The News - Tuesday, 25 August 2026

BBC News

More than 70,000 social and affordable homes to be built across England

Funding has been granted to Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire as well as £6bn for London.

Iran says it is ready for what US calls 'greatest financial offensive ever'

The US calls its latest sanctions on Iran an "economic D-Day", but Tehran says it has a plan to counter them.

Lockerbie bombing trial postponed days before it was due to start

The trial of a Libyan man is delayed for a third time, after new evidence on the 37-year-old case came to light three days ago.

Beyond China's humanoid robots, a quieter machine revolution is unfolding

There are more than two million robots working in China's factories - and they are scaling up fast.

UK drone factories may face attacks from 'unknown sources', says Kremlin adviser

The comments on BBC Newsnight come after the UK announced it has agreed to hand over blueprints for British-made missile components to Ukraine.

The grieving family who says the coroner's courts aren't working

One man's death highlights the growing strains on the UK's coroner's courts

Kit Harington joins HBO's Harry Potter series as Gilderoy Lockhart

The role marks Harington's third collaboration with HBO, after starring in the tentpole Game of Thrones and financial drama The Industry.

Organised crime arrests as police investigate A66 crash that killed two officers

Nine men and three women are arrested as police investigate the lead-up to the crash that killed seven people.

HPV home-testing kits available for women in England who have missed cervical screening

Nearly four million women in England can order a self-testing kits to check for high-risk HPV.

Moment tornado tears through southern France

The tornado has injured more than 40 people and destroyed homes in villages.

US removes Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorism

The Trump administration has embraced Syria's new president, former al-Qaeda linked militant Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Asbestos killed my mum in her 40s – was her school to blame?

Caroline Bryan died three months after being diagnosed of an incurable cancer linked to asbestos.

'What you see is what you pay' - why some US restaurants are banning tips

Tips are central to US dining culture but some eateries think that they are unfair.

Charity? Acting? The Cotswolds? What will Harry and Meghan's UK life look like?

The couple's return to the UK is imminent - and what they'll be focusing on here is gradually becoming clearer.

The Papers: 'Burnham hints at tax increases' and 'Halt the hellrides'

Several of the papers are calling on social media platforms to stop the sharing of videos posted by joyriders.

Videos showing dangerous driving easily found on social media

At least one of the young people killed in the crash appears in videos posted on TikTok showing dangerous driving.

New 10p coin enters circulation - will you spot one?

The coin has been designed to feature King Charles III and a Scottish grouse close to extinction.

French tourist dies in Death Valley after car gets stuck in mud

The 68-year-old man was found dead in California's salt flats amid 116°F (46.6C) heat.

World's oceans hit highest temperature on record as El Niño grows

The record "is another clear signal of an ocean under growing stress", according to Dr Samantha Burgess from the European Copernicus climate change service.

US-Canada trade war escalates as Trump threatens tariff hike on vehicles

Mark Carney accused Trump of wanting to "destroy" Canada's auto industry, and said he would only resume trade talks if the US comes with the "right attitude".

Teenager arrested after four viable devices found in security alert

Police said four viable explosive devices were found and removed from the property for forensic examination.

Briton fighting for Russia killed in Ukraine

Bradley Townsend left South Yorkshire in April, telling his family he was going to Romania.

Fast-moving wildfire forces thousands to evacuate near Reno, Nevada

Firefighters are still working to contain the blaze, which has burned 15,000 acres and injured seven people, officials say.

Father's house rammed before son died in A66 crash

The house belonging to Cole Worthy's father is significantly damaged and its windows are smashed.

CIA chief travels to Moscow for unannounced talks, US media reports

Flight tracking data confirms an American military aircraft travelled to Russia from the US via Latvia on Tuesday.

Trump says all mines cleared from Strait of Hormuz

Iran has closed the vital waterway since the beginning of the conflict causing wild fluctuations in oil prices worldwide.

Who does Iran trade with and what could Trump's 'economic D-Day' mean?

Iran is no stranger to US sanctions and has developed deep economic ties with several countries.

Man dies in crash after police pursuit

Two women are also hurt and one remains in hospital in critical condition.

Young people leaving care have death rate four times higher than national average

Those leaving care have a death rate around four times higher than the general population, a new review reveals.

US judge rejects Ghislaine Maxwell's 'frivolous' appeal against conviction

The former Jeffrey Epstein accomplice loses her latest effort to be released from prison.

Inspectors to assess police after Henry Nowak murder

Hampshire Police officers initially arrested the student and placed him in handcuffs as he lay dying.

Andrew Tate exaggerates and did not own supercars in photos, his lawyers say

Prosecutors argue Tate and his brother Tristan are a flight risk and should not be released on bail.

Trump may hope an 'economic onslaught' will pressure Iran - its leaders are betting otherwise

The US says new sanctions are an "economic D-Day", but Tehran's leaders have survived restrictions before.

Beyond China's humanoid robots, a quieter machine revolution is unfolding

There are more than two million robots working in China's factories - and they are scaling up fast.

The grieving family who say the coroners' courts aren't working

One man's death highlights the growing strains on the UK's coroner's courts

Food influencers v critics: Why credibility counts

People on the food scene look at the rise of influencers and the role of social media in the industry.

Kate Hudson to make How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days sequel, 23 years on

Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, her co-star from the 2003 rom-com, could be reunited for the sequel.

Swedish military seeks to take over Russian-owned estate near naval base

The armed forces request the seizure of the plot near Muskö Naval Base citing threats from Russian drones.

Boy, 3, injured in crocodile attack returns home from hospital

The boy's family say he is "happy to be home" after undergoing seven operations in hospital.

Moment tornado tears through southern France

The tornado has injured more than 40 people and destroyed homes in villages.

OnlyFans owner was paid over $700m before his death

The site hosts a range of subscription-based content from cooking to fitness videos, but it is best known for pornography.

Leeds and Rangers co-owner jailed after prostitution arrest

Jed York pleaded no contest to two charges in Ohio after being arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Bournemouth Echo

Discover the forgotten Boscombe festival that transformed Shelley Park 20 years ago

Relive Boscombe Arts Festival 2006 with Latin music, family-friendly entertainment, workshops and live acts at Shelley Park.

‘Goosebumps’ as Dorset hospice receives first Outstanding rating

The chief executive of a leading Dorset hospice charity said she had “goosebumps” after it received its first-ever Outstanding rating from the care watchdog.

Council welcomes PM’s pledge to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas

A national programme aiming to get people who are homeless off the streets by Christmas has been welcomed by BCP Council

Village pub hit by two floods braces for wet weather after storm forecasts

A pub that was forced to close twice in one year due to flooding is bracing for the potential of more wet weather.

Bournemouth Airport pit stop for epic 3000-mile charity rally

Bournemouth Airport provided an unusual pit stop when an epic 3,000-mile charity rally called on its journey home to Scotland.

Beaulieu invites firefighters and families for free day out

Beaulieu invites members of the Fire and Rescue Service and their families to enjoy a free day out over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Woman diagnosed with rare eye cancer after lights 'flickered' in work meeting

A woman was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer after complaining to confused colleagues that the office lights were 'flickering'.

‘I feel like a criminal’: Farm resident faces eviction from lifelong family home

A man who has lived on a farm since childhood says he feels like a 'criminal' after being faced with eviction after more than 60 years.

'While other seaside towns are packing up, Bournemouth is still going'

Whilst other seaside towns are packing up, Bournemouth is still going.

Celebrities attend SEND students’ fun summer festival in Wimborne

Harry Redknapp and Great British Bake Off star Nelly Ghaffer joined young adults with SEND for a summer festival of fun at Merely House in Wimborne.

Punch and Judy survives by ‘going woke’, says Swanage performer

A man who has been performing Britain's most traditional puppet show in Swanage for a decade claims it has only survived by 'going woke' - after Punch stopped hitting Judy.

RAF plane spotted dropping packages into sea off Dorset coast

Residents reported seeing a large military aircraft flying off the Dorset coast and dropping packages into the sea.

Three people taken to hospital in four car crash

Multiple people have been taken to hospital in a large crash involving four cars

Seizures of e-bikes more than triple in a year as police crackdown on illegal use

MORE than three times as many e-bikes have been seized in the past year compared to the previous 12 months, new figures reveal.

Person taken to hospital after falling on beach

A person who fell while walking on East Beach prompted a huge emergency response

Coastal footpath closed until 2028 over cliff collapse fears

A Studland public footpath will remain closed until March 2028 after coastal erosion caused concerns over cliff edge collapse

National Highways issues A31 update

National Highways issues A31 update as it carries out repairs following the New Forest wildfire.

Inquest opened into the death of famous mountaineer Nirmal Purja

The inquest has opened into the death of a famous mountaineer in the Himalayas.

Celebrating independent businesses at Brewery Square

Independent shops, restaurants, cafés, wellness providers and attractions make Brewery Square one of Dorchester’s most vibrant destinations

Children stay free at luxury New Forest hotel during October half-term

Children can stay for free at a luxury hotel October half-term.

Brick used to smash patio doors in Poole break-in

A brick was used to gain entry to a property in Poole before a selection of tools were stolen.

Handbag and money stolen from vehicle at car boot sale

A handbag containing money and gift cards was stolen from a vehicle at a recent car boot sale.

Coroner appeals for help locating next of kin after man dies at home

A 72 year old man has died at his home in Bournemouth and the Coroner for Dorset is appealing to the public to help locate his next of kin.

Major cargo fleet bought after Bournemouth operator collapses

A major fleet of cargo aircraft have been acquired following the collapse of a key operator.

Woman charged after man in his 50s stabbed in Bournemouth

Witness appeal following alleged serious assault in Bournemouth

Man charged with five offences over road incident in Ringwood

A 28-year-old man has been charged with five offences following a road-related incident in Ringwood.

Why several fire crews were seen whizzing down Poole Road last night

Residents who saw half a dozen fire engines “whizzing past” their windows said the sirens were blaring for more than 10 minutes.

Dorset Police roll out new roadside breathlyser machines with improved sensitivity

New technology improves Dorset Police’s ability to detect drink drivers

Boys, 14, arrested 'attempting to stab wild bird to death'

Two 14 year old boys from Bournemouth were arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place and attempting to kill wildlife

Vigil app that guides users to safe spaces launching across Dorset venues

A new safety initiative app which will direct users to participating venues where they can stop and ask for help if they feel "vulnerable" or "unsafe".

Pedestrian dies in hospital almost two weeks after Bournemouth crash

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a car in Bournemouth.

Work to begin on major refurbishment of Kings Park play area on September 1

Work to transform Kings Park play area will soon get started – with major upgrades set to bring new life to the much-loved park.

Teen arrested over dangerous riding of bike during illegal vape shop crackdown

A teenager has been arrested following an incident during the closure of a vape shop.

How to get 47 days off work in 2027 using just 19 days of annual leave

Workers could turn 19 days of annual leave into 47 days away from work next year by cleverly booking around the 2027 bank holidays.

Students given urgent warning to get free NHS MenB jab before Freshers' Week

Nearly one million students are being urged to get a free NHS MenB vaccination before heading to university

Topless swim challenge raises more than £20,000 for local air ambulance

The DARE to BARE sponsored swim, held at Vobster Quay on August 23, raised an incredible £24,500 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA)

Motorcyclists celebrate all things Italian at Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum

Motorcyclists gathered for Italian Day at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in New Milton, New Forest on August 23.

Dorset contractor completes major refurbishment of Bournemouth health centre

Dorset-based contractor Spetisbury Construction has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of Winton Health Centre on Alma Road, Bournemouth

UK’s longest running rock and pop show returns to Bournemouth venue next month

The UK’s longest‑running rock and pop variety show is set to return to the Bournemouth stage next month

Rare development opportunity put up for sale in 'highly desirable' Poole area

A development opportunity with approved planning permissions for five detached dwellings has come to market with Savills in the desirable location of Lilliput

Bournemouth Water offers customers free water-saving devices to reduce water use

Bournemouth Water is offering customers free water-saving devices designed to help households reduce water consumption and save money on bills.

Inaugural Bournemouth Town to Trail event celebrates town’s hidden green spaces

The Bournemouth Town to Trail event, held on August 23, has been praised for showcasing hidden green spaces just steps from Bournemouth town centre.

Lymington woman opens her home to support mental health charity Hammersley Homes

A woman has welcomed more than 3,000 visitors into her home over the past five years to raise more than £200,000 for charities

Popular craft fair to return to the Allendale Community Centre this October

The Wimborne Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, October 24, at the Allendale Community Centre from 11am to 3pm

Free pickleball taster session for local people with Parkinson's next month

People living with Parkinson’s in Mudeford and the surrounding areas of Dorset and Hampshire are being invited to join a new free Pickleball taster session.

The Ivy Collection announces special Sensational Menu to mark the bank holiday

The Ivy Collection has announced a "sensational" end-of-summer menu to mark the final Bank Holiday of the season

Candid Divorce Lawyer column: 'Can I force my ex out of the house?'

If you've ever spent an awkward morning avoiding your ex in the kitchen, trying to make a cup of tea without a row over custody of the teapot, you’ve probably wondered: “Can I force my ex out of the house?” It’s certainly one of the questions I’m asked...

Award-winning stylist to speak at Westbourne breakfast networking event

Award-Winning Stylist Vicki Gray Joins Agent Nouveau's Networking Breakfast in Westbourne, Tuesday 15th September, 8 am – 10 am

Wildlife photographer walking across UK with nine-foot tiger on his back

Paul Goldstein is walking 1,000 miles carrying a nine-foot, 13kg tiger on his back, raising funds for wildlife conservation in India and Bhutan.

Highly anticipated Oasis documentary on 2025 reunion tour coming to Vue Poole

Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger will be screened at Vue Poole and other cinemas from September 9 to September 17.

Ferndown care home welcomes High Sheriff of Dorset for part of County Line Walk

Kings Park Care Home in Ferndown welcomed Dorset’s High Sheriff and fellow walkers as they completed the Christchurch to Ferndown stage of her County Line Walk.

NHS urging the public to prepare for the final bank holiday of the summer

The NHS is urging people to plan ahead for the final Bank Holiday weekend of the summer

Local DJs reunite after more than 20 years to raise more than £1,500 for charity

Eight former mobile DJ’s, four local venues and hundreds of supporters have turned a nostalgic reunion into a £1,515 fundraising success.

South West parents feel the pinch as nearly half worry about cost of uniforms

Research by Save the Children and the Baby Bank Alliance found that 47 per cent of parents in the South West are concerned about the price of school uniform.

Formula 1

Tsunoda puts himself back on the F1 radar after Dutch GP

In finishing P11 at Zandvoort he might not have made the points, but nevertheless Yuki Tsunoda was able to use his one-off appearance with Racing Bulls to put himself back on the radar of the Formula 1 pitlane.

PALMER: Is Norris in the title race after his Zandvoort victory?

Former Renault F1 driver and F1 TV analyst Jolyon Palmer reckons Lando Norris' victory at Zandvoort was his best win yet – but could it launch a title tilt for the reigning champ?

Who impressed our Power Rankings judges at Zandvoort?

F1 returned from the summer break with a dramatic Dutch Grand Prix – won by McLaren’s Lando Norris in fine style. But who else impressed our Power Rankings judges at Zandvoort? Check out the latest scores and overall leaderboard below...

GALLERY: F3 drivers test the ‘incredible’ Madring circuit

Check out the best images from F3 in-season testing at the Madring, where the Spanish Grand Prix will take place in a matter of weeks.

‘A really horrible weekend’ as Haas suffer double Dutch DNF

Haas had an afternoon to forget at Zandvoort, with both Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon parking up trackside to retire with technical issues.

How are Ferrari keeping costs low for their latest upgrades?

Ferrari introduced what it reports as a very cost-effective update to the SF26 at Zandvoort based around changes to the floor. Into the second half of the season the top teams are very aware of the cost implications of any updates as they forecast how to stay within the budget cap by the end of the season.

How Alonso used a unique strategy to earn P9 in Zandvoort

The Dutch Grand Prix saw some fantastic action at the front, but there were also impressive performances further back, including a spectacular drive from Fernando Alonso to P9 and two precious points for Aston Martin.

Gasly hails Alpine progress as Colapinto rues ‘harsh’ penalty

Pierre Gasly added points to Alpine's tally in an upgraded A526 at the Dutch Grand Prix, but it proved to be a tougher day for team mate Franco Colapinto.

Norris ‘driving at the level of a World Champion’ – Stella

Andrea Stella praised race-winner Lando Norris in the wake of the Dutch Grand Prix, which the McLaren man won from pole. But that does not tell the full story of the race, with Norris having to catch and pass Kimi Antonelli on track to ensure he took victory.

Windows Central

The Witcher 4 is years out, but CDPR’s 2028 window hints at a massive next‑gen overhaul for the franchise

CD Projekt Red has announced that The Witcher 4, the long-awaited sequel to the award-winning The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, will be targeting a release window of 2028.

The Xbox release of Wuthering Waves still suffers from issues that make it hard to recommend (for now)

A few weeks from launch, Xbox fans were happy to finally receive one of the most viral gatcha games of recent times. Until they actually played it ...

Windows 11 will soon let you control unified memory, just in time for NVIDIA RTX Spark

A hidden feature in a recent Windows 11 Insider build lets you pick how much unified memory is reserved for graphics and AI.

Where and how to watch Gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live: here's a recap of what to expect, including the premiere of The Witcher 3's next DLC expansion

Gamescom 2026's Opening Night Live ceremony is upon us. Here's how and where you can catch the event live so you don't miss out on its epic gameplay trailers for Gears of War: E-Day, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - 'Songs of the Past', and more.

Pre‑orders are live for the new ROG Xbox Ally X20, featuring a larger OLED display, a refreshed design, and clear advantages over the current Ally X

ASUS has opened pre‑orders for the ROG Xbox Ally X20, the OLED‑powered upgrade to its Windows handheld gaming lineup. The new model is available as a standalone unit starting at $1,299.99, offering improved visuals, updated hardware, and a more premium experience aimed at players who want the best version of the Ally platform.

Windows XP was released to manufacturing 25 years ago, preparing a launch of arguably the most iconic OS that Microsoft ever made

Windows XP hit RTM 25 years ago, prepping the launch of Microsoft's most iconic OS, which became a bestseller with a lasting cultural impact.

Upgrade your PC with discounts on some of our favorite Intel desktop CPUs, and get two free pre-order game codes as a bonus

Antonline is hosting an Intel Gamer Days sale on various high-quality Intel Core Ultra 200S CPUs while bundling in free pre-order codes for two upcoming games, STAR WARS: Galactic Racer and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.

OpenAI's Sam Altman just admitted he was "wrong" about AI — laments that he made the tech seem "scary"

In a new podcast, OpenAI and ChatGPT lead Sam Altman lamented how much the industry made AI a hated tech, in his words, that they failed to "explain the benefits."

Laffgaff

How is Robert Underdunk Terwilliger Junior better known on The Simpsons?

Sideshow Bob.

Break In

Last night, someone broke into our house and stole a dozen eggs. They also left a saucepan filled with warm water. Police believe it was poachers.

Itsfoss

Linux 7.3 is Shaping Up to Be One of The Most Performance-Focused Kernel Releases in Years

The merge window is still open, but faster filesystems, a smarter scheduler, and real-time latency fixes are already in.

This Tiny USB Device Turns Your Phone Into a Keyboard, Mouse, and SSH Terminal

The $42 open source dongle gives you BIOS-level keyboard and mouse control plus SSH access. No software installation is needed on the target machine.