The News - Tuesday, 20 October 2026

BBC News

Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget

Influential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.

We asked teens what schools should teach them about work. This is what they said

Teenagers say they want more work experience at school and opportunities to improve their communication skills.

Curfew imposed in parts of central Paris and other cities after rioting across France

The country's interior minister admits that police "lost control" in some cities following a weekend of riots.

Watch: Clean up begins after French riots but police remain

Outside of Paris, Marseille saw some of the worst damage, with shop owners reporting more than 600 premises having been looted.

Criminals detained in hospital set to lose benefits

The families of the victims of Nottingham killer Valdo Calocane had been campaigning for the change.

Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules

Penalties are seen as too harsh on motorists who are penalised for parking on private land.

US church on frontline of battle against drug known as 'tranq'

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are more powerful and in plentiful supply, and they have transformed the drugs landscape.

Ukrainians dying because US restricting intelligence sharing, Zelensky adviser tells BBC

Serhii Beskrestnov says there has not been enough time to warn people about incoming missile attacks. The White House said there had been no changes to intelligence sharing.

How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?

Ahead of the midterms Trump has boasted about the performance of the US economy. BBC Verify looks at inflation, jobs and economic growth in the country.

The singles choosing in-person dating events over apps

The BBC hears from people who think dating events are better value for money than dating apps.

I have a condition people are too embarrassed to talk about

Women share their experience of lichen sclerosus.

Ukraine says it carried out first drone airlift of wounded soldier from front line

The serviceman was surrounded by landmines and enemy drones so a ground rescue was not possible, Ukraine's military says.

'The French correction' and 'Labour cuts £2bn from Army'

Violent unrest in France continues and Defence drops funding for frontline military vehicles lead Tuesday's papers.

Mission blasts off for Mars to grab a piece of its moon

A spacecraft is set to launch on an ambitious mission to bring 10g of Martian moon dust back to Earth.

Seventh day of violent clashes between Albanian protesters and police

Almost 300 people have been injured, more than half of them police, as violent anti-government demonstrations show no sign of easing.

Kenya cult leader who told parents to starve children guilty of 191 murders

Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie was found guilty of 191 murder charges - all but one of them children.

Tennis star Svitolina says emotional toll of Ukraine war led to Monfils separation

The two top tennis pros married in 2021 and have one child together.

Apu returns to The Simpsons with new voice after race row

The much-loved shopkeeper has been seen but not heard around Springfield for eight years, until now.

Government failings allowed Covid 'to spread like wildfire' in care homes, inquiry finds

The sixth report from Covid inquiry criticises the lack of PPE and the way patients were discharged from hospital.

Two men re-arrested in RAF Fairford investigation

Counter-terror police say the men have been arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Google says services recovering after cloud outage hits UK banks and websites

Revolut was one of the hardest hit, with banking services going down for many customers.

BBC Three, BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra broadcast channels to close

The closures are announced as the corporation continues to try to save £500m over two years.

North Korea publishes photos of Kim Jong Un - why do rumours of his death keep coming back?

North Korean state media has published photos of the dictator with his daughter after the unsubstantiated rumour spread.

Harry says he wants to 'reconcile' with his family

Prince Harry says he wants reconciliation with his family, in an interview with a magazine in New York last month.

Student who stabbed housemate 30 times admits murder

Jamie Collins is described as a "sensitive and caring young man" after his killer admits murder.

Huge setback for Alberta's separatist movement after decisive defeat

Leaders of the movement for independence vow to push on but the margin of defeat could make that difficult.

Woman says she 'couldn't speak or breathe' during alleged rape by Russell Brand

The entertainer denies three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one of indecent assault.

UK to deploy jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks

The UK announces it will provide additional defensive military support to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate in the region.

Man charged with attack on Australian MP as suspect's father says she is family friend

Brendan Nugent's family say they have known Helen Haines, who remains in a critical condition, for more than 20 years.

Teenagers tell BBC of their hopes and fears as they prepare to start work

Follow four students from Newcastle as they try out roles for the first time as part of their work experience placements.

No 'protective ring' and visiting rules too strict - key points from Covid report on care homes

From the shocking lack of PPE to restrictions on visitors - the key points from the sixth Covid inquiry report.

Katie Razzall: BBC closures make business sense, but far more savings are needed

The BBC announced it will close its BBC Three, BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra broadcast channels.

US church on front line of battle against drug known as 'tranq'

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are more powerful and in plentiful supply, and they have transformed the drugs landscape.

Royals roll out red carpet for visiting Sultan

The Sultan of Oman, leader of a Middle Eastern strategic partner, is welcomed to Windsor for a state visit.

Chancellor rejects calls to raise Capital Gains Tax in Budget

Influential Labour figures had been pushing for equalising CGT and income tax, but critics have said this could drive wealthy people out of Britain.

Three children injured after school bus roof ripped off in crash

Three children receive hospital treatment after a bus on its way to Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed crashes.

Marseille braces for more unrest after protests give way to 'apocalyptic' disorder

France's second city saw some of the worst violence as chaos gripped the country on Saturday.

Christina Applegate says she was wrongfully diagnosed with MS

She said in a Tuesday release of her Messy podcast that she was not happy about the new information and her symptoms have only "gotten worse".

Paddy Power cuts 1,400 jobs and blames betting tax rises

The government increased taxes on online casino and sports betting in last year's Budget.

Bournemouth Echo

Broadcaster Esther Rantzen felt 'deprived of choice' over death at New Forest home

Beloved broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who lived in the New Forest, has said she felt "deprived of choice" in a posthumous note released by her family.

Dame Judi Dench backs plans for new woodland theatre in New Forest

Judi Dench has thrown her support behind plans for a new woodland theatre in the New Forest, which organisers hope will welcome its first audiences next summer.

Margaret Durrell's visit to Dillons bookshop in Bournemouth in 1996

A bookshop visit once promised more than just a purchase.

Dorset MP calls for cost-of-living package to give businesses 'breathing space'

Dorset MP Vikki Slade urges an emergency cost-of-living package, including a hospitality VAT cut, as 865 businesses close and high streets struggle in 2026.

Rowan Atkinson delights packed Swanage audience as part of Purbeck Film Festival

Rowan Atkinson discusses Mr Bean, Jacques Tati and Mr Hulot’s Holiday at Dorset’s Purbeck Film Festival, ahead of his return to the London stage next year.

82-year-old Ringwood woman takes on 25k step challenge for mental health charity

Ringwood’s Janet Barton, 82, walked 25,000 steps from Sandbanks to Boscombe Pier on October 3, raising over £400 for Plants and Minds’ Chestnut Nursery.

Loan agreement to help complete restoration of rare Second World War tank

The Tank Museum in Bovington secures a rare Swedish engine and gearbox loan, bringing King Tiger V2 closer to running again as restoration donations continue.

Dorset school officially opens its new college and residences for sixth form

Canford School has officially opened its new College and Residences, marking a significant investment in the future of post-16 education in Dorset.

Dorset's Monkey World named among UK's five best-rated 'zoos and safari parks'

Dorset's Monkey World near Wareham named fifth-best UK 'zoo' in a visitor review ranking, with 4.68 stars from more than 13,000 Google reviews.

Dorset’s first refill and independent health food shop marking 50th anniversary

Spill the Beans, based in Wimborne, will mark its 50th anniversary in November with talks, tastings, and the release of an updated edition of its cookbook.

Dorset residents invited to consider adoption as part of National Adoption Week

In Dorset, Aspire Adoption is using National Adoption Week to raise awareness and is encouraging more people to consider adoption.

Construction company raises nearly £5,000 in yearly fundraising for charity

Greendale Construction raised 4,685 for Elsie’s Rose, a Dorset charity supporting bereaved parents and families of children receiving end-of-life care.

The Horne Section to bring their new tour to Poole venue next year

The Horne Section: Six Absolute Helmets will be performed at Lighthouse Poole on Thursday, February 25, 2027, at 8pm.

Spooky surprises to fill the forest at Moors Valley Country Park for Halloween

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest will host an illuminated trail through the woods alongside spooky family activities, crafts and themed food.

New Milton Town Council invites residents to join tree planting initiative

New Milton Town Council is inviting people to participate in their annual Plant a Tree Initiative

Brownies help care home residents create special Remembrance wreath

A care home has created a poppy wreath for the upcoming Remembrance service with the help of some special guests.

Meet the man pedalling his piano across Britain after overcoming addiction

James Toffali, a former Poole resident, brought his piano to Bournemouth as part of an epic UK journey inspired by addiction recovery.

Ferndown care home team named finalist in Great British Care Awards 2026

Kings Park Care Home in Ferndown has been named a finalist for the Care Home Team Award in the South West region at The Great British Care Awards 2026.

'Chancellor, give us something we can build on'

Nine days until the Budget on 28 October. Nine days to make sure hospitality’s voice reaches the people making the decisions. This week I’m up in London for the push with one clear message: VAT in line with Europe.

New Milton pupils create wildflower meadow at new housing development

Pupils at a New Forest school helped bring a new wildflower meadow to life during a hands-on environmental project

Award-winning Shakespeare celebration to return to Christchurch next year

Christchurch Town Council has backed plans for the Shakespeare Shout to return in 2027 and beyond, following the success of the first event earlier this year.

Bournemouth set to celebrate Diwali with vibrant community mela next month

Bournemouth’s Diwali Mela takes place on November 14 at St Francis Church, Charminster, featuring Indian food, music, crafts and entertainment. Tickets £3.

More tension over claims many campervans on Southbourne Overcliff are unroadworthy

Residents claim campervans parked on Bournemouth's overcliff are untaxed and unroadworthy, but a councillor says most vehicles are compliant.

Next production from Broadstone Players coming to Dorset venue next month

Broadstone Players present Hoovering at the Edge in Dorset from November 18 to November 21, with comedy and drama at Broadstone War Memorial Hall. Tickets £10.

World’s most popular children’s entertainment group comes to Bournemouth in 2027

The Wiggles’ Sparkle! BIG SHOW will arrive at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on Thursday, March 25, 2027, as part of a UK and Ireland tour.

Popular community refill shop awards £1,478 in grants to seven organisations

Fordingbridge’s award-winning community refill shop, The Green Gram, has awarded grants totalling £1,478 to seven organisations as part of its grant funding

Boscombe Salvation Army Band to mark 140th anniversary with guest performers

Boscombe Salvation Army Band celebrates its 140th anniversary with Black Dyke Band at a special Bournemouth concert on November 7, supporting its Christian mission.

Care South's Community Fund donates £1,000 to Christchurch Community Partnership

Christchurch Community Partnership receives £1,000 Care South grant to tackle loneliness among older people through lunch clubs, exercise and meet-ups.

Dorset hospice receives nearly £8,000 to fund refurbishment of wellbeing garden

Dorset’s Lewis-Manning Hospice Care receives £7,899 from NFU Mutual Bournemouth to transform wellbeing garden into peaceful sanctuary for patients and families.

Networking event supporting the Steve Bernard Foundation to be held next month

Tony Bernard of the Steve Bernard Foundation Joins Agent Nouveau's Networking Breakfast in Westbourne, Tuesday 10th November, 8am–10am

LIVE - Police swoop on Vape Shops across Bournemouth and Poole

Police are currently swooping on Vape stores in Bournemouth and Poole Our reporter is at the scene Updates to follow

Plan for £2m house in Sandbanks refused for THIRD time after neighbours' concerns

Sandbanks house plans rejected for third time as Poole councillors call proposed three-storey home overbearing and harmful to neighbours’ privacy and light.

Home Bargains staff member 'assaulted by group of teens before store theft'

Officers continuing to investigate a theft and assault on a staff member at a Poole store are issuing images of people they are looking to identify.

Anton Du Beke, 60, career move announced away from Strictly

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has announced his new career move away from the BBC show.

'The hypocrisy is staggering' councillor hits back after suspension

A councillor suspended for filming outside a primary school has said the hypocrisy of colleagues is 'staggering'

BCP councillor suspended after filming children outside school

A councillor has been suspended after filming children outside a primary school.

Chief executive says BCP Council need to ‘stop making mistakes’ amid massive debt

BCP Council faces a £38.2m 2027/28 budget gap and £32m overspend, as chief executive Aidan Dunn urges fewer mistakes and greater efficiency in Dorset.

Brownsea Island to close tomorrow due to high winds

Brownsea Island will be closed to visitors tomorrow due to high winds.

Housing benefit warning as renters face £1,236 annual shortfall - check your area

Renters face a typical £1,236 annual shortfall as frozen housing benefit rates fail to cover cheaper rents in all 152 areas of England. Check your area.

Mortgage rates could fall by Christmas - but brokers warn borrowers of key mistake

Mortgage rates could be cheaper by Christmas - but experts warn borrowers against waiting for a big drop

Woman from Poole arrested on suspicion of driving offence

Officers arrested a 36-year-old woman from Poole in Turlin Moor on suspicion of driving offences following information she was believed to be disqualified from driving.

Motorcyclist seriously injured in Poole crash as drivers go without leaving details

Poole motorcyclist suffers serious arm injury in crash involving two cars on Mannings Heath Road; Dorset Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage.

BBC to axe 3 major channels in huge shake-up as broadcaster makes £500m cuts

BBC to close BBC Three, Radio 4 Extra and BBC Scotland in spring 2027, moving content online while seeking £500m in savings.

Flying Scotsman's journey to Dorset delayed until tomorrow

Flying Scotsman journey to Dorset delayed until tomorrow

Christmas lights in four areas to return in November after BCP Council axed them

Bournemouth Town Council announces date for the return of Christmas lights in four areas this year.

Missing 13-year-old girl found by police

Officers are appealing for information from the public as they search for a missing teenage girl in Christchurch.

Footpath across Parley Manor estate set to be diverted

A public footpath running through a historic country estate is face being moved under proposals submitted to council officers.

TV host breaks silence as popular BBC series is rested after 27 years on air

Nick Knowles has spoken of his disappointment after the BBC announced plans to rest DIY SOS in 2027.

Where you can see Flying Scotsman in Dorset THIS week

One of the most famous engineering feats in steam railway history is set to arrive on Dorset tracks today for a landmark 10 day visit.

Rare Royal Mint Blue Peter 50p coin sells for more than 300 times face value

A rare 2009 Blue Peter London 2012 Olympic Games 50p coin has fetched £160 on eBay after attracting 15 bids, selling for more than 300 times its face value.

Wareham hotel set to reopen after ceiling collapse forced evacuation

A hotel is set to reopen after being evacuated due to structural damage in one of its guest rooms.

This number plate issue could see you fined for crashes you weren't in

Vehicle cloning hits record high as more than 11,400 motorists contest fines for offences committed by fraudsters on cloned number plates.

All flights suspended as popular Greek island airport to close for 4 months

Chios Airport on Chios, Greece’s fifth-biggest island, will be closing down for four months, with all flights suspended.

The little-known rule that could leave homeowners facing a fine of up to £5,000

UK homeowners could face council fines and £5,000 fines over weeds, long grass and vermin.

Mortgage declined after an agreement in principle? Experts explain why

Mortgage rejections are rising despite looser lending rules. Experts explain six reasons applications fail and what to do if your mortgage is declined.

Drivers to get new rights in car parks and avoid 'unfair' fines above £100

Drivers will soon be given new rights so they can avoid "unfair" fines over £100 for making common mistakes in private car parks across the UK.

Martin Lewis issues mortgage warning to anyone whose deal ends in the next year

Martin Lewis has told homeowners whose mortgage deal ends within a year to act six months in advance. Find out how booking a fixed rate early could help.

Plans revealed for almost 50 new homes on green belt land in the New Forest

Plans to build 49 homes on green belt land beside Hollybush Farm in Hordle have been submitted to New Forest District Council.

Warning issued for BCP ahead of first storm of the season

Strong winds are expected to cause disruption and potential damage across Dorset later this week after a weather warning was issued.

LIVE - Traffic and travel updates as heavy rain hits Dorset

Heavy traffic along the A338 after reports of a crash - updates to follow.

Formula 1

United States Grand Prix betting guide and latest odds

Our experts bring you all the important betting information you need before making your predictions at the Circuit of the Americas.

How Williams entered the Marvel Universe

From a Doctor Doom-inspired Formula 1 livery to a comic book featuring Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, discover how Williams joined forces with Marvel.

The 5 drivers most like to qualify quickest in Austin

We have looked at the betting markets for Qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas to assess the leading contenders for pole.

HINCHCLIFFE: Why Lawson deserves to keep his seat at Racing Bulls

IndyCar winner and F1 TV analyst on the selection problem facing the Racing Bulls bosses ahead of next season.

Why Red Bull and Audi’s floor stay trick is banned for 2027

Mark Hughes explains how a floor stay exemption has allowed Red Bull and Audi to run sharper sidepod undercuts in 2026 – and how the FIA’s rule change will curb the benefit from 2027.

The 5 drivers most likely to win the United States GP

We look at the betting markets to predict the five most likely drivers to win at the Circuit of the Americas.

What could ‘formidable’ Red Bull achieve after resurgence?

In the latest episode of official podcast, F1 Nation, Jolyon Palmer and Alex Jacques discuss how Red Bull can build on their impressive turnaround in the future.

How Marcin Budkowski is shaping Cadillac’s next chapter

Marcin Budkowski took over from Graeme Lowdon as Cadillac Team Principal in the summer, and has plenty on the agenda as he looks to develop F1's newest outfit.

Camara indicates the driver number he'd like to use in 2027

Rafael Camara has decided which driver number he’d like to race with in his rookie season with Haas.

Windows Central

One of Modern Warfare 4's most degenerate challenges has already been beaten

There's no way that people who have already finished the Modern Warfare 4 campaign on YOLO difficulty have slept since early access began. But those people are out there.

I wasn't prepared for how fast Microsoft's new Photos app performs

Microsoft's redesigned Photos app adds new features, but its biggest upgrade may be finally fixing years of slow performance.

Microsoft walks away from flagship UK AI data center project

Microsoft has reportedly ended its involvement in a planned UK AI data center that may not receive sufficient power until 2030.

Turtle Beach just launched a new Stealth Ultra 2

Turtle Beach reveals Stealth Ultra 2, ditching phone gimmicks for TMR sticks and 8kHz polling.

AMD’s FSR 4.1 update could be a game‑changer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Ally

In a video address, AMD revealed FSR 4.1 support is coming "soon" to Xbox consoles, and this week to Xbox Ally.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

We rounded up the best Xbox 25th Anniversary merch

Xbox turns 25! From IKEA cushions to translucent green controllers, here’s the best anniversary merch to buy now.

Razer × Xbox 25th Anniversary hands‑on: This is how you do it

Razer has transformed three of its best gaming peripherals for Xbox's 25th anniversary, and after getting my hands on the BlackWidow V4 75%, Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, and Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed, I'm seriously impressed.

ShareX gets its biggest update ever with native screen recording, 120 FPS capture, and dozens of new tools

ShareX's largest-ever update adds native screen recording, 120 FPS capture support, and a huge collection of redesigned tools.

Windows 11's design boss admits it needs work, while AI fixes OS inconsistencies

Microsoft VP of Product Design Diego Baca says AI is already accelerating Microsoft’s design work, with designers even contributing directly to code fixes. Baca also acknowledged long-standing complaints about consistency across Windows and says Microsoft wants to earn back users’ enthusiasm through what it delivers.

Final Fantasy Resonance review: This return to turn-based combat was a joyous homecoming party

Final Fantasy Resonance is a smashing HD-2D debut for the Final Fantasy series, proving it can still make fun turn-based JRPGs in the modern age while paying tribute to the franchise's legacy and fans.

Xbox is struggling for stock so bad that it's asking ex-users to trade-in

The console stock situation is so dire now that Microsoft is targeting lapsed users with second, dormant Xbox consoles to recommend trading-in. The RAM crisis continues.

Breaking down the Surface Laptop Ultra support schedule for drivers and firmware

Microsoft has updated its Surface lifecycle documentation, confirming six years of driver and firmware support for the new PC.

Oblivion Remastered gets an FPS performance boost from an AI-generated PC patch

An Oblivion Remastered fan has used Claude AI to create a performance patch that reportedly boosts average FPS by 37%, offering another example of how AI tools are being used by gaming communities.

Microsoft wants Edge to install security updates without restarting

Microsoft is testing a way to update Edge without restarting the browser, keeping compatible tabs open while applying important security fixes.

Podcast: Surface Laptop Ultra and RTX Spark reviewed!

On this week's episode: RTX Spark is here, and we've been reviewing the laptops that come with it. Here's what we really think.

Need a reliable laptop but can't wait for Black Friday? This 2K OLED pick is ideal

One of the most reliable mid-range laptops around, the HP Omnibook X Flip 2-in-1 laptop, is having a 25% discount for its AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 (2026) and 2K OLED display configuration for PC users who can't afford to wait for Black Friday discounts.

Laffgaff

Which car manufacturer was the first to include seat belts as a standard feature in their vehicles?

Saab.

Homing Pigeon

My homing pigeon died. I'm worried it will come back to haunt me.

Itsfoss

Microsoft’s AI Coding Agent Testing Tool Has Been Open-Sourced

Scope is for teams that maintain SDKs, docs, or MCP servers and want to see where coding agents get stuck.