Form Time News

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


Saturday
8th August 2026

Around the world

Child among three killed in Russian missile attacks near Kyiv

Russia continued its overnight attacks after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of Ukraine's dwindling supplies of missile interceptors.

Spain imposes border controls against Italy as row over Ceuta migrant influx intensifies

Italy introduced border controls following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the neighbouring Spanish exclave of Ceuta.

In the UK

Police officers investigated over handling of sex offender who murdered two women

Simon Levy was a serial sex offender who was being monitored by police when he killed two women.

Police failings revealed as sex offender left free to murder and attack women

Simon Levy’s second murder victim, Sheryl Wilkins, could have been saved, senior Met officer admits.

Politics

Prisoner release row proving to be Burnham's first big test as PM

The prison overcrowding crisis presents the new PM with a dilemma for which there are only unpalatable choices.

Streeting 'sickened' by sex abuse claims at Army college

The defence secretary promises to look into what went wrong at the college in North Yorkshire.

Education

Cambridge to review process for hiring senior academics after Jason Arday resignation

Prof Priyamvada Gopal, who is part of the group, says Cambridge should not be "marking its own homework".

All schools in England to get pupil attendance targets, government says

The BBC understands schools will not be penalised for missing targets, but they will be monitored.

Health

How a former GB Olympian curbed his porn problem - and the signs and steps to recovery

Experts share the signs to look out for if you are worried about your porn use, and how to seek help.

Moment earthquake shakes hospital operating room in Japan

Security camera footage shows doctors shielding a patient on the operating table as last month's magnitude 6.8 quake shook Kumamoto General Hospital.

Business

How a 90-second power outage sparked chaos for rail commuters

The incident raised questions about how a disrupted power supply can have such a widespread impact.

Goodwin considers selling part of defence business

The firm is a key supplier of components to UK and US frigate and submarine programmes.

Science

Hosepipe bans in force as drought declared - is your area affected?

More than 20 million households have been placed under hosepipe bans due to higher demand and low rainfall.

Is this the best day of the year for stargazing?

Put 12 August in the diary for some of the best astronomical events of the year.

Technology

Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant

The ruling is in addition to $375m in fines Meta was already ordered to pay in the case, for a total of $942m.

Why airlines are warning over lithium-ion batteries

The airline industry wants passengers to be careful when travelling with lithium ion batteries.

Entertainment

Madonna and Blur producer William Orbit dies aged 69

Tributes are paid to the musical "genius and pioneer", who also worked with All Saints, Pink and U2.

Campaigners call for Jared Leto's concerts to be cancelled after criminal sexual conduct claims

The musician - who denies the claims - is due to perform with his band at two of the UK's biggest arenas next year.