Author: BBC

Adrienne Murray & James BrooksTechnology ReportersBeta TechnologiesAlia on the way to Stavanger in NorwayAn aviation rarity touched down in the Norway’s second city of Bergen earlier this month.Alia had flown 100 miles (160km) in 55 minutes on battery power alone.Built by US aerospace company Beta Technologies, the electric plane is designed for cargo operations – carrying up to 560kg (half a tonne) loads.The flight had simulated a planned cargo route between the coastal cities of Stavanger and Bergen, and for the next few months test-flights will be carried out, as part of the country’s move towards establishing low-emission aviation.At the…

Two ambulance workers have been arrested over the deaths of six adults, police have said.The investigation was launched in 2023 and last year a man in his 30s, from West Wiltshire, was arrested on suspicion of six counts of gross negligence manslaughter and four counts of ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker.A 59-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in March this year. Police have only released details of the investigation and arrests now.The two South Western Ambulance Service workers have been released on bail, Wiltshire Police said.”We can confirm a major investigation is…

Gem O’ReillyLondon andHarry CraigLondonBBC / Gem O’ReillyAnand (left) has taken on part-time work to fund his studies, while Viga (right) says cost of transport is a major concern for herLike many of the more than half a million students studying in London, Thomas Murch finds coping with finances an ongoing struggle.”The cost of living has increased a lot, so doing the things I would normally do requires more money, and it’s very hard for me to balance the wants with the needs.”There’s so much I want to do, but there’s so much I have to take care of first.”Thomas is…

US President Donald Trump has said that he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping approved a deal on the future of TikTok’s US operations during a phone call on Friday, although there was no confirmation from Beijing. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the call was “productive” and he “appreciated” Xi’s approval of deal, which would reportedly see TikTok’s US business sold to a group of US investors. China’s official state news agency Xinhua left the outcome of their discussion less clear, with Xi quoted as saying that Beijing “welcomes negotiations over TikTok”.TikTok, which is run by Chinese firm ByteDance,…

Nat WrightHealth ProducerGetty ImagesThe Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) stands accused of failing victims and compounding their trauma.Sanctions for doctors guilty of sexual misconduct in the UK are too lenient in around a quarter of cases, a review suggests.The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) stands accused of failing victims and compounding their trauma. The criticism is based on the outcomes of 46 cases with offences including harassment, rape, and assaults of patients, colleagues and children. Some medics were handed suspensions instead of following General Medical Council advice to strike them off the medical register. The MPTS says it recognises the…

Charlotte EdwardsBusiness reporterGetty ImagesUK government borrowing in August hit the highest level for the month in five years, latest figures show, adding to the pressure on the chancellor ahead of the Budget.Borrowing – the difference between public spending and tax income – was £18bn in August, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, which was higher than analysts had expected.Despite tax and National Insurance receipts increasing, they were outstripped by higher spending on public services, benefits and debt interest, the UK statistics body said.One analyst said Rachel Reeves faced “tough choices” in the Budget to meet her tax and spending…

One of the world’s most popular streamers, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, says trolls “berate” him every day because his number of viewers has fallen.Ninja was propelled to stardom in 2018 after he played Fortnite on streaming site Twitch alongside rappers Drake and Travis Scott, and NFL player Juju Smith-Schuster.He now has fewer viewers than at the height of his fame – but still has 67m followers across all platforms, and is the world’s third most popular Twitch streamer.He told the BBC “haters” seem obsessed with the fact he was not quite as popular as he once was. “I think I’m the…

Menopause and CancerMenopause and Cancer is a charity that supports people who are managing menopause following cancer treatmentCampaigners are calling for menopause support to be included into cancer treatment care plans.The majority (90%) of the 1,200 people surveyed by Menopause and Cancer said they were not provided plans to help manage menopause-related health changes brought on by cancer treatment.Its founder and CEO Dani Binnington said the results were “not a surprise”.NHS England has been approached for comment.Ms Binnington said there was currently no direct pathway for menopause treatment support included in cancer care plans.”We call for improved training for healthcare…

Charlotte EdwardsBusiness reporter andMichael RaceBusiness reporterGetty ImagesThe UK government says it has secured £150bn worth of US investment which it hopes will create 7,600 jobs.The announcement, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s state visit, follows a series of big tech firms, including Microsoft and Google, pledging to spend billions of pounds in the UK. It is part of a wider plan by the UK to deepen economic ties with the US. However, some industries, such have steel, have been dealt a blow in recent days with a proposed deal to cut tariffs shelved.Several major pharmaceutical companies, such as Covid-vaccine maker…

Lily JamaliNorth America Technology Correspondent, Menlo Park, CAReutersMeta boss Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the new smart glasses on WednesdayMeta has unveiled a new range of smart glasses powered by its artificial intelligence (AI) tech, as it expands its bet that they will be a must-have accessory for users around the world.At its annual developers conference “Meta Connect,” the social media giant’s boss, Mark Zuckerberg, announced an array of devices in partnership with sunglasses brands Ray-Ban and Oakley.The firm also introduced a so-called neural wristband that pairs with its Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses to allow users to carry out tasks like sending…