The News - Saturday, 27 December 2025

BBC News

Her husband's kidnapping became Malaysia's biggest mystery. Then came a stunning confession

Nine years after her husband disappeared, Susanna Liew had a stunning legal win in one of Malaysia's biggest mysteries.

Family of man missing at sea pay tribute

The family of Matthew Upham have named him as one of the swimmers who went missing on Christmas Day.

UK to offer military 'gap year' to boost recruitment

The paid 12-month course is aimed at under-25s, with plans for the scheme to grow to 1,000 young people a year.

Beyoncé, Labubu and Sydney Sweeney's jeans: 15 viral moments that defined 2025

Dubai chocolate, Adolescence and the parodied Jet2 advert were some of the other most talked about moments.

Quiz of the Year 2025, Part 3: What Instagram caption did Taylor Swift use to announce her engagement?

Test your memory of 2025 in the third part of our quiz. What happened from July to September?

British-Egyptian activist arrives in UK after travel ban lifted

For Alaa Abdel Fattah and his family this is a new beginning after years of separation and suffering.

Two words to avoid when making your New Year's resolution

Habit stacking and the language to avoid - five ways to make realistic resolutions you stick to this year.

Is texting behind the wheel of a self-driving Tesla crazy?

Elon Musk says Tesla's automated software will allow its passengers to text in certain conditions.

Don't rule out EU customs union, TUC boss tells Starmer

Trade unionist Paul Nowak says he wants to see the "closest possible" economic relationship with the EU.

'We will vote but not with our hearts': Inside the election staged by Myanmar's military rulers

This is the first election since the army's coup in early 2021 - and it is being widely condemned as a sham.

Five of Queen Elizabeth II's most iconic outfits - from new royal exhibit

From fashion diplomacy in the US to a transparent raincoat, the late Queen's style was a powerful formula.

From a dino superhighway to origins of fire-making: The incredible discoveries in 2025

From ancient footprints to planet parades, 2025 science amazed us with discoveries on Earth and beyond.

Both of these influencers are successful - but only one is human

Some say AI is ruining social media, but others see its potential to democratise who gains fame online.

The Papers: 'Royal trips to woo Trump' and 'Gap year soldiers'

Apparent plans for a royal visit to the US in the new year and a new Army recruitment scheme lead Saturday's papers.

One general, one mathematician: The men competing for power in two African elections

The leaders of Guinea and the Central African Republic aim to consolidate power after Sunday's polls.

Three people unaccounted for after house fire

One person escaped the fire but three others, who were thought to have been in the house, are missing.

Boxing Day shopping falls flat once again

Although shoppers are still bargain-hunting, fewer people headed to the high streets and shopping centres compared with last year.

The Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

The band says the musician died "after a short illness at home over Christmas".

Thousands of US flights disrupted as winter storm looms

Up to nine inches (23cm) of snow was expected across the New York region during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

Blast at Syrian mosque during Friday prayers leaves at least eight dead

The explosion in Homs targeted a predominantly Alawite area, a sect that has faced crackdowns and violence since the fall of former-President Bashar al-Assad.

Treasury to cover Bayeux Tapestry for estimated £800m

The huge embroidery will be covered under the government's indemnity scheme when it travels to the UK.

Gordon Ramsay's daughter Holly weds Olympian Adam Peaty

The celebrity chef says he "couldn't be a prouder dad" as his 25-year-old daughter ties the knot at Bath Abbey.

Both these influencers are successful - but only one is human

Some say AI is ruining social media, but others see its potential to democratise who gains fame online.

Viral moments that defined 2025 - from Celebrity Traitors to Dubai chocolate

Adolescence and the parodied Jet2 advert were some of the other most talked about moments.

Quiz of the year, part 3: How did Taylor Swift announce her engagement on Insta?

Test your memory on what happened in the news from July to September.

Two words to avoid when making your New Year's resolution

Habit stacking and the language to avoid - five ways to make realistic resolutions you stick to this year.

Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire begins after weeks of deadly clashes

Almost one million people were displaced when hostilities resumed earlier this month after the first truce broke.

Don't rule out EU customs union, TUC boss tells Starmer

Trade unionist Paul Nowak says he wants to see the "closest possible" economic relationship with the EU.

Family cremates wrong body after hospital mistake

The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow has apologised and launched an investigation.

New York blanketed in snowfall, sparking travel chaos

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and more than 3,000 were delayed by the winter storm.

Three still missing after Boxing Day house fire

Police said officers are expected to remain in the area for several days.

'We will vote but not with our hearts': Inside the election staged by Myanmar's military rulers

This is the first election since the army's coup in early 2021 - and it is being widely condemned as a sham.

Nine arrested in Italy for allegedly raising millions for Hamas

Police say the suspects raised around €7m (£6m) for the militant group over more than two years.

Four hikers found dead after avalanche in central Greece

A search operation was launched after three men and a woman went missing on Christmas Day.

KFC franchisee given £70k fine over 'slave' comment

Madhesh Ravichandran, from Tamil Nadu, was discriminated against because of his race, a tribunal hears.

Two dead in 50-vehicle pile up on Japan highway

A further 26 people are injured in the crash on a highway in central Japan, police say.

I was homeless but ice skating changed my life

Charlie one day hopes to represent Great Britain at the Olympics.

Two identical Banksy murals appear in London

Artist confirms mural near Notting Hill is his, after an identical one appeared in central London.

Does religion have a role to play in sport?

Athletes and footballers tell us if talking about their faith impacts how they are treated in sport.

Bournemouth Echo

Late-night vehicle fire believed to be deliberate

An investigation has been launched following a late-night vehicle fire that is believed to be deliberate.

Doctor told to pay parking fine despite 'saving woman's life'

A doctor has been told he must pay a parking fine despite mitigating circumstances that saw him help ‘save a woman’s life’ in the town centre

LIVE: Long delays seen across BCP after holiday period

Drivers across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are facing delays this afternoon following the holiday period, with congestion reported on several key routes.

All the singers, comedians and shows to see at the BIC in 2026

A huge number of stand-up comedy acts and musicians will be coming to the Bournemouth International Centre in 2026

Most popular New Forest walks revealed for 2025

The top ten New Forest walks for 2025 have been revealed.

WATCH: Man admits driving was ‘horrific’ as police arrest him after chase

A dangerous driver who led police on a 45-minute chase from Salisbury said, ‘yeah, but I didn’t though, did I?’ when officers asked how many he could have killed

Wanted man arrested after Boxing Day foot patrols in Bournemouth

A WANTED man has been arrested after neighbourhood policing officers carried out foot patrols in Bournemouth in the early hours following Boxing Day.

Rescue centre ‘full’ this Christmas after ‘epidemic of abandonment and neglect’

An RSPCA rescue centre near Ringwood is “full” with animals that need a home following a “challenging year with an epidemic of animal abandonment and neglect”

New trainer appointed as Racing Club relocates horses to Danebury Stables

The micro-share racehorse syndicate confirmed the appointment of newly licensed trainer Charlie Pike and the relocation of its horses to the historic Hampshire-based yard.

Shoppers call for M&S, TK Maxx and Waterstones at Poole shopping centre

Shoppers are being asked for their ideas to help shape the future of The Dolphin in Poole.

Resident says flooding has left subway "dangerous"

A Bournemouth resident has raised safety concerns over persistent flooding on Dean Park Road, saying the area becomes “dangerous” after heavy rain.

In The Dock: Man caught with meat cleaver at Wetherspoon banned from pub

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

'My priorities for creating a better Bournemouth - rooted in what matters to you'

This week marks the end of my first full year as your MP for Bournemouth West, and I wanted to take a moment to look back on a busy 12 months - and forward to what we hope to achieve in 2026.

'The feedback from locals has been incredible': £15m invested into pubs

Hall & Woodhouse has invested more than £15m into it's properties over 2025, including The Quay in Poole.

New Forest volunteer fair set to return next year

NEW FOREST volunteer fair is set to return to Brockenhurst Village Hall next month, offering people the chance to explore a wide range of volunteering opportunities across the National Park.

TV presenter ‘shaking up world of property’ with interactive prize draw

A TV presenter is aiming to ‘shake up the world of property’ with an interactive prize draw to win a renovated home.

Royal Mint's 10 rarest and most valuable 50p coins in circulation today

The Royal Mint has released a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made and how many were minted

When do you need to take your Christmas decorations down to avoid bad luck?

Here is when you should put up and take down your Christmas decorations to avoid bad luck, according to tradition.

Calling all Corrie superfans - try this ultimate quiz to test your soap knowledge

See if you are a true Coronation Street superfan by taking this ITV soap quiz - what score you can get as you test your Weatherfield knowledge?

DVSA reveals the top 10 reasons drivers fail their driving test

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed the top ten reasons learner drivers fail their driving tests.

Formula 1

Mekies on ‘very difficult’ decision to demote Tsunoda

Laurent Mekies has opened up on the “very difficult” decision to demote Yuki Tsunoda, with the Red Bull Team Principal voicing his confidence that the Japanese driver could return to the grid in the future.

Williams’ best and worst moments from 2025

The 2025 season was a good one for Williams, with the Grove-based outfit scoring two podiums courtesy of Carlos Sainz in the second half which helped them to solidify fifth place in the Teams’ Championship. Can they build on that further in 2026? Here is Williams’ end of year report…

Best radio and more – F1's 2025 alternative awards

With 2025 almost at an end, it's time to look back on some of the weird and wonderful moments of the year with our alternative awards.

Windows Central

I've been dual-booting Windows 11 and Linux in total harmony throughout 2025 — Microsoft is in no danger of a mass exodus (unless it fumbles AI in Windows 12)

Is Microsoft's AI push driving users away? Linux can handle gaming and daily work, but the deep-rooted familiarity of Windows still prevents any permanent switch.

I tried setting up my first-ever NAS, and this budget UGREEN model did everything I needed with my old HDDs — now I'm falling down a home media server rabbit hole

UGREEN's NASync DH2300 proved to be a perfect entry point for me, a complete NAS novice, to set up a home media server and breathe new life into old HDDs.

HyperSpace Trackpad Pro review: We finally got a Magic Trackpad for Windows — and it’s more than just a clone

The HyperSpace Trackpad Pro brings haptic feedback, per-app profiles, and gestures to Windows, but it has a learning curve.

Laffgaff

Peter Falk starred as which detective in a hit 1970s TV show?

Columbo.

Which is the heaviest naturally occurring noble gas?

Radon.

Undertaker

What do you call an undertaker who always counts his bodies? A mathemortician.