BBC News Digest
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Chris Mason: Starmer can ill afford any more days like these
Starmer is furious with Mandelson, and the mood among many Labour MPs is darkening, the BBC’s political editor writes.
Naked images remained in Epstein files despite outcry
Four images seen by BBC Verify show partially clothed women with their faces and bodies unredacted.
‘We are ready to talk’ – US news anchor joins siblings in plea to return abducted mother
“She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive,” says the NBC host about missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
At least 30 deaths in small boat crossing avoidable, inquiry finds
Inquiry chair Sir Ross Cranston said “systemic failures” by authorities had led to the deadliest Channel small boat incident on record.
How Team GB overcome fear at the Winter Olympics
What do you do if you fall 40 feet on to hard-packed snow? If you’re a Winter Olympics athlete, you pick yourself up and try again.
Ban on asylum seekers using taxis for medical appointments comes into force
It comes after a BBC investigation which showed people travelling long distances at high cost.
‘Our daughter’s breast cancer symptoms were dismissed because she was a child’
Isla Sneddon died in March 2025 aged 17, just six months after she was diagnosed with cancer.
Period blood test could offer less invasive alternative to cervical screening
Looking for signs of the cancer in a more convenient way could help women access the test and prevent the disease occurring, researchers say.
Bank of England expected to hold interest rates
Interest rates were cut to 3.75% in December and analysts expect at least one further reduction this year.
Chomsky advised Epstein about ‘horrible’ media coverage, files show
The exchange was among the latest release of files from the US government’s investigation into Epstein.
Watch: ‘Re-traumatised daily’ – Epstein survivor says US shouldn’t move on from scandal
Ashley Rubright tells the BBC she feels vindicated to see accountability for UK associates of Jeffrey Epstein.
Email appears to confirm Andrew and Virginia Giuffre photo is real
The former prince has previously questioned whether the picture had been doctored and claimed he had never met Giuffre.
‘I never left your side’: Emails reveal more about Mandelson’s Epstein friendship
Emails between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein appear to show their friendship was closer than suspected.
Watch: How are Gaza hospitals coping with caring for newborn babies?
One hospital director says he is still seeing malnourished and traumatised mothers giving birth to underweight or premature babies, three months into a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
My break-up blindsided me. Here’s how to tell if your relationship isn’t working
Eve’s husband asked for a divorce after six months. Here’s how to fix a failing partnership and when to walk away.
Fearing Russia will seize her town, war widow moves husband’s grave to Kyiv
Russia’s gains on the battlefield have forced Natalia to rebury her husband.
‘OK, success, do your thing to me’ – Robbie Williams is back on the road
With his new album Britpop breaking a record set by the Beatles, the singer takes a moment to celebrate.
‘We’re in hell’: Mum faces two-year wait for answers about her daughter’s LA death
Jill Bunyan wants to know what happened to her daughter June, whose dismembered body was found in her flat in California last year.
A global craze for Korean culture is making its humblest snacks unaffordable
Black, crispy, often flat and square, dried seaweed is growing in popularity – but also in price.
My support worker hasn’t been paid for weeks after delays to disability scheme
Delays to the Access to Work scheme have increased significantly, leaving some disabled people without support.