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Bournemouth beach deaths: Children not related, police say - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy died after being pulled from the sea in Bournemouth on Wednesday. | UK | We're going to end our live coverage now after today's police press conference on yesterday's incident at Bournemouth beach.
A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy died after being pulled from the sea, while eight others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
You can read all the key details in our main story here.
Updates were written by Thomas Mackintosh and Malu Cursino, and the page was edited by me.
Thanks for joining us. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-65778225 |
Joe Biden falls during graduation ceremony - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | null | The US president had been shaking hands with Air Force Academy graduates when he fell on stage. | null | US President Joe Biden fell on stage at a graduation ceremony for the US Air Force Academy. He was helped up and seated within a few seconds.
The White House said he was "fine", and had tripped over a sandbag. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65780853 |
Kew Gardens: Endangered orchid species flowers in UK first - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | It was flown to the UK from Chicago two weeks ago, with the bud displayed at Chelsea Flower Show. | London | Dendrophylax lindenii has flowered for the first time in the UK
A species of endangered orchid has flowered in the UK for the first time.
Dendrophylax lindenii, known as the Florida Ghost Orchid in the US and Cuba, has blossomed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, in Kew, south-west London.
It was flown into the UK from Chicago two weeks ago, with the bud displayed at Chelsea Flower Show.
While awaiting Thursday's bloom, he said: "This is a wonderful example of a successful collaborative conservation project, with several universities and botanic gardens in the USA working together for the greater good, highlighting the importance of orchid conservation around the world."
There are only about 1,500 ghost orchid plants left in south Florida and 500 in Cuba, Professor Fay said.
After being included in the famous flower show, the orchid was donated to Kew Gardens, where it is on display in a terrarium in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
It was germinated at the University of Florida in 2014, before it was donated to Chicago Botanic Garden.
Prof Fay said that orchids acted as a barometer for biodiversity loss and were often the first species to disappear when an ecosystem suffers.
"When a link in the chain breaks, orchids become endangered," he said.
Dendrophylax lindenii is recorded as "endangered" on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The population drastically declined when its host trees, 1,000-year-old bald cypresses, were logged in World War Two to provide lumber for aircraft carrier decks.
Kew Gardens has one of the oldest collections of living tropical orchids in the world, as well as more than 400,000 preserved specimens.
Each year it hosts an Orchid Festival in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65767550 |
Bosses at ferry fiasco shipyard to receive bonuses - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | But its chief executive insists that the "gravy train" at the troubled Ferguson yard has come to an end. | Scotland politics | The project to build the two CalMac ferries is £200m over budget and six years behind schedule
Bosses at the troubled Clyde shipyard building two delayed and over-budget ferries will continue to receive bonus payments, MSPs have been told.
It emerged earlier this year that six executives at the nationalised Ferguson yard were awarded a total of £87,000.
First Minister Humza Yousaf has previously said he was angry about the payments and that bonuses should not be paid in future.
But the yard's chairman said the payments were "contractual".
Andrew Miller told Holyrood's Public Audit Committee that without such payments "the future of Ferguson Marine yard is at risk" and described them as "retention payments".
He said they would need to continue to be paid "because they're contractual, they're points of law and it is very difficult to say to somebody that we are just pulling that from your contract".
Mr Miller added: "It is very important we find the talent for the senior management. It is also very important we retain the talent for the senior management, in terms of completing our journey towards eventual profitability in our five-year plan.
"That is all very important to achieve. We have got to be competitive."
In a report to the Scottish Parliament in March, public spending watchdog the auditor general said it was "unacceptable" the bonus payments to the six executives in the 2021/22 financial year had not been cleared by the Scottish government.
The report added: "There was a lack of transparency and good governance around the assessment and approval of these payments".
The money is understood to have been paid under former turnaround director Tim Hair, who was recruited by the government after the yard was nationalised in 2019.
Mr Yousaf said in April that he "shared the anger" at the payments being made and that "for any future discussion or consideration of bonuses, I have made it clear there should not be bonuses paid" in relation to the two ferries.
Responding to Mr Miller's comments, a Scottish government spokesman said the bonus arrangements were signed off by the Ferguson Marine board without its knowledge.
He added: "The first minister previously made clear his anger at these payments and had sought advice as to whether they could be stopped.
"However - as we have already outlined - they form part of legacy employment contracts meaning they have been contractually unavoidable."
A review of remuneration and reward arrangements for 2023/24 is being carried out in consultation with the government and is expected to conclude by the end of July.
There has been controversy over salaries and bonuses paid to senior staff at the Ferguson yard since it was nationalised
The two CalMac ferries - the Glen Sannox and another boat currently known as Hull 802 - were ordered in 2015 when Ferguson Marine (FMEL) was owned by Jim McColl, a pro-independence businessman who had rescued the Port Glasgow yard from administration a year earlier.
The project soon ran into trouble, with the yard being taken over by the Scottish government in 2019, and the ships are now more than £200m overbudget and due to be delivered six years later than originally planned.
Mr McColl and the government-owned ferry procurement agency CMAL have each blamed each other for the problems.
The committee also heard from David Tydeman, the CEO of Ferguson Marine, who insisted that the "gravy train" at the shipyard had ended.
Mr Tydeman was told by Scottish Conservative MSP Craig Hoy that workers believed people had been taking big salaries and big bonuses while "not necessarily contributing to the health and wellbeing of the yard".
Mr Hoy asked: "Can you say, hand on heart, that gravy train culture has come to an end now?"
The chief executive replied: "Yes. I am very determined that it does come to an end and I have reduced the payroll costs by about £3m in the last 12 months."
His predecessor, Mr Hair, had an annual salary of about £790,000 a year. He got rid of Mr McColl's senior management team and his design consultants Vera Navis, and appointed new design consultants ICE, who are based in Romania.
Mr Tydeman, in comparison, has a basic annual salary of £205,000 with a 30% "at risk" element that depends on performance.
He told the committee that it was clear to him when he took the top job at Ferguson Marine in February last year that the planned delivery dates in 2022 and 2023 respectively for the Glen Sannox and Hull 802 were not achievable.
He said he believed this was the result of management mistakes by FMEL before it went into administration - but equally because of mistakes by Scottish government-owned company FMPG after the yard was nationalised in 2019.
He added: "In summary, my view remains that the increases came from four almost equal parts - mistakes by FMEL, mistakes by FMPG and from the pricing and time impacts."
But he said the yard remained "firmly targeted on delivering Glen Sannox before the end of this year and 802 before the end of next year".
Mr Tydeman also expressed confidence in the future of the yard, telling the committee that the current UK shipbuilding market was the most buoyant he had seen in his 40-year career, with demand exceeding capacity.
He said: "There is more than £250m of suitable work for Ferguson over the next five years from BAE and the CMAL small ferry programme.
"This combination creates really positive opportunities for us to get back on track and be competitive. I am pleased to advise that work has started with BAE at the Ferguson Port Glasgow yard and this is making a big difference to morale on site." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65776465 |
Cannich wildfire could be largest recorded in UK - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Firefighters say flames burned through a 30 sq mile area near Cannich but it is now under control. | Highlands & Islands | A plume of smoke, in the centre of the image, could be seen drifting 12 miles towards Loch Ness
Firefighters say they have brought under control a wildfire that could be the largest recorded in the UK.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said flames had burned through a 30 sq mile (80 sq km) area of scrub and woodland near Cannich in the Highlands.
Crews have been at the scene since Sunday, but the area has been affected by four separate fires since last week.
A 12-mile (20km) plume of smoke from the latest incident was detected from space by Nasa satellites.
Further analysis, including of satellite data, will confirm the eventual scale of the wildfire.
The incident has been hugely challenging for dozens of firefighters due to the terrain, and warm, dry and windy weather.
Two firefighters were hurt at the scene of the blaze after their all-terrain vehicle overturned.
They have been released from hospital following treatment and an investigation has begun into the cause of the accident.
Firefighters from across the Highlands, along with deer stalkers and waterbombing by helicopters, have been tackling the flames.
Group commander Jamie Thrower said an 80 sq km area had been affected
SFRS group commander Jamie Thrower said the fire had affected an area about five miles (8km) long and six miles (10km) wide.
He said: "We have got control of the fire and have the fire surrounded. Helicopters have been a useful tool for that and we have stopped the fire from spreading, but the weather is still causing a challenge."
Dr Thomas Smith, an associate professor in environmental geography at the London School of Economics, said satellite data going back about 20 years would help to confirm the scale of the wildfire, and if it is the largest recorded.
He said he was awaiting the latest satellite information for calculations to be made.
Before the incident at Cannich, the UK's biggest wildfire affected 20 sq miles (53 sq km) of peatland in Sutherland's Flow Country in May 2019, and the second largest occurred this April at Glenuig in Lochaber and involved about 13 sq miles (35 sq km).
SSEN said there was no damage to the electricity supply.
RSPB's Simon McLaughlin said local schoolchildren had sent him card after learning of the damage caused to native trees
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) said it was believed the wildfire was associated with wild camping, and SFRS has urged people to be careful around campfires and disposing of cigarettes.
Energy company SSEN Transmission said it was monitoring the fire because of a number of electricity towers in the area.
It said there was no damage or threat to disruption of the electricity supply.
A spokeswoman said: "Our engineers have been on site and inspected the overhead powerline where it crosses through the affected area to safely assess for any impact as a result of the wildfire.
"We'll continue to monitor the area to ensure the line remains in safe operation, and liaise with fire and rescue services as required."
The wildfire has been burning since last week
The fire has damaged heather moorland and forestry
RSPB Scotland said the fire had spread on to its Corrimony Nature Reserve and had damaged birch woodland and heather moorland.
The reserve's Simon McLaughlin said the activities of ground-nesting birds had been badly affected and some species, including frogs, had died in the fire.
Trees planted, some by local schoolchildren, in an effort to regenerate native woodland have also been destroyed.
Mr McLaughlin said: "I got a wee card last night from the Cannich School kids saying sorry for the damage caused and they are here to help."
A wildfire in Moray in 2019 affected thousands of acres of grassland
The majority of incidents are caused by accident, according to Forestry and Land Scotland.
The Scottish government agency said people did not realise how quickly an ember from a campfire or a dropped cigarette could develop into a wildfire in an area of dry vegetation or woodland.
Wildfires can result in the release of carbon.
May 2019's wildfire in the Flow Country in Sutherland released an estimated 700,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere during the incident, according to a WWF Scotland study.
Other parts of Scotland have also seen major incidents.
In April 2019, a major wildfire near Paul's Hill wind farm at Knockando, south west of Elgin, destroyed more than 20 square miles (72 sq km) of grassland.
The Scottish Greens said the Highland region alone had seen about 360 recorded wildfires between 2017 and 2022.
Greens MSP Ariane Burgess said: "My thoughts are first of all with the two fire-fighters who have been injured."
She added: "The Highlands are on the front line of the climate crisis, make no mistake.
"Our habitats and our land use, our size and geography, and our place as the jewel in Scotland's natural crown means what we do here is of vital importance."
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-65765053 |
Breast cancer: Woman's reconstruction delayed three times - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Women say they are facing "soul-destroying" waits for reconstructive surgery after breast cancer. | Wales | This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Karen Rogers has had to wear a prosthetic breast for six years after surgery delays
A breast cancer survivor has said she feels "cast aside" due to reconstructive surgery being postponed three times this year.
Karen Rogers, 57, from Magor, Monmouthshire, was given a mastectomy six years ago, but delays mean she is still waiting.
She said the wait affects everything from the clothes she wears to the way she hugs people.
The Welsh government said some cancer services were taking longer to recover.
Ms Rogers said: "I know it's a lump of flesh and there are people going through far worse things."
"But I just want to look normal. It won't be a normal boob when I get it - it'll be lumpy and bumpy - but it will be mine. I'll be back to some sort of the old Karen."
Ms Rogers's surgery was already delayed several times before the three postponements in 2023.
After the mastectomy on her left breast in December 2016, reconstruction was deferred until after cancer treatment.
She then needed stomach surgery to rule out a specific growth, and once she recovered, the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Prosthetic breasts can help women disguise the surgery they've had following a mastectomy, but don't always stay in position
The surgery, known as deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), is only performed in one Welsh health board - Swansea Bay - and takes skin from the stomach to create a new breast.
Operations deferred by the Covid pandemic restarted last year.
But a planned nurses' strike, concerns over Ms Rogers's white blood cell count and another patient needing an immediate reconstruction has led to more waiting.
While she said priority must be given to cancer patients, she said she felt "cast aside".
She has worn a prosthetic for the past six and a half years, either stuck to her skin "like a big plaster" or placed in a pocket of special bras.
"I don't swim any more - I've got two little grandsons my daughter wants me to go swimming with, but I can't. I'm just too self-conscious."
Even her hugs are done from the right side, she said, because she does not want people to notice the "rock-solid" prosthetic on the left.
Jo Woolnough decided to pay for the second stage of her breast surgery rather than wait three to four years
Jo Woolnough, 44, from Swansea, waited four years for her breast construction, which she had in August 2022.
She said: "You try and get on with your life and you console yourself by thinking 'well I'm here, I'm lucky I survived' but after a while you can't hold on to that anymore because that lack of a breast affects you so strongly."
But the reconstruction left her with one side at a C-cup and the other at an F to an E-cup, leading her to feel self-conscious and stuffing "teddy-bear filling" in her bra.
She was then told it would be another three to four years for a reduction of her surviving breast so they would be the same size, which she described as "soul destroying".
"I was so elated from having the first surgery and thinking 'I'm nearly done, I'm nearly finished. I can see the end in sight'."
She decided to spend £8,000 to have the reduction privately, but after moving from a well-paid job to universal credit, this was a tough decision.
She said: "We need to close the door and move on - our family needs this."
Last year the Welsh government's women's health quality statement said health boards should ensure patients received care "as close as possible to home without significant waits".
As these specific, specialist operations are done by just one health board, cancer charity Macmillan said that service has to be adequately resourced.
"We are seeing these difficulties across Wales, and across the UK even, where there's not enough surgical space. There's not enough of the work force to do these massively important procedures," said Richard Pugh of Macmillan Wales.
Swansea Bay University Health Board said the plastic surgery team was working hard to reduce waiting lists, which grew significantly during the pandemic.
It added a new DIEP surgery service started at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, in September, which is unaffected by emergency patients, with additional surgery lists added in Morriston earlier this month, and on weekends when possible.
The Welsh government said: "We understand how difficult long waits for treatment can be. We are committed to improving health services for women and girls and to tackling many of the issues they themselves have identified as most important to them.
"We have sought to protect cancer services from the impact of the pandemic as far as possible but some parts of the pathway, like breast reconstruction, are taking longer to recover." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65770228 |
Joe Biden 'fine' after fall on stage in Colorado - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Officials say the 80-year-old president stumbled on a sandbag while handing out diplomas at a graduation ceremony in Colorado. | US & Canada | This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
President Joe Biden is "fine" after tripping and falling over at an event in Colorado, White House officials say.
He stumbled on a sandbag while handing out diplomas at a graduation ceremony for the US Air Force Academy.
Mr Biden, who is the nation's oldest serving president at 80, was helped back onto his feet and appeared to be unhurt after Thursday's fall.
"I got sandbagged!" the president joked to reporters as he arrived back at the White House that evening.
He had been standing for about an hour and a half to shake hands with each of the 921 graduating cadets.
Footage shows Mr Biden appearing to point at one of two sandbags used to prop up his teleprompter as he was helped up by an Air Force official and two members of his Secret Service detail.
He was seen walking back to his seat unassisted and later jogging back to his motorcade when the ceremony ended.
"There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands," White House communications director Ben LaBolt wrote on Twitter. "He's fine."
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Mr Biden had boarded the plane flashing "a big smile", although one reporter noted that he did not take questions before the flight.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Critics have said Mr Biden is too old to run for a second term as president.
Recent polls suggest a majority of US voters are concerned about his advanced age. He would be 82 at the start of a second term if he wins.
This fall, in addition to previous stumbles from his bicycle and on the way up the Air Force One stairs, could add to those concerns.
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner to face Mr Biden in the 2024 White House election, reacted to the incident from a campaign event in Iowa, saying "the whole thing is crazy".
"I hope he wasn't hurt," said Mr Trump, 76, who has often poked fun at Mr Biden's age. "That's not inspiring."
"You got to be careful about that because you don't - you don't want that. Even if you have to tip toe down the ramp," added Mr Trump, apparently referring to his own careful walk off a stage that made headlines in 2020.
He said at the time that the ramp at the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, was slippery, and brushed aside the ensuing media questions about his own health as fake news.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, another 2024 contender for the Republican nomination, also reacted to the fall during a campaign event in New Hampshire: "We hope and wish Joe Biden a swift recovery from any injuries he may have sustained.
"But we also wish the United States of America a swift recovery from the injuries it has sustained because of Joe Biden and his policies."
Mr Biden's last physical examination took place in February.
White House physician Dr Kevin O'Connor wrote at the time: "The President remains fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations."
Dr O'Connor added that Mr Biden walks with a "stiffened gait", largely caused by wear and tear on his spine and nerve damage in his feet, but that his condition was unchanged from a previous physical in November 2021.
Mr Biden is hardly the first commander-in-chief to lose his footing in front of the cameras.
President Barack Obama tripped walking up stairs at a 2012 event, while President Gerald Ford fell down the stairs of Air Force One in 1975. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65783589 |
Low emission zone vehicle ban begins in Glasgow - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Owners of vehicles violating the new rules face fines mounting to hundreds of pounds per day. | Scotland business | Glasgow's low emission zone (LEZ) has come into force, banning many older vehicles from the centre of Scotland's biggest city.
Drivers of vehicles which do not meet emissions standards face fines mounting to hundreds of pounds per day.
A last-ditch legal challenge to the scheme was thrown out by a Court of Session judge on Wednesday.
Glasgow City Council's climate and transport convenor said the LEZ would ensure "cleaner, more breathable air".
Similar restrictions have been in place for buses since 2018.
The zone is bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south, and the Saltmarket/High Street to the east.
Exemptions are available for blue badge holders, motorbikes, mopeds and emergency vehicles.
But in general petrol cars made before 2005 and diesels built before September 2014 will not be allowed in the zone.
However residents within the area have been granted an extra year to prepare.
The zone, which will operate 24 hours a day and all-year round, was conceived to tackle poor air quality, with many streets in Scotland regularly reaching harmful and illegal levels.
Before the Covid pandemic, concentrations of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide on Hope Street in Glasgow averaged 50% more than the safe legal limit.
But those numbers fell during the lockdown and when the most polluting buses and heavy goods vehicles were banned from the city centre in the first stage of the LEZ.
The scheme has been controversial, with some critics accusing the city council of not consulting effectively and pressing ahead with banning cars even after emissions fell in the initial stage of the LEZ.
A legal challenge brought by a vehicle repair company based in the Townhead area of Glasgow failed on Wednesday.
Patons Accident Repair Centre called for the scheme to be suspended ahead of further legal action.
It estimated that the 50-year-old firm would have to close within two years because it would lose a third of its business if it could no longer repair older vehicles.
Its workshop on Lister Street is about 500m (0.3 miles) inside the LEZ boundary, to the north of the city centre.
Homeless Project Scotland has learned its refrigerated van is not compliant with the new LEZ rules which come into force next week
Last month a charity providing food for homeless people in the city centre said its operations would be affected by the LEZ after it was refused an exemption by the city council to use its refrigerated van within the restricted area.
Homeless Project Scotland chairman Colin McInnes said he had assumed the charity's refrigerated van was compliant as it was registered in 2015, only to find out recently through Transport Scotland's LEZ vehicle checker that it was not.
Scottish Conservatives transport spokesman Graham Simpson said the SNP council in Glasgow had "not responded to the significant objections to the scheme raised by local businesses".
He added: "We all want to see a reduction in pollution and to meet environmental targets, but there is evidence that air quality is already meeting those standards, and that phase two will not result in further improvements."
Councillor Angus Millar, convener for climate and transport, said the bus-only phase of the scheme had seen a year-on-year improvement in the proportion of low or zero emission buses servicing the city centre.
But he warned: "We still have stubbornly high air pollution levels in the city centre, which have been in breach of legal limits for decades now, and that poor air quality is actively harming Glaswegians' health."
He also said up to 90% of vehicles currently entering the city centre would be unaffected.
Mr Millar added: "The LEZ standards will address the small minority of vehicles which pollute the most, disproportionately creating the harmful concentrations of air pollution.
"And by ensuring cleaner air, we can create a safer and more pleasant experience for everyone who lives, works and visits Glasgow city centre."
Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan said air pollution from vehicles disproportionally affected the most vulnerable.
She added: "It causes the most damage to the youngest, the oldest and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
"LEZs are an important tool in protecting public health and improving air quality - while at the same time protecting our environment by reducing harmful emissions and encouraging a shift to more sustainable transport."
Gareth Brown, who chairs Healthy Air Scotland, said one in five Scots would develop a lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in their lifetime.
He added: "Our cities must be redesigned to be far healthier places, where people can walk and cycle and not forced to breathe in toxic levels of air."
Scotland's four biggest cities all introduced LEZs last year - but Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh announced a two-year grace period until 2024.
The rules are not as strict as some other UK schemes, such as Oxford's zero emissions zone - where no petrol or diesel vehicles are allowed.
It raised almost £120,000 in fines in its first six months.
But while non-compliant vehicles will be banned in Scotland, Birmingham and London's ultra low emissions zones only require drivers to pay a fee.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-65764883 |
How worrying is debt ceiling for Americans on Social Security? - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Most Americans think a default is impossible, and few have planned for the potential economic chaos. | Business | The idea of a default is nearly inconceivable
The US faces dire warnings that a political stand-off over the debt ceiling could unleash unprecedented economic chaos. But few in the country, where nearly half the population relies on money from the government to help make ends meet, are making any backup plans.
In the base of a tower near the Brooklyn Bridge, half a dozen white-haired men and women assembled for their monthly book club.
The members are among the nearly 70 million Americans who receive monthly payments from Social Security, the government's assistance for pensioners and the disabled.
The programme pays out more than $115m (£92m) each month - about $1,700 on average per person - support that is at risk if President Joe Biden and Republican leader Kevin McCarthy cannot reach a deal before the US runs out of money to pay its bills.
Authorities have warned that moment could arrive in less than two weeks.
The seniors at Southbridge Towers said they were following the talks - and feel worried. But asked if they had taken any precautions in case the US defaults and their Social Security benefits do not arrive, the seniors seated around the plastic table responded with a sea of blank looks.
"That will never happen," declared 82-year-old Norman Manning. "It would be disastrous."
Mr Manning is hardly alone in betting that a deal allowing the US to borrow money will get done.
Financial markets also appear largely confident, despite some signs of anxiety among investors, including a drop in demand for some kinds of US debt.
Even after the lead Republican negotiator last week walked out of a closed-door meeting with White House representatives during talks aimed at avoiding a default, shares only flinched.
But Ian Bremmer, president of political consultancy the Eurasia Group, warned that even if both sides can agree to a deal, it will probably take significant wrangling before Republicans in Congress will vote for it - which could push the US into risky territory.
"This is going to get worse before it gets fixed," he said.
Without a deal, the White House has warned that if the government defaults, there would be severe disruption to government functions as well as pay for pensioners, government employees and members of the military. Financial markets are expected to go haywire.
Analysts say a prolonged stand-off could spark an economic downturn on the scale of the 2008 financial crisis, when millions of people lost their jobs and trillions of dollars in wealth was wiped out in financial markets.
A recent poll by Ipsos/Reuters found that three in four Americans fear personal financial fallout from such an event.
But dire predictions aside, no-one is exactly sure what would happen in a default - nor are government agencies providing many clues about if or how they are preparing.
When asked if it had alerted Social Security recipients about the risks, the Social Security Administration referred questions to the Treasury Department. The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment. Neither did the Department of Health and Human Services, which administers food benefits for the poor and other programmes.
Unions representing government workers said their members had received no guidance about what staff should expect.
"I don't think the government itself knows quite what would happen," said Daniel Horowitz, deputy legislative director for the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 750,000 federal and DC government workers. "It is the Titanic heading for the iceberg right now."
Max Richtman, president and chief executive of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, said he was not surprised that the government would not want to unnecessarily alarm seniors if some kind of agreement to raise the debt ceiling is a foregone conclusion.
Arzu Deiker says she is worried about what could happen to her if the government defaults
But his organisation has still been trying to raise awareness among its millions of members and supporters about the potential risks.
"What we're telling our members is save some money, have a cushion in case things don't work out in the next couple of weeks," he said, noting that those on fixed incomes tend to have limited financial flexibility.
Robin Warshay, one of the book club members, said without her Social Security payment arriving on time, she would have to dip into savings.
She was also concerned about the ripple impact on businesses and the economy, should people's ability to spend suddenly freeze. But she said she remained "hopefully optimistic" talks in Washington would yield an agreement.
"If they want to get re-elected, they better make up," she said.
Even a deal could bring economic pain, depending on what it includes, analysts warn.
Republicans are seeking steep spending restrictions and changes to some benefits programmes.
While Mr Biden has rejected many of their proposals, he has also laid the ground for compromise, saying: "We're going to come together, because there's no alternative."
Arzu Deiker, a home health aide in New York who receives assistance from the government to buy groceries for herself and her three children, said she was worried about the threat to that support - whether it comes in the form of default or a deal.
"I'm scared," said the 29-year-old. "It would affect me a lot." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65627854 |
Church abuse victims risk new trauma over payout scheme - report - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | A Church of England support scheme for abuse survivors risks re-traumatising victims, report finds. | UK | "It's hard to hear the criticisms… undoubtedly, we don't always hear well," says the Bishop of Birkenhead
A support scheme set up for Church of England abuse survivors risks re-traumatising victims, a report seen by the BBC has concluded.
One man's dealings with the scheme left him suicidal, says the report by the Church's Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB).
Other survivors told the BBC they have been treated with contempt.
The Church's lead on abuse engagement has apologised to victims who have had a "poor experience".
The Bishop of Birkenhead, Julie Conalty says "others have had positive experiences".
The Interim Support Scheme (ISS) was set up in August 2020 to support victims of abuse who are in urgent need of financial help.
Two months later, a landmark inquiry into child abuse within the Church of England concluded that compensation should be paid to victims and survivors. A full compensation scheme is yet to be created.
To use the ISS, a person must provide evidence that they are a survivor of Church abuse and in need of financial help. But some victims have told the BBC they have found it difficult, because they don't want to have to re-engage with the Church.
The Bishop of Birkenhead has told the BBC that the Church is "trying to get it right".
"It's hard to hear the criticisms… Undoubtedly, we don't always hear well," she said.
The Church says it has paid out £1.4m to 68 survivors.
When contacted by the BBC it said it did not want to comment specifically on the ISB report or the cases of any individuals accessing the scheme.
In its report, the safeguarding board looked at the experience of one individual - referred to as "Mr X" - who become suicidal as a result of the way his requests for support were handled by the scheme.
Mr X was abused as a child by individuals in the Church of England and this led to "substantial health and financial impacts", the report says.
It said the support scheme appeared to have been "set up in haste, underthought and under-resourced".
The Church "failed to grasp that a longer term, co-ordinated, intervention was required to help Mr X get back on his feet."
The authors warn of a lack of "effective central grip or oversight" and that if survivors' needs were not properly managed it could result in "repeated re-traumatisation".
Sophie Whiting says she had her support payments stopped without notice or explanation
Trying to get help from the scheme has taken its toll on other victims the BBC has spoken to.
"It's regular engagement. It's hundreds and hundreds of hours of work and time and effort," says Sophie Whiting, 55, who was abused by a member of the clergy as a child.
She says after a year of financial support, her payments were stopped with no explanation and there isn't a person she can contact for help.
"All I was met with was closed doors and passed from pillar to post," says Ms Whiting.
"I've written to numerous people within the Church of England to protest, because they had agreed that I was in financial need, and because I am now in greater financial need.
"I'm sick of having these kinds of conversations, and all this drama and trauma and upset and having my friends and family knowing about it."
Abuse victim Teresa Cooper was threatened with possible legal action
Teresa Cooper, 55, was sent a letter by a church administrator which threatened her with possible legal action in December last year, after she had posted about her bad experiences of the scheme on social media.
"I ended up in hospital about three weeks later, I was so distressed," she says.
She says it takes a long time to get support from the scheme and some payments have been revoked with no explanation.
Her applications for help with an electric wheelchair were rejected, along with one to cover a carer's allowance.
Ms Cooper was abused in a Church of England-run residential home in Gravesend, Kent. Medical reviews have found that her health has been permanently damaged by drugs she was given there.
"This medical condition was forced on me through no fault of my own. The least they could have done was look after me," Ms Cooper says. "They are supposed to be Christians, they are supposed to be caring."
The Church recently apologised for having criticised abuse survivors for "horrific abuse and bullying" towards Church staff.
Bishop Conalty has told the BBC it was a misjudgement that had served as a distraction from the "main issue".
"I think survivors understandably felt that through the comments that were made that the blame was being placed on them."
Bishop Conalty said she was unable to comment on individual cases. She admitted to the difficulties of survivors having to prove to the Church that they need help, but said it could not be avoided.
"As a scheme that's set up in order to meet need, there has to be some evidence of the need, and some evidence of how the money is spent," she says.
The survivors the BBC have spoken to have said they are desperate to have their final compensation claims settled, so they no longer have to deal with the Church of England. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65768746 |
Bournemouth beach death swimmers not hit by boat or jet ski - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Police in Bournemouth release more details about the "devastating" deaths of a boy and girl. | Dorset | The beach was cleared, along with the nearby Pier Approach, and a cordon set up
A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy who died after being pulled from the sea off Bournemouth beach were not hit by any vessels, police have said.
Officers released more information regarding what happened on Wednesday when 10 swimmers got into difficulty.
A man in his 40s arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has been released under investigation.
Dorset Police said there was no contact with a jet ski or boat and no-one jumped from the pier.
The force stressed investigations were still in the early stages and it was only releasing certain details to address speculation. What exactly happened is still unclear.
Officers said members of the public rushed to help the 10 swimmers struggling in the water.
The girl and boy, from Buckinghamshire and Southampton respectively, sustained critical injuries and died later in hospital.
Police said they were from separate groups visiting the beach and the arrested man was not known to them.
The eight other people were rescued and treated on the beach.
Police confirmed on Thursday the arrested man was "on the water" at the time of the incident.
In a statement Dorset Police said: "Following initial enquiries, a man aged in his 40s who was on the water at the time was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He has now been released under investigation while enquiries continue."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Police said pier jumping had been ruled out as a cause of the tragedy
Emergency services were called to the beach off Bournemouth Pier, which was packed with people on half-term holidays, at 16:32 BST.
In an earlier statement, Dorset Police said: "Early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers at the time of the incident."
Speaking during a later press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell thanked members of the public who helped people in trouble in the water, as well as beachgoers who "quickly moved and let the emergency services do their jobs".
Dr Rob Rosa was on the beach and helped emergency service crews trying to resuscitate the 12-year-old girl.
In a post on social media, he said: "Many of the lifeguards on the beach were teenagers themselves and despite their training would not have encountered such a scene, let alone having to resuscitate two children simultaneously whilst actively searching for others in a crowded sea.
"These young lifeguards did everything asked of them, they didn't panic, there was no hysteria, they were exceptional and they followed instruction to the letter whilst taking their own initiative."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Two students described seeing emergency services descend on the seafront on Wednesday
Air ambulances landed on the beach, while a lifeguard attended on a jet ski in a bid to rescue those who were in the water.
The coastguard also conducted a search to make sure no other people were missing and said it was "satisfied there are not".
A section of the beach and the nearby Pier Approach were cleared and a cordon was put in place.
The RNLI is now offering support to the lifeguards who were on the scene.
The beach was cleared along with nearby Pier Approach in Bournemouth
Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, said protocols on the pier could be reviewed after the "terrible tragedy".
He said Bournemouth prided itself on being a family resort and the incident had taken "everybody by shock".
Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Vikki Slade, told members of the press making sure the beach is safe would be a "top priority" for the authority.
She said extra staff would be on at the scene this weekend and lifeboat support from the RNLI would be visible.
When asked about the protocols in place for water safety, she said the team "is always looking at these issues, but today isn't the day for that".
Dorset Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward and has said further information will be released "as the investigation progresses".
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are also involved in the investigation.
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Debt ceiling deal: US House overwhelmingly passes bill - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The Senate must approve the deal and send it to the president's desk this weekend to avoid a default. | US & Canada | A deal allowing the US to borrow more money has moved closer to becoming law, days before the world's biggest economy is due to start defaulting on its debt.
The measure easily passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 314-117, despite defections on both sides.
The Senate is now meeting ahead of a vote, which the bill needs to pass before it can be signed into law by President Joe Biden.
The government is forecast to hit its borrowing limit on Monday 5 June.
That has left little margin for error as lawmakers race to avoid the US defaulting on its $31.4tn (£25tn) debt, which underpins the global financial system.
A default would mean the government could not borrow any more money or pay all of its bills. It would also threaten to wreak havoc on the global economy, affecting prices and mortgage rates in other countries.
On Wednesday evening, 165 Democrats joined 149 Republicans in approving the 99-page bill to raise the debt ceiling, allowing it to pass the House by the required simple majority.
With Republicans in control of the lower chamber of Congress and Democrats holding sway in the upper chamber and White House, a deal had proven elusive for weeks until Mr Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy inked a bipartisan compromise over the weekend.
In a statement, Mr Biden thanked the speaker, saying he had negotiated in good faith.
"Neither side got everything it wanted," said the president. "That's the responsibility of governing."
Kevin McCarthy was able to push Joe Biden and reluctant Democrats to the negotiating table by passing a bill that raised the debt limit but included a laundry list of conservative priorities.
Then he was able to hold his party together as he struck a less ambitious deal with the president that modestly trimmed the growth in federal spending and added some new conditions on aid for low-income Americans.
That was not enough for a group of hard-line conservatives, some of whom hinted they would unseat Mr McCarthy and force a new election for Speaker.
But by Wednesday, even the hottest of firebrands were backing away from their rhetoric. And when it came time to vote, a majority of Republicans approved Mr McCarthy's deal.
While the hard-liners may grumble, it is clear they do not have anywhere near the level of support they would need to replace Mr McCarthy - or even any idea who to replace him with.
The agreement suspends the debt ceiling, the spending limit set by Congress which determines how much money the government can borrow, until 1 January 2025.
The legislation would result in $1.5tn in savings over a decade, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said on Tuesday.
But the bill's passage had been in jeopardy after lawmakers from both parties voiced opposition.
Ultra-conservative Republicans complained they had secured too few concessions in exchange for raising the debt limit.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Watch: The debt ceiling explained - in under 90 seconds
Democrats objected to provisions raising work requirements for Americans on federal food aid, and restarting student loan repayments.
Emanuel Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat, said he would vote for the bill, even though he viewed it as the "second serving of Satan's sandwiches".
The leader of the House Democrats, Hakeem Jeffries, said his party had politically bailed out the Republican speaker.
"Once again, House Democrats to the rescue to avoid a dangerous default," said the New York congressman.
Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican who had vowed to stop the bill, tweeted: "More Democrats voted for this 'historic conservative victory' than Republicans.
Chip Roy of Texas vowed a reckoning over the bill
Republicans control the House by a narrow 222-213 majority, but Mr McCarthy was able to push the bill over the line with support from political centrists on both sides of the aisle.
He framed the package as "the biggest cut and savings this Congress has ever voted for".
The bill is not yet assured of passage. It now heads to the Senate, where some combination of Democratic and Republican votes may again be needed.
One conservative Republican, Mike Lee of Utah, has already threatened to use "every procedural tool" to stall consideration of the deal.
Left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders also came out against the bill on Wednesday, saying he cannot "in good conscience" support it - but he told CNN he would not delay its passage.
Both Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate are working to ensure that a bill reaches Mr Biden's desk for his signature this weekend before a default can occur.
The last time the US came this close to overshooting its debt ceiling, in 2011, the credit agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the country's rating, a move that has yet to be reversed.
Before Wednesday's vote, US stock markets ended the day down a little, with the Dow closing 0.4% lower, while the S&P and Nasdaq both dipped by 0.6%.
With Nomia Iqbal and Jessica Parker reporting from Capitol Hill | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65771669 |
Phillip Schofield: What next for Holly Willoughby, ITV and This Morning? - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Phillip Schofield left his role on the daytime show after admitting an affair with a colleague. | Entertainment & Arts | Holly Willoughby is set to return to This Morning on Monday 5 June, two weeks after Schofield's exit
Pressure on ITV is increasing after several stars raised questions about what it knew of Phillip Schofield's relationship with a younger male colleague.
The former This Morning host left the show last week following reports of a rift with co-star Holly Willoughby.
Willoughby was reportedly upset that Schofield had not told her his brother Timothy was facing charges of sexually abusing a boy, something he was ultimately convicted of earlier this year.
Days after Schofield exited This Morning he confirmed he had an affair with a young male colleague while still married to his wife, and apologised for lying about it to those around him.
The 61-year-old's relationship has dominated headlines in recent days, but it has also prompted criticism about the working environment on the show.
Dr Ranj Singh, This Morning's former resident doctor, tweeted on Sunday: "I didn't know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with This Morning go far beyond him. The culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer aligned with ITV's values."
In response, an ITV spokesman said: "We are sorry to read Dr Ranj's post. At ITV we are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.
"Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination."
This isn't the first time a light-hearted daytime show has been accused of a difficult culture behind the scenes - it was one of the factors which led to the end of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US.
But how did it come to this? A story which started life two weeks ago following an apparent feud between Schofield and his co-star Holly Willoughby has turned into a crisis for ITV.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Watch: Phillip Schofield spoke to the BBC's Amol Rajan about his affair
The man who would become Schofield's lover was a teenager when they first met, although the relationship did not start until he was over 18 and working alongside the presenter on This Morning.
The pair met when the boy attended a talk Schofield gave at a school - and his connection to the star would ultimately lead to him being hired by ITV three years later.
Some might say it is unfair that someone could land a job in the media industry because they happened to come into contact with a successful figure.
The truth is that kind of thing happens frequently in the entertainment world. But this case may prompt questions about whether more safeguards should be put in place for young employees.
Speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, former culture secretary Nadine Dorries said: "How did that young boy get a job at ITV - what were the processes that were involved and what were the safeguarding processes that were in place for someone who was so young?"
Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries questioned whether safeguarding processes were put in place by ITV
Rumours continued to swirl about the nature of the pair's relationship for several years. Schofield came out as gay live on air in February 2020. By then, the man had moved programmes and was working on another ITV show.
ITV say the affair was "categorically denied" by both parties during a 2020 investigation, and no evidence beyond "hearsay and rumour" was found.
A major TV network cannot fire someone based on rumour and suspicion alone, especially a high-profile presenter whose sudden and unexplained departure would invite a media circus to their doorstep.
Nonetheless, Dan Wootton and Eamonn Holmes were among the former ITV stars who maintained that network's bosses had questions to answer about what they knew and when.
Wootton claims he was one of the ITV employees who had urged bosses to investigate rumours of a relationship in 2019.
At the time, he also worked for the Sun and was keen to write something about what was happening, but he said he was only able to write "a pale imitation of the real story" due to legal constraints.
Former This Morning star Dr Ranj claimed the wider culture on the programme was "toxic"
Following Schofield's high-profile exit, many are questioning whether or not Willoughby can remain on the programme, assuming she wants to. She is a hugely popular presenter who will not be short of offers from other broadcasters.
Willoughby reportedly has no plans to leave but the drama surrounding Schofield and This Morning is such that it is hard to imagine how she'll be able to present the programme as normal when she returns on 5 June.
She has already distanced herself from her former co-star and friend, commenting it was "very hurtful" to find Schofield had lied about the relationship.
In the long-term, it's perfectly possible she could be able to build a relationship with a new co-presenter such as Alison Hammond. But Willoughby was so heavily associated with Schofield on This Morning it could be tricky for her to escape from under his cloud.
Alison Hammond (pictured with Schofield in July 2022) is the favourite to replace him on This Morning
Others are asking whether Schofield's career can survive away from ITV. Comebacks are common in the media industry and it's worth reiterating that he hasn't done anything illegal.
While it's unlikely he will ever reclaim his throne as the king of daytime, there are plenty of other radio stations and TV networks who might give him a lower-profile show after he's had a period of laying low.
As for the programme itself, there is a good chance it will survive. A huge number of staff work on This Morning beyond the presenters, including production staff, camera operators and regular guests.
Cancelling the show would leave a huge gap in ITV's daytime schedule and viewers could easily drift off to other channels and never come back if the show went off air, even temporarily. ITV will want to avoid this at all costs.
ITV said in a statement: "This Morning is not under review and there's no plans for the show to be axed."
Willoughby has no plans to leave This Morning following Schofield's exit, according to reports
A rebrand of the show, which retains a lot of the staff and essence of This Morning but with a different title and colour scheme, might be a credible option if it is felt the show cannot continue.
When GMTV finished in 2010, its troubled replacement Daybreak struggled for four years before being replaced by the far more successful Good Morning Britain.
For now, photos of Schofield have reportedly been removed from the This Morning set, and advertisers will be watching closely to see how the show weathers the storm.
Three years after chef John Torode's tea towel caught fire live on air while he attempted the perfect breakfast muffin recipe, ITV is being forced to put out a few fires of its own. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65738931 |
Debt ceiling live updates: Congress approves deal, averting a US default - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | President Joe Biden will now sign the measure into law, staving off worldwide economic chaos. | US & Canada | It’s been a long evening. The repeated roll-calls of senators, to go through amendments, has given the impression of a slow pace.
But of course this legislation’s actually been expedited through the Senate due to Monday’s deadline.
That’s when the US Treasury says the country could run out of money to pay all its bills.
So this is, in relative terms, speedy stuff.
But watching these apparently calm proceedings unfold is somewhat at odds with the frantic political drama that’s played out in recent weeks.
It did seem, at points, as though a deal could prove elusive between senior Republicans and the White House.
But, as is often the way with political deals, an 11th-hour agreement was struck. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65676379 |
Jerusalem Sbarro pizza bombing victim dies after 22 years in coma - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Chana Nachenberg, a US-Israeli citizen, was 31 at the time of the deadly attack on a pizzeria. | Middle East | Chana Nachenberg was one of 16 people killed in the bombing
A US-Israeli woman has died after 22 years in a coma from injuries suffered in a Palestinian suicide bombing at a pizza restaurant in Jerusalem.
Chana Nachenberg was 31 at the time of the attack at the Sbarro pizzeria, which killed 15 other people, including seven children and a pregnant woman.
She is the third US national to die as a result of the bombing in August 2001.
The US is seeking the extradition from Jordan of a woman convicted by Israel of murder for her role in the attack.
Ahlam Tamimi, a Jordanian citizen who lived in the occupied West Bank at the time, was given 16 life sentences by an Israeli court in 2003. She was released in 2011 as part of a deal to free an Israeli soldier held captive for more than five years by Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.
Tamimi helped the bomber, Izz al-Din Shuheil al-Masri, carry out the attack. She returned to Jordan after her release, and has spoken about her pride at her involvement in the atrocity.
Tamimi is on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list and the US says it is seeking her extradition on charges of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against Americans. Jordan's High Court has rejected a previous request.
The parents of one of the two other US citizens killed in the attack - Malki Roth, who was 15 at the time - have campaigned for years for the US to do more to effect Tamimi's extradition.
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The Sbarro restaurant, at a busy intersection in the centre of west Jerusalem, was packed with customers when Tamimi and Masri, both Hamas members, entered on 9 August. Tamimi, who chose the target, left before Masri blew himself up. In addition to those killed, about 130 people were injured.
It was one of multiple suicide bombings by Hamas during the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against Israel, which began the previous year and tailed off in 2005. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-65754102 |
England Women's World Cup squad: Beth Mead left out, Beth England in - BBC Sport | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | null | Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead is not included in England's Women's World Cup squad, having not recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. | null | Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead is not included in England's Women's World Cup squad, having not fully recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Arsenal forward, 27, has not played since November and was a major doubt.
Tottenham striker Beth England, who has not been involved since last summer, is included having scored 12 goals in her past 12 Women's Super League games.
Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright, who has been out with a knee injury since March, has made the 23-player squad.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed Bright would captain the team in the absence of injured defender Leah Williamson.
Midfielder Fran Kirby was also already ruled out through injury, but Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze is in despite having knee surgery in April.
Wiegman said she did not ever think there was a chance Mead would be fit in time for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
"She's so positive and going well, but the timescale she had we would have taken so many risks to get to the World Cup," said Wiegman.
"I'm not willing to take that risk to push her too much and she gets injured again. We need to take care of players."
There is no place for Manchester United forward Nikita Parris or defender Maya le Tissier, but Le Tissier has been placed on standby, alongside uncapped goalkeeper Emily Ramsey and forward Jess Park.
Manchester City defender Steph Houghton, who captained England for eight years, has not been called up despite injuries in defence leading to some calls for her return.
Midfielder Laura Coombs is one of six players in the squad who will be going to their first major tournament, along with Chelsea pair Lauren James and Niamh Charles, Manchester City's Esme Morgan, Manchester United's Katie Zelem and Brighton's Katie Robinson.
England play Haiti in their opening match on 22 July in Australia.
Wiegman said her decision to leave out Le Tissier, 21, was one of the hardest to make because of competition in defensive positions, where there is lots of versatility.
She has just two caps for England but has impressed at centre-back for United this season.
Le Tissier, Ramsey and Park will train with the squad at St George's Park in June. Goalkeeper Ramsey will leave the group prior to departure for Australia.
"Of course [Le Tissier] was really close," said Wiegman. "That was a hard call. With all the defenders we had to think about it.
"She just didn't get there. She has had a very good season at Manchester United."
While there was bitter disappointment for Le Tissier, England received her first call up for a year and was rewarded for her goalscoring form since making the January switch from Chelsea.
"She is selected because of her performances. She was at Chelsea and didn't build that much credit because we hardly saw her play," said Wiegman.
"But then she made a move, and how she did, performed and the resilience she showed made us make the decision to get her in the squad."
'Bright will be fine as captain'
Aside from selection, another talking point was who would take over the captaincy from Williamson in her injury absence.
Bright was named vice-captain for Euro 2022 and Wiegman confirmed she will wear the armband in Australia.
"I haven't told her she would be the captain, that's how we've been all the time," said Wiegman.
"Where she is at right now in her rehab, we haven't really spoken about it yet. She will be fine, she has done it before."
Another question was whether Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly, who was the WSL's Player of the Season and top goalscorer, would play up front in the tournament having started every game at left-back at Euro 2022.
"Yes, she can, like some other players. She has had a very good season and done really well," said Wiegman.
"She has played for us as a number nine and at the back. Her versatility helps the team."
Wiegman's decision to name 23 players is also different from last summer's home Euros, where she had a longlist of 28 names initially.
"It has to do with the timescale and going to the other side of the world," said Wiegman.
"While we were in England we could have training all the time and give clarity. Now we have a holiday then go quickly to Australia. So we wanted to have clarity on that." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65761103 |
AI: War crimes evidence erased by social media platforms - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Footage of potential human rights abuses may be lost after platforms delete it, the BBC has found. | Technology | Evidence of potential human rights abuses may be lost after being deleted by tech companies, the BBC has found.
Platforms remove graphic videos, often using artificial intelligence - but footage that may help prosecutions can be taken down without being archived.
Meta and YouTube say they aim to balance their duties to bear witness and protect users from harmful content.
But Alan Rusbridger, who sits on Meta's Oversight Board, says the industry has been "overcautious" in its moderation.
The platforms say they do have exemptions for graphic material when it is in the public interest - but when the BBC attempted to upload footage documenting attacks on civilians in Ukraine, it was swiftly deleted.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can remove harmful and illegal content at scale. When it comes to moderating violent images from wars, however, machines lack the nuance to identify human rights violations.
Ihor Zakharenko, a former travel journalist, encountered this in Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion he has been documenting attacks on civilians.
The BBC met him in a suburb of Kyiv where one year ago men, women and children had been shot dead by Russian troops while trying to flee occupation.
He filmed the bodies - at least 17 of them - and burnt-out cars.
He wanted to post the videos online so the world would see what happened and to counter the Kremlin's narrative. But when he uploaded them to Facebook and Instagram they were swiftly taken down.
"Russians themselves were saying those were fakes, [that] they didn't touch civilians, they fought only with the Ukrainian army," Ihor said.
We uploaded Ihor's footage on to Instagram and YouTube using dummy accounts.
Instagram took down three of the four videos within a minute.
At first, YouTube applied age restrictions to the same three, but 10 minutes later removed them all.
Videos documenting Russian attacks on civilians were taken down within minutes
We tried again - but they failed to upload altogether. An appeal to restore the videos on the basis that they included evidence of war crimes was rejected.
Key figures within the industry say there is an urgent need for social media companies to prevent this kind of information from vanishing.
"You can see why they have developed and train their machines to, the moment they see something that looks difficult or traumatic, to take it down," Mr Rusbridger told the BBC. The Meta Oversight Board that he sits on was set up by Mark Zuckerberg and is known as a kind of independent "supreme court" for the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram.
"I think the next question for them is how do we develop the machinery, whether that's human or AI, to then make more reasonable decisions," Mr Rusbridger, a former editor-in-chief of the Guardian, adds.
No-one would deny tech firms' right to police content, says US Ambassador for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaak: "I think where the concern happens is when that information suddenly disappears."
Atrocities from war are being documented on social media. This material can be used as evidence to help prosecute war crimes. But the BBC has spoken to people affected by violent conflict who have seen the major social media companies take down this content.
YouTube and Meta say that under their exemptions for graphic war footage in the public interest, content that would normally be removed can be kept online with viewing restricted to adults. But our experiment with Ihor's videos suggest otherwise.
Meta says it responds "to valid legal requests from law enforcement agencies around the world" and "we continue to explore additional avenues to support international accountability processes… consistent with our legal and privacy obligations".
YouTube says that while it has exemptions for graphic content in the public interest, the platform is not an archive. It says, "Human rights organisations; activists, human rights defenders, researchers, citizen journalists and others documenting human rights abuses (or other potential crimes) should observe best practices for securing and preserving their content."
The BBC also spoke to Imad, who owned a pharmacy in Aleppo, Syria, until a Syrian government barrel bomb landed nearby in 2013.
He recalls how the blast filled the room with dust and smoke. Hearing cries for help, he went to the market outside and saw hands, legs and dead bodies covered in blood.
Local TV crews captured these scenes. The footage was posted on YouTube and Facebook but has subsequently been taken down.
In the mayhem of the conflict, Syrian journalists told the BBC their own recordings of the original footage were also destroyed in bombing raids.
Years later, when Imad was applying for asylum in the EU, he was asked to provide documents that proved he was at the scene.
"I was sure that my pharmacy was captured on camera. But when I went online, it was taking me to a deleted video."
In response to this sort of incident, organisations like Mnemonic, a Berlin-based human rights organisation, have stepped in to archive footage before it disappears.
Mnemonic developed a tool to automatically download and save evidence of human rights violations - first in Syria and now in Yemen, Sudan and Ukraine.
They have saved more than 700,000 images from war zones before they were removed from social media, including three videos showing the attack near Imad's pharmacy.
Each image might hold a key clue to uncover what really transpired on the battlefield - the location, the date or the perpetrator.
But organisations like Mnemonic cannot cover every area of conflict around the world.
Proving that war crimes have been committed is incredibly hard - so getting as many sources as possible is vital.
"Verification is like solving a puzzle - you put together seemingly unrelated pieces of information to build a bigger picture of what happened," says BBC Verify's Olga Robinson.
The task of archiving open-source material - available to pretty much anyone on social media - often falls to people with a mission to help their relatives caught up in violent conflict.
Rahwa says it is her "duty" to archive open-source material from the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia
Rahwa lives in the United States and has family in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, which has been wracked with violence in recent years, and where the authorities in Ethiopia tightly control the flow of information.
However, social media means there is a visual record of a conflict that might otherwise remain hidden from the outside world.
"It was our duty," says Rahwa. "I spent hours doing research, and so when you're seeing this content trickle in you're trying to verify using all the open-source intelligence tools you can get your hands on, but you don't know if your family is OK."
Human rights campaigners say there is an urgent need for a formal system to gather and safely store deleted content. This would include preserving metadata to help verify the content and prove it hasn't been tampered with.
Ms Van Schaak, the US Ambassador for Global Criminal Justice, says: "We need to create a mechanism whereby that information can be preserved for potential future accountability exercises. Social media platforms should be willing to make arrangements with accountability mechanisms around the world."
Read more about BBC Verify: Explaining the 'how' - the launch of BBC Verify | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-65755517 |
Anthony Taylor: PGMOL condemns abuse directed at Europa League final referee - BBC Sport | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | null | Referees' body PGMOL says it is appalled by the abuse directed at Anthony Taylor by supporters at Budapest Airport after the Europa League final. | null | Last updated on .From the section European Football
Referees' body PGMOL says it is appalled by the "unjustified and abhorrent" abuse directed at Anthony Taylor in Budapest Airport following Wednesday's Europa League final.
The Englishman had officiated the game, where Sevilla beat Roma on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Taylor and his family were then shouted at by angry fans at the airport.
Budapest airport officials said an Italian citizen involved in the incident had been charged with affray.
In the video, which has been shared on social media, Taylor and his family are accosted by fans as they are escorted through the airport. Scuffles then break out as they disappear through a secure door and a chair is thrown.
Following the game, Roma manager Jose Mourinho was seen in a car park confronting Taylor with a foul-mouthed rant.
A Budapest Airport statement read: "Fans of the losing Roma team recognised the referee in the food court of the airport, where he was waiting for his flight to depart.
"Thanks to the airport operator's close co-operation with the police and the increased police presence at the airport during the arrival and departure of the fans, the authorities intervened immediately, and the referee was escorted to a lounge and boarded his flight safely, accompanied by police officers.
"The Italian citizen involved in the incident was apprehended by the police and criminal proceedings have been initiated on charges of affray."
PGMOL said in a statement: "[We are] aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.
"We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the Uefa Europa League final.
"We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family."
The Premier League said it was "shocked and appalled by the unacceptable abuse" directed at Taylor and his family.
A Premier League spokesperson added: "No-one should have to suffer the inexcusable behaviour they had to endure.
"Anthony is one of our most experienced and accomplished match officials and we fully support him and his family."
West Ham manager David Moyes, whose side play Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday, said: "All referees have a really difficult job and shouldn't be put through any difficult situations. That's not correct."
Uefa is waiting for reports from match officials and delegates before deciding whether to take action against Mourinho over the incident in the car park under the stadium after the match.
Mourinho criticised Taylor in his news conference and he was later captured ranting and making pointed comments as Taylor and officials were boarding a minibus.
The Portuguese repeatedly swore and twice shouted about a "disgrace" before talking in Italian.
Uefa's chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti attempted to calm the situation down.
Mourinho was booked during an ill-tempered game, with Taylor repeatedly called to the benches to take action as fourth official Michael Oliver struggled to keep control.
Taylor issued yellow cards to 13 players, the most bookings in a Europa League game. Seven of them were to Roma players, a record for a final.
Delays and injuries saw more than 25 minutes of injury time played across the four halves of the game, which went to extra time and then a shootout.
'Mourinho should be banned for 10 games'
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett called on Uefa to give Mourinho a 10-game ban and take tougher action against clubs.
"What is appalling here is that a referee has gone out and done his job," Hackett told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It is a prestigious game for him - for an English referee to be appointed to the final.
"He was looking forward to that. He spent years of refereeing to get to the level he is at. He is a world-class referee. He delivers a very difficult game without much contention and then he is faced with this particular problem as he is in the airport.
"It is unprecedented and Uefa have got to take action.
"The sanction for Mourinho? They have got to come down with a 10-game ban.
"They have also got to ban the teams from Europe. They have got to be tough; throw them out of the competition."
Hackett said Uefa must take "responsibility for the security of match officials right up to the time that they leave the airport". | http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65776488 |
Argentina allows morning-after pill to be bought over counter - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The health ministry says making the pill more easily available "removes an important barrier". | Latin America & Caribbean | Women in Argentina will no longer require a prescription to get emergency contraception.
The government said making the morning-after pill more easily available removed an "important barrier" for those seeking to prevent pregnancy.
The move was welcomed by feminist groups, who see it as a sign of progress in the Catholic-majority country.
However pro-life campaigners said it sends out the wrong message.
Argentina's health ministry said the measure would help avoid unintentional pregnancies by overcoming "difficulties of access to health services, contraception supplies, and education" faced by some.
"This removes an important barrier to access," Valeria Isla, director of sexual and reproductive health at the ministry, told Reuters news agency.
"People can have this method of contraception as support before an emergency happens."
Vanessa Gagliardi, leader of the feminist group Juntas y a la Izquierda, said the move would help "de-stigmatise" the morning-after pill in a country where seven out of 10 adolescent pregnancies were unplanned, according to official data.
Argentine pro-life group DerguiXlaVida called the measure worrying, accusing the government of "essentially orienting itself towards promoting abortive measures".
It said the move was recognition of the "failure of pregnancy prevention [and] sex education".
It is the latest sign of progress on reproductive rights in Argentina, one of the largest and most influential countries in Latin America, a region where the Catholic Church remains powerful.
In 2020, the country legalised abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy, a move opposed by the Church, which had called on senators to reject the bill.
Terminations had previously only been allowed in cases of rape or when the mother's health was at risk.
Emergency contraception pills - commonly known as morning-after pills - taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex prevent pregnancy by blocking the fertilisation of the egg, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), although it is more effective within 12 hours.
Emergency contraception - including emergency contraceptive pills and copper-bearing intrauterine devices - can prevent about 95% of pregnancies when taken within five days of intercourse, the WHO says.
• None 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion’ | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-65772878 |
Phillip Schofield: ITV announces external review of how it handled affair - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | A barrister is leading a review into how ITV handled the affair between Schofield and his colleague. | Entertainment & Arts | Phillip Schofield left ITV last week, after he admitted lying about an affair with a young male colleague
ITV has asked a barrister to lead a review into its handling of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and his colleague.
The review was confirmed by chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall in a letter seen by the PA news agency.
The former This Morning presenter left the network last week after he admitted lying about the affair.
ITV previously said it had investigated in 2020, but that both parties repeatedly denied the relationship.
The network has now instructed a barrister to carry out an external review to "establish the facts".
Jane Mulcahy KC "will review our records and talk to people involved", Dame Carolyn said in the letter.
Schofield, 61, resigned from ITV on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger male ITV employee.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Watch: Phillip Schofield spoke to the BBC's Amol Rajan about his affair
The letter from Dame Carolyn reads: "This work will also consider our relevant processes and policies and whether we need to change or strengthen any.
"Given Phillip's admission of the extent of his deception the work will extend to cover any related issues that may emerge. This work will be carried out as quickly as possible and we will be happy to share the outcome."
The letter was addressed to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, and Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes.
The letter mentions the "significant media coverage concerning Phillip Schofield" and adds: "As you would expect we take the matter extremely seriously and have reviewed our own records over the weekend."
The broadcast network reiterated that it investigated rumours of a relationship in 2020, but "did not find any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour".
Phillip Schofield presented This Morning opposite Holly Willoughby until his exit last week
"Given the ongoing rumours, we continued to ask questions of both parties, who both continued to deny the rumours, including as recently as this month," the letter added.
Dame Carolyn said there had been "a lot of inaccuracy" in reporting, adding the former employee Schofield admitted to an affair with had been offered support by the broadcaster.
She said: "The ITV employee was aged 19 when he first did work experience at This Morning... and 20 years old when he applied and succeeded in securing a job as a runner on the show."
"As you would imagine given the social media scrutiny of him, we have offered him our support throughout this period and indeed are still doing so," the letter continued.
ITV bosses, including Dame Carolyn, are set to face MPs on the Commons DCMS Committee on Tuesday to discuss reforms to the laws governing public broadcasting, and Dame Carolyn has also been asked to face questions from MPs at a session of the committee on 14 June.
MP John Nicolson, a former BBC journalist who sits on the committee and is also the SNP's culture spokesman, said on Twitter that recent events at ITV were a "cause for concern" and that he was looking forward to "getting some answers" from ITV bosses.
Schofield was dropped as an ambassador for the Prince's Trust earlier this week
Schofield left his role on This Morning following reports of a rift with his co-star Holly Willoughby.
Days later, he confirmed he had had a relationship with a younger male employee, which took place while Schofield was still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe.
Schofield apologised for lying to his colleagues, the media and his friends and family about the affair, and left ITV with immediate effect.
Earlier this week, the Prince's Trust announced it was dropping Schofield as an ambassador following the controversy.
The charity, founded by the King, said it was "no longer appropriate" for it to work with the presenter.
Schofield's exit from ITV means he will no longer present the British Soap Awards this weekend. They will now be hosted by singer and presenter Jane McDonald.
He will also not front a new prime-time series which the network said last week they were developing with him.
Dr Ranj Singh, who used to work on This Morning, alleged there was a toxic environment on the show
The show's former resident doctor, Dr Ranj Singh, previously criticised the show's "toxic" culture, saying he raised concerns about "bullying and discrimination" two years ago when he worked there.
In its latest letter, ITV said that an external review conducted following a complaint made by Dr Ranj found "no evidence of bullying or discrimination".
"We were sorry to read his statement," the letter said. "We are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.
"Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent adviser to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65769939 |
Nova Scotia battles its largest wildfire on record - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The Canadian fires have had a wide impact, with air quality warnings issued in the US northeast. | US & Canada | This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Firefighters in Nova Scotia are battling the largest wildfire in the Atlantic province's history.
Officials say the fire on the southern tip of the province has burned about 20,000 hectares, with flames reaching nearly 100m (328ft) in height.
Meanwhile, another fire that has forced the evacuation of thousands near Halifax, the largest city, continues to burn.
The wildfire smoke has travelled south, with air quality warnings in the US.
As of Thursday morning, Nova Scotia officials said the massive fire in Shelburne County in the south of the province is still burning. No fatalities or injuries have been reported, but abouy 50 homes have been destroyed as a result of the fire.
Dave Rockwood, a spokesperson with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, told reporters on Wednesday that the fire appears to be "very fast moving".
Mr Rockwood said firefighters have spotted flames as tall as 60 to 90m.
The fire is significantly larger than the average seen during an entire fire season in Nova Scotia, said Lucas Brehaut, a wildfire researcher with the Canadian Forest Service.
"Last year was quite high, at about just over 3,000 hectares burned," Mr Brehaut told the BBC. The Shelburne County fire, by comparison, is more than five times that size.
He added the high flames reported by firefighters are an indication of how strong and rapid the wildfire's spread has been.
More than 6,000 people have been evacuated from the region, the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) division said.
They are in addition to another 16,400 people who were evacuated from a suburban area nearby Halifax due to a smaller, 836-hectare wildfire that has been burning since Saturday and has destroyed around 200 homes and structures.
On Wednesday, Nova Scotia officials increased the fine for breaking the provincewide burn ban - a restriction on outdoor fires - to C$25,000 ($18,000; £14,800) - a massive jump from C$237.50.
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Officials said that smaller fire is more than 50% contained as of Thursday morning, but are fearful the flames may spread due to hot weather in the forecast.
"We are still dealing with a very dangerous and volatile situation," said David Steeves, a spokesperson with the Department of Natural Resources, adding the temperature could climb above 30C (86F) later in the day.
Officials said rain is not forecast for the region until Friday, and that they remain unsure on when residents can return to their homes.
Canada's federal government also announced on Thursday that it will be sending more resources to help Nova Scotia battle the flames.
This includes military personnel, as well as additional firefighters to help relieve those who have been working on the ground for days.
More than 300 firefighters from the US and South Africa are heading to Canada in the coming days. Some will be sent to battle fires in Nova Scotia, while others will be sent to battle ongoing fires in Canada's western province of Alberta.
They will join firefighters from Australia and New Zealand who are already on the ground.
The massive fire in Shelburne County has destroyed around 50 homes and forced the evacuation of 5,000 residents
Nova Scotia is seeing an unusually active wildfire season this year, Mr Brehaut said. It is part of a wider trend in Canada where the fire season has had an earlier start than normal.
Officials say that the number of wildfires across the country is on par with the 10-year average, but the amount of land burned - around 2.7m hectares in total - is unprecedented.
The fires have had an impact as far as the US, where air quality warnings were issued in Rhode Island and Massachusetts on Wednesday.
Some people in Boston have reported smelling smoke outside, according to reports in local media, while photos have shown a hazy sky over New York City on Tuesday as a result of the fires.
Nova Scotia officials said it remains unclear how the two fires started. Provincial officals
Experts say that while wildfires can be sparked by direct human involvement, natural factors, like strikes of lightning, can also play a huge part.
The cycle of extreme and long-lasting heat caused by climate change draws more and more moisture out of the ground and vegetation, resulting in conditions ripe for wildfires. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65755795 |
US actor Danny Masterson found guilty on two rape counts - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Three women said the actor sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood home between 2001-03. | US & Canada | Masterson arrives at the Los Angeles court to learn his fate with his wife, Bijou Phillips
A jury in Los Angeles has found US actor Danny Masterson guilty on two out of three counts of rape.
The star of That '70s Show, a TV series, faces up to 30 years in prison. He was led from court in handcuffs.
Three women, all former members of the Church of Scientology, accused the actor of sexual assault at his Hollywood home from 2001-03.
Prosecutors argued Masterson had relied on his status as a prominent Scientologist to avoid accountability.
The jury of seven women and five men was unable to reach a verdict on a third count after a week of deliberations, ending up deadlocked at 8-4.
One of his victims, who was raped in 2003, said in a statement quoted by the Associated Press: "I am experiencing a complex array of emotions - relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness - knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behaviour."
Masterson's wife, actress and model Bijou Phillips, wept as he was led away, CBS News reports. Other family and friends sat stone-faced.
Another jury in an earlier trial was unable to reach a verdict in December 2022.
Prosecutors chose to retry Masterson and this time the judge allowed attorneys to present new evidence that had been barred from the first trial.
Though the actor was not charged with drugging his victims, the jury heard testimony that the women had been dosed before he raped them.
Masterson was first accused of rape in 2017 during the height of the #MeToo movement. He responded by saying that he had not been charged or convicted of a crime, and that in the climate at the time "it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused".
Charges came after a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Prosecutors did not file charges in two other cases because of insufficient evidence and the statute of limitations expiring.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that the Church of Scientology had helped cover up the assaults - an allegation the organisation has categorically denied.
In a statement after the verdict was announced, the International Church of Scientology claimed prosecutors' attacks on the Church during the trial were "an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment".
"The Church was not a party to this case and religion did not belong in this proceeding," the organisation wrote on Twitter. "The District Attorney unconscionably centred his prosecution on the defendant's religion."
At the time of the assaults, Masterson and all three of his accusers were Scientologists. Several of the women said it took them years to come forward because Church of Scientology officials discouraged them from reporting the rape to police.
Instead, they were forced to rely on the Church's "internal justice system", prosecutors said.
Scientology officials told one survivor she would be kicked out of the Church unless she signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a payment of $400,000 (£320,000), according to prosecutors.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo allowed both sides to discuss the dogma and practices of Scientology.
But Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson told jurors during the trial: "The Church taught his victims, 'Rape isn't rape, you caused this, and above all, you are never allowed to go to law enforcement.'"
In its statement, the Church said there was "not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers".
Throughout the trial, the defence tried to undermine the credibility of the "Jane Does" by focusing on inconsistencies in their testimony and their supposed drive to get "revenge" against their former Church.
During closing arguments, Masterson's defence lawyer said of the survivors: "If you are looking for motives why people are not being truthful… there are motives all over the place."
Although the Church of Scientology was not a defendant in the case, before closing arguments began, a lawyer with ties to the Church emailed the district attorney's office to complain about the way the Church was portrayed during the retrial.
The defence also argued that the prosecution had relied heavily on testimony about drugging because there was an absence of evidence of any force or violence.
Masterson's lawyers tried, unsuccessfully, to have a mistrial declared. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65772615 |
Donald Trump recorded saying he kept classified file after leaving office - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Prosecutors investigating the former president's handling of classified files obtain an audio tape. | US & Canada | The justice department is investigating Donald Trump's handling of classified documents after he left office
US prosecutors have obtained an audio recording of Donald Trump in which he acknowledges keeping a classified document after leaving the White House.
CNN first reported that investigators had the tape, and people familiar with the matter later told the BBC's US partner CBS this was the case.
The justice department is investigating Mr Trump's handling of classified material. He denies wrongdoing.
The inquiry is reported to be nearing its end and could result in charges.
The audio recording is said to be from a meeting at Mr Trump's New Jersey golf club in July 2021, which is around six months after he left office.
Two people familiar with the matter told CBS that Mr Trump can be heard acknowledging there are national security restrictions on a military memo because it details a potential attack on Iran.
He says it is still classified and should have been declassified before leaving the White House, one person said.
Mr Trump also says he wants to share information from the document but knows his ability to declassify it is limited because he is no longer president, CNN reported.
It is not clear whether Mr Trump had the document during the meeting or was just describing it to several aides who were there. Other reports suggest the sound of rustling paper can be heard.
The tape appears to contradict Mr Trump's repeated argument that he declassified all material he removed from the White House. It could also prove to be a key piece of evidence if prosecutors seek to show the former president was aware he should not be in possession of classified documents.
Neither the BBC or CBS News have listened to the audio and it has not been made public.
It has been handed over to justice department investigators who are being overseen by special prosecutor Jack Smith.
Their investigation, which has ramped up in recent weeks, is examining the removal of hundreds of classified government documents from the White House which were then taken to Mr Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, after he left office.
Investigators are assessing how these documents were stored and who may have had access to them. They are also examining how his team responded to a request for security footage from his Florida estate.
Mr Smith will ultimately decide whether the former president should face criminal charges. Among other statutes, the justice department believes Mr Trump may have violated the Espionage Act by keeping national security information after he left office.
Mr Trump, who is running for president again in 2024, faces several other legal investigations. He was recently indicted in New York over hush money payments made to a porn star. He has pleaded not guilty.
He is also the subject of an investigation in Georgia over his alleged efforts to try and overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65775163 |
Madeleine McCann: German police say objects analysed after Portugal search - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Officials say it is not clear if items found at a reservoir in Portugal are linked to the missing Briton. | UK | Madeleine McCann was three when she went missing in 2007
Several objects were found during a search of a Portuguese reservoir in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, German officials say.
It was too early to confirm whether the items, which are being analysed, are connected to the missing Briton, Braunschweig prosecutors added.
Portuguese police helped by their German counterparts, searched the Arade reservoir in Portugal last week.
Madeleine disappeared from a holiday complex in the Algarve in May 2007.
Police say their investigation into 46-year-old German national Christian Brueckner, who has been named as an "arguido" or official suspect, is expected to continue for some time.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Watch: The BBC's Daniel Sandford was at the reservoir in Portugal after the police search ended
Christian Wolters, prosecutor for the city of Braunschweig, said the items found in Portugal would be examined over the coming weeks.
"We thank all officers who participated in the search. The co-operation between the Portuguese police, the British officers and the German federal police was outstanding and very constructive," he added.
Heavy machinery, sniffer dogs and pickaxes were used during the three-day search - which came at the request of German investigators who believe convicted sex offender Brueckner is the prime suspect in her disappearance.
He is currently serving a prison sentence in Germany for the 2005 rape of a woman on the Algarve. Brueckner lived in the region between 1995 and 2007, say police.
The Arade lake is 31 miles (50km) from where Madeleine went missing while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz.
Brueckner is thought to have often travelled in his Volkswagen T3 camper van to the reservoir - which is known to have been used as an unofficial camping spot.
The German denies any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance, saying he was "miles away" at the time.
Madeleine was three-years-old when she vanished from the holiday complex where she had been on holiday with her parents Kate and Gerry McCann on 3 May 2007.
They left her and her younger twin siblings asleep in their apartment while they went out to dinner with friends.
Last month, the McCann family marked the 16th anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance, saying she is "still very much missed" and they "await a breakthrough". | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65774844 |
Phillip Schofield dropped as Prince's Trust ambassador - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The television presenter quit This Morning after admitting an affair with a younger colleague. | Entertainment & Arts | King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, with Phillip Schofield at the annual Prince's Trust Awards in 2019
The Prince's Trust has dropped Phillip Schofield as an ambassador after he admitted he had an affair with a young male colleague and lied to cover it up.
The charity, founded by the King, said it was "no longer appropriate" for it to work with the presenter.
Schofield, 61, issued a statement last Friday about the relationship and announced he was leaving ITV.
It came a week after he quit his role at ITV's This Morning after reports of a rift with co-star Holly Willoughby.
A Prince's Trust spokesperson said: "In light of Phillip's recent admissions, we have agreed with him that it is no longer appropriate to work together."
The Prince's Trust has a number of celebrity ambassadors who support the charity through fundraising or promoting its work.
Representatives from ITV and other channels are due to appear in front of the Commons' culture, media and sports committee next Tuesday to discuss reforms to the laws governing public broadcasting.
MP John Nicolson, a former BBC journalist who sits on the committee and is also the SNP's culture spokesman, said on Twitter that recent events at ITV were a "cause for concern" and that he was looking forward to "getting some answers" from ITV bosses.
In a statement last Friday, Schofield apologised for lying repeatedly to hide the relationship with the male employee, calling it "unwise but not illegal".
ITV said it was "deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit" made by Schofield and confirmed it had cut all ties with the host.
The network said it had investigated rumours of a relationship between Phillip and a younger employee in 2020 - but both "repeatedly denied" it.
Schofield was also dropped by his talent agency YMU.
ITV said Schofield's statement "reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship".
His exit from ITV means he will no longer present the British Soap Awards next month.
He will also not front a new prime-time series which the network said last week they were developing with him. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65761305 |
French Open 2023: Novak Djokovic stands by Kosovo message after criticism - BBC Sport | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | null | Novak Djokovic has stood by the political message he wrote on a camera lens about Kosovo, saying it is an issue he "stands for". | null | Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Coverage: Live text and radio commentaries of selected matches across BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the BBC Sport website and app
Novak Djokovic says he is "aware people would disagree" with him writing a political message about Kosovo on a French Open camera lens but it is an issue he "stands for".
Djokovic, 36, wrote "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" after his first-round win on Monday.
France's sports minister said the Serb's actions were "not appropriate" and should not happen again.
"A drama-free Grand Slam, I don't think it can happen for me," said Djokovic.
"I guess that drives me, as well."
The phrase Djokovic wrote is in reference to recent tension in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia has never recognised Kosovo's independence.
There has been violence in the past days following the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in the north of the country, with police and Nato troops clashing with Serb protesters.
In his post-match news conference, the 22-time Grand Slam champion attempted to put the controversy behind him.
Asked if he had thought about the negative reaction to his actions, Djokovic said: "Of course I'm aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is. It's something that I stand for. So that's all."
After beating Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in the second round on Wednesday, Djokovic marked the lens - which the winner does after every French Open match - with his signature.
World governing body the International Tennis Federation said Djokovic's statement did not violate any rules because the Grand Slam rulebook does not ban political statements.
French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said there needs to be a "principle of neutrality for the field of play".
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Oudea-Castera said she made a distinction for messages in support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion, adding that she did not put Kosovo and Ukraine "on the same level".
That includes supporting Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk, who was booed by the crowd after she refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Sunday.
Belarus is an ally of Russia and allowed troops to use its territory to launch last year's invasion of Ukraine.
Djokovic, whose father was born in Kosovo, said earlier in the week he was "against wars, violence and any kind of conflict" but that the situation in Kosovo is a "precedent in international law".
"Especially as a son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to our people and to the entirety of Serbia," he said on Monday.
"Kosovo is our cradle, our stronghold, centre of the most important things for our country. There are many reasons why I wrote that on the camera.
"Of course it hurts me very much as a Serb to see what is happening in Kosovo and the way our people have been practically expelled from the municipal offices, so the least I could do was this."
Kosovo Olympic authorities have asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to open disciplinary proceedings against Djokovic, accusing him of stirring up political tension.
"Kosovo is the heart of Serbia" might seem like an odd statement. After all, Kosovo became independent in 2008 - and its geographical location in the south west meant that, even before then, it was always on the periphery of Serbia.
But its symbolic significance remains highly important to many Serbs. The 1389 Battle of Kosovo has been mythologised as the crucial event in the forging of Serbian identity. And many of the most important sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church are within modern-day Kosovo.
Serbia is one of scores of countries which refuse to recognise Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. And Serbians with family ties to Kosovo are particularly keen to ensure that Serbia's policy of non-recognition continues.
It has been a turbulent month for Serbia - with mass shootings and multiple protests - and ethnic-Serbs in Kosovo. By writing his courtside message, the country's sporting icon was showing his support - but in a way which was bound to ruffle feathers.
With his marker pen scribble, Djokovic neatly illustrated the enduring complexity of the situation.
• None Peacekeepers in the middle as Kosovo-Serbia row escalates
• None In 2013, Simon Watts spoke to George 'Johnny' Johnson, the last survivor of the Dambusters squadron
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• None Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone | http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/65772962 |
Ely: Boys died from head injuries in Cardiff crash - inquest - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans were found by a member of the public, an inquest opening hears. | Wales | Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in an electric bike crash
Two boys who died after an electric bike crash that sparked a riot suffered head injuries, a coroner has been told.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and his friend Harvey Evans, 15, died on Snowden Road, Ely, in Cardiff shortly after 18:00 BST on 22 May.
They were found by a member of the public, Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard.
Their deaths led to a riot, with cars set alight and police officers attacked.
The boys were seen riding an electric bike on the road, coroner Patricia Morgan was told.
"A short time later, both were found by a member of the public having come off the bike," the inquest into their deaths heard.
Post-mortem examinations found the provisional cause of death for Kyrees to be "blunt injury to the head," while Harvey died as a result of "blunt injury to the head and trunk".
The coroner said the deaths were "violent or unnatural" and an inquest was required, but adjourned for an ongoing police investigation to be concluded.
Cars were overturned and set on fire during a riot that saw injuries to 15 police officers
Nine people were arrested for allegedly taking part in the riot.
One of the boys' aunts said police are to blame for the crash.
"They were two children who were chased to their death by South Wales Police," said Hayley Murphy, aunt of Harvey.
Harvey's aunt and grandmother described him as cheeky but loveable
Police admitted officers had been following the boys before the crash, but said only the bike was involved in the fatal incident.
CCTV from minutes before the crash showed a police van driving at a distance behind the two boys, but the force said its nearest vehicle was half a mile away when the bike crashed.
About 800 family, friends and members of the wider community of Ely attended a vigil and balloon release for the two boys last Friday evening.
Ms Murphy told the BBC after the vigil: "It still doesn't seem real that we're here for Harvey and Kyrees."
Many tributes to the two boys have been left in Ely
She also revealed the electric bike was an early 16th birthday present.
Harvey's grandmother, Dawn Rees, said Harvey and Kyrees "did everything together, they loved each other like brothers".
"[Kyrees] was lovely. If I needed milk he went to the shop for me, always asking if I needed anything. A lovely boy," she added. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65776549 |
Glasgow garage owner to continue low emission zone fight - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | William Paton says the ban on high-polluting vehicles will have a huge impact on his business. | Glasgow & West Scotland | William Paton intends to ask for a judicial review of the council's LEZ policy.
A business owner whose legal bid to delay the introduction of Glasgow's low emission zone failed, has vowed to continue his fight.
William Paton claims the ban on high-polluting vehicles will have a detrimental impact on his garage, which is located 500m inside the zone.
He now plans to take his case to judicial review.
Glasgow City Council said it would "vigorously defend any legal challenge".
The low emission zone (LEZ) came into force in Glasgow city centre on Thursday.
Mr Paton's bid to have the scheme paused was thrown out of the Court of Session on Wednesday.
He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland that, following legal advice, he intends to take the case to a judicial review.
He said he decided to take legal action as the scheme will have a "monumental" impact on the garage - Patons Accident Repair Centre - he runs in Glasgow's Townhead.
"The council haven't mitigated for my loss, they've never said what about a business that doesn't rely on the person making the journey, we rely on the actual vehicle itself coming into us," Mr Paton said.
In general, the new rules mean petrol cars made before 2005 and diesels built before September 2014 will not be allowed in the zone.
Mr Paton claimed the council had not answered questions about whether non-compliant vehicles currently in his garage would be fined when leaving, or whether his non-complaint vehicles could be taken to the garage on a flat-bed truck.
Mr Paton added that about 35% of the vehicles that come into his garage are considered "high-polluting" under the new rules, meaning he could lose a third of his customers.
"We've had any diesel pre-2015, any petrol vehicle pre-2006 completely removed from us a potential customer," he said.
"Its not just us there's other dealerships up here at Townhead that face similar problems," he said.
The LEZ covers most of Glasgow city centre from the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south, and the Saltmarket/High Street to the east.
Donald McLeod, of the Night Time Industries Association, said the new regulations were creating a "low economy zone".
"If people make Glasgow why are the council bringing in such punitive a measure to deter visitors," he said.
He said city centre businesses, employees and suppliers should qualify for exemptions.
A LEZ affecting only buses in Glasgow city centre has been in place since 2018.
Blue badge holders, motorbikes, mopeds and emergency vehicles are exempt from the new rules.
And around 700 taxi drivers have also been granted an exemption until June 2024.
A homeless charity which said the zone would affect its ability to feed vulnerable people in the city centre received an exemption on Wednesday evening.
It means Homeless Project Scotland will be able to use their current vehicle for two months while work is carried out on its new LEZ-compliant van.
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Glasgow City Council's climate and transport convenor, councillor Angus Millar, said the low emission zone would ensure "cleaner, more breathable air".
"It's important to stress that around 85-90% of vehicles that currently enter the city centre have already been meeting the standards of the LEZ," he told the BBC.
"There will definitely be some impacts on certain businesses who might have to change the way they operate.
"What I would say is there have been around 500 LEZs or similar initiatives in operation across Europe and we've seen that city centre businesses by and large have actually benefitted from the improvements in air quality."
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-65767852 |
Daniel Knott: Mum's heartbreak at online video of son's body - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Daniel Knott's mother says her grief has been amplified by a video of his body being shared online. | Wales | This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Daniel Knott was 39 when he took his own life
A mother who lost her son to suicide said her grief was amplified by a video of his body being shared on social media.
Daniel Knott, 39, died on 27 March and days later his mother Jenny Tancock was told about the distressing video.
A man had filmed Daniel's body before the emergency services arrived.
"To go and share it online for the world to see... it's the ultimate insult, the ultimate degrading of someone I think," said Jenny.
Jacob Morse, 22, was sentenced to six weeks in prison at Llanelli Magistrates' Court on 18 May after pleading guilty to circulating the video online.
Jenny has not watched the video, but said knowing that others had seen it caused her and the rest of her family huge distress.
"[I felt] anger, pure anger, disbelief that somebody could be so vile as to arrive at a scene like that and actually video it," said Jenny from Betws, Carmarthenshire.
Jenny says she and Daniel were always incredibly close
"For us what Jake Morse has done has just amplified that grief. We're dealing with something so vile when we should just be grieving for Daniel."
Jenny was told a woman found Daniel's body who then called the emergency services.
But Morse, who had been working nearby, came across the scene and filmed Daniel's body using his mobile phone before emergency services arrived.
Jenny said coming face-to-face with Morse in court left her feeling "full of hate".
"I shouldn't have been there, I was grieving... I just shook from head to toe the whole time," she said.
Despite her anger, she said she had mixed feelings about Morse's six-week custodial sentence.
"It hit me as a mother, it really did, he just looked like a big kid… and I was really torn as to how I felt," she said.
"I kept thinking 'what would Dan do?' and I don't think Dan would have wanted him to go to prison.
"Six weeks isn't enough but at the same time it's a prison sentence, he's gone to prison and that tells me that our justice system is taking it seriously."
Jenny says her grief has been amplified by the actions of Jacob Morse
With the court case behind her, Jenny has been left to contemplate the horror of the past eight weeks.
"To lose a child is the worst thing that can ever happen to you. To lose them to suicide takes it to a different level," she said.
She said she remembers Daniel as "an enigma, full of beans, full of life, from the day he was born just kind, caring, generous, loved by everybody."
Daniel grew up to be a raver with a passion for fun, hardcore dance music and DJing.
But seven years ago that changed when Daniel was involved in a serious car crash which left him with a fractured skull and a broken back. He underwent an operation to have metal rods inserted to stabilise his back.
"He split with his girlfriend, lost his house, lost his job, lost everything really," said Jenny.
"Physically he couldn't play the decks anymore, he couldn't stand for long, he'd shake from head to toe because the rods were pressing on nerves.
"It's almost as though Daniel lost the fight."
She said when she saw police officers at her door she "just knew".
"I just said please don't, please don't."
Jenny and her family are being supported by local charity The Jac Lewis Foundation, which was set up by Jac Lewis's family after he took his own life.
The charity has accompanied her to court and arranged for her to have counselling.
She said the support had "helped us enormously".
Jenny said speaking out would be worth it if it could prevent "just one person who is tempted to take a video and share it under any kind of traumatic circumstances."
She said: "I want to raise awareness that these are human beings, they're people, they've got families, to share things on the internet for shock value or for likes is awful and I want them to know that there's consequences."
If you have been affected by issues raised in this article you can visit the BBC Action Line pages. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65727178 |
Andrew Tate BBC interview: Influencer challenged on misogyny and rape allegations - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | This is the influencer's first TV interview with a major broadcaster while under house arrest. | Europe | This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Andrew Tate has denied fuelling a culture of misogyny and defended his reputation in a combative interview with the BBC.
When the BBC put a range of allegations to him - including specific accusations of rape, human trafficking and exploiting women, for which he is being investigated by Romanian prosecutors - he dismissed them.
When pushed on whether his controversial views on women harmed young people, the influencer claimed he was a "force for good" and that he was "acting under the instruction of God to do good things".
This was Mr Tate's first television interview with a major broadcaster since being released into house arrest from police custody in Romania in April.
Mr Tate, who has repeatedly expressed his mistrust of traditional media, has a huge following online but his views have until now gone unchallenged in a direct interview like this.
He agreed to our interview with no set conditions.
He dismissed the testimonies of individual women involved in the current investigation who have accused him of rape and exploitation.
And he described another woman, interviewed anonymously by the BBC earlier this year, as "imaginary", saying she had been invented by the BBC.
The woman in question, given the pseudonym Sophie to protect her identity, told BBC Radio 4's File on Four that she followed Mr Tate to Romania believing he was in love with her. There, she was pressured into webcam work and into having Mr Tate's name tattooed on her body, she said.
When questioned about Sophie's testimony, Mr Tate told the BBC: "I'm doing you the favour as legacy media, giving you relevance, by speaking to you. And I'm telling you now, this Sophie, which the BBC has invented, who has no face. Nobody knows who she is. I know."
Sophie is now helping Romanian prosecutors with the investigation.
I also put to him the concerns of schoolteachers, senior police figures and rights campaigners about the influence of his views.
These concerns include comments by the chief executive of Rape Crisis in England and Wales, who said she was "deeply concerned by the dangerous ideology of misogynistic rape culture that Mr Tate spreads".
Sitting across from me in a small armchair, Mr Tate said those accusations were "absolute garbage".
Later in the interview, he said it was "completely disingenuous" to "pretend" that he was damaging young people.
Andrew Tate denied fuelling a culture of misogyny and defended his reputation.
When asked about organisations that blamed him for increased incidents of girls being attacked, and female teachers being harassed, he said: "I have never, ever encouraged a student to attack a teacher, male or female, ever.
"I preach hard work, discipline. I'm an athlete, I preach anti-drugs, I preach religion, I preach no alcohol, I preach no knife crime. Every single problem with modern society I'm against."
Mr Tate suggested that some of his comments had been taken out of context or intended as "jokes" - including a video discussion in which he said that a woman's intimate parts belonged to her male partner.
"I don't know if you understand what sarcasm is. I don't know if you understand what context is. I don't know if you understand what's satirical content," he told me when challenged over the comment.
His description does not match the tone in an online video seen by the BBC.
He also denied admitting to emotional manipulation of women, despite comments made on a previous version of his online coaching course, Hustlers University.
An introduction on that site began: "My name is Andrew Tate… and I'm the most competent person on the entire planet to teach you about male-female interactions."
It goes on to say that Mr Tate's job was to "meet a girl, go on a few dates, sleep with her, get her to fall in love with me to where she'd do anything I say, and then get her on a webcam so we could become rich together".
The page has since been taken down.
When asked about it in our interview, Mr Tate replied, "I've never said that."
I suggested that making controversial statements had brought him a lot of money by attracting followers who then signed up for a paid course on how to become a successful man.
Mr Tate replied: "I genuinely am a force for good in the world. You may not understand that yet, but you will eventually. And I genuinely believe I am acting under the instruction of God to do good things, and I want to make the world a better place."
During our conversation, which lasted nearly forty minutes, Mr Tate pointed several times to what he called the "little pieces of paper" I had brought with me, telling me I was "saying silly things" and should "do some research".
In a sign of his mistrust of traditional media, our visit and interview were filmed by his team for their own use - and after we left he claimed that the BBC had promised only to ask "sanitised questions".
While the BBC did provide topics of discussion before the interview as a matter of courtesy, as per our editorial guidelines, we did not agree the questions we would ask in advance and were clear that our interview would be a wide-ranging, dynamic discussion with challenging questions.
Before we had even left the building, Mr Tate posted a message on social media promising to publish his own version of the interview, which he did shortly after.
The BBC has followed his case closely since the end of last year, when the Tate brothers were taken into custody, and has spoken to witnesses, former employees, neighbours and associates, and those involved in the investigation, to piece together an accurate picture of the Tate brothers' time in Romania.
The brothers are now in their sixth - and last - month under judicial control in this investigation, and any indictment is expected within the next few weeks.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65780107 |
FonaCab: Taxi firm sacks driver over 'gun' video - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | A video circulated online shows the driver pointing what appears to be a gun at a passenger. | Northern Ireland | The video on social media shows the driver pointing what appears to be a gun at a man in the passenger seat
A Belfast taxi firm has terminated the employment of a driver over a video which shows him with a suspected firearm.
Police have said they are investigating the circumstances of the video.
In the video posted on social media, a driver for FonaCab points what appears to be a gun at another man in the front passenger seat of his car.
At one point the driver hits the other man in the face with it.
The footage appears to have been taken from a dashcam inside the taxi.
The BBC has identified the location in the background as a car park in Holywood, County Down.
In a statement, FonaCab told BBC News NI it was made aware of dashcam footage of an incident involving a FonaCab driver about 23:00 BST on 31 May.
"The driver was identified and called this morning to present at the earliest opportunity/ASAP to FonaCab Head Office, at which time he was interviewed and his relationship with FonaCab immediately terminated," it said.
A spokesperson for the Belfast taxi firm said it was liaising with the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and any further action would be determined by them.
"Our investigation was completed and our action taken before the footage was released on social media," the firm said.
"Due to the nature of the content of the footage, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on the footage while other investigations are undertaken."
FonaCab added that its staff receive the same training and vetting as all taxi drivers in Northern Ireland and it expects them to maintain high standards.
"We do not tolerate incidents like this where safety is compromised, standards are not upheld, or the company and our drivers are called into disrepute."
Police have said they are "aware of a video circulating online showing a man with a suspected firearm and have launched an investigation". | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65780875 |
Ukraine war: Three killed in overnight missile attack on Kyiv - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Officials in Ukraine's capital say a child, her mother and another woman died in the missile strike. | Europe | Three people have died, including an 11-year-old girl, in a new night-time missile attack on Kyiv, regional police have said.
Russia has been subjecting the Ukrainian capital to regular aerial strikes with missiles and drones.
The latest attack, in which 11 other people were reported injured, occurred in the eastern Desnyanskyi and Dniprovskyi districts.
A 33-year-old woman and the girl's 34-year-old mother were also killed.
Earlier information from Ukrainian officials reported that two children had died, but that has since been revised.
This is the fourth attack this week, and comes after 17 strikes were launched on the Ukrainian capital throughout May. Most took place at night, although at least one occurred during the day.
Images shared by military authorities showed teams of rescuers attending to people, as well as damaged buildings.
In a number of early morning posts on Telegram, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a "series of explosions" had taken place in the city, and that rescuers had been dealing with fallen debris and fires.
Meanwhile, Russian-backed officials in the occupied part of Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region said five people had been killed and 19 injured by Ukrainian shelling at a poultry farm on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, the governor of the western Russian region of Belgorod, which borders Ukraine, said at least two people had been injured in an attack on the town of Shebekino which he blamed on Ukrainian troops.
"The night is tense for Shebekino again. Ukrainian troops were shelling the city for an hour," Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel.
In recent weeks, Russia - which launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022 - has been using kamikaze drones as well as a range of cruise and ballistic missiles to attack targets in Ukraine.
Kyiv has been heavily targeted, and analysts believe Moscow is trying to deplete and damage Ukraine's air defences ahead of a long-expected counter-offensive, which the Ukrainian government has been planning for months.
A building destroyed on a poultry farm in Luhansk region on Wednesday | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65772840 |
Bournemouth: Girl, 12, and boy, 17, die after incident off beach - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | A man is arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and eight others are treated for injuries. | Dorset | The beach, packed with people enjoying half-term holidays, was cleared along with nearby Pier Approach
A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy have died after being pulled from the sea off Bournemouth Pier.
Eight other people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries after emergency services were called at 16:32 BST on Wednesday.
A man in his 40s, who was on the water at the time, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, Dorset Police said.
It is not clear how the pair, who died in hospital, sustained their injuries.
Bournemouth, which is full of people on half-term holidays, has been stunned by the tragedy.
Many people who saw the incident unfold say, despite the helicopter, ambulance and coastguard activity, they did not get a sense of the horror until the police statement was put out.
The beach was cleared, along with the nearby Pier Approach, and a cordon set up
The coastguard said it had conducted a search to make sure there were no other people missing and was "satisfied there are not".
In a statement, Det Ch Supt Neil Corrigan said the beach was "very busy" at the time and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
"We are at the early stages of our investigation and would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident," he said.
The beach was cleared, along with the nearby Pier Approach, with a cordon set up.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Kathryn Walton was visiting the beach when lifeguards started rushing to the seafront
The beach, usually such a beautiful and benign setting, attracts families from all over the country.
Eeman Qamar, from Southampton, was there with her mother and three-month-old baby at the time.
She told the BBC that just after 16:00 lifeguards began to tell people to clear the beach, saying there had been a major incident.
"After about 20 minutes, the first air ambulance arrived and landed right in the middle of the beach," she said.
"The lifeguards started getting on jet skis and boats, searching the sea and about 20 minutes later the second air ambulance arrived and it took another hour-and-a-half for them to finish the whole search and rescue operation."
Kathryn Walton, from Oxford, was also on the scene with her family and described seeing lifeguards and "loads of people rushing on to the beach".
She said people were moved away from an area of the beach as several other emergency service vehicles arrived.
Another eyewitness, Trevor Pinto, had been walking along the pier with his 16-year-old son and said the incident happened "very close" by.
He said they watched as lifeguards attempted to resuscitate two people, adding: "It took me a while to realise, oh my god someone had lost their life".
Eyewitnesses reported seeing "loads of people rushing on to the beach" to help
Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns expressed his condolences to the families of those who died and said the incident was a "salutary lesson that our beaches and ocean can give much pleasure but danger is ever present".
"A dreadful event in circumstances when they were enjoying beautiful weather in our town. So sad," he wrote on Twitter. "Thanks to the lifeguards and the Air Ambulance who we can take for granted."
Anyone with any information is being asked to contact Dorset Police via the force's website or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230083818. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via its website or on freephone 0800 555 111.
How have you been affected by what's happened? You can get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-65771464 |
Mexican police find 45 bags of human remains - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Officials were searching a ravine near Guadalajara for seven young people reported missing last week. | Latin America & Caribbean | Mexican authorities have found 45 bags containing human remains in a ravine outside the western city of Guadalajara.
Officials were searching for seven young call centre workers, who had been reported missing last week, when they found the bodies.
The remains include men and women, and the number of bodies is not yet known.
The search is expected to continue for several days because of difficult terrain and poor lighting.
The state prosecutor's office for the western state of Jalisco said in a statement that, following a tip-off in the search for the seven people, they had begun searching at the Mirador del Bosque ravine where they found the bags that included body parts.
Firefighters and civil defence were working with police and a helicopter crew to recover the remains.
The first bag was found on Tuesday, but because of the difficult terrain and lack of sunlight, the investigation resumed on Wednesday and will continue until all remains are located, the prosecutor's office said.
Officials said they would continue working to determine the number of dead bodies, who they were, and their causes of death.
It added that it would continue trying to establish the whereabouts of the seven people reported as missing.
Although it has not yet been established how the bodies ended up in the ravine, crimes of disappearance are relatively common in Mexico.
More than 100,000 people are missing, government figures suggest, with many being victims of organised crime. Perpetrators are rarely punished.
Government data shows that many disappearances have occurred since 2007, when then-President Felipe Calderón launched his "war on drugs".
Three quarters of those reported missing were men and one fifth were under the age of 18 at the time of their disappearance.
Relatives of the disappeared say that the government is not doing enough to find them, and that officials are indifferent when they report their loved ones as missing.
The United Nations has called it "a human tragedy of enormous proportions".
Jalisco is the heartland of a violent drug war, and some of the most powerful groups operating there include the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), and their rival, Nueva Plaza, which split from the CJNG in 2017, sparking violence across Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-65784023 |
I am not a groomer, says Schofield - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The former This Morning presenter speaks to the Sun about an affair he had with a young male colleague. | Entertainment & Arts | This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Watch: "It was consensual, but it was my fault," says Phillip Schofield.
Phillip Schofield has said he is "not a groomer" after admitting to having an affair with a younger male colleague.
The former This Morning presenter left ITV last week after he confirmed the relationship and he had lied about it.
The TV star told the Sun: "I did a bad thing: I will die sorry - I've brought the greatest misery into his totally innocent life."
Schofield has also spoken to the BBC's Amol Rajan, whose interview will be broadcast from 06:00 BST on Friday.
The full interview will be available on iPlayer.
The 61-year-old first met the man he would go on to have an affair with when he was invited to appear at an event at a drama school.
He said he knew people had found some elements of the story shocking, but said: "I am not a groomer."
The affair began, Schofield said, when the man was 20 years old and working alongside him at ITV.
"He worked on the show for a bit, and we became mates," Schofield told the newspaper.
"And then one day something happened that just changed it. And that is the moment I look back on, and regret so deeply."
Questions have been raised about ITV's handling of the situation, how much bosses knew of the affair, and whether its own investigation went far enough.
ITV's chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall has been asked to attend the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 14 June to answer questions about the broadcaster's approach to safeguarding following the controversy.
Schofield told the Sun that his first romantic encounter with the man was in his dressing room at ITV.
"It was a consensual moment, it was mutual," he said. "It was not a love affair, it was not a relationship, we were not boyfriends; we were mates."
"Over a period of time it happened maybe five or six times. We just didn't think anyone knew, there was no lying, we thought, stupidly, that nobody knew."
He concluded: "You look at yourself, and I absolutely know there is no question I did a bad thing. I was unprofessional, one time, in a 41-year career.
"I know I did that. And there is no excuse. I don't have an excuse. I won't put forward an excuse. No-one did anything wrong apart from me."
Schofield also apologised to his former lover.
"It has brought the greatest misery into his totally innocent life, his totally innocent family, his totally innocent friends," he said. "It has brought the greatest grief to them."
ITV has instructed a barrister to carry out an external review to establish the facts about how the broadcast network handled its own investigation into rumours of the affair in 2020.
The full BBC interview will be available on BBC iPlayer from 0600 on Friday morning | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65780307 |
Glasgow's low emission zone legal challenge fails - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | A vehicle repair business took the council to court in a bid have the LEZ scheme suspended. | Scotland business | A last minute legal challenge against Glasgow's low emission zone (LEZ) has been thrown out by a judge.
The scheme to ban more polluting vehicles from the city centre will start at midnight.
Patons Accident Repair Centre took the case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh in a bid to have it suspended ahead of further court action.
It accused Glasgow City Council of not consulting properly and putting businesses at risk.
But a judge at the Court of Session refused the motion and said the balance of convenience lay heavily in favour of the local authority and granted it expenses following the hearing.
After the ruling a council spokeswoman said the LEZ would come into force as planned.
The business which brought the case estimated it would lose a third of its business when it could no longer repair older vehicles.
Its workshop on Lister Street is about 500m (0.3 miles) inside the LEZ boundary in Townhead, an area with several car dealerships.
Four of those business previously joined Patons to propose a new boundary for the LEZ, but it was rejected by the council.
Company director William Paton told the Glasgow Times he did not think his business would last another two years within the low emission zone.
Patons Accident Repair Centre estimated it would lose a third of its business when it could no longer repair older vehicles
But the ruling was welcomed by Asthma + Lung Scotland, which described air pollution as a "public health emergency".
Joseph Carter, the charity's head, said: "It will mean a reduction in harmful air pollution for everyone.
"With one in five Scots developing a lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] in their lifetime, for them, this is a day to celebrate."
The zone was conceived to tackle poor air quality, with many streets in Scotland regularly reaching harmful and illegal levels.
From midnight, when the new rules come into force, vehicles which do not meet emission standards will no longer be able to enter parts of the city centre.
Violations can lead to fines mounting to several hundreds of pounds per day.
While there are exemptions available for blue badge holders, motorbikes, mopeds and emergency vehicles, in general petrol cars made before 2005 and diesels built before September 2014 will not be allowed in the zone.
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said the legal challenges illustrated the way in which the "practical concerns of local businesses and communities have been ignored" by Glasgow's SNP and Green councillors.
"We all want to see a reduction in pollution and to meet environmental targets, but there is evidence that air quality is already meeting those standards, and that phase two will not result in further improvements," he said.
"Homeless charities and other groups, including St Andrew's First Aid, have said they would be prevented from operating effectively. There is an obvious danger to women and vulnerable groups, as well as shift workers, if late-night transport is unavailable."
Mr Simpson called on the council to urgently address the "flaws" in the scheme. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-65764885 |
Alex Belfield: Stalker ex-BBC DJ banned from contacting couple - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Alex Belfield, jailed in 2022, is barred from contacting a man he had sent a tweet to and his wife. | Nottingham | Alex Belfield was jailed for five and a half years for stalking four people, including Jeremy Vine
A former BBC radio presenter in jail for stalking has been banned from contacting two more people.
Alex Belfield, 43, who is serving a five-and-a-half year sentence for harassing four people online, including broadcaster Jeremy Vine, was made the subject of a stalking protection order.
He is banned from attempting to contact Greg Scott, a man he sent a tweet to, and his wife Karen.
He may also not publish, or attempt to, material relating to them.
Belfield, originally from Mapperley in Nottingham, appeared before Nottingham Magistrates' Court via video link from HMP Stocken, Rutland.
He was charged with stalking eight different people, who were mostly current or former BBC staff.
He was convicted of stalking BBC Radio Northampton presenter Bernard Spedding, known as Bernie Keith, and videographer Ben Hewis.
In relation to Vine and theatre blogger Philip Dehany, Belfield was found guilty of two lesser offences of "simple" stalking, which does not require serious alarm or distress to be proved.
Belfield was found not guilty of stalking Rozina Breen, Liz Green, Helen Thomas and Stephanie Hirst.
Vine told BBC Two's Newsnight that Belfield had taken him to a "really unhealthy place"
Neither Mr or Ms Scott were involved in the trial, in which Vine labelled Belfield "the Jimmy Savile of trolling" as the court heard he repeatedly posted or sent abusive messages, videos and emails.
It is not clear how Belfield first came into contact with the couple.
Addressing the court, Belfield said: "I have never met, gone near or ever contacted Karen Scott or done anything other than replying to Greg Scott. I just want to make that clear."
District judge Sunil Khanna said he was satisfied there was a need for the order to protect from stalking - and warned Belfield he could face further jail time if he breached it.
Belfield was a presenter at BBC Radio Leeds before running his own YouTube channel
He also made an order requiring Belfield to pay costs after barrister Christopher Pembridge said the case, which has been going on for three years, had cost police £20,000.
Mr Pembridge said it would be "unjust" for Belfield to pay the full costs, but asked the judge to consider an appropriate amount.
David Aubrey KC, representing Belfield, said his client should not shoulder substantial costs as his ability to work following his release from prison would be limited.
"[Belfield] is in prison and on the question of his earning capacity when he comes out of prison, there could be restrictions on what work he could do," he said.
"It is very much up in the air and will depend on what happens upon his release eventually."
Belfield made videos throughout his trial and posted them on YouTube
At Belfield's sentencing in September, the judge made restraining orders in relation to all of the complainants, including those he was not convicted of stalking.
Det Con Janet Percival, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "It's been a long hard slog, but we've now managed to secure these significant orders which will provide peace of mind for these two victims who were caused genuine alarm and distress by Belfield.
"I understand that people can be reluctant to contact us - sometimes because they aren't sure that what's happening is serious enough to warrant police action, and sometimes because they feel we won't be able to help - but I can assure them that we will take their reports seriously and we will do whatever we can to help and protect them."
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The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-65777861 |
Every Canadian cigarette will soon carry a health warning - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Canada will be the first country to have warning labels on the tipping paper of individual cigarettes. | US & Canada | Health Canada made the decision to put labels directly on cigarettes after a 75-day public consultation period
Canada will soon print warning labels directly on cigarettes in a world-first, the country's health agency announced.
New packaging will feature a warning on each cigarette with phrases like: "Cigarettes cause cancer" and "Poison in every puff".
The regulation will come into effect on 1 August, Health Canada said.
It is part of an effort to reduce tobacco use in Canada to less than 5% by 2035.
In an announcement on Wednesday, Health Canada said the new regulations "will make it virtually impossible to avoid health warnings" on tobacco products.
The health agency anticipates that by April 2025, retailers in Canada will only carry tobacco products that feature the new warning labels directly on the cigarettes.
Products that will have labels on tipping paper include individual cigarettes, little cigars, tubes and other tobacco products, Health Canada said.
The move follows a 75-day public consultation period that was launched last year.
Warning labels are already printed on cigarette package covers. Health Canada said it plans to expand on those by printing additional warning labels inside the packages themselves, and introducing a new external warning messages.
In a statement, Canada's minister of mental health and addictions, Carolyn Bennett, said tobacco use kills around 48,000 Canadians each year.
"We are taking action by being the first country in the world to label individual cigarettes with health warning messages," Ms Bennett said, calling the change a "bold step".
Canada has required printing warning labels on cigarette packages in 1989. They have since been expanded to include photos and information cards inside packs
The move was applauded by the Canadian Cancer Society, Canada's Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Lung Association, who said they hope the measures will deter people, especially youth, from taking up smoking.
Cigarette smoking is widely regarded as a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.
Canada has required the printing of warning labels on cigarette packages since 1989, though it was behind the UK, which printed warnings as early as 1971.
The US was the first nation in the world to require health warnings on cigarette packages, passing its Federal Cigarette Labelling and Advertising Act in 1965.
Labels in all three countries have evolved over the years, notably to include sometimes graphic images in addition to text to show the health consequences of smoking.
Since the US introduced warning labels, the smoking rate has significantly decreased. Some studies, however, have found that labels are not a deterrent for people who have a high nicotine dependence.
According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 42% of US adults were smokers in the mid-1960s. In 2021, that number dropped to a historic low of 11%. However, electronic cigarette use appeared to have risen.
In Canada, the rate of smokers aged 15 years or older is around 10%, according to a national 2021 Tobacco and Nicotine survey. Like the US, the survey revealed vaping rates to be higher at around 17%. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65755793 |
Ukraine war: Teens used to report Russian propaganda - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Children as young as 16 are working at TV channels in occupied Ukraine, spouting Russian propaganda. | Europe | Alexander Malkevich (pictured) is a close associate of the head of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin
While Russia's notorious Wagner mercenaries have been at the forefront of fighting in Ukraine's ravaged eastern town of Bakhmut, a close associate of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has been involved in another battle - for the hearts and minds of people in occupied areas behind the front lines.
Alexander Malkevich has helped set up pro-Russian TV stations in key areas captured since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Through his links to Prigozhin the media boss has been involved in projects spreading Russian influence from Africa to the US and he is under Western sanctions for spreading disinformation.
Formally, Malkevich's job is running state-funded TV in Prigozhin's home city, St Petersburg. But in the summer of 2022 he moved to then-occupied parts of Ukraine, making the southern city of Kherson his base.
His main task was to set up pro-Russian television stations in regions captured since the start of the full-scale invasion. He has masterminded Tavria TV in Kherson, Za TV in Melitopol and Mariupol 24 in the eastern Donetsk region.
Alexander Malkevich (right) has recruited underage reporters for his propaganda channels
The channels' reporting strictly follows the Kremlin's propaganda narratives. For example, a recent programme aired by Tavria TV reminded its viewers of the reasons given by Moscow to justify its war against Ukraine. "Russian President Vladimir Putin says the special military operation was a forced step, because Moscow had been left with no other choice. Such security risks had been created for Russia that no other reaction was possible," it said.
One major obstacle facing Malkevich was an acute shortage of people willing and able to work for his channels.
To train staff, he opened a "media school" in Kherson, became head of the journalism department at the local university and authored a textbook for aspiring media workers in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, called "Real Russian journalism for new regions".
Some of his students joined his TV stations before becoming legally adults. Two reporters who started working for Za TV and Tavria TV respectively were both employed at the age of just 16. The BBC has chosen not to identify the two girls because of their age.
One of the teens is known as "Russia's youngest war reporter" and got an award from President Vladimir Putin
But Malkevich's stint in Kherson was short-lived. Shortly before the city was retaken by Ukrainian forces in November, he fled along with some equipment and staff. While evacuating, they came under fire, and one staff member (a Russian journalist and former FSB operative) was killed.
One of the teen reporters was wounded during the shelling, and was later presented with an Order of Bravery by President Putin at a ceremony in the Kremlin.
Malkevich first rose to relative prominence in 2018, when he launched USA Really - a website set up in the US by RIA FAN, which, in turn, is the most prominent outlet in the stable of propaganda and disinformation media associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner head once dubbed "Putin's chef" because he supplied food to the Kremlin.
PRIGOZHIN: From Putin's chef to head of Russia's private army
RIA FAN grew out of Prigozhin's infamous "troll factory", which spread pro-Kremlin views across social media and the internet from offices in St Petersburg.
But USA Really failed to take off, and Malkevich was briefly detained and questioned by the US authorities and later sanctioned for "facilitating Prigozhin's global influence operations".
A year after launching USA Really, Malkevich was back in St Petersburg, where he set up another propaganda venture, a foundation, reportedly with a spin doctor linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Melkevich is a close associate of Yevgeny Prigozhin (left), the Wagner chief known as "Putin's chef"
The Foundation for National Values Protection sent a man named Maxim Shugalei to Libya, ostensibly to research public opinion. The same man had been involved the previous year in Russian meddling in presidential elections in Madagascar, which saw one candidate offered a suitcase stuffed with cash, according to a BBC investigation.
While in Libya, one of Shugalei's engagements included a meeting with Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late deposed leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. Soon afterwards, in May 2019, he was arrested on suspicion of interfering in Libya's affairs on Prigozhin's behalf.
One Libyan intelligence officer told the BBC: "If Russia had its way, we would have had Saif Gaddafi giving his victory speech in Tripoli's famous Martyrs' Square."
Shugalei was freed in December 2020 and claimed in an interview that he had only been released because Prigozhin had sent "several thousand fighters" to Tripoli.
While in charge of the propaganda foundation, Malkevich also campaigned for the release of Maria Butina, a Russian agent sentenced to 18 months in jail in the US for attempting to infiltrate American political groups.
When she returned to Russia, Butina became an "expert" at the foundation, and when Shugalei came back from Libyan captivity, he replaced Malkevich as its head.
But Malkevich's links to Prigozhin's organisations remained. For example, his video programme for RIA FAN, called "Just A Minute", continued at least until September 2022, and the latest of his numerous interviews with the outlet is dated February 2023.
Malkevich's work in Ukraine did not go unnoticed by the Russian government. In January 2023, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin rewarded him for "organising TV broadcasting in territories which are being liberated." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65675102 |
Kim Cattrall to appear in And Just Like That series finale - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Samantha Jones was noticeably absent from the first series of the hit drama's spin-off show. | Entertainment & Arts | Kim Cattrall received five Emmy Award nominations for her role in the original Sex and the City
Kim Cattrall, who was noticeably absent from the first season of Sex and the City spin-off And Just Like That, will appear in the second series.
Variety reports she will reprise her role as Samantha Jones in one scene of the HBO show's season finale.
Cattrall, who has a strong gay following, shared the article online with the caption "Happy Pride".
The article reports that she shot her dialogue without other stars of the series, including Sarah Jessica Parker.
Cattrall's character is explained as being absent in a storyline that sees her move to London.
Davis, Parker and Nixon reunited for And Just Like That
The original Sex and the City ran for six series from 1998 to 2004 and generated two spin-off movies.
It created storylines about work and relationships for four New York women in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Parker and Cattrall starred alongside Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis as Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.
Parker, Nixon and Davis appeared in the 10-part And Just Like That series in 2021.
It was never explained why Cattrall did not take part in the latest revival but she reportedly has a strained relationship with the show and her cast-mates.
In 2017, Cattrall told Piers Morgan she had "never been friends" with her co-stars.
Describing a "toxic relationship", she ruled out appearing in a third Sex and the City movie, and denied that her decision was down to pay negotiations or "diva" demands.
Cattrall commented that former co-star Parker "could have been nicer" about the situation.
Showrunner Michael Patrick King later said he could not imagine Cattrall returning to the show again.
But a reported conversation with CEO of HBO Casey Bloys was enough to change star's mind.
The second series of And Just Like That will air in June, with Cattrall's scene expected to be shown in August. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65776623 |
Kosovo: Nato ready to send more troops after unrest - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Pristina and Belgrade trade blame after ethnic Albanian mayors were elected in ethnic Serb areas. | Europe | Nato peacekeepers in the northern Kosovo town of Zvecan
Nato says it is ready to send more troops to Kosovo after unrest following the appointment of ethnic Albanian mayors to majority-Serb areas.
Pristina and Belgrade have blamed each other for the unrest, with Serbian leader Aleksandar Vucic calling for the mayors' removal.
The US has also criticised their installation, which came after Serb residents boycotted local polls.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 but Serbia does not recognise it.
Nato has already sent 700 reinforcements to Kosovo but Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said more might be needed. The alliance already has 4,000 troops there.
The mayors were elected after Serbs in northern Kosovo boycotted local elections, depressing turnout to about 3% and leading ethnic Albanian candidates to be elected. Serb protestors then tried to stop them taking up their posts.
Some 30 Nato peacekeepers and more than 50 Serb protesters were hurt in the ensuing clashes.
Speaking on the sidelines of a European summit in Moldova, Mr Vucic said withdrawing the mayors would be the "most powerful" way to defuse tensions.
He insisted that his country would "attempt to persuade Serbs to protest calmly and peacefully".
But at the same event Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani blamed Belgrade for the recent violence, accusing it of "supporting criminal gangs" in the country.
Serbia "needs to come to terms with its past", he said, adding that the "real threat in fact is coming from Serbia's denial of existence of a sovereign state".
The US, which backed Kosovo's independence from Serbia, criticised Kosovo's decision to install ethnic Albanian mayors in northern Kosovo "by forcible means" and expelled Kosovo from participating in an ongoing American-led military exercise in Europe.
Serbia's ally Russia has called for the rights of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo to be respected.
Following the violence Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic drew attention to the situation by writing "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" after his first-round win at the French Open.
The tennis player, whose father was born in Kosovo, later said: "Of course it hurts me very much as a Serb to see what is happening in Kosovo and the way our people have been practically expelled from the municipal offices, so the least I could do was this."
On Wednesday, following criticism from France's sports minister, he said it is an issue he "stands for" although he was aware that some would disagree with his action. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65774388 |
Glasgow's Barras market celebrated in photo exhibition - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | A photography student learned of her own connection to the market after embarking on the project. | Glasgow & West Scotland | Fiona Kennedy is an alternative fashion and festival-wear designer and stall owner
When Rebecca Russell was 10-years-old, she used her first digital camera to photograph the stalls and traders at Glasgow's famous Barras market.
More than a decade later the photography student returned to the marketplace ahead of her new exhibition.
While she was working on the university project, the 23-year-old learned that her great-grandparents ran a jewellery stall at the Barras during the 1930s.
"That drew me in more," Rebecca said. "Because I had been visiting the Barras ever since I was wee and my dad had never mentioned it to me before."
Rebecca Russell remembers visiting this stall when she was a child
The street and indoor market in Glasgow's East End opened in 1934. The term "barra" is Glaswegian dialect for "barrow" relating to the market's early years where traders sold their goods from handcarts.
Rebecca's project, The Great Glasgow Bazaar, is based around today's stallholders, capturing them in a style inspired by street photographers such as Vivian Maier.
"I've always been fascinated by car boot sales and markets," Rebecca, from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, said.
"I went to the Barras when I was young - probably about 10-years-old and photographed it with my first digital camera," she said.
"With this project, I wanted to get to know the communities behind the stalls."
This well-dressed man is one of the owners of the stall 'Aw The Best Clobber'
Rebecca said this man told her that he might be the most photographed man in Glasgow
Rebecca said that with the story about her great-grandmother's stall, she had an instant connection with the vendors and they were always willing to to talk with her.
"I felt it was important that I get to know the stallholders a bit before taking the photos," she said. "At first I was extremely anxious, as these people are just trying to make a living and I wasn't sure how they would respond.
"When I'd tell them what I was doing, they were excited. They'd point across the road and shout 'go get a photo of him too!', stuff like that."
The frames behind Rebecca came from the Barras
The fourth-year Edinburgh Napier University student said that the marketplace is "like a family".
"Not even just the traders, the people who go to spend time there. Everyone there is so close," she said.
An extra connection between Rebecca's 2023 degree show exhibition and the Barras is hidden in the display - the photo frames came from one of the market stands.
"I saw them there one day and realised they would be great for the project," Rebecca said. "I wanted to create that vibe of non-uniformity."
Rebecca said she was photographing someone else when they asked her to take a photo of this gentleman as well
She said the chance to capture these shots has been a highlight of her time on Edinburgh Napier's BA Photography programme.
"I've always had a camera in my hands. I started with an early iPod touch and have done it ever since.
"I was too nervous to take photography seriously at school, but it's been great to have the opportunity to do it here."
Showcasing work from students at the School of Arts and Creative Industries, the 2023 degree show runs at Edinburgh Napier University's Merchiston campus until 20:00 BST on 1 June. | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-65765811 |
Multi-cancer blood test shows real promise in NHS study - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The Galleri test revealed the correct site of a tumour 85% of the time in a study with 5,000 patients. | Health | A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer has shown real promise in a major NHS trial, researchers say.
The test correctly revealed two out of every three cancers among 5,000 people who had visited their GP with suspected symptoms, in England or Wales.
In 85% of those positive cases, it also pinpointed the original site of cancer.
The Galleri test looks for distinct changes in bits of genetic code that leak from different cancers. Spotting treatable cancer early can save lives.
The test remains very much a "work in progress", the researchers, from Oxford University, say, but could increase the number of cancers identified.
Often, patients have symptoms, such as weight loss, with a range of possible causes and require multiple tests and hospital visits.
More than 350 of those in the study - the biggest of its kind in patients with suspected cancer symptoms - were subsequently diagnosed with cancer, using traditional methods such as scans and biopsies. About:
Although not accurate enough to "rule in or rule out cancer", the test was really useful for patients lead researcher Prof Mark Middleton told BBC News.
"The test was 85% accurate in detecting the source of the cancer - and that can be really helpful because so many times it is not immediately obvious when you have got the patient in front of you what test is needed to see whether their symptoms are down to cancer," he said.
"With that prediction from the test, we can decide whether to order a scope or a scan and make sure we are giving the right test the first time."
The findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference, in Chicago.
The NHS has also been using the Galleri test, developed by Californian company Grail, in thousands of people without symptoms, to see if it can detect hidden cancers.
Initial results are expected next year - and, if successful, the NHS in England plans to extend the rollout to a further one million people in 2024 and 2025.
The test is particularly good at finding hard-to-spot cancers such as head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic, and throat cancers.
Dr David Crosby, from Cancer Research UK, said: "The findings from the study suggest this test could be used to support GPs to make clinical assessments - but much more research is needed, in a larger trial, to see if it could improve GP assessment and ultimately patient outcomes."
NHS national director for cancer Prof Peter Johnson said: "This study is the first step in testing a new way to identify cancer as quickly as possible, being pioneered by the NHS - earlier detection of cancer is vital and this test could help us to catch more cancers at an earlier stage and help save thousands of lives." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65775159 |
Government to launch legal bid to stop Covid inquiry seeing Johnson WhatsApps - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The government’s refusal to share Boris Johnson’s messages sets up an unprecedented legal showdown. | UK Politics | The UK government is to launch an unprecedented legal challenge over the Covid inquiry's demand for WhatsApp messages and documents.
The government missed a 16:00 deadline to share Boris Johnson's messages and notebooks from during the pandemic.
It is thought to be the first time a government has taken legal action against its own public inquiry.
Mr Johnson said he would be "more than happy" to give the unredacted material directly to the inquiry's chair.
The Cabinet Office - the department that supports the prime minister in running the government - had until 16:00 on Thursday to hand over all documents requested by the Covid inquiry.
But the government refused to disclose some of the material by arguing it was not relevant to the inquiry, it would compromise ministers' right to privacy, and would set a precedent that could prevent ministers discussing policy matters in future.
Crossbench peer and retired judge Baroness Hallett, who is the inquiry's chair, says it is up to her to decide what material is relevant.
Mr Johnson has not disclosed any WhatsApp messages sent before April 2021 because his mobile phone was involved in a security breach and has not been turned on since, his spokesman said.
The former prime minister has written to the Cabinet Office asking whether security and technical support can be given so that content can be retrieved without compromising security, the spokesman added.
In a highly unusual move announced after the 16:00 deadline had passed, the Cabinet Office said it would seek a judicial review of Baroness Hallett's order to release the documents.
This means a judge will have to decide whether the inquiry has overreached its legal powers - setting up a potential legal showdown in court just weeks before the inquiry is due to hold its first public hearings.
Ministers set up the Covid inquiry in 2022 and tasked Baroness Hallett with identifying lessons from the government's handling of the pandemic.
Elkan Abrahamson, the lawyer representing the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, said: "The Cabinet Office is showing utter disregard for the inquiry in maintaining their belief that they are the higher power and arbiter of what is relevant material and what is not.
"It raises questions about the integrity of the inquiry and how open and transparent it will be if the chair is unable to see all of the material."
Opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government of trying to obstruct the Covid inquiry and urged him to comply with its requests.
Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, branded the legal challenge a "desperate attempt to withhold evidence" and said "these latest smoke-and-mirror tactics serve only to undermine the Covid Inquiry".
The Liberal Democrats said the legal challenge was "a kick in the teeth for bereaved families who've already waited far too long for answers".
Some senior Conservative MPs had urged the government to back down to avoid a lengthy legal battle with the Covid inquiry.
Science minister George Freeman defended the decision to take legal action, while conceding he personally thought a defeat in the courts was likely.
But when speaking during a visit to Moldova earlier, Mr Sunak said he was "confident" in the government's position.
Outlining its grounds for legal action, the Cabinet Office said ministers and officials "should not be required to provide material that is irrelevant to the inquiry's work".
It said "irrelevant material" requested by the inquiry included "references to personal and family information, including illness and disciplinary matters", and "comments of a personal nature about identified or identifiable individuals which are unrelated to Covid-19".
But the danger for the government is that it exposes it to the charge - already levelled by Labour - that ministers are trying to cover something up.
The legal action will test the ability of public inquiries to get hold of messages on WhatsApp, which has become an increasingly popular means of communication between ministers in recent years.
Baroness Hallett has previously warned that a failure to disclose material requested by the inquiry would be a criminal offence.
Jonathan Jones, a former head of the government's legal department, said the Cabinet Office had "a plausible case" but faced "an uphill challenge to overturn what are very wide powers of the inquiry".
He told the BBC the matter could be settled in court "within weeks, if not sooner". | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65782535 |
Sevilla 1-1 Roma (4-1 on pens): Gonzalo Montiel scores winning penalty as La Liga side lift seventh Europa League - BBC Sport | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | null | Sevilla claim a record-extending seventh Europa League title as they beat Roma on penalties at a raucous Puskas Arena in Budapest. | null | Last updated on .From the section European Football
Sevilla claimed a record-extending seventh Europa League title as they beat Roma on penalties at a raucous Puskas Arena in Budapest.
Gonzalo Montiel, who also scored the winning penalty for Argentina in the World Cup final against France, repeated the trick for the Spanish side following a 1-1 draw, with a retaken spot kick after Roger Ibanez and Gianluca Mancini had missed for Roma.
The Spanish side, have now won all seven of the finals they have played in the competition with captain Jesus Navas involved in their first triumph against Middlesbrough in 2006.
Their most recent sees them qualify for next season's Champions League despite finishing outside the top four in the La Liga.
There will be a feeling that it could have been so different for Roma and their manager Jose Mourinho, who had won all five of the previous European finals he had been involved in and guided the club to inaugural Europa Conference League success last term.
Montiel's international teammate Paulo Dybala had deservedly put Roma in front during the first period, racing onto to Italy defender Mancini's incisive pass to expertly steer a low effort past Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into the bottom right corner.
However, the Serie A side, who also saw Leonardo Spinazzola test Bounou before the break, relinquished their control of a testy encounter which saw 14 players and coaches, including Mourinho booked.
And Sevilla drew level 10 minutes after the break with Navas' cross from the right, deflecting off the unfortunate Mancini into his own net, as they repeatedly pressed forward for an equaliser.
Roma arguably had the better opportunities to win the contest in normal time with Tammy Abraham and Ibanez unable to convert from close range and Andrea Belotti slicing wide from Lorenzo Pellegrini's clever free-kick.
When Lucas Ocampos went down under a challenge from Ibanez, Sevilla appeared to have been handed a golden opportunity to go ahead but, after initially awarding a penalty, English referee Anthony Taylor overturned his decision following a video assistant referee review.
That set up a tense additional 30 minutes with Chris Smalling heading against the Sevilla crossbar 11 minutes into stoppage time at the end of extra time before the dramatic finale.
• None History for Sevilla as 'tired' Mourinho throws medal into crowd
• None Reaction as Sevilla beat Roma in the Europa League final
Specialists Sevilla get the job done
In a match that had been dubbed the 'The Specialists against The Special One', there was an air of inevitability about Sevilla's latest conquest of Europe's second-tier competition.
While Mourinho's gamble to name Dybala - despite injury concerns - in his starting line-up for the first time since 13 April initially appeared to pay dividends, Sevilla grew stronger as the contest drew on.
But the Argentine's influence and fitness faded before his second-half substitution against a side that have looked transformed under Jose Luis Mendilibar's guidance.
Sevilla's third coach of the campaign has overseen a superb turnaround, helping the club from Andalusia stave off relegation concerns at home and eliminate both Manchester United and Juventus on their way to the final.
Roma, who had won just one of four previous penalty shootouts in European competition, looked nervy from the spot having withdrawn several potential penalty takers including captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, Dybala and Abraham.
But there was a sense of calmness and conviction to Sevilla, who clinically dispatched all four of their efforts.
• None Goal! Sevilla 1(4), Roma 1(1). Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
• None Delay over. They are ready to continue.
• None Penalty saved! Ibañez (Roma) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
• None Goal! Sevilla 1(3), Roma 1(1). Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
• None Penalty saved! Gianluca Mancini (Roma) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
• None Goal! Sevilla 1(2), Roma 1(1). Erik Lamela (Sevilla) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
• None Goal! Sevilla 1(1), Roma 1(1). Bryan Cristante (Roma) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
• None Goal! Sevilla 1(1), Roma 1. Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
• None Attempt missed. Bryan Cristante (Roma) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box misses to the right following a corner.
• None Chris Smalling (Roma) hits the bar with a header from the left side of the box. Assisted by Nicola Zalewski with a cross following a corner.
• None Ibañez (Roma) wins a free kick on the right wing. Navigate to the next page Navigate to the last page | http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65752974 |
Lee Rigby: Charity's pride at fundraising by son of killed soldier - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Jack Rigby has raised more than £50,000 for the charity Scotty's Little Soldiers. | Leeds & West Yorkshire | Jack Rigby was only two years old when his father was murdered outside Woolwich Barracks
A charity has praised the young son of murdered soldier Lee Rigby after he raised more than £50,000 for the group.
Jack Rigby, 12, was two years old when his father was murdered by Islamist extremists outside Woolwich Barracks.
Jack, who now lives in Halifax, West Yorkshire, ran 26.2 miles in May for charity Scotty's Little Soldiers.
It helps children grieving the death of a parent who served in the armed forces. Founder Nikki Scott said the charity was "really proud" of Jack.
Mrs Scott set up the organisation a year after the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009.
She said Jack had initially hoped to raise £10,000 - £1,000 for each year since his father's death - to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Lee Rigby's death on 22 May 2013.
Mrs Scott said his efforts had helped raise awareness of the work the charity did with children and young people.
"We are really proud of Jack, he's done such an amazing positive thing at a really tough time," she said.
"Whenever any of our young people fundraise for us it means the world, because it means what we are doing is having a real impact that they want to give back and help others."
The 12-year-old has raised more than £50,000 for the Scotty's Little Soldiers tri-service charity
Mrs Scott said the money would enable the charity to help more children in a similar situation.
"We are there whenever they need us, that might be respite breaks, it might be attending group events with other children or it might be one-to-one emotional support.
"A whole range to make sure they never feel alone."
Mrs Scott said although people might assume children who lost a parent at a young age had no memory, the impact of childhood bereavement "never goes away".
Fusilier Rigby, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, died as a result of multiple cut and stab wounds after he was attacked in London.
He had been returning to his barracks when he was attacked by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.
Adebolajo was given a whole-life term and Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years.
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University to sell 'white elephant' New York campus - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | Glasgow Caledonian University says a £26m project launched in 2013 has "not reached its potential". | Glasgow & West Scotland | The New York Campus opened in September 2013
A Scottish university that became the first in the UK to open a campus in New York is to end the arrangement.
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) launched GCNYC in September 2013 but it struggled to attract students and was unable to award degrees until nearly four years after it opened.
GCU said the campus had "not reached its potential" and that the university would look to exit New York.
The project was given £26.5m in loans and grants from the university.
Critics have dubbed the campus a "white elephant" and there have been calls for an inquiry into what went wrong.
A statement from GCU said: "Despite the significant efforts of many staff in the UK and New York in building highly regarded academic programmes, GCNYC has to date not reached its potential.
"Following a discussion at the university court in February, it was agreed that the university would actively seek a partnership with another educational organisation, with a view to the partner ultimately acquiring GCNYC.
"Whilst a partnership is our preferred option for the college, in the event a partnership cannot be established, we will initiate a process to exit from New York."
GCU said it was in talks with "prestigious educational organisations" about partnering in New York and as a result has paused all new student admissions.
GCU's latest accounts show that £23.1m of a loan agreement with GCNYC has been drawn down to date.
In addition, a grant award of £3.4m was made to GCNYC by the university in 2021/22.
The New York campus was formally opened in April 2014 by the then first minister, Alex Salmond, and has attracted a number of high profile speakers and seminars.
When Mr Salmond's replacement, Nicola Sturgeon, visited in June 2015, she described the campus as an "absolutely fantastic development" and praised the "foresight" of university leaders.
The three-year delay in being able to issue degree certificates came because of delays in gaining a licence to do so from the New York authorities.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: "This is an ignominious end to a vanity project encouraged by the SNP government.
"At a time when university staff have felt forced to take industrial action, it is simply unfathomable that this white elephant was still going.
"This is a welcome end to an expensive and doomed project that should go down in history as a guide in how not to run a project of this nature."
• None US campus has no degree students | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-65775935 |
British Airways fined $1.1m by US government - BBC News | 2023-06-01T00:00:00 | https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews | The US says the airline did not "provide timely refunds to passengers" during Covid. | Business | British Airways has been fined $1.1m (£878,000) by the US government over claims it failed to pay refunds for cancelled flights during the pandemic.
The US Department of Transportation said the airline had not provided "timely refunds to passengers" for abandoned or rescheduled flights to and from the country.
It said it had received more than 1,200 complaints about the airline.
BA rejected the claims, saying it had "acted lawfully at all times".
According to the transport department, from March to November 2020, BA's website instructed consumers to contact the carrier by phone to discuss refund options, including for flights the carrier had cancelled or significantly changed.
However, consumers were unable to get through to customer service agents when calling the carrier for several months during this period because BA failed to maintain adequate functionality of its customer service phone lines , it said.
"There was also no way to submit a refund request through the carrier's website during this period," the department said.
It added that from March to November 2020, misleading information on BA's website had led consumers to inadvertently request travel vouchers instead of refunds.
It said that along with the 1,200 complaints received by the department, BA had received thousands more complaints and refund requests directly from consumers.
The department said the failures had "caused significant challenges and delays in thousands of consumers receiving required refunds".
It added that the fine established a "strong deterrent to future similar unlawful practices".
BA will be credited $550,000 towards the penalty because it paid more than $40m in refunds to customers with non-refundable tickets in 2020 and 2021.
The airline said: "We're very sorry that at the height of the unprecedented pandemic - when we were unfortunately forced to cancel thousands of flights and close some call centres due to government restrictions - our customers experienced slightly longer wait times to reach customer service teams.
"During this period, we acted lawfully at all times and offered customers the flexibility of rebooking travel on different dates, or claiming a refund if their flights were cancelled.
"To date, we have issued more than five million refunds since the start of the pandemic." | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65781536 |
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