Author: BBC

Josh ParryLGBT & identity reporterGetty ImagesJames’s career went from Drag Race star and into the mainstream, appearing in the West End and on various TV programmes.The sister of James Lee Williams, better known as The Vivienne, says her family only learned of the drag performer’s battle with ketamine addiction after watching Drag Race UK.In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Chanel Williams, 35, says James had kept the struggle – including being hospitalised because of the drug – a secret from the family “to protect them”.The 32-year-old died in January, with the family later announcing the cause of death as a…

Natalie ShermanBusiness reporter, BBC NewsGetty ImagesUS stocks and the dollar plunged again as President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on the US central bank boss calling him “a major loser” for not lowering interest rates.In a social media post, Trump called on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates “pre-emptively” to help boost the economy, saying Powell had been consistently too slow to respond to economic developments. “There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW,” he wrote.Trump’s criticism of Powell’s handling of the US economy comes as…

The US Commerce Department has announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 3,521% on imports of solar panels from four South East Asian countries.It comes after an investigation that began a year ago when several major solar equipment producers asked the administration of then-President Joe Biden to protect their US operations. The proposed levies – targeting companies in Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam – are in response to allegations of subsidies from China and the dumping of unfairly cheap products in the US market.A separate US government agency, the International Trade Commission, is due to reach a final decision…

Comedian and pantomime star Andy Ford is reflecting on his 56th year in showbusiness. He spoke to BBC Radio Bristol about his memories of Sir David Suchet and the late Dame Barbara Windsor. The family entertainer and comedian will be embarking on his new show, Flippin’ World Tour of the West Country, later this month.

In an NHS survey, 48% of men said they felt pressure to “tough it out” when it came to potential health issues.

US Vice-President JD Vance has arrived in the Indian capital, Delhi, where he is due to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid global trade tensions sparked by Washington’s tariff policies.The talks are likely to focus on fast tracking a much-awaited bilateral trade deal between the two countries.Vance is also expected to go on a sightseeing tour of Agra and Jaipur with his family.His visit comes as countries across the world rush to negotiate trade deals before US President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends on 9 July. “The two sides will also exchange views on regional…

Annabelle LiangBusiness reporterGetty ImagesTo leave or not to leave? China, home to more than a billion consumers, is Apple’s second-largest market Every iPhone comes with a label which tells you it was designed in California.While the sleek rectangle that runs many of our lives is indeed designed in the United States, it is likely to have come to life thousands of miles away in China: the country hit hardest by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, now rising to 245% on some Chinese imports.Apple sells more than 220 million iPhones a year and by most estimates, nine in 10 are made…

Annabel RackhamCulture reporterJames WelshJames Welsh, 36, is a YouTuber with thousands of views on his Labubu unboxing videosJames’ reaction as he unboxes a rare, limited edition Labubu toy can only be described as pure, unadulterated joy.The YouTuber delightedly holds up a brown plush monster, which has been described by collectors as “cute”, “ugly”, “creepy” and everything in between.Labubus are furry snaggletoothed gremlins, which are designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart.They’re almost always sold out online and long queues often form outside the selected shops that stock them. Labubus are also primarily…

RNIBAs well as an influencer, author, broadcaster and RNIB ambassador, Lucy Edwards is hoping to become a mum Blind content creator and TikTok star Lucy Edwards says she’s “so excited” to be on a health kick to undergo IVF for gene editing purposes, but reveals the dilemma she faced in deciding to screen out the very gene that made her blind.”I’m so broody,” the 29-year-old tells the BBC Access All podcast.Lucy and her husband Ollie married at Kew Gardens two years ago and are now ready to start a family – but there are complications to consider.Lucy has the rare…

DHL Express is suspending deliveries to the US worth more than $800 (£603) because of a “significant increase” in red tape at customs following the intruduction of Donald Trump’s new tariff regime. The delivery giant said it will temporarily stop shipments from companies in all countries to American consumers on Monday “until further notice”.It added that business-to-business shipments will still go ahead, “though they may also face delays”.Previously, packages worth up to $2,500 could enter the US with minimal paperwork but due to tighter customs checks that came into force alongside Trump’s tariffs earlier this month, the threshold has been…