Hamas says 'no point' to talks as Israel plans expanded Gaza offensive

Israeli officials say the offensive will involve displacing the majority of Gaza's 2.1 million population

A senior Hamas official has said there is "no point" in further talks on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal after Israel said it would expand its ground offensive and occupy Gaza indefinitely.

Bassem Naim told the BBC the Palestinian armed group would not engage with new proposals while Israel continued what he called its "starvation war".

Israel says its objective is the return of hostages still held by Hamas and its "dismantling and decisive defeat".

Israeli officials said on Monday that the plans involved displacing the majority of Gaza's 2.1 million population, seizing all of the territory, and taking control of humanitarian aid after a two-month blockade.

27 of the best looks from Met Gala 2025

49 minutes ago Share Save Nadine Yousif and Scarlett Harris BBC News Share Save

Watch: Suits galore and a 18-foot dress tail - Key looks from the 2025 Met Gala

Monday night marked one of the world's biggest nights of fashion, as stars served up their most iconic looks for the annual Met Gala in New York City. The theme for this year's event was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style", the first since 2003 to focus exclusively on menswear. It was inspired by a newly unveiled exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's costume institute featuring the "black dandy", which Vogue says "examines the importance of clothing and style to the formation of black identities in the Atlantic diaspora". A-list celebrities including Zendaya, Demi Moore and Diana Ross brought their own interpretation to the theme, stunning in tailored suits and dramatic gowns. Look back at our live coverage of the Met

Rihanna reveals she is expecting third child Here is a look at some of the highlights:

Zendaya makes a statement in all-white suit

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Actress Zendaya, known for her dazzling red carpet style, opted for a wide-brimmed hat and tailored Louis Vuitton cream suit at this year's Met Gala. But there was one slight pop of colour: her manicured red nails.

Kim Kardashian in croc-embossed leather

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US reality TV star Kim Kardashian wore an all-black ensemble by LA-based brand Chrome Hearts - a fitted leather top and skirt that she offset with diamond necklaces and two strings of pearls. She is, of course, no stranger to the Met Gala - having made headlines with a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in 2022, and a wet-look Thierry Mugler dress in 2019.

Chappell Roan channels disco in hot pink

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Singer Chappell Roan brought a rare pop of colour to the Met's blue carpet, in a patchwork hot pink ensemble sourced from eBay. The singer worked with Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell on her outfit, while make-up artist Pat McGrath was behind her disco-inspired look.

Demi Moore with a literal interpretation

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Demi Moore gave us another round of method dressing. The American actress's recent press tour for The Substance recalled the body horror themes of the film, while her awards campaign for the role of Elisabeth Sparkle saw her dressing for the glam statuettes. Moore understood the assignment for the Met Gala, coming as a literal men's tie in a sculptural black and white striped sequin gown from Thom Browne.

Bad Bunny pays homage to Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny wore a brown Prada suit, which he said he worked on with the Italian fashion house for a few months before the event. He also stayed on theme by accessorising with embellished gloves, a brooch and a hat that paid homage to his Puerto Rican heritage. "We did something special," he said of his look. "I feel good, and I hope people think I'm looking good."

Rihanna shows off her third pregnancy

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Rihanna, typically one of the most stylish attendees at the Gala, returned to the Met steps this year in Marc Jacobs, debuting her pregnancy with co-chair of the evening A$AP Rocky.

Diana Ross' ensemble is all drama

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Legendary singer Diana Ross wore a show-stopping white ensemble, complete with feathers and a long train that required at least two assistants. On the carpet, Ross said her son persuaded her to attend this year's event. The last time she attended the Met Gala is 2003. She added she had the names of her children and grandchildren embroidered on her dress train.

Reuters

Sir Lewis Hamilton in a cream suit

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Black British designer Grace Wales Bonner dressed British Formula One star Sir Lewis Hamilton for the night. Sir Lewis was a co-chair of this year's event. The pair have worked together in the past with Wales Bonner dressing Hamilton for the 2023 British Fashion Awards.

Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu

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Actress Sydney Sweeney wore a custom Miu Miu gown - her third time wearing the designer at the Met Gala. This time, her dress was complete with beaded fringe shoulders and gold hardware detailing on the neck. Speaking about her look, Sweeney said it paid homage to actress and painter Kim Novak. Sweeney is set to portray Novak in the upcoming film Scandalous.

Dua Lipa in matching black with Callum Turner

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A custom-made Chanel look was Dua Lipa's choice this year. The chiffon dress, sequin tweed jacket and organza cape - all adorned with pearls, feathers and crystals - took some 2,000 hours to make.

Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton

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Sabrina Carpenter wore a burgundy Louis Vuitton bodysuit that featured all the tailoring of a regular suit. The singer said she worked with recording artist Pharrell Williams - also the men's creative director of Louis Vuitton - on the bottomless look. "You're quite short, so no pants for you," Carpenter recalled Williams telling her.

Barry Keoghan in custom Valentino

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Irish actor Barry Keoghan wore a custom-made Valentino fit, with florals embroidered on the cuffs and a silk red scarf wrapped around the waist.

Lorde looks sleek in Thom Browne

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New Zealand singer Lorde made a rare appearance at the Met Gala this year (she has not attended since 2021). She wore a metallic silver floor-length skirt set, and a matching bandeau and blazer designed by Thom Browne.

Simone Biles stuns in electric blue

AFP

Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Simone Biles brought a pop of colour to the Met Gala carpet with a striking blue minidress that featured a collared neckline, a long train and jewelled appliques. The dress was designed by Harbison Studio.

Coco Jones dazzles from head to toe

AFP

Singer Coco Jones opted for a look designed by Indian brand Manish Malhotra. She wore a tailored cream and white look that featured ornate embroidery and a dramatic long-sleeve coat. Jones also wore a large statement necklace and Jimmy Choo heels.

Colman Domingo with two looks in one

EPA /PA

Actor and playwright Colman Domingo could have inspired this year's Met Gala theme, as he's been carrying the baton for well-dressed men on the red carpet for several years now. He donned a royal blue Valentino cloak that paid homage to Andre Leon Talley, former editor-at-large on Vogue whom Anna Wintour called "a dandy among dandies." The cape later was removed to reveal a second look underneath: a tailored, patterned suit complete with a big fabric, polka-dotted flower brooch.

Teyana Taylor is a rose in Harlem

EPA

Actress and singer Teyana Taylor, who hosted Vogue's live stream of the red carpet, arrived in custom Marc Jacobs on the arm of costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Ms Carter has worked with filmmaker Spike Lee and on the Black Panther movie franchise to create some modern pop cultural cues for the black dandy. Taylor wore a burgundy cape embroidered with "Harlem Rose," a nod to her 2018 song A Rose in Harlem.

Emma Chamberlain debuts new pixie cut

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Social media influencer Emma Chamberlain looked sharp and on theme with a backless tailored suit dress designed by French fashion house Courrèges. She accessorised the look with a spiky beach blonde pixie cut and stylish eyeglasses.

Cynthia Erivo smiles wide in Givenchy

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Wicked's Cynthia Erivo, known for her on-theme style, wore a Givenchy ensemble featuring a bedazzled bodice and an extra-long black train with matching leather boots and nails.

Doja Cat's bold and big shoulder pads

EPA

Recording artist Doja Cat wore a custom Marc Jacobs look that featured giant shoulder pads and a leopard-print bustier panel. "I just wanted to feel like a little gangsta," she said. "I feel like he brought that with the strong shape of the shoulders, and all of the exaggerated shapes," Doja Cat said of Jacobs.

Tracee Ellis Ross in shades of pink

EPA

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross, the daughter of Diana Ross, was one of the few people who wore pink at this year's Met Gala. She donned a custom Marc Jacobs suit that was complete with a giant, hot pink bow at the back, a matching top hat and some unique bling.

Andre 3000 wears a piano

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In one of the more memorable looks of the evening, Andre 3000 showed up to the Met Gala carpet with a black and white piano strapped to his back and a trash bag as a purse. The stylish OutKast rapper designed the look himself in collaboration with Burberry.

Lupita Nyong'o in powder blue Chanel

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Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o wore a stunning powder blue Chanel suit, with a matching hat and transparent cape. She accessorised the look with bedazzled, black rhinestone eyebrows.

Cardi B in ivy green Burberry

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Rapper Cardi B debuted a new hairstyle (and eye colour) in a green Burberry pantsuit, complete with matching nails and eye shadow.

Doechii makes her Met Gala debut in LV

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Doechii took brand representation to new levels, stamping the famous Louis Vuitton logo on her face to go along with the motif of her suit. The American rapper is often seen wearing looks from the French fashion house. This outfit combined the designer's two famous patterns - the LV monogram pattern on the waistcoat and jacket, as well as the damier checkerboard on the shorts.

Janelle Monae is on theme (and on time)

EPA

When asked about her outfit on the carpet, Janelle Monáe responded simply - "free" - followed by an expletive. "And when I'm in my suit, that is exactly how I feel," she said. She wore a Thom Brown suit, with whom she's attended the Met Gala as a guest for the last several years. The look is styled by the Academy Award-winning costume designer for Wicked, Paul Tazewell.

Madonna references herself

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Germany's Merz falls short of majority in vote for chancellor

Germany's conservative leader has unexpectedly fallen short of the numbers needed to form a majority in parliament to become chancellor.

Friedrich Merz needed 316 votes in the 630-seat Bundestag but only secured 310, in a significant blow to the Christian Democrat leader, two and a half months after winning Germany's federal elections.

His coalition with the centre-left has enough seats in parliament but it appears 18 MPs who had been expected to back him dissented. Merz's failure in the first vote is seen as unprecedented in modern German history.

The Bundestag will now have another 14 days to choose either Merz or another candidate as chancellor.

Attenborough at 99 delivers 'greatest message he's ever told'

10 hours ago Share Save Justin Rowlatt • @BBCJustinR Climate Editor Share Save

Sir David Attenborough is launching what he says is one of the most important films of his career as he enters his hundredth year. He believes his new, cinema-length film Ocean could play a decisive role in saving biodiversity and protecting the planet from climate change. Sir David, who will be 99 on Thursday, says: "After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea." The ocean is the planet's support system and humanity's greatest ally against climate catastrophe, the film argues. It shows how the world's oceans are at a crossroads. A blue carpet will be rolled out at the film's premiere tonight at the Royal Festival Hall. A host of celebrities are expected to attend including Chris Martin and Coldplay, Benedict Cumberbatch, astronaut Tim Peake, Geri Halliwell-Horner and Simon LeBon. Toby Nowlan, who produced Ocean, says this new production is not a typical Attenborough film. "This is not about seeing brand new natural history behaviours. It is the greatest message he's ever told," he says. The film documents how the state of the world's oceans and our understanding of how they function have changed in the course of Sir David's lifetime.

BBC Studios Sir David during his first scuba dive in Australia in 1957

Sir David remembers his first scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef way back in 1957: "I was so taken aback by the spectacle before me I forgot – momentarily – to breathe." Since then, there has been a catastrophic decline in life in the world's oceans. "We are almost out of time," he warns. Ocean contains some of the most graphic footage of the damage that bottom trawling – a common fishing practice around the world - can do to the seabed. It is a vivid example of how industrial fishing can drain the life from the world's oceans, Sir David claims. The new footage shows how the chain that the trawlers drag behind them scours the seafloor, forcing the creatures it disturbs into the net behind. The trawlers are often after a single species: more than three-quarters of what they catch may be discarded. "It's hard to imagine a more wasteful way to catch fish," comments Sir David. The process also releases vast amounts of carbon dioxide which contributes to the warming of our planet, yet bottom trawling is not just legal but is actively encouraged by many governments.

Sir David says the state of the ocean has almost made him lose hope for the future of life on the planet. What has kept him from despair is what he calls the "most remarkable discovery of all" – that the ocean can "recover faster than we had ever imagined". Sir David says the story of the world's whales has been a source of huge optimism for him. It is estimated that 2.9 million whales were killed by the whaling industry in the 20th Century alone. Scientists have said it is the largest cull of any animal in history when measured in terms of total biomass. It pushed almost all whale species to the edge of extinction. Just one per cent of Blue Whales were left, recalls Sir David: "I remember thinking that was it. There was no coming back, we had lost the great whales." But in 1986 lawmakers bowed to public pressure and banned commercial whaling worldwide. The whale population has rapidly recovered since then. One of the film's directors, Keith Scholey, has worked with Sir David for 44 years. "When I first met David, I was in shorts," he jokes. That was in 1981, two years after Sir David had resigned as the BBC's director of programmes – one of the most senior jobs at the Corporation. "He'd done one career, and he was off on his next." Despite now nearing his 99th birthday Sir David is still remarkably energetic, says Scholey. "Every time you work with David, you learn something new," he says. "It's really good fun. But also, David keeps you on your mettle, because he is so on his mettle and so, you know, it's always a very creative process."

Silverback and Open Planet Studios Dolphins swimming over a coral reef

Sir David's key message in the Ocean film is that all is not lost. Countries have promised to protect a third of the world's oceans. He hopes his new film will spur leaders to take firm action on this promise at a UN conference next month. He believes that could be transformational. "The ocean can bounce back to life," Sir David says. "If left alone it may not just recover but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen." A healthier ocean ecosystem would also be able to trap more carbon dioxide, helping protect the world from climate change, according to scientists. "In front of us is a chance to protect our climate, our food, our home," Sir David says. As he celebrates his 99th birthday this week he is still fighting to protect the natural world he has worked his lifetime to show to us in all its glory. Ocean will be in cinemas across the country from Thursday.

Visa applications for some nationalities could be restricted

39 minutes ago Share Save Joe Pike Political investigations correspondent Fiona Nimoni BBC News Share Save

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Visa applications from nationalities thought most likely to overstay and claim asylum in the UK could be restricted under a new government crackdown. Under Home Office plans, first reported in the Times, people from countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka may find it more difficult to come to the UK to work and study. Ministers believe there is a particular problem with those who come to the UK legally on work or study visas and then lodge a claim for asylum - which if granted, would allow them to stay in the country permanently. A Home Office spokesperson said: "Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system."

It is not clear which nationalities are most likely to overstay their visas as the Home Office has not published statistics on exit checks for people on visas since 2020, due to a review into the accuracy of the figures. Many exits from the UK can go unrecorded, meaning those without a departure record were not necessarily still in the country. Prof Jonathan Portes, a senior fellow at the academic think tank UK in a Changing Europe, said the impact that restricting visas would have on the number of asylum applications was "likely to be quite small". "I think the impact here is not designed primarily to be about numbers overall, it's designed to be about reducing asylum claims which are perceived to be abusive," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "When you have someone who comes here ostensibly as a student and then switches quickly to the asylum route... that is an abuse of the system - the government is trying to reduce that." Since becoming prime minister last year, Sir Keir Starmer has promised to reduce both illegal and legal migration - but has previously declined to offer a net migration target, saying an "arbitrary cap" has had no impact in the past. Labour's plans to reduce migration include making it a criminal offence to endanger the lives of others at sea, to target small boat crossings, and cutting demand for overseas hires by developing training plans for sectors that are currently reliant on migrant workers. Sir Keir has criticised the previous Conservative government, saying it failed to deliver lower net migration numbers "by design, not accident". Net migration - the number of people coming to the UK, minus the number leaving - hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, and then fell to 728,000 in the year to June 2024. New rules introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a bid to reduce migration levels appear to have contributed to the fall. The previous Conservative government increased the minimum salary for skilled overseas workers wanting to come to the UK from £26,200 to £38,700 and banned care workers from bringing family dependants to the UK.

Labour was already under pressure to make changes to the immigration system - but that pressure may have grown after Reform UK's successes in last week's local elections. Reform won 677 of around 1,600 seats contested on Thursday across a clutch of mainly Tory-held councils last contested in 2021. In its general election manifesto, Reform said it would implement a freeze on non-essential immigration. Those with certain skills - for example in healthcare - would still be allowed to come to the UK. Reacting to the results last week, Sir Keir said he shared the "sharp edge of fury" felt by voters leaning away from the major parties, arguing that it would spur him on to "go further and faster" in delivering Labour's promised changes to immigration and public services. Plans to tackle overstaying were already being worked on before the local elections. Full details of government's plans are due to be published in a new immigration white paper later in May. A Home Office spokesperson said: "To tackle abuse by foreign nationals who arrive on work and study visas and go on to claim asylum, we are building intelligence on the profile of these individuals to identify them earlier and faster. "We keep the visa system under constant review and will where we detect trends, which may undermine our immigration rules, we will not hesitate to take action. "Under our plan for change, our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system." Additional reporting by Alex Boyd.

First minister to 'call out' UK Labour welfare cuts

3 hours ago Share Save Gareth Lewis Political editor, BBC Wales News Share Save

Getty Images First Minister Eluned Morgan will "call out" UK government welfare cuts but will stop short of demanding they be scrapped

In her speech, which marks a year until polling day, Morgan will bill next year's Senedd election as a "battle for the future of Wales". She will admit that polls are tight and that with "the rise of Reform and the risks of a divided left vote, the future of Wales is at stake". It is not known exactly what language the first minister will use to "call out" the cuts, but in her speech she will promise to "get more out of the relationship with the UK government" and to "challenge from within".

Morgan is also expected to introduce a new phrase - "the red Welsh way" - to set herself apart from her Labour colleagues at Westminster. The term echoes "clear red water", coined by former First Minister Rhodri Morgan in the early 2000s to highlight differences between Welsh Labour and former Prime Minister Tony Blair's UK Labour. This move follows criticism from opposition parties, who accuse her of failing to stand up to Westminster and secure key demands like rail funding and devolution of policing and justice. Morgan will say that "when UK Labour does not deliver for Wales... when we disagree we will say it". "Where we see unfairness, we will stand up to it. "When Westminster makes decisions that we think will harm Welsh communities, we will not stay silent." She is also expected to compare the relationship between the UK government and Welsh government to Gavin and Stacey - where it is the same family, but what works in England, may not necessarily suit Wales

Getty Images In March, Morgan contacted Downing Street to express concerns over major changes to the benefits system