BBC News
Water bills to rise again: Use our tool to find out by how much
The average annual household bill in England and Wales will increase by £33 from April.
Border agents involved in fatal shooting of Alex Pretti placed on leave
As Trump and the Minneapolis Mayor spar over social media on immigration law enforcement, the US continues to be roiled by the killing of nurse Alex Pretti.
Watch: How Alex Pretti shooting led Trump to shift course in Minneapolis
BBC analysis editor Ros Atkins looks at why tensions have been running so high in the city - and how we got here.
Assisted dying bill 'no hope' of passing unless Lords change approach, warns peer
Lord Falconer said the bill has "absolutely no hope" of passing without a "fundamental change" in approach.
Iran protesters treated in secret to avoid arrest
Wounded demonstrators tell the BBC they are relying on medics willing to risk their own safety by treating them at their homes.
Keep suspended pupils in school, ministers say
Changes to England's school system say on-site suspensions should be used for non-violent behaviour.
Vehicle production in the UK falls to 73-year low
The industry has "the toughest year in a generation" as vehicle making falls back to 1952 levels.
Tesla cuts car models in shift to robots and AI
Multi-billionaire Elon Musk's electric car maker also said its annual revenue had fallen for the first time.
Plane crashes in Colombia, killing all 15 on board
State ariline Satena says its aircraft carrying 13 passengers and two crew "suffered a fatal accident".
Yes, you can be friends with an ex - but there are rules
The four questions you should ask before deciding whether to stay friends or go no contact.
The Papers: 'Countdown to conflagration' and 'Restore high streets or lose election'
Many of the papers have headlined on Iran, following threats from US President Donald Trump.
'You don't feel judged': Why we buy more at self-service terminals
How restaurants and retailers use behavioural science to get us to increase our spending.
Why China views the UK visit as part of something bigger
Sir Keir Starmer is one of a number of world leaders heading to Beijing
Bill Belichick: A Super Bowl god's fall from grace
He is one of the most winningest coaches in NFL history, but his snub from the Pro Football Hall of Fame adds to a growing list of defeats.
Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo: We're like a couple of naughty school kids
The pair star in Crime 101, a tense thriller that swaps superhero spectacle for a game of psychological cat and mouse.
Britain's oldest rollercoaster closed for good
The Scenic Railway is taking "retirement from operation as a ride", Dreamland Margate says.
Watch: Moment roof collapses at a rodeo arena due to snow
The Saline County Fairgrounds arena in Arkansas was vacant at the time the roof caved in under the weight of snow and sleet following a winter storm.
At least five killed after Storm Kristin hits Portugal
The storm toppled trees, damaged homes and left more than 800,000 people without power.
China sends police to Australia in hunt for man who doused baby with coffee
The nine-month-old baby was attacked with boiling liquid while at a family picnic in 2024.
Judi Dench and Stanley Tucci among stars at premiere of King's film
King Charles explains his philosophy of harmony in a film for Amazon Prime Video.
Instagram-owner Meta to almost double AI spending this year
Mark Zuckerberg's spending plans hint at further layoffs and changes within Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Holiday let tax changes 'could wipe out tourism in Wales'
Controversial tax rules for people running holiday lets are like a "disease" that risks forcing them out
Great Ormond Street doctor who botched surgery harmed nearly 100 children
Yaser Jabbar specialised in limb-lengthening and reconstruction for children with complex problems.
China to relax travel rules for British visitors, UK says
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer visits Beijing - the first UK prime minister to do so in eight years.
Teen admits murdering schoolboy, 12, on walk home
Leo Ross is thought to be the youngest knife crime victim in the West Midlands.
Ministers reject Waspi calls for compensation after rethink
Women hit by changes to the state pension age say the decision shows "utter contempt" for their situation.
'I can breathe again' says Israeli hostage held for nearly 500 days in Gaza
In his first international interview, Sasha Troufanov tells the BBC how he thought he would die in captivity after he was taken hostage on 7 October 2023.
Hampstead ponds trans access challenge dismissed
The current policy is that trans men and trans women are entitled to use the pond of their choice.
Polar bears on Norwegian islands fatter and healthier despite ice loss, scientists say
Scientists think that Svalbard bears have adapted to recent ice loss by eating more land-based prey.
EU adds Iran's Revolutionary Guards to terrorist list
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says the move is a response to Tehran's deadly crackdown on protesters.
Nicki Minaj calls herself Trump's 'number one fan' and shows off gold card visa
The rapper, born in Trinidad and Tobago, praises the US president while Bruce Springsteen protests aboout ICE.
Emergency loans offered to civil servants waiting on pensions
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds says the waits faced by retired civil servants are unacceptable.
The stars and styles from Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week
Fashion's finest gather in the French capital for a week of high-end designs and celebrity sightings.
Sir Jonathan Pryce revisits 'land of my fathers' in latest role
A new drama series gave Sir Jonathan a chance to work near where his family is from in north Wales.
What could happen if the US strikes Iran? Here are seven scenarios
From regime change to retaliation, the BBC's Frank Gardner outlines possible outcomes of US strikes on Iran.
School holiday fines reach record high – find out how many were in your area
New government data shows that fines for term-time holidays have risen again in the last academic year.
'Why can't women have experience?' New Bridgerton series tackles sex taboo
Bridgerton is back, with Francesca on the hunt for sex tips and Benedict finally meeting his match.
Stay on this stunning island for free... if you're willing to count puffins
Successful applicants will spend several months helping conservation efforts on Skomer Island, off the Pembrokeshire coast.
BBC vows to better reflect working-class audiences around UK
An independent review also found the BBC can do more to represent the experiences of older women.
France moves to abolish concept of marital duty to have sex
The proposed bill would enshrine in law the end of so-called "conjugal rights" – the notion that marriage means a duty to have sex.
UK bans Coinbase ads implying crypto can ease cost of living concerns
The ASA upheld complaints that Coinbase's adverts trivialised the risks of investing in cryptocurrency.
Girl, 7, swept out to sea on holiday in Morocco
Inaayah Makda remains missing after being caught out by a rapidly incoming tide, a relative has said.
Ex-nursery worker admits further child sex offences
Vincent Chan, 45, pleads guilty to dozens more sexual offence charges at court on Thursday.
Marty Supreme actress quits new film after casting backlash
Odessa A'zion says she didn't realise her character in Deep Cuts was meant to be half-Mexican.
Bournemouth Echo
Cherries' Christie encourages students to put phones down in favour of exercise
The Cherries’ Ryan Christie and wife Georgie Bell ran physical activities and creative arts sessions at Magna Academy last week.
The truth about Uncle Albert - the jungle warfare instructor hiding behind the beard
Buster Merryfield may have been born in Battersea, but he became an adopted son of the area in his later life, becoming part of the community.
Average increase in BCP water bills for 2026/27 revealed
The amount water bills are set to increase by from April for BCP residents has been revealed.
Five foot flower tower wows Chestnut Nursery
A new introduction to the plant world is causing a stir at Chestnut Nursery in Poole – after throwing up an enormous 5ft (1.5m) flower spike in the dead of winter.
BCP Council earns top rank amongst England’s best for social housing standards
BCP council has been awarded the highest ranking for social housing standards in England.
Dom Joly returns with Trigger Happy TV anniversary tour
Comedian Dom Joly is hitting the road this autumn to mark 25 years of his ground-breaking show Trigger Happy TV.
Bus 36 saved following review of threatened services
The ‘threatened’ bus route 36 will continue running, it has been confirmed.
Millionaire fined £20k for illegal pool on clifftop
A MILLIONAIRE property developer has been fined £20,000 for an illegal pool house after he felled 28 clifftop trees to create it.
Poole boy, 14, prepares for Britain’s top junior karting championships
A TEENAGER from Poole is preparing to compete in one of the country’s top junior karting championships as he works towards a career in motorsport.
PICTURES: Residents urged to leave homes as flood levels rise
Residents at a mobile home park were advised to leave their homes due to rising flood levels in the area.
Flipping heck! Pancake race returns to Wimborne Minster
The Wimborne Minster Pancake Race is all set to run again this year.
Decision made to explore closure of Bournemouth church
A PAROCHIAL church council has voted to explore the closure of Bournemouth church building and possible re-use.
Bobby's Beauty Hall to close - but new tenants to be announced soon
Bobby’s continues to evolve as a key part of Bournemouth’s changing high street.
Plans to 'future-proof' pub visited by Johnny Depp and Elton John unveiled
Plans to "future-proof" a waterfront pub by providing customers with a new-look outdoor bar area have been unveiled
E-bike rider who hit pregnant woman 'must answer for what they’ve done', says MP
A new born baby is in "serious" condition after pregnant woman was hit by a bike collision earlier this week in Poole.
E-bike rider flees after knocking down pregnant mum - updates
A NEWBORN baby is fighting for life in hospital after a pregnant mum was hit by an e-bike rider who fled the scene in Poole.
Newborn baby in 'serious' condition after pregnant mum hit by e-bike
A new born baby is in "serious" condition after pregnant woman was hit by a bike collision earlier this week in Poole
Woman left seriously injured after hit-and-run involving motorbike
A WOMAN has been taken to hospital after a hit-and-run left her with serious injuries.
Roads still flooded after Storm Chandra hits Dorset - updates
A NUMBER of roads remain flooded in Dorset after Storm Chandra swept through.
'Lovely' Dorset cafe with 'quirky' design that has the 'best' coffee in the area
Little Red Roaster in Poole has been praised for its quirky design, with some visitors saying it has the best coffee in the area
Warning as "very high" groundwater levels cause concern
GROUNDWATER levels are very high with 30 flood warnings in effect at time of writing, environmental agency has said.
School transport cancelled as heavy rainfall forecast
Dorset Council-commissioned school transport is set to be cancelled as weather warning issued.
Swan brings traffic to a standstill by making emergency landing on road
POOLE neighbourhood policing officers said they had an unusual start to their shift when an errant mute swan made an unexpected emergency landing on Ringwood Road, bringing traffic to a temporary standstill.
Search for hooded thief after diamond ring and laptops stolen from home
An investigation has been launched to identity an individual in a hooded jacket, after a diamond ring, laptops and other jewellery were stolen from a Bournemouth home.
Santander branch set to shut as part of UK-wide closures
SANTANDER UK has announced the closure of 44 UK branches including Ringwood branch, affecting 291 jobs.
Daleks and Robot Wars hit Tank Museum model show
This February, both ‘Robot Wars’ and Daleks will be joining the South West Model Show at The Tank Museum.
Free flowers and live music headline town centre Valentine’s event
Poole BID is spreading the love this Valentine’s Day with a lively celebration in the heart of the town.
Zildjian final to spotlight top young drummers in national event
The Zildjian Young Drummer of the Year 2026 final will take place at Lighthouse Poole on Sunday, February 15.
Parents urged to book children's eye exams during half term
Focus on your children’s eyesight and book an eye exam this half term holiday to safeguard their sight for the future, a Dorset optician has advised parents.
Business closures continue as retail sector faces mounting pressures
A Bournemouth-based Insolvency Practitioner has welcomed the government’s temporary U-turn on business rate rises for pubs.
Nigella Lawson opens up on joining Bake Off and working with Paul Hollywood
Nigella Lawson has opened up about replacing Dame Prue Leith on Channel 4's Great British Bake Off and working alongside judge Paul Hollywood.
Parents urged to book children's eye tests this half term
PARENTS are being urged to book eye tests for their children during the February half-term holiday to help protect their eyesight.
Government
Flooding Bill
A Bill to make provision about the responsibilities and duties of certain authorities and agencies in respect of inland flood prevention; to make provision about the powers of local flood authorities and Internal Drainage Boards; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the funding of local flood authorities and Internal Drainage Boards; to provide for the designation of Internal Drainage Board pumps as critical national infrastructure; to require the Secretary of State to prepare and publish a report on the potential merits of establishing a Flood Compensation Fund to support homeowners whose primary residence has become unsaleable as a direct result of flooding; to make provision about flood reinsurance schemes; to make provision about the responsibilities of developers and water companies in respect of the provision of drainage for new housing developments; to make water companies statutory consultees for certain planning applications; to place a duty on fire and rescue services to respond to flood events; to make provision about national and local digital mapping of flood incidence and risk; and for connected purposes;
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme (Report) Bill
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the potential merits of disregarding compensation received under the War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for the purpose of calculating entitlement to Pension Credit and to other means-tested benefits for which such payments are not disregarded in full; and for connected purposes.
Local Government Reorganisation (Requirement for Referendum) Bill
A Bill to provide that any reorganisation of local government in England involving changes to electoral boundaries, the establishment of combined authorities, or other specified changes may not be undertaken unless such reorganisation has been approved by a simple majority of residents of any affected local government area voting in a referendum; to make provision about the organisation of such referendums; and for connected purposes.
Formula 1
What happened on Day 3 of the Barcelona Shakedown?
With the third day of the Barcelona Shakedown done and dusted, F1.com has the lowdown on which teams ran and what the drivers said.
The best social media from Day 3 in Barcelona
We round up the best social media posted by F1 and the teams at the track from the third day of the Barcelona Shakedown.
From camouflage to hearts – 8 of the best testing liveries
F1.com takes a look back at some of the most memorable – and eye-catching – one-off liveries used during testing.
Lindblad excited to get ‘first proper go’ in 2026 car
Arvid Lindblad was left content after getting his “first proper go” in Racing Bulls’ 2026 machine during the Barcelona Shakedown, with the rookie admitting that he is enjoying the “start of this journey” in terms of adapting to the new car.
DRIVING TOMORROW: Stefano Domenicali on the future of Formula 1
As part of Santander’s Driving Tomorrow series, Formula 1's President and CEO Stefano Domenicali discusses how the sport evolves while staying true to its DNA, his excitement at the new-for-2026 regulations, and the details behind sculpting a balanced race calendar.
Norris shares ‘surreal feeling’ of running number 1
Lando Norris and McLaren made their debut at the Barcelona Shakedown on Wednesday, meaning the very first laps of pre-season for the team’s 2026 challenger, and the first time the Briton sported number 1 on his car.
Formula 1 announces annual Promoter Awards winners
The winners of the annual Promoter Awards have been revealed at an award ceremony in London, attended by leaders from all 24 Grands Prix on the race calendar. Five awards were presented in all, celebrating the outstanding contributions to Formula 1 in areas including sustainability, fan experience, event spectacle, and cultural identity.
Windows Central
Xbox revenue plummets — and Microsoft’s own first‑party lineup is the culprit, raising tough questions for 2026, but PC and cloud is up
As the Xbox brand continues its decline in overall revenue, Microsoft CFO Amy Hood attributes it to first-party content
Windows 11 just crossed 1 billion users in only four years — a faster climb than Windows 10 and a major turning point for Microsoft’s modern PC strategy
It took Windows 10 1,706 days to reach 1 billion users, but Windows 11 has done it in just 1,576. A huge milestone for Microsoft.
If Leon in Resident Evil Requiem has you swooning, you have female Capcom devs to thank — they thoroughly refined "a design that would make anyone’s heart throb"
Resident Evil Requiem's director says Leon's "hot uncle" design stemmed from female devs at Capcom refining "the finest details like the wrinkles on his neck."
This new controller has a heart rate sensor so you can see how sweaty you're getting — it's also boasting 1000Hz polling rates and anti-drift sticks
Recently, Anbernic unveiled a new upcoming controller for PC, mobile, and Nintendo Switch with 1000Hz polling rates and a heart monitor of all things. Here are the details on its specs.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake looks better on Xbox Series S than Nintendo Switch 2 despite having less RAM — here's the Digital Foundry analysis
New Digital Foundry analysis shows that Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade looks better on the Xbox Series S than it does on the Nintendo Switch 2.
'Love Eternal' is an upcoming Xbox indie for masochists — where uncanny psychological horror meets brutal platforming
An uncanny atmosphere, a lonely god, and a kidnapped girl from the suburbs come together in Love Eternal, a narrative-heavy horror platformer developed by brlka and published by Ysbryd Games. Love Eternal comes to Xbox in February 2026.
Square Enix director promises Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Rebirth and Part 3 releases will come to Xbox — "Let's enjoy the world of FFVII together"
The director of Final Fantasy 7 Remake has confirmed Rebirth and Part 3 are coming to Xbox following the first part's successful launch on the console.
Intel’s new XeSS 3 driver finally brings multi‑frame generation to Arc GPUs — early results suggest smoother performance, smarter frame pacing, and a more competitive alternative to DLSS and FSR
The launch driver for Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" mobile chips includes XeSS 3 Multi Frame Generation support, and you can test it out now on way more hardware than just the new integrated GPUs.
The best new PowerToys feature just got even better — now I can’t live without it
PowerToys v0.97.1 is here, bringing granular "Wrap mode" toggles to CursorWrap and improved support for multi-monitor setups.
Google briefly leaked its secret desktop‑class Android OS — and it could be a real challenger to lower-end Windows laptops
Google inadvertently revealed its super-secret Android desktop operating system's UI while publishing a Google bug report on the Chromium Issue Tracker,
Windows’ new AI‑powered Smart App Control is breaking Armory Crate on the Xbox Ally — and handheld owners are fed up
Windows Smart App Control in Windows 11 is blocking Armory Crate on Xbox Ally and ROG Ally devices, preventing users from accessing essential settings and updates.
Maingear's new Retro98 gaming PC takes me back to LAN parties and 56K modems — you'll have to be quick to nab one of these limited-edition models
Maingear has a new limited-edition Retro98 pre-built gaming PC with the fastest performance hardware possible packed inside. Only 32 of the standard models are being produced, so don't miss checking it out.
FlexiSpot's C7 Morpher chair lives up to its premium price with supreme comfort and dynamic adjustment options
Flexispot's C7 Morpher is a premium office chair with advanced adjustments, an ergonomic design, and comfortable materials to get you cozy for work or gaming.
NVIDIA GeForce NOW answers the lack of PC Game Pass support on Linux with a new native app — RTX 5080 cloud rendering runs Ultra settings on Steam Deck or Ubuntu
NVIDIA has followed through on its CES 2026 promise to bring GeForce NOW cloud gaming to more Linux devices with official support for Ubuntu.
The cost of AI — Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Amazon reportedly weigh $60 billion investment in OpenAI
Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Amazon are reportedly in discussions to invest $60 billion in OpenAI. Could this push OpenAI into the black?
I went hands-on with a wireless third-party Xbox controller featuring drift-free "TMR" sticks, and it blew me away — don't sleep on the GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ Edition
The G7 Pro ZZZ Edition is more than an anime reskin. It’s a wireless Xbox powerhouse with TMR sticks and clicky optical switches that may justify the price.
Microsoft's early bet on OpenAI is weighing heavily on Azure, causing 45% of its backlog — but it's finally starting to pay off
Microsoft's financial earnings report reveals that OpenAI accounts for 45% of its Azure cloud computing backlog, yet Microsoft's net income jumped by $7.6 billion, primarily due to its investment in OpenAI.
Hytale modders have recreated Call of Duty inside the Minecraft-like sandbox game a month after it launched on PC — and yes, a "Zombies" mode is in the works
Hytale modders are already recreating Call of Duty-style multiplayer and Zombies experiences, showcasing just how powerful and flexible the game’s modding tools are in early access.
Monster Hunter Wilds' PC performance patch is a resounding success as fans cease review-bombing it on Steam — and it's even playable on Steam Deck now
Capcom recently released Monster Hunter Wilds' PC performance patch that fans have been waiting for, and the reception has been overwhelmingly positive on Steam.
Laffgaff
Who played Batman in the 1995 Joel Schumacher film Batman Forever?
Val Kilmer.
Job Experience
In an interview, the boss asked me, "Do you have any experience?" I told him, "Yes, this is my 20th interview."
Itsfoss
FOSS Weekly #26.05: Clawdbot Mania, NexPhone, Things We No Longer Use Terminal for and More Linux Stuff
When was the last time you were forced to use the terminal?
A Bunch of Developers Have Come Together to Make Linux Gaming Great
The people behind Bazzite, Fyra Labs, Nobara, ChimeraOS, and a few other projects have teamed up to improve Linux gaming for everyone.
What Happens to Linux After Linus Torvalds? We Finally Have the Answer to This Uncomfortable Question
They finally set this in stone.