BBC News
Violent criminals could be let out early for good behaviour under new proposals
The landmark sentencing review calls for fewer custodial sentences and earlier prison releases.
Gazans fear shutdown of water plants as Israel widens offensive
Parents say children are having to drink unsafe and salty water, as fuel shortages threaten desalination and hygiene facilities.
UK to sign Chagos deal with Mauritius
The US and UK will maintain a key military base on the island for 99 years, under the multi-billion pound deal.
Chris Mason: Labour is still blaming the Conservatives
A year on from the election, the government needs to demonstrate delivery to claw back some popularity.
Women with dense breasts should have extra NHS cancer scans, researchers say
Additional scans better tailored to spotting cancer in dense breasts could treble detection rates.
UK sea temperatures soar after exceptionally warm Spring
Sea temperatures in some areas off the UK and Ireland are 4C above average.
Immigration is the albatross around UK politics. Starmer will struggle to break free
New figures are expected to show a fall in net migration. But still, Labour will struggle to soothe public concern, writes our senior correspondent Allan Little.
Ramaphosa keeps cool during Trump's choreographed onslaught
The BBC's Gary O'Donoghue analyses how the South African president reacted in an extraordinary Oval Office meeting.
Scientists propose novel way of treating mosquitoes for malaria
Normally the insects are targeted with insecticide, but US researchers say anti-malaria drugs absorbed through their legs can stop them spreading disease.
M&S website completely down, leaving users unable to browse
The site reads: "Sorry you can't browse the site currently. We're making some updates and will be back soon."
North Korea's Kim slams 'serious accident' at warship launch
The failed launch "severely damaged the dignity and pride of our nation in an instant," says the North Korean leader.
'The mood is changing': Israeli anger grows at conduct of war
Support for the war in Gaza is waning, with some Israeli political and military figures criticising the conflict in recent days.
Anti-Hamas protests in southern Gaza enter third day
Protesters were seen in videos calling for an end to the war and the removal of the armed group from Gaza
Gaza health system 'stretched beyond breaking point' by Israeli offensive, WHO warns
The UN agency says Israeli ground operations and evacuation orders are putting hospitals out of service or making them inaccessible.
‘Smash the gangs' and end asylum hotels - are government promises being met?
BBC Verify examines key areas which the government has promised to make improvements
The Papers: Starmer's 'U-turn' and Trump 'ambush'
Sir Keir Starmer's backtrack on winter fuel payments dominated the front pages of Thursday's papers.
Watch: 'Turn the lights down' - Trump confronts Ramaphosa with video
In an extraordinary Oval Office meeting, Trump pressed Cyril Ramaphosa on widely discredited claims of a white genocide in South Africa.
Ramaphosa survives mauling by Trump over 'white genocide'
Right-wing Afrikaners groups celebrated the ambush but others in the Rainbow Nation found it "uncomfortable" to watch.
How a joke about rice cost a Japan cabinet minister his job
Soaring rice prices are a powerful trigger in Japan, where shortages have caused political upsets before.
Cattle washed on to beaches in widespread Australia floods
A natural disaster has been declared in New South Wales, as widespread flooding prompts nearly 50,000 people to evacuate.
Israel's Eurovision result prompts questions over voting system
Countries including Spain, Ireland and Finland raise concerns about the song contest's public vote.
Mark Gordon blames baby's death on police manhunt, court hears
Gordon, 50, gives evidence for the first time in his retrial over the death of his newborn daughter.
British teen Bella Culley 'not far from childhood', lawyer tells Georgia court
The 18-year-old, from Billingham, has had her first meeting with her new lawyer in Georgia.
Ukrainian ex-top official shot dead outside Madrid school
Andriy Portnov, 51, had just dropped his children off when he was attacked.
Teachers and doctors in England given 4% pay rise
Ministers accept recommended pay awards above the 2.8% they previously budgeted for.
UK net migration in 2024 almost halves to 431,000, ONS estimates
The ONS says the yearly decline in net migration is the biggest numerical drop on record.
Investigating Israel's strike on Gaza's European Hospital
BBC Verify analysed footage, gathered witness testimony and spoke to munitions and legal experts to examine how one of Gaza's last functioning hospitals came under Israeli attack.
Pregnant women evacuated after large fire breaks out at maternity hospital
Pregnant women and babies are being evacuated on to the road outside of St Michael's Hospital.
'Multiple fatalities' after small plane crash in San Diego neighbourhood
Several homes were destroyed and cars caught fire after the private aircraft crashed, forcing the evacuation of 100 people.
Prisoners to be eligible for release after serving a third of sentence
But the justice secretary says she rejects recommendations for earlier releases of the most serious offenders.
Man arrested after train hits tractor and trailer
Two people are taken to hospital following the crash near Leominster.
90 lorry loads of humanitarian aid now in Gaza after three-day delay
The aid, including flour and baby food, was picked up three days after Israel eased an 11-week-long blockade.
US House passes Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax and spending bill
The bill's passage is a victory for the White House, which warned that failure would be a 'betrayal'.
What we know so far
Police say the victims, a young couple, were shot by a man who shouted "free, free Palestine".
Victims were young couple who were to marry
Yaron Lischinsky bought engagement ring days before he and girlfriend Sarah Milgrim were killed in Washington, ambassador says.
Watch: Moment Jewish Museum shooting suspect is detained
Video appears to show suspect Elias Rodriguez being taken away by police and shouting 'free Palestine'.
Suspect was initially mistaken for witness
The alleged attacker looked "very distraught" and was being helped by bystanders before he revealed himself as the suspect.
Fact-checking Trump's Oval Office confrontation with Ramaphosa
President Trump made a series of claims about the killing of white farmers in South Africa, some of which are demonstrably false.
'We wanted to write a song that would be fantastic forever': Pulp's Common People turns 30
Thirty years after its release, what made Pulp's Common People one of Britpop's defining anthems.
Numbers are down - but Starmer will still struggle to win on immigration
New figures show a fall in net migration. But still, Labour will struggle to soothe public concern, writes our senior correspondent Allan Little.
Watch: Deep inside a Norwegian mountain, Nato allies train for Arctic war
Europe editor Katya Adler gains access to a secret HQ and Norwegian warships leading military exercises.
The Victorian scam artist who duped an island
Peterhead-born Annie Gordon Baillie saw an opportunity to make a fortune from Skye's violent Crofters' War.
No suspicion of equipment failure in skydive death
Marketing manager Jade Damarell crashed onto farmland in Shotton Colliery, the inquest hears.
Missing Viking treasure coin unearthed in London
The coin, believed to belong to the Herefordshire Hoard, has been found for sale in Croydon, London.
Chemical castration for sex offenders to be trialled in more prisons
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is also exploring whether chemical castration could be made mandatory.
Women with dense breasts should have extra NHS cancer scans, researchers say
Additional scans better tailored to spotting cancer in dense breasts could treble detection rates.
Hardest Geezer finishes running length of New Zealand
Russ Cook, nicknamed Hardest Geezer, has run more than 2,500km in 73 days across New Zealand.
Nike to raise US prices as firms face tariffs uncertainty
The US sportswear giant says its price increases are part of "seasonal planning".
Tax rise warning after higher-than-expected government borrowing
Government borrowing hit £20.2bn in April, leading analysts to say the prospect of tax rises later this year is increasing.
Government
Regulation of Bailiffs (Assessment and Report) Bill
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish an assessment of the effectiveness of current regulation of the debt collection and civil enforcement sectors and to report to Parliament on the potential merits of statutory regulation of those sectors; and for connected purposes.
Formula 1
GALLERY: Check out the best photos as drivers and team bosses enjoy a screening of the new ‘F1’ movie in Monaco
Formula 1 drivers and team bosses were treated to a special evening ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix thanks to their very own screening of the upcoming, eagerly anticipated ‘F1’ movie.
FIA Thursday press conference – Monaco
The drivers face the press ahead of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix from the Circuit de Monaco, Monte-Carlo.
Hamilton ‘buzzing’ for first Monaco weekend with Ferrari after taking positives from Imola charge
Lewis Hamilton cut an upbeat figure during Thursday’s media duties in Monaco as the seven-time World Champion looks to build on an encouraging recovery at last weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Russell insists Mercedes 'need to find performance quickly' as team seek Monaco turnaround
George Russell believes that Mercedes "need to find performance quickly" having endured a difficult race last time out at Imola, but that the new two-stop regulation for the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend will be "an opportunity".
Sainz believes Williams have ‘surprised me in some very good ways’ amid team’s solid 2025 form
Carlos Sainz admits that the Williams team has "surprised me in some very good ways" as both the Spaniard and team mate Alex Albon hope to continue their impressive run of form this weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen relishes 'pretty insane' challenge in Monaco as he assesses Red Bull's hopes
Max Verstappen admits that the Monaco Grand Prix is the "one you want to win" and the challenge that it offers Formula 1 drivers is still "pretty insane" as he looks to claim a hat-trick of victories on the streets of the Principality this weekend.
‘It will spice things up’ – F1 drivers intrigued by ‘opportunities and unknowns’ of new two-stop rule for Monaco Grand Prix
Formula 1 drivers have given their views on the mandatory two-stop rule that will be introduced for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, with reigning World Champion Max Verstappen tipping it to “spice things up”.
F1 FANTASY: Strategist Selection – What’s the best line-up for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix?
The next stop on this European triple-header takes us to Monaco for one of the most prestigious events in sport. The circuit is uniquely challenging, and is also bound to test selection decisions in F1 Fantasy.
BETTING GUIDE: Who are the favourites as F1 hits the streets of Monaco?
NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix
Formula 1 travels from Imola to Monte Carlo for Round 8 of the 2025 season this weekend: the Monaco Grand Prix. Ahead of the event, Need to Know is your all-in-one guide with statistics, driving pointers, strategy tips and plenty more...
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the build-up ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend
Live coverage of all the build-up ahead of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
‘It’s very, very special’ – Drivers share their reactions after getting exclusive first look at the upcoming ‘F1’ film
Formula 1 drivers’ hearts were pounding before the Monaco Grand Prix weekend even started when they attended a private screening of the new ‘F1’ movie in the Principality on Wednesday.
Windows Central
Sam Altman's $6.5 billion purchase might deliver an "iPhone of artificial intelligence" from OpenAI before Apple. Here's how.
OpenAI just announced that it has acquired Jony Ive's AI device startup, io, for approximately $6.5 billion, allowing it to take on Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Samsung in the hardware department with AI-powered devices.
Xbox dominates April 2025 sales charts in the US as Oblivion Remastered sells far faster than the original game
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was the best-selling game of April 2025 in the U.S, per the latest Circana report.
Samsung slashes gaming monitor prices — 50% off and a bonus Odyssey display at no extra cost
Samsung's Odyssey gaming monitors are among the best around, but they don't come cheap. That changes with these Memorial Day deals, in which super ultrawide prices are slashed and a free Odyssey G5 is included.
This fan-requested Microsoft Teams feature could have prevented a major livestream blunder
Microsoft's head of AI security accidentally revealed Walmart's AI plans by sharing her Teams messages while presenting. This feature could have prevented it.
Circana: Xbox may have finally seen some solid YoY hardware growth, both in units and retail sales
Finally, some good news for Xbox's hardware ecosystem. With the Nintendo Switch waning, Xbox Series X|S saw some green shoots ahead of full price rises.
Microsoft quietly released an open source command line text editor for Windows 11 — here's how you can try it now
Microsoft needed a CLI text editor for 64-bit versions of Windows, so it went out and built one. It's not built-in yet, but you can try it out right now.
Google boss says AI isn't a winner-takes-all competition: "I think all of us are going to do well in this scenario"
Google CEO Sundar Pichai claims there won't be just one winner in the AI race. Instead, he expects everyone involved to perform well in the field.
The Alters shattered my expectations of reality and questioned my life's decisions
What can and can't be is a matter choices in life, and The Alters goes above and beyond to showcase that in this stunning survival narrative.
The best Memorial Day deals aren't at Amazon — 5 ultimate discounts on top tech
Amazon loves to throw a deals event, and of course, it's getting in on Memorial Day weekend. But the best deals I've spotted so far aren't from Amazon.
Xbox introduces limited Witcher 3 10th anniversary controllers, and they're available right now
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Xbox has launched two new limited edition controllers that are available now.
This popular Soulslike game has fans divided on a controversial change
Lies of P: Overture offers difficulty options despite its game director's previous stance against them for games in the Soulslike genre.
RTX gaming laptops are on sale ahead of Memorial Day — RTX 4060 deals starting at $649
Memorial Day isn't supposed to be about deals, but that isn't stopping major retailers from slashing prices. I found the best discounts on RTX gaming laptops.
I missed out on the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Collector's Edition but thankfully, the developers are launching something special
The Monolith Set is for fans who missed out on the original edition, that is being sold for insane prices on third-party websites
Microsoft blocks employees from sending emails that mention “Palestine” or “Gaza"
Microsoft has blocked internal emails containing the words “Palestine,” “Gaza,” and “genocide.” The change follows several employee-led protests.
How to get started with Microsoft Copilot on Windows 11
Copilot is more than just an app on Windows 11, and in this guide, I'll outline the steps to get started with the AI chatbot and actions with the app and the integration across the desktop.
Sam Altman says ChatGPT's viral Ghibli effect "forced OpenAI to do a lot of unnatural things"
The Ghibli hype behind OpenAI's new image generator might have helped ChatGPT gain over one million new users in under one hour, but it forced OpenAI to do a lot of "unnatural" things.
Laffgaff
What Latin phrase literally means ‘the position having been reversed’?
Vice versa.
Dollar Dentures
My dentist offered me dentures for only a dollar. It sounded like a good deal at the time, but now I have buck teeth.
Itsfoss
FOSS Weekly #25.21: Oh My Bash, Ubuntu's New Terminal, Pixelify Android, Fedora's Wayland Gamble and More
Multi-million dollar cheapskates leeching off open source software.
What are MCP Servers and Why People are Crazy About It?
Everyone is going gaga over using MCP servers for their AI workflow. But exactly what it is and why it matters?