Covid inquiry: Key points from Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain evidence

Two former key advisers to Boris Johnson discuss how Downing Street worked during the pandemic.

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Boris Johnson said old should accept Covid fate, note shows

The former PM's handling of the virus comes under attack over six hours of testimony by aides.

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After death of player Adam Johnson, how dangerous is ice hockey?

The death of Adam Johnson on the ice sheds light on the risks of the fast-paced sport.

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Gracie Spinks: 'Obsessed' man killed ex-colleague, inquest hears

Michael Sellers is believed to have stabbed 23-year-old Gracie Spinks to death then killed himself.

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Andy McDonald: Labour suspends MP after speech at pro-Palestinian rally

The party says comments made by Andy McDonald at the weekend were "deeply offensive".

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Fewer trains to run from London to Manchester

Avanti is to run a reduced service between London to Manchester on Saturdays until the end of the year.

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Marseille v Lyon postponed after visitors' team bus attacked on way to match

Marseille's Ligue 1 home match with Lyon is postponed after visiting boss Fabio Grosso is injured when his team's bus is attacked on the way to the ground.

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Leasehold law will be in King's Speech, says housing minister

Rachel MacLean says the bill would restore "true homeownership" but Labour says it is "thin gruel".

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New Zealand 11-12 South Africa: Springboks win record fourth Rugby World Cup title

South Africa clinch a record fourth Rugby World Cup title by doing just enough to deny 14-man New Zealand and retain their crown in a helter-skelter final in Paris.

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Tears and relief in Maine after gunman's death

Lewiston residents were overcome to learn the mass killer was dead and the 48-hour lockdown was over.

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Former US Vice President Mike Pence withdraws from 2024 presidential race

The former US vice president makes the announcement during a Republican Jewish Coalition event.

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Could an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza meet its aims?

Israeli forces are expanding ground operations in Gaza, and their ultimate goal is to dismantle Hamas.

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Taylor Swift's 1989: Her biggest album returns with new tracks from the vault

As Taylor Swift prepares to release a re-recorded version of 1989, here's a look behind the songs.

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Shakira's ex and former footballer Gerard Pique falls off stage

The Spanish World Cup winner fell off the stage at a launch event for a new footballing tournament in Mexici.

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Outrage as traditional Cotswold stone wall replaced with fence

Villagers are disappointed after part of a damaged stone wall was replaced with a wooden fence.

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Bianca Williams: 'I get anxious whenever I see a police car'

Athlete Bianca Williams says her family's ordeal with the Met Police has left her "on edge".

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Sainsbury's recalls some own-brand chorizo over listeria concerns

The supermarket warns some packs contain the bug which can cause serious illness.

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NBA 2023-24 preview: Blockbuster trades and in-form legends

A summer of blockbuster trades, a generational talent, and the in-form stars of old - BBC Sport previews the 2023-24 NBA season.

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The Papers: More hostages released and Storm Babet aftermath

Hamas handing over two more Israeli hostages and flooding in Yorkshire lead the papers.

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Parents have right to see sex education content, says minister

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is explaining the idea to schools in England this week.

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Moment bridge brought down in controlled explosion in Germany

Explosives placed on the pillars brought down the 135m long bridge in seconds.

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Amanda Abbington: Actress withdraws from Strictly

The Sherlock and Mr Selfridge actress missed last weekend's show for medical reasons.

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Léopold Sédar Senghor: Senegal delays auction in France

Dakar wants to buy rings, watches and military decorations belonging to the nation's first president.

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Belfast City Council spends £150,000 on lord mayor portraits

Critics have branded the portraits a "vanity project" but the council says they help support artists.

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Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal: Gunners rescue thrilling Premier League draw

Arsenal come from two goals down to rescue a thrilling draw at Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

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Argentina 6-44 New Zealand: All Blacks cruise into record fifth final

Will Jordan scores an impressive hat-trick as seven-try New Zealand crush Argentina at Stade de France to reach a record fifth Rugby World Cup final.

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Moody's boosts view of UK after mini-Budget chaos

Ratings agency says "predictability has been restored" following last year's mini-Budget.

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Specialist doctors in England to hold pay talks with government

The BMA will ask some doctors if they want to strike over pay if no progress is made by 6 November.

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Amazon launches humanoid robots to 'free up' staff

The US tech giant is looking at ways it can automate more of its operations.

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FA Cup: Reforms to the English football calendar could see third and fourth round replays scrapped

Replays in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup and two-legged EFL Cup semi-finals are expected to be scrapped as part of reforms to the English football calendar.

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Tree of the Year 2023: Wrexham's sweet chestnut wins competition

The almost 500-year-old tree has been standing since Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne.

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'We thought it would be safe': Panic and confusion at scene of Gaza hospital blast

People are still recovering body parts from the Al-Ahli Arab hospital, reports Rushdi Abu Alouf.

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MP Lisa Cameron rejects calls for a by-election

She tells BBC News she regrets not leaving the SNP sooner and repeats her claims of a "toxic" culture.

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Ofcom online safety director suspended over anti-Israel posts

Screenshots appear to show Fadzai Madzingira describing Israel as an "apartheid state".

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Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith 'healing relationship'

It emerged last week the couple have been living apart since 2016, despite regularly appearing together.

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Joseph Czuba: No bail for suspect in killing of Muslim boy in Illinois

Six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume was laid to rest in Illinois on Monday, a day after he was fatally stabbed.

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Bafta Cymru: Hollywood star Luke Evans 'ecstatic' at win

The Hollywood actor dedicates his award to the "army" of people who put his BBC show together.

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Snapchat death crash mum's plea to stop drink-drivers

Dafydd Morgan was killed by an unlicensed driver filmed drinking a can of cider behind the wheel.

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Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 finals in Germany thanks to Spain win in Norway

Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 without kicking a ball as Norway's loss to Spain secures a top-two finish in Group A for Steve Clarke's men.

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Polish ruling party set to lose majority - exit poll

Right-wing Law and Justice leads, the poll suggests, but may struggle to secure a third term.

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Rugby World Cup: Wales fans' woe as Argentina win

Supporters have their say in Marseille as Wales crash out of the Rugby World Cup.

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Ireland 24-28 New Zealand: All Blacks break Irish hearts and set up Argentina semi-final

New Zealand end Ireland's World Cup dream and set up a semi-final against Argentina with a 28-24 win at Stade de France.

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Zaka: The volunteers giving dignity to Israel's dead

Zaka volunteers are used to being called to traumatic scenes, but nothing prepared them for the past week.

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Glorify Hamas and you break law, says UK terror watchdog

The independent reviewer of terrorism says speeches and acts supporting Hamas's attack are against the law.

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Fines to be issued for Covid Christmas party at Tory HQ

Activists at the event held for Shaun Bailey's campaign team were invited to "jingle and mingle".

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New Zealand election: Disillusioned voters eye shift away from the left

Three years on from Jacinda Ardern's sweeping victory, polls indicate voters will desert Labour.

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The Papers: 'Sunak sends military' and 'Ecclestone's £400m fraud'

The UK sending help to Israel and an ex-Formula One boss pleading guilty to fraud lead Friday's papers.

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Keir Starmer glitter protester Yaz Ashmawi apologises

Yaz Ashmawi regrets "compromising" the Labour leader's safety but says throwing glitter was "fine".

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Sycamore Gap tree cut up and removed from Hadrian's Wall site

A crane was brought in to take the trunk, which had to be cut into pieces as it weighed 3-4 tonnes.

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February warning Covid could swamp NHS, inquiry told

Prof Graham Medley said that civil servants would have been aware of those concerns at the time.

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The Papers: 'Royals condemn Hamas' and 'prisons are full'

The King accusing Hamas of "barbaric acts" leads Thursday's newspapers along with fears of prison overcrowding.

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Ealing: Beaver family released in west London wetland

The release is part of efforts to reintroduce the species after their extinction 400 years ago.

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Chris Mason: Don't go big, don't do flash - inside Labour's strategy

Our political editor reflects on a Labour conference filled with expectation about its prospects.

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Inside the deadly instant loan app scam that blackmails with nudes

At least 60 people have killed themselves in India after being extorted by a global racket.

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King Charles to acknowledge 'painful' Kenya history on state visit

The state visit will come on the 60th anniversary of the country's independence from the UK.

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Rugby World Cup: The quirky ways Wales fans are travelling to France

From flying in a plane that weighs less than Wales' scrum to cycling more than 1,600 miles.

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The Papers: 'Holly quits' and 'Israel prepares ground invasion'

The unprecedented attack on Israel by militant group Hamas continues to lead Wednesday's newspapers.

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University of Edinburgh: Europe's oldest student newspaper saved

A fundraiser was set up after a crucial advertiser pulled out, threatening the paper's future in print.

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Matty Healy defends Malaysia kiss during 1975 concert in Dallas

The 1975 frontman read a prepared speech from his phone as the Dallas crowd cheered and applauded.

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Inside Kfar Aza where Hamas militants killed families in their homes

In Kfar Aza, Israeli soldiers tell the BBC they have uncovered a massacre of civilians, including children and babies.

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Easy life: Band to change name after easyJet brand legal action

The indie band make the announcement after a "whirlwind" 10 days.

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Holly Willoughby: What next for This Morning after presenter's exit?

The show could go on with new presenters, or ITV may take the opportunity to shake up the schedule.

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Biden interviewed by probe into handling of classified files

President Biden has been interviewed by the special counsel investigating sensitive files found in his home and office.

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Yellow warning for more heavy rain in flood-hit areas

The Met Office issues a yellow weather warning for heavy rainfall across the west of Scotland.

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Israel-Gaza attacks: Vigil for victims held at Downing Street

Some held up pictures of those taken hostage or killed, some lit candles, while others stood in tears.

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Chuck Feeney: Entrepreneur and philanthropist dies

The Irish-American businessman's foundation donated about $570m to causes in Northern Ireland.

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Police Scotland is institutionally racist, says new boss

Chief constable Jo Farrell intends to drive "an anti-discriminatory agenda" at Police Scotland.

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The hunt for a new way to tackle clothing waste

Scientists in the US are trying to find enzymes or bacteria that will decompose manmade fibres.

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The Papers: 'US sends warships' and 'pawns of terrorists'

Monday's papers continue their coverage on Israel-Palestine in the aftermath of deadly attacks.

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Kiptum shatters marathon record and moves within reach of two-hour mark

Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum shatters the men's marathon world record in Chicago as he beats compatriot Eliud Kipchoge's previous mark by more than 30 seconds.

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Labour's Rachel Reeves to set out plan to recover Covid fraud billions

An anti-corruption commissioner would target £7.2bn lost to fraud, the shadow chancellor will say.

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Don't tilt too far towards unions, warns Peter Mandelson

The key architect of New Labour says the party needs to ensure it can attract private investment.

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The Papers: 'Human shield horror' and Israel's '9/11 moment'

Sunday's headlines focus on Israel suffering its biggest attack in years at the hands of Palestinian militants.

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Watch: How Hamas' shock attack on Israel unfolded

Watch the footage of unprecedented scenes in Israel and Gaza, verified and explained by the BBC.

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Amber rain warning extended for north and east of Scotland

It now goes to 14:00 on Sunday for parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland.

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180kg Fred caught after going wild in the city

Colorado officials say he is "always hungry" and "loves his belly scratches".

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Simone Biles wins all-around gold for 21st world title

American Simone Biles becomes the most decorated gymnast in history after winning her second gold medal at the World Gymnastics Championships.

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Rutherglen and Hamilton West: Should SNP's Humza Yousaf be worried?

The new party leader faced his first electoral test and things did not go well, writes the BBC's Philip Sim.

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Scarborough road resurfaced around parked car

North Yorkshire Council say they will return to complete the work at a later date.

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Driver on M25 disqualified after losing control of his car

Police cameras capture the moment a driver loses control of his car on the M25 at night.

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American tourist arrested for smashing Israel Museum statues

Images shared by Israeli police show the two ancient Roman sculptures lying broken on the floor.

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Evergrande: The rise and fall of the property giant's billionaire founder

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

Image caption,

Hui Ka Yan is the founder of Chinese property giant Evergrande

By Mariko Oi

Business reporter

Hui Ka Yan, the founder and chairman of Chinese property giant Evergrande, was once Asia's richest person.

The 64-year-old, who is also known as Xu Jiayin, rose from a humble upbringing to head a vast business empire. His fortune was estimated at $42.5bn (£34.8bn) when he topped the list of Asia's wealthiest people compiled by Forbes magazine in 2017.

Now he is over suspected "illegal crimes" as his company teeters under the weight of $300bn (£245.4bn) of debt.

Who is Hui Ka Yan?

Born into a poor rural family in 1958, his early childhood was shaped by the Great Leap Forward - Mao Zedo reliant on agriculture that triggered a famine that killed millions.

Mr Hui was raised by his grandmother in a village in central Henan province after his mother died of sepsis when he was just eight months old.

After graduating from university in 1982, he spent the next decade working as a steel technician before becoming a salesman for a property developer in the city of Guangzhou in southern China. It was there that he founded Evergrande in 1996.

The company expanded rapidly as China's economy boomed by borrowing large amounts of money.

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

Image caption,

Hui Ka Yan (C) at a business summit in Guangzhou in 2019

"He was an example of how anybody can become rich if you're smart enough and if you work hard enough," said Alicia Garcia Herrero, the chief economist for Asia-Pacific at French investment bank Natixis.

Mr Hui, who has been a Communist Party member for more than three decades, was elected in 2008 as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The elite group of government officials and business leaders is the country's top advisory body.

A photograph of him at a party conference wearing a gold-buckled belt made by the French luxury label Hermès went viral on social media in 2012, earning him the nickname "belt brother".

Explosive growth

A rapidly expanding Evergrande raised $9bn in its 2009 Hong Kong stock market listing.

That growth was then turbo-charged by Mr Hui's "maximum leverage" approach, according to Jackson Chan from financial markets research platform Bondsupermart.

"Evergrande grew fast but even faster after he [Mr Hui] made friends with a group of [the] richest real estate tycoons in Hong Kong and the company was listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange," Mr Chan says.

• 
  
  

"He received numerous support from these friends as they bought a lot of Evergrande's stocks and bonds to help the company grow."

Evergrande's business model was to borrow large sums and then aggressively sell apartments that had not even been built. The group's real estate unit currently has more than 1,300 projects in more than 280 cities in the country,

Mr Hui's business empire grew to encompass far more than just property and now includes operations including wealth management, electric car making and food and drink manufacturing.

It also has a majority stake in what was once China's top football team, Guangzhou FC.

Downfall

In 2020, Beijing brought in new rules to control the amount of money owed by big real estate developers.

The new measures led Evergrande to offer its properties at major discounts in an attempt to keep the business afloat. But it is now struggling to pay its debts.

The crisis has seen its stock market valuation shrink by 99% and Mr Hui's fortune plummet to $3.2bn.

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

Image caption,

Hui Ka Yan was known for his flamboyant lifestyle - he reportedly owned this luxury yacht

Evergrande  as Mr Hui became the latest Chinese billionaire to find himself being investigated by authorities.

Some experts see a link between China's wealthy elite coming under official scrutiny and which aims to reduce income inequality.

Mr Hui is "the symbol of extreme wealth especially with his flamboyant lifestyle, flying around the world in his private jet," Dexter Roberts, Director of China affairs at the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, told the BBC

"Xi has made it clear that extreme wealth, especially when displayed publicly like Hui, isn't good for the economy and the society," Mr Roberts said, adding that Mr Hui was "seen as a natural target".

Although there has been no official statement yet on the investigation of Mr Hui, an opinion piece in the state-run Global Times newspaper indicated that the interests of ordinary citizens were being prioritised.

"Minimising homebuyers' losses at all costs should be the next biggest consideration in dealing with the Evergrande crisis," Hu Xijin, the paper's former chief editor wrote.

"We should deal with the matter strictly and in accordance with the law, keep the public informed, and look at how to support the company's customers as much as possible," he added.

 

Cricket World Cup 2023: What the stats say about all 10 teams at tournament

England beat New Zealand at Lord's to lift the World Cup for the first time in 2019

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup
Host country: India Dates: 5 October-19 November
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary of every match on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website with in-play clips and highlights, plus features and analysis. More details.

The World Cup in India is a matter of days away.

England are one of 10 teams competing and will hope to defend their title after the famous victory on home soil in 2019.

Can Jos Buttler's side do it again? Will hosts India make most of home advantage? Will we see a surprise winner?

To help answer those questions BBC Sport has worked with data analysts CricViz to produce a team-by-team guide to the 10 participating nations.

• 
  
  

Afghanistan

CricViz win probability: 1.3%

The statistics paint a mixed picture for Afghanistan between bat and ball.

They have a bowling economy rate of 6.62 in the last 10 overs since the last World Cup, the best of any full member nation. However, they have only scored at 6.74 in the last 10 overs in the same timeframe - the lowest of any full member nation.

Crucial player: Rashid Khan

No bowler has more wickets in the Indian Premier League than Rashid Khan's 139 since the leg-spinner made his debut in the competition in 2017.

Australia

CricViz win probability: 15.6%

Five-time winners Australia have great batting depth - Cameron Green could bat as low as eight in a squad packed full of all-rounders. But they are short in the spin department, with Ashton Agar's injury meaning Adam Zampa is the sole spinner in the squad.

Crucial player: Glenn Maxwell

The powerful all-rounder averages 37 and has a strike-rate of 180 in overs 41-50 since the last World Cup - and his off-spin will be needed too.

Bangladesh

CricViz win probability: 2.9%

Since the last World Cup, Bangladesh have a strong home record (16 wins, nine defeats) but have been less convincing away from home (nine wins, 12 defeats). They will also be unfamiliar with conditions - Bangladesh have only ever played nine one-day internationals in India, and none since 2006.

Crucial player: Shakib Al-Hasan

The Bangladesh captain was one of only three players to score more than 600 runs in the 2019 World Cup, alongside Rohit Sharma and David Warner.

England

CricViz win probability: 17.3%

England have a catch success rate of 84% in one-day internationals since the last World Cup, the highest of all 10 teams competing in this tournament.

But with the bat, the end of the Jason Roy-Jonny Bairstow opening partnership has seen a drop-off in their powerplay scoring rate. In 2023, they have scored at 5.30 runs per over in the first 10 overs, their lowest since 2014.

Crucial player: Ben Stokes

The talismanic all-rounder has finished not out in 13 of the 34 one-day international run chases he has featured in since 2015.

India

CricViz win probability: 21.9%

Since the last World Cup, India have played 66 matches, 10 more than any other team in this tournament (Sri Lanka have played the second-most games with 56). Their batting has also been particularly strong in the middle overs, going at 5.76 runs per over since the last World Cup which is second only to England (6.01).

Crucial player: Virat Kohli

Currently on 47 one-day international hundreds, Kohli needs three more to overtake Sachin Tendulkar as the batter with the most hundreds in this format.

Netherlands

CricViz win probability: 0.0%

In the World Cup Qualifiers, Netherlands' bowlers averaged under 30 with an economy rate of just 4.12 in the first 10 overs, and that was without Paul van Meekeren who will improve that area of their game even further. They are less potent in the middle overs, averaging 59 between overs 11 and 40 in the past two years.

Crucial player: Bas de Leede

The 23-year-old all-rounder averaged 48 with a strike rate of 101 in this year's World Cup Qualifiers. He also took 15 wickets at an average of 22 in the competition.

New Zealand

CricViz win probability: 8.5%

Since the start of 2010, New Zealand have only won 29% of the one-day internationals they have played in India, with six victories in the 21 matches they have played in that time.

They have also struggled with their bowling at the death recently, conceding runs at 7.91 per over in that phase since the last World Cup, the second highest among full members.

Crucial player: Trent Boult

The left-arm seamer took 39 wickets in the past two World Cups, second only to Australia's Mitchell Starc (49).

Pakistan

CricViz win probability: 11.6%

In the middle overs since the last World Cup, Pakistan average 45.98 runs per wicket, largely thanks to Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

They also have two of the fastest bowlers in the tournament in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Shaheen's potency with the new ball and Rauf's death-over skills make them a complementary threat.

Crucial player: Shaheen Shah Afridi

Another pacey left-armer, Shaheen averages just 24 with the ball in the first 10 overs of one-day internationals and took 4-35 against India in Pallekele last month.

South Africa

CricViz win probability: 14.1%

Heinrich Klaasen is arguably the in-form batter in the world in this format, but South Africa have a concerningly long tail, with Keshav Maharaj likely to bat as high as eight, with Marco Jansen at seven.

Crucial player: Heinrich Klaasen

The big-hitting wicketkeeper-batter averages 59 with a strike-rate of 151 in one-day internationals in 2023, including a brilliant 174 from just 83 deliveries against Australia in September - the highest ODI score for a batter coming in in the 25th over or later.

Sri Lanka

CricViz win probability: 6.8%

Even without the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka have a dangerous spin attack, with Maheesh Theekshana (eight wickets at 29, economy of 5.15 in the Asia Cup) and Dunith Wellalage (10 wickets at 18, economy of 4.26 in the Asia Cup).

But they have struggled with the bat at the death recently, scoring at just 7.21 runs per over in the last 10 overs since the 2019 World Cup, higher only than Afghanistan in that time.

Crucial player: Charith Asalanka

The left-hander, who made his ODI debut in 2021, averages 60 against spin bowling. He scored a century against Australia in Pallekele in 2022.