What could have caused Air India plane to crash in 30 seconds?

3 hours ago Share Save Soutik Biswas • @soutikBBC India correspondent Matt Murphy & Joshua Cheetham BBC Verify Share Save

BBC

What exactly happened to Flight AI171 between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick on Thursday afternoon will only be revealed by a detailed investigation, but the moments after take-off can be the most challenging in aviation. Indian investigators will be joined by experts from the US and UK in the coming days, as authorities attempt to establish what caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to crash shortly after take-off just 1.5km (0.9 miles) from the runway at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It marks the first time a 787-8 Dreamliner has suffered a fatal crash since it entered commercial service in 2011. Thursday's disaster killed 241 people onboard and more on the ground. The BBC has spoken to aviation experts as well as pilots based in India - some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity - who regularly fly 787-8s out of India's international airports to find out what factors might have caused the plane to slam into residential buildings in the heart of Ahmedabad just moments into its flight.

Struggled to gain altitude

The 787-8 Dreamliner was flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and his co-pilot Clive Kundar. The two were highly experienced, with more than 9,000 combined flying hours. Mr Sabharwal having earned over 22-years expertise as a commercial airline pilot. The plane was carrying 242 people as it taxied along the runway at Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The jet took off at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT), operator Air India said. India's Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah said the plane was carrying 100 tonnes of fuel - practically a full load - as it climbed out of Ahmedabad. Almost immediately after take-off the cockpit gave a mayday call, India's aviation regulator said. No response was given by the aircraft after that. It's unclear what prompted the mayday call, but the flight's sole survivor has told Indian media that he heard a loud bang as the plane struggled to gain altitude. Footage authenticated by BBC Verify then showed the plane flying low over what appears to be a residential neighbourhood. The final transmitted data showed the plane reached a height of 625ft (190m). It proceeds to descend and becomes obscured by trees and buildings, before a large explosion appears on the horizon.

Verified video shows Air India plane descending moments before crash

"There would have been no time for him to react if he lost both engines," one pilot said. CCTV footage viewed by BBC Verify showed that the plane was airborne for 30 seconds. The plane crashed in a residential area, with images showing housing blocks heavily damaged in a densely built area which included hospitals and official buildings.

Speculation of 'very rare' double engine failure

It is almost impossible to definitively establish what caused the disaster based on videos of the plane's brief flight. In the coming days a complex investigation involving the plane's black box - which records flight data - and an examination of debris will commence. But videos that have emerged show the plane struggling to lift off the ground, seemingly amid a lack of thrust or power. One cause that has been speculated on by some experts is the possibility of an extremely rare double engine failure. Questions have been raised as to whether the plane had its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed, an emergency back-up turbine which kicks in when main engines fail to generate power for essential systems.

Double engine failures are almost unheard of, with the most notable example being the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson", when a US Airways Airbus A320 lost both engines to a bird strike moments after take-off from New York's LaGuardia Airport, but glided to safety. One senior pilot told the BBC that dual engine failure could also result from fuel contamination or clogging. Aircraft engines rely on a precise fuel metering system - if that system gets blocked, it can lead to fuel starvation and engine shutdown. Marco Chan, an ex-pilot, told BBC Verify that there isn't any evidence to suggest a double engine failure based on the available footage. Mohan Ranganathan, an aviation expert, told the BBC that a double engine failure would be "a very, very rare incident". Engine manufacturer GE Aerospace said it was sending a team to India to help with the investigation, while Boeing said it was offering its full support to the airline.

Air India Crash: What we know from video and flight data

Bird strikes

Another possibility raised by some experts in India is a bird strike. They occur when a plane collides with a bird and can be extremely dangerous for aircraft. In serious cases, engines can lose power if they suck in a bird, as happened in South Korea's Jeju Air disaster which killed 179 people last year. Experts and pilots familiar with Ahmedabad airport have told the BBC that it is "notorious for birds". "They are always around," says Mr Ranganathan, echoing what at least three Indian pilots who have flown in and out of the airport told the BBC . Gujarat state, where Ahmedabad is located, reported 462 bird strike incidents over five years, with most occurring at Ahmedabad airport, according to Civil Aviation Ministry data tabled in Parliament in December 2023. A Times of India report in September 2023 cited Airport Authority data noting 38 bird strikes in 2022–23 in Ahmedabad, a 35% rise over previous 12 months. In the 2009 case, a flock of seagulls was ingested at 2,700ft – more than four times higher than the Air India flight. In this case the Indian pilots had neither the altitude nor the time to manoeuvre. However, a senior pilot said that a bird hit is rarely catastrophic "unless it affects both engines".

Could the plane's flaps have contributed?

Three experts who spoke to BBC Verify suggested that the disaster may have occurred as the aircraft's flaps were not extended during take-off - though other pilots and analysts have challenged this. Flaps play a vital role during take-off, helping an aircraft generate maximum lift at lower speeds. If they're not properly extended, a fully loaded jet - carrying passengers, heavy fuel for a long-haul flight, and battling hot conditions - will struggle to lift off.

British man is only passenger to survive India plane crash

1 hour ago Share Save André Rhoden-Paul BBC News Share Save

Reuters Vishwashkumar Ramesh meets Indian interior minister Amit Shah in hospital

A British man has walked away from the wreckage of the Air India crash that killed 241 people in an extraordinary tale of survival. Vishwashkumar Ramesh was in seat 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787 flight when it crashed shortly after take off in Ahmedabad, western India. Mr Ramesh's brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, told BBC News Vishwashkumar "has no idea how he survived" and escaped the plane as the only survivor. Air India said all other passengers and crew were killed - including 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons.

Watch: British passenger survives India plane crash, reports say

Nayan told the BBC "it feels great seeing him [Vishwashkumar] doing well" but he was worried about his other brother Ajay, who was also onboard. "We were all in shock as soon as we heard what happened, just utter shock. Speechless," he said. "He [Vishwashkumar] himself has no idea how he survived, how he got out the plane. "When he called us he was just more worried about my other brother, like 'Find Ajay, find Ajay.' That's all he cares about at the moment." A relative called Jay told the PA news agency: "He's got some injuries on his face. He was painted in blood. He's doing well I think. It's a big shock." Video shared on social media showed Mr Ramesh walking towards an ambulance, with smoke billowing in the background. He was later seen in a hospital bed meeting Indian interior minister Amit Shah. Dr Dhaval Gameti, who treated Mr Ramesh, said: "He was disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body. But he seems to be out of danger." Indian media said he shared his boarding pass, which showed his name and seat number. The businessman, who was born in India and has lived in the UK since 2003, has a wife and four-year-old son. The BBC understands he was born in India, but has lived in the UK for many years.

Nayan Kumar Ramesh talks about his surviving brother Vishwashkumar

The plane crashed into accommodation used by trainee doctors less than a minute after take-off in Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. It is not clear how many people on the ground died and the cause of the crash is still unknown. Three Britons thought to have died on the flight have been named by Gloucester Muslim Society as Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sara. "They touched lots of people and they will be missed by lots of people," imam Abdullah Samad. Couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre in London, are also thought to have been on the flight. They laughed and joked in an Instagram video as they told of their "10-hour flight back to England". Their firm the Wellness Foundry has been approached for comment. Also on the plane were Javed and his wife Mariam Syed, from West London, alongside their two young children. Ammaarah Taju, the granddaughter of a couple from Blackburn who were onboard the flight, said she was in shock and disbelief. Adam Taju, 72, and his wife Hasina, 70, were flying back from Ahmedabad's International Airport with their 51-year-old son-in-law, Altafhusen Patel who lives in London with his wife.

Family handout Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee were on a surprise trip to India with their daughter Sara

In a statement from the King, he said he and his wife were "desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning". "Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones," the statement added. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the families who were going to be "absolutely devastated by this awful news", while his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi said it was "heart-breaking beyond words". UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arranged crisis teams in India and the UK, and has chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee in response to the crash. London Gatwick Airport confirmed that a reception centre for relatives of passengers was being set up where information would be provided, and that it was liaising closely with Air India. It said on X: "British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 0207 008 5000."

Verified video shows Air India plane descending moments before crash

Who are the victims of the Air India plane crash?

53 minutes ago Share Save Share Save

Reuters

Almost all those on board an Air India flight bound for London Gatwick Airport that crashed shortly after take-off in western India have died, the airline has confirmed. There were 242 passengers and crew on board the plane, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. Officials earlier said some local people would also have died, given the populated area of Ahmedabad where the plane came down. One passenger, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash and was treated in hospital for injuries. Details are still emerging, but these are the people so far confirmed by the BBC to have died.

The Nanabawa family

Family Handout Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee were on a surprise trip to India with their daughter Sara

Three of the British nationals thought to have died in the incident were a family who lived in Gloucester. Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa were all on board the flight. A statement from Gloucester Muslim Society said it passed on its "most sincere and deepest condolences". "No words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss, but we pray that the family may find solace in the tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity from communities across the world. "May their cherished memories provide comfort, and may they rest in eternal peace."

Adam and Hasina Taju, and their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel

Adam Taju, 72, and his wife Hasina, 70, were flying back from Ahmedabad with their 51-year-old son-in-law, Altafhusen Patel. All three lived in London. The couple's granddaughter, Ammaarah Taju, spoke of her shock and disbelief at her parents home in Blackburn. She said her father, Altaf Taju, had driven to London to be with his sister as they received updates about the crash from Air India and government officials.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek

Instagram Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek posted an Instagram story before their flight

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, a married British couple, ran a spiritual wellness centre in London. They posted on Instagram earlier on Thursday saying they were about to board the flight from Ahmedabad airport. In the video, they were seen laughing and joking with each other about their trip to India.

Syed family

Facebook Javed Syed and Mariam Syed were on the flight with their two children

Also on the plane were Javed Syed and his wife Mariam, from west London. They were been onboard with their two young children. Mrs Syed worked at Harrods and Mr Syed worked at a west London hotel.

Ajay Kumar Ramesh

Ajay Kumar Ramesh was on the flight, sat alongside his brother, the British surviving passenger Vishwashkumar Ramesh. His cousin, Ajay Valgi, told the BBC that Vishwashkumar Ramesh had called his family to say he was "fine", but he did not know the whereabouts of his brother.

Vijay Rupani

Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Vijay Rupani, former chief minister of India's Gujarat state, was killed in the crash, the country's civil aviation minister told reporters. Rupani served as the chief minister of the western Indian state from 2016-21. He was a member of the governing BJP party.

Singson

A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 people crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, western India.

The airline says 241 people on the plane were killed - one passenger, a British national, survived and is receiving treatment in hospital.

Dramatic footage shows the aircraft taking off before coming down in a built-up area.

Plumes of black smoke are then seen rising high into the sky after an explosion. Authorities launched a major rescue operation.

Briton Vishwashkumar Ramesh survived the crash, and met the Indian home affairs minister in hospital.

Masonry thrown at police in Portadown in fourth night of NI disorder

27 minutes ago Share Save Catherine Doyle BBC News NI Share Save

Reuters

There was disorder in Northern Ireland for the fourth night in a row but at a lower level than seen earlier this week. In Portadown, County Armagh, on Thursday a crowd pulled bricks and masonry from a derelict building which they threw at police. During the first three days of violence, which began in Ballymena, 41 officers were injured. Fifteen people have been arrested so far. The disorder started on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.

In Portadown, police put out a warning on loudspeakers that they would fire baton rounds if the crowd did not disperse. There is a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown where around 400 protesters have gathered.

Reuters Police extinguish a fire in Portadown on Thursday night

More than 20 police vehicles are parked along the main street and officers in riot gear have blocked a number of roads. There was a peaceful protest earlier in the town but some disturbances developed, with masonry, including an empty beer keg, being thrown at police. A police helicopter also hovered over the town centre and officers had to extinguish a number of fires. Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Jonathan Buckley called for "calm". He said: "Nobody wants to see violence on our streets no matter where they come from in Northern Ireland. The scenes over the past few days have been disturbing." Earlier, a housing association warned its residents to leave their homes and take measures to protect their properties ahead of the protest.

There is a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown

Meanwhile in Ballymena, there is also a police presence, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area, with a number of landrovers parked at locations where there had previously been trouble. However, after three nights of violent disorder, the rioters appear to have stayed away.

An anti-racism protest in west Belfast

On Thursday evening, around 100 people turned up at an anti-racism protest in west Belfast. Members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) trade union and representatives from People Before Profit addressed the crowd. Also there, a number of people wearing black face coverings. It passed off peacefully.

'Families hid in attics'

In a press conference earlier, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable has said families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena this week. Jon Boutcher described the violence as "racist", adding "the people who are threatening families who are different to them - that is racism". Mr Boutcher said after a peaceful protest was "hijacked" on Monday evening, police and the fire service had to help families "who have done nothing wrong". He added that: "We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland. "These bigots and racists will not win the day."

PA Media The Chief Constable Jon Boutcher says "Don't come out onto the streets tonight"

The first protest was organised hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court. They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages. Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges. Mr Boutcher said in addition to the two teenagers who have been arrested and charged, there was "a third suspect who is currently outside the jurisdiction". "We will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction," he added. Mr Boutcher said the family of the young girl wanted the violence to stop. "She's been further traumatised by what has happened over the last three nights," he said.

Police have described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple" and targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement. Over the three days in Ballymena, police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. Mr Boutcher called on those involved to stop and warned there would be prosecutions. "Don't come out onto the streets tonight. If you do we will police you, and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system. "We'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them." He said that three young people were in court in Ballymena on Thursday and remanded into custody for "these disturbances".

Jody Esguerra has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay

Jody Esguerra is an outreach worker for the Filipino community and has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay. He said he received reports of a family that was "stuck inside" their home with "mobs and protesters" trying to enter, while "smashing the windows and throwing projectiles". "They're scared for their lives", he said, and added that they don't feel "welcome" anymore. He said the family "didn't expect any of this to happen". They were woken up by "loud noises" and realised people were "throwing rocks at their door… and all tried to hide". The Social Democrat and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna described the scenes in Ballymena over the past few days as "dystopian". "It was one of the most disturbing things I've seen in this very, very challenged place," she said.

The Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma says "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained"

Mukesh Sharma, the chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "This violence is racism – pure and simple." He said: "It is hard to find the words to describe the scenes of vitriol and hatred on our streets," adding that it is "mindless violence that is simply wrecking communities". "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained."

Watch: Leisure centre set on fire in third night of violence in Northern Ireland

On Wednesday, the PSNI confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas affected. Police Scotland has agreed to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements. In Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire on Wednesday. The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier in the week, the council said. There have also been incidents in Carrickfergus, Coleraine, north Belfast and Newtownabbey.

Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill said the disorder was "racism in its rawest"

Legal win for son tricked into moving to Africa by parents

Unhappy and homesick in Ghana, the boy found lawyers and brought a case against his parents to the High Court in London, which ruled against him in February . On Thursday, he won a Court of Appeal bid, so the case will be reheard.

In fact, his parents wanted to get him out of London as they feared he was being drawn into criminal activity.

The 14-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, was taken from London to Ghana in March 2024 after being told a relative was ill.

A teenager who was tricked into going to boarding school in Africa has won a significant legal victory against his own parents.

The most senior judge in the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, said there had been confusion in the previous decision.

"We have become more and more concerned as to the exercise the judge undertook," he added.

"For those reasons - we are agreed remittal should be allowed."

He urged the family to find a solution through constructive dialogue.

At the hearing, the boy's barrister, Deirdre Fottrell KC, said he is "desperate" to return to the UK.

"He is culturally displaced and alienated," she said.

"He considers himself abandoned by his family. He feels he is a British boy, a London boy."

The boy remains in Ghana and has been attending a day school there.

His solicitor, James Netto, described the appeal ruling as a "hugely significant" decision that would "resonate across international family law."

He said: "We are very pleased indeed that the Court of Appeal has allowed our client's appeal, and has recognised the critical importance of listening to and assessing the voices of young people at the heart of legal proceedings that profoundly affect their lives."

The parents' barrister, Rebecca Foulkes, said that staying in Ghana was the "least harmful" option for the boy.

"The parents found themselves in a wholly invidious decision when they made the decision they made," she said.

"Ghana provided a safe haven, separate from those who exposed him to risk.

"The least harmful option is for him to remain in Ghana."

At the heart of the case is the tension between conflicting legal entitlements - the parents' responsibility for their child, and the child's own rights to make decisions about what happens to them.

The High Court had ruled the parents could send the boy to Ghana. But the Court of Appeal found that judge had not taken sufficient account of the boy's own best interests and welfare, given he had recognised the boy was mature enough to make certain decisions for himself.

The boy previously told the court that he felt like he was "living in hell".

He said he was "mocked" at the school in Ghana and "could also barely understand what was going on".

During the previous judgment, High Court judge Mr Justice Hayden said the parents' wish for their son to move to Ghana was "driven by their deep, obvious and unconditional love".

He found that the boy, who had lived in the UK since birth, was at risk of suffering greater harm by returning to London.

He said that the boy's parents believe "and in my judgement with reason" that their son has "at very least peripheral involvement with gang culture and has exhibited an unhealthy interest in knives".

Sir Andrew said the case will now be reheard by a different judge, with the next hearing planned to take place in the next few weeks.

A full decision will be given in writing at a later date.

US senator dragged out of LA immigration news conference

55 minutes ago Share Save Ali Abbas Ahmadi & Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu BBC News Share Save

Watch: Moment US Senator forcibly removed from Noem press conference

Democratic US Senator Alex Padilla has been forcibly removed from a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. Noem was offering the latest figures on immigration enforcement in the area, which has led to nearly a week of protests in the city, to members of the news media when Sen Padilla interrupted and started shouting a question. Once removed from the room, the California senator was handcuffed. Padilla's removal caused condemnation on both sides of the aisle, with fellow senators calling the arrest shocking and a "sickening disgrace" and the Trump administration dubbing it "disrespectful political theatre".

"I'm Senator Alex Padilla," he said as he was confronted by authorities. "I have questions for the secretary!" Noem, who was speaking about immigration and the protests in LA, continued addressing reporters and law enforcement officers while the senator was ejected from the room. Padilla's office said he was "forced to the ground and handcuffed" by federal agents when trying to ask the secretary a question, and added that he was not currently being detained. The Department of Homeland Security said Padilla had engaged in "disrespectful political theatre" and that Noem met with the senator after the news briefing. LA Mayor Karen Bass called the incident "absolutely abhorrent and outrageous", adding that the Trump administration's "violent attacks on our city must end".

Padilla told reporters that he was already in the federal building for a previously scheduled meeting. He said he stopped by Noem's news briefing because he and his colleagues have received "little to no information in response" to several immigration-related queries. Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants, is the most senior Democrat on the Senate's Border Security and Immigration subcommittee. "I came to the press conference to hear what she had to say, to see if I could learn any new additional information," he said. "If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day labourers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country." He urged Americans across the country to "continue peacefully protesting" the Trump administration and its policies. The DHS in a statement said Padilla didn't identify himself and was not wearing the Senator's pin on his clothing so officers thought he was an attacker. Video footage of the incident shows Padilla saying he was he was a senator as he was being pushed outside the room.

Dua Lipa confirms engagement to Callum Turner

Callum Turner and Dua Lipa went to this year's Met Gala together

Dua Lipa has confirmed that she's engaged to actor Callum Turner, saying it's "a really special feeling".

The singer, 29, has been with 35-year-old Londoner Turner for almost a year and a half.

He's best known for roles in Fantastic Beasts and Masters of the Air, and was Bafta nominated in 2020 for BBC One's The Capture.

"Yeah, we're engaged," she told British Vogue. "It's very exciting. This decision to grow old together, to see a life and just, I don't know, be best friends forever - it's a really special feeling."

Tottenham have appointed Brentford boss Thomas Frank as their head coach on a deal until 2028.

The 51-year-old Dane replaces Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked earlier this month despite leading Spurs to victory in the Europa League final in May.

Frank spent seven years in charge of Brentford, guiding the club from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021.

He is Tottenham's fourth permanent manager since June 2021.

Spurs finished 17th in the top flight last season, losing 22 of their 38 matches and finishing seven places and 18 points below Brentford.

However, they have qualified for next season's Champions League after beating Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao - their first major trophy for 17 years.

Justin Cochrane will join Frank at Tottenham as the Dane's assistant, despite efforts from the Bees to keep hold of the England coach.

Frank has also brought head of performance Chris Haslam and first-team analyst Joe Newton with him from Brentford, while another assistant coach, Andreas Georgson, arrives from Manchester United.

'Masterful' romance novel wins Women's Prize for Fiction

4 hours ago Share Save Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter Share Save

Getty Images Yael van der Wouden's novel The Safekeep was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize last year

This year's Women's Prize for Fiction has been awarded to Dutch author Yael van der Wouden for The Safekeep, a novel about an unlikely romance in the Netherlands in the 1960s. The judges called the book an "astonishing debut... a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity". The story follows a reclusive woman whose brother asks if his girlfriend can move in with her for the summer. Initially repulsed by her new housemate, a closer relationship gradually develops between the two women. The Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, meanwhile, went to Dr Rachel Clarke for The Story of a Heart, an exploration of two families on either side of an organ donation.

The winners were announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday, and will receive £30,000 each.

Author Kit de Waal, chair of judges for the fiction award, described The Safekeep as a "classic in the making" which would be "loved and appreciated for generations to come". "Books like this don't come along every day," she said. "Every word is perfectly placed, page after page revealing an aspect of war and the Holocaust that has been, until now, mostly unexplored in fiction. "It is also a love story with beautifully rendered intimate scenes written with delicacy and compelling eroticism."

Getty Images The judges said Dr Rachel Clarke's book about organ donation "left a deep and long-lasting impression" on the panel

The Story of a Heart, which won the non-fiction prize, focuses on two family stories involved in organ donation. It follows the family of a nine-year-old girl named Kiera who dies an a car accident, and a nine-year-old boy, Max, who faces heart failure due to a viral infection. The book depicts the expertise and dedication of the medical staff who look after Kiera in her final hours, and use her organs to offer Max a new life. Kavita Puri, chair of judges for the non-fiction prize, said it had "left a deep and long-lasting impression" on the panel. "Clarke's writing is authoritative, beautiful and compassionate. The research is meticulous, and the storytelling is expertly crafted," she said. "She holds this precious story with great care and tells it with dignity, interweaving the history of transplant surgery seamlessly." The book, Dr Clarke's fourth, was adapted into an ITV series in 2024.

Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist

Good Girl by Aria Aber

All Fours by Miranda July

The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

Women's Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist

Bangladesh leader declines to meet Tulip Siddiq

8 hours ago Share Save Joshua Nevett Political reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan Correspondent Junaid Ahmed Senior journalist Share Save

Reuters

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has refused to meet Labour MP Tulip Siddiq to discuss corruption allegations against her during his visit to London. Yunus told the BBC the allegations were a "court matter" and said he had confidence in Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which is investigating Siddiq. The ACC has accused Siddiq of illegally receiving land from the regime of her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as Bangladesh's prime minister last year. Siddiq, a former Treasury minister, has denied the allegations and accused the Bangladeshi authorities of a "politically motivated smear campaign".

In a letter, Siddiq requested a meeting with Yunus, a Nobel-prize winning economist who has led an interim government in Bangladesh since a student-led protest movement toppled Hasina from power. Siddiq said a meeting "might also help clear up the misunderstanding perpetuated by the Anti-Corruption Commission in Dhaka". In an interview with the BBC, Yunus was asked whether he would meet Siddiq during his four-day visit to the UK this week. "No I'm not because it's a legal procedure," Yunus said. "I don't want to interrupt a legal procedure. Let the procedure continue." Siddiq has argued Bangladeshi authorities have not provided any evidence to back up their allegations and refuse to engage with her lawyers. Responding to those arguments, Yunus said: "It's a court matter. "A court will decide if enough materials are available to pursue the case or cancel it". When asked if prosecutors in Bangladesh needed to be more transparent and provide evidence of wrongdoing to Siddiq, Yunus said: "As chief adviser I have full confidence in our Anti-Corruption Commission and they are doing the right thing." On the question of whether he would seek Siddiq's extradition if she was found guilty of any crimes in Bangladesh, Yunus said: "If it is part of the legal procedure, of course."

'Fantasy accusations'

In a statement, Siddiq said she was disappointed Yunus had refused to meet her. She said: "He's been at the heart of a political vendetta based on fantasy accusations with no evidence relentlessly briefed to the media. "If this was a serious legal process they would engage with my lawyers rather than sending bogus correspondence to an address in Dhaka where I have never lived. "I hope he is now serious about ending the practice of smearing me in the press and allowing the courts to establish that their investigations have nothing to do with me - a British citizen and a proud member of the UK Parliament." Siddiq quit her ministerial post earlier this year, following an investigation into the allegations by the prime minister's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus. In his report, Sir Laurie said he had "not identified evidence of improprieties". But he said it was "regrettable" that Siddiq had not been more alert to the "potential reputational risks" of her ties to her aunt, who is leader of Awami League party in Bangladesh. Bangladesh authorities estimate that about $234bn (£174bn) was siphoned off from Bangladesh through corrupt means while Hasina was in power. The Bangladeshi authorities allege that much of this money has been stashed or spent in the UK.

PA Tulip Siddiq has denied the allegations

RFK Jr appoints new US vaccine advisers after sacking committee

Health experts have criticised his questioning of the safety and efficacy of vaccines, although he previously told the Senate he is "not going to take them away".

Kennedy said the new members "have each committed to demanding definitive safety and efficacy data before making any new vaccine recommendations."

In an announcement on X, Kennedy, a vaccine sceptic, said reconstituting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) was a "major step towards restoring public trust in vaccines".

US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has appointed eight new people to the committee that issues official government recommendations on immunisations, days after removing all 17 previous members.

Kennedy named the new members as Joseph R Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Robert W Malone, Cody Meissner, James Pagano, Vicky Pebsworth and Michael A Ross to the committee.

Some of new members are close allies of Kennedy and have histories of vaccine scepticism.

Dr Malone was accused of spreading misinformation about the mRNA vaccines during the pandemic, while Dr Kulldorf claimed he was fired from his position at Harvard university for criticising the university's Covid-19 requirements.

Kennedy praised the new members in his announcement, saying this slate includes "highly credentialed scientists, leading public-health experts, and some of America's most accomplished physicians", he said in his post.

"All of these individuals are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense," the health secretary added.

Dr Jason Goldman, the president of the American College of Physicians, criticised the new committee.

"The speed with which these members were selected, and the lack of transparency in the process, does not help to restore public confidence and trust, and contributes to confusion and uncertainty," he said in a statement to CBS, the BBC's American news partner.

On Monday, Kennedy announced in a Wall Street Journal editorial that he was "retiring" all 17 members of the Acip over conflicts of interest.

Eight of them were appointed in January 2025, in the last days of President Biden's term.

He noted that if he did not remove the committee members, President Trump would not have been able to appoint a majority on the panel until 2028.

"The committee has been plagued with persistent conflicts of interest and has become little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine," Kennedy wrote.

However, critics and former members said the board adhered to rigorous conflict of interest and ethical standards.

Kennedy claimed that health authorities and drug companies were responsible for a "crisis of public trust" that some try to explain "by blaming misinformation or antiscience attitudes."

After the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves vaccines based on whether the benefits of the shot outweigh the risks, Acip recommends which groups should be given the shots and when, which also determines insurance coverage of the shots.

What does the Air India crash mean for Boeing?

Barring the very notable exception of the Boeing 737 Max crashes, he said, most were down to human error in the cockpit.

Various theories have been posited as to what could have caused the crash in Ahmedabad, but one pilot I spoke to said that nowadays it's rare for a manufacturer fault to cause a fatal incident.

So far, there is nothing to suggest any fault on Boeing's side today in India. A much fuller picture will come once the plane's black boxes - the electronic recording devices that store vital flight information - have been recovered.

A software fault was found to have caused those incidents and the model was grounded worldwide for 18 months.

This is a different plane from the Boeing 737 Max , which was in the headlines after fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed hundreds of people in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Last month, Boeing celebrated carrying its billionth passenger on the 787 Dreamliner - an impressive feat given it only launched 14 years ago. Until today's tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the model was a mainstay of intercontinental travel and had an exemplary safety record.

It's also important to remember that when you fly commercially, you will almost always either be on a Boeing or an Airbus model as the plane-making industry operates as an effective duopoly.

Even so, Boeing has found its name associated with yet another tragic aviation incident.

The company said its "thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected" and added that it was working with Air India to gather more information on the crash.

When stock markets opened in New York on Thursday, Boeing shares dropped 5%.

The tragedy is another problem for a firm that lost nearly a billion dollars a month last year, as it grappled with a safety crisis, quality control issues, as well as a damaging workers' strike which lasted seven weeks.

After one of its doors flew off midway through an Alaska Airlines flight in 2024, Boeing was forced to pay $160m (£126m) in compensation.

Before that, the company also reached a $428m settlement with Southwest Airlines for the financial damages caused by the long-term grounding of its 737 Max fleet.

In addition to severe financial issues, Boeing has faced serious questions over its safety practices. In April, the company said it had seen "improved operational performance" from "our ongoing focus on safety and quality".

In 2019, a former employee told the BBC that under-pressure workers had been deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft on the production line.

John Barnett, who worked as a quality control manager during his more than 30 years at Boeing, took his own life in March last year. Boeing denied his assertions.

Another whistleblower, engineer Sam Salehpour, told US politicians that he was harassed and threatened after he raised concerns about the safety of Boeing's planes.

Boeing said retaliation was "strictly prohibited" and it had seen a "more than 500% increase" in reports from employees since January, "which signals progress toward a robust reporting culture that is not fearful of retaliation".

Boeing has also been embroiled in a series of legal battles related to the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Last month, the firm narrowly avoiding criminal prosecution by coming to an agreement with the US Department of Justice (DoJ).

To the dismay of victims' families, the DoJ said Boeing would admit to "conspiracy to obstruct and impede" an investigation by the US Federal Aviation Administration and would pay more than $1.1bn in fines.

Unsurprisingly, Boeing's top executive team has undergone a pretty significant shake-up over the past couple of years.

Its new boss, Kelly Ortberg, came out of retirement a year ago to try to revive the ailing company.

He has promised an improvement to Boeing's safety culture and recently said he was confident the aviation giant would soon return to profitability.

Today he faces more awful news to navigate.

Hamas faces leadership vacuum at critical time with demise of Gaza 'War Council'

6 hours ago Share Save Rushdi Abualouf Gaza correspondent Reporting from Cairo Share Save

IDF/Reuters/EPA Clockwise from top left: Late Hamas leaders Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa

With the confirmed killing of Hamas's top military commander Mohammad Sinwar in an Israeli strike, a chapter has closed on the elite leadership group in Gaza that orchestrated the events of 7 October, 2023. Sinwar's demise follows the confirmed killings of other central figures who sat on what came to be known inside Hamas as the War Council. Sinwar, his brother Yahya, Marwan Issa and a fifth unidentified figure formed the clandestine core that decided on and directed the unprecedented assault on Israel - one which shook the region and set off the conflict still unfolding in Gaza. The War Council, sometimes also known as the Quintet Council, operated under conditions of extreme security and secrecy. Direct meetings between its members were exceedingly rare. Instead, communication occurred through older technology deemed more secure, like cable phones, or via trusted intermediaries, all in an effort to minimise the risk of interception or detection. This level of secrecy was not just tactical: it reflected the council's critical role in Hamas's strategic decision-making, especially in preparation for what became the most complex and deadly attack in the organisation's history.

Reuters The Israeli military said Mohammed Sinwar was killed last month in a strike on a tunnel underneath the compound of the European hospital in Khan Younis

The known members of the council included: Mohammed Deif - the commander of Hamas's military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, who is believed to have masterminded the 7 October attack. He was killed in an Israeli air strike in July 2024

- the commander of Hamas's military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, who is believed to have masterminded the 7 October attack. He was killed in an Israeli air strike in July 2024 Yahya Sinwar - the political leader of Hamas in Gaza and its most influential decision-maker in recent years. He was killed in a firefight with Israeli troops in October 2024

- the political leader of Hamas in Gaza and its most influential decision-maker in recent years. He was killed in a firefight with Israeli troops in October 2024 Mohammad Sinwar - a senior military figure and Deif's trusted lieutenant. Israel said this week that it had identified his body in Gaza following an air strike in May

- a senior military figure and Deif's trusted lieutenant. Israel said this week that it had identified his body in Gaza following an air strike in May Marwan Issa - Deif's deputy and a vital link between Hamas's military and political spheres. He was killed in an Israeli air strike in March 2024

- Deif's deputy and a vital link between Hamas's military and political spheres. He was killed in an Israeli air strike in March 2024 A fifth figure - whose identity remains unknown to the public - who was in charge of organising Hamas's security apparatus. He was targeted in assassination attempts before the war and an air strike during it, and suffered such severe injuries that he can no longer communicate or carry out any activities, according to one source

The 7 October attack marked a seismic shift in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The scale and brutality of the attack stunned observers worldwide - not just for its immediate impact, but for its unprecedented scale. Hamas's military preparations took years - including extensive tunnel construction and the steady accumulation of rockets and weapons - but few analysts, regional actors, or even rival Palestinian factions foresaw the magnitude of the offensive. The group had long maintained strict control over Gazans and had often imposed harsh economic measures, including heavy taxes, on an already impoverished population to fund its military build-up. Yet even within the movement, there appears to have been a limited understanding of the scale and consequences of the plan hatched by the War Council.

Reuters Gaza has been devastated by 20 month of war, triggered by Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel

Its demise raises a profound question: what exactly drove its members to pursue a course that many Palestinians have described as politically suicidal? With Israel's overwhelming military response and the international isolation that followed, the 7 October attack has increasingly been viewed as a desperate gamble - one that lacked a clear political exit strategy and led to massive suffering for Gaza's civilian population. Now, with most of the core decision-makers dead, uncovering the deeper motivations and strategic calculus behind the attack may no longer be possible. What internal debates occurred within the council? Were there dissenting voices? Was this a bid for regional relevance, a provocation timed with regional shifts, or a last-ditch effort to break a long-standing siege? Answers to these questions may have died with the men who conceived the plan. The dismantling of the war council leaves Hamas facing a potential leadership vacuum at a critical time. Its military capabilities have been severely degraded, its political leadership - who operated out of Qatar until November 2024, after which their whereabouts became unclear - is under intense pressure, and its traditional mechanisms of control within Gaza have been deeply disrupted.

Reuters Armed Hamas fighters in uniforms attended Marwan Issa's funeral in central Gaza during a ceasefire in February

No safeguards when kickboxer, 15, died - coroner

6 hours ago Share Save Anna Jameson BBC News Reporting from Bolton Coroners' Court Paul Burnell BBC News, Liverpool Share Save

Family handout Alex Eastwood suffered a severe traumatic head injury during a kickboxing match, the coroner concludes

A 15-year-old three-time world kickboxing champion died from a severe traumatic brain injury after an unsanctioned fight which had no safeguards, a coroner has ruled. Alex Eastwood, from Fazakerley, Liverpool, suddenly collapsed after the charity bout in Wigan against a 17-year-old opponent and died three days later, on 29 June last year. Coroner Michael Pemberton said the fight was unsanctioned and the safeguards that were meant to exist "simply didn't". He described the regulation of kickboxing as "chaotic and disjointed". Alex's family said the inquest had made clear his death was "not a tragic accident", but was "a failure of safeguarding and regulation".

Mr Pemberton, who returned a finding of misadventure, had already taken the unusual step of writing a Prevention of Future Death Report airing his concerns about a lack of regulatory guidance in terms of any child combat sports. He said: "During the course of this hearing the evidence has reflected a chaotic and somewhat disjointed approach in which I'm not satisfied participants or parents are made fully aware of the risks that may ensue." Kickboxing GB, one of the governing bodies of the sport, said while it did not sanction the Wigan fight, it would consider the coroner's findings carefully and "review policies and procedures accordingly".

'Sub-optimal planning'

Alex, who had just finished his GCSEs at Archbishop Beck RC High School, fought three rounds at the TKMA Gym before becoming seriously unwell. The coroner said emergency services had done everything they could to try to save him. Addressing the boy's parents, Mr Pemberton said: "The circumstances of this tragic case have left many numb. "I'm sure there will be an encore of issues to seek changes on as part of his legacy." He referred to the lack of pre-bout meeting between the fighters, referee and coaches to lay down the "ground rules" for the bout. The inquest heard Dale Bannister, organiser and owner of the TKMA gym, said the "ground rules" for the match had been agreed during social media exchanges between himself and Alex's coach as a "light contact" fight. But the coroner said: "The planning of the event and lack of risk assessment was sub-optimal in this regard."

Anna Jameson/BBC The Eastwood family are calling for "national protections"

Outside the hearing, Alex's step-mother Nikita Eastwood said: "No child should go into a gym to do something they love and not come home. "What happened to him was not just a tragic accident - the inquest has made clear to us that it was a failure of safeguarding, of responsibility, and of regulation. "Alex died after a fight that we now see should never have happened." She said there had been no national governing body involvement, and no clear or enforced safety standards, adding: "Alex's death must be a line in the sand so that these failures change."

Family handout/PA Alex's coach said he was "exceptionally talented"

The family called for "national protections for children in combat sports". Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has written to the coroner and said officials in her department were now looking at the best way to address the concerns raised about the safety of children taking part in combat sports. Ian Hollett, Alex's coach from Hurricane Combat and Fitness said the club was "utterly devastated" by the loss of a "wonderful, kind and exceptionally talented boy". He added: "We thank the coroner for his thorough investigation and fully welcome any recommendations made that will help prevent another tragedy like this happening again." The club's solicitor, David Pearson, said: "This unimaginable tragedy has brought into sharp focus the need for further regulation in all combat sports involving children across the country." Kickboxing GB said: "Whilst the event which Alex attended was not a Kickboxing GB sanctioned event, we have provided assistance to the coroner throughout this inquest." The body said it would consider the coroner's findings carefully and "review policies and procedures accordingly".

Air India crash 'sole survivor' and 'miracle of seat 11A'

37 minutes ago Share Save Share Save

The crash of London-bound Air India flight 171 in Ahmedabad dominates the Friday headlines. The Sun leads with the "miracle Brit in seat 11A", the seat of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a father from Leicester who was the only survivor of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash which killed all the other 241 passengers and crew on board.

The Daily Telegraph also leads with the "miracle of seat 11A", and says the crash - in which 52 Britons died - is the UK's worst air disaster since 1985. Experts suggest the crash could have been caused by engine failure, bird strike, or a problem with the position of the wing, the paper reports.

"Miracle of seat 11A" is also the lead for the Daily Star, which reports that Mr Ramesh's family said "he had no idea how he walked away from the wreckage".

Mr Ramesh survived the crash "against all odds", says the Daily Mirror, which shows a photo of him walking away from the disaster scene.

The "miracle" of seat 11A also fronts the Daily Express.

The worst aviation disaster in more than a decade will pile "new pressure... on Boeing", writes the Financial Times. It is the first crash of the Boeing 787 model since it entered service in 2011, but comes as the company has tried to "rebuild trust" following two fatal crashes of its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

The Times reports on the crash's "sole survivor" as well as other victims, including a family from Northamptonshire, and a couple and their two young children from Gloucester. King Charles III said he was "desperately shocked" by the disaster, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was "heartbreaking".

Metro also leads with Mr Ramesh, who the paper reports "appeared dazed and startled" as he was led away from the disaster scene by police. Mr Ramesh's brother was also on board and is believed to be among the 241 other passengers who died.

"British man walks away from crash that kills hundreds," is the lead for the i Paper, which writes that the victims included 169 Indians, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. Dozens more were killed on the ground when the crash sent a "huge fireball" into the sky.

A photo of Mr Ramesh's boarding pass, with seat 11A circled, is on the front page of the Daily Mail. The paper reports he called his family after he "emerged limping from the smouldering wreck" and told them: "I don't know how I'm alive."

The aircraft smashed into a hostel housing "medical students, doctors and their families", reports the Guardian.

Mistrial declared on rape charge in Weinstein case after juror won't return to jury room

Thursday's mistrial came after Weinstein's earlier sex crimes conviction in the state was overturned last year, leading to new charges last September.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said after the mistrial was announced that his office plans to retry the rape charge again - meaning a third trial for Weinstein in New York.

The jury had found Weinstein guilty of one count of sexual assault and not guilty of another count on Wednesday, but kept deliberating about a final rape charge.

A New York judge declared a mistrial on a rape charge in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes trial after one juror refused to continue deliberations over an alleged attack in 2013 on actress Jessica Mann.

The rape charge was brought by actress Jessica Mann, who said in a statement on Thursday that she was prepared to testify again.

"I have told the District Attorney I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served," she said. "Today is not the end of my fight."

At a news conference, Bragg said that after the judge declared a mistrial, he "immediately informed the court that we are ready to go forward to trial again on that charge, after conferring with Jessica Mann".

A panel of seven female and five male jurors deliberated for six days in the six-week trial before one juror on Thursday declined to continue discussions.

Deliberations in the trial were plagued with tensions. The jury foreperson brought concerns to the judge earlier this week, saying jurors were "attacking" one another and trying to change his mind.

On Wednesday, he brought more complaints to the judge, indicating that "at least one other juror made comments to the effect of 'I'll meet you outside one day,' and there's yelling and screaming", Judge Curtis Farber told the court.

On Thursday, the foreperson said he would not go back to the jury room to deliberate because he was afraid of others yelling at him, so the judge declared a mistrial on the last rape charge.

"Sometimes jury deliberations become heated. I understand this particular deliberation was more needed than some others," Judge Farber told the 12-person jury, according to US media.

In a statement, a Weinstein spokesperson said his team believed the conviction would be "set aside" due to "gross juror misconduct".

"8 years, dozens of accusers, three trials, one conviction," spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said. "Harvey is disappointed in the single verdict, but hasn't loss faith or the heart to continue fighting to clear his name."

An appeals court overturned Weinstein's previous conviction for sex crimes in New York last April, finding the 73-year-old did not receive a fair trial in 2020 because a judge allowed testimony from women who made allegations against him beyond the charges at hand.

The 2025 trial was based on the testimony of three women - Ms Mann, former television production assistant Miriam Haley, and Polish model Kaja Sokola. All three accused Weinstein of using his power in the entertainment industry to sexually abuse them. Ms Haley and Ms Mann both testified in the first trial against Weinstein, when he was found guilty.

This time, the jury found Weinstein guilty of sexually assaulting Ms Haley, but acquitted him of assaulting Ms Sokola.

The latest conviction is in addition to a 16-year sentence that Weinstein has yet to serve after being convicted of sex crimes in Los Angeles.

Jury deliberations proved tense last week as well, when one juror said others were "shunning" one member of the panel, calling it "playground stuff".

The foreperson also claimed jurors were considering Weinstein's past and other allegations outside the realm of the case in making decisions.

This led the judge to give the jury an instruction about only considering the allegations in the case, and nothing else.

Weinstein - who has cancer and diabetes - stayed at Bellevue Hospital rather than Riker's Island jail during the trial. He sat in a wheelchair for the proceedings.

In total, Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct, assault and rape by more than 100 women. While not all reports resulted in criminal charges, the California conviction means he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Weinstein and his brother Bob were among the biggest figures in Hollywood, founding Miramax film studio, whose hits included Shakespeare in Love, which won the Oscar for best picture, and Pulp Fiction.

Spanish PM sorry for corruption scandal as opposition demands resignation

6 hours ago Share Save Paul Kirby Europe digital editor Share Save

OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP A downbeat Pedro Sánchez asked for the forgiveness of the Spanish people

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has apologised to the Spanish people after an escalating corruption scandal brought down a senior Socialist party colleague. Sánchez, who has led Spain since 2018, said there was no such thing as "zero corruption" and he sought to put to distance himself from the affair, ruling out early elections. Opposition conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said it was time for Sánchez to resign: "Survival is no longer an option." A downbeat Sánchez admitted he had been wrong to trust Santos Cerdán, the secretary of his Socialist party, and spoke of his deep disappointment.

Cerdán has been asked to testify in court after a judge suggested he may have acted with former party officials in improperly awarding public contracts in exchange for kickbacks. He said on Thursday he was stepping down to defend himself in the Supreme Court on 25 June, maintaining he had "never committed a crime nor have I been complicit one". Despite his seven years in power, Sánchez heads a shaky, minority coalition, secured after the conservative Popular Party won 2023 elections but failed to form a government. Amid mounting speculation over his own future, he called a news conference in a bid to head off the creeping scandal. In a statement followed by media questions, he said he knew absolutely nothing about the corruption affair and instead pledged to restructure the leadership of his Socialist PSOE party. "This is not about me, and it's not about the Socialist party," he said. His government would continue its "political project", insisting that no new elections would take place until 2027. However, Sánchez may face pressure from within his coalition, after deputy prime minister Yolanda Díaz from left-wing coalition partner Sumar said she also wanted explanations. The opposition Popular Party has been buoyed by a weekend rally in the centre of Madrid that attracted tens of thousands of supporters, calling for Sánchez to go under a slogan "mafia or democracy". Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo appealed to other coalition parties to abandon the prime minister. There was no possible firewall, he told reporters on Thursday: "Corruption is already the hallmark of this government and it must end."

Reuters Alberto Núñez Feijóo said it was time for early elections and the prime minister must go

Little over an hour earlier, Sánchez had made his first appearance answering media questions since a national power outage that hit Spain in April. Speaking from Socialist party (PSOE) national headquarters in Madrid, the prime minister said he had until Thursday morning been persuaded of Santos Cerdán's integrity and wanted to apologise to Spanish citizens. "There is no such thing as zero corruption, but there must be zero tolerance when it takes place," said Sánchez, the secretary-general of the PSOE. "We shouldn't have trusted him." Sanchez accuses the opposition of conducting a smear campaign. Like many others he said he had his faults and asked the Spanish people for forgiveness. He went on to accuse the conservatives of besieging his government on a multitude of issues and followed up his appearance with a message on social media, vowing to continue working for what he had always stood for: "clean politics and democratic renewal."

Watchdog warns allergy sufferers about Dubai chocolate

But a recent investigation by the BBC found several TikTok Shop users selling food without listing allergen information .

Dubai chocolate has become hugely popular fuelled by so-called "influencers" on TikTok, leading UK supermarkets such as Waitrose and Lidl to impose per person limits to meet demand.

The Food Standards Agency's chief scientific advisor said shoppers should stick to "trusted" retailers in the UK as the products they sell are more likely to be made for the domestic market.

The UK food watchdog has warned people with allergies not to buy imported Dubai chocolate if they have any doubts about ingredients because of different labelling standards.

UK businesses are legally required to declare if a product they sell contains one of the 14 regulated allergens - including nuts and milk.

The FSA found some imported Dubai-style chocolate products may not have been intended for sale in the UK and therefore lack a full ingredients list or allergen labelling that are legally required.

Professor Robin May, the FSA's chief chief scientific advisor, said: "Some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies."

He added: "As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here."

By law, products made to UK standards must have labels that have the ingredients written in English, the name of the food, a best before or use by date, and the name and address of a UK or European Union (EU) business that is responsible for information on the product.

If the food is not from the EU or UK then an importer must be listed.

The FSA said it had worked with local authorities to identify a number of Dubai chocolate products that posed a health risk to consumers with allergies.

It said some of these products may also contain additives and colours which aren't allowed to be sold in the UK.

The popular treat combines the flavours of chocolate, pistachio and tahini with filo pastry, and is inspired by the Arab dessert Knafeh.

The regulator is now sampling products to work out the scale of the problem.

It said shoppers should report any concerns to their local authority and is working with allergy charities to raise awareness.

Ukrainecast

Q&A: Russian POWs, counting casualties and DIY bomb shelters

Your questions answered on conditions for captives

Thomas Frank has a reputation within football as a manager who detects problems and finds solutions. Now he must solve the seemingly never-ending puzzle that is Tottenham Hotspur.

The dysfunctional nature of Spurs was graphically illustrated by chairman Daniel Levy's decision to follow his long-term habit of sacking managers who do not win trophies by sacking the one who finally did.

Ange Postecoglou may have ended the club's 17-year wait for success by winning the Europa League, but that was still not enough for Levy after a 17th-place finish in the Premier League.

Into this conundrum walks 51-year-old Frank - the charismatic and warm Dane who will swap the structure and stability of Brentford for the precarious, unwieldy beast that is Spurs.

It is a move laced with risk for Frank, because this is Spurs and his chairman will be Levy, but it is one his naturally confident nature will embrace and is a step up in profile his impressive work at Brentford has earned.

Frank has been hugely successful in establishing the Bees in the Premier League while playing high-intensity, entertaining football - catching the eye of hard-to-please Levy.

Other managers regularly speak in admiring tones about Frank's work, with the belief being that eventually he would leave Brentford to take on a high-pressure, high-profile job. Even six-time Premier League winner Pep Guardiola said it was "just a question of time".

The time is now.

The Champions League awaits, and so does a mission to revive Spurs as a Premier League force.

What is clear is they have turned to a man whose career remains on an upwards curve.

Frank's playing career may have only taken in the Danish amateur game - he even spent time working in a kindergarten - but he progressed successfully as a coach through the Denmark national youth teams to Brondby, before joining Brentford as an assistant in 2016, then succeeding Dean Smith as head coach two years later when Smith moved to Aston Villa.

That enabled Frank to build the body of work that attracted admiring glances before Spurs and Levy were finally in the position to lure him from Brentford, where he was such a beloved figure and where supporters will be heartbroken, even if they had guessed this day would eventually come.

Emma Raducanu swept aside Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova to reach the quarter-finals at Queen's and will regain her place as British number one for the first time in two years.

The Briton was largely untroubled against world number 41 Sramkova, winning 6-4 6-1 on a packed Andy Murray Arena.

The 22-year-old smiled between points after overcoming a wobble in the first set where she lost four games in a row while trying to seal the opener.

Raducanu is the last Briton standing at the first women's tournament at Queen's since 1973 after compatriots Katie Boulter and Heather Watson exited in the last 16 earlier on Thursday.

Watson lost 6-4 6-2 to 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, while Boulter fell 2-6 6-3 6-2 to Diana Shnaider and will now relinquish her title as British number one, which she has held since June 2023.

Raducanu, who will face Chinese top seed Zheng Qinwen next, only had to equal Boulter's run at Queen's to overtake her when the official rankings are updated on Monday.

She earned the position after winning the US Open in 2021 but slipped down the rankings after a period of inconsistent form and injury struggles in 2023, when Boulter replaced her.

The rivalry for top spot is perhaps not all that intense, though, as Raducanu wrote "long live Boultucanu" - a nod to their doubles partnership - on the camera lens after her victory, with the pair clearly firm friends.

George Mills set a UK record in the men's 5,000m as he finished fourth in a lightning-fast race at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo.

Mills, 26, led at the bell but was passed in the final 400m as Nico Young of the United States came through to win in a personal best of 12 minutes 45.27 seconds.

Mills clocked 12:46.59 to beat Sir Mo Farah's previous UK best of 12:53.11 which had stood since 2011.

In doing so, Mills took 12 seconds off his own personal best.

The race was seen as an assault on the world record, and while the field were ultimately 10 seconds off the mark set by Joshua Cheptegei in 2020, Young's time was the second best this year, with even 10th-placed Dominic Lobalu setting a Swiss record.

Mills said of his own record run: "The national record was definitely one of the things I came for.

"The race was stacked and billed as a world record attempt, so to be in the mix was important. My target for the season is a global medal and this shows I am in the right space."

South Africa's players have "massive belief" they can pull off a sensational victory in the World Test Championship final, says batter David Bedingham.

Australia initially put themselves in a strong position on day two, dismissing the Proteas for 138 in response to their own first-innings total of 212.

But South Africa roared back into the contest in the second half of the day as Australia collapsed to 144-8 - a lead of 218 - to leave the match on a knife edge.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said the contest is "50-50" in terms of who will emerge as victor.

And Bedingham, who top scored for South Africa in their first innings with 45, said his side will not be daunted but instead relish an "amazing chance" to secure a famous win at the home of cricket.

"We're all very, very excited about the opportunity to win. It could go either way," Bedingham said.

"When they started batting in their second innings, I think we would have definitely taken 144-8.

"So we are very confident and I think there's a massive belief in this team."

If Australia fail to add any more runs on day three South Africa would still be facing the fifth-highest Test run chase in Lord's history.

Bedingham believes a positive approach from his side's batters will be the best way to take on the challenge when they get the opportunity to bat on day three.

"I think we definitely showed more intent today. I think that will probably be the way we go about it," he added.

"The main thing is just to 100% commit if you're defending or attacking. As soon as you get caught in two minds against these attacks, I think you get found out."

Pat Cummins takes his 300th Test wicket before South Africa fight back with the ball to leave Australia on 144-8 in the second innings of the ICC Test Championship final at Lord's - a lead of 218 heading into day three.

MATCH REPORT: ICC Test Championship final - South Africa vs Australia day two

Available to UK users only.