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The people going ‘monk mode’ to limit social media use
By Anne Cassidy Business reporter When she really needs to focus on her work, Susie Alegre uses an app on her phone that blocks her access to social media sites for however long she requires. Ms Alegre, a human rights lawyer and author based in London, says shutting off in this way enables her to…
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BBC Wales presenter Lucy Owen’s eyesight saved by routine test
By Lucy Owen BBC News I have a confession to make. I haven’t always been to the opticians as regularly as I should, despite being a devoted contact lens wearer since the age of 16. I often forgot to book the annual check-up before realising it had been three years since my last appointment. I…
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Ten Cuban migrants hiding in truck die in Mexico accident
At least 10 Cuban migrants who were hiding in a cargo truck have died after the vehicle overturned on a highway in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. The accident took place near the Guatemalan border, AFP reported citing local security officials. At least 17 others were injured, local officials said, adding that one of…
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Turkey strikes Kurdish rebels after Ankara blast
Turkey says it has carried out a number of air strikes on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, hours after a suicide blast hit the interior ministry in the capital Ankara. The ministry said 20 targets were destroyed and many militants from the banned PKK rebel group “neutralised”. The PKK said Sunday morning’s bombing was carried…
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Senegal’s navy intercepts boats carrying 600 would-be migrants
By Lucy Fleming BBC News Senegal’s navy says it has intercepted four boats over three days with more than 600 people on board. They were attempting the treacherous crossing to Spain’s Canary Islands – a gateway to Europe. Footage on social media on Saturday showed other would-be migrants jumping off a boat that had run…
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Nigeria’s President Tinubu increases wages as national strike looms
By Chris Ewokor BBC News, Abuja Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has announced a six-month increase to the minimum wage as workers are set to start an indefinite strike. Unions want the monthly wage to be raised to $255 (£210) to help deal with the sharp rise in the cost of living since Mr Tinubu took…
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Biden vows to stand by Ukraine, despite budget fiasco
By Matt Murphy & James Waterhouse BBC News, in Washington DC and Kyiv President Joe Biden has vowed continued US support for Ukraine, after further military funding was excluded from a last-minute congressional budget deal. The temporary measure, pushed through to avert a government shutdown, did not include $6bn (£4.92bn) in military aid for Kyiv…
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Hardline Republicans seek to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
By Matt Murphy BBC News, Washington Hardline Republicans say they will seek to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy this week, after he pushed through a last-minute spending bill with support from the opposition Democrats. Mr McCarthy submitted the bill – aimed at averting a government shutdown – in defiance of the right of his party.…
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Mali crisis: Fierce fighting erupts after Tuareg rebels kill more than 80 soldiers
By Chris Ewokor BBC News Fierce fighting has broken out in northern Mali with Tuareg rebels saying they have taken control of the town of Bamba from the army. It comes after the separatist fighters said they had killed more than 80 soldiers in the centre of the country. The government confirmed an army base…
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Dame Helen Mirren speaks of ‘delicate balance’ in playing Golda Meir
Oscar-winning actor Dame Helen Mirren has told the BBC there is a “very delicate balance” to playing people with a different heritage. Mirren, 78, portrays former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in her latest film – a role which has attracted some criticism because she is not Jewish. She told Laura Kuenssberg on her Sunday…