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Six O'Clock News

BBC Radio 4www.bbc.co.uk

The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4

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Episodes

Court of Appeal rules that sentences handed to two teenagers for rape were unduly lenient

Two teenagers who avoided jail for raping two girls in Hampshire have been ordered to serve four years in detention after the Court of Appeal ruled their original sentences were unduly lenient. Also: The Prime Minister has apologised for the role of the British state in historical forced adoptions. And a man has been pulled alive from the rubble in Venezuela, more than a week after two powerful earthquakes hit the country.

Jul 02, 202630 min

Two police officers are being investigated over the arrest and handcuffing of Henry Nowak

Two police officers who arrested Henry Nowak after he was fatally stabbed in Southampton, are being investigated for potential gross misconduct. Also: President Trump has rejected claims of a conflict of interest after it emerged he made more than a billion dollars from cryptocurrency last year. And tributes are paid to the frontman of the Village People, Victor Willis, who's died at the age of 74.

Jul 01, 202627 min

Sir Keir Starmer announces an extra 15 billion pounds of military spending

The outgoing Prime Minister has hailed what he called "a generational transformation of our armed forces," after the government published its delayed Defence Investment Plan. Also: The US Supreme Court has struck down President Trump's attempt to end automatic citizenship for babies born in the US. And Shetland backs a plan to dig undersea tunnels between islands.

Jun 30, 202631 min

Andy Burnham sets out a vision to 'rewire Britain'

The likely next prime minister, Andy Burnham, has set out a vision for what he says would be the biggest change in the way the country is run in our lifetime. Also: Resident doctors in England have accepted the government's latest pay offer, ending a series of strikes. And one of the leading comedy actresses of the 1970s and early 80s, Dame Penelope Keith, has died.

Jun 29, 202630 min

England cricket captain Ben Stokes announces shock retirement

Ben Stokes, the captain of England's men's test cricket, has announced his retirement from the international game. Iran has warned that any challenge to its control of the Strait of Hormuz will only further increase tensions, as the ceasefire with the US remains under strain. Venezuela's interim president says thirty-three people have this weekend have been rescued from rubble - after Wednesday's twin earthquakes.

Jun 28, 202617 min

Aid arrives in Venezuela

Venezuela's main airport, near the epicentre of Wednesday's twin earthquakes, has partially reopened, raising hopes that mobile hospitals can be brought in for the many casualties. The government is introducing what is calls a "capped, safe and legal" route for refugees to come to Britain, starting in the autumn. Germany has broken its all-time temperature record, with a reading of 41-point-5 celsius taken in in the east of the country.

Jun 27, 202616 min

Venezuela searches for earthquake survivors

Rescue teams from around the world, including the UK arrive in Venezuela where tens of thousands of people are missing after 2 powerful earthquakes on Wednesday. Hundreds of people are confirmed to have died. Also: The record for the hottest June day in the UK has been broken for a third day in a row, and BBC Radio 4 prepares to broadcast on Long Wave for the final time.

Jun 26, 202630 min

Venezuelan earthquakes, heatwave sweeps Europe

Rescuers in Venezuela are searching the rubble in the capital, Caracas where more than 100 buildings have collapsed after a double earthquake hit the country last night. 164 people have died and almost 1000 other people have been injured. The record for the hottest day recorded in the UK in June has been broken for a second day in a row, with 36.7 celsius recorded in Somerset. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves says she'll back Andy Burnham to be the next Prime Minister, despite speculation that he w...

Jun 25, 202631 min

NHS trust in Nottingham slated for maternity failings

Hundreds of mothers and babies suffered serious injury or died because of systemic failures at the Nottingham University Hospitals Trust according to the biggest maternity inquiry in the history of the NHS. Also: The Met Office says the June temperature record has been broken. And scientists find sperm whales have regional accents.

Jun 24, 202630 min

High temperatures cause schools to close

Many schools across England and Wales were partially or fully closed today, with more set to shut tomorrow, as temperatures continue to rise. Also: The former SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell, is jailed for five years for embezzlement. And the Reflecting Pool in Washington is set to be drained as President Trump again blames vandals for its condition.

Jun 23, 202631 min

Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Labour leader

After less than two years as prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation after accepting he no longer has the support of his MPs. Also: The former DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, is found guilty of child sex offences, including rape. And the Met Office issues a rare red warning for extreme heat in parts of England and Wales.

Jun 22, 202631 min

Growing expectations PM will resign

Sir Keir Starmer is pondering his political future tonight amid growing expectations he will resign as Prime Minister -- with an announcement possible as early as tomorrow. The US vice-president, J D Vance, has hailed the start of talks with Iran in Switzerland as "historic". The Met Office has expanded its extreme heat warning -- saying temperatures could reach the high 30s in parts of England and Wales in the coming days.

Jun 21, 202617 min

Iran says it is closing the Strait of Hormuz again

Iran's military says it has again closed the Strait of Hormuz -- in response to Israel's continued strikes on southern Lebanon. Israel launched a wave of attacks this morning -- just hours after agreeing a ceasefire with Hezbollah -- saying it was responding to the firing last night of dozens of projectiles by the Iran-backed group. President Trump had said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen to shipping as part of the framework peace deal agreed between the US and Iran, and signed three days ago....

Jun 20, 202616 min

Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election

The Transport Secretary urges Sir Keir Starmer to hand over power, after Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election. Also: A fragile ceasefire begins between Israel and Hezbollah. And Italy hits back after President Trump claims it's Prime Minister begged him for a photo.

Jun 19, 202630 min

A teacher who murdered the baby he'd adopted given whole life prison sentence

A teacher from Blackpool who sexually abused and murdered a baby he'd adopted is told he will never be released from jail. Also: A man has been arrested for attempted murder after a seriously injured boy was found in a crocodile enclosure in a zoo in Cambridgeshire. And a pendant featuring a carved portrait of Queen Elizabeth the first is to be sold at auction in the UK.

Jun 18, 202630 min

Final pitches are made to voters in Makerfield

Campaigning is nearing its climax in the constituency of Makerfield in what is being viewed as one of the most consequential parliamentary by-elections ever held. Also: President Trump has warned that he is ready to resume military action if Iran doesn't abide by its obligations. And the BBC announces details of its latest round of cuts.

Jun 17, 202630 min

Reports of Russian shots fired at UK-registered yacht in the Channel

The Ministry of Defence is investigating after a UK-registered yacht said a Russian warship fired warning shots near it in the Channel this morning. The incident is believed to have involved the Russian frigate -- Admiral Grigorovich -- and took place between the Isle of Wight and Normandy, outside UK territorial waters. Also: President Trump has delivered a rare public rebuke of Israel at the G7 summit of the world's biggest advanced economies in France. And: In tennis, the 23-time Grand Slam s...

Jun 16, 202631 min

Sir Keir Starmer has announced under-16s will be banned from social media

Sir Keir Starmer has announced that by next Spring, under-16s in the UK will be banned from social media. The landmark move will affect platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and TikTok - but not messaging services such as WhatsApp. Also: President Trump says the details of a blueprint for peace negotiations between the US and Iran will be published "pretty soon". And: The BBC has found evidence that Russia was behind arson attacks on a car and house linked to Sir Keir Starmer.

Jun 15, 202631 min

Royal Marines board Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in English Channel

Sir Keir Starmer says Russia has been dealt a 'blow' by British forces intercepting one of President Putin's sanctioned 'shadow fleet' oil tankers in the Channel. Helicopters and Royal Navy frigates were involved in the operation early this morning. Also: Israel has carried out fresh strikes on a suburb of Beirut -- after President Trump said a deal to end the fighting between the US and Iran was scheduled to be signed today. And: Lewis Hamilton wins his first Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver....

Jun 14, 202616 min

Scotland prepares for World Cup

Scotland prepare for their opening world cup match, as the team returns to the tournament after 28 years.

Jun 13, 202617 min

Art Legend David Hockney Dies

The King and Queen have led the tributes to David Hockney - one of the most influential British artists of the past century - who's died at the age of 88. His large canvases, featuring boldly colourful landscapes and portraits, such as The Big Splash, hang in some of the most prestigious galleries in the world. In other news: SpaceX has officially started trading on the open stock market; and the prime minister has insisted that defence and security are his number one priorities for the country ...

Jun 12, 202631 min

Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns

The defence secretary, John Healey, said he had "no option" but to resign over the financial settlement for the government's defence investment plan. In a letter to the Prime Minister he said that the Treasury had been "unwilling" and that Sir Keir Starmer was "unable" to provide the necessary resources to keep the country safe. In other news: for the first time, the government has published the number of NHS patients in England receiving care outside formal treatment areas; and the 2026 World C...

Jun 11, 202631 min

The family of the victim of Monday's stabbing in Belfast speak out following unrest

A court has heard that Stephen Ogilvy has lost his left eye, his right eye is damaged, and he has neck and back injuries. The suspect, Hadi Alodid, has been charged with attempted murder. Also: President Trump threatens to hit Iran 'hard'. And: England's cricket captain, Ben Stokes, has been left out of the squad for the second Test against New Zealand.

Jun 10, 202630 min

The Prime Minister condemns a stabbing in Belfast as 'horrific'

Police say the suspect is a refugee from Sudan, in his thirties. Also: President Trump says the US must respond after Iran shot down an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. And: NASA names the four astronauts who will take part in the Artemis Three mission.

Jun 09, 202630 min

Multiple women accuse David Sullivan of sexually exploitative behaviour

The claims are part of a joint investigation by BBC Panorama, and The Times newspaper. Also: Israel and Iran have agreed to stop attacking each other, following their first strikes since April. And: Sir Keir Starmer tells tech companies to introduce safety features to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images.

Jun 08, 202631 min

Project to modernise UK steel production delayed

A major government-backed project to modernise steel production in South Wales may be delayed by up to eight months. Tata Steel says there have been problems connecting the new electric furnace in Port Talbot to a suitably strong power supply. Also: President Zelensky holds talks in Downing Street about the defence of Ukraine. And Marks and Spencer launches a new training scheme designed for young people struggling to find a job.

Jun 07, 202617 min

West Ham's co-owner steps down

The co-chairman of West Ham football club, David Sullivan, steps down in response to allegations dating back to his time in the pornography industry. BBC Panorama and The Times are due to publish a joint investigation on Monday. Also: A Ukrainian commander involved in drone strikes on St Petersburg tells the BBC it was easy to hit Russia. And some of Britain's last surviving D-Day veterans mark the 82nd anniversary in France.

Jun 06, 202616 min

Rapist faces justice after another man wrongly jailed for 17 years

A man has been sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison after being found guilty of the rape of a woman more than two decades ago. Andrew Malkinson served 17 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of the crime. The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, has dismissed President Zelensky's proposal for a meeting to end the war. Also: astronauts on the International Space Station told to take emergency shelter.

Jun 05, 202630 min

Starmer tells Musk: Back off over Henry Nowak murder

The prime minister has accused Elon Musk of 'interfering' in UK politics, after he posted repeatedly on X about the police's treatment of Henry Nowak. NHS England says it will ban staff from wearing political badges as part of measures aimed at tacking antisemitism and other forms of racism. Britain's only serving female commando Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher has been named as one of the three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash yesterday. She was on board the Merlin 4 aircraft...

Jun 04, 202631 min

Three die in helicopter crash during Royal Navy exercise

The Princess of Wales has expressed her sorrow at the death of the three Royal Navy personel who died after their helicopter came down during a training exercise in Devon early this morning. The Chief Constable of Hampshire Policehas has apologised for his force's handling of the murder of the teenager Henry Nowak, which sparked violent unrest in Southampton. The former Head of MI6 - Sir Alex Younger - has died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer. President Trump has suggested he wou...

Jun 03, 202629 min
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