joe TidyCyber correspondent, BBC World ServiceBloomberg via Getty ImagesAn abusive email sent by the Marks & Spencer hackers to the retailer’s boss gloating about the hack and demanding payment has been seen by the BBC.The message to M&S CEO Stuart Machin – which was in broken English – was sent on the 23 April from the hacker group called DragonForce using the email account of an employee.The email confirms for the first time that M&S has been hacked by the ransomware group – something that M&S has so far refused to acknowledge.”We have marched the ways from China all the…

BBCKeisha Buchanan is one of the three original SugababesA former professional footballer has appeared in court charged with assaulting Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan, and controlling when she could shower, wear lipstick or go to the gym.Taiwo Leo Atieno, 39, faces eight charges relating to his ex-girlfriend, Ms Buchanan, during an approximately 13-year period.The former Luton Town and Kenya national team player appeared via video-link wearing a suit and tie.He was granted conditional bail and is due to enter pleas in August.Mr Atieno, from Brixton, south London, is charged with assaulting the founding Sugababes member between 2012 and 2015, causing her…