The News - Thursday, 14 August 2025

BBC News

Starmer sees viable chance of Ukraine ceasefire as Zelensky visits London

The UK prime minister was addressing European leaders ahead of Friday's summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Humanitarian groups call on Israel to end 'weaponisation of aid' in Gaza

More than 100 aid organisations say they are increasingly being told they are "not authorised" to deliver aid.

After mass arrests, what happens next with Palestine Action ban?

The battle over the Palestine Action ban now feels as much a political and PR clash as a legal one.

ADHD drugs cut risk of suicide, car accidents and criminality, study suggests

A study has linked ADHD drugs to reduced substance misuse, suicide, transport accidents and criminality.

'Our children are dying' - rare footage shows plight of civilians in besieged Sudan city

Parents are struggling to feed their children in war-hit Sudan's Darfur region.

Night skies glitter with Perseid meteor shower

The astronomical event was captured on camera at North York Moors National Park on 13 August.

Cherish bonds of love and friendship this summer, says Kate

The Princess of Wales was speaking as part of her Mother Nature video series, which features on social media and was started in May.

Urban wildfire risk rising due to hot dry summers, scientists warn

Rising temperatures are increasing the chances of multiple wildfires at the same time, researchers say.

What we learned from Taylor Swift's highly anticipated podcast interview

The singer talked about her life with Travis Kelce since the Eras Tour and discussed the theme of her new album.

The Papers: 'No surrender' from Ukraine and 'Policing minister provokes ridicule'

Ukraine leads the majority of the papers on Thursday, ahead of peace talks in Alaska on Friday.

In maps: The war-ravaged Ukrainian territories at the heart of the Trump-Putin summit

Kyiv has rejected ceding territory seized by Russia to secure a ceasefire.

Jimmy Lai: Trial of Hong Kong's rebel mogul delayed by typhoon

Lai is accused of colluding with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

UK cases of mosquito-borne virus more than double

More than 70 cases of the chikungunya virus were reported in the UK in the first six months of this year.

Canadian province faces pushback after banning entry to woods over wildfire fears

The strict measures were brought in as Canada faces its second worst wildfire season on record.

Australia and Vanuatu agree to $328m security and business deal

Australia is trying to grow its influence in the Pacific region, to counter China's increased power.

European leaders tentatively hopeful after call with Trump ahead of Putin summit

Trump, who described the call as "a ten", was urged to keep Ukraine's interests at the forefront when he meets Putin on Friday.

London chess prodigy, 10, becomes youngest female international master

Bodhana Sivanandan, from Harrow, also became the youngest female player to beat a grandmaster.

BBC apologises after Jenrick accused of xenophobia

A contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day slot made the remark about the shadow justice secretary.

Porn site traffic plummets as UK age verification rules enforced

Data suggests leading adult site Pornhub lost more than one million visitors in two weeks.

AI invents new antibiotics that could kill superbugs gonorrhoea and MRSA

Two new potential drugs have been designed by an artificial intelligence model to kill drug-resistant bacteria, researchers have revealed.

Five key takeaways from 2025's A-level results

Top A-level results have risen again. Here's what you need to know.

What do Putin and Trump each want from summit in Alaska?

The Russian leader senses a chance for more international recognition, while his American counterpart hopes to play peacemaker.

Teenager's death after hospital failings is ruled unlawful

An inquest jury finds 14-year-old Ruth Szymankiewicz was unlawfully killed.

King says VJ Day heroes will 'never be forgotten'

A service of remembrance on Friday will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.

Second MasterChef contestant edited out of scandal-hit series

The show's production company says another chef decided not to be included "given recent events".

Faisal Islam: Are latest UK growth figures good or bad news for the economy?

Depending on the timeframe you look at, the GDP figures can be seen as glass half full or half empty.

Man accused of driving car into Liverpool FC parade crowd faces 24 new charges

Paul Doyle became tearful as he was asked to confirm his identity at Liverpool Crown Court.

Israeli settlement plans will 'bury' idea of Palestinian state, minister says

Far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich announced approval for 3,401 new homes in the controversial E1 area project in the occupied West Bank.

Clara Amfo says depression played a part in Radio 1 exit

The DJ says she made the decision to leave after being "in the trenches" with depression in 2023.

Pupil who invented device to help homeless named among 'girls of the year'

Rebecca Young, 12, was recognised for designing a solar-powered backpack with an electric blanket inside.

'The culmination of a lot of hard work': Joy, relief and worry as students get results

After a nerve-wracking wait, students react to their results and share what they plan to do next.

What does university cost, and is it worth it?

Tuition fees have risen, while maintenance loans have also gone up to help students with rising living costs.

Full guide to A-level results day - and grade boundaries explained

A guide to your options if you are not happy with your A-level results.

Unexpected A-level or BTec results? Use our interactive guide on what to do next

If you're opening your A-level or BTec results and didn't get the grades you were expecting, we've got an interactive guide to help you navigate the next steps from clearing to apprenticeships.

Left out of Alaska talks, exhausted Ukrainians fear an unjust peace

No matter what happens between Trump and Putin, Ukrainians think Russia has no plan to stop the war.

Watch: David Jason reveals the extra line he slipped into iconic chandelier scene

The British actor, who portrayed Del Boy in TV show Only Fools and Horses, tells BBC Breakfast how the backstage audience reacted to the show's famous scene.

Relationship insights and Easter eggs - Taylor Swift's appearance on Travis Kelce podcast

The pop superstar gives a rare insight into their life together and reveals details of her new album.

The three looming court battles that may decide Palestine Action's fate

Since the Palestine Action ban, the clash ahead now feels as much about politics and PR as about the law.

'Our children are dying': Rare footage shows plight of civilians in besieged Sudan city

Parents are struggling to feed their children in war-hit Sudan's Darfur region.

Fire and fallout in Ballymena: What's changed two months since the riots?

The town is transformed says MP Jim Allister, but protests continue and communities targeted by the violence remain fearful.

EU sends wildfire help to Spain as death toll rises

Spain has activated an EU disaster assistance mechanism for the first time in response to the fires.

Burial 'fat tax' on wider plots at council cemetery criticised

Following a BBC investigation, the council has decided "not to proceed with the plans".

Hospitals not treating enough patients to meet demand, experts warn

A small rise in the NHS backlog prompts questions about how well ministers are doing on improving waits.

Dozens of migrants killed after boats capsize off Italian coast

More than 700 have died crossing the central Mediterranean in 2025, according to the UN reugee agency.

Payment firm sorry for saying purchasing LGBTQ+ products was banned

Stripe said the information given by its support staff to some customers was "totally wrong."

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis joins Strictly line-up

Dennis, a long-serving cast member in the Australian TV soap, was added to the line-up for Strictly's 23rd series.

Bournemouth Echo

Changes to commercial buildings approved

CHANGES have been agreed to commercial buildings in the Market Place, Blandford Forum.

Latest planning applications for west Dorset

NEW applications for West Dorset received by Dorset Council this week are mainly for extensions although a farm at Puncknowle is asking to create a storage shed with new access track.

Man called officer ‘a chubby munchkin’ before shouting racial abuse

A man called a police officer “a chubby munchkin” before shouting racist abuse, a court heard.

Demolition of former WHSmith begins as part of £4.1M project

A site formerly occupying WHSmith, located at 625 Christchurch Road, is currently being demolished as part of the 'Better Boscombe' project.

The Bournemouth mother who killed her baby then claimed flu caused it

Overwhelmed Mary Wiseman claimed that in delirium, she not only cut her own throat but also stabbed her baby daughter.

'Not another coffee shop': Wellness cafe opens inspired by French summers

Eté opened on Seamoor Road on Friday, August 8, offering fresh food and drinks to customers who can 'grab and go' or relax in at the newly renovated cafe.

Dorset heritage railway which is 'truly magical experience' among best in UK

Swanage Railway, which has been described as a "truly magical experience", has been named among the UK's best heritage railways

6 pets at RSPCA Dorset who are on the lookout for loving new homes

A number of pets at Dorset RSPCA branches in Ashley Heath and Dorchester are looking to find loving new homes.

Man discovers 'very rare' blue lobster at work

Camera Club member Andrew Lake discovered a rare one in two million blue lobster during work.

Lash Styles shortlisted in Beauty Salon of the Year competition

A beauty therapist shortlisted in the Daily Echo’s Beauty Salon of the Year competition said she is “so grateful” to her clients for nominating her.

Poole solicitors 'delighted' to win summer bowls competition

Coles Miller Solicitors win Bowls Bash 2025 at Poole Park Bowls Club, supporting local sport and community. Club upgrade exceeds £14k crowdfunding goal.

Dorset to hold VJ Day service as County Hall to be lit up

Dorset Council marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with a commemorative service at County Hall, Dorchester, honouring World War II veterans. Public welcome.

Aldi looking for official crisp taster for 2025 - here's how to apply

Aldi launches search for its 2025 official crisp taster. Apply by 21 August to sample and review new flavours. Open to UK entrants; details via Aldi UK.

Knights make dramatic debut at Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show 2025: Knights of Albion jousting, Tigers Motorcycle Display, vintage cars, livestock parade & more in Dorset. Tickets at gate.

Poole care home rated 'good' by Care Quality Commission

The Lindsay Bupa Care Home in Poole rated 'good' by CQC in all areas. Residents praise care, facilities and activities. Community event is in September.

Fashion graduate wins place on business incubator programme

Jason Jiang, an Arts University Bournemouth fashion graduate, wins a free place on AUB’s Innovation Studio business incubator for his AI fashion app.

Award-winning Adele tribute act to perform in Bournemouth

She believes tribute acts are important for keeping music alive, especially when the original artist can no longer perform.

Business leaders invited to hear from Julia's House boss

Throughout 2025, Mr Edwards is undertaking various fundraising challenges, aiming to raise £100,000.

'Joined up cycle routes would stop illegal parking near beaches'

Taking through traffic off the cliffs seems a very sensible idea given yet another cliff slide blighting the promenade for another year, which the tax payer will doubtless be expected to fund the repairs to.

Police issue reminder ahead of A-level and GCSE results day

Dorset Police urge teens celebrating A-level and GCSE results to act responsibly, avoid antisocial behaviour, and plan safe journeys home.

Bournemouth Water to have games and advice stand at carnival

"It’s a great chance to engage in a friendly, informal setting while supporting the important charity work the carnival does."

New support service launched for people with life limiting illnesses

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust offer monthly palliative care advice and drop-in support in Swanage for local residents.

Dorset museum to attract 4,500 visitors for big event

The Tank Museum's Tiger Day returns to Dorset in September, featuring the world’s only running Tiger I tank, WW2 vehicle displays, and live mock-battles.

Elvis Presley tribute act to perform at Bournemouth Pavilion

Elvis tribute act The King's Voice starring Gordon Hendricks comes to Bournemouth Pavilion in September. Live band, classic hits, tickets on sale now.

Restored 1000hp Sunbeam to roar into life at National Motor Museum

The National Motor Museum will fire up the historic Sunbeam 1000hp—Sir Henry Segrave’s 200mph Land Speed Record car—at Beaulieu’s Autojumble, 7 September.

Major Dorset law firm to host dedicated space at county show

Steele Raymond LLP hosts a marquee at Dorset County Show, offering expert advice on family, estates, and business law for South Coast clients.

NHS chief nurse calls for more men to join the profession

NHS England’s chief nurse urges more male students to choose nursing careers after exam results. Only 1 in 8 NHS nurses are men. Graduate jobs guaranteed.

Terrified resident describes ‘scary’ heath fire metres from her garden

A woman says she feared for her home and the wildlife after a huge heath fire broke out just metres from her garden.

Man kept stun gun from weapon amnesty ‘for his own protection’

A MAN kept a stun gun from a weapon amnesty for ‘his own protection’, a court heard.

In The Dock: Man wrecked pub window in Bournemouth

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

Business hit with 'massive blow' after theft of trailer

Ringwood business, Field's Autos, has issued an urgent appeal to help locate their stolen trailer.

New restaurant opens promising to be 'gourmet burger haven'

A BRAND new restaurant has opened in Bournemouth, promising to be a “gourmet burger haven” for people.

Environmental group backs single-use barbecue ban after Dorset heath fires

DORSET environmental organisation says they are in support of council decision for retailers to take single-use barbecues of their shelves.

Plans submitted to turn piece of countryside into traveller site

Plans to turn a piece of countryside into a permanent home for travellers have been submitted to Dorset Council.

Do universities accept lower grades in Clearing following A Level Results Day?

If you've not quite got the A Level results you wanted, will universities accept lower grades during the Clearing process?

How can I appeal my A Level results in England after results day?

If you're not satisfied with your grades on A Level Results Day, there is a way to launch an appeal in England

A-Level results day 2025: Live updates across BCP

We will be bringing you the latest updates, photos and results for this year's A-Level students.

60 firefighters tackling 'large' fire that spread to property

FIREFIGHTERS are at the scene of a blaze that has broken out near Bransgore.

Forestry England 'risking devastating wildfires' by not removing dead wood

Forestry England has been accused of creating potential bonfires that could spark "devastating" blazes in the New Forest

Controversial plan to turn pub into nursery given green light

Planning chiefs have green-lit controversial plans to convert a former pub into a nursery, with one labelling it as “probably the best alternative we’ve got”.

Man left unconscious after robbers 'stamped on his head' in town centre robbery

A man was knocked unconscious when two robbers stamped on his head before stealing from him in the town centre.

Dolphin caught on video swimming in river to residents' delight

A dolphin has been captured on video swimming at Lymington

PICTURES: A-level results day across BCP and Dorset

Thousands of students across Dorset and the New Forest area today have been collecting their A-level results.

Red Arrows flying past Bournemouth today - flight path and timings

It's all eyes to the skies as the Red Arrows fly over the BCP area today.

Fears over fire service's ability to cope with Grenfell-style tragedy

An inspection report has raised concerns over the ability of Hampshire's fire service to deal with aspects of a Grenfell Tower-style disaster

Sunshine to return to BCP this weekend as temperatures reach 26C

Met Office forecasts dry, sunny weather for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with highs up to 26C and minimal rain expected through 20 August.

PICTURES: Celebrations as students collect A-level results across BCP

Celebrations were seen across Dorset and the New Forest as students collected their A-level results on Thursday, August 14.

Seafront building to be transformed into holiday lets

A MARINE Parade building at Lyme Regis is to be converted into two flats for holiday use, with a another holiday let in the garden.

Holiday park's luxury lodges rejected by council

A WEST DORSET holiday park has been refused consent for ‘high quality’ holiday lodges as part of expansion plans.

Boy catches 'unusual' creature on family holiday

A young boy snagged an "unusual" catch whilst out crab fishing in Poole Quay on Wednesday.

Woman in 50s dies in Poole Hospital

An inquest has opened into the death of a woman in her 50s.

Teenager denies raping woman in seafront public toilet

A teenager has denied raping a woman in a seafront public toilet.

Man in 20s jailed for service station thefts

A man in his 20s has been jailed for stealing vapes and alcohol from two service stations.

Aspiring doctor secures university place just weeks after undergoing brain surgery

Isaac Manning, a student at Bournemouth School, collected his results on A level results day on August 14.

What are the 2025 A Level grade boundaries? Minimum marks needed for each grade

A Level results day is here, and here are the 2025 grade boundaries for each exam you took for OCR, AQA, Edexcel and WJEC.

These are the jobs and careers that don't require you to have any A Levels

These are the jobs and careers that don't require you to have any A Levels.

What is UCAS Clearing? How to apply for it after your A Level results

If your 2025 A Level results did not go as planned or you're wanting to apply late, UCAS Clearing can help. Here is all to know and how to apply.

Urgent recall issued for 24 car models over potential 'engine fire' risk

An urgent recall has been issued for 24 car models, including the Peugeot 208, Vauxhall Corsa and the Fiat 500, over a potential 'engine fire' risk.

HMRC Child Benefit warning as thousands of families face losing £1,300

HMRC is reminding parents of 16 to 19 year olds to apply for a £1,354 a year boost before a key deadline of August 31 2025.

The DWP State Pension and Pension Credit payment changes this month

State Pensions, Pension Credit and other benefits may be affected by changes due to the August bank holidays this month.

Urgent Trading Standards warning as dangerous fake Labubu dolls seized

Safety experts have issued an urgent warning of 'choking hazards, toxic materials, or faulty components' in fake Labubus sold online and in UK shops

HMRC to tax pension pots of workers who die before pension age

HMRC will charge inheritance tax on wealthier workers’ pension pots even if they die before they reach the state pension age

Formula 1

Lawson identifies area he needs to improve the most

Liam Lawson has cited Qualifying as the main area in which he hopes to improve entering into the second half of the season, with the Racing Bulls driver feeling that his best weekends have occurred when he has had a strong performance on Saturday.

How Ayrton Senna’s timeless style continues to inspire today

Explore the defining moments, mastery in the rain, and enduring presence of Ayrton Senna, a Formula 1 legend whose impact reaches far beyond the track.

Rating the 2025 F1 rookies on their season so far

Before the season kicked off, we asked F1 TV commentator and F2 expert Alex Jacques for his lowdown on the new crop of rookies joining motorsport's top tier. And now, as the drivers and teams rest up in the summer break, we asked Alex to assess how each of the rookies is doing, midway through their maiden campaign…

Mercedes suspect Monza crash impacted start of Antonelli’s 2025 season

Mercedes have praised Kimi Antonelli for the progress he has made during his rookie F1 season so far, believing the teenager is now “finding his feet more quickly” at race weekends after approaching early rounds “with a degree of caution”.

Bearman reflects on ‘costly mistakes’ in first half of rookie season

Ollie Bearman has been reflecting on the first half of his rookie campaign in F1, with the Briton admitting that he has had to learn from “costly mistakes” along the way.

When Senna clinched his emotional debut home win

Coming in at No. 12 on our list of F1's Greatest Races is the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, a race that saw Ayrton Senna claim a long-awaited home victory in dramatic circumstances. Anna Francis looks back on that momentous day at Interlagos…

Windows Central

Microsoft's Windows lead says the next version of Windows will be "more ambient, pervasive, and multi-modal" as AI redefines the desktop interface

In a new video, Microsoft CVP and Windows boss Pavan Davuluri has teased that the future of Windows will consist of a truly ambient and multi-modal experience made possible by AI that will redefine our usage of computers.

I waited over a decade for this Surface Pro — the $100 discount made it worth it

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 12-inch is $100 off. It’s thin, light, and finally delivers the Windows tablet fans have wanted for years.

Why is REMATCH struggling to retain its players? One of my favorite online games is still missing the most crucial feature of all

Are cosmetic microtransactions sidelining the potential of this fun multiplayer football title? REMATCH is losing its players, and crucial features are still absent.

Google took the stage for OpenAI's GPT-5 launch — but Microsoft services quietly got the biggest boost

Google got the spotlight at GPT-5’s launch, but Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and GitHub quietly gained powerful new integrations as well.

STALKER 2 gets a 2025 roadmap — this open-world shooter is getting even better with new missions, better performance, and more

GSC Game World shared a roadmap for what players will see added to STALKER 2 through the rest of 2025, including better performance, new missions, and more.

This is your reminder that cloud storage has risks — here’s what you can do now to avoid data loss

Several recent stories about data loss and suspension in the cloud should serve as a reminder to us all that cloud storage isn't without risks. Here's what you can do be ensure your data doesn't get nuked if your cloud provider decides you're no longer a customer.

Weekend 2 of the Battlefield 6 Open Beta is upon us — here's its start time and what's new, including a nifty feature to address all those server browser complaints

The second weekend of the Battlefield 6 Open Beta is imminent, and on top of everything from the first playtest, it's also including some new content and features.

I'm surprised Xbox's Grounded 2 just hit this player count milestone only two weeks after release — it must be flying on Xbox Game Pass

Obsidian Entertainment's new open-world survival game sequel Grounded 2 has only been out for two weeks, but it's already hit this impressive milestone.

End of an era — PUBG shuts down Xbox One support in major update

PUBG announce they're ending support for Xbox One, marking another game that's leaving last generation behind

Elgato's new 4K S — the Xbox Series X|S capture card so nice I'm buying it twice

Elgato's new 4K S capture card is the firm's best offering yet. Simple, plug and play, no issues, huge compatibility, and incredibly refined modern software.

Microsoft commits to improve gaming on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs — "We’re developing new features that will enable more games to be played on Arm"

Microsoft has announced an update to the Xbox app that enables the ability to download Xbox PC games on Arm-based devices, while also committing to improving gaming on Arm devices as a whole.

It just hit me that I haven't touched my Xbox Series X in months — Most of my gaming needs are met by handheld gaming PCs now, and I don't want to go back

Today I realized that I haven't touched my Xbox Series X in months, and that's because I've been playing most of my games on handheld gaming PCs. They're far more convenient and let me play the games I most want to play.

I finally installed Windows 11 on my gaming PC — Here's how performance compares to Windows 10

I finally upgraded my home gaming PC to Windows 11, and I was curious to see if there was any difference in game performance with a fresh install compared to Windows 10. Here's what I discovered.

I used Microsoft's elusive 'Surface Neo' dual-screen Windows PC — its biggest-ever hardware failure

Almost 6 years after it was first announced, I finally got my hands on Microsoft's canceled Surface Neo with Windows 10X. Here's what the dual-screen PC future could have been like.

4 new features available on the Windows 11 Insider Program during the first half of August 2025

During the first half of August 2025, Microsoft released five Insider builds for Windows 11 version 25H2 and 24H2 with various visual changes and improvements, including porting more Control Panel features to the Settings app.

Razer's new Wolverine V3 Pro 8K kills stick drift with quantum tunneling TMR — is it overkill or a gamer's dream?

Razer's newly announced Wolverine V3 Pro 8K controller uses TMR stick tech and 8000Hz polling for ultra-precise, low-latency gaming.

Overwatch 2's latest hero is a water-wielding support coming with Season 18 — but you can try him out before then

Blizzard Entertainment provided a first look at new hero Wuyang's abilities in action, with the water-based support healing friends and launching foes.

OpenAI quietly launches ChatGPT Go: A subscription for affordable AI in limited regions — Forget $2,000/month price hikes

OpenAI is seemingly launching a new ChatGPT Go subscription tier, available in select regions like India and costing around $5 a month.

Take Two doesn't rule out a $100 price tag for Grand Theft Auto VI — Aiming to deliver "more value" with GTA6 over its cost

Gaming prices soar, with Grand Theft Auto VI potentially launching at an unprecedented $100. Will we see the new highest-priced game in the modern era?

"How did they build an LLM with ADHD?" Google Gemini calls itself a disgrace to coders — Bill Gates was right, the profession is too complex for AI to replace humans

Google's Gemini AI faced self-critiques during code debugging prompts, branding itself as "a disgrace", claiming it was going to have a total mental breakdown.

Laffgaff

Boomerang Teeth

I invented a boomerang with teeth. I should have known it would come back to bite me.

The didgeridoo is a traditional musical instrument from which country?

Australia.

Itsfoss

FOSS Weekly #25.33: Debian 13 Released, Torvalds vs RISC-V, Arch's New Tool, GNOME Perfection and More Linux Stuff

The universal operating system sees a new major release.