# BBC News API

> BBC News provides headlines, article search results and article text as a workflow and API.

BBC News lists headlines from a selected section; provide a section and optionally a maximum number of stories. Search news finds articles matching required search words, with optional date filters, ordering, page number and result count. Read article returns text and details for an article; provide its link or headline. Live coverage returns available latest entries.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/bbc-news
- Handle: `@bbc-news`
- Category: [News](https://fous.com/tools/category/news)
- Source website: https://bbc.com/news
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### List headlines

Operation `list_headlines`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

List BBC News article headlines in the order shown on a selected section page. Video-only items and non-News links are excluded; some stories do not show a date or author.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `section` | string | no | `"world"` | The news section to list, for example world. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `4` | Maximum number of stories to return, for example 20. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "section": {
      "enum": [
        "top stories",
        "world",
        "UK",
        "US and Canada",
        "business",
        "technology",
        "science",
        "health"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "top stories",
      "description": "The news section to list, for example world.",
      "examples": [
        "world",
        "top stories",
        "science"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 50,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of stories to return, for example 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        4,
        5,
        3
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "section": "world",
      "max_results": 4
    },
    {
      "section": "top stories",
      "max_results": 5
    },
    {
      "section": "science",
      "max_results": 3
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `stories` | array |  | BBC News stories in the order displayed on the section page. |
| `stories[].authors` | array |  |  |
| `stories[].section` | string | `"world"` |  |
| `stories[].summary` | string or null | `"In rare access to Yemen's conflict zone the BBC travels to the front line with pro-government soldiers."` |  |
| `stories[].headline` | string | `"Inside Yemen's front-line city as Houthis battle for control"` |  |
| `stories[].image_link` | string or null | `"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b03e/live/dca633d0-bab6-11f1-aa85-8f10bc212c53.jpg"` |  |
| `stories[].article_link` | string | `"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw98005ndz7no"` |  |
| `stories[].published_at` | string or null | `"2026-09-27T21:16:31.660000+00:00"` | Publication time if a date appears on the section card. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "section": "world",
  "max_results": 4
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "stories": [
    {
      "authors": [
        "Nawal Al-Maghafi"
      ],
      "section": "world",
      "summary": "In rare access to Yemen's conflict zone the BBC travels to the front line with pro-government soldiers.",
      "headline": "Inside Yemen's front-line city as Houthis battle for control",
      "image_link": "https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b03e/live/dca633d0-bab6-11f1-aa85-8f10bc212c53.jpg",
      "article_link": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw98005ndz7no",
      "published_at": "2026-09-27T21:16:31.660000+00:00"
    },
    {
      "authors": [
        "Jake Kwon"
      ],
      "section": "world",
      "summary": "Last week Zelensky revealed Ukraine had sent two captured North Koreans to South Korea - which Seoul says was meant to be a secret.",
      "headline": "Seoul summons Ukraine envoy over North Korean prisoner-of-war row",
      "image_link": "https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4afe/live/251cfde0-bb54-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.jpg",
      "article_link": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8ly40xx0dr0o",
      "published_at": "2026-09-28T14:57:31.337000+00:00"
    },
    {
      "authors": [
        "Ghoncheh Habibiazad"
      ],
      "section": "world",
      "summary": "Parastoo Ahmadi was convicted of \"offending public decency\" after singing while wearing a sleeveless dress during a livestreamed concert.",
      "headline": "Iran court upholds lashes sentence for singer who performed without hijab",
      "image_link": "https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6a11/live/e201bf70-bb4c-11f1-bc1f-3f186ca4140c.jpg",
      "article_link": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crn45ed1kqqgo",
      "published_at": "2026-09-28T17:15:00.230000+00:00"
    }
  ]
}
```

### Read article

Operation `read_article`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Read the text and details of a BBC News article from its link or headline. Live coverage returns available latest entries.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `article` | string | yes | `"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqwyzrg7xm2zo"` | BBC News article link or headline, for example "Five men arrested in RAF Fairford incident released on police bail". |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "article"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "article": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "BBC News article link or headline, for example \"Five men arrested in RAF Fairford incident released on police bail\".",
      "examples": [
        "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqwyzrg7xm2zo",
        "Five men arrested in RAF Fairford incident released on police bail"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "article": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqwyzrg7xm2zo"
    },
    {
      "article": "Five men arrested in RAF Fairford incident released on police bail"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `tags` | array |  |  |
| `authors` | array |  |  |
| `section` | string or null | `"UK"` |  |
| `summary` | string or null | `"The 11-year-old has broken another chess record after a remarkable performance representing England."` |  |
| `headline` | string | `"British chess prodigy, 11, becomes youngest woman grandmaster"` |  |
| `article_id` | string or null | `"cqwyzrg7xm2zo"` |  |
| `paragraphs` | array |  | Full article text in plain-text paragraphs, or latest live entries. |
| `word_count` | integer | `584` |  |
| `article_url` | string | `"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqwyzrg7xm2zo"` |  |
| `published_at` | string or null | `"2026-09-28T09:11:30.836+00:00"` | First publication date and time, ISO 8601 with offset. |
| `main_image_url` | string or null | `"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/a406/live/752721d0-bb2c-11f1-a9b8-670e5d9d8eee.jpg"` |  |
| `last_updated_at` | string or null | `"2026-09-28T21:14:07.000+00:00"` | Last update date and time, ISO 8601 with offset. |
| `main_image_caption` | string or null | `"Bodhana first took up chess during the Covid pandemic"` |  |
| `full_text_available` | boolean | `true` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "article": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqwyzrg7xm2zo"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "tags": [
    "Chess",
    "London"
  ],
  "authors": [
    "Florence Freeman"
  ],
  "section": "UK",
  "summary": "The 11-year-old has broken another chess record after a remarkable performance representing England.",
  "headline": "British chess prodigy, 11, becomes youngest woman grandmaster",
  "article_id": "cqwyzrg7xm2zo",
  "paragraphs": [
    "A British child chess prodigy has become the youngest player in history to earn the woman grandmaster (WGM) title.",
    "Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, from north-west London, secured her third and final WGM norm - a certified title-level performance - while representing England at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekis…",
    "Speaking to Fide, Sivanandan said she was happy about the achievement but wanted to \"keep making history\"."
  ],
  "word_count": 584,
  "article_url": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqwyzrg7xm2zo",
  "published_at": "2026-09-28T09:11:30.836+00:00",
  "main_image_url": "https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/a406/live/752721d0-bb2c-11f1-a9b8-670e5d9d8eee.jpg",
  "last_updated_at": "2026-09-28T21:14:07.000+00:00",
  "main_image_caption": "Bodhana first took up chess during the Covid pandemic",
  "full_text_available": true
}
```

### Search news

Operation `search_news`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Find BBC News articles matching search words, with publication dates, authors and sections. Date filters and newest order apply to the first 180 search matches; older or less relevant matches may be missed.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `page` | integer | no | `2` | Result page number, for example 2. |
| `sort` | string | no | `"most_relevant"` | Order articles by publication time or search relevance, for example newest. |
| `query` | string | yes | `"climate change"` | Words to look for in BBC News, for example Tesla. |
| `to_date` | string | no | `"2026-09-28"` | Include articles published on or before this date, for example 2026-09-28. |
| `from_date` | string | no | `"2026-01-01"` | Include articles published on or after this date, for example 2026-09-01. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `4` | Articles per page, up to 50, for example 20. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "query"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "page": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 1,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Result page number, for example 2.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        2
      ]
    },
    "sort": {
      "enum": [
        "newest",
        "most_relevant"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "newest",
      "description": "Order articles by publication time or search relevance, for example newest.",
      "examples": [
        "most_relevant"
      ]
    },
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Words to look for in BBC News, for example Tesla.",
      "examples": [
        "climate change",
        "Tesla",
        "zzxqvvv-nonexistent-83748833"
      ]
    },
    "to_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Include articles published on or before this date, for example 2026-09-28.",
      "examples": [
        "2026-09-28"
      ]
    },
    "from_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Include articles published on or after this date, for example 2026-09-01.",
      "examples": [
        "2026-01-01"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 50,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Articles per page, up to 50, for example 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        4
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "page": 2,
      "sort": "most_relevant",
      "query": "climate change",
      "to_date": "2026-09-28",
      "from_date": "2026-01-01",
      "max_results": 4
    },
    {
      "query": "Tesla"
    },
    {
      "query": "zzxqvvv-nonexistent-83748833",
      "max_results": 4
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `articles` | array |  |  |
| `articles[].link` | string | `"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0lrk5lx96po"` |  |
| `articles[].authors` | array |  |  |
| `articles[].section` | string or null | `"News"` |  |
| `articles[].summary` | string or null | `"This summer has seen hot weather records broken, drought and major damage from fires."` |  |
| `articles[].headline` | string | `"How this summer may have been when climate change felt real"` |  |
| `articles[].published_at` | string | `"2026-09-14T05:22:40.383000+00:00"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "page": 2,
  "sort": "most_relevant",
  "query": "climate change",
  "to_date": "2026-09-28",
  "from_date": "2026-01-01",
  "max_results": 4
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "articles": [
    {
      "link": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0lrk5lx96po",
      "authors": [
        "David Gregory-Kumar"
      ],
      "section": "News",
      "summary": "This summer has seen hot weather records broken, drought and major damage from fires.",
      "headline": "How this summer may have been when climate change felt real",
      "published_at": "2026-09-14T05:22:40.383000+00:00"
    },
    {
      "link": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6zj71650lo",
      "authors": [
        "Charlie Stubbs"
      ],
      "section": "News",
      "summary": "The hot, dry weather this summer has meant dairy farmers have had to use lots of their winter feed.",
      "headline": "Longnor dairy farmer calls for help to face climate change",
      "published_at": "2026-09-01T05:06:14.478000+00:00"
    },
    {
      "link": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93vde0n2l4o",
      "authors": [
        "Matt McGrath"
      ],
      "section": "News",
      "summary": "Climate change and the rising influence of El Niño saw August reach the record for warmest month.",
      "headline": "August joint hottest month on record as climate change and El Niño drive heat",
      "published_at": "2026-09-10T02:05:47.071000+00:00"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@bbc-news",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "list_headlines",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "section": "world",
    "max_results": 4
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@bbc-news\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"list_headlines\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"section\": \"world\",\n    \"max_results\": 4\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@bbc-news",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "list_headlines",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "section": "world",
    "max_results": 4
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/bbc-news`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `list_headlines`: List headlines. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `read_article`: Read article. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `search_news`: Search news. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-bbc-news https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/bbc-news --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Monitor headlines across selected news sections
- Find articles about a company or topic
- Filter news results by publication date
- Summarize article text for research
- Track article authors, sections and publication times

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this BBC News tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a BBC News account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from bbc.com when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### What headlines appear in a BBC News section?

Use List headlines with a section, such as world, and optionally set the maximum number of stories.

### Which BBC News articles mention a topic?

Use Search news with the required search words and optional date filters or newest ordering.

### What does a BBC News article say?

Use Read article with its link or headline to get available text and details.

## Related

- [Fox News API](https://fous.com/tools/fox-news.md): Fox News returns section-page headlines, keyword-matched articles among up to 100 available results, and readable article text, including the latest live-blog updates.
- [NPR API](https://fous.com/tools/npr.md): NPR returns displayed section headlines, searchable articles with summaries and publication details, and available article text; date-filtered searches may miss older stories edited much later.
- [Daily Mail API](https://fous.com/tools/daily-mail.md): Daily Mail provides ordered section headlines with available bylines and times, searches up to 200 published articles excluding syndicated wire stories, and reads public article text and details, including latest live-blog entries shown.
- [CNN API](https://fous.com/tools/cnn.md): CNN provides section-page headlines and searchable public articles, plus article text; subscriber stories show only a brief public preview, and live blogs include entries.
- [Reuters API](https://fous.com/tools/reuters.md): Reuters provides international news and reporting, with latest section headlines and keyword search; coverage and article details may be limited by access restrictions and news indexing.
- [Yahoo News API](https://fous.com/tools/yahoo-news.md): Yahoo News provides section headlines and searchable articles, plus public article text and details; health has no public stories, and search covers a limited results window.
- [The New York Times API](https://fous.com/tools/the-new-york-times.md): The New York Times provides current section headlines and summaries, keyword-matched public listings with dates, authors, sections and links, and Best Sellers lists for the latest issue or dates within a week.
- [AP News API](https://fous.com/tools/ap-news.md): AP News provides reporting, up to 50 public-page headlines, searchable articles visible in its search, and full text when accessible.
- [All News tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/news)