The Life, Loss, and Legacy of Kevin Campbell

Family members and team-mates open up about the life and death of Kevin Campbell.

23 mins

Kyiv hit by barrage of drone strikes as Putin spurns Trump's truce bid

22 minutes ago Share Save Paul Adams BBC News Reporting from Kyiv Jessica Rawnsley BBC News Share Save

DSNS The latest Russian attack broke another record with 550 missiles raining down on Ukraine overnight

A pall of acrid smoke hung over Kyiv on Friday morning following a night of intensive Russian strikes that hit almost every district of the capital, according to Ukrainian authorities. The hours of darkness were once again punctuated by the staccato of air defence guns, buzz of drones and large explosions. Ukraine said Russia had fired a record 550 drones and 11 missiles during a long night of bombardment. The strikes came hours after a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, after which the US president said he was "disappointed" that Putin was not ready to end Russia's war against Ukraine. A woman was killed in Russia following Ukrainian drone attacks, officials said.

The acting governor of the southern Rostov region said she had been killed in a strike on a village not far from the Ukrainian border. Russia's overnight air strikes broke another record, Ukraine's air force said, with 72 of the 550 drones penetrating air defences - up from a previous record of 537 launched last Saturday night. Air raid alerts sounded for more than eight hours as several waves of attacks struck Kyiv, the "main target of the strikes", the air force said on the messaging app Telegram. Ukraine's foreign minister condemned "one of the worst" nights in the capital and said "Moscow must be slapped with the toughest sanctions without delay". "Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv. One of the worst so far," wrote Andrii Sybiha on X. Noting that it came directly after Putin's call with Trump, Sybiha added that "[Putin] does it on purpose" and "clearly shows his disregard for the United States and everyone who has called for an end to the war". Footage shared on social media by Ukraine's state emergency service showed firefighters battling to extinguish fires in Kyiv after Russia's large-scale overnight attack. At least 23 people were wounded in the attacks on Kyiv, according to Ukrainian authorities, with railway infrastructure damaged and buildings and cars set ablaze across the capital.

Explosions over Kyiv sky after Russia launches drone attack

British Bulldogs to mobile phones - your banknote redesign ideas

14 minutes ago Share Save Kevin Peachey Cost of living correspondent Share Save

Julie Dudley the dog is unlikely to feature, but animals are a popular suggestion

While cash might not be as popular as it once was, the opportunity to fashion the next series of banknotes has got brains whirring and tails wagging. Within a day of reporting on the Bank of England's public invitation to influence a major redesign of banknotes, there were more than 2,000 responses to Your Voice, Your BBC on the issue. Dudley the British Bulldog, pictured on Cawsand Beach in Cornwall, will be one of the least likely contenders, despite being described as a "national treasure" by his owner Julie, from Plymouth. But animals and nature, as well as railways and TV nostalgia have featured strongly among the ideas.

Images of historical characters, starting with William Shakespeare, have featured on Bank of England notes since 1970. Now, the Bank's chief cashier Victoria Cleland has suggested images on the next set of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes could stick with notable figures of the past or move on to a new theme, as is seen on banknotes issued in Scotland, Nothern Ireland and around the world. The Bank is giving people a month to select from certain themes, such as architecture, innovation or the arts, or suggest their own topics. The Bank has not commented on the number of entries so far, but - if responses to the BBC are anything to go by - they are likely to be inundated.

Great ships

Getty Images The SS Great Britain in Bristol is among the maritime suggestions

Among the themes to be suggested was a celebration of the UK's maritime heritage. The Mary Rose, HMS Belfast, HMS Trincomalee, HMS Victory, Cutty Sark, and the SS Great Britain are all worthy of a place on a banknote, according to Hilary in London. Charles from Bristol goes further. "I don't just mean the spectacularly beautiful clipper ships, and instantly recognisable liners, but perhaps some of the lesser known vessels trading with Commonwealth countries, or oil rig support vessels working hard in the North Sea," he wrote.

Famous landmarks

Stonehenge is always a popular suggestion for something that represents Britain

There are appeals for the themes and choices to represent the whole of the country. The Angel of the North is a regular suggestion, and areas of natural beauty such as the Yorkshire Dales. Mike in Salisbury thinks using tourist sites on banknotes could bring benefits. "Tourists come to England to see the main sites such as Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, the Queen Elizabeth Tower etc," he says. "If the banknotes showed these pictures then they would be more likely to visit the site, hold one up when taking a photo, and maybe even taking the note home as a souvenir."

Classic TV characters

Classic sitcoms like Fawlty Towers might be a popular choice

Nostalgia features heavily, bringing a more recent historical outlook to notes that have carried images of people from the past for more than 50 years. "Some classic British children's TV characters like Willow The Wisp, Bagpuss, or even a collection of them would make me smile," says Steve in Cardiff. "Likewise I think some classic British TV could be represented, like The Bill - no pun intended - or Casualty, soap operas or even comedies like Fawlty Towers. Television has been a large part of life for many people growing up and I'm sure, people would appreciate a bit of nostalgia on the notes."

Vintage trains

SSPL/Getty Images Many people would like to see British railways and vintage trains like the British Pullman celebrated

Nostalgia for the railways and "local and meaningful" stations also features in responses. "With the 200 years of the railway in Britain being celebrated, it seems a shame not to celebrate that considering we gave railways to the world," says Ian in Derby.

A mobile phone?

Getty Images

Despite the wide range of options, some people are keen to stick to the way key figures in history are honoured on banknotes. "Having looked at all the options I really do think that historical figures should still be number one choice. Might it be possible to include Diana Princess of Wales somewhere?" asks Elizabeth, from Oxford. But with cash used in only 12% of transactions, some say the time and effort involved in a huge overhaul of notes is unnecessary. "We are sadly faced with the prospect of a cashless society, with so many places refusing to accept my cash, so I have to wonder, why bother changing the design?" says Dawn in Redditch. Ian in Leighton Buzzard is much more blunt. "I would suggest that the new banknotes look like a mobile phone because that is how people are used to paying," he says.

People can submit their views via an online form on the Bank's website, or by post, by the end of July. The final decision on what exactly features on a banknote lies with the Bank's governor.

Pieces of meteor may have landed on Ben Nevis, say experts

1 hour ago Share Save Steven McKenzie BBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporter Share Save

Getty Images Pieces of the meteor may have landed on Ben Nevis, according to UKMON

Experts believe pieces of a small meteor that lit up the night sky over parts of the UK on Thursday have landed on and around Ben Nevis. Dozens of people in the west Highlands reported an orange glow and a "bang", and the meteor was captured streaking across the sky on doorbell security cameras. UK Meteor Network (UKMON), which played a part finding Gloucestershire's Winchcombe meteorite in 2021, said the small meteor had travelled from between Mars and Jupiter. UKMON said it was observed descending to about 12 miles (20km) above the ground and pieces could be scattered across a vast area between lochs Treig and Etricht.

The network - which started in 2012 and involves more than 200 amateur astronomers - uses observations, captured footage and computer programs to calculate orbits and trajectories to figure out where meteorites land.

@adriancoll1 The meteor was spotted on Thursday

The sightings of the small meteor were made after midnight. UKMON said potential locations for the meteorites could be around Ben Nevis - the UK's highest mountain. Toni Hanlon told BBC Scotland News she felt her house in nearby Fort William shake. She added: "My husband and kids slept through it though."

Ray Whyte Ray Whyte, pictured with his daughter Georgie and their dog Rocky, was working in Glen Nevis when the meteor appeared

Ray Whyte was staying in a static caravan with his dog Rocky while working in Glen Nevis near Ben Nevis when he was startled by the meteor. He said: "I couldn't sleep after a hard day so got up for a coffee. "Me and the dog jumped out our skin with the bang. "I missed the light as the curtains were drawn, but the whole static shook like it had been used as a drum or a vehicle had hit the side. "Left us both pretty scared and confused."

'Going dark'

Seismic shocks have been a hot topic in the opening days at Wimbledon - and for good reason.

With just one second-round match to conclude at the end of Thursday's play, a record 36 seeded players had been eliminated - surpassing the tally of 35 at this stage of the 2020 French Open.

The unprecedented number of high-profile exits have opened up the men's and women's singles draws, with French Open champion Coco Gauff and men's third seed Alexander Zverev among the highest-ranked players to exit.

A record total of eight top-10 seeded players dropped out in the first round - the most at any major tournament since the start of the Open era in 1968.

Only one of the top-five seeded women's players - world number one Aryna Sabalenka - has progressed to the third round for just the second time in the Open era.

Four of the top-10 ranked players exited in the first round at a Slam for only the third time in the past 25 years, before British fourth seed Jack Draper also fell in the second round.

So, what could explain it?