Labour wins Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Labour has won the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse, taking the seat from the SNP. Davy Russell became the new MSP with 8,559 votes, beating the SNP by 602 votes. The voter turnout was lower than in the 2021 election, with 44.2% of eligible voters participating.

Key Facts:

• Labour's Davy Russell won the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election.
• Russell received 8,559 votes, winning by a margin of 602 votes over the SNP.
• The by-election took place following the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who served the area since 2011.
• The voter turnout was 44.2%, lower than the 60% turnout in 2021.
• Reform UK finished in third place with 7,088 votes, and the Conservatives came fourth with 1,621 votes.
• Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Labour on the victory and expressed optimism about future elections.
• Before the by-election, it was suggested that Reform UK could challenge Labour's position in upcoming elections.
• Davy Russell, who has a history in local government, emphasized concerns that constituents felt neglected by politicians.

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Trial date set for men charged over fires at homes linked to PM

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Three men are set to face trial in April next year for arson charges connected to fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer. The incidents involved fires at a car and two homes, and the accused men are Roman Lavrynovych, Stanislav Carpiuc, and Petro Pochynok.

Key Facts:

• The trial for the arson charges is scheduled for April 2026.
• Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc appeared in court via video link from Belmarsh prison.
• Petro Pochynok did not attend the court hearing and stayed in his cell.
• The charges include fires at a car and two different properties in north London.
• Roman Lavrynovych is charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
• Stanislav Carpiuc and Petro Pochynok are charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
• The defendants are expected to return to court in October to enter their pleas.
• All three men have indicated that they deny the charges against them.

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Why Reform was the other big winner in the Hamilton by-election

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Labour won the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, taking the seat from the SNP, but Reform UK also saw significant success, finishing third with their best parliamentary election result in Scotland. The SNP and Labour both lost vote share, while the Conservatives came in fourth. Reform UK's performance highlights changing political dynamics in Scotland.

Key Facts:

• Labour won the by-election with 8,559 votes, leading by 602 votes over the SNP.
• Reform UK achieved a 26% share of the vote, their best result in a Scottish parliamentary election.
• The SNP lost vote share significantly, raising questions about their strategy for the 2026 election.
• The Conservatives finished in fourth place, indicating a setback for their leadership in Scotland.
• Immigration concerns were a notable issue during the by-election, influencing voter behavior.
• Reform UK's success challenges the idea that Scotland requires more immigration for economic reasons.
• Labour's win comes amid low popularity for UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland.
• The next major election in Scotland will be in May 2026, where these dynamics may play a role.

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Cancer patients 'priced out' of holidays because of insurance costs, charity warns

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Cancer patients are facing very high travel insurance costs, which makes it hard for them to travel abroad. Maggie's cancer support charity says some patients are quoted thousands for insurance, while others can't get cover at all. The charity is urging authorities and insurers to help make travel insurance fairer for these patients.

Key Facts:

• Cancer patients often receive high travel insurance quotes, sometimes in the thousands.
• Some patients are denied travel insurance coverage altogether.
• Maggie's cancer support charity has raised concerns about these costs and is asking for changes.
• Dame Laura Lee from Maggie's mentioned that travel is important for patients' wellbeing and recovery.
• A cancer survivor, Josh Cull, found a £3,000 quote unaffordable after being healthy for over two years.
• The Association of British Insurers states that insurance costs take into account emergency treatment abroad for pre-existing conditions.
• Authorities like the Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority have been asked to work on recommendations for fairer insurance practices.
• A 2018 report highlighted ongoing difficulties for cancer patients in finding affordable travel insurance.

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Haliburton's last-second winner puts Pacers ahead in NBA Finals

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Tyrese Haliburton scored in the final second, helping the Indiana Pacers win 111-110 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first game of the NBA Finals.

Key Facts:

• The game was between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
• Tyrese Haliburton scored the winning point in the last second of the game.
• The final score was 111-110 in favor of the Pacers.
• This win was the first time the Pacers took the lead in the match.
• It was the first game of the NBA Finals.

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Beckham set to be knighted in King's Birthday Honours

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

David Beckham is set to receive a knighthood in King Charles' upcoming Birthday Honours. Beckham, who had a successful football career and has contributed to British society, is expected to be recognized further after initially receiving an OBE in 2003.

Key Facts:

• David Beckham will be on King Charles' Birthday Honours list to receive a knighthood.
• Beckham was an England football captain and received an OBE in 2003.
• He played for teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and LA Galaxy before retiring in 2013.
• Beckham was first nominated for a knighthood in 2011.
• Leaked emails in 2017 showed Beckham's alleged criticism of the honours system.
• Beckham married Victoria Beckham in 1999, and they have four children.
• He played a key role in bringing the 2012 Olympics to London.
• Beckham has been a Unicef ambassador since 2005 and supports The King's Foundation.
• He is part-owner of Salford City and co-owner of Inter Miami in the U.S.

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Knockouts to nappies - dad-to-be Wardley's defining week

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Fabio Wardley, a British heavyweight boxer, is preparing for a significant fight against Justis Huni at Ipswich Town Football Club. In addition to this important match, Wardley is expecting the birth of his first child shortly after the fight, making this a notable period in his life both professionally and personally.

Key Facts:

• Fabio Wardley is fighting Justis Huni at Ipswich Town Football Club on June 7.
• Wardley's partner is expecting their first child a week after the fight.
• At 30 years old, Wardley has a professional boxing record of 18 wins, one draw, and has stopped 17 opponents.
• He started boxing at 19 and worked in recruitment before becoming a professional boxer.
• Wardley became known for his knockout victory against Frazer Clarke last October.
• Initially, Wardley was set to fight Jarrell Miller, but Miller withdrew due to injury; Wardley will now face Justis Huni, an undefeated Australian contender.
• Wardley trains and prepares for his fights while also dealing with the anticipation of becoming a father.

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Lost Turner oil painting found after 150 years

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

A long-lost oil painting by artist JMW Turner, titled "The Rising Squall," has been rediscovered after being unknown for over 150 years. The painting, which was Turner's first oil painting exhibition piece, will be shown to the public in London and is estimated to sell at auction for up to £300,000.

Key Facts:

• JMW Turner's painting "The Rising Squall" was lost for more than 150 years.
• This painting was the first oil painting Turner exhibited, shown at the Royal Academy in 1793.
• The painting was mistakenly believed to be a watercolour and was missing from catalogs of Turner's oil works.
• Turner's signature was found on the painting after it was cleaned during a restoration project last year.
• The artwork depicts a view of a former hot spring and spa in Bristol before the Clifton Suspension Bridge was built.
• It will be displayed at Sotheby's in London from 28 June to 1 July before being auctioned.
• The painting is expected to fetch up to £300,000 at auction.
• It was last exhibited in Tasmania, Australia, in 1858 before being forgotten.

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The sun will still rise if I win or lose French Open - Gauff

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Coco Gauff, ranked as the world's number two tennis player, stated she will focus on keeping perspective during the French Open final by reminding herself that there are more important challenges in life than a tennis match. Gauff is set to compete against world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, in the final at Roland Garros.

Key Facts:

• Coco Gauff is currently ranked as the second-best female tennis player in the world.
• She will play in the French Open final against Aryna Sabalenka.
• Aryna Sabalenka is ranked as the world’s top tennis player.
• The match will occur at Roland Garros, a famous venue for the French Open.
• Gauff said she will remember bigger life issues to manage her mindset during the game.

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Three killed in 'massive' Russian strikes across Ukraine, Zelensky says

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Russia carried out large-scale drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, resulting in at least three deaths and 49 injuries, according to Ukraine's President Zelensky. The strikes targeted Kyiv and other regions after recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian military bases.

Key Facts:

• Russia launched drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other areas early on Friday.
• Three State Emergency Service workers were confirmed dead, and 49 people were injured.
• Russian President Putin had warned the U.S. about a response to Ukraine's strikes on Russian airbases.
• Over 400 drones and 40 missiles were used in the attack on Ukraine.
• Air raid alerts affected Kyiv and the cities of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Luhansk.
• Kyiv's metro was disrupted due to damage from the attacks.
• In Ternopil, it was described as the largest air attack in the region, injuring five people and damaging property.
• Lutsk experienced attacks with 15 drones and six missiles, causing injuries to five people.
• Russia claimed to have shot down 174 Ukrainian drones overnight and intercepted missiles over the Black Sea.

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Delap not part of England Under-21 squad for Euros

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Liam Delap, who recently joined Chelsea, is not in England's Under-21 squad for the European Championships in Slovakia. The squad includes notable players like Jobe Bellingham, Jarell Quansah, and Harvey Elliott. England's U21 team is preparing to defend the title they won in 2023.

Key Facts:

• Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich for £30 million, is not in the England Under-21 team for the European Championships.
• The European Under-21 Championships will happen in eight cities in Slovakia from June 11 to June 28.
• Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham is named in the squad, and Borussia Dortmund is interested in signing him before the transfer window ends on June 10.
• England's Under-21 team includes players like Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, James McAtee, and Tino Livramento.
• The Under-21 team aims to defend its title won in 2023 in Georgia.
• England will play against the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Germany in the group stage starting on June 12.
• The squad has three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and six forwards.
• West Brom's Tom Fellows will join as an extra player for training.

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'Forget the age' - Gen Z aim to deny history-chasing Djokovic in semi-finals

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

At the 2025 French Open, Novak Djokovic, at age 38, will play against 22-year-old Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. Djokovic is pursuing his 25th major title, while Sinner is looking to become the first Italian man to win the tournament since 1976. Djokovic has won his last nine matches, and Sinner is on a 19-match winning streak at Grand Slam events.

Key Facts:

• Novak Djokovic is 38 years old and is playing in the French Open semi-finals.
• Djokovic aims to win his 25th Grand Slam title.
• Jannik Sinner, 22, has won the past three matches against Djokovic.
• Sinner seeks to be the first Italian man to win the French Open since 1976.
• Djokovic is on a nine-match winning streak.
• Sinner is on a 19-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments.
• Djokovic has achieved 100 tour-level career titles.
• The match between Djokovic and Sinner is part of the French Open's men's singles semi-finals.

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Four arrested over India cricket stadium crush

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Police in Bengaluru, India, have arrested four people after a deadly crowd crush occurred outside a cricket stadium. This incident led to the deaths of 11 people during a celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's cricket victory. More arrests are expected as investigations continue.

Key Facts:

• A crowd crush in Bengaluru killed 11 people during a cricket celebration.
• Four people, including members of the cricket team and event organizers, have been arrested.
• Over 200,000 people attended the parade, double the number expected by police.
• The stadium where fans gathered has a capacity of 32,000 and became overcrowded.
• Five senior police officers have been suspended for negligence.
• The Karnataka High Court has requested a detailed report on the incident.
• Legal action has been initiated against the cricket team, event management, and cricket association.
• The Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced financial aid for the victims' families.

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Why Zia Yusuf's resignation matters for Reform UK

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Zia Yusuf has resigned as the chairman of Reform UK after 11 months. Yusuf previously donated £200,000 to the party and had a significant role in its development and recent successes. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, now needs a new chairman as it continues to grow.

Key Facts:

• Zia Yusuf resigned as chairman of Reform UK after 11 months.
• Yusuf is a self-made multi-millionaire who donated £200,000 to the party.
• Before joining Reform UK, Yusuf was a former Conservative and worked for Goldman Sachs.
• He was involved in building the party's structure and organization.
• Nigel Farage, Reform UK's leader, praised Yusuf's contributions but noted he seemed tired of politics.
• Yusuf previously criticized a fellow party member's comments about banning the burka.
• Reform UK now needs to find a new chairman to continue its expansion.

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Wiggins 'indebted' to 'inspiration' Armstrong

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Bradley Wiggins, a British cyclist and five-time Olympic champion, shared that he had struggled with cocaine addiction after retiring from competitive cycling. He stated that Lance Armstrong, another former cyclist known for losing his titles due to doping, has been a strong source of support and inspiration in his recovery journey.

Key Facts:

• Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France in 2012, making him the first British cyclist to achieve this.
• Wiggins became addicted to cocaine after he retired from cycling in 2016.
• Lance Armstrong, stripped of seven Tour de France titles for doping, has helped Wiggins during his recovery.
• Wiggins publicly discussed his addiction and personal struggles in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.
• He mentioned that Armstrong's support has been important for his mental and physical recovery.
• Wiggins will work with Armstrong this summer on a podcast about the Tour de France.
• In addition to his cycling titles, Wiggins won multiple Olympic gold medals over three different Games.
• Wiggins has faced personal challenges, including bankruptcy and issues stemming from his early life.

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How to train your dragon star Gerard Butler on Belfast, remote pubs and Viking helmets

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Hollywood actor Gerard Butler expressed his strong connection to Belfast, Northern Ireland, while filming the live-action version of "How to Train Your Dragon." The production was filmed in various Northern Ireland locations and is set to premiere on June 9, 2024. Butler stated that a sequel is planned, and he hopes it will also be filmed in Northern Ireland.

Key Facts:

• Gerard Butler played the role of Stoick, a Viking leader, in the live-action "How to Train Your Dragon."
• The filming took place in Northern Ireland at locations like Belfast, Dunseverick Castle, and Tollymore Forest.
• The movie is set to be released in theaters on June 9, 2024.
• The production contributed over £59 million to Northern Ireland's economy and created jobs for over 900 local people.
• Northern Ireland Screen invested £2,050,000 in the project.
• Butler described the local people of Belfast as welcoming, saying he felt like "an adopted son."
• Gerard Butler recalled a busy experience at a local Belfast pub, where he was recognized by fans.

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Thousands of criminal cases collapsing due to missing or lost police evidence

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Thousands of criminal cases in England and Wales have fallen apart because police evidence was lost, damaged, or missing. Between 2020 and 2024, more than 30,000 prosecutions, including serious crimes, did not go to trial because necessary evidence wasn't available.

Key Facts:

• More than 30,000 prosecutions collapsed between October 2020 and September 2024 due to missing evidence.
• The cases include 70 homicides and over 550 sexual offences.
• Recordings can become unusable when evidence, like forensic or digital data, is lost or damaged.
• Police chiefs mention that not every case is due to lost evidence; it may also be a lack of experts or missing medical statements.
• The National Forensics Archive holds millions of pieces of evidence before 2012.
• An increase in these issues is linked to police budget cuts during the 2010s.
• The term "E72" is used when cases can't go forward due to missing evidence.
• In 2020, 7,484 cases referred to as E72 were reported, growing by 9% to 8,180 in 2024.

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Shipwreck mystery solved after nearly 140 years

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Experts identified the shipwreck of the SS Nantes, which sank nearly 140 years ago, off the coast of Plymouth. Diver Dom Robinson found the ship by examining the wreck and recovered crockery with the Cunard Steamship crest. The discovery helps acknowledge the crew members who lost their lives in the 1888 disaster.

Key Facts:

• Experts found the SS Nantes shipwreck off Plymouth after nearly 140 years.
• Diver Dom Robinson identified the wreck by examining the site and finding crockery with a Cunard Steamship crest.
• The SS Nantes sank in November 1888 after colliding with a German sailing vessel, the Theodor Ruger.
• The disaster resulted in about 23 crew member fatalities, with only three survivors.
• Bodies from the wreck washed ashore in Cornwall, creating a scene of devastation.
• The wreck was previously lost due to lack of satellite navigation at the time.
• The discovery was confirmed by examining the ship's build, dimensions, technology, and cargo.
• Dr. Harry Bennett praised the dive team's detailed detective work in identifying the shipwreck.

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'We have a geriatric problem' - Democrats wrestle with age-old issue

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Democrats are facing questions about having older leaders after recent events highlighted the age of key figures like Joe Biden and Jim Clyburn. Following Biden’s cancer diagnosis and the deaths of several elderly Democratic members of Congress, there is a discussion about whether it's time to bring in younger voices.

Key Facts:

• Jim Clyburn, an 84-year-old Democratic congressman, has been a strong supporter of Joe Biden, who is 82.
• Clyburn’s endorsement helped Biden win the South Carolina primary in his presidential campaign.
• Biden did not seek re-election last year due to questions about his health and competency after a cancer diagnosis.
• Three elderly Democratic members of Congress passed away this year, impacting Democratic power in Congress.
• Republicans passed a controversial spending bill with a narrow majority vote in Congress.
• A survey showed more than half of the Democrats in the House over age 75 plan to seek re-election, including Clyburn.
• Democratic voters often prioritize experience over youth in their leaders, despite the age issue.
• The topic of older politicians is relevant to Republicans as well, with their own elderly leaders in office.

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Growing number of MPs changing their mind on assisted dying

BBC Top Stories • June 06, 2025 • Home

Opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill in England and Wales, which seeks to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults with less than six months to live, is growing among Members of Parliament (MPs). Although the bill initially gained significant support, some MPs who previously supported or abstained are reconsidering their positions due to concerns about safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

Key Facts:

• The Assisted Dying Bill is being considered in England and Wales to allow terminally ill adults to receive medical help to die.
• Last year, the bill passed its first major vote in the House of Commons with support from 330 MPs.
• A number of MPs who previously supported or did not vote have indicated they may now oppose the bill.
• Kim Leadbeater, a Labour MP, introduced the bill as a private members' bill.
• MPs have a free vote on the bill, meaning they can vote based on personal belief instead of party lines.
• Markus Campbell-Savours, an MP who previously backed the bill, now expresses concerns about protecting vulnerable people.
• More than 500 amendments have been proposed to the bill, aiming to address various concerns.
• Final votes in the House of Commons and the House of Lords are still pending.

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