Form Time News

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


Wednesday
25th February 2026

Around the world

'Fear is everywhere': BBC reports from Mexican city turned into war zone by drug cartel feud

Culiacán in northern Mexico has seen a surge in violence as rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel battle for control.

Watch: BBC on streets of Mexican city gripped by deadly cartel violence

BBC international correspondent Quentin Sommerville travelled to Culiacán in northern Sinaloa state following an explosion in violence.

In the UK

Met apologises to Commons Speaker for sharing Mandelson tip-off

It comes after Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed he gave information to the force suggesting the peer could be a flight risk.

Man accused of driving wife to suicide claims she lied about abuse, jury told

Christopher Trybus, 43, is charged with manslaughter, coercive control and two counts of rape.

Politics

Met apologises to Commons Speaker for sharing Mandelson tip-off

It comes after Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed he gave information to the force suggesting the peer could be a flight risk.

UK government denies Chagos Islands deal is paused, despite minister's comment

It come after a minister said the UK is discussing "concerns" with the US, after President Trump criticised the deal.

Education

Labour MPs call for urgent action on 'unfair' student loans

MPs criticise "rip-off" interest rates and unfair changes to repayment terms during a debate in Parliament

Phillipson defends student loan change and says average repayments will rise by £8 a month

Some graduates in England say "punishing" student loan repayments have led them to cut their hours at work.

Health

Sperm swim more quickly in summer, study finds

Understanding the seasonal patterns of sperm could improve fertility treatments, by optimising the timing of treatment, the reasearchers say.

GPs told to guarantee same-day appointments for urgent cases

New contract will require patients in England to be given immediate appointment if needed.

Business

Faisal Islam: Is Reeves right in saying we're turning a corner?

The Chancellor is trying to use this moment as a launching pad for a wider attempt to gee up consumer and business confidence.

Household energy bills to fall in April after charges shake-up

Changes announced in the Budget mean all energy bills will see some kind of reduction, but it will vary.

Science

One in four councils to miss food waste collection deadline

Local authorities blame the delays on a lack of funding and a shortage of bin lorries.

Why scientists fear Emperor penguins' annual moult may be killing them

Each year the birds must stay on floating ice long enough to replace their weather-beaten feathers.

Technology

Not even potholes will hold up self-driving cars, UK firm predicts

Wayve says it's confident all cars will one day be autonomous, as it announced more than a £1bn in additional investment.

Gucci criticised for 'AI slop' images ahead of major fashion show

Users of social media - where the marketing campaign has been launched - say it is out of keeping with Gucci's reputation for luxury.

Entertainment

BBC broadcast of racial slur at Baftas unacceptable, says Nandy

The broadcast of a racial slur at the Bafta Film Awards was "completely unacceptable and harmful", the culture secretary says.

Phil Collins, Pink and Shakira nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Jeff Buckley, Lauryn Hill, Pink, Shakira and Mariah Carey are also among the 17 nominees this year.