The News - Wednesday, 08 July 2026

BBC News

Farage's rivals rule out standing in Clacton by-election

The Reform UK leader says he wants an "establishment versus the people by-election" but Labour calls it a "circus".

US and Iran trade strikes after tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz

The US military says it hit missile sites and command centres while Iran says it attacked US bases.

'Extreme' marine heatwave expected for parts of UK

Scientists fear that high sea temperatures could have wide-ranging consequences for marine life.

Nato allies announce £37bn for new missile project

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will convene around a dozen leaders to discuss the programme in Ankara.

Why replacing leasehold may be easier said than done

The government wants to abolish leasehold, but replacing it could prove far more complicated

Package holidays to Dubai and Egypt cheaper as European prices creep up

Family deals to many non-European destinations are cheaper this summer than last, as travel nerves have slowed bookings.

Watch: Buckling support beams seen inside New York high-rise

The structure, which is under construction, was evacuated along with surrounding buildings after reports of falling bricks.

Hundreds of jobs at risk as John Lewis plans to cut some services

No final decision has been made but the job cuts will happen in the autumn if the redundancy plans are approved.

Tom Holland on his 'last chance to play a boy' in The Odyssey

The Spider-Man star is appearing in his first Christopher Nolan movie.

Russian fuel shortages bite – but will Putin change tack in Ukraine war?

Even in Moscow, authorities are unable to guarantee fuel supplies, but will economic pressure lead to talks or escalation?

Harry's bad news lands at wrong time, but prince sticks to script

The Duke of Sussex has returned to the UK, but his first day of engagements was overshadowed by his defeat in court.

From mouthwash to hair dye: How weight-loss jabs are changing shopping habits

The BBC looks at how spending habits have shifted as users report feeling less hungry.

The Papers: 'Let the people judge' and 'Farage gamble turns to farce'

Nigel Farage's announcement he was resigning as an MP to trigger a by-election is the lead of many of Wednesday's papers.

'The water just came so fast': Typhoon triggers floods and rare tornadoes in China

Villagers whose families have been stranded told the BBC they are struggling to get food and help.

Fears of a massacre in this city on the front line of Sudan's war

El-Obeid has been under "siege-like conditions" for 18 months says the UN human rights chief.

Reform asks NCA to investigate leaks of private financial information

The party's deputy leader Richard Tice says he found out payments to his company had been flagged to the agency, after questions from the media.

Search under way for cargo plane that vanished off Pakistan coast

The plane, carrying five people, rapidly descended before losing contact, authorities say.

Utah boarding school where Paris Hilton alleged abuse as a teen loses its licence

Hilton said the facility "failed the children", as regulators cited neglect and use of unnecessary restraints.

Australia dock workers call for 28-hour week in AI talks

A union says workers are "in the crosshairs" of automation as AI is being tested across ports.

Hungary's public news broadcasts halted in bid to scrap Orban-era propaganda

The country's main state TV channel displayed a message saying it was "sorry" for lying on Tuesday.

One million more UK homeowners set to face higher mortgages

Homeowners face paying £45 a month more on average when they move onto a new deal over the next two years.

Bowen: For all his bluster, Trump has no better option than talks with Iran

The negotiating process is fragile and recent US strikes show how hard it will be to reach agreement, writes BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen.

Farage denies stunt as Reform proposes August by-election date

The Reform UK leader tells the BBC it is "only fair" that it is the electorate who judges him.

Mason: It's far from certain whether by-election will strengthen Farage

The Reform UK leader faces a challenge from Count Binface as the main parties rule out standing in Clacton.

Police name man wanted over murders of wife and daughters

An international manhunt is under way for Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, who left the country via Heathrow Airport.

Ruth Ellis, last woman to be hanged in UK, gets conditional posthumous pardon

Ruth Ellis was hanged at London's Holloway Prison in 1955 after being convicted of murdering her lover David Blakely.

Online marketplaces still selling dozens of unsafe baby products, Which? finds

Pillows, sleeping bags and feeders subject to safety notices were found on sites including Amazon and TikTok.

Government offers to meet woman abused by neo-Nazi MI5 agent

A secret inquiry by MI5's watchdog found the service knew an agent it defended in court was "obsessed" with violence, the BBC revealed on Tuesday.

Multiple cakes and stolen keepsakes: Greg James spills the tea on Taylor Swift's wedding

The DJ shared details on his Wednesday morning show after flying to New York City for the wedding.

TV licence fee is 'yesterday's model', new BBC director general says

Matt Brittin gives his views on the corporation's future, six weeks after taking over the BBC.

Neo-Nazi who planned gun attack jailed after MI5 sting

Alfie Coleman, 22, is sentenced at the Old Bailey after being found guilty in April.

What should you be eating tonight to get you through the heatwave?

When turning on the oven is a no-no and you're bored of salads, these foods (and drinks) will help to beat the heat.

Your tips on how to cope in extreme temperatures

From what to wear to getting a restful night's sleep, you share your tips for beating the heat.

How to keep your baby cool

Battling the heat can be hard - especially for babies and young children.

From glamour model to nightclub manager - who was pardoned killer Ruth Ellis?

Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the UK, has been granted a conditional posthumous pardon.

Has Harry's war with the press finally run out of road?

The Duke of Sussex and six others have lost their High Court privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.

Watch: Why is there a 'black cloud' over unity at the Nato summit?

US President Donald Trump has used the Nato summit to criticise the lack of support for his war on Iran, and revive his interest in taking over Greenland.

Who is Count Binface, aiming to face Farage in by-election?

After the announcement that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage would quit his Clacton constituency and stand in a by-election, the serial election candidate Count Binface posted online: "Game on, Nige."

How the leasehold revolution could transform neighbourly relations

The government wants to abolish leasehold, but replacing it could prove far more complicated

Five crew remain missing after plane wreckage found in Pakistan

Pakistan's Airports Authority said efforts are under way to find those who were on board the private cargo plane.

Outcry as Meta lets users make AI images from public Instagram profile pics

The tech giant said people can opt out - but privacy campaigners called it a "recipe for disaster".

Ofsted promises to penalise councils using illegal children's homes

The watchdog has previously faced criticism for failing to take action against unregistered premises.

Millions awarded to survivors of 1992 UVF pub attack that killed one man

It is believed to be one of the largest payouts involving a Troubles case.

Arizona toddler found alive in hospital morgue after declared dead from drowning

After he was discovered to still be alive, the 18-month-old was flown to another hospital and survived.

Bournemouth Echo

Pictures showing the day 10,000 people cheered the Olympic torch in Dorset

In the summer of 2012, the relay brought Olympian-sized crowds to the streets of Dorset, turning roads into red, white and blue cheer lines.

Popular coffee chain to open shop in Bournemouth town centre

A popular coffee chain is opening a shop in Bournemouth town centre in the near future.

'Of course I care for my animals' - Goat keeper speaks out after welfare concerns

The man who looks after Bournemouth's cliff-top goats says years of criticism and abuse from members of the public have left him feeling "hounded."

‘Total scumbags’ - Thieves slash lorry curtains and steal pallets of goods

Thieves slashed through the curtains of two lorries before making off with hundreds of pounds worth of stock.

18-year-old man caught with knife, offensive weapon in public - In the Dock

The following cases were heard in Poole Magistrates' Court:

I hand-fed Bournemouth Oceanrium's loggerhead sea turtle - here's how it went

I stepped behind the scenes at Bournemouth Oceanarium to hand‑feed Carrie the loggerhead turtle – and discovered how training, conservation and close encounters go hand in hand.

Hospice chief speaks out after 82 homes scheme approved

The chief executive of a hospice has spoken out after controversial plans for houses on neighbouring land were given the green light.

Two young men arrested after stabbing in Bournemouth Pier Approach - updated

Two men aged 20 and 18 years old have been arrested after a man was stabbed in the area of Pier Approach in Bournemouth last night.

Princess Anne makes surprise visit to Sandbanks yacht club

A royal visitor returned to the coast this week for a special visit to a yacht club

5 outdoor swimming pools you can visit around Dorset during warm weather

There are a small number of outdoor swimming pools you can find in Dorset, including in Bournemouth and Shaftesbury

Bournemouth MP joins Oak Academy students for unique outdoor dance performance

Bournemouth West MP, Jessica Toale, joined more than 300 pupils aged 11–13 at Oak Academy on Monday for a unique performance by dance company Zoie Logic.

Government minister and Vikki Slade MP visit 'pioneering' Dorset primary school

The Schools Minister Georgia Gould and Vikki Slade MP visited Rushcombe First School in Corfe Mullen last week.

PICTURES - Princess Anne choppered into Poole for yacht club visit

Princess Anne arrived in style as she was choppered into Poole ahead of a Royal visit in Sandbanks.

Developer speaks out after 82-home scheme overturned

The developer behind an 82-home scheme in Lymington has spoken out after his appeal against the refusal of plans was successful.

Man allegedly racially abused and threatened a shop worker

A man was allegedly racially abusive and threatened to a shopworker in Poole.

BCP Reform UK support Nigel Farage resignation and by election

BCP Reform group has said they fully support Nigel Farage’s decision to resign and trigger a by-election

Meet one of the UK's first churches to accept Bitcoin for donations

Innovation may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the church — but a parish in Bournemouth is trying to change that.

Body of West Howe 'murder' victim found in bike shed, court hears

The body of a woman who was allegedly murdered was found in a bike shed, a court has heard.

Police search for intruder who stole credit cards from home

Police are searching for a man after an intruder broke into a house and stole a number of items.

Town centre restaurant closes six months after opening

A town centre Italian restaurant has closed just six months after opening.

Tom Hayes: 'Boscombe is on the up. And this is why'

Boscombe’s on the up. Seriously, and I’ll set out why.

Decision on future of sex shop in Bournemouth deferred

A Bournemouth sex shop which has applied to extend its licence has had a meeting to decide its fate delayed

Woman found unresponsive near car park dies at scene

A large emergency response was seen in Shaftesbury after a woman was found unresponsive.

RECAP - Man stabbed by Bournemouth Pier and two arrested

Good Morning, Dorset Police have confirmed that a man in his 20s was taken to hospital last night after sustaining a "suspected stab wound" in the area of Pier Approach in Bournemouth. Two men have been arrested

Two young men arrested after stabbing by Bournemouth Pier

A man was stabbed in the area of Pier approach in Bournemouth last night and two men aged 20 and 18 years old have been arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 10.31pm on Tuesday 7 July 2026 that a man had sustained a suspected stab wound after being assaulted in the area of Pier Approach in Bournemouth.

Child taken to hospital after car fails to stop in Upton collision

A two vehicle crash involving a woman in her 50s and her child, both taken to hospital, occurred after a car failed to stop at the scene.

Police attend scene after man reported dead at address

A man was found dead at an address in Kinson, following reports from the South West Ambulance service.

Man charged after woman's body discovered at an address in Bournemouth

Richard Sean Ball has been charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body following detailed enquiries by detectives into the death of a Mackala Higgins.

Warning for Dorset beachgoers over venomous fish hiding under sand

A warning has been issued to beachgoers in Dorset to stay alert for venomous weever fish hiding beneath the sand

Wildfire warning in place as temperatures set to soar in heatwave

An amber wildfire weather alert has been issued for the rest of this week

Residents celebrate opening of new affordable housing development in Dorset

Fiddleford Ridge in Sturminster Newton, a development made up of 28 homes, was delivered by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) and Wyatt Homes.

Bournemouth leisure venue offers unlimited crazy golf for less than 10p a day

Mulligans Bournemouth has launched its £29 Summer Pass, allowing families to play daily for six weeks.

Lighthouse Poole recruiting for volunteer positions for autumn season and beyond

Lighthouse Poole is recruiting for volunteer positions for the autumn season, starting in September, and beyond.

Special event combining folk music and animation to take place in Christchurch

The Curious World of Amy Hopwood will take place at the Coda Music and Arts Centre in Walkford, Christchurch, on Sunday, July 19 at 2pm.

Candid Divorce Lawyer column: "No one marries expecting to break up"

I often tell clients that divorce is a bit like the children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. You “Can’t go over it, can’t go under it… you have to go through it!”

Nearly 600,000 people yet to register to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

More than 580,000 people who should have registered for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax have not done so, according to a FOI request from Azets.

Day of nostalgia took revellers back in time with tribute band and duck race

Mooring holders went back to the Eighties with time travel cars, walk-around RoboCop and retro games for Beaulieu River's annual summer party.

Students from Broadstone school help clean up streets with litter pick

The streets of Broadstone are now looking much tidier after children from Broadstone First School went on a litter pick.

Red carpet rolled out for Dorset care home residents' first prom

Verwood House Care Home, located on Ringwood Road in Verwood, hosted a US-style prom for its residents.

Ferry cancellation comes as 'disappointment' to twinning association

A twinning association has said it is “disappointed” by the cancellation of a ferry route that has connected two towns for more than 40 years

Local Dorset opticians celebrate 21 years with anniversary open week this week

Kelly Eyecare Winton is marking 21 years in business with an Anniversary Open Week, running from July 6 to July 11.

Disability charity encouraging families to unleash their creativity at event

Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, is encouraging families to unleash their creativity this summer at its fun-filled Paint & Play event on July 30.

Wimborne In Bloom Open Gardens Day raises over £5,000

A total of 19 gardens in and around Wimborne Minster were opened to the public on Sunday, June 28, as part of the Wimborne in Bloom Open Gardens Day.

Much-loved music fundraiser raises money for two mental health charities

The Kingfishers Music Weekend, held in Lymington, Hampshire, supported Hammersley Homes and The Coda Music & Arts Trust.

Local government workers to protest at LGA national conference in Bournemouth

Striking local government workers will protest at the Local Government Association national conference at the Bournemouth International Centre today.

Last chance to buy tickets for two major events at Sandbanks beach this weekend

SandPolo is taking place on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, while Sandfest is taking place on Sunday, July 12.

Health champions in Dorset are bridging the gap between NHS and communities

Communities Against Cancer from Action Hampshire has recruited 19 volunteers in Dorset, Hampshire and IOW to encourage people to take control of their health.

Plans submitted for more than 100 new affordable homes in Poole

A former college site in Poole is set to be transformed into 115 new affordable homes

New figures from RSPCA show 68 reports of summer cruelty to animals in Dorset

New figures from the RSPCA reveal a 19 per cent rise in summer cruelty cases in Dorset, with reports increasing from 57 to 68 last year.

World Cup brings boost for hospitality but may not be enough, specialist says

World Cup brings boost for hospitality - but won’t solve longer term issues - says Bournemouth insolvency specialist Antony Batty & Co.

Christchurch BID to operate for a second five-year term after successful ballot

Christchurch BID is delighted to announce that the BID ballot has been successful. Christchurch BID will operate for a second five-year term through to 2031.

Ferndown Upper School receives national recognition for its careers programme

Ferndown Upper School has won a Careers Development Institute (CDI) Award, which highlights its commitment to delivering high-quality careers education.

Government

Outdoor Education Bill

A Bill to require that all children in primary and secondary education spend a minimum of thirty minutes a day outdoors during school hours; to require primary and secondary schools to provide a minimum of one lesson of teaching each week outdoors; to require that every child be offered at least one outdoor education experience during primary school years and at least one such experience during secondary school years; and for connected purposes.

Formula 1

How Cadillac have showed they are gaining on the F1 midfield

Cadillac entered the world of F1 this season fully aware of what a tough ask it is to be competitive in such a fast-moving sport. They expected to be at the back initially – and while that has proven largely true, the team have already shown real signs of progression.

All of Ferrari's 16 wins at Silverstone

Charles Leclerc finally ended his win drought last weekend at the British Grand Prix, returning Ferrari to the top step at Silverstone once again.

QUIZ: Landmark Ferrari Grand Prix wins

Charles Leclerc claimed Ferrari’s 250th Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix victory on Sunday at Silverstone.

Bortoleto hails Audi progress after Silverstone points finish

Gabriel Bortoleto converted his P11 grid slot into eighth place at Silverstone on Sunday, and in doing so scored Audi’s first points since Australia – reiterating that “the team deserve it” after a run of near misses.

First lap crash at Silverstone ‘was on me’ – Albon

Alex Albon endured a frustrating Grand Prix on Sunday, retiring from the race after his afternoon was reduced to a test session following a first lap incident that left him needing a new front wing.

Windows Central

Amazon has a slop problem and this extension cleans it up

A new Chrome extension lets you filter out the flood of noisy, caps-lock pseudo-brands ruining your Amazon searches.

Report: Microsoft will make even more of its games exclusive to Xbox — as multiplatform strategy totally fails. What's going on?

Xbox's loathed "Project Latitude" strategy which saw Microsoft support its biggest rival with content is ending, with CEO Asha Sharma doubling down on exclusives.

"We hope our pain was worth it": As Microsoft's Xbox layoffs axe half of id Software, one DOOM dev has a scathing message for anyone "celebrating" them

Following Microsoft's mass Xbox layoffs that have resulted in half of id Software being cut, a DOOM dev has biting words for those "celebrating" them.

"Not every app needs to bundle the universe": This tiny notepad app shows why Windows has become so bloated

Former Windows engineer Dave Plummer built a working notepad app that's just 2,686 bytes. The app illustrates how bloated modern software has become.

Gears of War: Reloaded leads Xbox Game Pass's July batch, just in time for new and old fans to catch up in preparation for Gears of War: E-Day

Xbox has announced July 2026's first batch of Xbox Game Pass titles, which includes Gears of War: Reloaded, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, and many more titles that will be added throughout the month.

Xbox's Backwards Compatibility Program and Cloud Gaming lead has been laid off from Microsoft after 37 years — "I wish the team nothing but success"

Microsoft's VP of Xbox Platform Kevin LaChapelle, who led the creation of Xbox Backwards Compatibility and Xbox Cloud Gaming, has been laid off.

Microsoft Teams removal shows why we shouldn't get too excited about preview features

Microsoft just paused development on a pair of minimized views in Teams that would have improved multitasking. It's a frustrating example of why we shouldn't get too excited about features still in testing.

Lenovo’s stunning new Windows 11 all‑in‑one finally dethrones the Surface Studio with its bold Yoga AIO i Aura design

Lenovo's latest flagship all-in-one might be the best-looking Windows AiO we've ever seen, complete with a unique design and best-in-class display that elevates it above the competition.

Over eight hundred reviews say this laptop is perfect, and with its snappy performance and high-quality features that's now 15% off, it's easy to see why

Dell is offering a limited-time 15% discount on the Dell Pro 16 laptop, which has earned over eight hundred 5-Star customer reviews on Dell's website for its exceptional performance and build quality.

Former Halo 4 developer says game execs were "stupid, detached, money‑grubbing idiots" after recalling meeting with Xbox boss

A former Halo 4 developer has recalled an internal meeting where former Xbox boss Don Mattrick allegedly suggested adding a Diablo 3-style real-money auction house for mech skins. The story has reignited discussion around Xbox's leadership during the Xbox 360 and Xbox One transition.

Windows 11 cleanup is finally simple with this powerful open‑source tool that strips bloat, boosts speed, and gives you real control

BleachBit is an open-source Windows 11 cleaner with advanced cleanup options. Check out the recommended settings, secure deletion, and safe usage tips.

People want more value from Microsoft Rewards, and the new feedback portal makes that impossible to ignore

Microsoft has launched a dedicated feedback portal for its Rewards Program, giving people a clearer way to submit ideas, vote on suggestions, and follow progress on changes.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is everything I wanted it to be and more

Black Flag reclaims the title as the best single-player pirate experience with this astonishing new remake that will delight old hands and new players alike.

"It's a franchise we love": Developers at Toys for Bob express a passionate desire to resurrect the Banjo-Kazooie series on Xbox

In a recent interview with Kinda Funny Gamecast, Toys for Bob mentioned that they were huge fans of the classic Banjo-Kazooie franchise and expressed interest in working on a new game if given the chance.

I found Windows laptops with 16GB of RAM on sale for under $1,000 — the memory crisis doesn't have to slow you down

We have rounded up laptops offering 16GB RAM, reliable CPUs, and plenty of storage, all under $1,000 with these discounts.

Laffgaff

How high is the highest platform in Olympic diving?

10m.

Bermuda Orchestra

I was in Bermuda recently, and I went to see their national orchestra playing. The guy with the triangle mysteriously disappeared.

Itsfoss

ORICO 88 Series 4-Bay USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure Review: Fast Storage That Works Natively on Linux

A compact 4-bay NVMe enclosure with USB4 connectivity, tested on Linux with benchmarks.

TUXEDO OS is Ditching Ubuntu for a Debian Base That Never Goes Stable

Their dependency on Ubuntu 'snapped' so they are "testing" Debian now.