Six O'Clock News

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By: BBC Radio 4

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

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Police and prosecutors admit failings in the handling of a serial sex offender
Yesterday at 5:35 PM

A serial sex offender who was being monitored by the Metropolitan police has been found guilty of murdering two women and raping a third. Also: The detective, who led the investigation into the death of PC Andrew Harper, says the aggravating factors in the case should be considered before deciding whether two of the killers might be released early. And the music producer, William Orbit, has died at the age of 69.


A record number of referrals to the Prevent anti-extremism programme
Last Thursday at 5:34 PM

The Home Office's anti-extremism programme, Prevent, has seen the highest number of referrals in its history, driven by a surge in reports since the Southport stabbings. Also: European football's governing body, UEFA, has said it is still prepared to boycott FIFA competitions despite plans for the involvement of private investment being scrapped. And state schools in England are to be set their own, individual attendance targets.


Former neo-Nazi withdraws as a Tory election candidate
Last Wednesday at 5:39 PM

A former neo-Nazi, who was controversially selected by the Conservative Party to contest a local council election in Somerset next year, has withdrawn his candidacy. Also: A drone carrying an explosive has been found at Leipzig airport in Germany. And part of a rocket, about the size of a five-story building, is believed to have crashed on the Moon.


The government defends its changes to the prisoner early release scheme
Last Tuesday at 5:36 PM

The government has defended changes it's made to the prisoner early release scheme, saying that exempting more offenders would have led to the collapse of the prison system in England and Wales. Also: Britain and France have rescued more than 170 people from a migrant boat which caught fire in the Channel. And pass rates in Scotland's Highers, Advanced Highers and National 5 exams have all risen compared with last year.


France condemns Reform's cross-channel migrant plans
Last Monday at 5:37 PM

France says Reform UK's proposals to use the Royal Navy to return migrants attempting to cross the Channel in small boats would violate its sovereignty and breach international law. Also: The English and Welsh Football Associations withdraw support for Gianni Infantino as Fifa president. And the journalist and former Today programme editor Rod Liddle dies aged 66.


Moscow blast 'was terrorism', but no word on who caused it
Last Sunday at 5:31 PM

Russian security officials have described an explosion at a restaurant in Moscow, which killed three people, as an act of terrorism. They have not yet said who they believe to be responsible, but there is speculation of a link to the war in Ukraine.

Iran says it is in the "final stages" of talks with Oman over management of the Strait of Hormuz.

Andy Burnham has said he will be "relentless" in tackling small boat crossings to "bring back control" to the UK's border.

The National Farmers' Union has warned that a prolonged...


Pressure grows on Fifa boss
08/01/2026

There is growing pressure on the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino, after he dropped plans to sell stakes in the World Cup. Uefa said it had lost confidence in his leadership.

The EU is to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the migration crisis in Ceuta. Spain has called some other member states "selfish". The renowed British-Nepali mountaineer, Nirmal Purja, has been killed in an avalanche in Pakistan.


Funeral director who failed to bury and cremate bodies jailed for 20 years
07/31/2026

A former funeral director has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his failure to bury and cremate dozens of bodies. Also: Italy has announced it's suspending its open borders agreement with Spain after thousands of migrants crossed into the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta. And a senior adviser to the Fifa boss Gianni Infantino resigns as opposition mounts to his plan to sell off stakes in football competitions.


Uefa says it will boycott the World Cup if Fifa's plans go ahead
07/30/2026

European football's governing body, Uefa, has announced it will boycott the World Cup unless Fifa scraps plans to sell off some event rights to private investors. Also: A major incident is declared in Suffolk as a wildfire rages on heathland. And Joe Root begins his second tenure as England cricket captain.


Andy Burnham promises to reform adult social care in England
07/29/2026

Andy Burnham has set out his initial approach to tackling the crisis in adult social care in England. Also: drought is declared in more than half of England. And a backlash against Fifa's plan to sell a stake in its major competitions to private investors.


Plans for school pupils in England to get more access to technical subjects
07/28/2026

Andy Burnham says he's "on a mission" to tackle the rising number of young people, who aren't working or learning, claiming the education system "doesn't set them up properly". Also: Emergency workers in Japan say many people are trapped inside a shopping centre, after the coastal city of Kumamoto was hit by an earthquake. European football reacts furiously to new proposals from Fifa's Gianni Infantino to seek private investment in international competitions.


Wildfires continue in France and Spain
07/27/2026

President Macron is visiting the Gironde region of France to show support for emergency crews battling around the clock to bring a huge wildfire under control. Also: Dozens of people are to make victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing of a funeral director, who gave families the wrong ashes and failed to bury bodies. And the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy are granted UNESCO World Heritage Status.


Manhunt under way in Germany after a suspected 'Islamist terror attack' at Berlin Pride
07/26/2026

Officials in Germany say they are treating yesterday's fatal attack on the Berlin Pride festival as a likely act of Islamist terrorism. One person was killed and 29 others were injured when a man drove a van into crowds before stabbing several people. A huge manhunt is under way for a 21-year-old suspect described by the authorities as a known criminal with links to extreme Islamist groups. Also: More than 3 hundred thousand people have now been ordered to leave their homes in France and Spain -- where several fierce wildfires are raging near major cities. And: Andy Burnham has declined...


Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations In France And Spain
07/25/2026

More than a quarter of a million people have been forced to leave areas affected by wildfires in France and Spain. The French interior minister said the operation was probably the biggest peacetime evacuation in the country's history. Also: the organisation behind huge student protests in India has called off its demonstrations after the country's education minister resigned; and BBC News has learned that police are investigating donations made to Reform UK by a company controlled by the party's deputy leader, Richard Tice.


Wildfires spread rapidly in parts of France and Spain
07/24/2026

Tens of thousands of people in parts of France and Spain have been leaving their homes and holiday properties as concern grows about rapidly spreading wildfires. Also: Police in the Republic of Ireland have intercepted a car containing a bomb which they believe was being driven across the border for an attack in Northern Ireland. And the former Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, accepts a new job as the head coach of the German national team.


Andy Burnham pauses the prisoner early release scheme
07/23/2026

The Prime Minister has announced that he is pausing a plan for the early release of prisoners which was due to come into effect in September. Also: Iran accuses Britain of complicity in American attacks and warns bases here are a legitimate target. And Katarina Johnson-Thompson is one of a number of big names to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games hours before the opening ceremony.


The widow of PC Andrew Harper criticises early prisoner release
07/22/2026

The widow of a police officer has described it as "deplorable" that two men convicted in connection with his killing may be eligible for early release. Also: The United States and Saudi Arabia are understood to have reached a landmark deal that would help the Kingdom establish a civilian nuclear programme. And OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, reveals that one of its AI agents hacked another tech firm without direct human instruction.


Andy Burnham chairs first Cabinet after ex-minister criticises 'unfunded tax cut'
07/21/2026

Andy Burnham has led his first Cabinet meeting after his decision to scrap VAT on electricity bills was criticised as 'unfunded', by a sacked ally of Sir Keir Starmer. Also: Russia denies a live firing exercise one of its warships conducted in the English Channel yesterday was timed to coincide Andy Burnham's first day. And the RSPCA says a 'terrified' monkey, which was abandoned in a laundry bag on a London bus, is safe and well.


Andy Burnham moves into 10 Downing Street
07/20/2026

Andy Burnham has pledged immediate help with the cost of living after becoming the UK's 59th Prime Minister. Also: Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said his country is fighting a "full scale war" after a ninth consecutive night of US attacks. And Spain's victorious squad has returned home, after winning the football men's World Cup.


World Cup final
07/19/2026

Spain and Argentina face each other in New Jersey. Burnham to pledge to restore confidence in government in first speech as PM.Iran fires at targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.


Burnham To Support North Sea Drilling, BBC Told
07/18/2026

BBC News has been told that one of the first announcements by Andy Burnham, when he becomes prime minister, will facilitate new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. The Labour manifesto in 2024 ruled out any new licences to drill but said extraction would be allowed close to existing fields. In other news: South East Water has apologised to thousands of customers in the Tunbridge Wells area of Kent who have lost supplies -- or have low pressure; and Britain's Josh Kerr has broken the men's world record for running a mile by nearly half a second.<...


Andy Burnham takes over as leader of the Labour party
07/17/2026

The new Labour leader, Andy Burnham, says he's finalising his decisions about who will be in his Cabinet, and will announce the details on Monday when he becomes Prime Minister. Also: The mother of Henry Nowak's killer is sentenced to three years in prison for assisting an offender. And Sir Garry Sobers, the first man to hit six sixes in first class cricket, has died aged 89.


Protesters take to the streets in Ukraine
07/16/2026

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in several Ukrainian cities, after President Zelenksy sacked his popular young defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. Also: An official report has concluded that MI5 lied while giving evidence to three courts about a neo-Nazi informer, whose abuse of his partner was uncovered by the BBC. And a lost trove of David Bowie songs is unearthed.


England to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final
07/15/2026

England's footballers are set to kick off against Argentina with a World Cup final against Spain in New Jersey on Sunday up for grabs. Also: A man has been arrested in south London for allegedly threatening to shoot the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. And the government is promising to install tougher ticket barriers at railway stations across England.


Covid inquiry delivers its report on protective equipment
07/14/2026

The Covid Inquiry says billions of pounds of public money were wasted in the scramble to secure protective equipment during the pandemic. Also: Counter terrorism police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe believe she was killed in a "targeted attack". And the fossilised remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex has become the most expensive dinosaur ever sold at auction.


Counter-terrorism police take over Ann Widdecombe investigation
07/13/2026

Counter-terrorism officers are now leading the investigation into the death of the former Conservative government minister, Ann Widdecombe. Also: Donald Trump says he's reimposing the United States' blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. And an apology from Brendon McCullum after his sacking as England's Test cricket coach.


Police not looking for other suspects over Ann Widdecombe murder
07/12/2026

Police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe say they aren't looking for anyone else -- as they question a twenty-eight-year-old on suspicion of murder. The long-delayed bill to create a 'Hillsborough Law' will return to Parliament next week. Also: Brendon McCullum has been sacked as the England Test cricket head coach.


Ann Widdecombe attacked 24 hours before found dead
07/11/2026

Police in Devon say the former Conservative minister, Ann Widdecombe, was attacked 24 hours before being found dead at her home on Thursday. The force says its investigation is moving at "pace" and detectives are searching for a suspect -- believed to be a white man.Also: Rachel Reeves comments on Andy Burnham, Russia strikes several regions of Ukraine and TV presenter and prostate cancer campaigner Dermot Murnaghan dies age 68.


Murder inquiry launched into the death of Ann Widdecombe
07/10/2026

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the former government minister Ann Widdecombe. Also: Officials in Spain say four British citizens are believed to be among 12 people who have been killed by a big wildfire in the south of the country. And the British wildcard Arthur Fery has crashed out of Wimbledon in the semi-finals.


Jersey assisted dying legislation is formally approved
07/09/2026

Jersey has become the first part of the British Isles where legislation to allow assisted dying has been formally approved by Royal Assent. Also: calls for an apology from the leader of the Restore Britain party, after comments he made about the Dunblane school shootings. And the singer Bonnie Tyler has died at the age of 75.


President Trump declares the ceasefire with Iran over
07/08/2026

President Trump has threatened to hit Iran 'hard" again after declaring the ceasefire agreed three weeks ago 'over'. Also: Nigel Farage defends his decision to trigger a by-election in his Clacton constituency. And the British wildcard, Arthur Fery, triumphs at Wimbledon.