The News - Tuesday, 19 August 2025

BBC News

Zelensky leaves White House unscathed as he buys more time

Unlike February's row, Trump and Zelensky struck a more diplomatic tone despite their remaining differences.

'No-one comes for us': The women trapped in Afghanistan's mental health system

Accessing treatment in an Afghan mental health facility is difficult - but getting out can be harder.

'Ketamine Queen' to plead guilty in Matthew Perry overdose case

The American-British dual-national is one of five people who were charged with supplying ketamine to the actor.

BBC at Rafah crossing as queues of aid trucks wait to enter Gaza

The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet is travelling with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

Lineker nominated for National Television Awards

Lineker receives his first NTA nomination since 2017 in the wake of his exit from Match of the Day.

Entire church to be transported across Swedish city

The landmark 113-year-old wooden building is at risk from subsidence and will be moved 5km on giant rolling platforms.

Key takeaways from Ukraine talks in Washington

Ukraine's President Zelensky managed to avoid another disastrous Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump.

Watch: Zelensky's 'fabulous' suit and other moments from Trump meeting

Ukraine's president and other European leaders met at the White House to talk peace.

The Papers: 'Suited not booted' and 'property tax shake-up'

The White House Ukraine summit and Rachel Reeves's potential new taxes dominate Tuesday's papers.

How long tubes of mud could reveal how Antarctica is changing

How long tubes of mud - drilled out of the Antarctic seafloor - could reveal how the frozen continent is changing.

Why India tops the list of abandoned sailors

Around 900 Indian sailors were abandoned on ships across the world in 2024.

Organisers cancel book prize over trans controversy

Several authors withdrew from the Polari Prize longlist following comments made by writer John Boyne.

Intel shares jump as Softbank to buy $2bn stake in chip giant

The announcement comes hours after reports that the White House is in talks over taking a 10% stake in Intel.

Watch: Destruction in Pakistan after flash floods that have killed hundreds

The majority of fatalities were recorded in the northwest Buner district, where at least 200 people were killed.

Soho House bought for £2bn as Ashton Kutcher joins board

The private members' club chain is returning to private ownership after four years on the New York Stock Exchange.

Asylum seekers to be removed from Epping hotel after council wins High Court injunction

The ruling means all asylum seekers must be moved out of the The Bell Hotel by 12 September.

Starmer hails breakthrough on Ukraine - but anxiety over its future remains

Donald Trump's commitment to Ukraine's security is key to a lasting peace, the UK prime minister says.

Millions warned of bank holiday travel disruption due to rail works and strikes

Millions are told to prepare for disruption from traffic, rail engineering works and strikes.

Israel demands release of all Gaza hostages, casting doubt on ceasefire proposal

It comes a day after Hamas said it accepted a proposal for a 60-day truce, during which around half of the 50 hostages would be freed.

People buying less fast food as grocery prices remain high

But shoppers were still buying branded groceries instead of opting for cheaper, own-brand alternatives.

I was sexually assaulted on a plane - now I'm fighting for compensation

The 24-year-old shares the impact of her ordeal on a flight from Qatar and being refused compensation.

Watch: London Zoo's capybaras and tortoises on weigh-in day

London Zoo in Regent's Park holds its annual animal weigh-in, with zookeepers weighing and measuring over 10,000 animals to monitor their health and wellbeing.

Son of Norway's crown princess charged with rape and abuse

Marius Borg Høiby is charged with 32 offences and could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Why Ukraine's first lady wrote Melania Trump a letter

Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska has thanked US First Lady Melania Trump for imploring Vladimir Putin to protect children.

Watch: Two presidents, two very different Oval Office encounters

Onlookers gasped as Trump and Zelensky's meeting in Washington in February descended into chaos, but times have changed.

Zelensky leaves White House unscathed as he buys more time

Unlike February's row, Trump and Zelensky struck a more diplomatic tone despite their remaining differences.

Scotland's prisons are filled with gangsters. Staff are battling to keep rivals apart

Hundreds of gang members are being held in Scotland's jails, where violent incidents are on the increase.

What results day is like when you're neurodivergent - and how parents can help

Three young people tell the BBC what support they would have liked during their recent results days.

'No-one comes for us': The women trapped in Afghanistan's mental health system

Accessing treatment in an Afghan mental health facility is difficult - but getting out can be harder.

My eating disorder misdiagnosis left me with PTSD

Charlotte Chapman-Hart tells of her experience of a lack of coordinated and informed care.

Little Mix star Perrie Edwards discusses trauma of losing baby at 24 weeks

Perrie Edwards says she suffered two miscarriages, with one at six months leaving her "distraught".

Release of retail sales data delayed over quality concerns

The delay raises fresh questions over the reliability of ONS data, which influences policy decisions.

Second man pleads guilty to stealing car that crashed into care home

The pair, who crashed a BMW into a Sunderland care home, are due to be sentenced next month.

Harmful bacteria 'highest in summer' in Windermere

New data finds England's largest lake has "poor" water quality during its busiest months.

Tom Grennan says therapy helps with his body dysmorphia

The singer opens up about how eating binges and gym training habits can affect his mental health.

Bournemouth Echo

The Dorset pub that was transformed into a supermarket

The once-busy local pub known as The Dolphin poured its last pint in August 2011.

How Bournemouth suffered in a very personal way from the Titanic disaster

Bournemouth's experience was a deeply personal one, tied to the stories of a handful of individuals and a community's empathetic response.

PCC slams ‘inaccurate and fearmongering’ crime reports on Bournemouth

DORSET’s Police and Crime Commissioner has hit back at ‘inaccurate’ and ‘fearmongering’ national media reports about crime in Bournemouth.

Swanage family's century long shop legacy recognised by Coca-Cola

A Swanage family has been chosen as the star of a major new campaign by Coca-Cola.

Bournemouth East MP visits 1,200 residents in summer tour

Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes meets 1,200+ residents in summer "Talk with Tom" tour, hosting community events, drop-ins, and surgeries across Bournemouth.

Remembrance service marks 80th anniversary of VJ Day

The closing prayer and the blessing were given by the Revd Bill French, who is chaplain to the Wimborne branch of the Royal British Legion.

Dorset hospice encouraging people to write or update their wills

This initiative, named Write a Will Month, provides an opportunity to create a basic will or amend an existing one while supporting the community hospice.

Bournemouth Pier bar to host event to support grassroots artists

Key West Bar on Bournemouth Pier hosts live music for Arts by the Sea Festival, supporting grassroots UK artists as music venues face rising costs.

Olympic champion returns to old school for 'inspirational' speech

Olympic rower Major Heather Stanning OBE returns to Durlston School as guest speaker at Speech Day, inspiring pupils with stories from her sporting journey.

Long road closures and parking restrictions to hit Poole

Ferry Way, Poole faces road closures and parking restrictions from August 2025 to March 2026 for jetty works, BCP Council confirms. Emergency access maintained.

'Health in pregnancy' drop-in event to be held at hospital

University Hospitals Dorset hosts a free health in pregnancy drop-in event at Royal Bournemouth BEACH Building. Advice, flu jabs, no booking needed.

Construction starts on Lidl's first store in Purbeck

Construction begins on Lidl’s first store in Purbeck, Sandford Road, bringing 40 jobs, EV chargers, and a discount supermarket option to locals from 2025.

MP throws support behind reopening of popular centre

Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre in Bournemouth to reopen spring 2026 after £825k funding boost, with new sustainable merchandise and MP support.

Hundreds of motorbikes come to museum for 'just amazing' event

The event welcomed a rider on a 1972 Moto Guzzi who had travelled from Italy, through France and Ireland, to visit the museum.

Financial services provider launches major new initiative

The initiative aims to reflect the needs of GWCU's diverse community, including single parents and middle-income families.

Record-breaking crowd for Horticultural and Craft Show

Upton in Bloom Horticultural and Craft Show 2025 sets record for entries as Patrick Twell wins overall prize. Community event draws crowds in Dorset.

Beaulieu announces spectacular new Christmas experience

A Palace House Christmas is included in a Beaulieu ticket, which also grants access to the National Motor Museum and Beaulieu Abbey.

Football freestyle star wows with performance at club's celebration

Football freestyle star Jay Rosa inspired Phoenix Youth FC in Bournemouth, impressing with skills and promoting mental health awareness at the club event.

Company moves to new site after outgrowing previous home

Void Acoustics relocates to a 24,000 sq ft warehouse at The Fulcrum, Poole, Dorset, to support global loudspeaker demand for venues like Glastonbury and Ibiza.

'Big moment' for Dorset as residents asked for views on future

"We have tough housing targets to meet that the government has set, but I'm also mindful that we're planning for real lives, not just numbers on a page."

New director appointed at social and health care provider

Care Dorset appoints Dr Felix Davies as non-executive director for clinical matters, strengthening leadership in UK social care and NHS mental health services.

Hospice strengthens clinical services with new consultants

Specialist palliative care physiotherapist Louise Hopley has recently qualified as a health coach, expanding the skills and knowledge offered by the charity.

MP urges people to 'get involved' after visiting blood donor centre

Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes urges more blood donors after visiting Poole Blood Donor Centre, as NHS seeks 200,000 new donors to meet national demand.

Dance group marks 60 years of traditional Scottish dancing

Bournemouth Royal Scottish Country Dance Society celebrates 60 years. Join social dance classes for fitness & fun at Scottish Hall. All welcome, £5/session.

New mural and information board unveiled at railway station

Wool station unveils new information board and mural by Maria Burns, promoting local attractions like Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Backed by PCRP and South Western Railway.

'A policy that has no possibility of success'

Typically in UK urban areas cars spend 95 per cent of their time parked. It is also estimated that in urban areas 30 per cent of cars on the road are circulating searching for a car parking space.

Plan to use cabin in grounds of home as a holiday let

(Illustration The Tree House and location map)

In The Dock: Man caught with 'extreme' indecent images of animals

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

Chairman warns of challenges ahead for New Forest National Park

David said: "20 years ago we were entrusted with a responsibility: to protect, preserve, and enhance this special place for generations to come.

Police report to nearly 50 incidents of anti-social behaviour in one week

Police officers from Bournemouth have reported to almost 50 anti-social behaviour incidents in the past week, the force has said.

Mum told lump was milk cyst discovers she has aggressive breast cancer

A new mum who discovered a lump in her breast while breastfeeding was repeatedly told it was a blocked milk duct before learning she had aggressive breast cancer.

Harbour welcomes 'five-star' cruise to Poole

Poole Harbour welcomes 'luxurious' Hebridean Princess cruise ship to port.

Man dies in hospital after continuing to 'deteriorate'

An inquest has opened into the death of a man who 'continued to deteriorate' after being admitted to hospital.

Cinema to hold £1 screenings to celebrate launch

A CINEMA is putting on £1 screenings to celebrate its launch.

Stunning photos of meteor shower over Dorset landmark

A skywatcher has captured a jaw-dropping view of the Perseid meteor shower from Dorset.

Fire breaks out in busy high street

A fire has broken out at a takeaway in Southbourne. Emergency services are at the scene.

Road closed in Ringwood after accident involving lorry

Verwood Road in Ringwood is currently closed both ways following an incident with a lorry.

New TV drama set to be filmed in Dorset

An exciting new TV drama is set to be filmed in Dorset

Rape, strangulation and robbery among hundreds of crimes against delivery drivers

Rape, strangulation and robbery are among hundreds of crimes against Dorset delivery drivers

Serial flasher banned from wearing kilts jailed for exposing himself

A man who has been banned from wearing kilts and shorts has been jailed after exposing himself

Convicted sex offender died in Dorset prison

A CONVICTED sex offender who was jailed for assaulting two girls has died in prison.

Former golf club destroyed by fire earmarked in planning application

A FORMER golf club that was destroyed by a fire has been earmarked in a planning application.

Woman charged after hit-and-run left pedestrian in hospital

A woman has been charged and is due to appear in court after failing to stop after hitting a pedestrian in Bournemouth.

When a Royal was knocked unconscious in Dorset

We're remembering when Princess Anne had a serious accident in Dorset in 1976

Man holding knife 'demands money in robbery'

A man 'in possession of a knife' has reportedly stolen a number of valuables during a robbery in Bridport

Warning over romance scammers stealing money

POLICE are warning the public to be vigilant of romance scammers attempting to steal money.

Woman in 30s dies after being found unresponsive by neighbour

An inquest has opened into the death of a woman in her 30s.

Smoke 'coming through the brickwork' as fire sparks at chippy

Smoke was billowing out the doors and walls of a fish and chip shop after it caught on fire.

Motorcyclist hospitalised with 'serious' injuries after crash

A motorcyclist from Bournemouth has been hospitalised with serious injuries after a crash in Barton on Sea.

Bournemouth Goats group blast 'deliberate cruelty' after 'poisonous cuttings' found

The Bournemouth Goats group have blasted a member of the public for "deliberate cruelty" after "poisonous garden cuttings" were found an enclosure.

Skydiving centre where Bournemouth instructor fell to death reopens under new name

THE skydiving centre where an instructor from Bournemouth and a mum plunged to their deaths has reopened under a new name.

Man charged with public order offence after incident involving a dog

Following an incident involving a dog, a man has been charged by the police.

Emergency services called to 'unconscious' man at beach

Emergency services were called to reports of an unconscious man at Southbourne beach.

Missing man last seen in early hours found

Police are searching for a man from Bournemouth after he was last seen in the early hours of the morning yesterday.

Formula 1

WATCH: The 10 best battles of the 2025 season so far

Formula 1 has delivered another batch of incredible racing – and a fair share of heated moments – across 2025 so far, with fans being entertained from the first lap of the season opener in Australia to the chequered flag in Hungary last time out.

Verstappen's dramatic first title win as he edged out Hamilton

To mark F1's 75th anniversary celebrations, F1.com is counting down the sport's 25 greatest races with a new feature every week. While you may not agree with the order, we hope you enjoy the stories of these epic races that have helped make this sport what it is today. You can read the introduction to the series and see the list of races here.

How Sauber's 2025 season has played out so far

As we reach the halfway point of the season, it's time to look back on how Kick Sauber's campaign has unfolded so far with their new-for-2025 line-up of experienced driver Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.

Hamilton shares more about his special Ferrari documents

Lewis Hamilton has provided a few more details regarding the documents he has been compiling for Ferrari this season, as the seven-time World Champion pushes to help the legendary team end their title drought.

Stella surprised by level of McLaren's dominance in 2025

Team Principal Andrea Stella has reflected on McLaren's dominant performances throughout 2025 so far, with the squad sitting top of the Teams' Standings.

MS Dynamics

Automate intent discovery and resolution with Customer Intent Agent

With the latest July 2025 updates to the Customer Intent Agent, Microsoft is accelerating the journey toward fully autonomous contact centers. These enhancements empower organizations to leverage AI agents that not only understand customer intent but also automate the entire resolution process. This increases the availability of human service reps to focus on high-value interactions.  […]

The post Automate intent discovery and resolution with Customer Intent Agent appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Expanding SMS capabilities in Dynamics 365 Contact Center 

We’re excited to announce two enhancements to Dynamics 365 Contact Center, powered by Azure Communication Services (ACS): SMS mobile numbers and SMS short codes. These capabilities significantly expand our global SMS footprint. Moreover, they provide businesses with more flexibility and control over how they engage with customers through real-time, two-way messaging.  SMS mobile numbers  With the introduction of SMS mobile numbers, ACS-based SMS in Contact […]

The post Expanding SMS capabilities in Dynamics 365 Contact Center  appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Empowering frontier firms with the Case Management Agent

With the latest updates to the Case Management Agent (CMA) in Dynamics 365 Customer Service, Microsoft is helping organizations accelerate their evolution into frontier firms. These organizations lead by empowering AI agents to run entire business processes while humans set direction and monitor progress.   The July 2025 preview updates to CMA introduced powerful capabilities that […]

The post Empowering frontier firms with the Case Management Agent appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Windows Central

Sam Altman admits OpenAI "screwed up" GPT-5's launch but shares a bold vision for the future — hints at "a cooler social experience with AI" and a potential Google Chrome buyout

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, along with other company executives, met with multiple reporters over dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant in San Francisco to discuss the multibillion-dollar AI firm's future plans

Fallout TV series Season 2 first look images show the main cast — and a glimpse of this iconic city before the bombs fell

Before the bombs fell, Vegas was a glittering jewel — Fallout Season 2’s images reveal what was lost, and what’s waiting in the wasteland.

HP's "high-quality, 2-in-1 AI laptop" is down to $699 for a limited time — ideal for students and Windows 10 refugees

HP's OmniBook X Flip 14 for 2025 is a great option for students and general users at full price, but this 33% discount at Best Buy drops it to less than $700 for a limited time.

Sad the Battlefield 6 Open Beta is over? I am, too, but hey — Battlefield 2042 just got a surprise new Update 9.2, and it has BF6 rewards for everyone that plays it

With the Battlefield 6 Open Beta now over, DICE has released a surprise Battlefield 2042 update with a new map, new weapons and vehicles, and special Battlefield 6 rewards to earn.

NVIDIA's inept AI game assistant now works on more RTX hardware — should you be using it for PC gaming?

NVIDIA's Project G-Assist, an AI gaming assistant, is set to receive its first major update to improve performance and to get it running on a wider range of hardware.

NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW just leveled up to RTX 5080 — here’s what that means for gamers

NVIDIA GeForce NOW is about to transform with RTX 5080-class performance and a massive expansion of its game library.

Xbox hints that Xbox Cloud Gaming will become "more affordable" soon, across more regions, with comments on 'Xbox Next Gen' in tow

In the latest Xbox Podcast, Xbox platform architects Jason Beaumont and Jason Ronald offer some updates on the future of Xbox hardware, cloud, and more.

LIVE: Gamescom 2025 — Xbox and PC gaming announcements as they happen

Gamescom 2025 is going on this week, bringing with it the latest Xbox and PC gaming news. Here are all of the latest Xbox and PC gaming announcements and rumors from the event.

Ex-Google GenAI founder says "AI is going to be gone by the time you finish a PhD" — higher education degrees can't keep up

Jad Tarifi, founder of Google’s first generative AI team, says pursuing a PhD to join the AI wave may not be wise, given how rapidly the field and the world are evolving.

Helldivers 2 x Halo: ODST crossover confirmed — I'm happy these weapons are coming alongside the Xbox version of this PlayStation game

The Helldivers 2 x Halo: ODST crossover is officially revealed, with a Warbond bringing new weapons and cosmetics for players on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

The latest Windows 11 security update could be nuking SSDs — what you can do to avoid disastrous data loss

A lengthy report from an X user suggests that after the latest Windows 11 update, KB5063878, some SSDs are flatlining when attempting to move large files. Here's what you need to know.

Is Microsoft still the "software factory" that Bill Gates envisioned 50 years ago? Satya Nadella says no — it needs an AI blueprint

What happens when legacy vision meets modern disruption? In a recent memo, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella indicated that Bill Gates' revolutionary "software factory" vision might be obsolete in the age of AI.

Microsoft Excel gets more AI — and this time it’s actually useful

Microsoft is adding a COPILOT function to Excel, letting you use natural language prompts inside formulas to analyze, summarize, and categorize data.

You NEED to ditch Ollama and use LM Studio for local AI if you have a laptop or mini PC — here's why

I've been playing with Ollama a lot recently, but it lacks in one key area that has sent me back over to trying LM Studio, with great success, and no need for dedicated GPU.

Is Gears of War: Reloaded bringing its 4K visuals and 120 FPS multiplayer to Xbox Game Pass? — Here's what we know

The Coalition's new Gears of War: Reloaded remaster is one of Xbox's biggest games of the summer, but is it on Game Pass? Here's what we know.

Laffgaff

What king of Scotland was killed in battle in 1057 by Malcolm, son of Duncan?

Macbeth.

Sci-Fi Confusion

I used to get Star Wars and Star Trek confused. Wookie mistake.