Europe
Could robots help tackle loneliness? BBC's Ann Droid raises questions about the future of care
Could robots help tackle loneliness? BBC's Ann Droid raises questions about the future of care New BBC sitcom Ann Droid imagines a near future in which robots provide care and companionship to older people at home. The series centres on Sue, a recent widow played by Sue Johnston, her hapless son Michael and Linda, an assistive care robot played by Diane Morgan. Linda is designed to provide daily support and companionship, with predictably comic results. As researchers in social care, ageing and human-centred robotics, we obviously watched Ann Droid with a keen eye.
Kyiv air raid alerts at record high as Russia launches round-the-clock strikes
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Kyiv is suffering more daily air raid alerts than at any time since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, according to BBC Verify analysis of government figures. Most air attacks used to come at night but Russia's new tactic of striking Ukraine's capital during the day is causing huge disruption to schools and businesses. The round the clock attacks have forced people to head for shelter as many as 13 times a day, with air raid alerts lasting from a few minutes to nearly four and a half hours. Residents in Kyiv are struggling to adapt to this new reality, adding to existing stress and anxiety.
Pixel 11 review: Google sets the bar for standard flagship phones
The latest Google phone is most refined yet, offering the best balance of price and features for base-model flagship handsets. The latest Google phone is most refined yet, offering the best balance of price and features for base-model flagship handsets. We earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. G oogle's Pixel 11 continues to set the standard for what you should expect from the base model of a flagship phone with class-leading cameras, long software support and almost all the bells and whistles of its most expensive phones. The regular Pixel 11 costs ยฃ879 (โฌ999/$899/A$1,499) making it ยฃ80 or equivalent more expensive than last year's model as the cost of RAMageddon continues to bite . It's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but it comes with 256GB of storage and is ยฃ200 less than the Pixel 11 Pro, matching rival Samsung's Galaxy S26 .
Designers should not fear being replaced by AI, industry leaders say
Despite fears about the rapid growth of generative AI, industry leaders point to robust employment figures and argue that the tools have so far done little to reduce demand for design skills. Despite fears about the rapid growth of generative AI, industry leaders point to robust employment figures and argue that the tools have so far done little to reduce demand for design skills. Firms are more likely to use technology as'the intern in the office' than as a replacement for skilled staff Professional designers should not feel "threatened" by the rapid growth of generative AI, according to business leaders, despite fears over job losses in the sector. With design and film production companies and manufacturers all adopting AI at an accelerating pace, industry bodies said the technology would be used to enhance the work of designers rather than replace them. Mat Hunter, the chief executive of the Design Council - a charity which champions the industry - said that while AI was increasingly being used by designers, "they are using it to add value".
Peace talks rich in symbolism but fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine remain
The talks in Kyiv were rich in symbolism. The fact they had to travel by train because they could not risk flying and running the gauntlet of Russian drones - weapons launched on the orders of the man at whose table they sat in the Kremlin only hours ago. The symbolism of Ukrainian President Zelensky greeting Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral, not only an icon of Ukraine's ancient history, but also just a few yards from where Russian drones hit the headquarters of the country's security services on Friday. You did not have to join too many dots to work out the point Zelensky was making. Both sides held talks for several hours; they were later joined by some European national security advisers, including the UK's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.
Last-gasp Maitland-Niles stunner rescues point for Everton
This content is not available in your location. Ainsley Maitland-Niles marked his return to English football by scoring a stunning stoppage-time equaliser as a resilient Everton came from behind twice to draw with Manchester United in the Premier League. Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage . Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage . Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage .
Champions Arsenal come from behind to beat Chelsea
This content is not available in your location. Reigning champions Arsenal came from behind to beat big-spending Chelsea in a pulsating London derby at Emirates Stadium. Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage . Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage . Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage .
US envoys meet Putin: What's behind latest diplomacy on Russia-Ukraine war?
Is the war entering a new phase? US envoys meet Putin: What's behind latest diplomacy on Russia-Ukraine war? Share US envoys meet Putin: What's behind latest diplomacy on Russia-Ukraine war? on social media US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have held talks with President Vladmir Putin in Moscow, in what appears to be new efforts by the Trump administration to end the Russia-Ukraine war. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the envoys were bringing "a proposal to end the war" - Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II - and a senior Russian official said it was an "important peacemaking visit". Both Moscow and Kyiv announced a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the latest trip.
Uncanny and unappetizing: appetites spoil as AI images take over food menus
D uring a recent lunch break, Jill Sennett saw something so unappetizing she had to share it with her 26,000 X followers: Artificial intelligence-generated menu images from a Jamaican barbecue pop-up restaurant in which the meats looked like leather belts crawling with tiny beetles. The images were reshared by more than 500 people who similarly expressed their disgust. Eating is "such an essential human experience", said Sennett, a 37-year-old nurse in Denver. "I think it's a bad cultural thing that restaurants are converting to these horrific, uncanny food images that are unappetizing." Still, Sennett ordered chicken and macaroni and cheese.