The News - Tuesday, 06 January 2026

BBC News

Venezuela swears in interim president after defiant Maduro pleads not guilty in US court

Delcy Rodríguez said she was pained by what she called the "kidnapping" of Maduro and his wife.

'I'm a prisoner of war' - In the room for Maduro's dramatic court hearing

During the 40-minute arraignment, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapon charges.

Manchester Arena families say MI5 must be fully included in new law on cover-ups

The law follows campaigning by families affected by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster that claimed 97 lives.

Electric car discounts are 'unsustainable' as sales climb, car group warns

The SMMT warned of a growing gap between consumer demand and the government's ambitions on EVs.

Our children waited too long for the same diagnosis as Jesy Nelson's twins

After Jesy Nelson's revelation that her twins have SMA, parents speak about their children's late diagnoses.

New NHS online hospital to focus on eyes, menopause and prostates

NHS Online due to launch in England next year will provide eye, prostate and menopause care.

West Midlands police to be questioned over Israeli football fan ban

BBC News has seen a letter from the Dutch police inspectorate, which appears to contradict claims made by West Midlands Police about Maccabi fans' previous behaviour.

Car giant Hyundai to use human-like robots in factories

The firm plans to deploy the technology at the same plant that was involved in a huge immigration raid in 2025.

Claire's and The Original Factory Shop to enter administration

The firms' owner said "alarming" low Christmas trading left both in a "vulnerable" position

Snow and ice hit UK road and rail travel with schools forced to shut

The Arctic blast is set to continue into Tuesday, and temperatures over lying snow could dip to -12C.

Nestle recalls some baby formula products over toxin fears

Nestle said it had received no reports of problems and was recalling the products "out of an abundance of caution".

Trump's actions raise thorny legal questions, in US and abroad

US Attorney General Pam Bondi has said Maduro was brought to the US to "face justice". Some experts have concerns.

Which countries could be in Trump's sights after Venezuela?

Trump has made numerous threats against other nations in Washington's orbit.

Watch: Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores's journey to court

The deposed Venezuelan president and his wife appeared in handcuffs as they were escorted by armed officers.

Cuba defiant as it braces for post-Maduro era

The prospects for Cuba - a close ally of Nicolás Maduro's Venezuela - are now bleak, writes the BBC's Will Grant.

Why are more gamers than ever playing the 2000s classic RuneScape?

Millions of people have returned to the iconic online game to farm, go on quests and fight big bosses.

The Papers: 'I'm a prisoner of war' says Maduro and 'that's Amorim'

The court appearance of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro leads most of Tuesday's papers, and the sacking of the Man United boss also features.

Why complaining in a restaurant is better than venting online

It is tempting to seethe silently and then vent online afterwards, but here is how to get what you want at the time.

The 'magical' blue flower changing farmers' fortunes in India

Indian farmers are turning to butterfly pea flower which is in demand for its bright blue colour.

Woman swept away with her daughter was a beautiful soul, says friend

A close friend pays tribute to Sarah and Grace Keeling, who were swept away at Withernsea.

Open prison faces review as two prisoners remain on the run

A manhunt was launched after three inmates failed to return to prison on New Years' Day.

Apprentice contestant accused of racist posts

Munaf is accused of misconduct after sharing a series of "offensive" posts over a two-year period.

Greenland and Denmark should decide territory's future, says Starmer after Trump threats

It comes after President Trump again said "we need Greenland from the standpoint of national security".

All 116 injured in Swiss ski resort fire identified

Forty people were killed when a fire swept through a busy bar in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve.

Ofcom asks X about reports its Grok AI makes sexualised images of children

Elon Musk's social media platform has warned users not to use Grok to generate illegal content.

Venezuelan security forces detain journalists from foreign news organisations

Venezuelans describe their fear of speaking out as 14 media workers are detained and police check people's social media.

The painful questions for Nato and the EU as Trump threatens Greenland

Were Trump to make good on his ambition to bring Greenland under US control, would it mark not just an existential threat to Nato but also a major crisis for the EU?

Elon Musk's X should deal with 'appalling' Grok AI deepfakes, government demands

Grok is being used to digitally remove women's clothing - something victims describe as "dehumanising".

Why I now hug the man who killed my son with a single punch

Joan Scourfield joins forces with Jacob Dunne to highlight the benefits of restorative justice.

Lego unveils tech-filled Smart Bricks - to play experts' dismay

Lego says its new tech-enabled products are its "most revolutionary innovation" since it launched its mini-figurines in 1978.

Police told wrong family teen had died in crash

South Yorkshire Police says it mixed up the identities of the teen with another male in the car.

Swiss ski bar not inspected for five years before deadly fire, mayor says

The New Year's Eve fire at a bar in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 116.

Actress Ashley Tisdale says she left her 'toxic mom group'

The High School Musical actress says she left the group of new mothers after being "brought to tears".

Zelensky replaces Ukraine's powerful security service chief

The Ukrainian president has come under heavy criticism for his reshuffling of one the country's most successful security agencies.

Man who tried to save mum and daughter from sea could get posthumous award

Mark Ratcliffe died trying to save Sarah Keeling and her daughter, Grace, at Withernsea, say police.

Trump claims US oil firms could be 'up and running' in Venezuela within 18 months

Trump is open about his ambitions for scaled-up US operations, but analysts say such plans would take time.

Trump supporters across US react to Venezuela operation

Trump supporters react after US forces seized Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro with some welcoming the move and others expressing caution about what it means going forward.

US action in Venezuela morally right, Badenoch says

The Conservative leader tells the BBC the military operation raises "serious questions about the rules-based order".

Why does US president want Greenland?

The US president's repeated demands to control Greenland could threaten the Nato military alliance.

Is AI taking the fun out of fantasy football?

Some fans of FPL and other leagues are turning to chatbots and apps to get a leg up over other players.

Iran anti-government protests spread to majority of provinces, videos show

Videos show that unrest has spread to more than 50 towns and cities, including pro-government heartlands.

How Geese took flight to become 'Gen Z's first great American band'

The New Yorkers, who are fourth in the BBC's Sound of 2026, say they're 'still processing' their rise.

I want to tell Jesy Nelson, there's hope, says mum of child with SMA

SMA is a progressive muscle-wasting disease that can cause death within two years if untreated.

Should I still walk my dog during cold weather?

Pets may need help to stay warm and safe when wintry conditions arrive.

How to drive in snow and icy weather

If you have to drive during wintry weather, here is how to prepare your car, and what to carry with you.

Drivers over 70 to face eye tests every three years

The move is part of the government's new road safety strategy, which plans to reform driving laws in Britain.

Bin strike reaches one-year mark with no end in sight

Unite says there will be no end to the strikes until there is a fair deal for the bin workers.

Woman detoxed alone in B&B after failing to access local treatment

Katrina McGibbon developed alcohol and drug problems in her 30s, but felt her recovery was impeded by the lack of a local, health-service run rehabilitation unit.

Scottish justice secretary found to have breached ministerial code

Angela Constance was given a written reprimand following a row over her comments about grooming gangs expert.

Macron hosts Ukraine and allies to try to cement security guarantees

The talks are held as Russia continues attacking Ukraine's energy sector and under the shadow of US threats to annex Greenland.

New NHS online hospital to focus on menopause and prostates

NHS Online due to launch in England next year will provide eye, prostate and menopause care.

Bournemouth Echo

Greek restaurant to serve olive oil shots to 'kickstart new year wellness'

The Real Greek is giving guests the chance to have a shot of olive oil on arrival, to show people the positives of a Mediterranean lifestyle.

'Major broadband upgrade' coming to Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch homes

Openreach has started work to bring Full Fibre broadband to more properties in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – giving residents and businesses access to some of the fastest, most reliable broadband anywhere in Europe.

14-year-old boy injured in hit and run days before Christmas

A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was injured in a hit and run days before Christmas – as his mother tries to hunt down the driver.

World's 'longest running drama' coming to Bournemouth later this year

The world's longest-running drama is coming to Bournemouth later this year.

Concerns raised over ‘lack of tree replacement’ in Bournemouth gardens

A GROUP focused on environmental issues has raised concerns over the number of trees being felled in Bournemouth’s gardens, saying there is a “lack of replacement”.

Man allegedly caught with tree saw at police station

A MAN was allegedly caught with a folding tree saw at Bournemouth Police Station, court documents show.

Families describe carers 'lovely, professional and reliable' following CQC inspection

Families have praised the care and dedication of staff at a Poole care service, describing them as “lovely, professional, reliable and kind” after being rated “good” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Traitors star urges people to sign up to Race for Life in Bournemouth and Poole

The Traitors star Leanne Quigley is urging people to kick start the New Year by signing up to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life events in Bournemouth and Poole.

Clothes shop to close due to 'economic pressures'

A clothes shop in Highcliffe has announced its closure amid "rising costs" and "economic pressure".

In The Dock: Man threatened Lidl staff and beat man in supermarket

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

Emergency presence at Bournemouth pier after incident

Emergency services responded to an incident at Bournemouth pier.

Opposition to plans to demolish partially-collapsed building

A DORSET parish council is challenging claims for the need to demolish a partially collapsed property at Cobbs Road, Colehill.

BCP issued further Met Office weather warning for ice and possible disruption

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have been issued with another ice weather warning by the Met Office for Wednesday, January 7

Driver left with serious head injuries after being 'punched in face and head'

A driver has received serious head injuries in an alleged road rage incident

'Dorchester gets everything and Weymouth is the poor relation'

This letter writer is concerned about lack of things to do in Weymouth and says 'the town is dying'

Library temporarily closed after ceiling collapse in Bournemouth

A LIBRARY in Bournemouth is temporary closed following partial ceiling collapse and residents are advised to visit alternative libraries.

Police urge caution on New Forest roads due to roaming livestock

DRIVERS are being urged to take extra care on roads across the New Forest due to winter conditions and the increased presence of livestock.

Bournemouth dance school 'really excited' after moving to their own studio space

A BOURNEMOUTH dance academy has moved to a new studio space and owners said they are “really excited” about next step for the academy.

Urgent plea as staff cope with winter illnesses and icy conditions

The NHS in the south west is urging people to play their part as staff work flat-out to meet high demand during the continuing cold weather.

Rural Dorset hit by wave of poaching incidents over festive period

RESIDENTS are requested to be on the look out for suspicious people in rural areas or vehicles on farmland after multiple reports of poaching incidents and rural crime in area.

'One in three' chance of snow this week across Dorset

There is a “one in three” chance Dorset will see snow by the end of the week, a meteorologist has said.

Youths seen tempting fate on frozen lake

YOUTHS were seen tempting fate on a frozen lake, prompting warnings to be issued of the dangers.

Dorset braces for more cold weather as warnings extended

A COLD snap has been extended for the rest of the week as Dorset braces for low temperatures.

Update after pair arrested for attempted murder released

A pair of people arrested after reportedly stabbing another man last week in Christchurch have been released without charge, police have said.

Council to end Council Tax discount for Mudeford beach huts

More than 300 beach hut owners in Mudeford will have council tax discount scrapped as part of BCPs plans to raise money to support essential services.

Car stuck in the sand at Southbourne

A CAR has got stuck on Southbourne beach.

Coastguard called to man in 'distressed state' after dog would not return ashore

The Coastguard was called to man who was in a "distressed state" after dog entered Parkstone Bay and remained in the water for around an hour and would not return ashore.

Train services reduced until Friday due to repairs

Trains are running at reduced speed due to repairs between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier

Plans to convert hotel into two four-bedroom houses unveiled

A hotel could be converted into two four-bedroom houses after falling victim to increasing competition from AirB&B properties

Dorset pub named among UK's best

The Anchor Inn in Seatown, Dorset, has been named among the UK's best rural pubs according to The Standard.

New weather warning issued for snow and ice for BCP

A new weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Section of Dorset beach closed due to ongoing landslip

A section of beach has been closed following a cliff fall.

Nominate your Environmental Champion in Community Champion of the Year awards!

All across our area there are people quietly rolling up their sleeves to protect and improve the environment – organising litter picks, planting and caring for green spaces, encouraging recycling, reducing waste or championing eco-friendly habits at a local...

Thousands discharged during Christmas week as doctors strike

The NHS safely discharged thousands of patients home to their families over the Christmas week despite five days of strike action by resident doctors.

Dorset bar announces closure "with immense sadness"

A Dorset bar has announced it will close next month after nine years, saying the decision has been made with “immense sadness”.

Bournemouth playwright 'overjoyed' to be awarded MBE

A Bournemouth playwright said he is “overjoyed” to have been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honour list.

Circus school working to make aerial arts accessible for all

Instructors learned how to safely use slings and harnesses, as well as how to adapt equipment and teaching methods for a wide range of access needs.

Dorset breaks sunshine record amid third hottest year on record

Dorset experienced its sunniest on record and third hottest ever last year, according to the Met Office.

Soft play event taking place just for adults

Calling all big kids!

Award-winning author launches new book exploring secrets behind Japan's longevity

An award-winning nutritionist and author has launched a new book revealing the everyday rituals behind Japan’s world-leading longevity and how they can be adopted in the UK.

Acclaimed saxophonist to perform at Poole venue

Acclaimed saxophonist Theo Travis will be fronting his band Double Talk at a Poole venue later this month.

Make new friends at chess club in Bournemouth

Play chess and make new friends in Southbourne every Tuesday.

New partnership announced for Bournemouth Writing Festival

Bournemouth writing festival have announced a new partnership with animal charity for their 2026 writing competition.

Couch to £1.5K: How to use AI to save money from your sofa this January

As the Christmas money hangover looms large, an expert shares how to put your feet up and make an extra £1.5k this January using AI technology

Nestle issues warning to parents over baby formula food poisoning fears

Nestle has apologised to its customers and stated that the issue originated from an ingredient supplied by a leading supplier

Formula 1

Zhou on why he has ‘high trust’ in Cadillac project

Zhou Guanyu tells F1.com about his excitement at becoming a reserve driver for the new Cadillac F1 team, how he feels he benefitted from his time at Ferrari and his hopes for the future.

Hadjar details what excites him most about racing for Red Bull

Isack Hadjar has shared an insight into what excites him most about his new chapter as a Red Bull driver, with the Frenchman citing racing alongside Max Verstappen as one of his highlights.

How F1 drivers recharge during the winter break

All the 2026 F1 driver numbers confirmed in full

With the 2026 Formula 1 season and another 24-round tour of the world just around the corner, all 22 driver numbers have been confirmed by F1’s governing body, the FIA.

MS Dynamics

Dynamics 365 sets the bar for agentic sales qualification on new benchmark

Announcing the Microsoft Sales Bench—a new collection of benchmarks designed to assess the performance of your AI-powered sales agents. Learn more.

The post Dynamics 365 sets the bar for agentic sales qualification on new benchmark appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Sales Qualification Agent: How we evaluated and improved AI quality with benchmarks

Sales Qualification Agent (SQA) is not a simple productivity tool—it is a complex multi-step agent directly influencing revenue outcomes. The Sales Qualification Bench represents a foundational step toward enterprise-grade trust, transparency, and continuous quality improvement for agentic AI in sales.

The post Sales Qualification Agent: How we evaluated and improved AI quality with benchmarks appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

The era of agentic business applications arrives at Convergence 2025

At Convergence 2025, December 9–12, we’ll explore how organizations can build an AI-first autonomous enterprise powered by data, copilots, and agents working together across Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Microsoft Cloud.

The post The era of agentic business applications arrives at Convergence 2025 appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Windows Central

HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts

HP just unveiled its EliteBoard G1a "Next Gen AI PC" at CES 2026, a Copilot+ PC cleverly disguised as a keyboard with upgradeable RAM and storage, and I'm obsessed.

From beastly NVIDIA RTX 50-Series desktop to entry-level gaming laptop — here's what Alienware revealed at CES 2026

Take a look at Alienware's upcoming line of gaming hardware for 2026. This includes new flagship desktop configuration options, new flagship gaming laptops, and even a new entry-level gaming laptop.

HP introduces a 4K NEO:LED monitor — a new display technology that brings IPS closer to OLED quality

During CES 2026, HP revealed its Series 7 Pro 4K Monitor refresh, which utilizes brand-new NEO:LED technology, Smart KVM, and Single Power On. Here are its key specs and features.

Did AMD just make the Ryzen 7 9800X3D obsolete? — A new CPU threatening its supremacy is on the way

AMD's CES 2026 is all about processors, with new desktop and mobile chips on the way. That includes a new Ryzen 7 9850X3D that is a lot like the existing 9800X3D.

HP's next-generation business laptop is so light, I thought I had been sent a dummy unit by accident

HP announced its next-gen EliteBook X 14 (G2) at CES 2026, and I've already spent some time with an early Intel version. This laptop could be something special.

ASUS and XREAL teamed up to create the world's first 240Hz AR glasses to take your gaming experience to the next level

ASUS and XREAL have announced the ROG XREAL R1 AR glasses, which aims to be the best wearable display for gaming across all your devices with 240Hz screens.

Is RGB a thing of the past? — ASUS's new ROG G1000 gaming desktop is lit up with colorful holograms

The new ROG G1000 gaming desktop from ASUS boasts some impressive performance specs, but the main attraction is its new AniMe Holo panels that put regular RGB lighting on the back burner.

HyperX just dropped a jaw-dropping 34-inch 360Hz curved QD-OLED monitor — and we're blown away by its incredible tech

At CES 2026, HP and HyperX revealed four new OMEN gaming monitors, with three using OLED technology. The most exciting of the bunch, though, is the ultrawide.

Value and casual PC gamers, Acer has revealed new gaming laptops designed specifically for you — great specs and a slim option, too

Acer says its Nitro V Series gaming laptops are designed for casual and value-conscious gamers. Here's everything you need to know about them.

HP does something utterly unique with its new laptops by letting you choose between Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors

HP revealed its new EliteBook X 14 family of laptops at CES 2026, and HP lets you choose from a wide range of options — including your choice of silicon.

Dell’s great undoing: XPS returns in 2026 after a year of missteps — and the all-new XPS 14 and XPS 16 might be the company’s smartest move yet

After admitting it “underperformed” and “didn’t listen,” Dell reintroduces XPS with thinner hardware, smarter power management, and a broader portfolio.

Microsoft’s latest ad proves even its own marketing team won't use Edge — it features Chrome

Microsoft's "Home of Gaming" ad accidentally highlights Google Chrome on the taskbar, proving even their own marketing can't stick to Microsoft Edge.

The world’s best-sounding Xbox headset just got a redesign with some major upgrades — and it’s already available

At CES 2026, Audeze announced (and released) the next-generation Maxwell wireless gaming headset, and I've been able to spend a little bit of time with it.

HP didn’t just announce a laptop — it refreshed the entire OmniBook lineup with new designs, OLED options, and next‑gen chips

At CES 2026, HP announced a complete refresh of its OmniBook consumer laptops with all-new Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm options — but one stands apart.

HP announces world's first NEO:LED All-In-One — it's obviously gorgeous looking, but here's why we love it

HP OmniStudio X 27 is the first All-In-One desktop PC to utilize the new NEO:LED display technology. This screen type, powerful processors, and helpful features make this the perfect device for creative workflows.

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X2 Plus could be the most important Windows chip of 2026, bringing Elite‑class power to affordable laptops

Qualcomm’s newest chip targets the mid‑range Windows segment with the same NPU found in the X2 Elite, offering a huge boost for Copilot+ PCs heading into 2026.

Xbox Game Pass for January 2026 is looking rather hot — with Resident Evil Village as the headline act

A lot of variety is about to drop for Xbox Game Pass in January 2026, but is it worth $30?

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined to release a free demo on Xbox this week — progress can even be carried into the full game with a bonus reward

Square Enix has announced that it will be releasing a free playable demo of the upcoming Dragon Quest VII Reimagined on consoles and PC that will carry over progress to the full game and grant players a bonus reward.

HyperX made a Hit Box-style leverless fight stick with native Xbox compatibility and TMR sensors — it's (obviously) drift-proof and customizable with 3D printers

The upcoming HyperX Clutch Tachi arcade controller features cutting-edge sensors and a detachable faceplate that can be replaced using 3D-printable blueprints.

8BitDo's new "Ultimate 3E" controller for Xbox has it all — TMR joysticks, Hall-Effect triggers, and you can try it at CES 2026

During CES 2026, 8BitDo revealed the 8BitDo Ultimate 3E, a new upcoming Xbox controller coming soon in 2026 with TMR joysticks, customizable buttons, and much more.

A hologram AI companion, a haptic gaming chair, “smart” headphones — Razer’s hardware at CES was a little different this year

I met with Razer at CES 2026 to get a sneak peek at all their hardware announcements, and there were a lot of surprises — from holograms to vibrating chairs.

This is the world's first 52-inch ultrawide curved 6K monitor — just as epic as it sounds, and not the only new Dell display

Dell has put every other ultimate professional monitor in its rearview mirror with its new UltraSharp 52 with 6K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

Dell Ultrasharp 52 review: a 52‑inch 6K, 120Hz productivity monster that redefines the single‑monitor workstation

A world‑first 6K ultrawide that replaces multi‑monitor setups with one seamless, glare‑free, eye‑friendly canvas.

The Microsoft Office app was rebranded to Microsoft 365 Copilot a year ago — why is the news trending now?

A year-old Microsoft 365 Copilot rebrand is suddenly trending as new posts spread outdated information, revealing growing frustration with Microsoft’s AI push.

This is the perfect Xbox headset for the horrifying sound design of Resident Evil Requiem — and it's almost half price

Amazon is hosting a 48% discount for the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox Gaming Headset. This is one of our most favorite Xbox headsets, and we're here to tell you why it's worth your time and money, especially now that it's on sale.

Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to Hisense Smart TVs in 2026 — for gamers who can't afford an Xbox console after the price hikes?

Microsoft has recently announced that it is partnering with Hisense to bring the Xbox app to select Hisense and V homeOS-powered Smart TVs in 2026, allowing players to stream Xbox titles directly from these devices via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

OpenAI’s CEO just admitted his new AI agents have a serious security problem — they could be a hacker’s best friend

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says AI agents can expose critical security flaws, raising urgent concerns for cybersecurity.

More "fake frames" are headed to NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs — DLSS 4.5 also updates Super Resolution with stunning effect

At CES 2026, NVIDIA took the wraps off of its new DLSS 4.5 update, featuring a second-gen Transformer Super Resolution model and a new 6x Multi Frame Generation tool. Here's what you need to know.

Laffgaff

What does the acronym LASER stand for?

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Security Fence

I'm never going to ask a software architect to design a security fence for me. The last one turned out to be highly scaleable.

Itsfoss

Installing GitHub Desktop on Ubuntu Linux (Because I Like it)

GitHub Desktop is not officially available for Linux. But there are alternative ways to install GitHub Desktop fork on Ubuntu.

An X11 Thing! Your Favorite Middle-Click Paste is Likely to be Disabled in Future GNOME Releases

Proposals for both GNOME and Firefox would disable the feature by default, but the final decision is still pending.