The News - Tuesday, 30 June 2026

BBC News

Long-delayed defence spending plan to be published, with focus on drone warfare

The defence investment plan will set out how billions will be spent on equipping the UK Armed Forces.

Chris Mason: Burnham revels on public stage but has little time to hammer ideas into shape

As a man who has held prime ministerial ambitions for years, Andy Burnham makes his dash for the door, political editor Chris Mason writes.

Angry Venezuelans accuse government of negligence and apathy

People in areas devastated by twin earthquakes say they need more support from the government.

Pupil put in isolation booth for more than half a school year, BBC learns

The pupil's experience in a Yorkshire school highlights concerns about zero-tolerance behaviour policies.

'We can't continue like this': Inquiry demands NHS maternity overhaul

An independent inquiry into England's maternity services has found "unacceptable racism and discrimination" is affecting patient safety.

Refugees will be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum rules

Ministers will be given powers to recover costs from adults who have received asylum support under new laws.

South African leader warns anti-migrant protesters ahead of unofficial deadline

Thousands of people from other African countries have left South Africa ahead of Tuesday's deadline set by anti-migrant groups.

Domestic killers could face extra 10 years in prison under new plans

The changes mean the 15-year starting sentence could be increased to 25 years to be in line with other murders.

Homes harder to sell as high mortgage rates frustrate buyers

Three in five homes listed for sale since January remain on the market, says property portal Zoopla.

Rescuers keep up search for survivors at collapsed La Guaira building

At least 1,700 people are known to have been killed in the disaster but hope remains that others can continue to be found alive.

Aftershock frays nerves as many Venezuelans left to fend for themselves

In areas devastated by the twin earthquakes, people are using crowbars, pickaxes and their bare hands to try to reach survivors.

'No one move!': The agonising silence as Venezuela rescuers listen for survivors

With tens of thousands of people still believed missing, teams listen for signs of life beneath the rubble.

Dogs, drones and sound detectors: How rescuers search for quake survivors

Teams armed with a range of techniques continue to dig through the rubble in Venezuela.

We had packed lunches every day for 10 years and retired at 40

The Fire (Financially Independent, Retire Early) movement sees followers save as much as possible.

Will Andy Burnham's devolution plan raise economic growth?

BBC Verify has looked at what impact further devolution could be expected to have on the UK.

Andy's 'radical rewiring' and 'it's coming homes'

Andy Burnham's plans to devolve power in Britain and build more council housing lead Tuesday's papers.

Why £15 durians are being sold at half price - or given away for free

As Malaysian durians are being sold at throwaway prices, farmers worry about their livelihoods.

Three people injured after explosion in Monaco, French media report

The blast at a residential building was "very likely an attack", Monaco's head of government tells AFP.

Harry still hoping to bring Meghan and children on UK visit

Despite arguments over security, Prince Harry is still expected to bring his wife and children to the UK.

WhatsApp to let people chat without swapping phone numbers

The app's new usernames feature will be rolled out globally over the next few months.

Top Boy actor Micheal Ward raped woman in car, court told

The award-winning actor goes on trial on charges of rape and sexual assault, which he denies.

Six people shot dead at centre for mothers and children in Germany

The male suspect who has been arrested was in a custody dispute over his baby daughter, police say.

Lilo & Stitch star Daveigh Chase's cause of death was Aids

The actress, who also crawled out of a TV in horror film The Ring, passed away in LA this month, aged 35.

New 'No 10 North' plan will rebalance power in Britain, Burnham promises

The man most likely to be the next prime minister says his devolution plans would "drive good growth in every postcode".

Bournemouth Echo

Quirky Bournemouth landmark looks like a giant vintage jukebox

Affectionately dubbed “The Jukebox” by locals thanks to its sweeping, symmetrical facade and tiered arching windows.

JP Morgan development faces objections over parking and traffic

JP Morgan’s expansion plan has been recommended for approval but is facing opposition over traffic and parking concerns.

Ofsted praises pupils' enthusiasm and 'happiness' during inspection

Pupils were praised for their happiness and enthusiasm for learning during a recent Ofsted inspection at a Christchurch school.

Trial date set for former Dorset police officer accused of fracturing man's hip

A trial date has been set for former Dorset Police officer, Lorne Castle, who has been accused of fracturing a man’s hip in a reported citizen's arrest.

Man punched woman and raped her after she refused to have sex with him

A man punched a woman in the face and raped her after she refused to have sex with him.

Annual Frogham Fair sees huge turnout despite soaring temperatures

The 2026 Frogham Fair proved to be another outstanding success, with more than 800 adults turning out to enjoy one of the most cherished annual events.

Bournemouth residents urged to donate items for Venezuela earthquake victims

A community donation drive is being organised to support families affected by earthquakes in Venezuela.

Woman who fraudulently claimed £40k in benefits had more than £100k in bank account

A woman received more than £40,000 in dishonest universal credit claims despite having a six-figure sum in her bank account.

Pub staff leave tribute after clifftop tragedy near Fisherman’s Walk

Staff members at a pub near Fisherman’s Walk Beach have left a tribute for a man who died after falling from the clifftop

Second £1 million fund will help alleviate mental health pressure on NHS

A major boost is on the way to help voluntary groups improve mental health in communities.

Man reaches halfway point of 630-mile trek raising money for young people

A determined mentor is trekking 630 miles along one of the UK’s longest National Trails to help fund life-changing summer adventures for young people.

Formula 1

Austrian Grand Prix signals new era for F1 betting

With four teams fighting it out at the front, bigger-priced winners should be on the horizon this season and we look at the reasons why.

Windows Central

Xbox's reported layoffs may now be impacting companies it doesn't even own

Bloomberg reports that Xbox's main PR agency, Assembly, is laying off employees after Microsoft reportedly began cutting vendors ahead of a wider Xbox restructuring.

It may cost $1,799, but MSI's new handheld gaming PC has already sold out at Best Buy, Newegg, Micro Center, and B&H

MSI’s newest handheld gaming PC launched at a steep $1,799 price point, but that didn’t slow demand. The device sold out at Best Buy, Newegg, Micro Center, and B&H shortly after listings went live, leaving early buyers scrambling to secure units before stock disappeared.

Xbox has been promising 'State of Decay 3' for years — and now it could be facing cancellation, despite its trailers and alpha. What are we even doing here?

Increasingly it looks like Xbox's layoffs are going to be catastrophic.

"Not on Xbox Game Pass This Year": I can't believe Activision now has to spell it out for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

Activision is explicitly advertising that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not launch on Xbox Game Pass this year, raising questions about Microsoft's subscription strategy while promoting pre-orders and early campaign access.

Quote of the day by Gabe Newell: "Piracy is not a pricing issue. It’s a service issue" — Sony just proved why digital storefronts are broken

Sony will delete over 550 purchased Studio Canal movies from PlayStation user libraries this September without offering refunds. The controversial move highlights the fragile reality of digital ownership and reinforces Gabe Newell's famous 2011 philosophy on piracy.

Microsoft extending Windows 10 support to 2027 raises a bigger issue: Windows 11 still isn’t winning over the majority of users (including our readers)

Microsoft's extended support for Windows 10 through 2027 is casting doubt on Windows 11’s future.

Xbox Series X|S prices jump on August 1 — track every deal before consoles rise another $100–$150 and possibly even more in 2027

Xbox Series X|S prices rise sharply on August 1, jumping $100 to $150 as Microsoft adjusts console costs to match the ongoing hardware crunch. This feature tracks every deal and discount before the increase hits, giving players a last chance to buy at current prices. With component costs expected to climb again in 2027 and relief unlikely until 2028, this page is your running guide to staying ahead of the next wave of hikes.

"We’re going to regret that decision for a very long time": RIP to the amazing Steam Machine Portal Companion Cube case Dbrand made without asking Valve first

Dbrand's extremely popular Portal Companion Cube Steam Machine case has been discontinued after Valve issued a takedown due to licensing issues.