Britain's defence review has grand ambition. Now it needs the money

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

The British defence review outlines a plan to modernize the armed forces, indicating that more money will be needed beyond the current budget. It emphasizes the urgency of preparing for potential conflicts and adapting to new threats by using more advanced technology and increasing the size of the army.

Key Facts:

• Britain's regular army has about 71,000 soldiers, which is below the target of 73,000.
• The review suggests increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2034, but notes that this may need to happen sooner.
• The government plans to build up to 12 new attack submarines, requiring increased funding.
• The review identifies Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea as significant threats.
• Modernizing the military involves using more drones and artificial intelligence.
• A "defence readiness bill" is proposed to help the government quickly mobilize resources if needed.
• The review emphasizes protecting critical infrastructure, like underwater pipes and cables.
• There are plans to increase the regular army size to 76,000, but this has no set timeline or funding yet.

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Benefits cut led to mum of nine killing herself

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

A coroner concluded that Jodey Whiting, a disabled woman from Stockton-on-Tees, died by suicide in 2017 after her mental health declined when her benefits were wrongly stopped. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) expressed regret over errors made in her case, which led to her losing financial support.

Key Facts:

• Jodey Whiting was found dead in 2017, two weeks after being declared fit to work despite missing an assessment due to hospitalization with pneumonia.
• The coroner found that the decision to stop her benefits worsened her mental health, leading to her suicide.
• Whiting had chronic health issues, including a spine condition and a brain cyst, and suffered from chronic pain and mental health problems.
• Whiting's benefits, including housing and council tax support, were cut after she was labeled as fit to work.
• Her mother, Joy Dove, pursued a legal battle for a second inquest, highlighting the DWP's role in the case.
• An Independent Case Examiner's report found errors in the process and suggested the DWP compensate the family.
• The DWP admitted errors and expressed regret, stating a need for a more compassionate approach.

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Minister apologises for grooming gangs report delay

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

A government minister apologized for a delay in releasing a report on grooming gangs, which are groups involved in child sexual abuse. The report, led by Baroness Louise Casey, is now expected soon after a short extension request.

Key Facts:

• The government asked Baroness Louise Casey in January to review data on group-based child sexual abuse.
• The report was supposed to be published in May, but there has been a delay.
• Home Office Minister Jess Phillips apologized for the delay in the House of Commons.
• Baroness Casey requested a short extension to complete the report.
• The report will help the government decide its next steps regarding grooming gangs.
• An initial £5 million has been set aside for victim-focused local inquiries in Oldham and other areas.
• The government recently decided against a national inquiry because a previous one lasted seven years.
• Local inquiries will study specific incidents, with further inquiries expected after the report's publication.

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New search in Portugal in Madeleine McCann case

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Police in Portugal and Germany have started a new search for Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in 2007 while on holiday with her family. The search is focused on areas near her last known location in the Algarve region and is part of investigations where 48-year-old Christian Brückner is considered the main suspect.

Key Facts:

• Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007 during a family holiday in Portugal.
• Portuguese and German police are conducting a search in Portugal from June 2-6, 2023.
• The search targets the municipality of Lagos, near where Madeleine was last seen.
• Christian Brückner, a German national serving a prison sentence for another crime, is the main suspect.
• German investigators suspect Brückner of involvement in Madeleine's case but lack enough evidence for charges.
• Brückner has denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.
• Portuguese authorities will hand over any found evidence to German authorities.
• This new search is the first one in two years, with the last in 2023 concentrating on a remote dam area.

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Drones, submarines and nuclear warheads - what's in the new UK defence plan?

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

The UK government has unveiled a new defence strategy for the next ten years. This plan includes increasing its focus on NATO, upgrading military technology, expanding personnel, and investing in nuclear and cyber capabilities. The government aims to adopt all 62 recommendations from the defence review, affecting various areas like the Army, Navy, Air Force, and more.

Key Facts:

• The strategy emphasizes a "Nato-first" policy, making the UK a major contributor to NATO since its founding.
• The military will shift towards "war-fighting readiness" as its main focus.
• The Royal Navy will use a mix of aircraft, drones, warships, and submarines to patrol key areas.
• The plan includes building 12 new submarines as part of a partnership with Australia and the United States, creating 9,000 jobs.
• By 2029, there will be a small increase in full-time army personnel, with plans for fully-trained reserves.
• A new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will lead the UK's efforts in cyber and electromagnetic warfare.
• The strategy sets aside an £11 billion budget for military equipment, including new factories and long-range weapons.
• Over £1.5 billion will be spent to improve living conditions for the armed forces.

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Scheffler and Stark evoke memories of legends

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Scottie Scheffler defended his title at the Memorial event in Ohio, achieving his 16th PGA Tour victory. Maja Stark won her first major at the Women's US Open, marking the first European win in the tournament since 2006.

Key Facts:

• Scottie Scheffler won his 16th PGA Tour title at the Memorial event in Ohio.
• Maja Stark won the Women's US Open, her first major victory.
• Stark's win is the first by a European in this tournament since 2006.
• Scheffler has won three major titles and 16 PGA Tour events in three years and three months.
• Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods achieved similar records in slightly less time.
• Scheffler consistently performs well in all areas of the game, according to Data Golf.
• Scheffler is the first person to win back-to-back Memorial titles since Tiger Woods.
• Stark won her major with a two-shot victory over Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda.

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Fourth man arrested over fires at homes linked to PM

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

A 48-year-old man was arrested in connection with a series of fires linked to the homes of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The police arrested him at London's Stansted Airport, and he is suspected of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Three other men have been charged earlier for similar offenses related to these fires.

Key Facts:

• A fourth man was arrested at Stansted Airport for alleged conspiracy to commit arson.
• He is connected to fires at places linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
• The arrest is linked to three incidents: a car fire in Kentish Town, a fire at Sir Keir's private home, and a fire at a former address in Islington.
• The arrested man is 48 years old and is currently in police custody in London.
• Three other men, including two Ukrainians and one Ukrainian-born Romanian, face charges related to these fires.
• These three men are due in court at the Old Bailey.
• The fires occurred between May 8 and May 12 in north London locations.

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Police confirm 109 people injured in Liverpool parade crash

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Police reported that 109 people were injured when a car hit a crowd during Liverpool FC's parade. The suspect, Paul Doyle, faces multiple charges and will appear in court again in August.

Key Facts:

• 109 people were injured during a car crash at Liverpool FC's parade.
• The incident occurred on 26 May around 18:00 BST on Water Street.
• Among the injured, a nine-year-old was the youngest victim.
• Paul Doyle, 53, has been charged with several offenses, including causing serious harm and dangerous driving.
• A baby boy in a pram was pushed several meters but was not harmed.
• Previously, police reported 79 injuries, but more people later sought medical help.
• Police ask anyone with information about the crash to contact them urgently.
• Paul Doyle's next court appearance is scheduled for 14 August.

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How is the Ballon d'Or winner decided?

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

The Ballon d'Or is a top football award given by France Football magazine to the best player of the year. Journalists from 100 countries vote on a shortlist of nominees to decide the winner. The rules for this award have changed over time, and now include players from all over the world.

Key Facts:

• The Ballon d'Or is given by France Football magazine for being the best football player each year.
• A shortlist of 30 nominees is created by France Football and L'Equipe journalists, along with some former players.
• One journalist from each of the top 100 Fifa-ranked countries votes on the nominees.
• Points are given based on a player's ranking in the vote, with the most points winning.
• If players tie on points, first-place votes are used to break the tie.
• Originally, only European players or those playing in Europe could win; now all players globally are eligible.
• A women’s Ballon d'Or, called the Ballon d'Or Féminin, began in 2018.
• Lionel Messi has the most Ballon d'Or wins, with eight trophies.

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World number 361 Boisson stuns third seed Pegula

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Lois Boisson, ranked 361st in the world, won a surprising match against third seed Jessica Pegula at the French Open, advancing her to the quarter-finals. After recovering from a knee injury, she used a wildcard entry to compete, and she will next face sixth seed Mirra Andreeva.

Key Facts:

• Lois Boisson is ranked 361st in the world.
• She won against Jessica Pegula, who was the third seed, in the fourth round of the French Open.
• Boisson had a serious knee injury last year which kept her out of competition for nine months.
• She received a wildcard entry to compete in the French Open.
• Boisson's victory over Pegula marked her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam event.
• Her win makes her the lowest-ranked player to reach the French Open fourth round since 2018.
• She will play against the sixth seed, Mirra Andreeva, for a place in the semi-finals.

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Man City target Wolves defender Ait-Nouri

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants to sign Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri to fill the team's left-back position. An agreement has not been reached yet, but there is confidence it will happen soon.

Key Facts:

• Rayan Ait-Nouri is currently playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, known as Wolves.
• Manchester City has been without a regular left-back since Benjamin Mendy left.
• Several players, including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo, have played as left-backs for City.
• Guardiola aims to resolve the left-back issue by bringing in Ait-Nouri.
• Ait-Nouri is 23 years old and plays for Algeria's national team.
• Manchester City hopes to finalize the transfer before June 10, for Ait-Nouri to play in the Club World Cup group stage.
• Ait-Nouri is scheduled to play in friendly matches for Algeria in June.

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Manslaughter case launched into Nottingham baby deaths

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

A corporate manslaughter investigation has started into the deaths and injuries of hundreds of babies at maternity units in Nottingham overseen by the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Police are investigating whether the trust was grossly negligent, focusing on two specific maternity units. The investigation follows a large inquiry into the trust's maternity services involving about 2,500 cases of harm to mothers and babies.

Key Facts:

• A corporate manslaughter investigation is underway regarding babies' deaths and injuries at Nottingham maternity units.
• Nottinghamshire Police are assessing if the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was grossly negligent.
• The trust is already part of the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history, reviewing around 2,500 cases.
• The investigation focuses on maternity units at Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.
• In April 2026, a report on the trust’s maternity failings is expected from independent midwife Donna Ockenden.
• Over 200 family cases have been referred to the police investigation, called Operation Perth.
• The trust was fined £1.6 million for avoidable failings related to three baby deaths in 2021.
• The trust has committed to cooperating with the police investigation and improving maternity services.

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Gangland shooting in Spanish bar captured on CCTV

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

A shooting occurred at Monaghan's bar in Fuengirola, Spain, where two men, Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr, were killed. The incident, captured on CCTV, is under investigation by Spanish police, who have not yet made any arrests.

Key Facts:

• The shooting happened at Monaghan's bar on the Costa del Sol, Spain.
• Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr, linked to Glasgow's Lyons crime group, were killed.
• CCTV footage shows Monaghan trying to stay up before collapsing from a chest wound.
• The gunman chased Monaghan and fled the scene with an accomplice in a car.
• Spanish detectives are investigating but haven't arrested anyone yet.
• The attack happened while customers were outside watching a football match.
• Ross Monaghan had previously been involved in high-profile criminal cases in Glasgow.
• Spanish police confirmed two men died from gunshot wounds at the bar.

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Young driver detained for causing police pile-up during first date

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

A 20-year-old named Mazyar Azarbonyad was sentenced to 14 months in a young offender institution after causing a crash that injured seven police officers and damaged five police cars. The incident happened while he was driving at high speed on the A1 in Newcastle with a passenger who urged him to stop. Despite already having driving restrictions, he continued to drive illegally after the crash.

Key Facts:

• Mazyar Azarbonyad caused a police car pile-up on the A1 in Newcastle.
• The crash happened at around 02:30 BST on April 9.
• Seven police officers were injured, and five police cars were damaged in the incident.
• Azarbonyad reached speeds of up to 120 mph before the crash.
• He held only a provisional driving license and had no car insurance.
• He admitted to dangerous driving and driving again while banned.
• His passenger reportedly tried to convince him to stop during the chase.
• Following the crash, Azarbonyad continued to drive unlawfully and was arrested at a petrol station.

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Rugby concussion lawsuit rises to 1,100 former players

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

More than 520 former rugby players have joined a legal case against rugby organizations for not protecting them from head injuries. Over 1,100 players are now involved, claiming that the rugby authorities didn't do enough to prevent brain injuries like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Key Facts:

• More than 520 former rugby players have recently joined a lawsuit about concussions.
• A total of over 1,100 former players are now part of the lawsuit, which includes those from rugby union and rugby league.
• The lawsuit involves players like Steve Thompson and Mark Regan from the 2003 England Rugby World Cup team.
• Former players claim rugby organizations did not protect them from serious brain injuries.
• Medical checks show about two-thirds of these players show signs of CTE.
• Roy Heaney, one of the claimants, played in the 1980s and was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and likely CTE.
• The last chance for players to join the lawsuit was at the end of May, before a possible trial next year.
• Rylands Garth, the law firm handling the case, is also representing former football players in similar cases.

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Move 'was not right', says 'frustrated' Verstappen

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Max Verstappen collided with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix, resulting in a 10-second penalty and a drop from fifth to tenth place. Verstappen admitted the move was a mistake, and he is now one point away from a race ban due to penalty points on his license.

Key Facts:

• Max Verstappen collided with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix.
• The collision led to Verstappen receiving a 10-second penalty and finishing tenth.
• Verstappen admitted his frustration led to the incident, calling it a "misjudgement."
• He received three penalty points on his license, bringing his total to 11.
• A racing license race ban occurs at 12 points.
• The penalty leaves Verstappen 49 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri.
• Verstappen's team, Red Bull, opted for hard tires, which he questioned.
• The clash occurred at Turn Five on the final laps of the race.

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Major study shows exercise improves colon cancer survival rates

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

A large study found that exercise can reduce the risk of dying from colon cancer by a third. This trial included an exercise program for colon cancer patients, which showed significant improvements in survival rates compared to those who did not follow the program. The study results suggest that exercise could become a key part of colon cancer treatment.

Key Facts:

• The study showed that exercise reduced the risk of dying from colon cancer by about 33%.
• The program was international and included 889 patients.
• Patients were divided into two groups: one did an exercise program, and the other received healthy lifestyle advice through leaflets.
• Patients in the exercise group had a 28% lower risk of the cancer returning or a new cancer developing after five years.
• Eight years after treatment, 10% of the exercise group had died compared to 17% who only received leaflets.
• The exercise program aimed for patients to do at least twice the exercise of average guidelines, like 3-4 sessions of walking weekly.
• Initial coaching was frequent, with weekly sessions dropping to monthly ones after six months.
• The exact reasons exercise helps are unclear, but it may affect hormones, inflammation, and the immune system.

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Gaza doctor whose nine children were killed in Israeli strike dies from injuries

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, a Palestinian doctor, died from injuries sustained in an Israeli air strike in Gaza that also killed his nine children. His wife and one of their children survived the attack, and the child remains in the hospital. The strike occurred during a military campaign following a previous attack by Hamas.

Key Facts:

• Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar died from injuries after an Israeli air strike hit his home in Gaza.
• Nine of his children died in the attack; one child survived but is seriously injured.
• Dr. al-Najjar's wife, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, also survived.
• The air strike was part of an Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
• The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the incident is under review.
• Dr. al-Najjar was 40 years old and worked alongside his wife at a hospital.
• Italy offered to transfer the seriously injured boy to their country for treatment.
• The conflict began after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in many casualties.

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Indian man arrested with 47 venomous vipers in bag at Mumbai airport

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Indian customs officials arrested a man at Mumbai airport for attempting to smuggle 47 venomous vipers and other rare reptiles into India. The man, who traveled from Thailand, had these animals hidden in his luggage, and they were seized because they are protected by wildlife laws in India.

Key Facts:

• Indian authorities arrested a man at Mumbai airport for smuggling reptiles.
• He attempted to bring 47 venomous vipers into India.
• The reptiles were found hidden in his checked luggage.
• Other seized animals included spider-tailed horned vipers and Asian leaf turtles.
• Indian wildlife laws prevent the import of certain protected or endangered species.
• The man is in custody and has not made a public statement.
• Customs officials regularly deal with cases of wildlife smuggling at airports in India.

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Sweden's Stark holds nerve to win US Women's Open

BBC Top Stories • June 02, 2025 • Home

Maja Stark won the US Women's Open with a two-shot lead, marking her first major title. She became the third Swedish woman to win this tournament, fending off strong competitors like Nelly Korda and Rio Taneka. Stark started the final round with a slight lead and managed to maintain it despite challenges from other top players.

Key Facts:

• Maja Stark won the US Women's Open, securing her first major title.
• She is the third Swedish woman to win the US Women's Open.
• Stark finished the tournament at seven under par, two shots ahead of her closest competitors.
• Nelly Korda and Rio Taneka tied for second place at five under par.
• Stark started the final round with a one-shot lead and made strategic plays to extend it.
• Nelly Korda's performance had her close in on Stark, but she eventually finished with a bogey on the back nine.
• Charley Hull from England finished tied for 12th place at one under par.
• Lottie Woad, also from England, was the best amateur, finishing at five over par.

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