The News - Thursday, 18 September 2025

BBC News

Watch: Pomp and protests on day one of Trump state visit

King Charles hosts Donald Trump at Windsor Castle on the first full day of his UK state visit.

US to invest £150bn in UK, promising thousands of jobs

The UK government is calling this the largest commercial deal of its kind and expects it to create more than 7,600 "high-quality jobs".

US TV host Jimmy Kimmel taken off air over Charlie Kirk comments

The late-night host said on Monday that Trump's allies were "doing everything they can to score political points from" Kirk's death.

Interest rates expected to be held by Bank of England

The Bank rate was cut in August but many analysts do not expect any further reductions this year.

Macrons to offer 'scientific evidence' to US court to prove Brigitte is a woman, lawyer says

They have filed a lawsuit against US right-wing influencer Candace Owens who claims the French first lady was born male.

Why America is at a dangerous crossroads following the Charlie Kirk shooting

This moment has parallels with other periods of discord in US history, but it is more complicated than simply repeating them.

Don't scrap care plans for children with special educational needs, say MPs

Concerns grow over the government's plans to reform special needs education in England.

I have no relationship with Trump, Brazil's President Lula tells BBC

In an exclusive interview, Brazil's president says Trump is "not emperor of the world".

Three officers killed in Pennsylvania shooting, with two others critical

Officials said the suspect has been "neutralised" and there is no further threat to the public.

Israeli tanks push into major Gaza City residential area

The sight of tanks in Sheikh Radwan has caused widespread alarm among residents, with thousands fleeing south.

Major Scottish gangland figures arrested in Dubai

Steven Lyons, Ross McGill, Stephen Jamieson and Steven Larwood were taken into custody following a co-ordinated operation.

Melania’s hat, a yellow dress and Kate’s golden gown - standout state visit looks

State visits are often seen as an opportunity to exercise “sartorial diplomacy” on the world stage.

In pictures: All the best images from the day at Windsor Castle

President Trump greeted by the King and Queen and other senior royals at Windsor Castle.

Vintage port, a menu in French and 1,452 pieces of cutlery - a glimpse of the state banquet

Chicken and a special cocktail are being served, while Rupert Murdoch and Tim Cook are among the guests.

Thousands gather in London to protest against visit

A coalition of more than 50 groups have organised a march in central London against the visit.

Fashion risks going backwards on diversity, says ex-Vogue boss

The former British Vogue editor says being "super-thin" and European is often seen as "the norm" again.

'Trump and circumstance' and 'Maddie suspect freed'

The state visit and the release of the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann make Thursday's papers.

'Ultimate in cancel culture': Fans outside Jimmy Kimmel studio react to show's axing

The BBC spoke to fans who expressed surprise and disappointment after the late night show was taken off air "indefinitely" over Charlie Kirk comments.

A court blocked a migrant being returned to France - how much of a setback is this for No 10?

The temporary decision by a High Court judge shows how complicated deportation or removal plans can be.

Obama says US faces 'political crisis' after killing of Charlie Kirk

The former president criticised the response to the shooting by President Trump, who has vowed to tackle "radical leftists".

The Summer I Turned Pretty to conclude with feature film

The hit young-adult series will conclude with what author and showrunner Han says is "another big milestone" in Belly's journey.

AI can predict people's health problems, scientists say

An artificial intelligence model can predict the risk of more than 1,000 diseases, a team of scientists say.

Spain arrests 19 on suspicion of torture and murder after 50 disappear from migrant boat

Police suspect some of the victims were accused of witchcraft by others on the boat that had travelled from Senegal.

Body found in car registered to D4vd identified as missing teen

Authorities say the cause and time of the 15-year-old girl's death are still unknown.

Chimps drinking equivalent of a lager a day in fermented fruit, study finds

Scientists say chimps consume the equivalent of a bottle of lager a day from dining on ripe fruit.

Trump suggests Starmer could use military to control UK borders

The US president says illegal migration "destroys countries from within", in a news conference with the PM.

First migrant deported to France under 'one in one out' deal

The man was removed on Thursday under the "one in, one out" agreement and has arrived in Paris.

'Cataclysmic' situation in Gaza City, UN official says, as Israeli tanks advance

A constant of stream of Palestinians flee southwards as Israeli tanks reportedly push further into Gaza's biggest urban centre.

Corbyn and Sultana clash over new party membership

MP Zarah Sultana says she is a victim of a "sexist boys' club" in row over setting up new left wing party.

Scientists pinpoint 'mileage clock' inside brain

They located this key area of function by recording the brain activity of running rats.

Two teenagers charged over Transport for London cyber attack

The police say the hack caused "significant disruption" and "millions in losses" for TfL.

Author Sally Rooney says she could not collect prize in UK in case of arrest

The author has given her support to Palestine Action, who have been proscribed as a terrorist group.

Planning approvals for new homes at record low, figures show

Planning approvals for new homes were at their lowest on record during Labour’s first year in office, figures show

In pictures: Chequers, scout groups and a dolls' house - day two of Trump's state visit

Day two of US President Donald Trump's second state visit

Royals, Maga and tech CEOs: What we learned from state banquet guest list

The event is as much about diplomacy as it is about fine dining.

Sweet treats for Kate and Melania as they host Scouts

Melania Trump also joined Queen Camilla for a tour around the grounds of Windsor Castle - including the Queen Mary's Dolls' House.

US firms pledge £150bn investment in UK as tech deal signed

The UK government hopes the investment will create more than 7,600 "high-quality jobs".

Why America is at a dangerous crossroads following the Charlie Kirk shooting

This moment has parallels with other periods of discord in US history, but it is more complicated than simply repeating them.

DiCaprio on his latest film and 'divisiveness in our culture'

The actor says his latest film, One Battle After Another, "holds a mirror up to society".

Blue Badge fraud: 'More fakes than ever before'

Fake, stolen and dead people’s badges are being used, investigators warn.

Israeli minister touts Gaza 'real estate bonanza', defying international backlash

Bezalel Smotrich, an ultranationalist who has been sanctioned by the UK and others, said he was in discussion with the US over the idea.

Manchester Arena bomb plotter refuses to leave cell for court hearing

Hashem Abedi refuses to leave his cell to appear in court accused of attacking four prison officers.

Three arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia

The two men and a woman were all arrested in Grays, Essex, the Metropolitan Police says.

Macrons to offer 'scientific evidence' to US court to prove Brigitte is a woman, lawyer says

They have filed a lawsuit against US right-wing influencer Candace Owens who claims the French first lady was born male.

Egypt says 3,000-year-old bracelet was stolen and melted down

A specialist took the gold artefact from a Cairo museum and sold it through a jeweller, officials say.

Bournemouth Echo

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.

Comedian Joanne McNally brings her 'Pinotphile' tour to Bournemouth

A wet and windy Sunday night was brightened up by a near sell-out crowd at the Bournemouth Pavilion for the Irish comedian Joanne McNally and her Pinotphile tour.

Review: Lighthouse's Little Women is a welcome return to familiar ground

The launch of Lighthouse’s new season is a sure sign that summer’s over and that thought was driven home in this production with a cosy set – complete with festive tree – which landed us in an 1860s New England Christmas Eve.

Defence company visits Bovington to highlight recruitment drive

Babcock International’s UK bus tour visited Bovington, engaging staff on defence jobs, recruitment, community impact, and support for the British Army.

Teenage jiu-jitsu champion gets financial boost from local business

Ringwood jiu-jitsu champion Darla Anderson, 13, receives £2,500 boost from Churchill Living to compete at Abu Dhabi AJP Youth World Championships.

Hip-hop dance show featuring Persian tea coming to Bournemouth

Hip-hop dance show 'I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik' by Bobak Champion comes to Bournemouth, blending Persian tea, breakdancing, music, and cultural stories.

Care home takes step back in time for 'summer of love' party

The Aldbury care home in Poole held a 1960s “summer of love” party with residents, families and staff celebrating Sixties nostalgia, flower power and fun.

Poole venue staff to run half marathon for charity

Lighthouse Poole staff to run Bournemouth Half Marathon on 12 October, raising funds for Big Christmas Appeal to support access to live theatre.

Community theatre to spark conversation about 'home' at festival

Wimborne Community Theatre explores the meaning of 'home' with outdoor performances at Wimborne Green Festival. Join discussions and share your story.s

MP says air festival cancellation 'has left a huge gap'

Labour MP Tom Hayes urges action after Bournemouth Air Festival cancellation, backing local tourism, ‘Check In – Chill Out’ campaign, and Air Festival revival.

Funeral directors' business grows after refurbishment

AE Jolliffe & Son funeral directors in Ferndown expand team after major refurbishment. Popular ceremony room boosts growth for Douch Family Funeral Group.

New support group launched for people with communication disability

Say Aphasia launches new Sherborne support group for people with aphasia, a communication disability often caused by stroke. Monthly meetings start 24 Sept.

New hub for disabled entrepreneurs opens in Bournemouth

A new hub for disabled entrepreneurs has opened in Bournemouth.

Bongo's Bingo at the O2 Academy Bournemouth set for festive chaos

Bongo's Bingo Christmas Cracker shows at O2 Academy Bournemouth bring festive bingo, dance-offs, prizes & Santa fun. Book tickets for 2025 Christmas events.

New adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma' coming to Poole

Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ comes to Lighthouse Poole, 10–15 November, as part of the author’s 250th anniversary. Book tickets for this acclaimed stage adaptation.

Fifty people volunteer to help at film festival

Fifty people have so far volunteered to help at the Bournemouth International Film Festival 2025.

Volunteers needed to help maintain historical site

Friends of Skerryvore seek volunteers for site upkeep on 20 September. Celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson’s 175th anniversary; limited event tickets available.

Aldi to invest £21 million in Dorset as part of expansion plan

Aldi to invest £21m in Dorset as part of £1.6bn UK expansion, opening new stores in Ferndown, Poole, and Bournemouth, creating jobs and boosting local supply.

Thousands of newborns protected by vaccination service

Dorset vaccination service delivers nearly 7,000 perinatal vaccines in first year, protecting pregnant patients and babies from whooping cough, RSV, and flu.

New 20mph zones coming to five Dorset towns and villages

New 20mph zones are set to be introduced in five Dorset towns and villages this autumn.

MP hails major victory in fight against tool theft

Labour MP Tom Hayes secures tougher penalties for tool theft in Sentencing Bill 2025, with new protections for tradespeople and bans for repeat offenders.

MP calls for asylum hotels in Bournemouth to close

Tom Hayes has called for asylum hotels in Bournemouth to close.

Group completes 275 mile cycle across France in three days

A group from Poole completed a 275 mile cycle from Cherbourg to Paris in three days for The Boo Charity.

Road to close ahead of sea defence instalments

A temporary road closure will be put in place as sea defences are set to be built in Swanage.

Highcliffe woman wins three swimming medals in Singapore

A Highcliffe woman brought home three silvers medals at an international swimming competition in Singapore last month.

Two former restaurants to be turned into flats opposite protest hot spot

TWO former restaurants to be turned into flats in Bournemouth town centre, opposite a protest hot spot.

New nautical-themed bar and restaurant opens in Southbourne

Run Ashore, a new bar and restaurant, has opened its doors in the former Cork & Lobster site in Southbourne.

Man found dead in room at Gillingham address

An inquest has opened into the death of a man found unresponsive at an address in Gillingham.

New salon aiming to create 'warm and welcoming environment' set to open

A new salon aiming to create a 'warm' and 'welcoming' environment is due to open in Poole this October.

Bournemouth millionaire calls for tax reform

A millionaire living in Bournemouth is part of a group urging MPs to support tax reforms that could raise more than £30 billion.

‘Trendy’ Pilates studio with Italian café and massage therapist launches in Poole

A ‘TRENDY’ Pilates studio serving Italian treats in its café and offering a specialised massage therapist has launched in Poole.

Delays after crash involving two cars and a motorbike

Ringwood Road is partially blocked with slow traffic after a crash near the Alderney Roundabout

Man hospitalised after colliding with the central reservation

A crash on the A31 has blocked part of the road, causing traffic chaos this morning.

Dorset Council facing multi-million pound budget overspend

DORSET Council’s current financial position has been described as “challenging” with a predicted £7.7million overspend by the end of the financial year.

Man, 28, denies sexually assaulting woman in her 50s

A 28-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the sexual assault of a woman in her 50s.

Pair arrested after alleged knifepoint robbery

A pair of young adults have been arrested after they allegedly robbed two people at knife point near Endsbury Park last month.

Large tyre fire breaks out after 'controlled burn' spreads

Firefighters have shared a picture of the scene of the aftermath of a fire involving a large quantity of tyres yesterday

Fake fox covered in blood to be paraded to 'expose savagery of fox hunting'

A 'huntsman' will be parading along the seafront with a fake fox covered in blood campaigning to see hunting laws strengthened.

Calls to reinstate one-hour free parking

Councillors have joined forces in calling for the reintroduction of one-hour free parking in Lymington to benefit businesses and residents.

Months of road misery feared as major works get underway

Eight months of road works have begun this week, causing disruption for motorists close to Dorchester town centre

Exciting new restaurant opens in former pub

Nepalese restaurant Everest-29032 has opened its doors in a former pub in Fordington, Dorchester

Largest bird of prey in UK seen flying over Dorset

A white-tailed eagle, the UK's largest bird of prey, has been seen flying over Lodmoor, Weymouth

Search for missing man last seen leaving home on foot

A Fordingbridge man has been reported missing after he was last seen leaving his home on Thursday afternoon.

Review: Strictly legends return for Return of the Legends show

Strictly stars Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev and more reunite for Return of the Legends UK tour, celebrating iconic dance and movie moments.

Murder leads to coroner's call for more information sharing

More information sharing is needed between police, schools, and children's services, according to a coroner's report into an Andover mum's murder.

New park and ride could be introduced after councillors back motion

A Park and Ride could be put in place after a motion to manage seasonal parking passed council.

Man arrested after suspected cannabis farm found in Bournemouth

A man has been arrested after a suspected cannabis factory was located at an address in Southbourne.

One hospitalised after multi-vehicle crash near airport

A road user was hospitalised on Wednesday afternoon following a multi-vehicle collision near Bournemouth Airport.

Teenager hospitalised after crashing into central reservation on dual carriageway

A crash involving a BMW caused slow traffic on a main route in Dorset this morning.

Two cars and motorbike in crash at roadworks

A crash involving two cars and a motorbike caused long delays for rush-hour drivers in Poole this morning.

New Milton design firm named UK Design Practice of the Year

SPACE, based in New Milton, received the honour at the Fit Out Awards 2025, which celebrate excellence in interior design and fit-out across the industry.

Formula 1

The ultimate fan guide to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Plan your Azerbaijan Grand Prix trip with our fan guide to Baku – travel tips, trackside hacks, best food, and the top photo spots

Can McLaren make F1 title history at the Azerbaijan GP?

When McLaren won the Teams’ Championship last year, it ended a 26-year wait for glory. Courtesy of their dominance so far this season, they will not have to wait anywhere near as long for the next one and thus it’s more a matter of when, not if, they defend their crown...

All the best run and cycle routes in Baku

Explore Baku on foot or by bike during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Find running and cycling routes for all abilities, from seafront runs to mud volcano escapes, with tips for fans visiting over the race weekend from 19–21 September.

Papaya rules and Verstappen's Nordschleife outing

The Formula 1 paddock hits the streets of Baku this weekend for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with plenty of topics up for discussion during Thursday's media day.

Leclerc hails ‘natural’ Baku Qualifying feeling

Charles Leclerc backed his ‘natural’ strength on city tracks as he aims for a record-extending fifth consecutive pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Verstappen reveals details of Nordschleife race outing

Max Verstappen has given his verdict on his recent Nurburgring Nordschleife outing, admitting that "rules are rules" having been required to race a de-tuned GT4 Porsche Cayman on his debut in order to gain the relevant licence.

Hadjar responds to 2026 Red Bull seat reports

Isack Hadjar has responded to reports linking him with the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen for 2026.

Piastri confident McLaren 'aligned' on 'papaya rules'

Oscar Piastri has voiced his “trust” in McLaren’s handling of the battle for the Formula 1 Drivers’ title, after being ordered to allow team mate Lando Norris past at Monza.

FIA Thursday press conference – Azerbaijan

PART ONE – Pierre GASLY (Alpine), Nico HÜLKENBERG (Kick Sauber), Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren) PART TWO – Liam LAWSON (Racing Bulls), Lance STROLL (Aston Martin), Kimi ANTONELLI (Mercedes)

Who are the favourites as F1 heads to Baku?

Formula 1 heads to the streets of Baku this weekend as the season enters its latter stages but who are the favourites to come out on top? Here are what the odds tell us...

The most important facts & stats ahead of the Azerbaijan GP

Formula 1 drivers and teams are setting up at the Baku City Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, marking Round 17 on the calendar.

Windows Central

Microsoft's new 'PlayFab Game Saves' aims to boost cross-save compatibility between Xbox, Steam, and other platforms too

Ever wished you could take your Xbox save file to your Steam Deck, even if it means buying the game twice? Microsoft's new PlayFab service might help make that a reality.

Windows 11 Notepad will soon let you generate text using on-device AI models — no subscription required

Microsoft has announced that an upcoming update to Windows Notepad will enable support for generating and summarizing text using on-device AI models instead of your Microsoft 365 subscription in the cloud.

Microsoft insists the new Outlook delivers a “native” experience — but I'm not convinced

The new Outlook is Microsoft’s default email app on Windows 11, but users complain about missing features, ads, and its web-wrapped design.

Microsoft announces major update to Windows 11 Paint that adds Photoshop-like project files

Microsoft Paint is getting a big update that introduces support for project files, letting you save your work-in-progress paint projects as .paint files.

A unique dual‑screen gaming laptop under $1,000 lands on Kickstarter — Is it real? I certainly hope so.

A new dual-screen gaming laptop with an upgradeable NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has appeared on Kickstarter. Here's what we know.

"A painful reset" — Fiverr lays off 30% of its employees in a sweeping AI-first overhaul

Fiverr's CEO recently announced that the company is cutting about 30% of its staff to focus on AI restructuring. Here's why this sort of news is no longer surprising.

We hacked the new Windows 11 Xbox Mode onto the old ROG Ally — how does it optimize performance?

Microsoft's new handheld gaming mode for Windows 11 is launching first on the upcoming Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, but it will be coming to all gaming handhelds eventually. Here's a first look at the experience running on an original ROG Ally.

Logitech G reveals its new Astro A20 X wireless gaming headset — connecting to two devices at once is too good to pass up

Logitech G showcases a new gaming headset at its annual Logi Play event, the Astro A20 X. Here's what you need to know about specs and pricing.

Follow Windows Central on Google News and stay up to date — here's how to add us as a source for Microsoft, Xbox, and more

Integrating Windows Central into your Google News feed prioritizes our coverage of Windows, Xbox, and other Microsoft stories amidst the clutter of today.

Xbox's new gaming AI companion now rolling out to ALMOST all players — consoles still have to wait a little longer

After months of testing with Xbox Insiders, the Xbox Gaming Copilot is now rolling out to general users in a beta form, starting with the Xbox Game Bar on PC.

DIY brilliance — modder converts a Lenovo Legion Go handheld into a gaming laptop, and it's surprisingly slick

The Legion Go is a versatile gaming handheld thanks to its removable controllers, but did you ever think you'd see it turned into a laptop?

Star Citizen's new 'Flight Blades' microtransactions spark a pay-to-win uproar — is trust finally crumbling?

Star Citizen is facing heavy backlash after introducing Flight Blades, paid ship parts that offer real performance boosts, reigniting long-standing concerns over pay-to-win systems and trust in Cloud Imperium Games.

Valve is ending support for Steam on Windows 10 in 2026 — but only for 0.01 percent of users

If you're still using a 32-bit version of Windows 10 in 2025 and like to game on it, we've got some bad news for you. Valve is ending support for the 32-bit client next year.

Intel and NVIDIA announce partnership that will see "jointly developed x86 Intel CPUs fused with RTX GPUs" in shocking move

NVIDIA is partnering up with Intel to product new chips that fuse x86 Intel CPUs with RTX GPUs in an attempt to compete with AMD APUs, along with helping Intel stay afloat in its fight with TSMC.

Refurbished Windows 10 PCs on the 'Back Market' combat Microsoft's programmed obsolescence with ChromeOS and Linux

Back Market is capitalizing on Windows 10's end-of-life by selling a limited run of old HP and Lenovo laptops to fight Microsoft's "programmed obsolescence."

Is Microsoft hypocritical? Consumer Reports asks CEO Satya Nadella to make Windows 10 support extension free for 400 million PCs

Consumer Reports is asking Microsoft to provide Windows 10 security updates to all users for free while it works on enticing more users to upgrade to Windows 11.

Dying Light: The Beast is Verified for Steam Deck — here’s why it matters

Continuing Techland's excellent support for the Steam Deck and handheld gaming PCs in general, Dying Light: The Beast will be Verified at launch.

It looks like Microsoft is about to launch a new "Windows AI Labs" program for testing experimental AI features in Windows 11 apps

"Windows AI Labs" is a new program that has started appearing in Paint that's designed to let users test experimental AI features early.

Laffgaff

Jake Sully is the protagonist in which 2009 movie?

Lolita.

Bland Lettuce

One of the problems with making a salad is bland lettuce. It's a problem that needs addressing.

Itsfoss

FOSS Weekly #25.38: GNOME 49 Release, KDE Drama, sudo vs sudo-rs, Local AI on Android and More Linux Stuff

Ubuntu is looking to improve the performance of Rust coreutils as they lag GNU Coreutil performance.