Author: BBC

Lily JamaliNorth America Technology CorrespondentNatalie ShermanBusiness reporterGetty ImagesApple says it is shifting production of most iPhones and other devices to be sold in the US away from China, which has been the focus of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.The majority of the iPhones bound for the US market in the coming months will be made in India, while Vietnam will be a major production hub for items like iPads and Apple Watches, chief executive Tim Cook says.It comes as the technology giant estimated that US import taxes could add about $900m (£677.5m) to its costs in the current quarter, despite Trump’s…

Tom BurgessBBC News, North East and CumbriaNiki CotsonMore than 700 people have signed Niki’s petition to have the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust put into special measuresA mum who says she has been left in chronic pain a year after giving birth has called for an NHS trust to be put into special measures.Niki Cotson, 31, gave birth in April 2024 at the North Tees Hospital in Stockton before experiencing what she believes was poor care in the aftermath.Miss Cotson, who has amassed more than 700 signatures to her petition calling for special measures to be imposed at North…

Abigail TaylorBBC News NIPA MediaKneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandiseThe Metropolitan Police’s counter-terror officers will investigate online videos showing rap trio Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.A video emerged of the west Belfast trio at a November 2023 gig where one person from the band says: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. Kneecap say they have never supported…

Richard Price & Eleanor LawsonBBC News, West MidlandsMoorcroftMoorcroft Pottery became known for its colourful depictions of wildlife and geometric patternsThe directors of Moorcroft Pottery have announced the firm has stopped trading after more than 100 years, which the GMB Union says means the loss of 57 jobs.In a post on social media on Wednesday, bosses at the Stoke-on-Trent firm, based in Burslem, said they had told insolvency business Moore Recovery to help with voluntarily liquidating the company.They said Moore would contact creditors in due course but did not give an explanation for the firm’s closure. However, industry commentators have blamed…

A US district judge has found Apple wilfully violated her injunction in a case brought by Epic Games – and that a top Apple executive “outright lied” under oath.The injunction was supposed to block Apple from anti-competitive conduct and pricing, opening the App Store up to outside payment options. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said she was referring the matter to the US Attorney for Northern District of California to investigate whether a criminal contempt proceeding is appropriate.Apple responded to the ruling late on Wednesday.”We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order and we will appeal,”…

A community health and well-being day is taking place in Grimsby on Saturday.The event follows on from concerns raised during a meeting in January over mental health support and public safety.It has been organised by local councillors, North East Lincolnshire Council’s public health team, along with the East Marsh Involve community group.The event, which is being held at Freeman Street Market between 10:00 and15:00 BST, includes family activities aimed at promoting creativity and wellbeing.These include arts and craft sessions, where children can create a “breathing buddy” – an imaginative creature to help them manage anxiety, as well as a poster…

Paul GlynnCulture reporterGetty ImagesThe 40-year-old singer and presenter has had hits with songs like TroublemakerOlly Murs says scrutiny of his physique is “disappointing” and “absolute madness” after pictures of his body before and after a fitness regime prompted a flood of reactions online and in the media.Social media users and newspaper columnists have been offering opinions about whether the English singer and presenter looked better before or afterThanking fans following his gig in Dublin on Tuesday, the star responded on a video posted on his Instagram story, admitting it had been “a weird day”. “I don’t know if you guys…

Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentBBCShops and services may have to be forced to accept cash in the future to help protect vulnerable people who rely on it, MPs have said.A Treasury Committee report into cash acceptance stopped short of recommending a change in the law, but said the government had to improve its monitoring of the issue.”There may come a time in the future where it becomes necessary for HM Treasury to mandate cash acceptance if appropriate safeguards have not been implemented for those who need physical cash,” the report said.Some countries, such as Australia or parts of the EU,…

It’s now been more than a week of chaos for Marks and Spencer (M&S), one of the UK’s biggest brands, following what – it is now obvious – is a significant cyber attack. It has cost it millions of pounds in lost sales and a lower share price.M&S has not said what or who knocked out its online ordering systems, paused deliveries and left empty shelves in stores.The BBC has been told by security experts that ransomware called DragonForce was used in the attack.Ciaran Martin, the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, said it had “serious” consequences…

Julian O’Neill and Chris PageBBC News NIGetty ImagesGerry Adams alleges the BBC defamed him by falsely claiming he sanctioned the killing of Denis DonaldsonGerry Adams’ reputation as a peacemaker suffered “an unjustified attack” by the BBC, which wrongly alleged he sanctioned the murder of informer Denis Donaldson in 2006, the High Court in Dublin has been told.The claim was made by a lawyer for Mr Adams who is suing the broadcaster for defamation.He said the BBC had committed a “journalistic no-no” by relying on unverified claims made by an anonymous single source.The former Sinn Féin president believes he was defamed…