The News - Friday, 29 August 2025

BBC News

Children to be offered chickenpox vaccine on NHS

All young children in England and Wales will be offered a free chickenpox vaccine by the NHS from January 2026.

Ministers didn't do cost review of council mergers

The government relied on a report by a lobbyist group that now says reorganisation could make no savings.

Minneapolis school attacker 'obsessed with idea of killing children', officials say

The two children killed in the shooting have been identified as Fletcher Merkel, eight, and Harper Moyski, 10.

Israel struck Gaza's Nasser Hospital four times, analysis finds

New footage has revealed that two more strikes were carried out on hospital by Israel than initially reported.

The Druids Oak is 800 years old - can it help save tomorrow's forests?

Scientists are decoding the DNA of Britain’s ancient oaks to crack the secrets of their superpowers.

'It's a chaotic mess': UK firms warn over US small parcel tax

The US scraps its de-minimis exemption, meaning no more duty-free entry of small parcels to the US.

BBC reveals web of spammers profiting from AI Holocaust images

The BBC has found an international network of content creators profiting from AI generated posts on Facebook.

We're in the dark about future, says Epping asylum seeker

Migrants living inside an Essex hotel are due to be removed from it by 12 September.

MSP locked out of Scottish Parliament after toilet camera claims

The South Scotland MSP is understood to have been charged by the police in relation to the allegations.

Firm told to scrap floristry and gym roles at detention centre

Home Office minister Seema Malhotra has called on the contractor to remove the jobs at the immigration removal centre.

'India put us on the boat like captives - then threw us in the sea'

Rohingya refugees tell the BBC they were flown from Delhi and forced into the sea off the coast of Myanmar.

The Papers: 'They think itch all over' and 'fears over tax raid'

Chickenpox vaccinations for children and frustration over the chancellor's tax policies lead Friday's papers.

Lives torn apart in Kyiv after Russia's heaviest bombardment for weeks

In the deadliest strike, a missile ripped through the middle of a low-rise block of flats.

George Clooney film praised as 'midlife crisis masterpiece'

Netflix’s Jay Kelly sees the actor portray an ageing movie star, drawing parallels with his own life.

Weekly quiz: What food did Meghan reveal Harry doesn't like?

How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?

'The whole town is on a high': What Grimsby's dramatic win over Man Utd means to fans

The morning after the night before, the Lincolnshire town reflects on its team's historic win.

National security or xenophobia? Texas restricts Chinese owning and renting property

Critics fear a new law in Texas will prove discriminatory - but officials say it is vital to combat "adversaries".

New video appears to show New Zealand fugitive dad with his child

Police believe the CCTV footage shows Tom Phillips and his child breaking into a store.

UK, France and Germany move to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran

The three powers trigger a process which could restore sanctions in 30 days, calling Iran's nuclear programme a threat to peace and security.

Reform council boss bans local newspaper's reporters

The Nottingham Post describes the ban as "concerning" and "unprecedented".

Price of weight loss drug Mounjaro to be discounted in UK pharmacies

The rebate allays fears of a 170% price rise but patients are warned the cost of the drug will still jump.

Jessie J cancels tour dates to undergo surgery

"I need to be better, I need to be healed and this is the right decision to make," she tells fans.

US Fed Governor Lisa Cook sues Trump over his attempt to fire her

The president has accused Cook of mortgage fraud, and cited constitutional power that he says allows him to fire her.

Ruling won't feel like much of a victory at Home Office

The government avoids having its asylum policy thrown into chaos but the court ruling is a gift for its opponents.

How a leaked phone call derailed the Thai PM's career - and the Shinawatra dynasty

Thailand's Constitutional Court strikes again, removing yet another prime minister from office.

UK blocks Israeli government delegation from arms trade fair

The UK says it is due to the Israeli escalation of the Gaza war but Israel called it discrimination.

Madeleine McCann suspect to be released in less than three weeks

Christian Brückner is still dangerous, the German prosecutor leading the investigation into the toddler's disappearance tells the BBC.

Trump ends Secret Service protection for Harris

A memo seen by the BBC ends the security arrangement for the Democratic former vice-president.

Body of Israeli hostage recovered in Gaza, IDF says

Ilan Weiss was killed during Hamas's attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

US to stop Palestinians attending UN meeting in New York

The decision comes as France leads international efforts to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN meeting next month.

Cycling race website censors name of Welsh village

British Cycling apologises for the error citing a "autocorrect error" for the fault.

Sexist Italian image-sharing website forced to shut after political outcry

Leading Italian politicians spoke out against the site, which blamed the "toxic" behaviour of its users.

Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch's secrets to successful marriages

The pair play a wealthy couple once blissfully in love and now find themselves in a marriage breakdown.

Watch: Luxury neighbourhood in Lahore submerged in floods

Watch: Luxury neighbourhood in Lahore submerged in floods

Sabrina Carpenter album 'not for pearl clutchers'

The star says her new album, Man's Best Friend, comes with a warning but what do the critics think?

A 'joyful' girl and a boy who loved sports - Victims in Minneapolis shooting identified

Harper Moyski, 10, and Fletcher Merkel, 8, were praying when they were gunned down at school on Wednesday.

Football Manager 25 wasn't good enough, say developers after game's cancellation

Sports Interactive boss Miles Jacobson reveals the reasons for cancelling FM25, and what fans can expect from the new game.

Our family farm has finally got mains electricity - after 50 years

Generations campaigned for mains power in the Upper Coquet valley and now, at last, they have it.

Children to be offered chickenpox vaccine on NHS

All young children in England and Wales will be offered a free chickenpox vaccine by the NHS from January 2026.

MSP denies hiding camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth was earlier suspended by Labour over charges of possessing indecent child images.

Kyiv in mourning after strikes as allies discuss military support

EU defence ministers are meeting to discuss further support following a large aerial attack on Kyiv.

Bank share prices tumble after calls for tax on profits

A think tank says a new bank tax could raise £8bn a year, a suggestion that sent bank shares tumbling.

Protesters and police clash after death of taxi driver in Indonesia

Tear gas and water cannons have been used on protesters as demonstrations erupt across the country.

Boat heading to Canary Islands capsizes, killing at least 69 passengers

Survivors saved off Mauritania say they left The Gambia with 160 people on board.

Emma Stone dazzles Venice with alien kidnap drama

The actress plays a powerful CEO who is held captive in a basement by two conspiracy theorists.

Bournemouth Echo

'Ignore the doom mongers' - Mayor urges Bournemouth residents to focus on positives

CONCERNS have been raised over Bournemouth’s reputation following a series of recent incidents in the town.

Cricket legend set to hang up bat after 58 years and 850 games

A local cricket legend is set to hang up his bat this weekend after more than 850 matches, 8,000 runs and more than 1,600 wickets.

'Save our Park' petition started by residents of Poole

Residents of Poole have launched a petition calling on the council to include their local play park in the authority’s Plan for Play strategy.

In The Dock: Woman caught drink driving on A338 Wessex Way

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

Birdwatchers dazzled after spectacular aerial chase over Poole Harbour

Birdwatchers were dazzled after a pair of birds of prey were involved in a spectacular aerial chase over Poole Harbour.

What to expect from the weekend as Met Office issues weather warning

Met Office issues yellow weather warning for heavy rain in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, affecting travel August 29 –September 3. Latest local forecast.

Morebus fares set to increase from Sunday

Fares on bus routes around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are set to increase from Sunday.

Man found dead in woods by friends

Mr Paine, who was single, of no fixed abode and unemployed, was born on March 30, 1996.

Bournemouth’s newest chicks are third most endangered penguin species in the world

BOURNEMOUTH’S newest penguin chicks are the third most endangered species of their kind in the world, as an oceanarium works to conserve the breed.

'We should design 55,000 homes with no parking'

Far from being a 'loss', the release of green belt land offers a clean slate - a chance to weave transport and housing into a single, modern vision.

'What has happened to the young artists?'

The real question is "what happened to the young artists?"

New housing development to provide 106 affordable homes

Pennyfarthing Homes launches 106 affordable homes at Hawthorn Place, Fordingbridge. Shared ownership and First Homes scheme available. Completion winter 2025.

Hospice boss appointed as external advisor for RCN Foundation

Clare Gaille, CEO of Dorset's Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, appointed as external advisor to RCN Foundation, supporting UK nursing grants and fundraising.

MP launches work experience placements for young people

Tom Hayes MP launches work experience placements for young people, offering hands-on insight into parliamentary work, policy, and MP office skills in the UK.

Town to decide fate of Business Improvement District

Wimborne BID renewal ballot set for October. Levy payers to decide future of business support, town centre projects, and local events from 2026–2031.

Free entry to historic village to celebrate Heritage Open Days

Enjoy free entry to Buckler’s Hard Museum on the Beaulieu River for Heritage Open Days. Explore maritime history, HMS Agamemnon exhibition, and guided tours.

Take on 105ft abseil down one of Bournemouth's most iconic landmarks

PEOPLE are being invited to take participation a challenge to take on a 105ft abseil down one of Bournemouth’s most iconic landmarks in support of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity.

Business adviser issues warning over small business support

Azets urges UK government to deliver real regulatory reform for Dorset SMEs, following new "Backing Your Business" strategy to cut red tape and boost growth.

Holiday park awarded top accolade for tenth year in a row

South Lytchett Manor Holiday Park near Poole wins AA Five-Star Platinum Award for tenth year, plus VisitEngland Gold, recognising top UK holiday park standards.

Cherry Tree Nursery to host plant sale and autumn fayre

Cherry Tree Nursery hosts a plant sale and autumn fayre in Northbourne in September, featuring stalls, live music, raffle, BBQ, and Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Dorset Greener Homes event to showcase sustainable energy

Details are available on the Dorset Greener Homes website, which also features short films of some of the showcased homes.

Celebrate local history with free access to heritage sites and events in Dorset

'Heritage Open Days is an annual celebration of England's history and culture that allows visitors free access to heritage sites and community events that are either not usually open to the public, would normally charge an entrance fee, or are putting on something special for the festival'

Care home hosts Hawaiian-themed summer fair with singing duo

Ferndown Manor care home in Dorset hosted a Hawaiian-themed summer fair, welcoming the community with live music, games, stalls, and home tours.

'Colour and scent': Flower show to be held in Bournemouth

Bournemouth Horticultural Society hosts its autumn flower show at St Francis of Assisi Church Hall on 6 September, featuring flowers, veg, crafts & bakery.

Festival of soundscapes, dance and martial arts to take over town

Inside Out Dorset festival brings international dance, martial arts, and climate-themed performances to Weymouth, with Sonnet of Samsara finale, 19-20 Sept.

Everything you need to know about Ringwood Carnival - funfair, procession and timings

Ringwood Carnival couldn’t happen without its local sponsors, and this year’s headline sponsor, for the first year, is Donaldson Ross & Co.

Man accused of Bournemouth International Centre arson set to appear in court

A MAN accused of setting the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) alight is set to appear at crown court.

Marks and Spencer submit plans for former Homebase site in Poole

MAJOR plans have been submitted to convert the former Homebase site at Redlands, Poole Road, into a new Marks & Spencer site.

New walking tour invites people to delve into spooky history

A WALKING tour is inviting people to delve into the ghostly past of Poole’s Old Town.

Bournemouth Airport approved for terminal expansion in £50million project

Bournemouth Airport has received approval by BCP Council to expand its terminal in a huge £50million investment.

Record breaking summer has been 'one of the most challenging' ever for fire service

The large number of fires are the result of extended dry spells, heatwaves, and high winds have created the perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.

Beach swimming not advised after ‘storm sewage’ discharged into sea

BEACH swimming is not being advised after ‘storm sewage’ was discharged into the sea following heavy rain.

Shoppers threaten to boycott supermarket over town’s Christmas light refusal

SHOPPERS are threatening to boycott a supermarket over a town’s Christmas light refusal.

3,750 homes development will be 'greener and softer' than Poundbury, developers claim

THE Dorchester North housing development, with up to 3,750 homes, is likely to be ‘greener’ and softer than the Duchy of Cornwall’s Poundbury. The claim came during a Thursday evening online discussion about the development

PICTURES: First look inside new Lounge venue

A first look has been revealed for New Milton's Espino Lounge, as they receive 'amazing' feedback from their opening.

Restaurant that employed illegal workers has licence revoked

A restaurant in Bournemouth which employed illegal workers has had its licence revoked.

40mph road could be slashed to 20mph amid safety concerns

A 40MPH road could be slashed to 20mph after residents have raised concerns for pedestrian safety.

Partygoers spat at and assaulted nightclub staff at Bournemouth bar

A pair of 'shameless' partygoers who assaulted nightclub staff at Camel Bar in Bournemouth with their handbags have been banned from the venue.

Search goes national in hunt for wanted man last seen down the pub

A wanted man has been spotted down the pub as police continue to track him down.

Teen's scalp ripped from head in fairground horror: Investigation continues

The UK's national health and safety regulator is appealing for pictures taken on the night of the Netley Craft Show after a teenager had her scalp ripped from her head.

Labour group leader condemns "utterly unacceptable" offensive graffiti

Councilor Patrick Canavan has called on all councillors to condemn recent incidents and harrassment in the BCP area.

Man found dead at friend's address in Blandford

A man was found unresponsive at his friend's home address in Blandford, an inquest heard.

Forestry England 'set to press ahead' with New Forest parking charges

Forestry England is forging ahead with plans to impose charges at beauty spot car parks in the New Forest, a councillor has said

RECAP: Heavy rainfall overnight causes flooding in parts of Bournemouth

Good morning - we are receiving reports along with photos of flooding on several roads and in multiple areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) following persistent heavy rain.

Man charged in connection with theft of car from Tesco petrol station

Man, 22, charged after car allegedly stolen from Tesco Shaftesbury petrol station. Incident involved police pursuit, class A drugs. Court appearance set.

Do you know him? CCTV bid after high-value bike is stolen

A man stole a high value bike in Wimborne in afternoon.

Labubu-themed party kids and families coming to Bournemouth

A LABUBU inspired themed event is coming for kids and families in Bournemouth.

Police release CCTV image after euros stolen at Co-op

Hampshire Police release CCTV image after £150 in euros stolen at Bransgore Co-op, Oak Tree Parade. Witnesses urged to contact Constabulary with info.

Final summer fireworks display set to go ahead following torrential rain

The final fireworks display of the summer will go ahead tonight following dramatic weather over past 48 hours.

Police hunt man over alleged driving offences

Dorset Police are seeking Jordan McClay, 35, from Christchurch, over alleged driving offences and a prison recall. Call 999 if seen; do not approach.

Police search for missing man last seen four to five weeks ago

Dorset Police appeal for help to find missing Poole man Nathanial, 56, last seen July 2025. Public urged to report sightings or information on his whereabouts.

Tributes paid to 'wonderful son, brother and father' after fatal crash

The family of a man who sadly died in a fatal road traffic collision near Wareham have paid tribute to their loved one.

Firefighters quickly attend blaze on terraced property

FIREFIGHTERS attended reports of fire involving a terraced property in Poole.

Man in 50s arrested on suspicion of arson after property fire

A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire broke out at a New Milton property.

Brits urged to close windows from certain time next month to avoid spider infest

As autumn approaches, so does spider season, which means house spiders are beginning their migration indoors.

Police appeal after several suspected stolen items recovered

Bournemouth Police have recovered suspected stolen items and are keen to return them to their rightful owners.

Poole shopping centre 'open and trading as far as possible' after flooding

The Dolphin shopping centre remains open despite "minor" flooding early Friday morning.

Woman 'assaulted' with screwdriver in Poole

A woman was reportedly assaulted with by a man with a screwdriver in Poole on Sunday morning.

Award-winning theatre group reveal packed season of comedy and drama

This is followed by the family-friendly pantomime "Snow White" by Ben Crocker, with performances from December 27 to December 30.

Formula 1

OFFICIAL RACE PROGRAMME - 2025 Dutch Grand Prix

Check out the digital race programme for this weekend's Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025 in Zandvoort.

Why Verstappen isn’t writing off a home win just yet

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has made his home track of Zandvoort his fortress since the Dutch venue returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021, winning three times and finishing second once. But can he continue that run this weekend?

Russell admits Mercedes ‘not as close to the front as we’d like’

George Russell conceded that Mercedes were not quite as competitive as hoped for during the opening day of action at the Dutch Grand Prix, with the Briton ending FP2 in fourth while team mate Kimi Antonelli lost out on mileage in FP1 after becoming beached in the gravel.

WATCH: Albon causes red flag after FP2 off at the Dutch GP

Alex Albon crashed at Turn 1 with a third of Free Practice 2 remaining at the Dutch Grand Prix.

McLaren drivers reflect on ‘strange’ Friday at Dutch GP

Lando Norris topped both practice sessions on Friday but expects an “exciting” Saturday with the chasing pack close, and rain expected.

Alonso ‘optimistic’ after splitting McLarens in FP2

Fernando Alonso admits that it is not "within our reach to fight with the McLarens" for pole at the Dutch Grand Prix, despite finishing second fastest in Friday practice.

FIA Team Principals press conference – Netherlands

TEAM REPRESENTATIVES: Toto WOLFF (Mercedes), James VOWLES (Williams), Flavio BRIATORE (Alpine)

WATCH: Stroll suffers heavy crash in FP2 at the Dutch Grand Prix

Norris sets the pace again as FP2 disrupted by two red flags

Lando Norris set the pace again in Free Practice 2 for the Dutch Grand Prix, with the session interrupted by two red flags.

AS IT HAPPENED: Second Practice for the Dutch GP

Live coverage of the second Formula 1 practice session for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

Catch the best FP1 moments from Zandvoort

Lando Norris topped Free Practice 1 at the Dutch Grand Prix as Formula 1 returned to action following the traditional summer break.

WATCH: Verstappen finishes FP1 in the gravel for Dutch GP

Max Verstappen's Free Practice 1 session ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix ended with his Red Bull in the gravel after the chequered flag.

Windows Central

Call of Duty is back online after servers hit with hour-long outage on all platforms [UPDATED]

Call of Duty servers experience outage on all platforms across all games.

Craving more Battlefield 6 like I am? Good news, Battlefield Labs playtesting has opened again before launch — here's how to sign up and everything coming

Sign-ups for Battlefield Labs testing have opened once again ahead of imminent playtests for Battlefield 6 after the Open Beta.

"We are ready to begin fighting for real change alongside our Diablo colleagues." Over 450 Microsoft-owned Blizzard Entertainment developers unionize.

More Blizzard Entertainment employees are unionizing, with over 450 workers on the Diablo franchise joining the efforts.

After 11 years, BioShock Infinite director's Judas shows signs of life with new art and game details — but still no release date

We finally saw signs of life for Judas from developer Ghost Story Games, with creative director Ken Levine sharing what players can expect from the story.

Xbox PC app gets cross-device play history — perfect prep for the ROG Xbox Ally

Xbox just added cross-device play history, Gaming Copilot beta, and a new My apps tab to the PC app, making it easier than ever to game anywhere.

Minecraft finally makes copper worth mining — it only took four years and a whole “Copper Age”

Mojang Studios just announced the name for Minecraft's next update, the third of 2025. "The Copper Age" is all about copper, introducing a ton of new features.

The updated Battlefield 6 PC system requirements have arrived ahead of launch with new Ultra specs — I'm stoked it'll have this huge feature, too

Ahead of Battlefield 6's upcoming launch in October, its developers have revealed the game's official — and updated — PC system requirements. Here are the specs you'll need.

The AI bubble may be about to pop — here’s what MIT’s 95% failure stat means

Billions of dollars are being poured into AI development, but most pilot programs don't succeed.

I can't believe how big this discount is on one of the most powerful AI mini PCs on the planet — save $500 on this true desktop replacement!

Mini PCs with an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU inside aren't very common right now, and generally really expensive. So how about a huge $500 discount on one?!

SSD manufacturer 'Phison' clears its name after Windows 11 bricking panic — 4,500 hours of testing and zero drive failures

SSD controller manufacturer Phison says it found no evidence of drive failures linked to recent Windows 11 updates, calling out "fake" documents.

Microsoft Teams got 26 new features this month — here's every single one of them

Microsoft Teams rolled out 26 new features this month, including support for multiple emoji reactions, custom Copilot dictionaries, and improved desk booking.

OpenAI faces lawsuit after family claims ChatGPT encouraged a teen suicide — as insiders claim GPT‑4o launch ignored safety warnings to hit a $300 billion valuation

A family has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, after they claim their son committed suicide after months of encouragement from ChatGPT.

Xbox scores multiple top 10 hits while game subscription spending surges in July — but Nintendo still dominates hardware sales

Game subscription services in the U.S. are continuing to grow, per Circana's July 2025 figures, while several Xbox and Nintendo games have big debuts.

Microsoft launches MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1-preview — building an AI future less dependent on OpenAI's technology

Microsoft is seemingly doubling down on its generative AI efforts, recently launching two in-house AI models: MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1-preview.

I tested Razer's new Blade 18 to see how hot (and loud) it gets — is this RTX 5090 gaming laptop a space heater or the real deal?

NVIDIA's RTX 5090 GPU meets vapor chamber cooling in this Razer Blade 18 sample that I'm testing in 2025. It's still tornado loud, but can it handle the heat alongside its high-end Intel CPU?

Laffgaff

What is the official large state mammal of Texas?

The Texas Longhorn.

Mormon Cat

Did you hear about the Mormon cat? It had nine wives.

Itsfoss

19 Beautiful Themes to Get a Better Visual Experience With VS Code

Your code may be ugly, but at least make them look good with these themes for the VS Code editor.