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 tom holland


Russians turn to cash, putting more strain on slowing wartime economy

BBC News

Russians are returning to cash, as mobile internet shutdowns disrupt card payments, and more businesses seek to dodge tax under mounting financial pressure more than four years into the war with Ukraine. Russia has added 1.56tn roubles (£14.8bn; The spike comes amid a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks, which have repeatedly led the Kremlin to shut down mobile internet across large swathes of the country, leaving many unable to pay by card. The government says the aim of the shutdowns is to counter the drone strikes. Having cash on hand gives you some sense of control and security, one woman in Moscow told the BBC on condition of anonymity.


What type of procrastinator are you - and how to fix it now (not later)

BBC News

I'll just do that later, this thing can wait, maybe a short break first... We've all been there: putting off certain tasks then being left with essays up to the wire, loads of messages unread and that bedroom sort-out that just never happens. A fifth of us are guilty of regularly procrastinating but the type of procastinator we are can reveal something deeper about us, say researchers. Are you a dreamer or rebel? What does it all mean, and can you fix it? The cause can be hidden or buried, says Dr Itamar Shatz, a lecturer at Cambridge University who is publishing a book on the subject this week.


Fans invited to line streets for Bonnie Tyler's funeral

BBC News

A celebration of life service and procession has been announced in Swansea following the death of Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer died unexpectedly on 8 July, aged 75, at a Portugal hospital, as a result of the illness that she was being treated for, her family said in a statement released on the star's official website, external . At the time, tributes poured in from a host of friends and stars including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart. It has now been confirmed that her coffin will be brought to her Mumbles home on 15 August at 15:30 BST, with people invited to pay their respects by lining Newton Road at 15:15. Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins - also known for hits including Holding Out For A Hero and Here She Comes - is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Sullivan.


Greens leader renews call for extra security after Ann Widdecombe death

BBC News

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Figure caption, Green Party leader says he hasn't been offered state security Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for the government to provide him with extra security, warning I am worried about it both for myself and for all party leaders. The politician said he hadn't been offered anything at all after being asked for his thoughts following Ann Widdecombe's death. I am worried and I have been worried for a long time. I would encourage the government to provide me with extra security, but that is a choice for them, he told BBC Breakfast.


Cairngorms wildfire burns for third day across nearly four miles

BBC News

Firefighters are spending a third day tackling a major wildfire which has led to evacuations in the Cairngorms. The blaze started in heathland at Ryvoan Bothy, near Nethy Bridge, late on Wednesday morning and had spread across 3.7 miles (6km) by Thursday afternoon. A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and a ski resort in the Glenmore Forest Park area have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution. A helicopter joined the firefighting efforts on Thursday night. Nine fire appliances and specialist resources remained at the scene on Friday morning.


New photograph marks Queen's 79th birthday

BBC News

New photograph marks Queen's 79th birthday A new photograph of Queen Camilla has been released to celebrate her 79th birthday. The picture, showing the Queen in a long blue dress, was taken last month in the state drawing room of Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. Buckingham Palace said the Queen was marking her birthday with a renewed commitment to supporting children's literacy, with the announcement that every year 6 and P6 child across the UK will be gifted a special edition of the book Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell this Christmas. Much of the Queen's public work supports reading and literacy, including the creation of the Reading Room charity designed to promote the benefits of reading. Rundell's book will be distributed to children through schools and libraries.


Trump Media to sell instant access to 'market-moving' social posts

BBC News

Trump Media to sell instant access to'market-moving' social posts Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns Truth Social, is launching a paid service to give Wall Street firms high-speed access to its most influential posts. From 1 August, instant updates will be delivered from the highest-ranking accounts, it said. US President Donald Trump currently has the most followers on the platform. The company behind the app hopes it will create a steady new source of money for the firm which is currently loss-making. It is likely to be aimed at financial traders who want to see market-moving news fast.


A very quick guide to Burnham - when does he actually become PM?

BBC News

When does Andy Burnham become prime minister? Andy Burnham will take over from Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader on Friday, after winning the support of the party's MPs. It means he will soon become the UK's prime minister - the seventh in the last 10 years. When does Andy Burnham become prime minister? Burnham becomes Labour leader on Friday - but he will not become prime minister until Monday, three days later.


'Mind-blowing' ancient bones discovery sparked by family holiday

BBC News

'Mind-blowing' ancient bones discovery sparked by family holiday To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. A family holiday sparked a series of remarkable archaeological discoveries which one expert says could change what is currently known about Britain's prehistory. John Bolton, an archaeologist, was visiting the 11th Century Pembroke Castle in 2010 when he heard there was a cave beneath it. His interest grew when he discovered that the cave, known as Wogan Cavern, showed little signs of previous excavation - so he badgered Dr Rob Dinnis, from the University of Aberdeen, to take a look. Small digs have since uncovered extremely rare evidence of early humans and animals - including the bones of a hippopotamus which roamed Wales 120,000 years ago.


Japan relaxes royal succession rules - but ban on female emperors remains

BBC News

The Japanese parliament has approved a bill to relax imperial succession rules, amid concerns over the dwindling size of the imperial family. The bill, passed by the upper house on Friday, allows the imperial family to adopt distant male relatives over the age of 15 and lets women keep their royal status after marrying outside the family. But it does not change the law barring women from ascending the throne despite wide public support for a female emperor, meaning Princess Aiko, the only child of the current emperor, is still not eligible to succeed the throne. The bill cleared the lower house last week, and will move through the final legal procedures before the changes take effect. Japan has the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy, with a lineage that's believed to span more than 2,600 years.