BBC News
Puppy farm ban promised by animal welfare strategy
The government says its animal welfare strategy will bring "the biggest reforms in a generation".
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
A memorial ends - but Bondi tragedy has left Australia reeling, again
The Bondi shooting, and a deadly stabbing attack just last year, have left scores physically scarred and traumatised.
University threatened with legal action after protest at academic's talk
Prof Alice Sullivan says her talk at the University of Bristol became like a "zombie apocalypse" during the protest.
In rebel-held Myanmar, civilians face devastating air strikes and a sham election
The BBC goes to a rebel-held part of Myanmar, ahead of a government-mandated election starting this month.
Starmer lacks coherent social mobility plan, top government adviser says
The chair of the Social Mobility Commission has called on the prime minister to set out a clearer strategy.
US and Ukraine call Miami talks productive despite no breakthrough
Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, issued a statement with the top Ukrainian negotiator after discussing the latest peace plans.
Fussy eaters and TV remote hogs: How to avoid family rows over Christmas
Expert tips to keep the festive spirit alive and avoid squabbles with relatives over Christmas.
At least 13 photos removed from justice department Epstein files website
The photos were among the thousands of documents made public on Friday. By Saturday they had disappeared with no explanation or notice.
Singing at school shouldn't just be for Christmas, teachers say
New data suggests singing is much more common in primary and private schools than in state secondaries.
US pursuing third oil tanker linked to Venezuela, official says
The move comes days after President Donald Trump said that he was ordering a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
Bake Off, Strictly or Amandaland? The TV highlights over Christmas
Stranger Things, Two Doors Down and The Celebrity Apprentice are among this year's highlights.
Divided between two states, the town at the heart of America's abortion debate
The only abortion clinic in town is fighting an eviction notice and other efforts to shut it down.
The Papers: 'No coherent plan for social mobility' and Strictly fix claim 'boshed'
Monday's papers include a warning from the government's social mobility commissioner that Sir Keir lacks a clear strategy to tackle entrenched inequalities.
Alex Iwobi says Afcon is a special football tournament
The Fulham midfielder will represent his birth country Nigeria in the competition featuring 24 nations.
Why Croatia's capital wants to hold Europe's best Christmas market
The festive events help to put cities on the map and attract millions of tourists.
Epidural kit shortage could last until March, regulator says
The shortage is due to a major supplier stopping manufacturing epidural bags, the government says.
Another 130 abducted schoolchildren released in Nigeria
Nigerian authorities confirm the remaining students kidnapped from a Catholic school last month have been freed.
Police watchdog may investigate force over Maccabi fan ban
The IOPC says it can exercise its investigatory power if warranted, after its director said she was willing to launch a probe.
Israel approves 19 new settlements in occupied West Bank
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the move was about blocking the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Labour MSP to quit Holyrood over links to sex offender
Pam Duncan-Glancy stood down as the party's education spokeswoman earlier this month after admitting a "serious error of judgement".
No evidence Reform broke electoral law, watchdog says
The Electoral Commission says it had not identified evidence of rule-breaking in Nigel Farage's campaign in Clacton.
King's Foundation chair and nominee peer admits 'misleading' doctorate claim
Dame Ann Limb tells the Sunday Times she did not complete a doctorate previously listed on her CV.
New Trump envoy says he will serve to make Greenland part of US
Denmark warns Washington to respect its sovereignty, while Greenland says it will decide its own future.
Canal boats swallowed by giant hole as major incident declared
Two boats have been left at the bottom of the cavity, where water has drained away.
Watch: Dramatic aerial footage shows scale of damage
Aerial footage appears to show the structural integrity of a stretch of waterway in Whitchurch has given way.
Stone Roses star Mani's coffin carried by Liam Gallagher as hundreds attend funeral
Mani's coffin was carried out of Manchester Cathedral by Liam Gallagher and his Stone Roses bandmates.
Two identical Banksy murals appear in London
Artist confirms mural near Notting Hill is his, after an idential one appeared in central London.
I bought two pairs of leggings - but accidental subscription meant they cost me £5,000
Clare Lane says she had "no idea" she signed up to a subscription when she bought the items online.
Drivers could be paying more for petrol and diesel than they should be, watchdog warns
The consumer watchdog says weak competition between retailers is keeping profit margins up.
Bondi gunmen 'meticulously' planned attack for months, police allege
Police release a tranche of documents allegedly tracing the suspects' movements prior to the deadly shooting.
British woman detained in Iran shares pain in poem
Lindsay Foreman is being held in Tehran's infamous Evin prison alongside her husband.
Jimmy Kimmel to say 'fascism has had a great year' in Channel 4 Christmas message
Channel 4 said Kimmel would deliver a "deeply personal and characteristically jovial address"
Zendaya and Tom Holland in surprise curry house stop
The famous couple turned up at the restaurant in Leicestershire while visiting the area to see a show.
'I like being woke': Lush's outspoken co-founder who puts activism at heart of business
Mark Constantine tells the BBC he enjoys being a woke nerd and discusses why he backs the High Street and family-run businesses.
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
Chris Rea: The car enthusiast whose love of driving inspired his songs
The rock and blues singer's love of cars and driving was the inspiration for many of his songs.
From Netflix hit to GCSEs - Adolescence star reflects on remarkable year
The teenager says he felt the drama, which sparked a national debate, was "more than a TV show".
Why do we stop singing when we reach secondary school?
New data suggests singing is much more common in primary and private schools than in state secondaries.
US lawmakers threaten legal action over unreleased Epstein files
A Republican and a Democrat who have led calls for transparency say the justice department failed to meet legal obligations.
Avatar: Fire and Ash tops US box office despite middling reviews
The film is the third in the sci-fi fantasy franchise from Hollywood director, James Cameron.
French presidential palace employee accused of stealing tableware worth up to €40k
Thomas M is accused of stealing solid silver and porcelain used for state banquets from France's presidential palace.
Gold price climbs to new record high
Investors are flocking to precious metals amid geopolitical tensions and expectations of more US interest rate cuts.
Russian general killed by car bomb in Moscow, officials say
Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov is the third military official to have been killed in bomb attacks in the Russian capital over the last year.
Bournemouth Echo
Football club marks major milestone of sesquicentennial anniversary
Bournemouth's oldest football has celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary this year.
Land next to Royal Bournemouth Hospital secured for expansion
A REMAINING Wessex fields land has been bought by University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) from BCP council, securing a major site next to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Wimborne gears up to be the next cultural capital of Dorset
Plans are underway to transform how residents and visitors experience arts, culture and community in Wimborne as it becomes Dorset’s "Town of Culture" in 2026.
Woman identified after 'hate-related damage' at church
A woman has been identified following an incident of hate related damage at a church in Bournemouth.
I tried a pub's Christmas pizza topped with stuffing, sprouts and trimmings
With Christmas just around the corner, I set out to find a festive dish with a difference and ended up discovering a yuletide pizza that completely surprised me
Motorists urged 'drive safe and made good decisions' after serious and fatal crashes
Dorset Police says the biggest killers on the roads in Dorset are known as the 'fatal five'. This includes drink and drug driving, excessive and inappropriate speed, not wearing a seatbelt, driver distractions such as using a mobile phone and dangerous or careless driving.
Pedalos and chalets scrapped from Weymouth Beach
IT'S the end of an era after it was announced that popular facilities will not be returning to Weymouth Beach. The Jones family, who operate the pedalos and some of the beach chalets (huts), has agreed with Weymouth Town Council to bring the current lease to an early end, following a request made to the council’s Finance and Governance Committee.
Next of kin appeal issued for man who died in Poole
A NEXT of kin appeal has been issued for a 78-year-old man from Poole.
Hunt for man after PlayStation stolen from Bournemouth home
Police are searching for a man after a PlayStation was stolen from a house in Queen's Park.
More than £100 of meat stolen from Aldi
AN IMAGE has been issued of a shoplifter who stole more than £100 worth of meat from Aldi.
Public could receive up to £5,000 for reporting hit and run drivers
The public are being offered up to five thousand pounds to report hit and run drivers after a horse was struck by a car in the New Forest.
Man assaults woman inside her own vehicle in pub car park
A WOMAN was assaulted by a man inside her vehicle in the car park of the Bakers Arms pub.
'Driving Home For Christmas' singer Chris Rea dies age 74
'Driving Home For Christmas' singer Chris Rea has died at the age of 74, a spokesperson for his family has told the BBC.
'Thank you for making Bournemouth better'
Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy a very happy 2026.
Leading expert in women's hormones bringing new tour to Bournemouth
One of the UK’s leading experts in women’s hormones is heading to Bournemouth as part of a new theatre tour.
Bournemouth company welcomes teen for two-year internship
A chartered surveyors in Bournemouth has welcomed 16-year-old Ralph Davis as he begins a two-year internship with the growing property consultancy.
Letter: Chief constable of Dorset Police reflects on 2025
As 2025 draws to a close I want to reflect on the past year and acknowledge both the challenges we have faced as well as the good work that our 3,525 officers, staff and volunteers have completed in order to keep our county safe.
Council awarded more than £9m to create additional SEND school places
BCP Council £9.18m to create additional SEND places
Met Office confirms 'chance' of snow in parts of the UK on Christmas Day 2025
The Met Office has confirmed there will be "a chance" of snow on Christmas Day 2025 in some parts of the UK - see where.
23 places where kids eat free or for £1 this Christmas school holidays
Whether you want to go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, deals are running across the school holidays, making the break that bit more affordable.
DWP Universal Credit and other benefit payment dates for Christmas 2025 and New Year
Benefit payments many change this month as the DWP has confirmed payment dates for people who receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit.
Christmas opening hours at UK supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Asda
These are the Christmas opening times at Asda, Tesco, Aldi, Morrisons, M&S, Lidl and Sainsbury's
Formula 1
Our writers on the best drivers and stories from 2025
As the dust settles on an eventful 2025 campaign, we asked our writers to give us their take on the season, from their best drivers and favourite stories to who needs to improve in 2026.
WATCH: F1 Animated returns for a look back at 2025
Animator Nick Murray Willis returns with a fresh and comical instalment of F1 Animated, bringing to life some of the most unforgettable team radio exchanges and commentary highlights from the 2025 season.
Alpine’s best and worst moments from 2025
Verstappen reflects on Mercedes talks and F1 future
Max Verstappen has given an insight into the talks that were held earlier in the year over a potential Mercedes switch, with the Dutchman also reflecting on the factors that would matter to him if he were to consider a move away from Red Bull in the future.
Windows Central
Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Amazon aren’t just losing momentum — they’re losing the fans who once championed them
Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Amazon enter 2026 with fading hype and shrinking fanbases as frustration replaces enthusiasm.
I’ve played 150 Hours of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in its first month — here's why it's not the game social media says it is
A month on from launch and a significant amount of hours played, how has Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 been? You shouldn't read everything you see on social media.
Sam Altman is 0% excited about being CEO of a public company — but "OpenAI needs lots of capital and is going to cross all of the shareholder limits"
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently indicated that he isn't excited about becoming CEO of a public company amid reports suggesting that the company.
These top-grade portable monitors for laptops will save you tons of hassle while working abroad — they're at their biggest discounts yet for Christmas
Amazon is offering several exclusive discounts for various models of the JSAUX FlipGo Portable dual-screen monitor, giving dedicated laptop users a chance to add more digital real estate space for their workplace apps and internet browser tabs for less.
The Indie Game Awards disqualifies Expedition 33 for AI usage and puts itself in a weird position — was it a fair move or an ambiguous definition of what is acceptable?
Clair Obscur’s disqualification raises uncomfortable questions about transparency, economic pressure, and whether zero-tolerance AI rules can realistically scale.
Battlefield 6 promised no generative AI, but players found it in paid cosmetics anyway — nonsensical weapon designs and strange descriptions surface in the latest update
Players are questioning Battlefield 6 cosmetics after odd visuals and descriptions appear in a paid bundle, conflicting with earlier statements from DICE leadership.
A direct sequel to Halo Infinite is here, but it isn't a new game — new story beats unfold in a medium you probably wouldn't expect
From ODST to Halo Infinite, the series has repeatedly pushed major story moments outside the games, leaving many players behind in the process.
Laffgaff
Vin Diesel voiced which character in the film Guardians of the Galaxy?
Groot.
Dinosaur Meat
What do you call dinosaur meat wrapped in bacon? Jurassic Pork.
Itsfoss
Away from Cloud: This Local, Offline Tool is Perfect for Personal Project Management on Linux Desktop
We have all been there. You start the week with a massive to-do list, only to feel overwhelmed by Tuesday afternoon. While heavy-duty project management tools exist, sometimes you just need a digital version of "sticky notes on a wall".
13 Awesome Games Linux Users Can Grab in Steam Winter Sale 🎮 (Ends 5 January)
End 2025 on a winning note by grabbing some fun games for your Linux gaming rig!