BBC News
EU agree €90bn loan for Ukraine but without using Russian assets
Ukrainian had wanted the EU to use €200 billion of frozen Russian assets but Belgium opposed the move.
Stigma of Ukraine's forgotten soldiers who 'died the wrong way'
There are no official statistics surrounding suicide among Ukrainian soldiers, but they are thought to count in the hundreds.
Brown University shooting suspect found dead, police say
The suspect in last week's mass shooting at Brown University has also been linked by police to the murder of an MIT professor on Monday.
Australia announces gun buyback scheme in wake of Bondi attack
It is the largest scheme since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, which prompted massive gun law reform.
Surfers and swimmers pay tribute to victims of Bondi shooting
Hundreds paddle out at Bondi beach to commemorate the shooting victims from Sunday's attack.
£100 contactless card limit to be lifted
Card providers can decide whether to offer unlimited payments on contactless cards.
Friday to be busiest travel day of festive season
Road, rail and air travellers are being advised to allow extra time for travel and check their routes.
Drones detect deadly virus in Arctic whales' breath
Whale breath collected by drones is giving clues to the health of wild humpbacks and other whales.
Democrats release latest batch of Epstein photos as justice department deadline looms
The materials include photos of women's passports, and Lolita quotes written across a woman's body.
Ex-Nascar driver and his family among seven killed in US plane crash
Officials confirmed Greg Biffle, his wife and two children were among those who boarded the small plane that crashed at a regional airport in North Carolina.
Bondi bravery: Lifeguards, a 'superhero' mum and a couple who died fighting
One father tells the BBC he owes the life of his child to a stranger forced into an impossible decision.
Weekly quiz: Why has Charlotte Church given up deodorant?
How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?
Will pre-Christmas interest rate cut be enough to boost UK economy next year?
The Bank of England is hoping the interest rate cut will inject some much-needed momentum into the economy.
The Papers: 'Mortgage price war in spring' and 'Fresh heir'
Labour's violence against women strategy and a royal Christmas family portrait dominate Friday's papers.
How much more your Christmas dinner will cost this year
A typical turkey dinner will cost about £32.45 this year, according to research done for the BBC.
Cambodia counts the cost of its border war with Thailand
Despite a Trump-brokered ceasefire in July, fighting has flared up again between Thailand and Cambodia.
UK names Christian Turner as ambassador to US, replacing Peter Mandelson
Turner has spent a nearly 30-year career working across Whitehall and the Foreign Office.
Three arrested for allegedly burning wild elephant in Sri Lanka
Police said villagers used flaming torches to drive away the elephant, which later died.
Japan hikes interest rate to highest level since 1995 as inflation bites
It comes as new PM Sanae Takaichi is keen for inflation to fall but also needs low government borrowing costs.
TikTok owner signs agreements to avoid US ban
The deals would end years of efforts by Washington to force ByteDance to sell its US operations.
HR exec in viral Coldplay clip speaks of abuse, threats and trying to find a new job
Kristin Cabot says she was bombarded with abusive and threatening messages after being filmed with her boss on the 'kiss-cam'.
Putin vows no more wars if West treats Russia with respect
Russia's leader said during a four-hour TV marathon that claims that an attack on Europe was planned were "nonsense".
Family of stabbed girl say 'our hearts are broken'
The nine-year-old's family say she was "the most beautiful little soul" who was "full of light".
Resident doctors in Scotland to go on strike for first time
Their union BMA Scotland has accused the government of reneging on a commitment to restore pay to 2008 levels.
David Walliams dropped by book publisher
Walliams is one of the UK's most successful children's authors, having sold more than 60 million books.
Harry and Meghan embrace their children in Christmas message
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also released their official Christmas card and renamed their charity.
Wife and lover who plotted husband's caravan murder jailed for 19 years
Michelle Mills schemed with her ex-marine lover of three months to murder her husband in rural south-west Wales.
US justice department to release thousands of Epstein files later, top official says
The Friday deadline was mandated by a bill that got near-unanimous support in the US Congress.
Pope appoints new leader of Catholic Church in England and Wales
Richard Moth becomes Bishop of Westminster, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols who is retiring.
Woman's shock as goose smashes through front door
Wildlife rescuers think the Canada goose misjudged its descent before smashing through the door.
Why the cost of Christmas dinner is higher this year
A typical turkey dinner will cost about £32.45 this year, according to research done for the BBC.
Will the US TikTok deal make it safer but less relevant?
The key to the app's success - its algorithm - is to be retrained on US data. Will that make US TikTok blander?
Fraught EU summit backs Ukraine but divisions are clear
EU leaders agreed to loan Ukraine €90bn to stay financially afloat for the next two years.
Are viral band Boy Throb the real deal or a TikTok gag?
The group has been campaigning for one million TikTok followers to help get a band member a US visa.
Ros Atkins on… The alleged links between the UAE and Sudan's civil war
BBC Analysis Editor Ros Atkins examines allegations of links between the UAE and Sudan’s RSF in the civil war, as international efforts continue to seek an end to the fighting.
£100 contactless card limit to be lifted
Card providers can decide whether to offer unlimited payments on contactless cards.
BBC replaced by TNT Sports as Commonwealth Games live broadcaster
The subscription channel takes over from the BBC which had been the principal partner since 1954 and provided free-to-air coverage.
UN-backed experts say Gaza food supplies improving but 100,000 still in 'catastrophic conditions'
Israel says the report "doesn't reflect the reality" and ignores the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip.
Michelle Mone-linked PPE firm liquidated and unlikely to repay £148m
The firm led by Baroness Mone's husband Douglas Barrowman breached a contract to supply surgical gowns during the Covid pandemic.
Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taiwan metro
The suspect's spree began at Taipei's main metro station before he moved to another station nearby.
Young people will feel burden of UK's ageing society, report suggests
The House of Lords said raising the state pension age and increasing immigration would not be a solution.
French court rejects Shein website suspension over childlike sex dolls
The fast-fashion giant welcomed the judgement and said its priority remains protecting French consumers.
Bournemouth Echo
The railway arch that caused angry locals to campaign for its demolition
For more than a century the bridge had carried trains over Leigh Road, but by the mid-seventies the line was gone
Thousands of child protection concerns made to NSPCC during Christmas period
NSPCC will respond to thousands of child protection concerns during the Christmas countdown and right through the festive period.
Tributes paid to 'much loved' Poole figure who was 'a great friend to many'
Tributes have been paid to Robert Doakes, a much loved figure in Poole and a man who was a 'good friend to many'.
Nearly £3m more spend on waste recycling scheme than planned
New Forest District Council is set to spend nearly £1.5 million a year more than planned as it rolls out a new waste recycling scheme.
23-year-old woman found dead in home
A 23-YEAR-OLD woman was found dead in her home, an inquest opening heard.
Mum says that life 'will never be the same' following inquest into son's death
“For me, it was important to be there and help in finding where they had failed so changes could be made.”
Men died from multiple injuries in fatal crash
TWO men died from multiple injuries after a crash near Wimborne, an inquest opening heard.
‘Extremely disappointing': Council objects to food venue over heritage concerns
COUNCIL has objected to the plans to transform a vacant land in Bournemouth into a street food venue, raising concerns about the potential impact on nearby heritage sites.
Bournemouth Airport expecting record year following significant upgrades
Bournemouth Airport is expected to its shatter previous record for annual passengers following a significant expansion in its facilities earlier this year.
Award-winning seafront restaurant announces temporary closure after 25 years
AN AWARD-WINNING seafront restaurant has announced its temporary closure after serving customers for 25 years.
Family-run butchers set for record festive season with 4,000 pigs in blankets sold
A FAMILY-RUN butchers is set for its best Christmas yet with over 4,000 pigs in blankets sold already.
Fisherman found dead in cemetery
A FISHERMAN was found dead in a cemetery in Upton, an inquest opening heard.
New Lounge restaurant set to open on Poole Quay subject to planning approval
A NEW Lounge restaurant is set to open on Poole Quay next year, subject to planning approval.
Petition launched calling for tougher rules on electric motorbikes in Bournemouth
A PETITION calling on the government to require registration and insurance for off-road e-motorbikes has been launched amid growing concerns over dangerous riding in Bournemouth and Christchurch.
Failed asylum seeker pleads not guilty to rape of woman in Bournemouth
A failed asylum seeker has pleaded not guilty to the rape of a woman aged in her 30s in a wooded area of Bournemouth.
Plans to tackle empty shops given green light in 'revitalisation' scheme
Bournemouth town centre has been approved as the first area in BCP to be “revitalised” as plans progress to tackle empty shops.
Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after coast road crash
A MOTORCYCLIST has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a crash near Abbotsbury
Exclusion zone in place following reported gas leak
A gas leak has been reported this afternoon in Wimborne.
LIVE: Emergency services at scene of collision on A338
Emergency services are currently at the scene of collision on A338.
Two boys, aged seven and nine, among four seriously injured in crash
Two boys, a woman and a man have been seriously injured following a crash.
New Forest commoners gather for training events
Nearly 200 New Forest commoners joined livestock training events led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Pilgrims Vets.
Hampshire hotel named Small Hotel of the Year
Stanwell House Hotel in Lymington has won Small Hotel of the Year at the Beautiful South Awards.
Bus hits shop roof and leaves debris on pavement
THE ROOF of a shop was damaged and a road closed after bus hit a wall in Fordingbridge.
'Do not approach': Poole man wanted on prison recall
A man from Poole is wanted on prison recall and police are urging the public to 'not approach' and call 999 'immediately'.
Cyclist seriously injured taken to hospital after crash at A338
A FEMALE cyclist was taken to hospital for serious injuries after a collision with a car.
Buildings evacuated and road closed following gas leak
Buildings have been evacuated and a road closed after a gas leak in Wimborne.
Police alert after attempted car sale scam by two men
Members of the public are urged to be vigilant when selling their cars following reports of an attempted scam in Bournemouth.
Three boys deny charges of rape of two girls
Three teenage boys are to face trial after pleading not guilty in connection with the rape of two girls in two incidents in a New Forest town.
Food waste caddies will continue to be collected behind gates, council says
NFDC has also announced the start date for the third and final phase of its new waste and recycling service.
New house approved after issues with neighbours resolved
A new house in Bournemouth has been approved with the issues about the development resolved with neighbours.
Dorset deputy fire chief no longer with service
Deputy chief fire officer Derek James no longer works at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Man jailed after driving 'dangerously' to evade police in stolen car
A man who broke into a shop in Shaftesbury and was seen driving a stolen vehicle has been jailed for 18 months.
Warning as reports of courier fraud made in Ferndown this week
Reports of courier fraud have been made in the Ferndown area this week, prompting Dorset Police to issue a warning and remind residents how to protect themselves from becoming victims.
Six arrested as part of cross-border rural crime operation
Six people have been arrested as part of a cross-border rural crime operation involving Dorset Police.
Man stabbed in Boscombe as police launch investigation
A man was hospitalised after he was stabbed on Thursday night in Boscombe Gardens.
Driver 'lucky to be rescued alive' after car swept under bridge by floodwater
A driver is "lucky to be rescued alive" after their car was swept under a bridge by fast-flowing water after trying to cross a ford in the New Forest
Funding offered to Dorset businesses planning to grow in 2026
Eligible businesses based in either the Dorset Council or BCP Council area are encouraged to register now.
Residents at care home enjoy Christmas with community children
Bourley Grange care home in Church Crookham hosts intergenerational Christmas event with local children, crafts, carol singing and gingerbread baking.
Children learn life-saving skills at Avonwood Primary School
Avonwood Primary pupils learned first aid in a workshop led by New Forest First Aid and ex-WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith, boosting life-saving skills.
Dorset Police respond to nearly 40,000 welfare concerns
Officers responded to 54,618 incidents and conducted over 10,000 hours of high-visibility patrols in hotspots across the county.
Care home gets four-legged visitors for special event
Upton Bay care home in Hamworthy held a Christmas Fun Dog Show with Canine Concern, engaging residents in festive pet therapy and community activities.
Heavy rain brings 'recovery' to drought-hit West Country
Heavy rain brings water supply relief to the West Country, says Environment Agency, but parts of Wiltshire remain dry. Public urged to use water wisely.
Volunteer celebrated for 60 years of service to the church
David Bowen, Dorchester lay minister, celebrated for 60 years’ service to church and community at St Mary’s. Bishop of Sherborne among those paying tribute.
Care home residents enjoy Christmas at Vitality Stadium
Care South residents enjoyed a festive Christmas coffee morning at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium, with music, football and community spirit in Dorset.
Businesses warned to beware of cyber attacks this Christmas
UK businesses face increased cyber security threats this Christmas, with Dorset firms warned of fraud, phishing and ransomware attacks targeting SMEs.
New strategy to help save the Dorset natural environment
Dorset Council launches new Local Nature Recovery Strategy with Natural England to restore habitats, rivers and wildlife, aiming to protect 30% of land by 2030.
Christmas dining at The Ivy to continue through to January
Enjoy a festive Boxing Day brunch and seasonal menu at The Ivy Collection UK. Indulge in luxury dishes, Champagne, and no cooking—available until 4 January.
How to keep your pets safe this Christmas - vet warning issued
UK pet owners warned by Poole vet Dan Makin to keep dogs and cats safe from toxic Christmas foods, chocolate, and festive decorations this holiday season.
PICTURES: Youngsters get into Christmas spirit with nativities
Youngsters have been getting into the Christmas spirit with nativities.
New 24-hour gym opens on first floor of former Wilko site
Snap Fitness Winton opens 24-hour gym on former Wilko site in Bournemouth, featuring UK’s first Snap Fitness Reformer Pilates studio, cardio tech, and sauna.
Driver arrested after two vehicle collision in Christchurch
A driver was arrested on suspicion of a driving offence after a collision in Christchurch.
Historic sites decorated for Christmas and inviting visitors to explore
Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy light up Dorset for Christmas, offering National Trust festive events, illuminations, crafts, and heritage experiences.
Law firm strengthens property team with two senior appointments
Paris Smith LLP boosts Bournemouth property team with senior hires Kerry Houston-Kypta and Deborah Fenton, driving growth across Dorset and Hampshire.
Housebuilder spreads festive cheer in Christmas toy appeal
Barratt David Wilson Homes backs Parenting Network’s Christmas Toy Appeal in Dorset, collecting toys for children in need. Gifts donated at local developments.
TV show filming in Bournemouth offers chance to adopt rescue dog
Channel 4’s The Dog House, filmed at Woodgreen and now casting in Bournemouth, seeks locals to share their rescue dog adoption stories on TV. Apply now.
MC Plan and Site Services promotes two building inspectors
MC Plan and Site Services in Poole promotes Tony Penn and Tom Redmond to senior building control inspectors, expanding leadership and training roles in Building Control.
Garden centre donates time to decorate hospice for Christmas
Haskins Garden Centre decorates Forest Holme Hospice in Poole with Christmas trees and lights, spreading festive cheer to patients, families and staff.
Council announces hours for Christmas and new year break
Swanage Town Council has confirmed its Christmas and new year opening hours, with town hall offices closing from Christmas Eve.
Free crossings offered to Sandbanks Ferry users on Christmas Day
Free crossings will be offered in the Sandbanks Ferry this Christmas Day.
Major upgrade works close London Waterloo during Christmas period
Major upgrade works will close London Waterloo 27–28 Dec 2025. Services terminate at Clapham Junction; timetable changes and route closures apply. Plan ahead.
Santa arrives in army vehicle to help spread Christmas spirit
Father Christmas arrived at Harbour School Dorset in an army vehicle, delivering gifts to 120 pupils with support from Wareham Lions Club and local soldiers.
Schoolchildren spread joy and sang carols at retirement home visit
Motcombe Primary School pupils visit Motcombe Grange, singing Christmas carols and spreading festive cheer to retirement home residents in Dorset.
Wealth management firm reaches major financial milestone
"It demonstrates the enduring relationships we have built with our clients and the dedication of our advisers to delivering the highest standards of care and expertise.
BCP and Dorset council leaders call for devolution deal
They argue that Wessex, already made up of unitary authorities, is well placed to deliver on national priorities and drive significant economic growth.
On-demand grocery delivery service arrives in Dorset
Southern Co-op launches rapid grocery delivery with Deliveroo in Dorset, covering Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth & more. Order essentials in 20 minutes.
Formula 1
5 Winners and 5 Losers from the 2025 season
As the dust settles on a stunning Formula 1 season, Lawrence Barretto looks back at the campaign and selects his overall winners and losers of 2025...
F1 CEO Domenicali reflects on 'phenomenal' 2025
After one of the most dramatic ends to a Formula 1 campaign, F1's President and CEO Stefano Domenicali reflects on the 2025 season and looks ahead to next year...
REVEALED: Your favourite race of the 2025 season
The votes are in, and your favourite race of the 2025 season has been revealed – the British Grand Prix!
Lindblad's car number confirmed for rookie season
Arvid Lindblad will compete under the number 41 in his debut season with Racing Bulls where he will partner Liam Lawson following his graduation from Formula 2, the FIA entry list has confirmed.
Formula 1’s record-breaking 2025 season in numbers
Formula 1’s 2025 season set new benchmarks as the sport's global fanbase continued to grow while becoming younger and more diverse.
Ferrari confirm launch date for 2026 campaign
Ferrari will launch their 2026 Formula 1 campaign on January 23, just three days before private pre-season testing begins at Barcelona.
Windows Central
Don't fall for this Surface Pro 11 'deal' — I found three ways to get a Surface Pro for less
Don't be misled by "record low" labels. We found the Surface Pro 11 for significantly less than the prices being touted as all-time lows elsewhere.
2026 will be a huge year for Obsidian fans, as Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2 all receive major updates
From Avowed’s Anniversary Update to Grounded 2’s evolving roadmap and The Outer Worlds 2 DLC, Obsidian has plenty planned for fans heading into 2026.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy launches Alpha Test — Owlcat Games celebrates by releasing a new gameplay trailer to give players a sneak preview of it
After being slightly delayed, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy's Alpha Test is now available for players who pre-ordered the Developer's Digital Pack or Collector's Edition, and Owlcat Games has released a new gameplay trailer to celebrate.
Surprise update breathes new life into Just Cause 3, proving the chaotic sandbox still has tricks up its sleeve
Ten years after release, Just Cause 3 has made a quiet but significant change on PC that could improve performance while disrupting parts of its modding scene.
How to play all Fallout games on handhelds like Xbox Ally X — the best settings to maximize performance and battery life
From Fallout 1 to Fallout 76, this guide breaks down the exact steps, fixes, and settings needed to get every Fallout game running smoothly on Windows handhelds.
Your Android phone can now lock your Windows 11 PC — but it still can't unlock your computer
Link to Windows now lets Android users lock their Windows 11 PC remotely, track recent activity, and share files both ways.
Gears of War: E-Day is The Coalition's "most ambitious game yet," says studio head — and the upcoming Xbox sequel will be the "best place to jump into the Gears universe"
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump says Gears of War: E-Day is the team's "most ambitious" game yet, and it's launching in 2026.
FFXIV Patch 7.4 added a glitched level 1 "nothing" antelope deer mob — naturally, it's being worshipped cult-style, and even the devs are in on it
Following the release of Patch 7.4 for FFXIV, players have encountered — and are now worshipping — bizarre "nothing" versions of level 1 antelope mobs that don't have names.
Larian CEO Swen Vincke responds to backlash against AI use while making its new RPG Divinity — "It would be irresponsible for us not to evaluate new technologies"
The CEO of Baldur's Gate 3 dev Larian has responded to blowback against the studio for using AI while making its new Divinity RPG.
Season 2 of the Fallout TV show is breaking records on Rotten Tomatoes — could it set more as new episodes release?
Following the recent premiere of Fallout Season 2, the show has broken Rotten Tomatoes records, and could set more soon, too.
Where's the Spotify-style Xbox Wrapped for 2025? It's not coming this year, but there might be a good reason.
Some of you have been asking if Xbox is doing its own "Wrapped" this year, akin to Spotify. The answer is no, but there is good stuff on the horizon.
"Imagine if Microsoft did this" — Fortnite has been blocked on iOS in Japan by Apple, leveraging new "junk fees"
Apple is once again arbitrarily blocking Fortnite with a wave of new "junk fees" in iOS, and Epic CEO Tim Sweeney raised a good point ... imagine the uproar if Microsoft tried to do this with Windows.
This RAM buying hack is still available for a limited time — Bundled deals drop DDR5 memory prices as low as $150 for 32GB
DDR5 RAM prices have reached a level where they're unaffordable for most sane buyers. There's still a small loophole that can help you pay last year's DDR5 prices, but it's closing fast. Here's what you need to know.
Don't bother with mobile cloud gaming controllers that feel like toys — an 'Xbox Edition' of the "truly magnificent" Backbone Pro is finally down to a reasonable price
Amazon is offering a 19% discount on the Xbox Edition of the Backbone Pro, giving Xbox fans who love gaming on the go with Xbox Cloud Gaming a chance to enjoy this premium mobile controller for a somewhat more affordable price.
There's no Microsoft Wrapped this year, but there is a recap — Microsoft left out all the bad news
Microsoft published a positive year-in-review for its Store, but it leaves out shutdowns, missing features, and criticism that shaped 2025.
A forgotten Halo game has been pulled from the Microsoft Store without warning, leaving fans confused and searching for answers
Microsoft has quietly removed a Halo game from its digital storefront, and the move has gone almost entirely unnoticed until now.
You can now play GTA Vice City directly in your web browser — no downloads, no installs, just instant nostalgia
DOS Zone has brought GTA Vice City to the browser, offering a surprisingly smooth demo that works across platforms without requiring a traditional download.
Microsoft AI chief warns frontier AI could demand "hundreds of billions" — but vows he'll stop if it ever threatens humanity
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman indicated that it will cost "hundreds of billions of dollars" to keep up with frontier AI development over the next 5-10 years.
RAM is getting too expensive to waste memory in Windows 11 — optimize your PC with my tips and keep it running smoothly
On Windows 11, you can reduce RAM usage by limiting startup apps, background services, browser load, and system overhead, and in this guide, I'll show you how.
Sam Altman admits OpenAI has declared 'code red' multiple times this year to combat rising competitive threats from Google — "It's good to be paranoid."
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently revealed that the company has declared "code red" multiple times as a response to competitive threats in the ever-evolving AI industry.
The first truly viable gaming earbuds are a perfect Christmas gift — great sound, beefy batteries, and compatibility for Xbox and PC
The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds, some of the best earbuds designed for Xbox and PC gaming, are now on sale at Amazon with a 26% discount for Christmas.
Stop giving $55 a month to Adobe — ChatGPT users can now use Photoshop, Express, and Acrobat for free in the AI bot
Photoshop inside ChatGPT lowers the barrier to image editing, making advanced effects and adjustments accessible without subscriptions, tutorials, or prior experience with Adobe software.
Laffgaff
What type of musical instrument was named after Laurens Hammond?
Organ.
Velcro Invention
Until they invented the other side of Velcro... It never really caught on.
Itsfoss
Red Hat Buys an AI Safety Company, Promises to Open Source Its Tech
The new addition brings custom AI security and safety tooling to Red Hat.
Decentralized YouTube Alternative PeerTube Adds Creator Mode
The open source YouTube alternative offers some welcome updates for content creators.
Docker Makes Enterprise-Grade Hardened Images Free for All Developers
Previously enterprise-only hardened images go open source under Apache License 2.0.
What Google Photos? Self-Hosting Photo Storage with PhotoPrism Using Docker in My Homelab
PhotoPrism offers one path toward that goal of data ownership. With PhotoPrism, your vacation photos don’t become training data for someone else’s business model. They remain what they actually are, your memories, under your control.