Author: BBC

Sir Elton John angry at ‘criminal’ AI plans for artistsSir Elton John described the government as “absolute losers” and said he feels “incredibly betrayed” over plans to exempt technology firms from copyright laws.Speaking exclusively to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said if ministers go ahead with plans to allow AI firms to use artists’ content without paying, they would be “committing theft, thievery on a high scale”.This week the government rejected proposals from the House of Lords to force AI companies to disclose what material they were using to develop their programmes.A government spokesperson said that “no changes” to copyright…

BBC / Twenty Twenty Productions LtdNicole went to therapy because she has a fear of drivingNicole enters the therapist’s room and clutches what she calls her hugging pillow. She admits to being nervous about sitting down with a stranger to discuss her mental health.She is 31, lives in London and works as chiropractic assistant. She suffers from anxiety when she drives.”There are so many things that so quickly go through my head,” she says. “How far away is it? What is the route? I somehow forget how to drive.”She suffers from panic attacks and her fear of driving means she…

Joe TidyCyber correspondentBBCJoe Tidy interacted with hackers who claimed to have done the M&S and Co-op hackAlmost daily, my phone pings with messages from hackers of all stripes. The good, the bad, the not-so-sure.I’ve been reporting on cyber security for more than a decade, so I know that many of them like to talk about their hacks, findings and escapades.About 99% of these conversations stay firmly locked in my chat logs and don’t lead to news stories. But a recent ping was impossible to ignore.”Hey. This is Joe Tidy from the BBC reporting on this Co-op news, correct?” the hackers…

A second man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault at a London nightclub involving R&B star Chris Brown.US national Omolulu Akinlolu – the artist known as HoodyBaby – was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, the Metropolitan Police said.Brown, 36, appeared at the same court on the same charge on Friday and was remanded in custody.He is accused of using a bottle to cause grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw at the Tape club in London’s Mayfair in 2023.Brown, who was arrested at Salford’s Lowry Hotel on…

Tesco has apologised after IT problems left some customers unable to alter online orders or access digital versions of their Clubcards.People took to social media to complain about a series of problems with the company’s website and mobile app on Friday afternoon.”We have fixed a software issue that temporarily impacted customers using our website and app this afternoon,” a Tesco spokesperson told the BBC. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience.”Customers on social media listed multiple problems with its services, including being unable to process changes to online orders.Tesco’s account on X replied to one user saying it was having “intermittent system…

In the 1940s vulnerable hospital patients were fed sugar to see if their teeth decayed

The US has lost its last perfect credit rating, as influential ratings firm Moody’s expressed concern over the government’s ability to pay back its debt.In lowering the US rating from ‘AAA’ to ‘Aa1’, Moody’s noted that successive US administrations had failed to reverse ballooning deficits and interest costs.A triple-A rating signifies a country’s highest possible credit reliability, and indicates it is considered to be in very good financial health with a strong capacity to repay its debts. Moody’s warned in 2023 the US triple-A rating was at risk. Fitch Ratings downgraded the US in 2023 and S&P Global Ratings did…

A New Jersey man who stabbed and partially blinded novelist Sir Salman Rushdie on a New York lecture stage was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Friday.Hadi Matar, 27, was convicted of attempted murder and assault earlier this year.Sir Salman was on stage speaking before an audience in August 2022, when he was stabbed multiple times in the face and neck. The attack left him blind in one eye, damage to his liver and a paralysed hand caused by nerve damage to his arm.The attack came 35 years after Sir Salman’s controversial novel The Satanic Verses, which had long…

Chris BaraniukTechnology ReporterNetflixIn Netflix’s Adolescence the camera had to be attached to a drone while filmingThree strong knocks from the police battering ram and the front door bursts open. There’s a lot of shouting.We follow heavily-armed officers as they stream into the house, a woman drops to the floor as the camera turns left, and we head up a small, dimly lit staircase, passing a man with his back against the wall, hands raised, yelling to no avail.Within moments, a 13-year-old boy has been arrested and we’re back outside in the morning light. The family screams on the front lawn…

Sam FrancisPolitical reporterHarry FarleyPolitical correspondentWatch live BBC coverage of the debate from the House of CommonsMPs are debating a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for the first time since significant changes were made to it.The bill passed the first stage of the Commons last November – but since then the details have been pored over and dozens of amendments added by both sides.A vote to pass or reject the bill is not likely to take place on Friday, but rather in June.Friday’s debate comes as the government quietly made changes to its impact assessment on assisted…