The News - Saturday, 25 April 2026

BBC News

Katya Adler: Europe's Nato allies push back at reported US threat to Spain

On Friday morning, souring relations between Europe and the United States reared its Medusa-like head again, writes the BBC's Europe editor.

'Killing in prison is not difficult' - the rise in cold-blooded attacks behind bars

Is a culture of prisoners intimidating inmates into inflicting pain on others too normalised to change?

Falklands veteran hopes King can persuade Trump to 'back down'

Simon Weston says reports the US is reviewing the UK's claim to the territory makes his sacrifice feel "irrelevant".

King's 'high stakes' visit with Trump will be toughest test yet of his reign

The state visit to the US looks fraught with difficulty - but could be key to rescuing the special relationship.

Man charged with murder of Kamonnan Thiamphanit after extradition

Kamonnan Thiamphanit, 27, who was also known as Angela, was stabbed in Westminster in 2024.

I'm A Celebrity 'legend' crowned in heated live final

Adam Thomas, Craig Charles, Mo Farah and Harry Redknapp were in the final of I'm A Celebrity... South Africa.

Meet the men calling out 'masculinity' trends

Influencers promoting looksmaxxing and narrow male beauty standards are being called out by a new wave of men on social media.

Thousands at risk after multi-million dollar Everest flood warning system left to rust

The flood warning system at Imja glacial lake has not been maintained since 2016, fearful locals tell BBC.

China car giant BYD says it can thrive without US

With the price of fuel rising China's BYD says it is positioning itself to benefit from the global shift away from fossil fuels.

31 sloths die in Florida before opening of attraction

Many died due to conditions at a Florida warehouse where they'd been shipped, while others arrived from South America dead, authorities say.

'My living nightmare': Rob Reiner's son on how he found out parents were dead

Jake Reiner says the grief of his parents' brutal deaths and the arrest of his own brother left him in a "trance".

'Animals are traumatised too': Pet rescuers under fire in Ukraine

Animal rescue teams reveal the risks they take to rescue dogs, cats and other animals from the war in eastern Ukraine.

Touring is a costly struggle for bands like us. Now Harry Styles is helping

Ticket money from some stadium and arena gigs is helping support struggling grassroots artists and venues.

Loud eaters and phones nearly spoiled my cinema trip - and it's not just me

Some people are being disruptive in cinemas - despite routine reminders to be considerate to others.

The Papers: 'Falklands tell Trump to back off' and 'Harry does a Diana'

Many of the papers lead on a leaked Pentagon memo, which suggests the US could back Argentine sovereignty of the Falklands.

Chris Mason: A grim week for Starmer – but things could be about to get worse

The Mandelson vetting row has reignited questions over the PM's future just two weeks before crucial elections in Scotland, Wales and England.

I moved 1,500 miles to be with my deported husband

The spouses of illegal immigrants facing deportation must choose between separation or moving to a new country.

How Australians celebrate Anzac Day with a bit of gambling

Two-up is a coin toss betting game that was played by Australian soldiers during World War One - it’s now only legal across Australia on 25 April.

Heated Rivalry, The Housemaid and Fourth Wing: TikTok launches BookTok bestseller list

The inaugural top 20 is entirely made up of female authors, with Chloe Walsh appearing most frequently.

Starmer plans new powers to ban state-backed terror groups

The new powers would allow ministers to label Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terror group.

US justice department drops probe into Fed chairman Jerome Powell

President Donald Trump had accused Powell of improper cost overruns in renovating the Fed's building.

Zack Polanski calls for Trump to be 'kicked out' of his Scottish golf courses

Trump International responded calling the Greens leader an "imbecile" after he shared his personal opinion on the Holyrood campaign trail.

Relish and dread as Starmer 'shambles' hangs over Scotland and Wales elections

Laura Kuenssberg travels to Wales and Scotland to speak to candidates and voters ahead of May 7 polls.

Influencer dies days after being hit by car in London's Soho

Klaudia Zakrzewska, 32, from Essex, dies in hospital after a collision on Argyll Street in Soho.

Princess Catherine pays tribute to war dead of Australia and New Zealand

She attended a service commemorating Australian and New Zealand troops who died in conflict.

Woman arrested after two children die in Wolverhampton house fire

Police said two boys, aged one and three, died at the scene. They confirmed a woman was in custody.

Key figure in Mandelson vetting row will not appear to give evidence to MPs

The Foreign Affairs Committee says Ian Collard will only be giving evidence in writing.

Thousands at risk after multi-million dollar Everest flood warning system left to rust

The flood warning system at Imja glacial lake has not been maintained since 2016, fearful locals tell BBC.

The King faces biggest test of his reign as he heads to visit Trump

The state visit to the US looks fraught with difficulty - but could be key to rescuing the special relationship.

'Killing in prison is not difficult' - the rise in cold-blooded attacks behind bars

Is a culture of prisoners intimidating inmates into inflicting pain on others too normalised to change?

Loud eaters, people on phones - the bad behaviour plaguing my cinema trip

Some people are being disruptive in cinemas - despite routine reminders to be considerate to others.

Why bookworms looking for a bestseller are turning to TikTok

The inaugural top 20 is entirely made up of female authors, with Chloe Walsh appearing most frequently.

Explosions and gunfire as armed groups launch co-ordinated attacks across Mali

Witnesses report clashes in the centre and north, in what has been described as the largest jihadist attack in years.

Katya Adler: Europe's Nato allies push back at reported US threat to Spain

Souring relations between Europe and the US have reared their Medusa-like head again, writes the BBC's Europe editor.

Gladiator Giant claims he was axed from BBC show over girlfriend's job

Jamie Bigg says he wanted to publicise his relationship and was told he "wouldn't be continuing" on the show.

Seven dead in major Russian attack on Ukraine

The city of Dnipro was hardest hit, with officials saying four died in a strike on a residential building.

Extradited teen in court over woman's murder

The London property manager, 27, who was also known as Angela, was stabbed in Westminster in 2024.

'We cried together': Trump's deportation drive forces tough decisions for couples

The spouses of illegal immigrants facing deportation must choose between separation or moving to a new country.

Murdered toddler James Bulger's family find items from vandalised grave

The grave of James Bulger, who was murdered in 1993, has been vandalised twice, his family says.

Watch: Couple who met on bus take double decker to their wedding

The pair are now married after meeting during their commute last summer.

'My choir used my whale sound recordings to make a song celebrating the ocean'

A choir records a track using whale songs a member of the group helped gather in an Icelandic fjord.

Under-16s have their say on possible social media ban

Thirty three children discussed possible limits the government are considering on social media.

Grandfather says Britain's Got Talent duet with grandson was 'greatest moment'

The pair went from singing in care homes to the Britain's Got Talent stage.

Bournemouth Echo

25 years ago a memorable summer's day took a twist in the New Forest

Beneath the brilliant August sunshine, it treated the crowds of people to a quirkier spectacle than the usual twirling batons and playing bands.

Postmaster staged two armed robberies and stole £93,000 to pay off debts

A postmaster staged two armed robberies and stole £93,000 to pay off his own debts, a court has heard.

'Much-loved' micro pub reopens under new ownership

A micro ale pub in Milford-on-Sea has recently opened under new ownership.

Family run mobile café uplifting customers from a converted horsebox in Poole

A new family run mobile cafe is bringing a taste of homemade hospitality to Poole by serving coffee and sweet treats from a wooden trailer.

Wild Swimming challenge set to take place throughout stunning Jurassic coast

Open water swimmers are being invited to take on an unforgettable new challenge along the breath taking Jurassic coastline.

Dorset and New Forest residents gear up for Sunday's London Marathon

Residents from across Dorset and the New Forest will take on the London Marathon this weekend— competing for a host of good causes.

Hotel with 'Miami vibe' among 11 BCP businesses nominated for regional awards

Businesses from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were nominated for the Muddy Stilettos Awads 2026

Poole MP calls for government intervention to save Hamworthy Fire Station

Neil Duncan-Jordan MP urges government action to stop Hamworthy Fire Station closure as Dorset & Wiltshire face cuts risking jobs, safety and response times.

Fire blocks railway line at New Forest station

A fire has blocked rail lines at a New Forest train station

Green Man Parade returning to the New Forest for the third year

The parade has its roots in the late 1850s when it was held on May Day in Burley, involving the local church and school children.

Emergency services warn against tombstoning as temperatures rise

As temperatures begin to rise, people heading to the coast are being urged to think twice about the dangers of tombstoning.

Residents invited to take part in new trial for bird flu vaccine

Researchers have administered the first UK dose in a pivotal trial of an investigational mRNA vaccine designed to protect against potential influenza pandemics, including avian flu (bird flu).

Voter ID deadline looming for BCP residents ahead of elections

The deadline for residents who want a free voter ID for upcoming town council elections in Bournemouth, Poole and Broadstone is looming.

Hussey & Briggs have your summer glow up sorted

Hussey & Briggs is positioning conservatories, garden rooms and outdoor structures as the ideal way to expand living space in time for the summer months, building on more than 25 years’ experience in windows, doors and glazed extensions across West Dorset

Romance fraudster conned victim out of £28,000

A romance fraudster who duped a victim out of nearly £30,000 has been jailed for a decade.

New Forest Awards return to honour community and countryside champions

Nominations have opened for the 2026 New Forest Awards, celebrating the people and organisations helping to protect and sustain the area’s rural communities.

Summer garden party festival to bring music, food and family fun to the forest

The Smoked & Uncut festival is to return to the lawns of The Pig hotel in the New Forest from June 12 to 14 to mark its 15th anniversary.

Dorset MP urges Government to introduce emergency fuel duty cut

Liberal Democrat MP Vikki Slade urges emergency 10p fuel duty cut as rising fuel and heating oil costs hit rural Dorset residents amid UK cost-of-living crisis.

Poole welcomes new burger joint with unique menu addition

Burger joints now come in many different guises leaving customers spoilt for choice, however, Usman and Tariq Khan think their brisket will set MakBurga apart from the rest.

Swanage-born self-taught musician to perform at Dorset venue next month

Skinshape, aka William Dorey, brings his acclaimed analogue soul, funk and Afrobeat sound to Lighthouse Poole on 16 May 2026 with support from Yuuf.

Talented local students reach finals of prestigious national STEM competition

Bournemouth School for Girls reach The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition 2026 finals with carbon monoxide project; South West STEM success.

Delicious days out at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at Beaulieu

BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair returns to Beaulieu, New Forest, 1–3 May. Enjoy gardening talks, demos, food markets and BBC presenters.

Dorset Council seeking volunteers for new age friendly ambassador roles

Dorset Council seeks volunteers for its Age Friendly Dorset programme, supporting older residents and building inclusive communities.

Planned roadworks across BCP expected to cause varying delays

Planned roadworks have been announced by BCP Council and are expected to cause delays of varying severity.

Young people bring Dorset town to life with music and creativity

UPLIFT 2026 energised Wimborne’s Town of Culture year with youth-led arts, music, workshops, and performances, showcasing Dorset’s young creative talent.

Dorset Bowls club to mark 120th anniversary with special open day tomorrow

Richmond Park Bowls Club in Winton/Charminster celebrates its 120th anniversary on 26 April with an open day, activities, and fundraising for new equipment.

Southern Co-op launches 30-minute food delivery service across Dorset

Southern Co-op launches rapid grocery delivery in Dorset via Snappy Shopper, offering groceries to Bournemouth, Poole, Exmouth & Weymouth in under an hour.

King of Rock ’n’ road - Bournemouth man dressing as Elvis at London Marathon

An electrician is donning his “blue suede shoes” this weekend to take part in his twelfth London Marathon.

Poole swimmers impress at Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London

Poole Swimming Club stars achieve personal bests, finals spots and new records at Aquatics GB Championships 2026 in London’s Aquatics Centre.

The 'adaptable' snake that is the UK's longest and can swim underwater

Discover more about the Grass Snake, the only native species in the UK that can swim underwater, including if it's dangerous, its bite, and where to find it.

10 hidden gem National Trust sites with free entry - many with free parking too

Skip the crowds with these hidden National Trust gems – all are free to visit, with some offering free parking too.

Tesco, Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons issue food recall alerts to shoppers

Aldi, Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons shoppers are being urged to check cupboards after food recalls.

Alan Titchmarsh shares simple trick for getting rid of weeds as spring heats up

Alan Titchmarsh has revealed how to get rid of weeds in your garden now spring is starting to heat up.

I tried the Lakeland Turbo Scrubber the no-scrub cleaning gadget that actually works

Hate scrubbing your bathroom? This Lakeland whizzy cordless cleaning tool makes tiles, taps and grout a dream to clean.

Formula 1

Drivers' Championship odds update after three races

Races in Australia, China and Japan have changed the odds, so we look at where the value now lies for bettors.

Latest odds on likely Grand Prix winners in 2026

Only two drivers have won a race this season, so we look at who the markets predict may win a Grand Prix in 2026.

CULT HEROES: Maldonado on risk-taking and fan following

In the first of our Cult Heroes features, F1.com chats to Pastor Maldonado about his time in the sport, his determined driving style and his popularity with fans.

10 of the coolest F1 show runs from all over the world

From racing upside down planes to helipad heroics – here are some of the most memorable show run moments.

The state of play at Alpine

Alpine have enjoyed a strong start to their 2026 campaign, but can their rivals catch up?

Windows Central

Devs behind canceled Xbox game are hiring for an unannounced AAA open-world title — are they reviving one of my favorite action game franchises?

New job listings at Avalanche Studios suggest that it might be returning to the Just Cause franchise with an open-world "unannounced AAA project."

Microsoft just confirmed major Windows Update improvements for Windows 11 – here's what's changing

Windows 11 is adding new update controls, including skipping updates during setup, longer pause options, clearer restart choices, and fewer monthly reboots.

Windows Insider reboot begins: Here's what's new in the first-ever Experimental Preview build

Microsoft has started moving Windows Insiders into the new Experimental Channel and the updated Beta Channel as part of a broader reboot of the program. The first Experimental Preview build is now available.

FFXIV announces new expansion Evercold during Fanfest 2026 keynote, and whoa, it already has a release date — here's where we're going after Dawntrail

During the FFXIV Fanfest 2026 keynote in Anaheim, director Yoshi-P announced that the game's next expansion is called Evercold, and its release date, too.

"I want to make the right decision": Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says Microsoft will "make some calls" on exclusive games, but won't rush to make "the fastest decision"

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says she's reconsidering Microsoft's position on exclusive games, though won't rush because "I want to make the right decision."

This tool brings Linux to Windows 95 without using virtualization

WSL9X runs a modern Linux kernel inside Windows 95, 98, and ME without virtualization, letting classic Windows systems run Linux tools next to native apps.

Testing this iBUYPOWER "RDY Trace X" gaming PC proves how great a pre-built rig can be, even with these caveats

iBUYPOWER's RDY Trace X R01 is a great example of how great a pre-built PC can be, even with its flaws. There's no AAA game that it wouldn't be able to handle.

"Significant negative impact": Global PC shipments actually grew in Q1 2026, but I'm not celebrating yet — here's why

A new study from Counterpoint Research explains why PC market growth in Q1 2026 is not indicative of how the rest of the year will go. Here's my breakdown of the situation.

Double the storage of the Xbox Ally with our favorite budget microSD card with 245MB/s Read Speeds, that's now on sale for 41% off

The Xbox Ally's 512GB is very limiting for storing most Xbox games. However, you can double its storage size without breaking bank by investing in the Sandisk Extreme 512GB microSD card, now on sale for a 41% discount.

This mad scientist pulled a Tony Stark and created RAM in a shed, with a box of scraps — and he's using the results to plan for bigger projects

Recently, a relatively new YouTuber by the handle of Dr.Semiconductor was tired of RAM getting ludicrously price-hiked by AI and other factors. So he began an ambitious science project to see if he could create RAM from scratch by himself.

"It's almost impossible to recommend the Surface Laptop 13": I compare it to the MacBook Neo after Microsoft's price hike

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 13-inch and Apple's MacBook Neo have a lot in common, and normally it would be hard to decide. But with Surface prices going up, it's become much harder to recommend the Windows device. Here's my full comparison.

Laffgaff

What is the national currency of India?

Rupee.

Kitchen Carnage

I was in the kitchen and knocked over all the mince, rice and spices. It was chilli con carnage.