BBC News Digest
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Andrew moves out of Royal Lodge home after latest Epstein files
The former prince’s move to a temporary property on the Sandringham Estate follows the latest disclosure of Jeffrey Epstein files.
‘Painful times in my marriage’ – Melinda French Gates reacts to ex-husband in Epstein files
She said her ex-husband and others named in the Epstein files need to answer whatever questions remain.
Inside Reform: Laura Kuenssberg follows Farage’s party as it experiences the glare of scrutiny
The BBC has spent time interviewing senior figures and witnessing Reform’s work at the largest council it runs.
‘I’ve never hit anything so hard’: What it’s like to be attacked by a shark
Peter Smith and his wife were on holiday from Hertfordshire in the Caribbean when a beautiful swim suddenly changed.
Russian attacks on Ukraine energy sites ‘particularly depraved’, UK PM Starmer says
The UK leader’s comments came after Russia renewed its attacks on power plants and critical infrastructure in Ukraine.
Snooker legend John Virgo dies aged 79
John Virgo, who co-presented TV show Big Break and commentated on the BBC for 47 years, has died.
Three quarters of patients will survive cancer by 2035, government promises
There are plans for earlier diagnosis and faster treatment in England but experts worry about lack of staff.
Hope for Olympic skater in Minions music dispute
Figure skater Tomas-Llorence Guarino Sabate is optimistic he can perform to music from the Minions films at the Winter Olympics after receiving copyright clearance.
Chris Mason: Mandelson revelations a scandal on another level
Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to send Lord Mandelson to Washington a year ago gives this row political salience, the BBC’s political editor writes.
Who is in the files?
Millions of Epstein-related documents released by the US justice department include the names of the world’s rich and powerful.
Sarah Ferguson emails show increasing desperation
The messages from the former Duchess of York appear to show her saying she feels “traumatised and alone”.
Police assess allegation Epstein sent second woman to UK for sex with Andrew
The encounter allegedly occurred at the former prince’s residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010.
‘Finally got him to go today’: Mandelson’s emails to Epstein on Gordon Brown
Emails released by the US appear to shed new light on the dying days of Gordon Brown’s government.
I needed to face Letby in court, baby’s mum says in new Netflix documentary
The mother of one of the babies murdered by Lucy Letby breaks her silence in a Netflix documentary.
BBC joins Colombian commandos fighting ‘never-ending battle’ against drug gangs
As the US and Colombian presidents meet, Orla Guerin joins a police unit tasked with finding and destroying jungle cocaine labs.
How we decluttered our home and you can too
Four people who have successfully reduced the amount of stuff they have explain how they did it.
No-one knows what to expect when you’re dying, but hospices are helping me
Hospices caring for people at the end of their lives are at risk because funding is “unsustainable”.
‘Never imagined this’: Indian village grapples with interfaith couple’s killing
Police say they were beaten to death, allegedly by the woman’s three brothers, who have been arrested.
Government pledges 10,000 new foster care places in England
Rule changes aim to create thousands of new foster places and help full-time workers.
Court system on ‘brink of collapse’, former senior judge warns
An independent review made 130 recommendations – including creating a new criminal justice adviser to the PM – to improve the efficiency of the system.