The News - Tuesday, 04 August 2026

BBC News

PC Harper's mother 'devastated' his killers set for early release under revised plans

Rapists and child sex offenders will be barred from the scheme, which will restart in October, the government says.

Breast cancer checks missing most women under 50 who are at risk, says study

Up to 95% of younger women who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer are being missed by current NHS checks, researchers warn.

EU calls for stronger borders after Ceuta migrant crossings

Ursula von der Leyen has called for action ahead of an urgent EU interior ministers meeting to discuss the issue.

There's a reason child vaccination rates are falling - and it's not social media

As child immunisation rates fall across the UK, one clinic in west Yorkshire is taking aggressive steps to boost immunisations

US states sue to block Trump tariffs impacting dozens of countries

The duties were imposed over claims that 60 US trading partners have failed to tackle forced labour.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan advised to stay away from home matches

London Stadium recommends West Ham's co-owner stay away amid fears of fan unrest following sexual misconduct claims.

Russia says seven killed and 40 injured by Ukrainian drone hitting busy beach

Three children were killed when the drone crashed at a popular resort on the Black Sea.

Analysis: Trump fumes as top allies back down on his personal battles

A president used to bending US politics to his will faces two stinging losses in a matter of days, writes the BBC's Anthony Zurcher.

Half price rail travel extended to 18-year-olds

They'll be able to buy the 16-17 Saver railcard up until the day before they turn 18.

'Rape list' part of misogyny girls face at school

A group of teenagers make a film describing their experiences, ahead of changes to the curriculum.

France wildfires reveal hundreds of WW2 shells in village

Explosions heard in Le Porge as the wildfires raged are believed to have have been the old munitions.

What heatwaves mean for summer weddings – and how to plan for one

The wedding industry is facing last-minute costs to cope with the heat and October bookings are up.

I left my wife and twins behind - why this Nigerian man fled South Africa

Nigerian Richard Itoro is one of tens of thousands who have abandoned their lives in South Africa.

Ariana Grande has had enough of body comments, but 'scrutiny' will linger

The star has taken a "step back" from the spotlight after appearances led to "endless, ongoing public scrutiny".

Scottish exam results day 2026: What time will grades come out?

More than 148,000 people across Scotland will receive their exam results on Tuesday.

UK papers: 'Cop killers will go free' and 'Farage's sinking ship'

Several papers lead on the latest on the prisoner early release scheme.

US reports first two deaths linked to 'explosive diarrhoea' outbreak

The illness caused by parasitic infection that spreads through contaminated food or water is not generally life-threatening, health officials say.

Charred homes, burned out cars - before and after images show Spokane wildfire destruction

BBC Verify has matched videos posted online in the aftermath with images of the same streets before the fires to assess the damage in Washington state.

Newspaper columnist and broadcaster Rod Liddle dies aged 66

The columnist died in hospital in Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Watch: Wild police chase in Queensland, Australia ends in two arrests

A police pursuit in Queensland has ended in two arrests, with authorities taken on a high-speed car chase across Ipswich and Brisbane.

Three lions die in zoo as Japan battles extreme heat

Autopsies show that the lions suffered from dehydration and multiple organ failure.

France hits out at Reform UK plan to return migrants using Navy

It comes after the party said it would override French objections to return migrants to France.

Author La Plante banned from driving for six months

The best-selling crime author is disqualified from driving despite saying a ban would end her career.

Video shows Russian drone chasing Ukrainian street vendor in 'human safari' attack

Ukraine said the video - showing a terrified civilian being hounded by a remotely-controlled drone - amounted to a war crime.

More than 170 migrants rescued after boat catches fire in Channel

The government says all of the migrants, who were attempting to cross to the UK, will be returned to France.

Afghan boxer arrested in Greece over discovery of Scottish woman's body in suitcase

Sharif Ahmadzai, from Afghanistan, is expected to appear in court in Athens on Wednesday.

Oil prices fall on hopes Strait of Hormuz could reopen

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both announced talks had progressed to allow shipments to resume.

Mass funeral in Gaza for 112 Palestinians killed in 2023 Israeli strike

The bodies - belonging to members of two extended families - have only recently been recovered from under rubble in Gaza City.

Bono, Eddie Vedder and Hozier among mourners at Glen Hansard's funeral

The 56-year-old, who shot to prominence in 1991 musical comedy film The Commitments, died in a motorcycle crash last week.

EU commends Spain's 'swift response' to Ceuta migrant crisis

About 70,000 of the 72,000 people who came to Ceuta illegally last week have been returned to Morocco, Spain says.

Scottish exam pass rates rise as students find out results

More than 148,000 learners across the country received their results as details of this year's pass rates were published.

Athletes go 'missing' after Commonwealth Games ends

Police Scotland said it had received reports of various athletes "unaccounted for" in the aftermath of the Games, which concluded on Sunday.

Surgeon struck off after wrongly connecting organs

An expert witness said the bowel procedure carried out by the surgeon was "not known to man".

What will happen when a SpaceX rocket collides with the Moon?

Our satellite has endured countless blows over millions of years - and astronomers think this one could be a useful accident.

Analysis: Trump challenged by cold reality from top allies

A president used to bending US politics to his will faces two stinging losses in a matter of days, writes the BBC's Anthony Zurcher.

What's behind having to release some prisoners early?

More people going to prison, and for longer, is why governments including the current one have had to release prisoners early.

There's a reason child vaccination rates are falling - and it's not social media

As child immunisation rates fall across the UK, one clinic in west Yorkshire is taking aggressive steps to boost immunisations

Fan adds 'just joking' to England World Cup win tattoo

Sean Carrington says he is more bothered about England not winning than about his tattoo.

Fires started 'deliberately' on mountain as crews tackle blaze

Firefighters have been tackling the blaze on the mountain in the Rhondda Valley since Saturday.

Family funeral held after suspected triple murder

Relatives describe the mother as "the family's pride and joy".

BP's $5.7bn profit highest since 2022 as Iran war pushes up oil price

Higher oil prices boost the energy giant's results while environmental groups accuse it of profiteering.

'Rape list' part of misogyny girls face at school

A group of teenagers make a film describing their experiences, ahead of changes to the curriculum.

Soldier kills four in gun rampage in Russian-occupied Crimea

The region's Moscow-installed governor says the gunman has been detained after firing at fellow soldiers and civilians.

Mackerel festival should celebrate cabbage instead, say animal rights activists

Aberaeron holds an annual "light-hearted funeral" dedicated to the fast-swimming fish.

Bournemouth Echo

Plans for shed in church grounds among latest rural planning applications

Plans for a shed in church grounds, home extensions, a new garage workshop are among the latest Dorchester rural planning applications.

The deadly New Forest factory that supplied the world with explosives

Explosive hidden history of Eyeworth Pond in the New Forest, where a Hampshire beauty spot once housed the world's largest gunpowder factory.

Tributes paid to mountaineer Nirmal Purja after avalanche death

The remains of Poole-based mountaineer Nirmal Purja have been recovered after an avalanche on one of the world's highest mountains killed four climbers.

Single dad with disabled daughter 'abandoned' by Ryanair at the wrong airport

A father a severely disabled daughter says they were "abandoned" by Ryanair and told to make their own way home.

Walking football teammates raise awareness about kidney disease after donation

It is widely acknowledged that walking football allows people to continue playing the game they love even after retirement. However, for John Blake, getting involved with AFC Bournemouth’s walking football team turned out to be more than just a game — it was lifesaving.

Motorists parked illegally will face higher fines again this summer

More then 500 roads from Sandbanks to Southbourne will be included in a trial this August which will see motorists having to pay higher fines for parking illegally

New research in Dorset shows only 1% of Atlantic salmon are returning from sea

A new scientific study by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) shows the survival of wild Atlantic salmon at sea has declined dramatically.

'Everyone is God': Meet the Dorset pair taking on Nigel Farage in Clacton

Meet the Dorset pair taking on Reform leader Nigel Farage in the Clacton-by-election.

Traveller camp plans are given the green light

Plans for a traveller camp on the edge of Totton have been given the green light.

Cherries shirt features in trailer of new Michael B. Jordan film

A Cherries shirt features in the trailer for The Thomas Crown Affair, starring the club’s minority owner Michael B. Jordan.

Food blogger with 300k followers praises 'top performance' of Bournemouth chippy

James Dimitri visited Chez Fred in Bournemouth, with the food blogger praising it for its fish and chips

Trains through New Forest to be disrupted for months after fire damage

New Forest rail journeys will be facing months of disruption after a "large" substation fire damaged key electrical equipment.

3 BCP residents collect £25k prizes as August Premium Bonds winners revealed

Three people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole ended up collecting prizes of £25,000 in the August 2026 draw for the Premium Bonds.

New Forest pub to bring big-screen magic this summer with Outdoor Cinema Series

From classics to new releases, the Outdoor Cinema Series will span from August 12, to August 16 at The Mayflower Inn in Lymington.

Bournemouth Airport celebrating its 85th birthday following record-breaking year

Bournemouth Airport is celebrating its 85th birthday this week following a record-breaking year in which it has seen more passengers than ever before

Castlepoint invites community to connect, create and celebrate this summer

Castlepoint has unveiled Connect at Castlepoint, a new scheme transforming the area by M&S into an inclusive hub for visitors to relax and enjoy time together.

Bournemouth Airport proposes 823-space car park

Bournemouth Airport has revealed plans for an 823-space car park to accommodate an increase in passenger numbers

New Forest pub transforming gardens in outdoor cinema showing classic films

The event, the Outdoor Cinema Series, promises to blend big-screen entertainment with the serenity of the New Forest landscape.

Brand new $300m superyacht docks in Poole Harbour

A colossal new superyacht has turned heads after mooring at Poole Quay.

BCP and Morebus partnership nationally recognised as best practice by government

A public transport partnership has been recognised nationally as a leading example of best practice

Proposal to turn struggling Bournemouth guesthouse into children’s home

A proposal has been submitted to turn a Victorian guesthouse into a children’s care home.

Three arrested after two men hospitalised following violent assault

Three people have been arrested after a violent altercation in Bournemouth in which two men were taken to hospital.

Details of next phase of 550-home development submitted to council

Details of the next phase of a 550-home development in Poole have been submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

New plans for five homes in Poole after original proposal denied

Plans have been submitted for a new development in Poole that could see five houses built on an “underused” plot of land

Police reveal twisted beliefs behind 'vampire's' church carcass campaign

A man who believed he was a "reincarnated vampire" dumped animal carcasses at churches so he could live forever

‘Ban cars’ among comments as readers react to Poole Park gate reopening rejection

BCP Council’s rejection of calls to reopen Poole Park’s Whitecliff Gate to motorists has sparked a mixture of reactions from readers

Man wanted by police after escaping custody

A man is wanted by police after escaping from police custody during an arrest.

Home extension plans set to be rejected for size and bat habitat concerns

Plans to modernise a property in Broadstone have been recommended for refusal by council planning officers

Plans to convert outbuilding in Poole into an annex criticised as overdevelopment

Plans to convert an outbuilding into an annex in Poole are recommended for approval despite concerns about overdevelopment

LIVE - Delays after crash partially blocks A31

DELAYS have been reported on the A31 between Ferndown and Wimborne after a reported crash.

Multi‑million town improvement package to go before councillors

A council is poised to spend millions of pounds on improvement works across the New Forest.

Thousands expected as bike-riding DJ set to return to Bournemouth

A cycling drum and bass DJ is set to return to Bournemouth for his fifth event in the town.

Councillor urges residents to use their ‘power’ to tackle climate emergency

Residents are being urged to use their “power” to take action in the face of a national climate and nature emergency

Plan for new homes delayed as council admits missing timetable

Plans for new homes and major developments have been delayed after a council admitted it cannot hit its own timetable for updating the area’s main planning blueprint.

Business owner talks about hidden homelessness after spending six months in campervan

A business owner who spent more than six months homeless is speaking out to encourage others to seek help before reaching crisis point

Dorset food producers named among the best at Great Taste awards 2026

Dorset producers have enjoyed major success at the 2026 Great Taste Awards

2,000 residents sign up for new discount scheme in just one week

More than 2,000 residents have signed up to a new council scheme in its first week

Discount store wants to sell alcohol in Bournemouth town centre

A discount store is seeking permission to sell alcohol in Bournemouth town centre

24-hour charity volleyball challenge set to take place on Bournemouth Beach

Members of the Bournemouth Beach Volleyball Community will play continuously from August 22 to 23 at Bournemouth Pier, taking turns in relay shifts.

Dorset recycled plastics manufacturer turns plastic pickleballs into products

Dorset-based recycled plastics manufacturer Brothers Make has partnered with sustainable sports start-up company CRACK’D to recycle old plastic pickleballs

£500 grant helps fuel young Dorset entrepreneur's car washing business dream

Kieran Jackson from Blandford St Mary, launched car washing business, KJ Detailz, a year ago, and has already outgrown his original setup due to rising demand.

New partnerships help local hospice charity expand its Bereavement Café support

Forest Holme Hospice Charity has expanded its network of Bereavement Cafés with support from Leonardo Carer Support through the Leonardo Friends scheme.

Three Dorset businesses to come together to celebrate Italian food and drink

A Taste of Italy will take place in Dorset on August 22, at The Italian Villa in Compton Acres, Poole, bringing together Midas Prosecco and The Italian Pantry.

Bournemouth University graduate launches new tax and job management app

Sam Barrett, a software engineering graduate from Bournemouth, created the Graft App after watching his builder father struggle with paperwork and tax returns.

Bournemouth transport and logistics company shortlisted for two national awards

Bournemouth operator Speedy Freight is a double finalist in the 2026 British Franchise Association (BFA) Awards and the 2026 Supply Chain Excellence Awards.

Winton Salvation Army invites local community to 'travel the world' this August

Winton Salvation Army is inviting residents to travel the world this month at its community centre, with events offering a taste of Spain, Italy, and the USA.

Industrial and logistics park in Dorset nearing full house after three new deals

Bedrock Park in Wimborne is now 86 per cent let following three new deals, according to property consultancy Vail Williams.

Countryside charity Dorset CPRE to mark centenary with Milton Abbey celebration

The Dorset branch of CPRE will hold a special centenary event on September 25 at Milton Abbey from 5pm to 7.45pm.

Future Roots marks 20 years with reunion of 100 former participants in Dorset

Dorset-based Future Roots, supporting young people through farming, nature, and mentoring, marked its 20th anniversary on July 18 with an event at Rylands Farm.

New wedding showcase event coming to RNLI College in Poole next month

The My Wedding Vibe showcase will head to the RNLI College's Waterfront Suite on West Quay Road on Sunday, September 27, from 11am to 3pm.

Care home worker in St Leonards named regional winner in national award scheme

Gemma Alcock, senior administration manager at Moors Manor Care Home, crowned Administration Manager of the Year for the South West at Barchester Care Awards.

Lush trialling apprenticeship schemes to tackle youth unemployment crisis

The global cosmetics giant Lush has launched a new spa therapist apprenticeship scheme to tackle the amount of 16 - 24 year olds not not in education, employment or training.

Menopause and Los Angeles culture inspire debut novel from Dorset-based writer

Unleashed in LA is the debut by Dorset writer Carole Ryder, who moved from Cambridge to Los Angeles in her 50s, releasing on August 28.

Bournemouth Sports Women FC thanks long-standing sponsor All Hail Ale

Bournemouth Sports Women FC presented a signed team shirt to All Hail Ale on Saturday night, in recognition of the business’s support since 2023.

People urged by NHS to check vaccination status for Immunisation Awareness Month

The NHS in South West is urging people to make sure they and their families are up to date with routine vaccinations as part of Immunisation Awareness Month.

More than 100 primary school pupils took over Dorset theatre for annual show

On June 18, 132 pupils at Lytchett Matravers Primary School took over the Gainsford Theatre at Lytchett Minster School to put on their annual show

Formula 1

Long-time Aston Martin engineer set to leave team

Tom McCullough is set to leave the Silverstone-based squad at the end of the current Formula 1 season.

How an unraced Newey McLaren compares to Aston Martin’s car

F1 technical expert Mark Hughes takes a close look at the unraced McLaren MP4-18 designed by Adrian Newey – and how it has much in common with the Aston Martin AMR26.

The F1 Power Rankings at the halfway stage of 2026

Formula 1’s 22 drivers have put on quite the show in 2026, with 11 action-packed rounds now behind us. But how do the scores from our Power Rankings judges look at the halfway mark? Here’s the top-10 list as we move through the summer break...

Ask Max Verstappen a question in our exclusive reader Q&A

Later this season, Max Verstappen will make his 250th Grand Prix appearance, reaching another milestone in his incredible F1 career to date.

Windows Central

I used this free Microsoft Edge feature to replace a $29 subscription, here's how it held up

Microsoft Edge includes a built-in Read Aloud feature that reads web articles out loud for free. The Speechify extension offers higher voice quality and skips web clutter better, but charges $29 per month. Here is how the two text-to-speech tools compare in my testing.

Microsoft Teams just added an app to help you skip meetings

Microsoft's July 2026 Teams update introduces a dedicated Recap app for meeting summaries, transcripts, and recordings.

Xbox Play Anywhere secures its biggest win yet with Baldur's Gate 3, and it being 30% off is just icing on the cake

Larian Studios has rolled out one more update to Baldur's Gate 3 that is sure to please Xbox fans. As of today, Baldur's Gate 3 now has Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility, and it's on a 30% discount as a bonus.

"It's not great news": Halo: Campaign Evolved on the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme shows how far Windows on Arm gaming still has to go

Testing Halo: Campaign Evolved on the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme revealed broken, missing ground textures. The game-breaking visual bug highlights the ongoing graphics driver and compatibility challenges facing Windows on Arm gaming.

If you use the Xbox App on Windows 11 with non-Xbox games then you absolutely need to use this Game Bar widget

The Xbox App on Windows 11 is a pretty good launcher for all your PC games these days, but you really need this Game Bar widget to make it look pretty.

This eGPU hack proved Snapdragon laptops can game with an RTX GPU, but developers need to catch up

Creators were able to connect an NVIDIA RTX 4060 to an ASUS Zenbook A16 with a Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. Is this a glimmer of hope for Windows on Arm gaming or just a clever workaround?

Why all‑in‑one online security isn't just easier for modern households — it's essential

All-in-one security protects every device in your home by eliminating gaps, reducing risks, and simplifying digital safety across platforms.

DOOM runs inside Paint on Windows, built by a Microsoft executive: "The spreadsheet-tier framerate is part of the charm."

Mark Russinovich builds DoomPaint to turn Microsoft Paint into a bizarre DOOM "monitor" of sorts, pasting each frame in turn for a janky but playable hack.

Beast of Reincarnation is a beautiful game that shows what its creators can really do when free of the Pokémon shackles

Beast of Reincarnation's creators are best known for Pokémon, but this is something completely different and beautiful.

Apple confirmed iPhone-to-Windows clipboard sync is coming, but only because the EU forced its hand

Following an EU Digital Markets Act request from Microsoft, Apple agreed to develop cross-platform clipboard syncing between iPhones and Windows 11 PCs. The feature relies on Apple’s AccessorySetupKit and is targeted for late 2027, though it may remain exclusive to users in the European Union.

Gears of War: E-Day's Xbox and PC multiplayer beta tests are starting soon: Here's how to enter, what content to expect, and what rewards they'll offer

The Coalition has released details regarding Gears of War: E-Day's upcoming beta test weekends for its multiplayer modes. Here's everything you need to know about how to sign up for the betas and what rewards they'll offer in the full game.

Laffgaff

New York’s iconic Times Square was originally known by what less glamorous name?

Longacre Square.

Wood Cutting Competition

I'm delighted to have beaten my friend in a wood cutting competition. He's a saw loser.

Itsfoss

Linux's Favorite Music Player Rhythmbox 3.5 Lands After Nearly a Decade in the 3.4 Series

The release also adds lrclib.net, sidecar .lrc files, and embedded Ogg lyrics as new sources.

Escape the Algorithm: 10 RSS Feed Readers You Can Self Host in Your Homelab

Create your own feed. Read from the websites you follow. Cut the noise. Ditch the big tech algorithms. Self-host your own feed reader. Here are the best choices.

GNOME Boxes Won't Look Ancient Anymore Thanks to a Glow-Up

A full rewrite moves it to GTK4 and Libadwaita, with Windows 11 support being tidied up.