The News - Thursday, 08 January 2026

BBC News

US immigration agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis

Trump says the woman was attempting to run over ICE agents. Local leaders disagree.

Watch: Police chief describes how Minneapolis shooting unfolded

A woman in a car was shot and killed by a US immigration officer on a residential street in Minnesota.

Storm Goretti heads to UK bringing more snow, ice and wind

Fresh snow and wind warnings come into place as Storm Goretti arrives on Thursday.

Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful computer

Faisal Islam gets rare access to Willow - Google's quantum computer.

UK armed forces helped US seizure of tanker, says MoD

Venezuelan-linked Marinera was stopped by the US Coast Guard as it travelled through waters between Iceland and Scotland.

Tracking the oil tankers seized by the US

The US has announced the seizure of two oil tankers: the Marinera formerly known as the Bella 1 in the North Atlantic and the Sophia in international waters near the Caribbean.

People who come off slimming jabs regain weight four times faster than dieters

Overweight people shed large amounts on jabs but gain 0.8 kg a month on average once off them, study shows.

Two rapists among Met officers not properly vetted

David Carrick and Cliff Mitchell were among 131 Met staff who were not vetted properly, a report finds.

GCSE results in England will be available online this summer

Year 11 students will have a digital record of their results on an app for future use.

Unions accuse McDonald's of 'repeated harassment' against 'mostly teenage' staff

It follows a BBC investigation three years ago which exposed a toxic culture at the fast-food chain.

'Secret traitor' revealed in dramatic uncloaking on The Traitors

The red-cloaked secret traitor had been controlling certain aspects of the game as part of a new twist.

We were fired, and we're owning it – here's how to find a new job that works for you

January is a natural time to reflect on your career. If you're looking for a new job, here are four ways to help.

'Splash & grab' and 'UK ready to seize more of Putin's ships'

The US seizure of a Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic aided by the UK dominates Thursday's headlines.

'We are not for sale': Greenlanders express fear and indignation as Trump eyes territory

Greenlanders tell the BBC they have no interest in becoming American as the White House restates its desire for annexation.

I would have been selfish not to share twins' muscle disease diagnosis, Jesy Nelson says

The former Little Mix star recently revealed her twin baby daughters have been diagnosed with SMA.

Violent clashes reported as Iran protests spread to more areas

Semi-official Iranian media say two police were killed in a western town, as videos show security forces firing guns and tear gas at crowds elsewhere.

Russian attacks leave two regions with widespread blackouts, Ukraine says

The southeastern regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia were almost entirely without power, officials said.

Family whose son died in crash but were told he survived say ordeal 'unimaginable'

Joshua Johnson's family were mistakenly told their son who died in a car crash had survived.

Man, 18, first person charged under new Channel crossing law

Aman Naseri, 18, denies endangering 46 people during a boat crossing to the UK on 5 January.

Trump calls for US military spending to rise more than 50% to $1.5tn

The president also called on defence firms to increase production or face a crackdown on payouts.

Labour's workers' rights concessions to save businesses billions, assessment shows

The government will phase in the reforms over several years, with many measures subject to consultation.

Who was Renee Nicole Good, the woman killed by ICE?

A mother of three and award-winning poet, Good's sudden death sparks protests across the US.

Eyewitness video shows how deadly shooting unfolded, second by second

BBC Verify breaks down how the shooting which killed a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis unfolded.

Abandoned baby Elsa to be adopted and regularly see two siblings

Police say all enquiries to find the parents of the abandoned babies have now been "exhausted".

Weight loss jabs affecting Greggs, boss says

The Greggs boss says there is "no doubt" weight loss jabs have led it to having a healthier menu.

Fourteen clifftop homes face 'imminent' collapse

People are told their homes should not be occupied due to a risk of cliff falls caused by storms.

Business rate rises for pubs to be watered down after pressure from landlords

The hospitality industry had called for a rethink of planned changes to the way the tax based on property is calculated.

Vance criticises Denmark and Europe's handling of 'critical' Greenland

European allies of Denmark have rejected Trump's ideas to annex the semi-autonomous territory.

Nasa considers whether to bring sick crew member back to Earth

Nasa is assessing what to do next following a medical issue on board the International Space Station.

We were fired, and we're owning it – here's how to find a new job that works for you

January is a natural time to reflect on your career. If you're looking for a new job, here are four ways to help.

Watch: Eyewitnesses recount deadly ICE shooting

Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in the Central neighbourhood of Minneapolis.

In pictures: Protests held in US cities

Renee Nicole Good was shot dead by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

I stopped paying for food and heating to spend it gambling - my period made it worse

Researchers are looking to see if there is a link between hormonal fluctuations and gambling addiction.

Andrew was paid millions for mansion by oligarch linked to bribery scheme

Firm which part-funded Sunninghill Park purchase received "allegedly corrupt" payments, court documents say.

Bedroom to the battlefield: How the UK military is embracing gamers and coders

The British Armed Forces has asked gamers and coders to consider signing up, but can it convince them?

'We are not for sale': Greenlanders express fear and indignation as Trump eyes territory

Greenlanders tell the BBC they have no interest in becoming American as the White House restates its desire for annexation.

Why Trump chose Rodríguez over opposition leader Machado to lead Venezuela

What is it about Delcy Rodríguez that caught the eye of the Trump administration?

From trauma to triumph: Jim Legxacy is transforming UK rap

The south London rapper and producer's latest release has been called "a landmark moment for UK music".

Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 'devastated' by death of young son

The Half of a Yellow Sun and We Should All Be Feminists writer's twin boys were born in 2024.

Government accused of dragging its heels on deepfake law over Grok AI

The End Violence Against Women Coalition said it had been a year since the inital law was suggested

Catherine joins William for London hospital visit

The visit to Charing Cross Hospital is the couple's first public engagement of 2026.

Mistaken identity police did not do forensic tests on teens after crash

A boy wrongly thought to have died was misidentified based on a description and college ID card.

US involvement in Venezuela could last years, Trump says

The US president says only time would tell how long his administration will be involved in the running of the country.

Bournemouth Echo

The best and worst secondary schools in Dorset for 2025 revealed

The Department for Education (DfE) has released its annual secondary school performance tables for 2024/25 for Dorset

Eight edged weapons seized as 14 arrested during patrols in December

Officers from Dorset Police made more than a dozen arrests last month as part of its "Stay Safe Season" initiative.

Artist hoping to 'uplift' people with vibrant and colourful sculptures

A Poole-based sculpture artists is hoping her work will “uplift” people and allow them to feel “energised”.

Children's hospice CEO raises more than £130k from challenges

The CEO of Julia's House has completed twenty challenges for his twentieth year, raising more than £130k.

Older people in fuel poverty driven to distress by fears of energy debt

OLDER people living in fuel poverty in Dorset are so stressed and anxious about being in debt to energy companies they are left facing an emotional crisis, says an advice expert.

School turns 125 years old and invites alumni, friends and the local community

Bournemouth School will celebrate 125 years of academic excellence later this month.

Poole theatre awarded £18k to help path to net zero

Lighthouse Poole has been awarded an £18,000 grant from the Theatres Trust.

Energy provider announces 'weather warning' for BCP ahead of Storm Goretti

An energy provider has announced a "weather warning" across central southern England ahead of Storm Goretti.

Museum asks people to donate unwanted presents

A Dorset museum is asking for your unwanted Christmas presents.

Retail shop in Poole at risk of closure

A jewellery and accessories retailer in Poole is at risk of closure.

Mum of teen killed by new driver says proposed driving laws 'don't go far enough'

The heartbroken mum of a teen killed by a newly-qualified driver in a horror crash says the proposed changes to driving laws "don't go far enough".

"Unbelievable eyesore" Disbelief as hot tub dumped on main road

A community has been left in disbelief after a hot tub filled with rubbish was dumped on the side of a main road

MPs welcome family farm tax u-turn but 'more must be done' to support farmers

MPs from Dorset have welcomed the u-turn on family farm tax but insist 'more must be done' to support farmers

New cafe and farm shop set to open

GILLINGHAM will see a series of developments following Dorset Council’s latest planning decisions.

Man found dead by the side of the road

An inquest has opened into the death of a New Forest man who was found dead by the side of the road.

Brothers who left teenage girl with life-changing injuries walk free from court

TWO brothers left a teenage girl with life-changing injuries after speeding caused them to crash in Sandbanks.

Thug stabbed man nine times in random town centre attack

A THUG who stabbed a man nine times in a random town centre attack has been jailed.

LIVE: Storm Goretti set to hit BCP with strong winds

Storm Goretti is set to hit Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with strong winds. Updates to follow.

Police manhunt as inmate serving 23-year attempted murder sentence flees prison

A MANHUNT has been launched by police after an inmate serving a lengthy sentence for attempted murder fled from a Warrington prison.

Farage says Hampshire Reform candidate should apologise over Lammy comment

Nigel Farage said the Reform candidate who suggested David Lammy should “go home” to the Caribbean “should apologise”.

6 gorgeous pets at RSPCA Dorset who would love to find forever homes

A number of pets at Dorset RSPCA branches in Ashley Heath and Dorchester are looking to find loving new homes.

100 council staff on hand to deal with storm chaos

One hundred members of council staff will be on hand to deal storm chaos tonight

West End dramas coming to Poole with 'stellar' casts

West End dramas, including The Shawshank Redemption and The Woman In Black, are coming to Poole in 2026.

Flood alerts issued as 'surge' set to hit Dorset coastline areas

Flood alerts have been issued for coastal areas of Dorset as a 'surge' is expected.

Dorset branch of The Original Factory Shop confirms closure

A Dorset branch of The Original Factory Shop has confirmed it is closing as the chain enters administration.

Man arrested for theft after targeting Ringwood store

A man from Bournemouth has been arrested for theft following an incident at a store in Ringwood.

Bournemouth sex shop granted licence renewal

A Bournemouth sex shop has been granted a renewal to its licence.

Retrospective plans for a cottage in Poole refused

A retrospective application to a build a two-bedroom cottage has been refused due to the site being too cramped and it being out of character for the area.

Bournemouth lap dancing club granted licence

A Bournemouth lap dance club has been granted a licence to continue operating as a sexual entertainment venue and to transfer the ownership to Hampshire Restaurant Ltd.

Fire services investigate blaze that left boat with 'significant damage'

A fire that caused 'significant damage' to a boat in Poole is believed to have been started accidentally.

Arrest made as drugs seized in Boscombe gardens

Multiple stop and searches by police uncovered a quantity of class A and B drugs near Boscombe Chine Gardens.

Closures of cliff extended due to 'ongoing vandalism' of safety measures

The closures of a cliff path have been extended due to 'ongoing vandalism' involving the safety measures in Barton on Sea.

NHS warn 'the worst is far from over' following rise in winter virus cases

The NHS warns that 'the worst is far from over' as doctors see a rise in winter viruses.

Country park to close indoor areas for maintenance work

Moors Valley Country Park will be closing multiple indoor areas as the site undergoes annual maintenance work.

Wagamama wants to open a restaurant at Tower Park

Wagamama has submitted an application for a new premises in Tower Park, Poole, to BCP Council.

Clarkson's Farm star to feature at new Dorset tractor fest

A new breed of country show is coming to North Dorset this summer.

Letter: 'Keyhole Bridge should stay closed to traffic'

I use Keyhole Bridge regularly on my walk to Sandbanks from Poole.

In The Dock: Drunk driver failed to stop after accident

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

Weekend of rail disruption to affect passengers next month

A weekend of rail disruption will affect passengers next month.

House buyers invited to events at Dorset developments

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is hosting a series of exclusive events at its developments in select locations across the south this new year.

Dorset charity to hold online meeting to help people with disabilities

Diverse Abilities hosts an online Q&A on deputyship for families of disabled children, with South West Wills and Probate, Jan 15. Register by email.

NHS outlines plan to eliminate cervical cancer in the south west

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and the NHS in the South West is sharing how people can help eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

South Western Railway offering cheap tickets to London

South Western Railway (SWR) is joining train operators throughout England and Wales to make taking trips easier and cheaper.

Hospice praised for delivering 'exceptional' care to patients

Patients commented about the staff treating them with kindness and dignity and providing effective care and treatment.

The 10-minute task that decluttered my house and made me money in the process

As my walls groan with the weight of Christmas books I have to accept that in order to buy more, I probably needed to let some go.

Millions of taxpayers facing £100 HMRC fine ahead of key deadline this month

According to recent HMRC estimates, there are still around 5 million taxpayers still to file their Self Assessment return, due in later this month

'Hundreds of thousands' of older people missing out on £4,300 State Pension boost

Former pensions' minister Steve Webb is urging older people on lower incomes to claim Pension Credit, and encouraging friends and relatives to help them

Lidl apologises to shoppers as recall and 'do not eat' warning issued

A Lidl spokesman added: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.”

Government

Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill

A Bill to Make provision to remove the two child limit on the child element of universal credit.

Student Finance (Review of Payment Schedules) Bill

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to review the scheduling of student finance payments to undergraduates; to require the review to consider advance provision of certain student finance payments in certain circumstances; and for connected purposes.

Deprivation of Citizenship (Promotion of Terrorism or Violence) Bill

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to deprive a person of citizenship if they have been convicted of an offence relating to national security in the United Kingdom or abroad and have subsequently promoted terrorism or violence in public; and for connected purposes.

Formula 1

Hamilton’s best helmets through the years

The legendary Lewis Hamilton turns 41 today, so we decided to take a look at some of the seven-time World Champion’s best helmets during his 19 seasons in F1.

10 questions on McLaren World Champions

In 2025 Lando Norris became the latest driver to win the World Championship with McLaren. To celebrate his victory, we’ve knocked up a quick-fire quiz all about the racers who claimed the crown with the Woking team.

F1 Arcade announces opening date for new Atlanta venue

F1 Arcade, the world’s first official Formula 1 experiential hospitality brand, will officially open its Atlanta location on Friday, February 6, 2026, at The Interlock in West Midtown.

Norris ‘would love’ to battle with Hamilton in 2026

Lando Norris would welcome the prospect of having more battles with Lewis Hamilton in 2026, with the McLaren driver backing the seven-time World Champion to bounce back following a tough year.

Where are all of Red Bull’s F1 graduates now?

Arvid Lindblad will become the next driver to take to the grid for a Red Bull-owned team in F1, with the Briton stepping up from F2 to Racing Bulls for the 2026 season. But what about those who went before him – and where have they all ended up?

Windows Central

The Elder Scrolls Online is finally getting cross-play for Xbox, PC, and PlayStation — but don’t expect it to arrive soon

ZeniMax Online Studios is hard at work on cross-play for The Elder Scrolls Online, but it won't be coming soon.

EXCLUSIVE: Fallout 3 is getting a remaster after all, and New Vegas is, too — but that's not what the TV show's countdown timer is for

Inside sources have confirmed that remasters for Fallout 3 and New Vegas are on the way, though few details about them are known right now.

Lenovo's engineers said they couldn't make ThinkPad X1 lighter, so they went all in on repairability

At CES 2026, Lenovo unveiled the latest ThinkPad X1 Carbon and ThinkPad X1 2-in-1, debuting Lenovo's new "Space Frame" design for maximum repairability.

"There is a delusion on our marketing side where literally everything has been renamed to have Copilot": Microsoft didn’t rebrand Office as Microsoft 365 Copilot — but its branding strategy remains just as confusing

Microsoft has clarified that it didn't rebrand Office to Microsoft 365 Copilot, dismissing recent reports.

Ubisoft just killed its Halifax studio right after it unionized, but says the shutdown was decided "well before" — over 70 developers have been affected

Weeks after it formed a union, Ubisoft's Halifax studio has been shut down by the publisher as it moves to "streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs."

A $2,500 MacBook needs this $139 accessory to support touch — catching up with Windows 8 in 2013

MacBook users are resorting to a $139 snap-on digitizer to get touch support—a "new" feature Windows laptops standardized over a decade ago.

There's a new Xbox and PC gaming showcase in town that puts games first, while saying no to paid placements — here's where, when, and how to watch it

On January 8, 2026, the world will witness the debut of the New Game Plus Showcase, a new annual gaming livestream event that promises to showcase 45 indie and AAA video games.

The Fallout crossover in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 looks so good it's going to make me break my rule on buying cosmetics this year

The Fallout crossover in Call of Duty is happening real soon and we've finally got our first proper look at it. Okey dokey!

Dell says the quiet part out loud: Consumers don't actually care about AI PCs — "AI probably confuses them more than it helps them"

Dell is the first hardware maker to openly admit that the recent AI PC push from Microsoft and its partners isn't working.

Don't get your hopes up for a Fallout 3 remaster yet, despite what Amazon's countdown might have you think

Fallout fans have been getting excited over a mysterious timer on Amazon's interactive site for the second season of the TV show. Alas, it's not what you hope it is.

Xbox Ally X is available again at Best Buy — order now for immediate shipping and have the handheld delivered as fast as possible

We have discovered that the critically acclaimed Xbox Ally X gaming handheld has acquired new stock at Best Buy as a belated New Year's gift for Xbox players looking to play Xbox games on the go.

Fallout games double their player counts across Steam after Season 2 debuts — a nuclear upgrade thanks to the TV show

Just like Season 1, Fallout Season 2 has pushed players back into the games, doubling concurrent player numbers across nearly the entire Fallout catalogue.

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect medical records and wellness apps — CEO Sam Altman still won't trust AI with his "medical fate" without involving real doctors

OpenAI launches a dedicated experience in ChatGPT designed for health and wellness called ChatGPT Health. It lets users link medical records and wellness apps like Apple Health to ChatGPT.

Lenovo has become what Surface was supposed to be about — a lineup of unique hardware that isn't afraid to be different

As Microsoft pulls back on Surface, Lenovo steps up as the Windows ecosystem's new innovator. With fresh hardware ideas and crazy designs, Lenovo is my new favorite Windows OEM right now.

“Major change” on the way — Microsoft 365’s best-kept secret is retiring from the desktop

Microsoft will retire the Sway Windows app in June 2026, pushing users to the web version.

Elon Musk gets his day in court over OpenAI's for-profit restructure and "ill-gotten gains" — here’s what’s at stake

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, recentlyruled that Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI over its for-profit evolution will proceed to a jury trial scheduled for March 2026.

How to get started with PowerToys Command Palette on Windows 11 — an answer to macOS Spotlight for Windows PCs

How to use PowerToys Command Palette on Windows 11 to launch apps, run commands, search faster, and extend features with extensions.

Final Fantasy XIV players face persistent DDoS disruptions during its new savage raid release — 15 MMO outage incidents per day

Persistent DDoS attacks are impacting Final Fantasy XIV’s savage raid progression, leaving US players disconnected and questioning long-term reliability during a paid subscription release.

The Elder Scrolls Online fully shifts to Seasons, with new story, reworks, and quests across 2026 — and most new content will now be free

The Elder Scrolls Online is changing radically across 2026, with a full embrace of the seasonal model and most new content being free.

Panther Lake is officially Intel Core Ultra Series 3 — here’s how to understand all the new model names

At CES 2026, Intel officially unveiled Intel Core Ultra Series 3, the official name of Panther Lake that's appearing in many of the latest laptops.

Laffgaff

The 1986 Michael Mann film ‘Manhunter’ was based on a novel by which author?

Thomas Harris.

Undertaker Wife

My neighbor’s wife is an undertaker. They have two vehicles. His and Hearse.

Itsfoss

FOSS Weekly #26.02: Level Up in 2026, Liquorix Kernel, Open Source Apps from Web Browser and More

Keep on learning in, keep on Linux-ing. 2026 is your year of Linux.

I Thought This Wikipedia App for Linux was Pointless (I Was Wrong)

I don't need to tell you that this application is for the people who enjoy the free and open knowledge provided by Wikipedia.

Bose SoundTouch End of Life Gets Less Painful With Public API Release

The API documentation opens the door for developers to build their own control apps (hopefully open source ones).

20% of Linux Kernel Bugs Hide for More Than 5 Years

Study of 20 years of kernel history finds bugs hide for 2+ years on average, some for decades.