Form Time News

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


Monday
24th August 2026

Around the world

Burnham to hand long-range missile blueprints to Zelensky as he visits Kyiv

It comes after Moscow warned of "consequences" over the reported use of British drones by Ukraine.

Divorce, smartphones and control - BBC sees how Taliban run Afghanistan

Five years after the Taliban’s return, the BBC follows senior figures as the group reshapes the country.

In the UK

Burnham to hand long-range missile blueprints to Zelensky as he visits Kyiv

It comes after Moscow warned of "consequences" over the reported use of British drones by Ukraine.

PCs killed in A66 crash were heroes, say families

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died when a car driving the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough struck their vehicle.

Politics

Burnham to hand long-range missile blueprints to Zelensky as he visits Kyiv

It comes after Moscow warned of "consequences" over the reported use of British drones by Ukraine.

Mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the change was "essential" for helping mayors "effectively deliver new homes".

Education

More students planning to live at home for university over 'insane' living costs

Students like Jessica say they worry about missing out on student life, but feel they have no choice but to stay at home.

'Relentless' GCSE resit cycle 'simply not working', school and college leaders say

Pass rates for maths and English resits remain significantly lower than students taking them for the first time.

Health

How easy is it to find an NHS dentist? It depends where you live

Nearly 600 practices in England have withdrawn from NHS dentistry over the last 10 years, as the service heads towards a two-tier system.

Vaccine breakthrough stops cancer returning in trial

A new jab extended the length of time patients were cancer free, but it is unclear for how long.

Business

Shein aims for almost $27bn valuation in stock market debut

The fast-fashion giant's shares are due to start trading in Hong Kong on 1 September.

Review launched into how pub and hotel business rates calculated

The review of how rates are calculated in England and Wales could lead to reform of the system.

Science

France links sharp rise in drownings to heatwaves

A government minister says people have been taking risks by going into the water, with 301 deaths since 19 June.

How a new era of heatwaves could shake up the school calendar

Teachers warn it could be increasingly difficult for classrooms to function during the hottest months.

Technology

Robot horse and rider steal the spotlight at Chinese conference

More than 300 companies are showcasing the latest advances in robotics at the five-day event in Beijing, China, organisers say.

TikTok to pay $400m to US in one of largest child privacy settlements

The deal stems from a 2024 lawsuit alleging TikTok and its parent company ByteDance collected "vast amounts of data" on millions of users under the age of 13.

Entertainment

Viral 'Cat in the Hat' TikTok trend sparks fun fake videos but also real fear

The social media posts have prompted police forces in Ireland and the UK to issue statements that the images are fake.

Davis 'grateful' for support over cancer diagnosis

The Office star was appearing at convention in London, less than two weeks after announcing her condition.