BBC News
Twenty one English councils ask for election delays
Nearly a third of eligible authorities have want to postpone local polls scheduled for May.
Trump says Iran has 'no plan' to execute protesters
The US president does not rule out military action in Iran, as Tehran temporarily shuts its airspace to nearly all flights.
'I carried my wife's body for an hour and a half' - BBC hears stories of protesters killed in Iran
BBC Persian has received dozens of accounts from inside Iran. Defiant despite potential repercussions, the witnesses said they wanted to ensure the rest of the world knew of the violence against the protesters.
Denmark warns of 'fundamental disagreement' after White House talks on Greenland
There was no major breakthrough during the meeting, and President Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring the island shortly afterwards.
X to stop Grok AI from undressing images of real people after backlash
Grok will no longer allow users to remove clothing from images of real people in jurisdictions where it is illegal.
Serial houseplant killer? Here's how to keep them alive
The three easiest plants to keep alive and how to make sure you keep them healthy all year round.
Nasa astronauts begin 'bittersweet' medical evacuation from space station
The crew is expected to splash down off the coast of California in the early hours of Thursday local time.
Two Palestine Action protesters end 73-day hunger strike
The BBC understands that one of the protesters was taken to hospital earlier on Wednesday in a poor condition.
Zelensky declares emergency in Ukraine's energy sector as biting cold persists
The move comes as US President Donald Trump said Ukraine is "less ready" than the Russian president to make a peace deal.
Moment cargo ship crashes into oil tanker in North Sea
A jury has seen footage of a cargo ship crashing into an oil tanker, which triggered an explosion and killed a crew member.
David Hockney says moving Bayeux Tapestry to UK is 'madness'
The artist claims it is too much of a risk to transport the centuries-old artwork from France.
Hillsborough Law campaigners say they cannot back proposed bill
They are concerned security services will be exempt from a law designed to stop cover-ups.
Concern for couple jailed in Tehran as British embassy closes
Joe Bennett says his parents are in a "dangerous position" amid Iran's deadly crackdown on anti-regime protests.
Tehran morgue videos show the brutality of Iran's crackdown on protesters
Distressing footage reveals nearly 200 bodies with one victim identified as young as 16.
Starlink reportedly made free in Iran - but protesters are taking huge risks by using it
The satellite technology has become a vital communications lifeline after the government shut down the internet last week.
From behind bars, Aung San Suu Kyi casts a long shadow over Myanmar
The democracy campaigner has spent 20 years in total in detention, five of them since being overthrown by a coup.
The Papers: 'World on the brink' and Trump intent on 'conquering' Greenland
The global tensions from Greenland and Iran feature prominently on Thursday's front pages.
Why the UAE has incurred the wrath of Somalia
The government in Mogadishu has accused the UAE of undermining its sovereignty.
'It was terrifying': Residents describe carnage after Thai train crash
The BBC arrived at a grim scene in the evening, with rescuers still pulling bodies out of the mangled train.
Why banning of Maccabi fans raises questions about police integrity
The decision to ban fans of the Israeli team from a UK game was based on a flawed assessment, a report has found.
Mahmood has no confidence in police chief after Israeli fan ban
West Midlands Police apologises for errors, but makes no comment on its chief constable's future.
Ugandans choose between pop star and veteran leader in presidential poll
The election is a rematch between Bobi Wine and Yoweri Museveni, who has been president for 40 years.
US launches phase two of Gaza peace plan with new technocratic government
It includes the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government, as well as the reconstruction and demilitarisation of Gaza, US envoy Steve Witkoff says.
White House defends Trump over middle-finger gesture at heckler
Thousands of people have sent donations totalling nearly $700,000 (£521,000) to the heckler, who was suspended from his job at Ford.
UK ready to 'tighten chokehold' on Russia's shadow fleet
The foreign secretary promised more "assertive action" to tackle sanction-busting oil tankers in Russia’s shadow fleet.
Sting pays Police bandmates £600,000 in royalties
The musician discovered a "historic underpayment" after being sued in London's High Court.
Reeves doesn't rule out wider business rates support across hospitality
Chancellor says support for pubs is on its way and leaves the door open for further tweaks to business rates changes
Iran judiciary denies plan to execute detained protester Erfan Soltani
The judiciary says Soltani is not facing charges carrying the death penalty, while a rights group reports that the execution has been "postponed".
Swiss bar employee who reportedly held sparkler unaware of dangers, family says
Cyane Panine, 24, died in the Crans Montana fire that is believed to have started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles set foam on the ceiling alight.
Rift at top of the Taliban: BBC reveals clash of wills behind Afghan internet shutdown
The Taliban leader once warned of a split: A BBC investigation reveals how attitudes to women, the internet and religion are dividing the group at the very top.
European military personnel arrive in Greenland as Trump says US needs island
France says a small military contingent has arrived and more forces will be there in the coming days.
Starmer does not rule out backing social media ban for under-16s
Many Labour MPs and officials privately expect the government to follow the Australia's example and implement a ban.
Astronauts return to Earth after first ever medical evacuation from space station
Four astronauts who left the International Space Station (ISS) a month early due to one of the crew members falling ill have returned to Earth on Thursday.
Amol Rajan to leave Radio 4's Today programme
The presenter will continue to host University challenge and his Radical podcast for the BBC.
TikTok star will not repay full extradition costs
Harrison Sullivan will not have to pay the full cost of the jet that police chartered to arrest him.
Letby trust pays £1.4m damages to ex CEO
Dr Susan Gilby told the BBC she was relieved the case was over and that it "was never about the money."
New rules to make it easier to call up reservists for war
Reservists will remain on call for an extra decade, with a lower threshold for being called up.
Serial houseplant killer? Here's how to keep them alive
The three easiest plants to keep alive and how to make sure you keep them healthy all year round.
Pitfalls loom as Trump's Gaza peace plan enters second phase
As the US announces the next of its plan to end the war, serious obstacles mean implementation will be difficult.
She's offered to share her Nobel with Trump. But what might Machado ask for in return?
Venezuela's opposition leader will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
'The abuse should never have happened' - victims react as X stops Grok AI editing images of real people
Grok will no longer allow users to remove clothing from images of real people in jurisdictions where it is illegal.
No 10 no longer has confidence in police chief
Chief Constable Craig Guildford is facing calls to resign or be sacked by senior politicians.
Changes to flagship disability scheme don't go far enough, campaigners say
Charities say employers will still be able to certify themselves without employing "a single disabled person".
Millions of people to see their local council elections delayed
Most wanting a delay are Labour-led but two are Tory councils and one is a Lib Dem authority.
Eurovision Song Contest announces live tour
The show will feature some of the most memorable performers from the seven decades of the competition.
Bournemouth Echo
Teenage rescuer saved four crew from sunken tug Grampus
The English Channel can be unforgivably fickle, and on Saturday, March 13, the ocean off the coast of Dorset became perilous.
Post Office to relocate to new premises in Christchurch
The Post Office in Christchurch will be relocating following the appointment of a new postmaster, it has been announced.
Cabinet approves beach huts having tax discount removed
The scrapping of council tax discount for beach huts in Mudeford has been approved by BCP Council’s Cabinet.
Plans for ALDI supermarket off Canford Bottom roundabout approved... again
THE ALDI supermarket at Canford Bottom has been approved – for the second time. Dorset Council’s east area planning committee originally agreed the application for the store in September – afterwards receiving a solicitor’s letter from rival supermarket chain Lidl claiming the
'We are helping to spread awareness': Organ players raise £800 for charity
Edwardian organ players raise hundreds of pounds to support those with prostate cancer.
Last chance to experience Kings’ View at Corfe Castle
Visitors have until February 28 to visit the Kings’ View platform, high within the Keep at Corfe Castle before it closes.
World's largest survey of garden birds to take place this month
The world's largest garden wildlife survey returns this month, with hundreds of thousands expected to count the UK’s garden birds for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
Search for New Milton's 'unsung heroes' as awards launched
New Milton Town Council has launched a search to identify the 'community champions'.
'It's a big relief': Couple are happy to have moved into a new home
A POOLE couple have spoken of their happiness after buying their own four-bedroom home, saying it is “a big relief to finally be in a place of our own.”
Firm with 'deep roots' in community joins top 40 UK practice
A Bournemouth accountancy firm has joined a practice that rates in the top 40 in the UK.
Library expected to reopen next month after temporarily closure
A LIBRARY in Bournemouth closed temporarily due to partial ceiling collapsed is expected to open in February, BCP council have confirmed.
Public urged to surrender unused grave leases amid burial plot shortage
BCP Council are urging residents to surrender their leases to burial sites to help address the shortage at Christchurch cemetery.
Fundraiser launched in memory of Poole man who died in collision
A FUNDRAISER has been started in loving memory of a devoted father of two who passed away following a fatal collision in Poole.
'This is such a landmark achievement': Business celebrates 25 years
A family-run business has celebrated the 'landmark achievement' of 25 years in trade.
'Premium' dining and cocktail experience opens in Christchurch hotel
Eighteen Restaurant & Bar has opened in the Kings Arms Hotel in Christchurch.
‘This was never a tragic accident’: Detective speaks on motorcyclist murder
Police investigating the death of a motorcyclist said it was never considered a “tragic accident” after a Range Rover ploughed into the driver.
Clifftop music festival to become two day event
Cliff Top Music Festival has been given permission to operate a two-day event after having changes to its licence heard by a committee.
Police execute warrant and evict occupant after reports of crime
A WARRANT was executed at an address after reports of crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour over a prolonged period of time.
Teenager with links to Dorset missing for nearly a fortnight
A teenage boy with links to Dorset has been reported missing for more nearly two weeks.
Pair jailed for more than 30 years after using cars as weapons to hunt and kill
Zoe Treadwell has been handed a life sentence with a minimum of 35 years for the murder of Joey Johnstone.
Pair jailed for 30 years each after murdering man in 'violent and senseless' attack
A woman has been jailed for murder and attempted murder following two deliberate road traffic collisions in Bournemouth.
Section 35 dispersal order issued in Bournemouth after incidents
A SECTION 35 dispersal order was issued in Bournemouth after officers dealt with a series of incidents during what police described as a “productive late shift”.
Published author to run free writing workshop in Swanage
A free writing workshop with a published author is being held next month in Swanage.
£1.8million leisure centre expansion approved
Plans for a £1.8million expansion to a council owned leisure centre in Christchurch have been approved.
Road network given amber rating in new government table
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole road network is among the best maintained in the country according to a new government league table.
Woman to appear in court after man suffered 'life-threatening' injuries
A woman has been charged and is due to appear in court next week in relation to a serious injury collision in Bournemouth.
LIVE: Murderer jailed for 35 years - accomplice gets 32 years
A woman found guilty of murder and a man found guilty of attempted murder are set to be sentenced today at Winchester Crown Court.
Former BCP Council chief executive has a new job
The former chief executive of BCP Coucil has got a new job on the board of the Health and Safety Executive.
Man avoids prison for ‘cowardly, bullying’ attack on ex-girlfriend at her home
A Bournemouth man who carried out a “cowardly and bullying” attack on his ex-girlfriend at her home near Salisbury has avoided prison
Sandbanks restaurant plans to be heard by licensing committee
A Sandbanks restaurant has submitted plans to update its layout after a lounge area become a yacht chandlery.
Meghan launches £13 bookmark under As Ever brand with New Forest workshop
The Duchess of Sussex has launched an 18-dollar (£13.40) bespoke leather bookmark with lifestyle brand As Ever, which is made in the UK and is said to be “a small reminder that rest is part of the ritual”.
Appeal to sign up to the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
The world’s largest garden wildlife survey returns this month.
Calls for action after HGV gets stuck on notorious hill
Calls have been made for improved signage after a HGV became stuck on a busy hill
Girl, 15, slowly waking from coma after Boxing Day pony fall
The father of a teenage girl left critically injured in a horse-riding accident has shared a hopeful update as doctors begin the careful process of waking her from deep sedation.
Traditional Christmas play raises thousands for charity
The New Forest Mummers have raised more than £2,000 for Minstead Trust with their traditional Christmas play.
New Forest event to bring ancient tradition back to life
A New Forest group is bringing an ancient tradition back to life.
Art exhibition to focus on challenges faced by dementia carers
AN EXHIBITION focuses on the challenges faced by dementia carers will be open to public this weekend.
Dutton Gregory unveils new brand as part of next chapter in its development
Dutton Gregory has unveiled a new brand as it enters 2026, signalling its focus on future growth and its ambition to become a top 100 UK law firm.
Dorset art prize opens with Poole Museum as host
AN ANNUAL art prize is open to inspire, champion and celebrate creative talent across the county.
Investment-ready businesses to take spotlight at Dorset pitch event
The featured businesses span sectors such as regulatory water testing, production efficiency, AI-driven services and legal technology.
Will my car insurance cover damage caused by potholes?
Potholes are one of the biggest annoyances on the roads for UK drivers, not only are they uncomfortable to drive they can often cause serious damage to your car.
Freeview urges Brits to retune TV as it makes 7 changes in new update - full list
Brits are being urged to retune their TVs after "important" changes were made to a number of channels as part of the latest Freeview update.
Millions of drivers warned they face hefty fines over common roundabout mistake
A Compare the Market study found six million drivers were risking a £50 fine every time they encountered a roundabout
Government
Armed Forces Bill
A Bill to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed forces; to make provision about the reserve forces; to make provision about visiting forces; to make provision about the Ministry of Defence Police; to make provision about the defence functions of the Oil and Pipelines Agency; to make provision about the protection of military remains; and for connected purposes.
Banks (Financial Exclusion and Access to Finance) Bill
A Bill to require banks to measure and disclose their performance in reducing financial exclusion, including exclusion from affordable credit, and in improving access to finance for small- and medium-sized businesses; to establish a system for rating banks according to that performance; to require banks to cooperate with credit unions and community development finance institutions to address financial exclusion and improve access to finance for small- and medium-sized businesses; and for connected purposes.
Hospitals (Accident and Emergency) Bill
A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that patients spend no longer than 12 hours between arriving at the accident and emergency department of a hospital and being admitted to hospital, transferred for care elsewhere or discharged; to require the Secretary of State to publish proposals for measures to eliminate the provision of accident and emergency care services in corridors and other spaces not intended for the provision of such services; and for connected purposes.
Formula 1
All you need to know about Red Bull ahead of 2026
After an eventful 2025, how are Red Bull shaping up ahead of the new 2026 Formula 1 season?
All you need to know about Racing Bulls ahead of 2026
With a new driver stepping up to Formula 1 as part of their line-up, here's the lowdown on Racing Bulls for 2026.
7 dynasty-ending championship wins
F1.com looks back at the drivers and teams whose success brought an end to the previous dominance of some of their competitors.
MS Dynamics
Agentic AI in retail: How Dynamics 365 powers Commerce Anywhere
Retail frontier firms don’t just digitize commerce, they operationalize intelligence.
The post Agentic AI in retail: How Dynamics 365 powers Commerce Anywhere appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.
Windows Central
This Dell XPS 13 deal just hit its sweet spot — and the perfect way to dodge 2026's laptop price hikes
Stop waiting for 2026's laptop prices to stabilize. This Dell XPS 13 deal is the perfect hedge against rising costs, offering OLED luxury for a mid-range price.
Valve's Steam Machine will have "fewer constraints" for games to be Verified than Steam Deck — plus, an explanation for that weird Steam Controller puck
Valve's new Steam Machine will have "fewer constraints" for getting games Verified than the Steam Deck does, which is good news for game devs.
Windows 11’s newest must‑have app just added Qualcomm laptop support in a major update — and it’s still baffling Microsoft didn’t make it
A major update to this essential customization adds ARM64 support and lets you pick where flyouts appear.
Warhammer creator Games Workshop says it's banned its devs from using AI, but admits it's still "inquisitive" about the tech — "None are thatexcited about it yet"
Games Workshop, the makers of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000, have banned its staff from using generative AI. Some senior managers are experimenting with it, though.
CoD sales fell 60% — and Kotick says the collapse proves the Microsoft buyout was the right move. Does it?
Bobby Kotick claims Call of Duty sales are down more than 60% as he defends Activision’s $69B sale to Microsoft amid a lawsuit from Swedish pension fund AP7.
This 2025 laptop blew away our expectations in the best ways possible — and it's now perfect for casual users thanks to this 38% price drop
We have found a special 31% discount for the HP OmniBook 5 14-inch laptop, one of our most pleasant surprise laptops of 2025 that's worth buying in 2026 for its sleek, portable-friendly design, dependable performance, and long-lasting batteries.
The final Ashes of the Damned Relic in Black Ops 7 Zombies has been found at last — here's how to get Samantha's Drawing
The long search for the last Relic on Ashes of the Damned in Black Ops 7 Zombies is finally over. Samantha's Drawing is revealed and here's how to get it.
Oops! Microsoft possibly just leaked Xbox's Forza Horizon 6 release date with an in-game pop-up — here's when the big open-world racer might come out
Microsoft and Xbox may have just accidentally shown Forza Horizon 6's release date in an in-game pop-up, if this leak is to be believed.
"The year ahead is shaping up to be extremely volatile" — IDC adds another PC price alarm to a market already filled with noise
Expert analysts agree that 2026 will be anything but pleasant for those shopping for a new PC, and smaller brands will struggle the most.
The HP Omen 45L is $936 off with an RTX 5080 — and it’s a vital hedge against the “AI Tax”
Don't wait for the 2026 memory shortage to hit your wallet. Save $936 on the RTX 5080-powered HP Omen 45L and beat the coming price hikes.
Say goodbye to the RTX 5070 Ti — NVIDIA restructures its GPU production as AI-driven memory shortages worsen, and the 16GB card doesn't make the cut
Rumors have suggested for months that NVIDIA would be cutting back its RTX 50-series GPU production, and we've now arrived at a new reality where the 5070 Ti is a thing of the past. Here's what you need to know.
Facebook rebranded to Meta for VR — now it's laid off 1,000 people and shut down 3 VR game studios to catch up with AI
Meta is shutting down three of its video game studios and laying off 1,000 people from its virtual reality department to focus and channel those resources into AI and wearable technology.
Turn Microsoft into "Microslop" everywhere with this new browser extension — CEO Satya Nadella discourages the term, but it's having the opposite effect
A new Google Chrome browser extension called "Microsoft to Microslop" comes after Microsoft's CEO discouraged people from calling his AI "slop."
Monster Hunter Wilds reportedly gives better FPS and performance to players who bought more DLC — will Capcom respond?
We're just a couple of weeks away from Capcom's promised performance-improvement patch for Monster Hunter Wilds on PC. However, a player has discovered one of the biggest causes of its subpar optimization, which has gone overlooked by Capcom for nearly a year, and it's related to aggressive DLC checks.
Microsoft Copilot blamed by UK police chief for controversial soccer fan ban — incorrect evidence triggered by AI hallucinations
UK police blame Microsoft Copilot for a soccer fan error, raising concerns about the use of the unpredictable technology in law enforcement.
This decade's best horror game picks up "Xbox Play Anywhere" support on PC and Xbox Ally — but ... don't download it yet
Resident Evil Village hits Xbox Game Pass on Jan 20. The landmark horror title concludes Ethan Winters' story, and sets the scene for Resident Evil Requiem.
Laffgaff
With which NFL team did Tom Brady win 6 Super Bowls?
New England Patriots.
CrossFit Joke
Me: "I'm so tired from all that CrossFit this morning." Wife: "It's pronounced croissant and you ate four of them."
Itsfoss
After Rejecting US Government's Aid Over DEI, Python Software Foundation Accepts $1.5 Million in Funding from Claude AI
A two-year partnership aimed at bolstering security for Python and PyPI.
You Can Now Use ONLYOFFICE on Raspberry Pi-Like ARM Devices
Native ARM support expands the open source office suite's reach.
FOSS Weekly #26.03: Torvalds Using AI, Dash to Dock, Linux Kernel Bugs, Pacman's Rust Replacement and More
2026 is the year of vibe coding?