BBC News Briefing

31 October, 2025

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. UK monarch King Charles has stripped the "prince" title from his brother Andrew. Royal correspondent Sean Coughlan explains why this development is unprecedented in modern times. In the US, my colleague Ana Faguy looks at five ways the government shutdown is affecting people's lives. And finally, watch as the White House receives trick-or-treaters.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

From Prince to Mr Mountbatten Windsor

Prince Andrew speaking to the King at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent in September

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will move from the Royal Lodge to the King's private estate in Sandringham, Norfolk. Credit: Reuters

All the titles and privileges of the former Prince Andrew have been removed. The King's brother will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - you can read Buckingham Palace's statement in full here. The Palace "hopes to finally draw a line under the endless oil slick of bad news stories about Andrew", writes Sean Coughlan. The move follows renewed scrutiny of Andrew's privileges following the publication of the late Virginia Giuffre's memoir, in which she accused him of having sex with her three times when she was a teenager. Andrew, who gave up his other royal titles earlier this month, has denied the allegations against him.

Read Sean's analysis

Explainer: How Andrew's life is going to change after losing the "prince" title.

'She'd be so proud': Giuffre's family have welcomed the news and called for an investigation into Andrew.

Get the latest: All eyes are on the white gates of Royal Lodge in Windsor, which Andrew is expected to vacate. Follow live updates.

WORLD HEADLINES

A split screen of satellite images of Black River from February on the left and from October on the right.

Hurricane damage seen in Jamaica's Black River

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described Black River as the country's "ground zero" of damage from Melissa.

Watch the video >

A woman, in a pink shirt and blue scarf, with her back to the camera holds a child on her hip. Another child can be seen on her left.

Sudan siege survivors speak to the BBC

Many survivors have made an 80km (50 miles) journey on foot, travelling for days to flee the violence in el-Fasher.

Read more >

A black-and-white head-and-shoulders shot of a smiling Chief Albert Luthuli as he receives the Nobel Peace Prize. A small section of the award can be seen in the left-hand corner

Apartheid police killed Nobel laureate Luthuli

A South African court has ruled that Nobel laureate Albert Luthuli's death was the result of an "assault" by apartheid police.

What to know >

Japan to hire hunters as bear attacks rise

Twelve people have died in attacks this year - the highest number recorded since Japan started tracking cases in the 2000s.

More details >

US reality star Kim Kardashian in a white dress with long sleeves and turtle neck.

Nasa hits back at Kim Kardashian's conspiracy

The US space agency has rejected the reality star's claim that the 1969 Moon landing mission was faked.

What happened >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Online Safety Act: Pornhub has said the number of UK visitors to its website is down 77% since stricter age checks came into force.

Britain's nicest street: A once-bustling community has experienced severe decline in the 50 years since it was bestowed the title.

Frankenstein in Scotland: Director Guillermo Del Toro's new take on the book restores Scotland to the heart of Mary Shelley's novel.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

How US shutdown is about to get worse

The All Faiths Food Bank in Florida has seen an increase in people needing food since the current government shutdown began.

Communities across the US are bracing for the end of a food aid programme used by more than 40 million Americans, which will lose funding on 1 November if the government shutdown continues. Food assistance is one of several areas where the shutdown's impact is being felt, Ana Faguy reports.

Read now