BBC News Digest
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
MPs back plan to release Mandelson files after Labour anger forces climbdown
The PM is forced to back down over a plan to withhold some documents about the ex-minister’s appointment as US ambassador.
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.
Trump touts ‘softer touch’ on immigration as federal force is reduced in Minnesota
“Border tsar” Tom Homan said about 2,000 would remain, and the US government is equipping more officers with body-worn cameras.
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 in Kyiv.
Murder arrest after student stabbed near De Montfort University campus
An 18-year-old man is arrested on suspicion of murder and currently in police custody.
Saturday Night Live reveals cast for new UK version
Sitcom stars, Taskmaster contestants and familiar panel show faces will appear on the British spin-off.
What’s happening and who to look out for as the Winter Olympics begin
What’s happening and who to look out for at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Tesco apologises after placing Welsh language signs in Cornish branch
One councillor hopes this is an opportunity for supermarkets to support Cornish more directly.
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.
Palestine Action protesters cleared of burglary but may face retrial on some charges
The group are cleared of aggravated burglary over a raid at an Elbit Systems warehouse.
Man sentenced to life in prison for 2024 attempt on Trump’s life
Prosecutors claimed that Routh, 59, remained “totally unrepentant” for the incident in Florida.
Snooker’s ‘Mr Perfection’ – John Virgo brought old-school charm to primetime TV
John Virgo was an excellent snooker player, a hugely popular TV figure, and one of the great voices of his beloved sport.
‘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.
Mandelson offered to help Epstein get Russian visa, documents suggest
Emails released by the US government suggest the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein planned to use the visa to meet young women in Moscow.
Henry Zeffman: Dark mood among Labour MPs as PM tries to contain Mandelson scandal
The chaos of the parliamentary debate about the former Labour minister is just one sign of how quickly the mood in the party has soured this week.
Trump says America should move on from Epstein – it may not be that easy
The justice department says its review of the files is over, but the story is again proving to have a life of its own.
Why did Andrew leave Windsor’s Royal Lodge in such a hurry?
The former prince left Windsor during the night, and will now live on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
‘I’ve never hit anything so hard’: How one man fought off a shark in the Caribbean
Peter Smith and his wife were on holiday in the Caribbean when a beautiful swim suddenly changed.
Inside Man City’s rebuild and plan for life without Guardiola
BBC Sport looks at Manchester City’s evolution and why the January window has offered renewed belief.
How plans for Trump International hotel in Belgrade unravelled
The project would have built on the ruins of the defence ministry bombed by Nato back in 1999.