Starmer criticises 'appalling' Bob Vylan IDF chants

47 minutes ago Share Save Adam Hale & Zahra Fatima BBC News Sam Francis Political reporter Share Save

Getty Images Bob Vylan performed on the West Holts Stage just ahead of a performance by Kneecap

The prime minister has condemned UK punk duo Bob Vylan for urging "death" to Israeli troops in what he called "appalling hate speech". Glastonbury Festival organisers have also said they were "appalled" after frontman rapper Bobby Vylan led chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]". In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer said the BBC had questions to answer over its live broadcast of the group's performance on Saturday. A BBC spokesperson previously said some of the comments were "deeply offensive", adding it had issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language". The set will not be available on BBC iPlayer.

Sir Keir has also criticised Kneecap saying ahead of the festival that their appearance was not "appropriate". The Irish-language rap group have previously described Israel's military action in Gaza as a genocide. He said: "There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech. "I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence." The prime minister is the latest in a string of cabinet ministers to denounce Bobby Vylan's comments in the 24 hours since the group appeared at Glastonbury. Directly after the set, a government spokesperson said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had pressed BBC boss Tim Davie for an urgent explanation of the broadcaster's vetting process. The government added that it welcomed the decision not to re-broadcast the performance on BBC iPlayer. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said it was "clear" the rapper was "inciting violence and hatred" and should be prosecuted. In a post shared on X on Sunday, he also called on the police to "urgently investigate and prosecute the BBC" who he claimed "appear to have also broken the law". "Our national broadcaster should not be transmitting hateful material designed to incite violence and conflict," he said. The BBC has been asked for further comment. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme earlier, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Bob Vylan's comments were "revolting". He said the "irony of that music festival is that Israelis were taken from a music festival, killed, raped and in some cases are still being held captive".

Glastonbury Festival has said Bob Vylan's statements "very much crossed a line". A joint Instagram post from Glastonbury Festival and organiser Emily Eavis on Sunday said the event stood "against all forms of war and terrorism", and that with almost 4,000 performances on site "there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share". "However, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday," it continued. "Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence." Bob Vylan are an English punk duo based in London. Bobby Vylan serves as the singer and guitarist, while Bobbie Vylan is the drummer of the band. Both members use stage names to maintain their privacy and collectively refer to themselves as "the Bobs". Antisemitism campaigners said they will formally complain to the BBC over its "outrageous decision" to broadcast the act live.

Getty Images Frontman Bobby Vylan's chants were described as revolting by Wes Streeting

The Campaign Against Antisemitism group said in a post on X that Glastonbury had "continued its headlong descent into a pit of extremism and hatred, but it is the behaviour of the BBC that is even more dangerous". It said it would formally complain to the BBC for broadcasting the performance, as well as that of Kneecap. The BBC did not run a live broadcast of Kneecap's set due to editorial concerns around impartiality, but on Sunday announced the set had been made available on iPlayer, with some edits. It said the content had been edited to ensure it "falls within the limits of artistic expression in line with our editorial guidelines" and any strong language had been signposted with "appropriate warnings". Kneecap has made headlines in recent months after rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence. He is accused of displaying the flag of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig last year. He has denied the charge. Following sets from both groups, Avon and Somerset Police said it would review footage of comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage. The force said footage "will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation".

Getty Images Kneecap's highly-charged performance on Saturday drew huge crowds at the festival

US must rule out more strikes before new talks, Iranian minister tells BBC

21 minutes ago Share Save Lyse Doucet Chief International Correspondent Reporting from Tehran, Iran Alex Boyd BBC News Reporting from London Share Save

Watch: No date set for US talks, says Iran's deputy foreign minister

The US must rule out any further strikes on Iran if it wants to resume diplomatic talks, Tehran's deputy foreign minister has told the BBC. Majid Takht-Ravanchi says the Trump administration has told Iran through mediators it wants to return to negotiations, but had "not made their position clear" on the "very important question" of further attacks while talks are taking place. Israel's military operation, which began in the early hours of 13 June, scuppered a sixth round of mainly indirect talks set to take place in Muscat two days later. The US became directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran last weekend when it targeted three Iranian nuclear sites in a bombing raid.

Takht-Ravanchi also said Iran will "insist" on being able to enrich uranium for what it says are peaceful purposes, rejecting accusations that Iran was secretly moving towards developing a nuclear bomb. He said Iran had been "denied access to nuclear material" for its research programme so needed "to rely on ourselves". "The level of that can be discussed, the capacity can be discussed, but to say that you should not have enrichment, you should have zero enrichment, and if do you not agree, we will bomb you - that is the law of the jungle," the deputy foreign minister said. Israel began its attacks, targeting nuclear and military sites as well as assassinating commanders and scientists, in Iran on 13 June, claiming Tehran was close to building a nuclear weapon. Iran responded by attacking Israel with missiles. Hostilities continued for 12 days, during which the US dropped bombs on three of Iran's nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. The extent of the damage caused to Iran's nuclear programme by US strikes has been unclear, and Takht-Ravanchi said he could not give an exact assessment. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the strikes caused severe but "not total" damage, while US President Donald Trump declared that Iran's nuclear facilities were "totally obliterated". Grossi also said Iran had the capacity to start enriching uranium again in "a matter of months". In response, Takht-Ravanchi said he did not know if that would be the case. Iran's relationship with the IAEA has become increasingly strained. On Wednesday, its parliament moved to suspend cooperation with the atomic watchdog, accusing the IAEA of siding with Israel and the US. Trump has said he would "absolutely" consider bombing Iran again if intelligence found that it could enrich uranium to concerning levels. Takht-Ravanchi said no date had been agreed upon for a possible return to talks and he did not know what would be on the agenda, after Trump suggested discussions could take place this week. Iran's deputy foreign minister said "right now we are seeking an answer to this question: are we going to see a repetition of an act of aggression while we are engaging in dialogue?" He said the US had to be "quite clear on this very important question" and "what they are going to offer us in order to make the necessary confidence required for such a dialogue". Asked if Iran could consider rethinking its nuclear programme as part of any deal, possibly in return for sanctions relief and investment in the country, Takht-Ravanchi said: "Why should we agree to such a proposal?" He reiterated that Iran's programme, including enriching uranium to 60%, was "for peaceful purposes". Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran was not permitted to enrich uranium above 3.67% purity - the level required for fuel for commercial nuclear power plants - and was not allowed to carry out any enrichment at its Fordo plant for 15 years. However, Trump abandoned the agreement in 2018 during his first term as president, saying it did too little to stop a pathway to a bomb, and reinstated US sanctions. Iran retaliated by increasingly breaching the restrictions - particularly those relating to enrichment. It resumed enrichment at Fordo in 2021 and had amassed enough 60%-enriched uranium to potentially make nine nuclear bombs, according to the IAEA.

'Mariupol is diseased': Residents deny Russia's stories about occupied city

2 hours ago Share Save Yogita Limaye BBC News Share Save

Getty Images Ukrainian residents say the way Russia wants the world to see Mariupol is very different from the reality

"What they're showing on Russian TV are fairy tales for fools. Most of Mariupol still lies in ruins," says John, a Ukrainian living in Russian-occupied Mariupol. We've changed his name as he fears reprisal from Russian authorities. "They are repairing the facades of the buildings on the main streets, where they bring cameras to shoot. But around the corner, there is rubble and emptiness. Many people still live in half-destroyed apartments with their walls barely standing," he says. It's been just over three years since Mariupol was taken by Russian forces after a brutal siege and indiscriminate bombardment – a key moment in the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Thousands were killed, and the UN estimated 90% of residential buildings were damaged or destroyed. In recent months, videos and reels from several pro-Russia influencers have been painting a picture of a glossy city where damaged structures have been repaired and where life has gone back to normal. But the BBC has spoken to more than half a dozen people - some still living in Mariupol, others who escaped after spending time under occupation - to piece together a real picture of what life is like in the city. "There are a lot of lies floating around," says 66-year-old Olha Onyshko who escaped from Mariupol late last year and now lives in Ukraine's Ternopil. "I wouldn't say they [Russian authorities] have repaired a lot of things. There's a central square – only the buildings there have been reconstructed. And there are also empty spaces where buildings stood. They cleared the debris, but they didn't even separate out the dead bodies, they were just loaded on to trucks with the rubble and carried out of the city," she adds.

Getty Images After shattering Mariupol with its brutal siege, Russia says it is now rebuilding the city

Mariupol is also facing severe water shortages. "Water flows for a day or two, then it doesn't come for three days. We keep buckets and cans of water at home. The colour of the water is so yellow that even after boiling it, it's scary to drink it," says James, another Mariupol resident whose name has been changed. Some have even said the water looks like "coca cola". Serhii Orlov, who calls himself Mariupol's deputy mayor in exile, says the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal which supplied water to the city was damaged during the fighting. "Only one reservoir was left supplying water to Mariupol. For the current population, that would've lasted for about a year and a half. Since occupation has lasted longer than that, it means there is no drinking water at all. The water people are using doesn't even meet the minimum drinking water standard," says Serhii. There are frequent power cuts, food is expensive, and medicines are scarce, residents tell us. "Basic medicines are not available. Diabetics struggle to get insulin on time, and it is crazy expensive," says James. The BBC has reached out to Mariupol's Russian administration for a response to the allegations about shortages and whether they had found an alternative source for water. We have not got a response so far. Despite the hardships the most difficult part of living in the city, residents say, is watching what Ukrainian children are being taught at school. Andrii Kozhushyna studied at a university in Mariupol for a year after it was occupied. Now he's escaped to Dnipro. "They are teaching children false information and propaganda. For example, school textbooks state that Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Crimea and even Dnipropetrovsk regions are all already part of Russia," says Andrii.

Andrii Kozhushyna studied in Mariupol under Russian occupation before escaping

He also described special lessons called "Conversations about Important Things" in which students are taught about how Russia liberated the Russian-speaking population of these regions from Nazis in 2022. "Teachers who refuse to take these lessons are intimidated or fired. It's like they are reprogramming the minds of our children," says John, a Mariupol resident. During World War Two Victory Day celebrations in May, images from Mariupol's central square showed children and adults dressed up in military costumes participating in parades and performances – Soviet-era traditions that Ukraine had increasingly shunned are now being imposed in occupied territories. Mariupol was bathed in the colours of the Russian flag – red, blue and white. But some Ukrainians are waging a secret resistance against Russia, and in the dead of the night, they spray paint Ukrainian blue and yellow colours on walls, and also paste leaflets with messages like "Liberate Mariupol" and "Mariupol is Ukraine". James and John are both members of resistance groups, as was Andrii when he lived in the city. "The messages are meant as moral support for our people, to let them know that the resistance is alive," says James. Their main objective is collecting intelligence for the Ukrainian military. "I document information about Russian military movements. I analyse where they are transporting weapons, how many soldiers are entering and leaving the city, and what equipment is being repaired in our industrial areas. I take photos secretly, and keep them hidden until I can transmit them to Ukrainian intelligence through secure channels," says James.

Getty Images Russia has changed the language, flags and signage in the occupied Ukrainian city

Israel orders evacuations in northern Gaza as Trump pushes for ceasefire

Trump has reiterated calls to "make the deal in Gaza" and "get the hostages back".

Three children were among those killed in a strike on the so-called "safe zone" of al-Mawasi, their parents said.

At least 86 people were killed as the result of Israeli attacks in the 24 hours before midday on Sunday, the Hamas-run health ministry said.

People in neighbourhoods across Gaza City and Jabalia have been told to move south towards the coastal area of al-Mawasi as Israeli military operations "intensify and expand westward".

Israel has ordered Palestinians to evacuate from parts of northern Gaza ahead of increased military action, as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire deal.

On Saturday, Trump had said on Truth Social that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in the process of negotiating a deal with Hamas "right now".

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Sunday that the Israeli military was operating in north Gaza "to eliminate terrorists and terrorist infrastructure".

Medics and residents told Reuters that military bombardments increased in Gaza in the early hours of Sunday, destroying several houses.

Gaza's Hamas-run civil defence agency told news outlets that at least 23 people had been killed on Sunday alone.

Medics said five people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a tent housing displaced people in al-Mawasi near the southern city of Khan Younis - an area where people in the north had been told to evacuate to.

Five members of the Maarouf family, including three children, were killed.

"They bombed us while we were sleeping on the ground," their mother Iman Abu Maarouf said. "We didn't do anything wrong. My children were killed, and the rest are in intensive care."

Their father Zeyad Abu Maarouf told Reuters that the family had arrived in the "safe zone" a month ago after Israel told them to go to al-Mawasi.

When asked about the incident, the IDF told the BBC it could not provide a specific response without more information, but said it "follows international law and takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm".

Also on Sunday, a 20-year-old IDF soldier, Sergeant Yisrael Natan Rosenfeld, was killed in northern Gaza.

The increased Israeli military action comes as mediators begin new efforts to end the war and release the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

On Thursday, a senior Hamas official told the BBC mediators have intensified their efforts to broker a new ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, but that negotiations with Israel remain stalled.

Qatari mediators have said they hope US pressure could help to achieve a deal, following a truce between Israel and Iran that ended the 12-day conflict between the countries.

On Sunday, Netanyahu told members of Israel's domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet that "victory" over Iran opened up many possibilities, "first and foremost, to rescue the hostages".

"Of course, we will also need to resolve the issue of Gaza, to defeat Hamas, but I believe we will achieve both missions. Beyond that, broad regional opportunities are opening up, in most of which - almost all - you are partners," he said.

Trump previously said he was hopeful a ceasefire in Gaza could be agreed in the next week.

In March, a two-month ceasefire collapsed when Israel launched fresh strikes on Gaza. It said it wanted to put pressure on Hamas to release its hostages.

Israel also imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza at the start of March, which it partially eased after 11 weeks following pressure from US allies and warnings from global experts that half a million people were facing starvation.

That partial easing included the creation of a US and Israeli-backed aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), after Israel accused Hamas of stealing aid. Hamas has denied this.

GHF's aid system has been condemned by UN agencies. There have been repeated incidents of killings and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid.

Juliette Touma, communications director for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, told the BBC that the new mechanism was "a killing field". She said the distribution of aid in an orderly way could only be done through the UN and other humanitarian organisations.

GHF boss Johnnie Moore previously told the BBC World Service's Newshour he did not deny deaths near aid sites, but said "100% of those casualties are being attributed to close proximity to GHF" and that was "not true".

London hits 31C for second day as heatwave builds

2 hours ago Share Save Zahra Fatima BBC News Darren Bett Lead weather presenter Share Save

Getty Images Sunbathers and swimmers cool down at a beach in Bournemouth

Temperatures have once again hit 31C (88F) in London as a new heatwave continues to build. An amber heat health alert is in place for many areas and runs until 18:00 BST on Tuesday, with temperatures set to peak at 33C in some parts of the UK on Monday and possibly at 34C in London on Tuesday. The east of England and the Midlands have seen highs of up to 27C, according to the Met Office. This is the second amber alert in two weeks and means weather impacts are "likely to be felt across the whole health service".

The head of extreme events and health protection at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) urged people to check on those who are more vulnerable and take "sensible precautions while enjoying the sun". The alert stretches across London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England. A yellow heat alert, less serious than amber, has also been issued for Yorkshire and Humber as well as the West Midlands. It denotes "significant impacts" for the health and social care services. The highest temperature recorded on Sunday was at St James's Park in central London, which had readings of 31C. The UKHSA has warned that "much of the country will see temperatures in the early to mid-30s" at the height of the heatwave on Monday. Higher temperatures will begin to spread to more of England and east Wales from Monday which "with light winds will feel humid and more uncomfortable", said BBC Weather forecaster Darren Bett. "32 or 33C is likely in the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and southeast England," he added.

Glastonbury organisers have issued heat advice for people packing up tents and leaving the site as the festival winds down. "To avoid queues and the heat, leave between midnight tonight and 6am Monday" they said in a post on their website on Sunday, ahead of expected sweltering temperatures. A reading at the Yeovilton weather station near Glastonbury showed temperatures reached 26.4C on Sunday. The hottest year for the festival was 2017, when highs of 30C saw dozens of people being treated by paramedics. Wimbledon, which kicks off on Monday, is expected to see its hottest opening day on record. Most parts of the UK will be a little cooler on Tuesday. But in London temperatures could hit 34C. The country's current record high for June rests at 35.6C, set in Southampton's Mayflower Park in 1957 and again at Camden Square in North London in 1976. Darren Farmer, director of operations at London Ambulance Service, has warned "it's really, really important to keep hydrated" and to "keep away from alcohol" in the heat. Keeping out of direct sunlight in the middle of the day and taking your medication in a timely manner are also key, Farmer added.

PA People punting along the River Cam in Cambridge

Another Jurassic film is out, and Oasis return: What's coming up this week

5 hours ago Share Save Noor Nanji • @NoorNanji Culture reporter Share Save

Getty Images / PA Media

This week, Jurassic World Rebirth hits the big screen, more than three decades after the first film in the dinosaur franchise came out. But that's not all the next seven days have in store. The much-anticipated Oasis reunion tour kicks off, with a BBC livestream covering all the build-up and reaction, Evita officially opens starring Rachel Zegler, and The Sandman returns for season two. Read on for what's coming up this week...

New cast, same dinosaurs

Getty Images Co-stars Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey were seen kissing at the film's London premiere

In 1993, a cultural phenomenon swept the world with the release of the first Jurassic Park film. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film sparked a global fascination with dinosaurs, while its use of computer-generated imagery was considered groundbreaking at the time. Six films have since been released, with a seventh - Jurassic World Rebirth - out on Wednesday. It is directed by Gareth Edwards, and stars US actress Scarlett Johansson and Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey, who were seen locking lips at the film's London premiere. Bailey later told Entertainment Tonight: "I believe in being able to show the love in all different ways and if you can't kiss your friends... life is too short not to." Set five years after the events of 2022's Jurassic World Dominion, it explores a world where the surviving dinosaurs live in isolated tropical regions. Early reviews so far have been mixed. Writing on X, Variety's Jazz Tangcay called the film a "roaring triumph" and "a beautiful homage to the original". But The Flick Pick's host John Flickinger was more critical, saying it "just feels blah", adding: "It's a string of forgettable scenes that go nowhere."

The Oasis reunion tour is here at last

Last summer, there was nothing short of a frenzy when Oasis announced they would be reuniting for a series of live shows. A blizzard of headlines and a social media storm followed as tickets went on sale, with many fans criticising the sales process and prices. For those lucky enough to get tickets, it all gets started this week, with the first gig taking place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. But if you missed out, you can still join in on some of the action. The BBC is putting on a special livestream, Oasis: Countdown to the Comeback, building up to the highly anticipated gig. Hosted by Jason Mohammad and Tina Daheley, the show begins at 1pm on Friday and will be broadcast from a site overlooking the stadium. You won't be able to watch the actual gig, but what you will get is a mix of live coverage, special guests, and on-the-ground reports from our team speaking to fans across the city. After the gig, there will also be instant reactions and live reviews as the excitement continues into the night.

Rachel Zegler's Evita balcony scene

By Danny Fullbrook, culture reporter

Getty Images

People strolling through central London over the last couple of weeks may have caught a free performance from Snow White star Rachel Zegler. The actress is playing the lead role in Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Evita, which formally opens on Tuesday after running previews since mid-June. This production has Zegler belt out Don't Cry for Me Argentina, the show's most well-known song, to passersby from a balcony above the entrance of London Palladium, while those who bought tickets watch from inside via a video feed. The balcony serenade is the latest twist from director Jamie Lloyd, who's known for blending theatre and film. Last year, Tom Holland performed part of Romeo & Juliet on a rooftop. Theatre blogger Carl Woodward appreciates some paying audiences members have been left feeling "a bit aggrieved". However, Lord Lloyd-Webber told BBC Radio 2 that Zegler was a "bit of a phenomenon". He added: "She does Rainbow High in Evita, which is the really difficult song, I think the best I've ever heard it."

The Sandman, series two, is out

On Thursday, season two of The Sandman lands on Netflix. The first instalment, based on British author Neil Gaiman's comic book series, came out in 2022 and was well received by critics and fans. We're told the new and final season, once again starring Tom Sturridge as Dream, will see him facing a string of impossible decisions as he tries to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the fallout of his misdeeds. Showrunner Allan Heinberg said he hoped the adaptation would “surprise and delight the comics' loyal readers as well as fans of our show”. Earlier this year, Gaiman was accused of sexual misconduct by eight women, including four who had previously spoken out. He denied the allegations, saying he had "never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever". Following the claims, several of his film and TV projects were affected, but The Sandman is still going out as planned. Netflix declined to comment when approached by BBC News.

Other highlights this week

Trump says he has 'a group of very wealthy people' to buy TikTok

3 hours ago Share Save Laura Blasey BBC News, Washington DC Share Save

Future Publishing via Getty Images

President Donald Trump has said he has a buyer for TikTok, the video-sharing app that was banned in the US amid claims it posed a national security risk. In a Fox News interview, Trump said he had a group of "very wealthy people" willing to acquire the platform. "I'll tell you in about two weeks," he teased. A sale would need approval from the Chinese government, but Trump told Fox he thought President Xi Jinping "will probably do it". This month Trump delayed for a third time the enforcement of a law mandating TikTok's sale.

Nearly 12 million estimated to lose health coverage under Trump budget bill

Republicans are scrambling to pass the Big Beautiful Bill through the senate ahead of a self-imposed 4 July deadline.

One defector, Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, announced he would not seek reelection after voting against the president's signature legislation.

The spending plan narrowly cleared a preliminary vote in the Senate late on Saturday after party leaders scrambled to arm-twist hesitant members of their rank and file.

The assessment from the Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan federal agency, could complicate Republican efforts to pass President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act in the coming days.

A sprawling budget bill in the US Senate could cut health insurance coverage for nearly 12 million Americans and add $3.3tn (£2.4tn) in debt, according to new estimates.

Democratic lawmakers have led criticism of the bill. The CBO numbers calculate $1tn in cuts to healthcare funding if the measure passes.

The latest version of the bill was advanced in a 51-49 Senate vote on Saturday night. Two Republicans - Tillis and Rand Paul of Kentucky - joined Democrats in opposing the move.

Paul has said he opposes the bill because it raises the US debt limit. Tillis has said the bill would cost his state billions of dollars in healthcare funding.

While senators debated the bill on Sunday, it is unclear whether it has enough support to ultimately pass.

Republicans have a small majority in the Senate, holding 53 seats. Vice-President JD Vance has the tie-breaker vote so the party can only afford three defectors.

Democratic senators used chamber rules to force a 16-hour reading of the nearly 1,000-page bill in an attempt to delay a vote on its passage.

Under Senate rules, lawmakers now have 20 hours allocated to debate the bill. It is expected that Democrats will use all of their time to further delay a vote, while Republicans try to speed up the process.

Lawmakers could also propose amendments to the bill. If the revised bill passes the Senate, it still must return to the House of Representatives for final approval before landing on the president's desk for signing into law.

Trump has pushed for the bill to clear Congress before a self-imposed 4 July deadline. The White House said failure to pass it would be the "ultimate betrayal".

On Saturday, he called the Senate's vote to advance the bill a "great victory".

But the bill's proposed cuts to Medicaid, a healthcare programme that is relied on by millions of elderly, disabled and low-income Americans, have become a political flashpoint.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner told CNN on Sunday that the measure would negatively affect millions. "This is tax cuts for the wealthiest to end up cutting healthcare, plain and simple," he said.

Under the bill, more than 80% of Americans would get a tax cut next year, though wealthier taxpayers would benefit most, including as a percentage of income, according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Center.

Senator Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, told NBC on Sunday that the legislation aims to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse.

He argued that many Americans using Medicaid are not under the poverty line.

"We don't pay people in this country to be lazy," he said. "We want to give them an opportunity. And when they're going through a hard time, we want to give them a helping hand."

'Stop!' - Beyoncé pauses show as flying Cadillac tilts mid-air

8 hours ago Share Save Tiffany Wertheimer BBC News Share Save

PictureGroup/Shutterstock Smiling - but holding on tight - Beyoncé is slowly lowered to the ground

Somebody's getting fired... Beyoncé was forced to stop her show in Houston on Saturday night when the car she was sitting in started to tilt mid-air. The elaborate stage prop - a red Cadillac - is suspended on cables and carries the superstar high over her fans near the end of her Cowboy Carter stadium show. But during Saturday's performance, the car started to slowly tilt to one side, leaving the 43-year-old performer clinging to a flag pole for support. "Stop! Stop, stop, stop stop," Beyoncé said, bringing an abrupt end to her country ballad, 16 Carriages.

Gasps could be heard from the audience when fans realised what was happening, but then applause as the star was slowly lowered to the ground, smiling and waving to the crowd. "If ever I fall, I know y'all will catch me," she said later. Fans took to social media to post their videos of the frightening moment, commenting with Beyoncé's now-infamous catchphrase "somebody's getting fired", which she quipped on stage during a lighting problem in 2010. Beyoncé's company, Parkwood Entertainment, said a "technical mishap" had caused the car to tilt. "She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident," the statement added. This was not the first prop malfunction Beyoncé has experienced over her years of touring. Earlier in this tour, a robot supposed to pour her a drink missed its mark, no doubt leaving a puddle of Sir Davis whisky for the crew to clean up. And during her On The Run II tour with husband Jay-Z in 2018, a moving platform broke, forcing Beyoncé to climb down a ladder - in heels and a sequined leotard, no less.

LeBron James is set to play in a record 23rd NBA season after his agent said the 40-year-old has exercised an option to extend his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rich Paul said James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, was targeting a fifth Championship after activating a $53m (£41m) player option for the 2025-26 season.

"He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all," he told ESPN.

"We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him."

James currently shares the NBA season record with eight-time All-Star Vince Carter. His tally of 1,562 regular-season appearances is just 50 short of breaking former Boston Celtics star Robert Parish's NBA record.

Rod Stewart at Glastonbury: Old school charm from another era

4 hours ago Share Save Mark Savage Music Correspondent Reporting from Glastonbury Festival Share Save

EPA Rod Stewart is the first artist to have both headlined the Pyramid Stage and played the legend slot

At the age of 80, Rod Stewart has earned the right to do things his way. And if that means turning Glastonbury into a Vegas nightclub for 90 minutes, so be it. The star played the festival's coveted "legends slot" on Sunday afternoon, putting on a show resplendent with glittery suits, saxophone solos and special guests - including Stewart's former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood. With plenty of gold in his back catalogue to draw on, the setlist was an all-timer, from the new wave synths of Young Turks to the beautiful folk melodies of Maggie May and Sailing. And if the set veered towards cheese, at least it was well matured - much like Stewart himself.

He emerged on stage to the sound of Scotland The Brave on bagpipes - a nod to his Scottish father. He was met by fans wearing frightwigs and waving the flag of his beloved football team Celtic. Others held aloft signs that said "Rod's a rascal", and "Does Nigel Farage think you're sexy" - in reference to an interview Stewart gave to The Times over the weekend, where he said people should give the Reform leader "a chance".

EPA The star duetted with his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood on Stay With Me

At the age of 80, Stewart is one of the oldest artists to perform at the festival, but not the very oldest. Burt Bacharach played the Pyramid stage in 2015 at the age of 87, while in 2022, Paul McCartney headlined the week after his 80th birthday. Other artists to have played the legend slot in recent years include Kylie Minogue, Shania Twain, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees and Cat Stevens. In a BBC interview earlier this week, Stewart talked about how he prepared for a major performance like Glastonbury. "It's like being a footballer in the FA Cup Final. You're like, 'I'll treat it like any other game', but it's not [because] you don't know what to expect. "The difference with a football match is half the audience want to see you lose, but with me, everybody wants to see me win. "So, I'll be in good voice. I'll enjoy myself. I don't care any more what the critics think."

Getty Images Fans in the audience dressed as Rod to welcome him to the stage

Despite cancelling a string of shows in the US earlier this month due to illness, the star delivered his 90-minutes with gusto, sweat drenching the frilled white shirt he wore under a black and gold brocade jacket. On ballads like Tonight's the Night and First Cut is the Deepest, he found new ways around the melodies, accommodating the cracks and crevices that have appeared in his famously gravelly voice. And his stage banter was delightfully barmy. "Here's one from 1979," he shouted at one point. "You guessed it: If You Want My Body, stick it up your bum." (The song's actually called Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, but it's his tune, so I guess he gets to decide.) Later, he shared some nuanced political analysis. "There's been a lot about the Middle East recently, and quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to the Ukraine with this next song, it's called the Love Train!" he declared. The song, a cover of The O'Jays classic, is a plea for peace and tolerance that mentions Russia, China, Egypt, England and Israel. It reflected the idealism of Stewart's post-war rock and rollers, but the audience didn't seem to mind the simplicity of the message. They just wanted to dance.

Getty Images "Are you having a good time?" asked the star. "Because I am."

They got the chance during classics like Baby Jane and Forever Young, which even included a ceildh breakdown, courtesy of the star's talented backing band. After his third costume change, Stewart pulled a scrap of paper from his pocket for an "important announcement". Reading from the note, he wished a happy 90th birthday to Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis, whose daughter Emily pushed him onstage in a wheelchair. Sir Michael waved to the crowd, eliciting a huge round of applause, and Stewart leaned in to give him a hug. "Let's dedicate this one to him," he announced, striking up the opening chords to I Don't Want To Talk About It. When everyone joined in the chorus, Sir Michael looked delighted.

PA Media Michael Eavis joined the star on stage, to a roar of applause from the audience

After that, guest stars arrived in quick succession. Mick Hucknall for a duet on If You Don't Know Me By Now, Ronnie Wood for Stay With Me and Lulu for Hot Legs. "You're killing it," declared Lulu, resplendent in a white tassled suit, leaning in for a hug. "We'd make a great couple." The set ended with Sailing, the mega-ballad that took Stewart to the top of the charts in 1976 - while his backing singers pulled on sailors' caps. It was charming, it was silly, it was immensely enjoyable. If Stewart had taken this legend slot to sea, sure, it would have been a diamond-encrusted cruise ship. But when the water's this smooth, it has a beauty all of its own.

In pictures: Sunday at Glastonbury Festival

Rod Stewart performing in the legends slot on the Pyramid Stage

The final day of Glastonbury Festival 2025 will see Olivia Rodrigo headline the Pyramid Stage at the same time as The Prodigy perform on The Other Stage.

Sir Rod Stewart drew a huge crowd to the Pyramid Stage for his legends slot show, more than 20 years after he last performed at the festival as headliner.

Meanwhile, some people packed up their things early as they prepared to head home.

The festival is advising people to leave before 06:00 BST on Monday as temperatures of 31C are forecast.

Europe, take note - Lauren James is back.

After three months out all it took was eight minutes for James, 23, to make an impact as she planted a pinpoint cross on the head of Alessia Russo as England went on to thrash Jamaica 7-0.

Everyone inside the King Power Stadium rose to their feet as the Chelsea attacker made her way on to the pitch, having been absent since she sustained a hamstring injury in April.

And her return could not have come at a better time. With England six days away from taking on France in their opening Group D game at Euro 2025, Sarina Wiegman's "special player" is fit and raring to go.

After turning heads with three goals and three assists at the World Cup two years ago, the 23-year-old looks ready to play a pivotal role in England's pursuit of glory once more.

The competition for places in Wiegman's front line has never been higher as the Lionesses look to defend the European crown they dramatically won in 2021, but James may be the key.

How dog walks can become deadly when the heat rises

6 hours ago Share Save Sean Dilley BBC News correspondent Share Save

BBC

As a guide dog handler of 26 years, my heart falls every time I hear the fatigued pants of dogs in heatwave weather. Animal welfare charity the RSPCA says that dogs are 10 times more likely to suffer heat-related illnesses from exercising in hot weather than from overheating in cars. Both are tremendously bad for your dog. This is because canines have a very limited ability to regulate their temperature. They do not sweat like humans – only perspiring a small amount through the pads on their paws, with their often thick fur coats meaning their core temperature can rise quickly in high temperatures.

Heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, lethargy and drowsiness are all key signs that your dog is too hot. In extreme cases, dogs vomit and finally lose consciousness. If your dog is in trouble, the RSPCA says you should move the dog to a shaded and cool area and immediately pour cool, but not very cold, water over the dog, avoiding their head.

EPA With amber heat health alerts in place for five regions across the UK, animal welfare charity RSPCA is warning pet owners to be cautious in the hot weather

The charity says wet towels should not be placed over the animal because it could cause heat to become trapped. If possible , allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water and continue to pour cool water over them, but not so much that they begin to shiver. When breathing settles, head straight to the vets. My plea to dog owners is not to walk or exercise your dog in hot weather. Please understand that this is not fear-mongering. Your dog can overheat in moments and it is totally avoidable in most cases.

It struck me as unbelievable frankly this weekend that while I, as a blind person was being sighted guided by my girlfriend in 30C (86F) weather because it was too hot for my working dog to be out, we passed nearly a dozen dog walkers obliviously walking their best friends into danger at around 1pm. I know not everyone is an experienced dog handler – but I can't begin to imagine how anyone could fail to notice the obvious discomfort, the heavy panting, the foot-dragging and laboured breathing in direct sunlight that had us reaching for our iced-water bottles.

Sean Dilley said he and his girlfriend passed many dog walkers in the hot weather on Saturday

China is cracking down on young women who write gay erotica

13 minutes ago Share Save Yi Ma BBC News Reporting from London Eunice Yang BBC Chinese Reporting from Hong Kong Share Save

X / errslance Several women say they have been arrested for writing gay erotica, or "danmei"

"I've been warned not to talk about it," the woman wrote, before revealing snippets of the day she says she was arrested for publishing gay erotica. "I'll never forget it - being escorted to the car in full view, enduring the humiliation of stripping naked for examination in front of strangers, putting on a vest for photos, sitting in the chair, shaking with fear, my heart pounding." The handle, Pingping Anan Yongfu, is among at least eight in recent months which have shared accounts on Chinese social media platform Weibo of being arrested for publishing gay erotic fiction. As authors recounted their experiences, dozens of lawyers offered pro bono help. At least 30 writers, nearly all of them women in their 20s, have been arrested across the country since February, a lawyer defending one told the BBC. Many are out on bail or awaiting trial, but some are still in custody. Another lawyer told the BBC that many more contributors were summoned for questioning. They had published their work on Haitang Literature City, a Taiwan-hosted platform known for its "danmei", the genre of so-called boys' love and erotic fiction. Think of it as a gay version of Fifty Shades of Grey: a BDSM relationship that leads to a happily-ever-after. That's a frequent trope, across historical, fantasy or sci-fi settings. Over the years it has cultivated a fiercely devoted following, especially among young Chinese women. These authors are being accused of breaking China's pornography law for "producing and distributing obscene material". Writers who earn a profit could be jailed for more than 10 years. The law targets "explicit descriptions of gay sex or other sexual perversions". Heterosexual depictions often have more leeway - works by acclaimed Chinese authors, including Nobel Laureate Mo Yan, have graphic sexual scenes, but are widely available.

Instagram / Freewritersofhaitang The crackdown has sparked support from the danmei community online

Although authors of heterosexual erotica have been jailed in China, observers say the genre is subjected to far less censorship. Gay erotica, which is more subversive, seems to bother authorities more. Volunteers in a support group for the Haitang writers told the BBC police even questioned some readers. Those who reported being arrested declined to be interviewed, fearing repercussions. Police in the northwestern city of Lanzhou, who are accused of driving this crackdown, have not responded to the BBC. Online, the crackdown has unleashed a debate - and a rarer pushback against the law. "Is sex really something to be ashamed of?" a Weibo user asked, arguing that China's anti-obscenity laws are out of touch. Another wrote that women never get to decide what is obscene because they don't control the narrative. Even legal scholars have expressed concern that just 5,000 views for anything deemed "obscene" qualifies as criminal "distribution", lowering the bar to arrest creators. It made Beijing uneasy enough that discussions have been vanishing: #HaitangAuthorsArrested drew more than 30 million views on Weibo before it was censored. Posts offering legal advice are gone. A prominent Chinese news site's story has been taken down. Writers' accounts, and some of the handles, are also disappearing. After Pingping Anan Yongfu's post went viral, she deleted it and wrote another, thanking supporters and admitting her writing had violated the law. She then deleted her handle. Before that last post, she had written: "I was always the good girl in my parents' eyes. But that day, I brought them nothing but shame. They'll never hold their heads up again."

Danmei: The uncrowned royal of pop culture

These women have long worked in the shadows in China, where homosexuality and eroticism are stigmatised. Now outed by police investigations, they face social consequences that are as brutal as the legal ones.

X / errslance Chinese gay erotica is inspired by Japanese boys' love manga

"In that moment, all I felt was shame," posted a writer whose Weibo handle translates to "the world is a huge psychiatric hospital". She said the police pulled her out of class in college - and her classmates watched as they followed her to search her dorm. "I earned my money word by word at a keyboard. But once it went south, it was as if none of that mattered. People treated me like I'd made money without ever working for it." Another wrote the police had been kind, advising her to speak to a lawyer and return her "illegal earnings" to reduce her sentence. "I'm only 20. So young, and I've already ruined my life so early." A third said: "I never imagined a day would come when every word I once wrote would come back to haunt me." One author who has been writing danmei novels for 20 years was not questioned but she says the crackdown won't stop her. "This is how I find happiness. And I can't let go of the connections I have made with the community." Inspired by Japanese boys' love manga, danmei emerged as a sub-genre online in the 1990s. It has become hugely successful, with some of the novels appearing on international bestseller lists. In 2021, 60 of them were optioned for film and TV adaptations. The most expensive IP reportedly sold for 40 million yuan ($5.6 million; £4.1 million). Some of China's biggest stars, such as Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, began their careers on streaming shows based on danmei novels.

Getty Images Chinese stars Wang Yibo (L) and Sean Xiao Zhan (R) in 2019, when their show, The Untamed, inspired by a danmei novel, was released

In short, it's the rebellious royal of pop culture - too popular to ignore, too controversial to honour. And it is a signature offering on Haitang, which, in Mandarin, is a flower that blooms in every shade of pink. Fittingly, Haitang and danmei have flourished as uniquely female spaces, although they centre male protagonists. In a culture where female sexual desire is routinely policed, danmei beceme a coded, creative outlet - a space where women can write about female desire for other women. That is exactly what makes danmei so "subversive", says Dr Liang Ge, who teaches digital sociology at University College London. It allows women to "detach from gendered realities", which they often associate with marriage and motherhood. For instance, in danmei stories, men can get pregnant and are at ease with being vulnerable – a stark contrast from the often unequal relationships many Chinese women struggle with in real life. "Danmei frees me from thinking about all those potential dangers in relationships in traditional heterosexual romance," explains one writer who has been active in the danmei world for a decade. Danmei novels are not without their critics, because some do contain extreme and violent scenes. "As a parent, how many of us can accept our children reading novels like this, let alone writing them?" asked one Weibo user. The age of authors has also been a concern: a handful of those the BBC spoke to said they all started reading and writing gay erotica before they turned 18, some as young as 11.

Getty Images Based on a danmei novel, the 2021 Chinese TV drama Word of Honor had a huge following

It's a problem the community should acknowledge and address, said Ma, a danmei writer who only shared her surname, adding that this is a problem for all adult content because China does not restrict content by age. But danmei in particular has increasingly come under attack in the last decade as Beijing launched a series of campaigns to "clean up" the internet. In 2018 a danmei author was jailed for 10 years for selling 7,000 copies of her book titled Occupy.

'My earnings were evidence of my crime'

As marriage and birth rates plummet, and China's leader Xi Jinping encourages a national rejuvenation, so state scrutiny of danmei has ratcheted up, Dr Ge says. "The Chinese government wants to promote traditional family values and liking danmei novels is seen as a factor in making women less willing to have children," Dr Ge explains. This is the second wave of mass arrests in less than a year - late last year, some 50 Haitang writers were prosecuted. A famous author who earned about 1.85 million yuan was jailed for nearly five years. The two crackdowns are similar, according to a lawyer who had represented some of the defendants last year, "but this time, even those with minor involvement weren't spared". A lawyer offering free legal advice said more than 150 people requested consultations in just two days. Many of those contacting her had not been charged yet - they were terrified about the possibility though. "This is classic offshore fishing," says a lawyer who authored a "practical guide" to assist Haitang writers. The term refers to overreach by local police - those in Lanzhou summoned writers in various places, arguably beyond their jurisdiction. Several reported paying out of pocket to fly to Lanzhou. One posted that the 2,000 yuan earned from two books on Haitang paid for the flight. Last year too all the arrests were by police in Jixi County in eastern China. Indebted local governments have done this before to earn revenue through fines, sometimes forcing a warning from the central government. Cyber crimes are particularly prone to this "as long as they claim a local reader was corrupted", the lawyer says.

Getty Images Young Chinese women are opting out of marriage and motherhood - and Beijing hopes to change that by promoting traditional family values

The Under-21 European Championships have paved the way for many future stars over the years.

As recently as 2023, when England claimed their first title under manager Lee Carsley, the competition included the likes of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Rayan Cherki - all who now play prominent roles for their respective senior sides.

Looking further back, the tournament also saw players such as Luis Figo, Andrea Pirlo and Laurent Blanc break through.

But what about the new generation? Who of those that have taken part during the past month in Slovakia have marked themselves as ones to watch?

BBC Sport takes a look...

If you want to keep tabs on all the British players at Wimbledon this year, it may need to be a multi-screen experience.

There are 23 Britons competing in the men's and women's singles at the All England Club - the most since 1984.

The home ranks exceed 50 when we add the doubles, wheelchair events and juniors.

With the grass-court Grand Slam tournament starting on Monday, here are British names and storylines to keep an eye on.

Spain records temperature of 46C as Europe heatwave continues

4 hours ago Share Save Danai Nesta Kupemba BBC News Share Save

Europe swelters as heatwave shows no sign of easing

A heatwave continues to grip large parts of Europe, with authorities in many countries issuing health warnings amid searing temperatures. Southern Spain is the worst-affected region, with temperatures in the mid-40s Celsius recorded in Seville and neighbouring areas. A new heat record for June of 46C was set on Saturday in the town of El Granado, according to Spain's national weather service, which also said this month is on track to be the hottest June on record. Red heat warnings are in force in parts of Portugal, Italy and Croatia, with numerous amber warnings covering areas of Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland.

In Barcelona, a woman died after completing a shift as a road sweeper on Saturday, when temperatures were very high. Local authorities are investigating her death. In Italy, emergency departments across the country have reported an uptick in heatstroke cases, mainly affecting "elderly people, cancer patients, or homeless people", Mario Guarino, vice president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine told the AFP news agency. Hospitals such as the Ospedale dei Colli in Naples have set up dedicated heatstroke pathways to speed up access to vital treatments such as cold water immersion. The city of Bologna further to the north has set up seven climate shelters with air conditioning and drinking water, while Rome has offered free access to city swimming pools for those over 70. A pharmacist in Portugal's capital Lisbon told Reuters news agency that, despite telling people "not to go out" during the hottest hours of the day, "we have already had some cases of heat strokes and burns". The severe heat has also affected countries across the western Balkans where temperatures have reached in excess of 40C. Serbia registered its highest-ever temperature since it began recording them in the 19th century. In Slovenia, the hottest-ever June temperature was recorded on Saturday. North Macedonia is also sweltering as temperatures reached 42C on Friday.

EPA/Shutterstock Tourists cool off under a cloud of mist in Valencia, Spain on Sunday

More hot weather to come

Motorbike convoy escorts boy to prom after dad's plea

12 hours ago Share Save Bea Swallow BBC News, Wiltshire Share Save

Reidy’s Photos Josh arrived at his prom in style

A student who was bullied at school was given a night to remember when about 1,000 people on motorbikes showed up in solidarity to escort him to his prom. Craig posted an appeal online seeking support from the biking community in Swindon, Wiltshire, to help his son Josh end secondary school "on a high note". The 16-year-old arrived to prom in style on Friday after years of being "relentlessly bullied" by his peers for "being different". His father said: "We wanted him to have an end to the school chapter in his life with a bang, and not be overshadowed by all the negative".

Reidy's Photos The teenager described the motorbike escort to prom as "exciting and overwhelming"

The gesture caught the attention of motorists from across the globe, with messages of support flooding in from Australia, South Africa, USA and China. "The response has been absolutely immense," Craig told BBC Radio Wiltshire. "We've had messages from all around the UK, even people internationally contacting us saying they're following the story." The family said the incredible turnout had "restored our faith in humanity", and proved that "bikers really are a family".

Reidy's Photos The teenager arrived to prom in style, accompanied by about 1,000 bikers

Having just completed his GCSE exams, Josh plans to attend college with the goal of becoming a paediatric therapist to support children with physical, developmental, or psychological challenges. The teenager, who celebrated his 16th birthday on Saturday, said he felt "over the moon" to experience what he described as a "once in a lifetime opportunity". "I never thought it would blow up this much," he said. "Initially when this post went out, I wanted only two dozen bikers at the limit. I never thought it would reach internationally. "My heart is full for these bikers and all the people sending their love."

Ross Bisley Some people had driven more than three hours to attend the event

His mother Frances said she was determined to show Josh love will always triumph over hate. "It shows Josh there is support from so many people," she said. "Even if he feels alone some days, he doesn't realise how many people have his back."

Thousands in Norway told they won up to millions in lottery error

Eurojackpot tickets are sold across a number of European countries (file photo from Poland)

An error in the conversion from Eurocents to Norwegian kroner caused the prize amounts to be "excessively high", the company said. The amount was multiplied by 100, instead of being divided by 100, local media reported.

"Several thousand" people who won prizes in the Eurojackpot were notified of incorrect amounts on Friday, Norsk Tipping said. The company declined to confirm the exact number of those impacted to the BBC.

Scores of Norwegians thought they had become millionaires after receiving a notification from the state-owned gambling company saying they had won eye-watering sums - until it turned out it was a mistake.

Norsk Tipping receives the prize amounts from Germany in euros, and then converts them to Norwegian kroner.

The correct amounts were updated on Saturday evening. No incorrect pay-outs were made, the gambling company said.

"I am terribly sorry that we have disappointed so many, and I understand that people are angry with us," Ms Sagstuen said in a statement, adding that "criticism is justified" given the "breach of trust".

She said she had received several messages from people who were planning to go on holiday, renovate their homes or buy an apartment.

"To them I can only say: Sorry! But I understand that it is a small consolation," she said.

One woman, in the middle of a renovation project, told Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) she received a notification that she had won 1.2 million kroner ($119,000: £87,000), but instead received only a fraction of that sum.

The Norsk Tipping board met with the Ministry of Culture, which administers the running of the company, for an emergency meeting on Saturday.

After the meeting, Ms Sagstuen stepped down from her role as CEO. She held the position since September 2023 and had worked at Norsk Tipping since 2014.

"Here, things have failed in several places, this is my responsibility," she said.

She said she was "sad" to leave but confident in the "improvement processes" that have been put in place.

Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery told NRK that "such mistakes should not happen", especially as Norsk Tipping has the exclusive right to deliver gaming services in the country.

"We expect the board to work actively to improve the control routines," she said.

This is not the first time Norsk Tipping has found itself under criticism.

The company said that "several serious errors have been uncovered" in recent months and it had "experienced a number of technical problems in the past year".

It acknowledged it had been "heavily criticised" by the regulator and its customers, and the criticism "was justified".

Norris race in Austria was founded on a quite brilliant pole position lap, with the biggest margin of the season.

The gap was exaggerated by the fact that both Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen were unable to complete their final runs in qualifying because of a spin for Alpine's Pierre Gasly at the final corner.

Nevertheless, all Norris' rivals were impressed by his lap time, and he never looked like being beaten to pole.

The race was a different matter. The first stint was a close battle between the two McLarens. Piastri's pass of Charles Leclerc's Ferrari into Turn One after the start allowed him to be within one second of Norris at the end of the first lap, and that gave him the use of the DRS overtaking aid, which gives a 0.7-second advantage.

That, in turn, allowed Piastri to pressure Norris. And Norris, having to defend, had no possibility to get his battery back up to full power. It meant the two McLarens were tied together for the first stint.

A couple of errors from Norris in the final two corners of lap 10 allowed Piastri to pass him into Turn Three on lap 11, but Norris fought back and reclaimed the position at Turn Four.

Nine laps later, a bold dive for the inside at Turn Four from Piastri led to him locking his brakes and nearly collecting his team-mate. That earned him a censure from the team for taking too big a risk with the cars, something Piastri said was "fair comment".

"Locking up and missing the back of your team-mate by not a lot is certainly pushing the boundaries," he added. "Even if I hadn't been told anything, I didn't think it was a wise decision to try that one again.

"It was close at some points, probably pushing the limits a bit much from my side once or twice.

"But we're fighting for race wins in Formula 1. It's going to be pretty tough work and pretty hard. I thought it was an entertaining race. After the first stop, maybe we didn't do the right thing giving Lando some breathing room, but the first 20 laps were pretty intense. So, it was a good battle."

The fight was close all race, and after a strong middle stint from Norris, Piastri closed up again in the final stint. But Norris was able to control the gap and tick off the win.

Messi is out of contract with Inter Miami at the end of 2025. Nothing is guaranteed beyond that.

And apparently not even he knows whether he will play in the 2026 World Cup in a year's time, also in the US - plus Mexico and Canada.

Argentina team-mate Nicolas Otamendi and Inter Miami colleague Luis Suarez both expect Messi to stay on until at least then.

But Guillem Balague, who wrote a book on the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner in 2023, says "nobody knows, least of all, Messi himself".

The Spanish journalist, writing in his BBC Sport column before this game, said Messi's family are settled in Miami and he is thought to be in talks to extend his stay at the club.

"At the moment he is just taking it game by game, tournament by tournament," said Balague.

"If he renews and stays in America, he'll evaluate the situation when he needs to, but for the time being he is just taking things step by step.

"Everyone involved wants to see him leading Argentina at the World Cup in America in a year's time. But he has not indicated to anyone what his final decision is."

Messi finally achieved the holy grail of winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 - removing the main argument against whether he could be considered the best footballer ever. Nobody has ever won two World Cups as captain...

Chris Eubank Jr will fight fellow Briton Conor Benn in a rematch in London on 20 September.

Eubank beat Benn by unanimous decision after a thrilling bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, though the venue for their second meeting has yet to be confirmed.

"Spurs is contracted - it's a fantastic stadium and it worked extremely well the first time," Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn told Ring magazine.

"Obviously, it was sold out and this fight's even bigger, so you could possibly look at Wembley to increase the capacity."

The April fight took place 35 years after their legendary fathers - Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn - first fought, and garnered huge attention despite no title being on the line.

All three judges scored it 116-112 in favour of Eubank, who extended his record to 35 wins in 38 fights.

"Experience gained, lessons learned," said Benn in a post on social media after September's fight was confirmed.

There had been a controversial and at times chaotic build-up to their first fight, fuelled by the intense rivalry between their fathers.

The pair were scheduled to face each other in 2022 but the fight was cancelled because Benn failed a drugs test.

Benn denied intentional doping and was cleared to fight by anti-doping authorities two years later.

But at an extraordinary media conference in February, Eubank slapped Benn across the face with an egg during a head-to-head, with the pair exchanging foul-mouthed insults throughout.

The stunt was an apparent reference to an independent report that said the failed drugs test could have been caused by a "highly elevated consumption" of eggs. Eubank was fined £100,000 for the slap.

The day before the fight, Eubank was fined £375,000 for missing weight at the first weigh-in.

Eubank is the bigger of the two men and normally fights two weight classes above Benn, who is a natural welterweight.

The 35-year-old is to appear before the British Boxing Board of Control in July over reports he used a sauna to cut weight, which is against its rules.

On the day of the fight, Eubank arrived at the stadium with his father by his side, despite the pair having apparently been estranged for a number of years.

Eubank Sr beat Nigel Benn in 1990 before a contentious draw three years later.

'End point to my life is much sooner than it should be' Video, 00:02:31'End point to my life is much sooner than it should be'

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner was deemed the 'safest' of planes. The whistleblowers were always less sure

32 minutes ago Share Save Theo Leggett International Business Correspondent Share Save

BBC

Listen to Theo reading this article The Air India tragedy, in which at least 270 people died, involved one of Boeing's most innovative and popular planes. Until now, it was considered one of its safest too. We still do not know why flight 171 crashed just 30 seconds after take-off. Investigators have now recovered flight recorder data and are working hard to find out. But the incident has drawn attention to the aircraft involved: the 787 Dreamliner, the first of a modern generation of radical, fuel-efficient planes. Prior to the accident, the 787 had operated for nearly a decade and a half without any major accidents and without a single fatality. During that period, according to Boeing, it carried more than a billion passengers. There are currently more than 1,100 in service worldwide. However, it has also suffered from a series of quality control problems. Whistleblowers who worked on the aircraft have raised numerous concerns about production standards. Some have claimed that potentially dangerously flawed aircraft have been allowed into service – allegations the company has consistently denied.

The Sonic Cruiser and the 9/11 effect

It was on a chilly December morning in 2009 that a brand-new aircraft edged out onto the runway at Paine Field airport near Seattle and, as a cheering crowd looked on, accelerated into a cloudy sky. The flight was the culmination of years of development and billions of dollars worth of investment.

Getty Images Crowds cheer on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's first test flight in 2009

The 787 was conceived in the early 2000s, at a time of rising oil prices, when the increasing cost of fuel had become a major preoccupation for airlines. Boeing decided to build a long-haul plane for them that would set new standards in efficiency. "In the late 1990s, Boeing was working on a design called the Sonic Cruiser," explains aviation historian Shea Oakley. This was firstly conceived as a plane that would use advanced materials and the latest technology to carry up to 250 passengers at just under the speed of sound. The initial emphasis was on speed and cutting journey times, rather than fuel economy. "But then the effects of 9/11 hit the world airline industry quite hard," says Mr Oakley.

"The airlines told Boeing what they really needed was the most fuel-efficient, economical long-range jetliner ever produced. They now wanted an aeroplane with a similar capacity to the Sonic Cruiser, minus the high speed." Boeing abandoned its initial concept, and began work on what became the 787. In doing so, it helped create a new business model for airlines. Instead of using giant planes to transport huge numbers of people between "hub" airports, before placing them on connecting flights to other destinations, they could now fly smaller aircraft on less crowded direct routes between smaller cities which would previously have been unviable.

Airbus's superjumbo vs Boeing's fuel efficiency

At the time Boeing's great rival, the European giant Airbus, was taking precisely the opposite approach. It was developing the gargantuan A380 superjumbo – a machine tailor-made for carrying as many passengers as possible on busy routes between the world's biggest and busiest airports. In hindsight, Boeing's approach was wiser. The fuel-thirsty A380 went out of production in 2021, after only 251 had been built. "Airbus thought the future was giant hubs where people would always want to change planes in Frankfurt or Heathrow or Narita," explains aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia, who is a managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory. "Boeing said 'no, people want to fly point to point'. And Boeing was extremely right."

Getty Images The Airbus A380 was launched in 2005 but went out of production 16 years later

The 787 was a truly radical aircraft. It was the first commercial plane to be built primarily of composites such as carbon fibre, rather than aluminium, in order to reduce weight. It had advanced aerodynamics to reduce drag. It also used highly efficient modern engines from General Electric and Rolls Royce, and it replaced many mechanical and pneumatic systems with lighter electrical ones. All of this, Boeing said, would make it 20% more efficient than its predecessor, the Boeing 767. It was also significantly quieter, with a noise footprint (the area on the ground affected by significant noise from the aircraft) that the manufacturer said was up to 60% smaller.

Emergency landings and onboard fires

Not long after the aircraft entered service, however, there were serious problems. In January 2013, lithium-ion batteries caught fire aboard a 787 as it waited at a gate at Boston's Logan International Airport. A week later, overheating batteries forced another 787 to make an emergency landing during an internal flight in Japan. The design was grounded worldwide for several months, while Boeing came up with a solution.

Getty Images An investigation was launched after a battery fire aboard a 787, while it waited at a gate

Since then, day to day operations have been smoother, but production has been deeply problematic. Analysts say this may, in part, have been due to Boeing's decision to set up a new assembly line for the 787 in North Charleston, South Carolina – more than 2000 miles from its Seattle heartlands. This was done to take advantage of the region's low rates of union membership, as well as generous support from the state. "There were serious development issues," says Mr Aboulafia. "Some notable production issues, related especially to the decision to create Boeing's first ever production line outside of the Puget Sound area."

Damaging whistleblower allegations

In 2019, Boeing discovered the first of a series of manufacturing defects that affected the way in which different parts of the aircraft fitted together. As more problems were found, the company widened its investigations – and uncovered further issues. Deliveries were heavily disrupted, and halted altogether between May 2021 and July 2022, before being paused again the following year. However, potentially the most damaging allegations about the 787 programme have come from the company's own current and former employees. Among the most prominent was the late John Barnett, a former quality control manager at the 787 factory in South Carolina. He claimed that pressure to produce planes as quickly as possible had seriously undermined safety.

AFP via Getty Images The late John Barnett, a former quality control manager at a 787 factory in South Carolina, made various allegations against Boeing

In 2019, he told the BBC that workers at the plant had failed to follow strict procedures intended to track components through the factory, potentially allowing defective parts to go missing. In some cases, he said, workers had even deliberately fitted substandard parts from scrap bins to aircraft in order to avoid delays on the production line. He also maintained that defective fixings were used to secure aircraft decks. Screwing them into place produced razor-sharp slivers of metal, which in some cases accumulated beneath the deck in areas containing large amounts of aircraft wiring. His claims had previously been passed to the US regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration, which partially upheld them. After investigating, it concluded that at least 53 "non-conforming" parts had gone missing in the factory. An audit by the FAA also confirmed that metal shavings were present beneath the floors of a number of aircraft. Boeing said its board analysed the problem and decided it did not "present a safety of flight issue", though the fixings were subsequently redesigned. The company later said it had "fully resolved the FAA's findings regarding part traceability and implemented corrective actions to prevent recurrence".

'A matter of time before something big happens'

Mr Barnett remained concerned that aircraft that had already gone into service could be carrying hidden defects serious enough to cause a major accident. "I believe it's just a matter of time before something big happens with a 787," he told me in 2019. "I pray that I am wrong." In early 2024, Mr Barnett took his own life. At the time he had been giving evidence in a long-running whistleblower lawsuit against the company – which he maintained had victimised him as a result of his allegations. Boeing denied this. Much of what he had alleged echoed previous claims by another former quality manager at the plant, Cynthia Kitchens. In 2011, she had complained to regulators about substandard parts being deliberately removed from quarantine bins and fitted to aircraft, in an attempt to keep the production line moving. Ms Kitchens, who left Boeing in 2016, also claimed employees had been told to overlook substandard work, and said defective wiring bundles, containing metallic shavings within their coatings, had been deliberately installed on planes – creating a risk of dangerous short-circuits. Boeing has not responded to these specific allegations but says Ms Kitchens resigned in 2016 "after being informed that she was being placed on a performance improvement plan". It says that she subsequently filed a lawsuit against Boeing, "alleging claims of discrimination and retaliation unrelated to any quality issues", which was dismissed.

Getty Images Boeing set out to make the 787 significantly quieter and 20% more efficient than its predecessor, the 767

More recently, a third whistleblower made headlines when testifying before a senate committee last year. Sam Salehpour, a current Boeing employee, told US lawmakers he had come forward because "the safety problems I have observed at Boeing, if not addressed could result in a catastrophic failure of a commercial aeroplane that would lead to the loss of hundreds of lives". The quality engineer said that while working on the 787 in late 2020, he had seen the company introduce shortcuts in assembly processes, in order to speed up production and delivery of the aircraft. These, he said, "had allowed potentially defective parts and defective installations in 787 fleets". He also noted that on the majority of aircraft he looked at, tiny gaps in the joints between sections of fuselage had not been properly rectified. This, he said, meant those joints would be prone to "premature fatigue failure over time" and created "extremely unsafe conditions for the aircraft" with "potentially catastrophic" consequences. He suggested that more than 1,000 aircraft – the bulk of the 787 fleet – could be affected. Boeing insists that "claims about the structural integrity of the 787 are inaccurate". It says: "The issues raised have been subject to rigorous examination under US Federal Aviation Administration oversight. This analysis has validated that the aircraft will maintain its durability and service life over several decades, and these issues do not present any safety concerns."

'Serious problems would have shown up'

There is no question that Boeing has come under huge pressure in recent years over its corporate culture and production standards. In the wake of two fatal accidents involving its bestselling 737 Max, and a further serious incident last year, it has been repeatedly accused of putting the pursuit of profit over passenger safety. It is a perception that chief executive Kelly Ortberg, who joined the company last year, has been working hard to overturn - overhauling its internal processes and working with regulators on a comprehensive safety and quality control plan. But has the 787 already been compromised by past failures, that may have created ongoing safety risks?

Reuters It is still not known why the Air India flight crashed just 30 seconds after take-off

Richard Aboulafia believes not. "You know. It's been 16 years of operations, 1,200 jets and over a billion passengers flown, but no crashes until now," he says. "It's a stellar safety record." He thinks that any major issues would already have become apparent. "I really think production problems are more of a short-term concern," he says. "For the past few years, there's been far greater oversight of 787 production. "For older planes, I think any serious problems would have shown up by now." The Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad was more than 11 years old, having first flown in 2013. But the Foundation for Aviation Safety, a US organisation established by the former Boeing whistleblower Ed Pierson that has previously been highly critical of the company, says it did have concerns about 787s prior to the recent crash. "Yes, it was a possible safety risk," claims Mr Pierson. "We monitor incident reports, we monitor regulatory documents. Airworthiness directives come out that describe various issues, and it does make you wonder."

Getty Images People are waiting for answers, following the Air India tragedy, which killed at least 270 people earlier this month

One such issue, he argues, is water potentially leaking from washroom taps into electrical equipment bays. Last year, the FAA instructed airlines to carry out regular inspections, following reports that leaks were going undetected on certain 787 models. However, he stresses that the cause of the recent tragedy is still unknown – and that it is vital the investigation moves forward quickly, so that any problems, whether they lie with the aircraft, the airline or elsewhere, can be resolved. For the moment, however, the 787's safety record remains strong. "We don't know at this point what caused the Air India crash," says Scott Hamilton, managing director of aviation consulting firm Leeham Company. "But based on what we do know about the plane, I would not hesitate to get on board a 787." Top image credit: Getty Images