Form Time News

Current BBC News stories to read and discuss with your tutor group.


Friday
18th September 2026

Around the world

Canada welcomes EU proposal to become 'associate member'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said a Canada-EU alliance would create a "beacon for other democracies".

Ninth woman's body found as South African police investigate string of deaths

South Africa police have cautioned against assuming that all the killings are linked but many women are afraid.

In the UK

Human remains identified as mum missing since 2019

A 56-year-old man is arrested after the remains of Joanne Sheen were found almost seven years after she went missing.

Charles 'sounded giddily elated' after Diana died, Earl Spencer claims

Buckingham Palace has strongly pushed back against claims in a new book by the late Princess of Wales's brother.

Politics

UK needs 'credible path' on defence spending, says Nato chief

Mark Rutte tells the BBC that UK ministers accept the need to make yearly steps to up spending.

Badenoch says she is bringing in lawyers to challenge government after Tory-run council's 94% tax hike

A row is growing over Wandsworth Council's rise, which the local authority is blaming on government funding cuts.

Education

Schools in England get extra £500m in bid to avoid teachers' pay strike

The offer of extra money by the government reduces the prospect of strike action by the largest teaching union.

Deep-fried food banned under new school dinner rules in England

The government describes its new school food standards as "once-in-a-generation changes".

Health

Andy Burnham urged to set dementia waiting-time target

An 18‑week referral‑to‑treatment target has been backed by England's former national cancer director.

New hope for breast cancer patients as life-extending drug now on NHS in England

Enhertu, which can give patients an extra seven months to live on average, has been prescribed in Scotland for more than two years and is available.

Business

Healey to ask EU finance ministers to let UK into industry scheme

The chancellor wants the Made in Europe programme to deepen ties with the UK "rather than erecting new barriers".

Why we bought our first home with a 100% mortgage - despite the risks

The share of UK mortgages with smaller deposits is the highest it's been since 2008. The BBC spoke to borrowers about how they manage the risks.

Science

New wild cat species discovered - with only one known living member

A spotted wildcat long mistaken for relatives has been identified as a new species in Bolivia.

Repeat offender fined for searching for gold in protected river

Brian Wright, 68, from Henley-upon-Thames, was caught gold panning on a protected river in north Wales.

Technology

The virtual worlds where robots are trained

Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.

King Charles warns of 'existential danger' of AI falling into wrong hands

The comments were made at a summit in Ayrshire with participants from AI giants including Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic.

Entertainment

Stadium owner Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to donate $2m in aid after Macklemore backlash

It comes after Macklemore pledged $1m to Palestinian causes, challenging the tycoon to match the sum.

Palace in war of words with Earl Spencer over claims in Diana book

The row threatens to overshadow a very crowded day for the royals - with the King and Princes William and Harry all attending events.