Trump tariffs trigger steepest US stocks drop since 2020 as China, EU vow to hit back

57 minutes ago Share Save Tom Espiner BBC business reporter Share Save

Watch: 'The country is going to boom' after tariffs, says President Trump

Global stocks have sunk, a day after President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs that are forecast to raise prices and weigh on growth in the US and abroad. The S&P 500, which tracks 500 of the biggest American firms, plunged 4.8% - its worst day since Covid crashed the economy in 2020. Earlier in the day financial markets fell from Asia to Europe. Nike, Apple and Target were among big consumer names worst hit, all of them sinking by more than 9%. At the White House, Trump told reporters the US economy would "boom", as he stood by his decision to impose a minimum 10% tariff on imports, which he argues will boost federal revenues and bring American manufacturing home.

The Republican president plans to hit products from dozens of other countries with far higher levies, including trade partners such as China and the European Union. China, which is facing an aggregate 54% tariff, and the EU, which faces duties of 20%, both vowed retaliation on Thursday. Tariffs are taxes on goods imported from other countries, and Trump's plan that he announced on Wednesday would hike such duties to some of the highest levels in more than 100 years.

"He's flipped the system": Americans react to Trump's tariffs

The World Trade Organization said it was "deeply concerned", estimating trade volumes could shrink as a result by 1% this year. Traders are also concerned about the global economic impact of Trump's tariffs, which they fear could stoke inflation and stall growth. On Thursday, the S&P 500 shed roughly $2tn in value, continuing a sell-off that has been ongoing since mid-February amid trade war fears. The Dow Jones closed about 4% lower, while the Nasdaq tumbled roughly 6%. Earlier, the UK's FTSE 100 share index dropped 1.5% and other European markets also fell, echoing declines in Asia.

On Thursday at the White House, Trump doubled down on a high-stakes policy gambit aimed at reversing decades of US-led liberalisation that shaped the global trade order. "I think it's going very well," he said. "It was an operation like when a patient gets operated on, and it's a big thing. I said this would exactly be the way it is." He added: "The markets are going to boom. The stock is going to boom. The country is going to boom." On Thursday, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said that country would retaliate with a 25% levy on vehicles imported from the US. Trump last month imposed tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico, though he did not announce any new duties on Wednesday against the North American trade partners.

Firms now face a choice of swallowing the tariff cost, working with partners to share that burden - or passing it on to consumers, and risking a drop in sales. That could have a major impact as US consumer spending amounts to about 10% to 15% of the world economy, according to some estimates. While stocks fell on Thursday, the price of gold, which is seen as a safer asset in times of turbulence, touched a record high of $3,167.57 an ounce at one point on Thursday, before falling back. The dollar also weakened against many other currencies.

Watch: Three things to know about Trump's tariffs announcement

In Europe, the tariffs could drag down growth by nearly a percentage point, with a further hit if the bloc retaliates, according to analysts at Principal Asset Management. In the US, a recession is likely to materialise without other changes, such as big tax cuts, which Trump has also promised, warned Seema Shah, chief global strategist at the firm. She said Trump's goals of boosting manufacturing was a years-long process "if it happens at all". "In the meantime, the steep tariffs on imports are likely to be an immediate drag on the economy, with limited short-term benefit," she said.

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Israeli strike on Gaza City school kills 27, health ministry says

3 hours ago Share Save David Gritten BBC News Share Save

EPA Casualties from the air strikes in Gaza City, including children, were brought to al-Ahli hospital

At least 27 Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli air strike on a school in northern Gaza that was serving as a shelter for displaced families, the Hamas-run health ministry says. Dozens more were wounded when the Dar al-Arqam school in the north-eastern Tuffah district of Gaza City was hit, it cited a local hospital as saying. The Israeli military said it struck "prominent terrorists who were in a Hamas command and control centre" in the city, without mentioning a school. The health ministry earlier reported the killing of another 97 people in Israeli attacks over the previous 24 hours, as Israel said its ground offensive was expanding to seize large parts of the Palestinian territory.

The spokesman for Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, Mahmoud Bassal, said children and women were among the dead following the strike on Dar al-Arqam school. He also said a woman who was heavily pregnant with twins was missing along with her husband, her sister, and her three children. Video from the nearby al-Ahli hospital showed children being rushed there in cars and trucks with serious injuries. A statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the site in Gaza City that it struck had been used by Hamas fighters to plan attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. It added that numerous steps had been taken to mitigate harm to civilians.

Overnight, at least 12 people were killed when several homes in Gaza City's eastern Shejaiya district were struck, the Civil Defence said. It posted a video that appeared to show the bodies of two young children being pulled by rescuers from the remains of a collapsed building. A witness, who asked not to be named, told BBC Arabic's Gaza Lifeline programme that he had been sleeping when he was "suddenly shaken by a violent explosion and discovered that it occurred at the house of our neighbours, the Ayyad family". There was no immediate comment from the IDF, but on Thursday morning it ordered residents of Shejaiya and four neighbouring areas to immediately evacuate to western Gaza City, warning that it was "operating with great force... to destroy the terrorist infrastructure".

AFP An explosion near Dar al-Arqam school sent first responders and residents running for cover

This week, the IDF issued similar evacuation orders for several areas of northern Gaza, as well as the entire southern city of Rafah and parts of neighbouring Khan Younis, prompting around 100,000 Palestinians to flee, according to the UN. Israel renewed its aerial bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza on 18 March after the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release deal agreed with Hamas in January came to an end and negotiations on a second phase of the deal stalled. The IDF's chief spokesperson, Brig-Gen Effie Defrin, told a briefing on Thursday that its operation had "progressed to another stage" in recent days. "We have expanded operations in the southern Gaza Strip with the goal of encircling and dividing the Rafah area," he said. "In northern Gaza, our troops are operating against terrorist targets, clearing the area, and dismantling terrorist infrastructure." He added that over the past two weeks Israeli forces had struck more than 600 "terrorist targets" across Gaza and "eliminated more than 250 terrorists". Before the strike in Tuffah, Gaza's health ministry had said that at least 1,163 people had been killed over the same period. A UN agency has said they include more than 300 children.

Reuters Residents of Shejaiya began fleeing to western Gaza City after the Israeli military ordered them to evacuate on Thursday

On Wednesday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces were establishing another military corridor that would cut off Rafah from Khan Younis. He argued that military pressure would force Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages it is holding, up to 24 of whom are believed to be alive. However, Hamas said it would not engage with Israel's latest proposal for a new ceasefire, which is said to have been co-ordinated with the US, one of the mediators in the negotiations. The Palestinian group said it accepted only the plan put forward by the two other mediators, Qatar and Egypt, for a 50-day truce. The full details of that plan have not been disclosed, but it is understood the regional proposal would see five hostages being released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza where they have recently redeployed, and the influx of humanitarian aid. There would also be negotiations on ending the war. Israel wants a larger number of hostages be released at the start of a new truce.

IDF via Reuters The Israeli military said troops had completed the encirclement of the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah on Wednesday

'Grateful and honoured': Tom Cruise pays tribute to Val Kilmer

The 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick marked Kilmer's last movie role. Kilmer, also known for his roles playing Batman and Jim Morrison in The Doors, died Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

"I can't tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being and how grateful and honoured I was when he joined Top Gun," Cruise said of Kilmer, who played his rival Ice Man in Top Gun in 1986.

Appearing at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Cruise led a crowd in The Colosseum theatre in a moment of silence to "honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer".

Tom Cruise has paid tribute to his Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer, who died earlier this week aged 65.

In Las Vegas, Cruise bowed his head in the cavernous theatre, which was packed with movie theatre owners and others who work in the industry.

"Thank you, Val - wish you well on your next journey," Cruise said afterwards.

Cruise was speaking during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon. He also showed off a sneak peek trailer of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, which is set to be released later this year, and honoured the film's director Christopher McQuarrie, who was named CinemaCon's director of the year.

The trailer showed Cruise, who is famous for doing his own stunts, in a series of action-packed scenes - on fighter jets, in explosions and wing walking on a vintage plane.

As Hollywood paid tribute to Kilmer, Cruise had been one of the few stars who waited to publicly commented on the actor's death.

The star has been vocal about how much he enjoyed working with Kilmer. He said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he cried having him on set for Top Gun: Maverick.

"I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional," Cruise said on the show about working with Kilmer. "He's such a brilliant actor. I love his work."

Kilmer's family told US media that he died after coming down with a pneumonia. The actor had two tracheotomies while undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

The procedures forced him to use a voice box to speak, and in the 2022 film, he types on a screen to communicate with Cruise's character. Toward the end of their scene together, Kilmer's Iceman gets up from his chair and coarsely tells Cruise: "The Navy needs Maverick".

The two embrace and then Iceman pokes fun, questioning Cruise about who is the better pilot.

Woman punched on Tube 'failed by emergency system'

5 hours ago Share Save Aurelia Foster Matt Graveling BBC News Share Save

Roy Ikohora Sally Wynter said her situation "could have been so much worse"

A woman who was attacked on a Tube train in central London has said she was then left standing on a platform for a "harrowing" 30 minutes because no one answered the emergency calls she made from a help point. Sally Wynter said she had been left traumatised after being punched by a stranger on a busy Victoria line train on 27 March, but her attacker was able to get away because she could not raise the alarm. Ms Wynter has written to Sir Sadiq Khan - who has overall responsibility for the Tube network - describing the intercom system as a failure and urging him to "fix it now". City Hall has apologised, saying it was unacceptable her calls were not answered and an investigation had begun.

'No response'

Ms Wynter told BBC London that as her train had approached Green Park station at about 16:30 GMT, she "suddenly felt a punch to the right side of my right arm". "I was pushed into the glass by a stranger that I hadn't seen before," she said, adding her attacker then got off the train. When she got off the Tube at the next stop, Oxford Circus, she was "in shock" and pressed the emergency button on the platform's intercom "at least four times", expecting a member of staff to respond and then try to stop the assailant. She said when she received no response, she had tried to contact British Transport Police (BTP), but could not get an urgent response. She then called 999 and was re-directed to BTP, but gave up and left, she added. BTP said officers attended the station after being made aware of the incident and conducted a search for the victim. As they could not find her at the station, a telephone statement was arranged for later in the evening. The force added that a man from south London was later arrested and bailed in connection with the assault.

TfL said it was working to upgrade the intercom systems, which are installed across the Underground network

It was later reported to police that a child had been attacked at Green Park station shortly after the assault on Ms Wynter, by a man of the same description. Ms Wynter said she believed it was the same attacker and the second assault could have been prevented if her calls had been answered. Help points, which include a fire alarm and buttons to call for assistance and for in an emergency, are installed across the Tube network. Ms Wynter said her situation highlighted that the system failed to help passengers in need, which she said was "very dangerous". "There's a variety of reasons people use these points and it's quite clear to me that the way these help points are set up is antiquated - these systems don't integrate properly into the campaign around what people should do." She added: "I was lucky in the sense that I was away from my attacker but it could have been so much worse. "It's an urgent problem that needs to be addressed. "

Sally Wynter Ms Wynter has called for London's mayor to look into what happened

In a letter to Ms Wynter, London's Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said passengers on TfL's network "deserved to feel safe" and have "confidence that if things do go wrong, help is always available". Mr Dance added he was "deeply saddened" about what happened and invited Ms Wynter for a meeting. In a statement, TfL said: "We are investigating as a matter of urgency why Ms Wynter did not get the help she should have and have reached out to her to offer support."

Ship owner takes legal action over North Sea crash

42 minutes ago Share Save Share Save

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock The Solong cargo ship after it hit an oil tanker in the North Sea

The owners of a container ship have filed a legal claim against the owners of a tanker that it struck in a crash in the North Sea. The Stena Immaculate, a US-registered tanker carrying aviation fuel, was anchored 16 miles (26km) off East Yorkshire when it was hit by the Portuguese-flagged Solong on 10 March. Court records indicate that a legal claim was filed at the Admiralty Court on Thursday by "the owners and demise charterers" of the Solong against "the owners and demise charterers" of the Stena Immaculate. It follows a separate legal claim filed against the owners of the Solong - Ernst Russ - on Monday by the co-owners of the Stena Immaculate, Stena Bulk and Crowley.

No further details about either claim are currently available, with Stena Bulk having been approached for comment. In a statement on Thursday, a spokesperson for Ernst Russ said: "As part of the legal proceedings arising from the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate, the owners of the Solong have filed a claim in the Admiralty Court in London. "This is usual process for large maritime casualties and represents another step in working toward the conclusion of this tragic incident. "Meanwhile, Ernst Russ continues to offer all necessary assistance in support of the ongoing investigations." Following the incident, Stena Bulk said 17,515 barrels of jet fuel were lost due to the crash and the subsequent fire, with the Solong still burning a week after the incident before arriving in Aberdeen on Friday. On Monday, Ernst Russ confirmed it had set up a fund ahead of any "verified" legal claims against it.

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock The Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel at the time of the crash

Man shot dead by police at railway station named

6 hours ago Share Save Martin Heath BBC News, Buckinghamshire Share Save

PA Media A police investigation continues into the incident at Milton Keynes railway station

A man shot dead by police officers at Milton Keynes railway station has been named. David Joyce, 38, was from the city and was killed on Tuesday after police responded to reports of a man with a gun at the station. It later emerged he was carrying a knife. Thames Valley Police said a single shot was fired by an officer and Mr Joyce was given first aid, but died at the scene. The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which named Mr Joyce and is carrying out an investigation into the case.

'Ran towards officers'

The IOPC said Mr Joyce was formally identified at a post-mortem examination on Thursday morning. The provisional cause of his death was a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. The watchdog said it had already viewed a "substantial amount" of CCTV and police body-worn camera footage of the incident. It said it had "established that, at around 13:04 BST, the man was just outside the railway station main entrance with a knife in his hand, and ran towards officers". Shortly afterwards, Mr Joyce was shot at close range.

Dawid Wojtowicz/BBC Forensic teams have been searching the railway station

The investigation team said all officers who attended the scene were being treated as witnesses. Derrick Campbell, the IOPC director, said: "Given a man has died after being shot by police, our role is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the actions and decisions taken by the police. "We have obtained details of some members of the public who witnessed the incident who we will be contacting. "However, we know there were many people near the station around the time of the shooting and we want to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident or has footage of it."

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UK draws up list of US products it could hit with tariffs

52 minutes ago Share Save Kate Whannel Political reporter Sam Francis Political reporter Share Save

Getty Images Bourbon whiskey is among the US products that could face import taxes

The UK government is drawing up a list of US products it could hit with retaliatory tariffs after President Donald Trump announced a wave of new import taxes. This is a toughening of the government's stance as ministers seek to finalise a trade deal with the US. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says he is consulting UK firms about the likely impact of the 10% tariffs being imposed on nearly all UK exports to the US and which products should be on the list. If UK negotiators can not agree a deal to reduce the 10% tariff by 1 May, the business secretary told MPs the government could impose retaliatory tariffs on US imports.

Trump told the BBC he believed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "was very happy on how we treated" the UK on tariffs. He told reporters he was open to negotiations on the tariffs if countries offered "something that is so phenomenal". Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed "every country has called us" since his announcement on Wednesday. "That is the beauty of what we do, we put ourselves in the driver's seat." Earlier on Thursday, the UK government published a sample list of US goods that could face future tariffs. Being on the 417-page list does not necessarily mean a product will face tariffs, the government said. The list covers 27% of imports from the US - chosen because they would have a "more limited impact" on the UK economy, the Department for Business and Trade said. The products range from pure bred horses and children's clothes to crude oil, firearms and bourbon whiskey. Reynolds says talks are ongoing with the US government to secure an economic deal aimed at avoiding or reducing tariffs. But he warned that the UK "reserves the right to take any action we deem necessary if a deal is not secured". In the event of reaching a deal with the US, the consultation with businesses would be paused, he added. Speaking in the House of Commons, he said the fact the US had put lower tariffs on the UK compared to other countries "vindicated the pragmatic approach the government has taken". However, he said he was "disappointed" by the increase. Conservative shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith argued "the government got no special favours" - noting the UK was facing the same tariffs as the Congo and the Christmas Islands. The EU was being hit by 20% tariffs and the UK's lower rate of 10% was actually a vindication of those who "were pilloried and abused" for backing Brexit, Griffith argued.

The UK exported almost £60bn worth of goods to the US last year, mainly machinery, cars and pharmaceuticals. In addition to the 10% tariffs, a 25% tariff has been put on UK car exports, as well as steel and aluminium products. Some products are exempt from the charges announced on Wednesday, according to White House documents - including the UK's pharmaceutical sector, along with semiconductors, copper and some lumber items. The government's official forecaster estimates a worst-case scenario trade war could reduce UK economic growth by 1% and wipe out the £9.9bn of economic headroom Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave herself at last week's Spring Statement. It could mean that in order to meet her own fiscal rules, she would have to raise taxes or make cuts to government spending.

Behind the scenes the government says it has been laying the groundwork for a trade deal with the US. Insiders on the UK side say a deal is practically done. But no one knows if, or when, Trump will sign off on it. Any deal would be broader than just lower tariffs the BBC understands, focusing on technology, but also covering elements of trade in goods and services as well as agriculture - a controversial area in previous unsuccessful US-UK trade talks. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested the UK could change its taxes on big tech firms as part of a deal to overturn US tariffs. The digital services tax, introduced in 2020, imposes a 2% levy on tech firms, including big US firms such as Amazon, bringing in about £800m in tax per year.

See all the Trump tariffs by country

On Wednesday, President Trump unveiled new tariffs on imports to the US which will form a central part of his government's new trade policy.

In his speech, he listed the new tariffs to be imposed on a number of countries, including the country's biggest trading partners, and a more complete list was released later by the White House.

No further tariffs were announced for Canada or Mexico. Both countries had already seen tariffs imposed in Feburary - though these have since been partially rolled back.

China will now see an effective tariff of 54%, as the new 34% tariff will be added to the 20% tariff already in place.

Here are all the new tariffs by trading partner, with those with the highest share of imports into the US at the top. Use the arrows at the bottom of the table to move to the next page.

Europe hopes for Trump tariffs deal but prepares for the worst

5 hours ago Share Save Paul Kirby & Laura Gozzi BBC News Share Save

EUROPEAN COMMISSSION/DATI BENDO/HANDOUT European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already laid out initial countermeasures

Europe's leaders had been preparing for "Trump's trade war" - but the reality of a 20% blanket US tariff still came as a shock. "This decision is a catastrophe for the economic world," said French Prime Minister François Bayrou. "The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe," said the EU's Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who was on a trip to Central Asia. The message from the EU, which has the task of responding on behalf of its 27 member states, is that Europe is ready to negotiate with the US but at the same time poised to hit back too.

Europe 'calibrates' its response

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic aims to talk tariffs with his US counterparts on Friday. "We'll act in a calm, carefully phased, unified way, as we calibrate our response, while allowing adequate time for talks," he said. For every European country, President Donald Trump's tariffs will be a severe blow, and national governments have been trying to allay the fears of industry and commerce. Italy's Giorgia Meloni – who until Wednesday seemed more reluctant than others to retaliate in kind against the US – cleared her diary and hastily summoned ministers and business leaders to an emergency summit. Italy exports €1.6bn (£1.35bn) worth of agrifood products and €2bn worth of wine to the US, Alessandro Apolito of the country's main farmers' organisation Coldiretti told the BBC. Aside from economic losses, he says there is a risk that US consumers will turn to imitations, capturing market share that would otherwise go to authentic Italian products. In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected Trump's claim that the EU was imposing 39% tariffs on US goods, insisting in reality it was just 3%. "It's just an excuse to punish countries and implement sterile protectionism. The trade war will affect everyone, but it'll hit the one imposing it most of all," he warned.

Europe's businesses hold their breath

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce fears a 14% cut in exports to the US, especially in machinery and electrical equipment. Sánchez has announced a €14.1bn response plan to help business with finance and look for new markets beyond the US. Slovakia is more exposed than most EU countries, because of its heavy reliance on industrial exports, and some economists are warning of a deep fall in economic output of at least 2.5% in just two years. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of a potential 0.4% fall in its economic output this year. Even before Trump's announcement, the French government had revised down expected growth this year to 0.7%. At a glance: The countries hit hardest by these plans

Watch: Three things to know about Trump's plans

Global reaction: How five big economies see new Trump tariffs

The French wine and spirits sector in particular is likely to be hit. The head of one of the main wine organisations, Jérôme Bauer, has warned of a net loss of €1bn (£835m) to France's wine industry. Italy's winemakers are holding their breath too. "We've halted exports for almost two weeks now. Everything is paralysed, because clients aren't placing orders and importers aren't importing," says Stefano Leone of Marchesi Antinori, a winery in Tuscany with over six centuries of history. The US accounts for 12 to 13% of total sales, and Leone says the company is in a state of limbo. "We're waiting to understand what decisions to make, depending also on any countermeasures the European Union may adopt in response to the United States. We're hoping some form of negotiation will take place and lead to a concrete outcome." Sentiment across Europe's markets was glum as investors sold shares considered most vulnerable to Trump's tariffs. One of the big German companies, Adidas, saw 12% of its value wiped off the stock market. Small companies as well as large are going to be hit.

Rocco Mangiaracina Rocco Mangiaracina says the US tariffs will hit his family business directly

"This is the first year we've started exporting to the United States, and the tariffs affect us even more directly," says Rocco Mangiaracina, who runs a small family business producing 20,000 bottles of olive oil a year in Sicily. "Only a week ago, we sent our first 900 bottles to the American market." French government spokeswoman Sophie Primas said "we are ready for this trade war", but added that "the [European] Union must be strong, it must be united for this". Europe's biggest economy, Germany, was quick to call out an "unprecedented attack on the international trading system, free trade, and global supply chains". But Germany is still waiting for chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz to form a government, so it was up to acting chancellor Olaf Scholz to point out that the "world's strongest internal market with 450 million consumers" gave Europe strength. So how will the EU respond and can it stay united? BBC Verify: How were Donald Trump's tariffs calculated?

UK: What this means for you and your money

Explainer: What are tariffs, and why is Trump using them?

US analysis: Trump's tariffs are his biggest gamble yet

Retaliation in two steps

How campaigning mum won six-year battle to get Martyn's Law introduced

10 hours ago Share Save Roger Johnson BBC News, Manchester Share Save

Hett family Figen Murray's son Martyn Hett was among those killed in the 2017 Manchester bombing

The last time Figen Murray came to Downing Street, the famous black door to Number 10 stayed firmly shut. Today they threw it wide open and welcomed her with open arms. It will be eight years ago next month since Figen's son was murdered. Martyn Hett was one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. After six years of campaigning, Figen has finally seen the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn's Law, be granted Royal Assent by King Charles. It means that now it will officially become law. I first interviewed Figen a month after the Manchester bombing when, remarkably, she spoke of forgiveness. But in later conversations, it became clear that what she could not forgive were the shortcomings which allowed the devastating suicide attack to happen.

Why were some venues subject to such strict legal requirements about the likes of health and safety, food standards and other things, but not the fundamentals of protecting large gathering of people against terrorism? She vowed to change it - not only for Martyn, although the legislation introduced today informally carries his name - but so other families may avoid having to suffer the same heartbreak in future.

Roger Johnson/BBC Figen Murray at 10 Downing Street after the anti-terror legislation she had been campaigning for became law

It started as a six-month petition. Now, six years later, it has been enshrined in UK law as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. Those six years have seen many setbacks and disappointments. When Figen stood at Number 10 last year, it was after a 200-mile walk from Manchester in protest at parliament's slow progress in debating the proposals. Later that same day, a general election was called, and it seemed like back to square one. Figen has always been at pains to remind people she has not done this alone. Nick Aldworth, a former counter terrorism officer, has supported her. So too Brendan Cox, husband to the murdered MP Jo Cox.

Reuters Twenty-two people were killed and hundreds of others injured in the 2017 Manchester attack

There have been numerous others. None more so than Figen's husband Stuart Murray, always half a step behind, but always there. But they will all say it would not have happened without Figen Murray. Sir John Saunders, who chaired the lengthy public inquiry into what happened at Manchester Arena, told me the 22 lives could have been saved if Martyn's Law had been in place before that night. And Nick Aldworth says the UK is now a safer place because of Martyn's Law. We all have Figen to thank for that. Now, she says, she is tired and wants to start to grieve for her son. Martyn Hett used to tell friends he expected to die young and spectacularly. "He certainly did that," Figen said in that first interview. But his name will never be forgotten.

Amazon plans 'fresh' James Bond but will respect 007 legacy

We still don't know who the next James Bond will be, but 007's new owners, Amazon MGM, say they are hard at work on the next film in London and that they will offer a "fresh" take on the franchise and honour the "legacy of this iconic character."

The Bond anthem Goldfinger welcomed guests into the Colosseum Theatre in Las Vegas for Amazon MGM Studio's first ever appearance at CinemaCon – heightening anticipation – but there was very little Bond news in an otherwise star-studded showcase for the streaming giant.

Since 1962, James Bond movies have been controlled by the notoriously protective Broccoli family. It shocked many fans and industry insiders when producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed earlier this year to sell creative control of the franchise to Amazon – reportedly for $1bn (£760m).

Many expected the new producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to appear at CinemaCon to divulge some details of their plans for James Bond amid rife speculation that Amazon will churn out prequels, spinoffs, and origin stories galore.

But in a nearly two-hour presentation – Ben Affleck, Ryan Gosling, Chris Pratt and Halle Berry all showcased new films – Bond was barely a blip.

Chris Hemsworth – who many speculate is in the running to become James Bond – was there to show off Crime 101, a thriller focused on robberies along Los Angeles' 101 Freeway.

In their presentation, Amazon MGM executives Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll mentioned James Bond only in passing, commenting: "We are committed to honouring the legacy of this iconic character while bringing a fresh, exotic new chapter to audiences around the world alongside Amy and David."

They added they wished Pascal and Heyman could be in Las Vegas with them, but that they were hard at work in London. "They're both in London getting started and couldn't be here tonight, but we wanted to thank them for what we know to make an incredible partnership," the pair said.

Valenti and Droll then moved on to showcase Masters of The Universe

King Charles played a popular nursery rhyme using a carrot recorder at a reception to recognise those involved in music across the UK.

During the event at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, the King was given a carrot by the Vegetable Orchestra, before joining in on a performance of Twinkle, twinkle little star.

Denmark and Greenland show united front against US 'annexation' threats

Her three-day trip to the territory follows last week's controversial visit by a US delegation headed up by Vice-President JD Vance, which was widely criticised in both Greenland and Denmark.

Frederiksen stood alongside Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and his predecessor Mute Egede in a show of support and unity in the face of US threats on Thursday.

Responding to repeated threats from Donald Trump, Frederiksen offered closer collaboration on security but told the US president: "You can't annex other countries."

Denmark will not give up Greenland to the US, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said during an official visit to the Arctic Island.

During his whirlwind trip, Vance reiterated Trump's ambitions to bring Greenland under United States' control for security reasons, criticised Denmark for not spending more on security in the region, and claimed it had "not done a good job" for Greenlanders.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Brussels, where he "reaffirmed the strong relationship" between the US and Denmark, the US State Department said in a statement.

Rasmussen said Rubio had acknowledged Greenland's right to self-determination but added that Denmark would object to "any claims on Greenland", Reuters news agency reported.

After arriving in Greenland on Wednesday, Frederiksen said: "It is clear that with the pressure put on Greenland by the Americans, in terms of sovereignty, borders and the future, we need to stay united."

Frederiksen said on Thursday that Denmark was fortifying its military presence in the Arctic and offered closer collaboration with the United States in defending the region.

But she added: "When you demand to take over a part of... Denmark's territory, when we are met by pressure and by threats from our closest ally, what are we to believe in, about the country that we have admired for so many years?"

Frederiksen rode around the capital Nuuk in a Danish navy patrol boat, alongside Egede and Nielsen.

According to Danish public broadcaster DR, many people cheered at seeing the Danish prime minister, with one resident shouting from a window: "Hey Mette! Thanks for being here."

Egede, who served as prime minister for almost four years, said the island had cooperated with the US on security for almost 80 years - including the construction of the Pituffik Space Base following a 1951 agreement between Denmark and the United States.

The former leader insisted Greenland was not for sale, but added the island wanted trade with the US, Greenlandic national newspaper Sermitsiaq reported.

Trump first floated the idea of buying Greenland during his first term - and his desire to own the island has only grown with time.

Mikaela Engell, an expert on the Arctic territory who previously served as Denmark's High Commissioner to Greenland, told AFP news agency "it's very, very important and it's very reassuring for Greenlanders to see a Danish head of government."

Greenland - the world's biggest island, between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans - has been controlled by Denmark, nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away, for about 300 years.

Greenland governs its own domestic affairs, but decisions on foreign and defence policy are made in Copenhagen.

Five of the six main parties favour independence from Copenhagen, but disagree over the pace with which to reach it.

A new Greenland coalition government was formed in March, led by the centre-right Democrats party which favours a gradual approach to independence.

Polls show that the vast majority of Greenlanders also want to become independent from Denmark, but do not wish to become part of the US.

Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to call an independence referendum, though in recent years some political parties have begun pushing more for one.

Influencers 'new' threat to uncontacted tribes, warns group after US tourist arrest

3 hours ago Share Save Cachella Smith BBC News Share Save

Getty Images The Sentinelese live on an island in the Indian Ocean, isolated from the outside world

Social media influencers pose a "new and increasing threat" for uncontacted indigenous people, a charity has warned after the arrest of a US tourist who travelled to a restricted Indian Ocean island. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, allegedly landed on North Sentinel Island in an apparent attempt to make contact with the isolated Sentinelese tribe, filming his visit and leaving a can of coke and a coconut on the shore. Survival International, a group that advocates for the rights of tribal people, said the alleged act endangered the man's own life and the lives of the tribe, calling it "deeply disturbing". The US said it was aware and "monitoring the situation".

Andaman and Nicobar Islands' police chief HGS Dhaliwal told news agency AFP that "an American citizen" had been presented before the local court and was remanded for three days for "further interrogation". AFP, citing Mr Dhaliwal, said Mr Polyakov blew a whistle off the shore of the island in a bid to attract the attention of the tribe for about an hour. He then landed for about five minutes, leaving his offerings, collecting samples and recording a video. The police chief told AFP: "A review of his GoPro camera footage showed his entry and landing into the restricted North Sentinel Island." It is illegal for foreigners or Indians to travel within 5km (three miles) of the islands in order to protect the people living there. According to police, Mr Polyakov has visited the region twice before - including using an inflatable kayak in October last year before he was stopped by hotel staff. On his arrest earlier this week, the man told police he was a "thrill seeker", Indian media reported. Survival International said the Sentinelese have made their wish to avoid outsiders clear over many years and underlined that such visits pose a threat to a community which has no immunity to outside diseases. Jonathan Mazower, spokesperson for Survival International, told the BBC they feared social media was adding to the list of threats for uncontacted tribal people. Several media reports have linked Mr Polyakov to a YouTube account, which features videos of a recent trip to Afghanistan. "As well as all the somewhat more established threats to such peoples - from things like logging and mining in the Amazon where most uncontacted peoples live - there are now an increasing number of... influencers who are trying to do this kind of thing for followers," Mr Mazower said. "There's a growing social media fascination with this whole idea."

Survival International describes the Sentinelese as "the most isolated Indigenous people in the world" living on an island around the size of Manhattan. Mr Mazower told the BBC an estimated 200 people belong to the tribe, before adding it was "impossible" to know its true number. Few details are known about the group, other than they are a hunter-gatherer community who live in small settlements and are "extremely healthy", he said. He added that the incident highlighted why government protections for communities such as the Sentinelese are so important. The UN's Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention sets out obligations for governments to protect the rights. India's government has an initiative focusing on tribal welfare, but the country has come under criticism in recent years for failing to protect against evictions.

No drinks with sweeteners for younger children, say UK advisers

12 hours ago Share Save Michelle Roberts Digital health editor, BBC News Share Save

Getty Images

Younger children should not be given any drinks containing artificial sweeteners, UK experts are now advising. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommendations apply to beverages such as sugar-free 'toothkind' squash that has ingredients such as aspartame, stevia, saccharin and sucralose. It says preschool children should become accustomed to drinking water instead. Sweeteners may help older children cut down on sugar though.

What are artificial sweeteners?

Eating too much sugar increases the risk of tooth decay and some long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Artificial sweeteners were developed as a substitute, providing a sweet taste with few or no calories. All of the ones used in the UK are approved and have undergone rigorous safety tests. But some are concerned that they enhance preferences for sweet tastes in children which can be hard to overcome.

After reviewing the available evidence, SACN says proof that sweeteners are cutting tooth decay is "poor", although a reduction in free sugars, alongside "other positive changes to diet", is likely to be beneficial to health overall. It says there may be some value in using sweeteners to help reduce weight gain in the short to medium term, but "it is not essential and is not the only option." And the SACN committee experts are concerned about "the gap in data" on UK population exposure to sweeteners. They say there is currently "insufficient evidence" to carry out a full risk assessment and are asking goverment to gather more.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said government was committed to turning the tide on obesity, taking bold action to crack down on child-targeted junk food advertising on TV and online.

Prof Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency, said: "We strongly support SACN's call for industry to make data on the quantity of these sweeteners in their ingredients publicly available to provide better information on how much people are consuming and to help inform our assessments of these ingredients." Prof Graham Finlayson, Chair in Psychobiology, University of Leeds, said it was reasonable to be cautious, especially in children, but the evidence wasn't strong enough to dismiss non-sugar sweeteners as a tool for reducing sugar intake. "With obesity and diabetes rates rising, knee-jerk policy changes could do more harm than good," he warned.

The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) said: "As part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, low/no calorie sweeteners can be used to further public health objectives on sugar intake reduction. "ISA supports SACN's call for continued investment in high-quality, long-term research."

Tormenting Harris's hawk is captured by Mr Harris

5 hours ago Share Save Louise Parry BBC News, Hertfordshire Justin Dealey BBC News, Hertfordshire Reporting from Flamstead Share Save

Justin Dealey/BBC A falconer arrived to tame the hawk after the resident managed to trap it

A Harris's hawk that has been repeatedly attacking villagers has been captured by a resident with the same name. Steve Harris, 40, told the BBC he had managed to humanely catch the hawk in his garden in Flamstead, Hertfordshire. It is estimated that the bird of prey had swooped on at least 50 people since early March, drawing blood from several victims. "It's a relief for us and the whole village," said Mr Harris, whose children had been unable to use the back garden after the hawk took up residence in one of their trees.

"Every morning, we wake up and see it up in the tree, getting braver and braver. "I've been working from home watching it, thinking we've got to get this bird gone."

Jonathan Vernon-Smith/BBC Steve Harris (right) says it is "ironic" that he was the person to capture the Harris's hawk, which has been living in a tree in his garden

Mr Harris said he acted spontaneously to capture the bird on Thursday morning. "It had been chasing me around the village when I went for a run, and when I got back it flew down to the top of my shed. "The falconer had left me a cage. I was using it to protect myself and I got brave enough when the bird was about a foot away, and I threw it over the top of it, trapping it. "I screamed out for the falconer to come and help, and he came and tamed it."

One of the hawk's victims captured the incident on his doorbell CCTV

The hawk had been wreaking havoc in the village, which is on the edge of the Chiltern hills, even holding up the postal service. Jim Hewitt was taken to hospital covered in blood after he felt a "smack" on the back of his head while walking to the shop. The 75-year-old said he was "delighted" the hawk had been caught, and had vowed: "I won't get beaten by a poxy bird." Mr Harris said the situation had started to become dangerous. "I got whacked over the head yesterday trying to get into my car... it was getting to the stage where it was attacking people with consistency."

Jim Hewitt was worried the hawk would attack a child

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Meet the patients in Canada and California legally choosing assisted dying, including Wayne, whose death we witness. And hear from those who feel it puts the most vulnerable at risk. More

Stephen Bunting claimed his first Premier League victories of the season to win night nine in Berlin.

Having lost all eight of his previous matches in this year's competition, Bunting overcame Nathan Aspinall and Luke Humphries, before beating Gerwyn Price 6-5 in a topsy-turvy final at the Uber Arena.

After six breaks of throw to start the final, Bunting took out 96 in two darts for the first hold to go 4-3 ahead.

However, a pumped-up Price levelled, broke again and then missed two match darts as Bunting hit double eight to force a one-leg shootout.

With a tense final leg still in the balance, 'The Bullet' produced a brilliant 107 checkout to seal a memorable success.

Amid talk of a trade war, Trump's tariffs have also raised questions over the atmosphere at the various sports events it is due to host, not least the Ryder Cup in the US later this year.

With European Union leaders highly critical of the policy, it would be little surprise if anti-European sentiment among the American fans is intensified.

And then there's the 2026 World Cup, which the US is co-hosting alongside Mexico and Canada.

In January, Trump vowed to impose tariffs of 25% on imports from the neighbouring countries - America's two biggest trading partners - in a move he said was designed to address the entry of opioid drug fentanyl to the US, the large amounts of undocumented migrants that have come across US borders, as well as trade deficits.

Last month Trump claimed the political and economic tensions between the US and its World Cup co-hosts would be good for the tournament. "I think it's going to make it more exciting. Tension's a good thing," he said.

He also announced the formation of a World Cup taskforce, external which he will chair to ensure the tournament runs smoothly. Fifa has been approached for comment on their response to the US President's tariffs.

But Trump's protectionist policies raise serious questions over the three countries' willingness and ability to work together on security for instance, or to ensure fans can gain entry visas, and then pass easily across borders.

With imported materials such as steel and aluminium more expensive, there may also be concerns about the development of infrastructure for the tournament.

Trump has also spoken provocatively about making Canada 'the 51st state', leading to the US anthem being booed by Canadian fans at NBA and NHL fixtures.

Could the additional tensions over tariffs mean such scenes are repeated at the World Cup or even the Olympics?

"Nations and cities host global sports events for a variety of reasons, from enhancing reputation and driving global investment, to sending a message to the world that you are open, welcoming and ready to do business. It seems nothing could be further from the truth in terms of Trump's America," says Zerafa.

"It's not just tariffs. From forced repatriations, and hostility to the EU and Nato, to a possible takeover of Greenland and bad blood with Canada. All this makes it a very challenging backdrop for the World Cup 2026 and LA Games in 2028 to promote that narrative."

The IOC has been approached for comment. Insiders told BBC Sport they are confident that Trump's love of sport - and his desire for LA 2028 to be a successful global platform towards the end of his second term in office - will ensure that preparations for the Olympics are not derailed by geopolitics.

Michael Vaughan believes it would be "nonsense" and "selfish" for England to make Ben Stokes a white-ball captain.

Test skipper Stokes is under consideration for at least one of the limited-overs roles after Jos Buttler stepped down in February.

The Telegraph has reported that Harry Brook is set to become T20 captain, leaving a choice between Brook and Stokes for the 50-over job. BBC Sport understands no final decisions have been made.

Stokes has a chequered injury history - he is currently recovering from hamstring surgery - and has not played white-ball cricket for England since 2023.

Any return to the limited-overs format would be an increase in workload in a defining year for the 33-year-old's Test captaincy, with a home series against India followed by the Ashes in Australia.

Vaughan, himself a former England captain, said: "It's absolute nonsense to think that Ben Stokes is going to play white-ball cricket.

"He gives absolutely everything, not just when he's playing for England but when he's training. He is all or nothing.

"In a way, I think it's quite selfish to even consider him, because he will say yes, because he is Ben Stokes. He will do whatever England ask him to do. Just don't ask him, just let him be."

Stokes has energised England's Test team since taking charge in 2022. In the aftermath of Buttler's resignation, England director of cricket Rob Key said it would be "stupid" not to consider Stokes for a white-ball job.

Should Stokes take on one or both white-ball roles, it would also further align him with head coach Brendon McCullum, who added the limited-overs sides to his Test responsibilities at the beginning of this year.

Stokes is the best leader England have and his white-ball pedigree includes match-winning performances in the finals of the 2019 50-over World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup.

Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa): He has grown from strength to strength and become one of the best centre-backs in English football. This is really hard to say because I am a Birmingham fan and he is a Villa player, but he has been exceptional.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest): He was a monster for Nottingham Forest, an absolute powerhouse. He loves defending and you have seen that with his last-second clearance off the line. He doesn't over-egg things, just defends.

Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest): He has been excellent all season for Forest and never gets spoken about. He moved across from left-back to right-back against Manchester United, dealt with it and just delivered again.

Curtis Jones (Liverpool): That was a midfielder playing at right-back against Everton in the Merseyside derby and he handled it exceptionally well. Showed a very mature performance.

Former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams says it "hurts watching football" after being without a club since last summer.

Williams was released by boyhood team Manchester United at the end of the 2023-24 season after his contract expired and has spent this campaign watching the game from the outside.

The 24-year-old's last appearance came in December 2023 during a loan spell with Ipswich.

In March, Williams admitted to a charge of dangerous driving - he had been caught in August 2023 doing almost 100mph before crashing his car in Cheshire.

"I go into this mode where I just don't care," Williams said on Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast, external.

"I have this switch where I don't care what happens. They [family and friends] wanted me to get back to football but they could see I'd fallen out of love with.

"It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. I miss being in a team, on the coach, travelling to games, having meals together and just doing things."

Williams came through Manchester United's academy to make his senior debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019.

The left-back made 51 appearances, including two in the Champions League, but struggled to tie down a regular spot and spent time on loan at Norwich and Ipswich.

He featured under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich but the former Manchester United coach sent Williams back to his parent club after seeing that "something wasn't right".

"I had a few problems going on off the pitch at the end of the year," Williams said.

"He [McKenna] said 'get yourself sorted and come back as Brandon'.

"When I did come back to Manchester, things increased off the pitch with family problems and friend problems."

Williams will be sentenced for his dangerous driving charge on 9 May at Chester Crown Court.

He was caught driving in an erratic manner and at up to 99mph in a 70mph zone. In March, the court heard he was seen with a balloon at his mouth.

The CPS said a female passenger was seen filming them at one point on her phone, adding that it was clear to witnesses that Williams' Audi was out of control before colliding with another car.

Williams was breathalysed but the test was negative.

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou is looking more isolated than ever.

The Australian directed a brief clap towards the furious travelling away fans from near the halfway line following his side's 1-0 loss at Chelsea but, by then, it could be argued the damage had already been done.

Enzo Fernandez's second-half header was enough to inflict a 16th defeat of the season on Tottenham and leave them 14th in the Premier League - 10 points away from the top 10 - and the signs are growing the fans have had enough.

Chants of "you don't know what you're doing" came from the away end after midfielder Lucas Bergvall was replaced by Pape Sarr in the 65th minute.

Remarkably, Sarr found the net with an excellent long-range strike just four minutes later, leading Postecoglou to cup his ear and turn to the away end, only for VAR to then rule out the goal for a foul on Moises Caicedo.

When asked about the incident after the match, Postecoglou said: "Jeez mate, it's incredible how things get interpreted. We'd just scored, I just wanted to hear them cheer. Because we'd been through a tough time, and I thought it was a cracking goal.

"I wanted them to get really excited. I felt at that point we could potentially go on and win the game. I just felt momentum was on our [side]. It doesn't bother me. It's not the first time they've booed my substitutions or my decisions. That's fine, they're allowed to do that.

"But we'd just scored a goal, just scored an equaliser, I was just hoping we could get some excitement. If people want to read into that that somehow I'm trying to make a point about something, like I said, we'd been through a tough time, but I just felt there was a bit of a momentum shift there.

"If they get really behind the lads, I thought we had the momentum to finish on top of them."

It's just the latest in a season of incidents between Postecoglou and sections of the fanbase.

There was the recent exchange with an angry supporter after defeat by Fulham just before the international break, another similar back and forth happened after defeat at home to Leicester and he confronted the away end after they criticised players after losing at Bournemouth in December.

He added when asked if he was alienating the fans: "You know what, I am at such a disconnect with the world these days, that who knows? Maybe you're right. I don't know. But that's not what my intention was."

This just compounds the lack of progress on the pitch, especially with almost a full squad of players available, as Spurs look to avoid their worst season in the Premier League era.

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp put it plainly when he said on Sky Sports: "Tottenham were awful. It could have been so much more. Not good enough in any department from Tottenham. Chelsea were so much better.

"When Sarr scored, it looked like Ange cupped his ears to say: I know better. There's a disconnect between the two [Tottenham fans and Ange Postecoglou] at the moment.

"It's not ideal for the manager. He's got some big games ahead. He's got to keep his head up, got to keep going, working hard and believing in what they do."