The News - Friday, 07 March 2025

BBC News

Zelensky hopes US-Ukraine talks next week will be 'meaningful'

The talks in Saudi Arabia come as both sides seek to heal a rift after presidents Zelensky and Trump clashed in public.

Lady Gaga: My biggest fear? Being alone

As she returns to pop with her seventh album, Mayhem, Lady Gaga reflects on the loneliness of fame.

The King reveals his playlist, from Marley to Kylie

King Charles III is launching a personal playlist of music from the Commonwealth that lifts his sprits.

Horizon scandal: Compensation offered after death

Widow of Horizon scandal victim urges government to speed up compensation payouts

Plan to ban smart phones in schools scrapped by MP

The MP behind the bill says he has altered proposals in a bid to gain government support.

Listen: Pope Francis shares voice message from hospital

The 88-year-old had not been seen or heard by the public since he was admitted to hospital on 14 February.

SpaceX rocket explodes, raining debris from sky for second time in a row

It grounded flights in Orlando, Miami and Palm Beach after debris concerns from Starship's failed launch.

Baywatch star Pamela Bach found dead at 62

She was found at her home in the Hollywood Hills after dying by suicide, said the Los Angeles medical examiner's office.

More schools to be asked to supervise toothbrushing

Dedicated funding will allow the scheme to reach the poorest areas in England, the government says.

Inquiry into claims Nottingham victim records were accessed

A hospital trust is investigating if medical records of the three victims were accessed "inappropriately".

Weekly quiz: Anora cleaned up but who left the Oscars empty-handed?

How much attention did you pay to what has been going on in the world over the past seven days?

The Papers: 'Crossbow maniac' and 'show of unity' for Ukraine

The conviction of Kyle Clifford, who raped and murdered his ex-girlfriend and murdered her, her sister and mother, leads many papers.

The arrogant ex-soldier who turned into a triple killer

Kyle Clifford's behaviour leading up to the murders escalated at an unprecedented rate, say police.

'So lucky to be alive': Aid worker describes escape from deadly Russian strike

Karol Swiacki spoke to the BBC after surviving a missile strike on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih, which killed four.

'You literally cannot see' - blizzard causes chaos in Iowa

A powerful winter storm has hit parts of the US midwest with strong winds and heavy snow.

Why are whales getting tangled up in ropes?

Why are entanglements happening and are the incidents on the rise?

US lost a fifth of its butterflies within two decades

However the researchers say butterflies may be able to recover if urgent conservation measures are taken.

Fighting rages in Assad heartland of Syria

"Huge reinforcements" are heading to Latakia province after clashes reportedly claim dozens of lives.

Genetic drive to overeat found in labradors and humans

Scientists have found a genetic cause of many labradors' - and some people's - tendency to overeat.

Boots gets new US owner in multi-billion dollar deal

It is unclear what the deal would mean for Boots and its UK operations.

Adnan Syed will not serve more jail time in Serial podcast murder case

Syed spent 20 years in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, but the podcast helped free him.

Teen armed with gun overpowered by passengers onboard plane

A 17-year-old has been charged after being detained by crew and members of the public on a plane in Australia.

Farage hits back at Reform MP's leadership criticism

Farage rejects suggestions from Rupert Lowe that Reform UK is a "protest party led by the Messiah".

Three Bulgarians guilty of spying for Russia in the UK

Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova, and Tihomir Ivanchev undertook elaborate surveillance on people and places targeted by Russia in one of the largest foreign intelligence operations in the UK.

How spy ring living double lives did Kremlin's dirty work

A spy cell tracked the Kremlin's enemies across Europe, plotting honeytraps, kidnap and murder.

'Nasal tanning spray left me suffocating in hospital'

Edith Eagle says she felt she was "drowning in her own body" after using one of the unlicensed products.

Toppled private spacecraft can't complete Moon mission

The mission was supposed to last 10 days but less then a day after landing, the craft is running out of power.

Murder investigation after boy, 15, found dead on Glasgow street

Amen Teklay was found seriously injured on Clarendon Street at around 22:30 on Wednesday.

Fears of destruction as 'erratic' cyclone nears Australia

Four million people across Queensland and northern New South Wales are in the firing line.

Scottish kebab pie crowned UK 'pie of pies'

Christine and Paul Boyle from Boghall Butchers in West Lothian made the award winning pie.

Donald Tusk announces military training plan for all Polish men

Poland's prime minister said his government plans to have a model ready by the end of the year.

Just Stop Oil co-founder's sentence reduced in Court of Appeal

Sixteen climate protesters were jailed last year for their roles in Just Stop Oil demonstrations.

Creator of viral Trump Gaza video warns of possible dangers from AI

The video apparently satirising a proposal to "take over" the Gaza Strip was shared by the US president on social media.

Lady Gaga: My biggest fear? Being alone

As she returns to pop with her seventh album, Mayhem, Lady Gaga reflects on the loneliness of fame.

'I'm Danny Dyer – I don't need a chat-up line'

In his new film the actor plays a man who has six weeks save his marriage - but what are his top tips for romantic bliss?

Police watchdog reopens inquiry into force's contact with triple killer

The Independence Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Leicestershire Police had "provided new evidence".

Price of first-class stamp to rise to £1.70

The cost of a second-class stamp will also rise to 87p on 7 April, Royal Mail announces.

Actor Noel Clarke tells court he is 'victim of unlawful conspiracy'

The actor is suing the Guardian over claims he was a "serial abuser of women", which he says are false.

Ex-Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and Derek Hatton charged with bribery

Former city politician Derek Hatton has also been charged after an investigation by Merseyside Police.

UK's Eurovision Song Contest hopefuls revealed

Female harmony group Remember Monday will fly the flag with their song What The Hell Just Happened.

Three wanted over murder of Scottish man in Kenya

Investigators in Kenya have released images of three men wanted in connection with the killing of Campbell Scott.

Bournemouth Echo

Viability concerns over £150million housing project

QUESTIONS have been raised over the viability of a major housing scheme for Bournemouth town centre.

Calls for new cycle lane along one of busiest roads in BCP

CALLS have been made to introduce cycle infrastructure to one of the busiest roads in Christchurch.

In The Dock: Christmas drink drivers among the cases

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

'Bournemouth needs to be an attractive destination'

READING the article about Jessica Toale meeting residents, two lines resonated with me. "We need to reclaim Bournemouth and Poole" and "We are becoming irrelevant as BCP".

Bournemouth town centre to host wedding-themed weekend

Guests can enjoy a runway fashion show, styling advice, in-store discounts and a glass of fizz, with a luxury raffle offering a chance to win a designer handbag.

Care home residents and staff raise £1,800 for charity

The money raised was handed over to Starf representative Peter Vandervelde at a cheque presentation.

Best-selling author visits school to celebrate World Book Day

Her storytelling session, filled with energy and humour, captivated the youngsters.

Man-cave collection to go under the hammer

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse Team can be contacted for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne.

Football club helps 67 men shed more than 21 stone

The football club is part of a larger initiative to help overweight and obese men shed excess pounds through football and lifestyle coaching.

Former pupil returns to school to mark World Book Day

Since leaving PGS in 2005, Ms Codd, who now resides in Purbeck, has published two memoirs.

Rock band frontman to perform at Bournemouth

In addition to his solo work, Wright has three albums with his post-Terrorvision band LaikaDog.

Mayor of Poole plants rare trees in gardens

The trees were donated by the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) and will be cared for by the Friends of Coy Pond.

Poole woman found dead at Jamaican hotel

An inquest has opened into the death of a Poole woman after she was found unresponsive at a Jamaican hotel.

Man fined for carrying a knuckleduster in a Bournemouth bar

Man fined for carrying knuckleduster in Bournemouth bar.

Customers queue for reopening of refurbished charity shop

A CHARITY shop has opened in Bournemouth after being closed for a six-week refurbishment.

Man builds his own Christchurch Priory in Filipino jungle

A MAN has built his own Christchurch Priory inside a Filipino jungle.

Canford school pupil to represent Team GB at martial arts championship

A PUPIL at a Wimborne school has been selected to represent Team GB at a martial arts championship.

Newest Bournemouth town centre bar to open this month

THE newest Bournemouth town centre bar is set to open its doors later this month.

WATCH: 'Dangerous driver' speeds at 150mph three weeks after passing test

A man has bee charged with dangerous driving after he reached over 150mph on a road in Bournemouth.

More acts announced for popular summer festival

A popular festival has announced a second wave of artists – including a local rapper.

Bournemouth aid worker says 'not the time for crying' after surviving Russian attack

An aid worker from Britain has said "this is not the moment for crying" after surviving a Russian missile strike in central Ukraine, which left four people dead.

LIVE: Road closed after crash involving car and motorcycle

Talbot Road has been closed by police - we will bring you live updates this afternoon

Motorcyclist, 19, seriously injured after crash with car

A MOTORCYCLIST has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash in Winton.

Man guilty of attempting to murder nine-year-old girl in stabbing attack

A MAN has been found guilty of attempting to murder a nine-year-old girl after stabbing her in the neck, a court heard.

Man punched and pushed during assault

A man was reportedly punched and pushed by another man in Poole.

Popular Sandbanks festival reveals headline act

Popular beach festival SandFest has revealed its headliner for this summer’s event.

Fat fryer fire breaks out at takeaway in Swanage

Multiple fire engines attended a blaze believed to have started in a commercial kitchen in Swanage.

Four people - including three teenagers - arrested on suspicion of drugs offences

Four people – including three teenagers – have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after a car was stopped in Poole.

REVIEW: Jack Savoretti at the O2 Academy Bournemouth

Jack Savoretti is currently on an acoustic mini-tour of the UK, before departing to the continent for more dates.

Dozens arrested and weapons seized in drug crackdown

A total of 36 people were arrested across the region, with 2,240 suspected cannabis plants discovered and destroyed and £57,335 in cash recovered.

Crematorium raises £11,000 for hospice by recycling metals

A crematorium has raised more than £11,000 for a hospice by recycling metals.

Bus drivers Alien stage show goes from Village Hall to West End to documentary hit

A Dorset amateur dramatics group made up of bus drivers has had its story shared in a documentary now available on Amazon Prime.

BCP Council draft local plan rejected in major setback

THE government has told BCP Council to go back to the drawing board on its draft local plan, which decides how developments can progress across the conurbation.

Bournemouth MP leads collaborative discussion on women’s safety in the town centre

Bournemouth’s first female MP, Jessica Toale, hosted an event to discuss women’s concerns about safety in the town.

Closure order issued for troublesome home

A CLOSURE notice was issued to a home in north Dorset.

Jury sent out after man accused of attempting to murder nine-year-old girl

THE JURY have been sent out to begin their deliberations of a man accused of attempting to murder a nine-year-old girl in a serious stabbing.

Water company promises action after river quality classed as 'poor'

A continuous monitoring probe has been installed at The George pub, which will use AI to learn about river conditions.

Pension warning to women who risk running out of money 14 years early

Of those receiving income from an income drawdown pension, women are receiving £625 per month on average, compared with £875 for men

Martin Lewis urgent 'do it right now' warning to anyone with holiday booked

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has told travellers to act ‘right now’ in order to avoid potentially losing money on their trip.

Large heath fire believed to be started deliberately

A LARGE heath fire in Wimborne is believed to have been started deliberately according to the fire service.

Groundbreaking project will allow thousands of homes to be built

The project is seen as a blueprint for future EFG nutrient neutrality and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) projects across England.

ANPR camera caught disqualified driver speeding

AN ANPR camera caught a speeding driver that was already disqualified from driving.

How much water should I drink a day? Experts reveal answer and what is too much

The experts at DASH Water and Lisa Marley reveal exactly what counts towards your daily water intake and how much you should be drinking.

Toxic threat warning to dog owners walking pets near lakes and rivers

Blue green algae, or cyanobacteria, are a group of bacteria that can contain dangerous toxins

Millions set for £1,400 pay rise next month

The National Living Wage will increase to £12.21 per hour, while the new National Minimum Wage will be set at £10.00 per hour

Formula 1

Chloe Chong returns to F1 ACADEMY with Charlotte Tilbury as 2025 grid completed

Chloe Chong has become the final full-time driver to be locked in for the 2025 campaign, with F1 ACADEMY Official Partner Charlotte Tilbury announcing that she’ll be making a return to the series with them this season.

ANALYSIS: ‘We don’t just want to turn up and race’ – Cadillac’s challenge ahead as F1’s 11th team prepare to hit the grid in 2026

Formula 1 will have a new kid on the block in 2026, with news that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team has been given the green light to join the grid and become the sport’s 11th team.

Cadillac receive final approval to join Formula 1 grid in 2026 as 11th team

It has been confirmed that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team have received final approval to join the sport, with the team – who are backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM) – set to join the F1 grid in 2026.

‘I still miss F1 every single day’ – Claire Williams on her Drive to Survive role and staying connected to the sport she loves

In September 2020, Claire Williams left Formula 1 – the sport that had been hers and her family’s home for more than 40 years – following the sale of the Williams team.

EXCLUSIVE: How Drive to Survive covered Hamilton’s bombshell Ferrari move – and the ripple effect on the rest of the F1 grid

Lewis Hamilton shocked the Formula 1 world last winter when it was announced that he would be swapping Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. Now, some 12 months on, Drive to Survive shares fresh insight into his headline-making move during Season 7 of the hit Netflix series – telling the story through multiple personalities and perspectives. F1.com caught up with Executive Producer James Gay-Rees and Co-Executive Producer Tom Rogers – from production company Box To Box – to get a behind-the-scenes account of how it all came together…

GALLERY: Hamilton and Leclerc put on spectacular show for fans at Ferrari event in Milan

New Ferrari team mates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc made one more pre-season appearance together on Thursday, with the pair wowing huge crowds on the streets of Milan.

From Hamilton’s shock switch to Red Bull’s musical chairs – 5 standout moments in Season 7 of Drive to Survive

Following on from the spectacular F1 75 Live launch event and three days of testing in Bahrain, fans have another reason to celebrate this week as Drive to Survive returns to our screens on Netflix. Having watched all 10 episodes that make up Season 7, we present five particularly absorbing moments…

WATCH: All the Grand Prix highlights from the 2024 F1 season

Sit back, relax and take in all the race highlights from the 2024 season, a year that truly entertained us all.

Windows Central

Does Split Fiction have Denuvo DRM?

Denuvo DRM is unpopular with many gamers, leading many to wonder if it's been added to Hazelight Studios' new co-op game Split Fiction.

Split Fiction Friend's Pass: How to download and use on Steam, Xbox, PS5, and more

Like Hazelight's other games, Split Fiction comes with a Friend's Pass that lets you invite someone to join you for free. Here's how to get and use it.

ROG Ally users, this 65Wh upgrade kit could finally fix your gaming handheld battery woes

The ROG Ally is an excellent gaming handheld, but its short battery life holds it back. A new kit from JSAUX allows users to replace its 40Wh battery with a larger 65Wh alternative.

Bethesda says Xbox's Starfield is about to have a big 2025 with new updates — is the 'Starborn' DLC coming out?

After months of silence, Starfield developer Bethesda has hinted that something big is coming to the RPG this year.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has a nice update that shows Square Enix really cares about Steam Deck owners

The newest update to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth comes with a Steam Deck specific feature to reduce the size of the game when installed on the handheld.

"The numbers on that page made no sense." Balatro developer recalls his amazement at selling 50,000 copies of his game—which went on to sell 5 million

Balatro developer LocalThunk has documented his timeline of creating the indie hit that went on to sell 5 million. Not bad for a game he didn't think anyone would play.

Windows Central Podcast: Skype is DEAD and we're taking it personally

Daniel and Zac discuss Amazon's new Alexa+ service, Windows 365 Link, Framework's 12-inch laptop, free Office, and more.

Atomfall throws "trust in the player" with an open-ended sandbox that grants ultimate player freedom

My time with Atomfall was terrific; every player will carve their own unique path through Rebellion's latest creation.

Analyst: Xbox Series X|S could have a "last hurrah" with Grand Theft Auto 6, were it not for a certain "blue" elephant in the room

MIDiA Research recently spoke to me about the state of Xbox, and how Grand Theft Auto 6 could present Microsoft with a unique opportunity.

Surface repairs just got easier with Microsoft’s uBreakiFix partnership

Microsoft’s new uBreakiFix partnership makes Surface repairs easier with official parts and trained technicians. Whether in or out of warranty, you now have more repair options for Surface hardware.

Rockstar trolls everyone with a new trailer, but it's not GTA 6 — you probably wouldn't guess in a thousand years what it was for

Someone at Rockstar Games is enjoying making us suffer, and posting a trailer that ISN'T GTA 6 is living proof.

Would you pay $20,000/month for OpenAI’s specialized AI agents with "PhD-level" intelligence? "I will wait for DeepSeek to distill it and give it to me for free"

OpenAI is in discussions to raise the cost of its advanced AI models, charging up to $20,000/month for an AI agent that can support “PhD-level research.”

Google might have deleted uBlock Origin from the Web Store, leaving 30 million Chrome users susceptible to intrusive ads — but turning it off and on again will give you an extra buffer...for now

Google Chrome might have removed uBlock Origin from its Web Store, but you can keep using it (at least for now) by turning it on again.

Laffgaff

What Soviet leader died in his Kuntsevo Dacha in 1953?

Joseph Stalin.