BBC News
Chris Mason: Why Starmer thinks he's called it right on war despite Trump barbs
The BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason considers the US president's recent jabs at the UK prime minister.
Family 'beyond devastated' by meningitis death as hundreds get antibiotics
A sixth form pupil and a university student have died, while 11 more are seriously ill in hospital.
Will Scotland be the first nation in the UK to legalise assisted dying?
The final vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is seen as too close to call.
Reeves vows to stop UK tech from 'drifting abroad'
The Chancellor tells the BBC she wants the "pattern to end" while also pledging closer ties with the EU
Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of killing hundreds in hospital strike
Islamabad denies targeting any health facility and said its strikes were aimed at military installations.
Easter holidaymakers switching from Dubai to Spain as flights fill up
It comes after the war in Iran caused mass disruption to flights across the Middle East and UAE.
Train delay repay rule changes to make claims easier
There will also be additional checks on railcards during a trial to crack down on fraud.
Moving English tests for migrants online risks criminal abuse, providers warn
Moving visa tests online could open the door to fraudsters and criminal gangs, a letter to government warns.
Millions without electricity as Cuba's power grid collapses
Cuba's chronic fuel shortages have been exacerbated by a US blockade on oil shipments to the island.
And the burger goes to... Michael B Jordan marks Oscars win at In-N-Out
Hours after winning best actor, Jordan joins an exclusive list of famous faces to celebrate an Oscar victory with a burger.
Trump's confidence is undimmed - but every Iran option comes with risk
The odds of a quick resolution to the war appear to be dwindling by the day, and the political stakes for the president are only growing.
How might the UK support shipping in the Strait of Hormuz?
Ben Chu from BBC Verify has been looking at what role the Royal Navy could play in the Strait of Hormuz.
Wary allies show there's no quick fix to Trump's Iran crisis
European leaders are hesitant to help Trump secure the Strait of Hormuz, but they know inaction on the Iran war is not really an option.
Israel says 'limited' ground operations under way in Lebanon
Troops are targeting "Hezbollah strongholds" in south Lebanon, where strikes reportedly killed nine people on Monday.
Who wants what from the Iran war?
Most people, although not everybody, want this war to end as quickly as possible. But on what terms?
What are the symptoms of meningitis and is there a vaccine?
Two people have died following an outbreak of meningitis, including one student at the University of Kent.
'My mother cried out one last time': Palestinian boy, 12, describes how Israeli forces killed his family in car
Khaled Bani Odeh's parents and two brothers were shot dead as they drove home from a shopping trip in the occupied West Bank.
India's outsourcing industry is worth $300bn. Can it survive AI?
Indian IT stocks have plunged as fears grow of AI disrupting back offices. But some say these are overblown.
Key Oscars moments as snubbed Chalamet becomes butt of jokes
Here's what happened inside the winners room and other insights from the biggest night in Hollywood.
The Papers: 'Race to stop meningitis spreading' and 'Donald's Trumped'
The response to confirmed cases of meningitis in the UK and the US-Israeli conflict with Iran lead Tuesday's papers.
AI firm Anthropic seeks weapons expert to stop users from 'misuse'
The artificial intelligence firm says it wants to prevent "catastrophic misuse" of its systems.
'Fire came from the sky and burned them' - life on the brink of civil war in South Sudan
Some 50,000 people are told to flee their homes as the army warns of a huge military offensive in Jonglei state.
Trump seeks to delay meeting with Xi in China
The escalating war in Iran has overshadowed many of the US' foreign policy objectives
£18bn needed to fix England and Wales potholes, road surfacing experts estimate
Just 51% of the local road network in England and Wales is reported to be in good condition, research suggests.
Car park firm NCP collapses with nearly 700 jobs at risk
The car park operator says demand for parking has not recovered to pre-Covid levels, as its administrators look to sell the business.
Tina Fey, Riz Ahmed and Jamie Dornan named Saturday Night Live UK hosts
The six-episode series, based on the long-running US variety show, will launch on 21 March.
BBC urges court to dismiss Trump Panorama lawsuit
The US president is suing for defamation over the way Panorama spliced together parts of a speech he made.
Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, urging Trump to 'reverse course'
National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent says Trump "started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby".
Focus must remain on Ukraine despite Iran war, PM says as he meets President Zelensky
Starmer says Russia cannot benefit from the conflict in the Middle East, as he meets the Ukrainian leader in No 10.
Prince William joins Greg James on Comic Relief tandem bike ride
The Radio 1 Breakfast host was joined by a special guest on the latest leg of his charity challenge.
'Many people fooled' by AI wedding pics, says Zendaya
The star has spoken about the viral images that appeared to show her marrying partner Tom Holland.
Dates confirmed for new driving test booking rules
Only learners will be able to book a car driving test under new rules to make the system fairer.
Typical new mortgage costs soar £788 a year in two weeks
Lenders have hiked rates on new deals and withdrawn products as war creates uncertainty in the markets.
MI5 to pay compensation to woman abused by neo-Nazi agent
It comes after a BBC investigation four years ago showed the agent used his security service role to abuse his partner.
Gerry Adams says he never held role or rank in the IRA
Three men are seeking a ruling that Adams is personally liable for injuries they received in explosions.
Father of teen who died of meningitis says family are 'beyond devastated'
Health officials confirm that cases in the Canterbury area increased from 13 to 15.
What causes meningitis and what are the symptoms?
Two people have died following an outbreak of meningitis, including one student at the University of Kent.
Watch: Parents of teen who died in 2025 call for more government support
Helen and Lee Draper lost their daughter Megan to meningitis in October 2025.
I watched my dad stab my mum to death - but then had to move back in with him
Gemma Ahern was three when her dad killed her mum - and at six she had to live with him again.
Chris Mason: Why Starmer thinks he's called it right on war despite Trump barbs
The BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason considers the US president's recent jabs at the UK prime minister.
Scotland is about to vote on assisted dying. How would it work?
The Scottish Parliament will soon decide whether to allow terminally-ill adults to end their lives.
Scammed out of £17k, one woman flew across UK to confront suspect
Rhonda Montgomery was scammed out of £17,000 by fraudsters pretending to work for Revolut.
Len Deighton obituary: How a cookery cartoonist became a master spy writer
Best-selling spy author whose workaday secret agents were a world away from the glamour of James Bond.
Are football Ultras a menace or a force for good?
Smoke bombs, pyrotechnics, balaclavas and punch-ups - welcome to the world of the football Ultras.
What have US allies and China said about sending ships to the Strait of Hormuz?
US allies have either pushed back or remained cautious on Trump's initial request to send ships to the crucial oil route.
Why did only two Iranian football players stay in Australia?
After Australia gave humanitarian visas to seven team members, only two decided to stay - the BBC's Katy Watson explains what happened.
Israel says it killed Iranian security chief Ali Larijani in air strike
The deaths of Larijani and the head of the paramilitary Basij force have not been confirmed by Iranian authorities.
Trump 'not happy' with UK response to Iran conflict
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was working with allies on a plan to protect the Strait of Hormuz.
Bereavement author found guilty of fatally poisoning her husband
A jury found that Kouri Richins killed her husband in March 2022 by poisoning him with a fentanyl-laced drink.
Pakistan air strike kills at least 100 at Kabul drug rehab centre
Some of the bodies were injured beyond recognition, forensic laboratory sources told the BBC.
Beach rape 'cynical, predatory, callous', court told
Three men, who are asylum seekers, deny raping a woman on Brighton beach.
Water supply cut in Moldova after oil spill blamed on Russian strike in Ukraine
Moldova has imposed a 15-day state of alert in the Dniester river basin as a precaution.
US west coast prepares for 'dangerous' heatwave in early spring
Severe weather is plaguing the US from coast to coast, bringing a mix of extreme heat and bitter cold.
Hampstead ponds trans access legal appeal allowed
Currently trans people are able to use the facilities at the ponds for the gender they identify with.
Chile's president begins building border barrier less than week into term
José Antonio Kast visited the ditch - a few feet wide and deep - on Monday, calling it a "milestone".
Bournemouth Echo
This wartime invention made in our area helped win the war
was dreamt up and rigorously tested right here on our doorstep.
Camping sites set to reopen with new vision and improved facilities
Several New Forest campsites will be welcoming back happy campers this spring, following refurbishments and upgrades at a number of locations.
Jaguar driver banned from roads after seriously hurting man
A Verwood man has been banned from driving and ordered pay costs of more than £4,000 after he caused serious injury to another person while driving a luxury sportscar.
Drinker hit man in the face with glass
A man who glassed another at a social club has been jailed for six years
Six BCP car parks could close as private firm enters administration
Half a dozen car parks in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole could face an uncertain future after a national car park operator fell into administration, putting 682 jobs at risk.
Man repeatedly jumps on car roof and then kicks windscreen in incident
AN IMAGE has been released of a man in connection with criminal damage to a car, after he reportedly “climbed on top of it and repeatedly jumped on the roof.”
Road closed after crash between lorry and motorbike
There's been a crash in Dorchester town centre
Drivers could face penalty points for fly-tipping under new government proposals
Drivers caught fly-tipping in the UK could face penalty points, fines up to £500, and vehicle seizure under new government plans to tackle waste crime.
Plane display team set to dazzle at Dorset air show extravaganza
Swanage Carnival has announced its air display will return in 2026.
Sandbanks Ferry staff facing potential redundancy as automated tolling introduced
The Sandbanks Ferry is set to introduce automated tolls systems later this year which may result in a number redundancies for its staff in specific toll‑related roles.
Distillery to host comedy nights with pizza and drinks
A BOURNEMOUTH distillery is set to host local comedians in monthly fundraising events for Dorset Mind.
Popular chicken chain to open new restaurant at Dorset shopping park next week
Slim Chickens opens new restaurant at Tower Park, Poole on 25 March, offering free chicken, prizes, and jobs. Enjoy Southern-style chicken and family dining.
Fifth person arrested after pair of people stabbed in Bournemouth
A fifth person has been arrested and three men have been released from police custody after a two people were stabbed in Bournemouth town centre on Sunday evening.
Potfest South West: Go potty for major celebration of ceramics in Shaftesbury
Following the success of the first two years, Potfest is pleased to announce its return to the south west at Motcombe Turnpike Showground on 3, 4 & 5 July from 10am – 4.30pm daily
Acclaimed singer to perform Christmas show in Bournemouth as part of UK tour
Tony Hadley brings his Christmas Big Band UK tour to Bournemouth Pavilion on 16 November 2026, performing Spandau Ballet hits and festive classics.
Bournemouth film festival deemed 'great success' as it wraps up its third year
Screams By The Sea 2026 in Bournemouth celebrated indie horror films with screenings, awards, talks, and live events. Entries for next year now open.
Dorset town council pledges to create first butterfly-friendly town
Gillingham Town Council in Dorset pledges to become UK’s first Butterfly-Friendly Town, joining Butterfly Conservation’s scheme to boost biodiversity.
Closing date for entries to long-running performing arts festival approaches
The closing date for entries to one of the south west's longest running celebrations of talent and creativity is round the corner.
Letter: 'Bring back the bus station benches and toilets'
Bring back the bus station benches and toilets.
Gold medal-winning Team GB gymnast inspires pupils at Ringwood school
Team GB gymnast Kelly Simm visits Moyles Court School, leading a fitness circuit and inspiring pupils with her Commonwealth Games gold medal journey.
Europe's largest operational steamship receives National Lottery support
Historic Steamship Shieldhall secures £202,500 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for vital restoration, aiming to preserve UK maritime heritage.
Dorset residents 'underestimating cost of household bills by hundreds of pounds'
Dorset residents underestimate monthly household bills by £228, Trooli research finds, as rising costs and hidden charges leave many struggling to keep track.
Nearly one in seven adults in south west getting under five hours’ sleep a night
New UK survey reveals over half of Brits get less than 7 hours’ sleep, impacting work, mood and social lives. Sleep consultant urges better sleep habits.
Community group calls on volunteers to help care for historic Bournemouth site
Volunteers sought by Friends of Skerryvore to help maintain Bournemouth’s historic Robert Louis Stevenson garden. Monthly meets, tools provided. Join now!
'Bournemouth has become a key part of our firm’s success'
Trethowans law firm secures 9,000 sq ft office at Bobby’s in Bournemouth, boosting Dorset legal sector growth and supporting town centre regeneration.
Pub in Christchurch offers bottomless Guinness deal for St Patrick's Day
Celebrate St Patrick's Day with a bottomless Guinness brunch at Ye Olde George, Christchurch. UK-wide offer from Social Pub & Kitchen on 17 March.
In The Dock: man jailed for carrying pair of scissors in Poole
The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:
'Staple of British television' to visit Bournemouth on UK tour
A man described as 'a staple of British television' is set to visit Bournemouth on his UK tour.
Dorset group receives Kings Award for Voluntary Service
A group of volunteers in Bere Regis have received the King's Award for voluntary service.
Hospitality leaders in Dorset call for VAT reductions on food and beverages
Hospitality leaders from Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association urge VAT cuts to support pubs, restaurants & hotels.
Dorset woman creates stylish home as alternative to 'hospital-like' designs
Poole designer Annabella Fudge-Harman teams up with Opera Beds to showcase home design that blends style and practicality for motor neurone disease care.
Volunteer honoured for more than 50 years of service at community awards
Elizabeth Cook honoured with Outstanding Service Award at New Milton Town Council's Community Champions Awards, celebrating over 50 years of voluntary service.
'Truly a celebration': Hundreds celebrate Indian festival of colours in Bournemouth
Hundreds of people gathered over the weekend to celebrate the Indian festival of colours, Holi, enjoying live performances and Indian street food.
Next of kin appeal issued for man who died at home in Bournemouth
Dorset Coroner appeals for next of kin of Douglas Harrison, 71, from Bournemouth, who died in Dickens Road on 13 March 2026. Contact 01202 123900.
Care home garden transformed with candles to raise awareness of dementia
Linden House care home in Lymington hosted a candlelit garden trail to raise dementia awareness, support Oakhaven Hospice, and unite the local community.
Poole-based developer starts work on affordable housing apartments
Fifteen new affordable one-bedroom flats are being built in central Dorchester for local young people, thanks to AJC Group, Aster Group and DACLT.
RSPB nature reserve in Dorset unveils huge new wildlife habitat
RSPB Arne in Dorset creates a 20-hectare wood pasture and community orchard to boost wildlife, attract rare birds, and enhance Purbeck’s biodiversity.
Public consultation on potential reintroduction of beavers in Dorset launched
Dorset Wildlife Trust launches public consultation on wild beaver reintroduction in Dorset rivers. Share your views online or at local drop-in events.
Bournemouth restaurant and takeaway applies for premises license to sell alcohol
Khaya, 244 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, has applied to BCP Council for a premises licence to serve alcohol and late-night refreshment.
Transport company in Broadstone submits application to change existing licence
Wheels and Waves Transport Ltd applies to add an operating centre for goods vehicles at Willow Farm, Mannington, Wimborne. Representations open until April 2.
Dorset Council intends to dispose of three areas of open space
Dorset Council plans to dispose of open space land in Ferndown, Sturminster Marshall, and Corfe Mullen; public objections invited until March 2026.
Parking restrictions issued by BCP Council for Bournemouth road for SGN works
Temporary parking ban on Crabton Close Road, Bournemouth from 16–24 March 2026 for SGN utility works. BCP Council traffic order details and updates online.
New puffin crossing and 30mph speed limit extension proposed for Dorset
Dorset Council proposes a new puffin crossing in West Moors and a 30mph speed limit extension in Verwood. Public comments open until 27 March 2026.
Bournemouth road to close for 12 days for development works this month
Ensbury Avenue in Bournemouth will close for 12 days from 30 March 2026 for council development works. Diversions and parking restrictions apply.
Mum wheelchair-bound after meningitis calls for mandatory education
A mum who 'forgot how to walk' after her flu turned out to be viral meningitis is calling for mandatory education in universities after two students died in an outbreak
Urgent warning for UK dog owners as tick season begins - what to do after every walk
Dog owners are being urged to check their pets after walks now that we are entering tick season in the UK.
Formula 1
Listen to F1 Nation's Chinese GP review
Kimi Antonelli took his maiden Grand Prix victory in China, becoming the second-youngest F1 race winner after Max Verstappen as Mercedes bagged another 1-2 to keep their 2026 season win streak intact.
6 moments you missed at the Chinese Grand Prix
Relive the action from the Sprint weekend at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix with plenty of off-track Formula 1 moments – podium celebrations, fan gifts, and more.
PALMER: The clever call that was key to Antonelli’s maiden win
Former F1 driver and F1 TV analyst Jolyon Palmer takes a close look at Kimi Antonelli's maiden Grand Prix victory – and what it means for the title race in 2026.
Think you know the new F1 rules? Prove it in the all‑new F1 Regulations Trivia Challenge
Think you know the new F1 rules? Prove it in the all‑new F1 Regulations Trivia Challenge
Bonnington will 'cherish' podium with Antonelli and Hamilton
Pete Bonnington will “cherish” the podium moment after Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, having celebrated Kimi Antonelli’s maiden victory for Mercedes with his former driver Lewis Hamilton also there to share the moment.
Can PU performance gains offset McLaren’s downforce deficit?
F1 technical expert Mark Hughes takes a look at how McLaren are getting to grips with the Mercedes power unit, with illustrations from Giorgio Piola.
Perez apologises for Cadillac collision in China
Sergio Perez has apologised after Cadillac suffered in Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix what no team ever wants to see – contact between their two drivers.
How F1 drivers reacted to Antonelli's first Grand Prix win
The action may be over in Shanghai, but the reaction to Antonelli's maiden Grand Prix win is continuing on social media.
Windows Central
Crimson Desert's release date and launch times are only a few sleeps away — here's when you can play one of the most hyped-up open-world games I've ever seen
Crimson Desert could be one of the grandest fantasy adventure games ever made, and now it's just a few days away from its release date and launch times.
Bethesda's Todd Howard says NVIDIA DLSS 5 in Xbox's Starfield is "amazing" — everyone else is calling it uncanny AI slop
The internet is laying into NVIDIA's DLSS 5 tech for making NPCs look like AI slop, but Bethesda's Todd Howard thinks it's "amazing" in Xbox's Starfield.
NVIDIA’s new DLSS 5 drops with uncanny AI filters — and YouTube comments are almost 100% negative
Even already rendered video game artistry is being replaced by AI overlords as Nvidia unveils a new neural rendering technique for lighting.
Xbox App finally lets you add any game or app — a huge step toward Steam‑level freedom
A new update to the Xbox PC app introduces manual library additions, allowing users to launch apps and games directly from the interface without relying solely on supported storefronts.
Our undisputed best overall Xbox gaming headset is on sale for Best Buy Tech Fest — it's got a near-immortal battery and impeccable sound quality
For just this week, the amazing Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) wireless gaming headset has been price-chopped by 25% in honor of Best Buy Tech Fest.
AMD's entry-level CPU with 3.9 GHz, 6 Cores, and L3 cache with 32MB is now under $190 — it's perfect for older PCs with RTX 4080 or rookie PC builders
Amazon has a special 34% discount on the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X processor, a CPU with fantastic performance rates when paired with RTX 4080 graphics cards, while being affordable for budget-conscious PC builders.
A $25 fix for your slow smart TV — The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the Xbox Microsoft wants you to forget
Stop struggling with your TV's laggy interface. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is down to $25, offering snappy 4K streaming and Xbox cloud gaming for half off. (158 chars)
Xbox’s "easier dev tools" pitch isn’t landing with fans who say the platform needs bigger fixes
Xbox says it is removing friction for developers, but readers debate whether install base, Game Pass, and platform priorities still matter more than tooling.
Judge sides with Subnautica 2 founders in lawsuit against publisher Krafton over long Early Access delay, $250 million bonus — the former CEO is back, too
Eight months after it began, the legal battle between Subnautica 2's creators and its publisher Krafton has ended in victory for Unknown Worlds' leadership.
Microsoft’s Copilot AI leadership reshuffle shows the company is building toward an OpenAI-free future
Satya Nadella unifies Copilot leadership under a former Snap VP, signaling a shift toward in-house "Superintelligence" and independence from OpenAI's models.
This open-source app turns Microsoft's GitHub into an app store for your Android phone — and your Windows PC, too
GitHub is a vast labyrinth of amazing open-source software projects, and it can be hard to see some of the awesomeness within. This app changes all that.
An awesome Roguelite beat 'em up I never thought would come to Xbox has proved me wrong — with a release date confirmed for Xbox Game Pass
Among Microsoft's announcements for Xbox Game Pass additions for March 2026, one game caught everyone by surprise. Absolum, a popular beat em' up with Roguelite elements released in 2025 for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC, is finally coming to Xbox and Xbox Game Pass later this March.
These gaming laptops handle modern AAA titles in a way that actually justifies their price — OLED options with RTX 50 graphics
The MacBook Neo isn't equipped to run PC games at their full potential, but these laptops on sale for Best Buy's Tech Fest certainly do.
March’s Xbox Game Pass lineup is wild: Resident Evil 7, Disco Elysium, and a bunch of heavy hitters
Xbox Game Pass rounds out March 2026 with major additions including Resident Evil 7, Disco Elysium, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, alongside several smaller and returning titles across multiple tiers.
Don't buy a gaming laptop yet! Intel's new processors just launched, with "up to +8% faster performance" over its last gen — Core Ultra 200HX Plus Series mobile announced
Intel's new Core Ultra 200HX Plus Series mobile chips bring FPS gains to high-end gaming laptops with in-house performance-boosting "IBOT" tech.
Microsoft 365 is paywalling most of Copilot in Office apps — what's changing?
Microsoft is stripping Copilot Chat from Office sidebars for non-licensed users on April 15, 2026, rebranding the included version as "Copilot Chat (Basic)."
The Surface Pro 11 for Business's "unusable" pen is finally fixed — and so is its inaccurate and unresponsive touchscreen
Microsoft finally released a firmware fix for the Surface Pro 11 for Business, resolving "hover-inking" and touch accuracy issues that plagued the Intel model for a year.
Google promoted a malicious Chrome extension after Microsoft banned it — and it lasted for over a year
Google promoted a Chrome extension that secretly ran malware for a year, even after Microsoft Edge banned it, exposing millions of users.
Microsoft's "most significant change to the Windows keyboard" in 30 years gets a slap in the face from a daring developer
Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs ship with a dedicated Copilot key. This free app restores the lost Ctrl key and fixes Microsoft’s controversial change.
Turtle Beach's pricy Stealth Pro headset with noise-cancellation and 50mm "Nanoclear" neodymium drivers is now 50% off — it's an audiophile's paradise
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wireless headset for Xbox and PC has received one of the biggest discounts it's had in months, courtesy of Best Buy's Tech Fest event.
Laffgaff
Which ancient historian wrote The Histories?
Herodotus.
Assumptions Anonymous
Welcome to Assumptions Anonymous. I think we all know why we're here.
Itsfoss
Not a Firefox Fork! Kagi's Orion Browser Arrives on Linux as a Public Beta
The Flatpak-only build brings basic browsing but extensions and Kagi Sync aren't ready yet.
Ageless Linux Emerges to Protest OS-Level Age Verification Laws
And thankfully, it's more than just a Linux distro without age verification.