The News - Tuesday, 19 May 2026

BBC News

New High Street crime unit to target gangs fronting shops after BBC investigation

It follows BBC News exposing drug gangs, money laundering, immigration crime, and ghost directors linked to shop fronts.

Wrongly jailed Malkinson tells BBC: 'I've been cheated, very badly cheated'

Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in jail for Paul Quinn’s crime, says he's thankful authorities have "finally got the real perpetrator".

Trump says he called off new Iran attack at request of Gulf states

The US president says he is holding off on a US attack planned for Tuesday as "serious negotiations are now taking place".

Faisal Islam: Burnham seeks to calm markets by committing to fiscal rules

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is looking to manage the markets as well as the Makerfield byelection

Selling children to survive: Afghan fathers forced to make impossible choices

In Afghanistan today, a staggering three in four people cannot meet their basic needs.

Ex-British soldier imprisoned by Russia says he feels abandoned in occupied Ukraine

In letters sent to the BBC from prison, Hayden Davies says he has had no contact with British authorities.

Teen suspects fatally shoot three in suspected hate crime at San Diego mosque

The alleged attackers were aged 17 and 18 and one left a note containing "generalised hate rhetoric", investigators say.

'Untouchable' teen motorbike thieves mocking victims on TikTok

BBC investigation finds hundreds of videos showing self-confessed thieves posing with stolen bikes.

At least 118 dead in Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, official says

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international emergency.

What really holds China and Russia together

The relationship endures despite a power imbalance, with both sides recognising that it is too important to fail.

The Papers: 'Starmer sabotages Burnham' and 'Best of buddies'

Burnham vows not to 're-run' Brexit and King joins 'buddies' at Chelsea Flower Show leads the papers.

Trump v Massie: Could president's Republican nemesis survive $20m attack to oust him?

The Kentucky congressman, who has crossed the president on federal spending and the Epstein files, faces Republican voters on Tuesday.

Trump told Taiwan not to 'go independent' - but does it want to?

Taiwan independence is the reddest of red lines for China, which claims the island as its own.

Elon Musk just lost another lawsuit. Will he keep fighting?

Musk's loss against OpenAI is the latest in a string of courtroom defeats.

Trump administration unveils $1.7bn fund to compensate his allies as he drops tax lawsuit

The settlement will go towards individuals who allege they were subjected to unfair investigations.

'Digi-hogs' tracked in bid to slow decline in hedgehog numbers

Researchers hope the project will also help to identify barriers preventing hedgehogs from finding food and mates in the wild.

Tasmanian government apologises over stolen body parts scandal

An investigation found that 177 human specimens from dozens of bodies were secretly kept by a museum.

Oil price slumps as Trump says he called off Iran attacks

Energy markets have been on a wild ride as the key Strait of Hormuz waterway remains effectively closed.

Standard Chartered to cut thousands of roles as AI use increases

The UK-headquartered banking giant aims to move some of the effected workers to other roles in the business.

Tube strikes called off by RMT union

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union calls off a series of 24-hour strikes starting on Tuesday.

Surrey Police investigating child sex abuse allegations after Epstein files release

The force said no arrests have been made in relation to the offences dating back to the 1980s and 1990s.

Married at First Sight UK rape allegations 'extremely serious', says PM's spokesperson

A BBC Panorama investigation revealed allegations that two women had been raped during filming.

HS2 could cost up to £102.7bn and trains will be slower than first planned

The new cost range and train speed are being announced as a "reset" of the delayed, over-budget and vastly scaled-back project is carried out.

BBC confirms new Strictly Come Dancing hosts

The trio replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the BBC dance competition last year.

Petrol hits highest price since start of Iran war

The average price of unleaded has risen to 158.52p a litre, according to the RAC, who warn that it could rise further in the coming weeks.

Father-of-eight killed in San Diego mosque shooting hailed as hero

Security guard Amin Abdullah, one of three killed in the attack, was described as "a shining light".

Supermarkets urged to limit food prices by government

Any price caps would be voluntary apply to key groceries such as eggs, bread, and milk, the BBC understands.

Victim or enabler? Epstein girlfriend who could face questions despite plea deal

Nadia Marcinko is relatively unknown but may soon be called before US legislators.

Thailand cuts visa-free stay period for more than 90 countries including UK

Many visitors who have been exempt for 60 days will soon have to apply for a visa after 30 days.

Ebola outbreak may be spreading faster than first thought, WHO doctor warns

Hundreds of cases are suspected in central Africa but experts fear the actual number may be much higher.

Disabled man 'rotting' on a hospital ward - despite being fit to go home

Ravi Mehta says his care could be terminated if he self-discharged. His NHS care board says its decisions have not been driven by costs.

I survived a dangerous rip current by floating - here's what people should know to stay alive

The RNLI is urging people to follow Euan Gray's example by floating until help comes.

Why the AI industry is the real winner of the Musk-Altman trial

The trial in Oakland, California has helped lift the veil on the AI sector - and the huge egos of the men at the heart of it.

Selling children to survive: Afghan fathers forced to make impossible choices

In Afghanistan today, a staggering three in four people cannot meet their basic needs.

Honduran ex-president controversially pardoned by Trump speaks to BBC

Juan Orlando Hernández was serving a 45-year prison sentence for drug trafficking when he was pardoned by Trump.

Watch: Crews battle blaze as thousands evacuated near Los Angeles

The Sandy Fire ignited in the city of Simi Valley and spread across 1,364 acres (550 hectares) with minimal containment as of Tuesday, officials said.

Police seek charges for up to 57 people over Grenfell Tower disaster

The Met Police will submit files to the CPS including possible cases of corporate manslaughter.

Anti-government demonstrators and police clash in Bolivia

Protesters have been calling for the president to resign after weeks-long unrest.

Son of Mango boss arrested over father's fatal fall from cliff

Isak, 71, died in December 2024 after falling from a ravine while walking in the Montserrat mountains near Barcelona.

Israeli minister Smotrich says ICC prosecutor seeking warrant for his arrest

The Hague-based court declines to comment, saying applications for warrants are classified as secret.

King and Queen on first visit to Northern Ireland this year

First stop for the royal couple was an event in Belfast to celebrate the city hosting this year's Irish music festival Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Stranger Things star to make West End debut in Rent musical revival

Gaten Matarazzo is no stranger to the theatre, having starred in several Broadway shows from a young age.

Bournemouth Echo

Heathland fires going unpunished as just four suspects identified in five years

Fires tearing through Dorset’s heathlands are going largely unpunished after data shows police identified just four suspects in the last five years – and charged none.

Van "dumped" on residential road may have person inside, police say

A Christchurch resident has voiced concerns that a van “dumped” on his road is a “hazard risk”. Stephen Bootman, 74, of Lingwood Avenue, says the van has been loaded with rubbish and parked near the junction for the past two weeks.

LIVE: A35 Wimborne Road closed after crash causing heavy traffic

Motorists are facing major disruption this afternoon after a crash forced the closure of the A35 Wimborne Road in both directions.

LIVE: Thick smoke seen billowing from recycling centre in Poole

We are getting reports of a fire at a recycling centre in Poole.

Young people urged to get second vaccination to protect against MenB

YOUNG people across Weymouth and Portland are being urged to take up their second vaccination for Meningitis B next month

Man seen 'throwing outdoor furniture' and damaging passing vehicle

A MAN was seen throwing outdoor furniture into the road causing damaged to a passing vehicle in a reported criminal damage incident.

Historic countryside pub in Dorset reopens after £300,000 transformation

The Red Lion in Winfrith, Dorset, has reopened its doors after a £300,000 investment from Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) and Barr & Barr’s Hospitality LTD.

Parents could face tougher action if their children commit a crime

The Government's Youth Justice White Paper proposes tougher penalties for parents if children offend, including higher fines and possible jail time.

New Forest charity receives more than £400k in charity

A charity supporting people with long-term mental health conditions has received more than £400,000 in funding.

No updates or arrests made following reported rape on Boscombe beach

There have been no updates following a reported rape in Boscombe earlier this month.

Council fix sinkhole that was 'immediate danger'

The council have fixed a sinkhole in Poole after residents reported that it opened up in Ashley Cross, last week. The sinkhole appeared at the junction of Salterns Road and Curzon Road— but the council now say the issue has now been fixed.

62-year-old London man reported missing with links to Burley and Brockenhurst

A 62-YEAR-OLD man from London has been reported missing and has links to Burley and Brockenhurst in New Forest.

Tech stolen from Upton home in overnight burglary

A burglary investigation is under way after 'a number of' tech items were stolen from a home overnight.

PICTURES: Smoke seen billowing from recycling centre as blaze broke out

SMOKE was seen billowing from a building in Poole after a fire broke out in the recycling centre on Tuesday afternoon.

Readers say open Poole Park gate and bring back Bournemouth Air Festival

Funding the Bournemouth Air Show and reopening Poole Park Gate are among some of the ideas readers want to see new town councils implement, but most readers say they want the new lower tier authorities to do nothing and to keep costs down.

Man hospitalised with 'life-changing injuries' after alleged assault

Dorset Police have said that a man has been taken to hospital with “life-changing injuries” after an alleged assault— where he was “punched by another man”— in the Hamilton Road area.

Country park announces closure of popular attraction for 'essential works'

Moors Valley Country Park has announced a popular bike park will be closed for essential works. Watchmoor Bike Park will be closed for up to three days starting Wednesday 20th May 2026 for “essential tree works”.

Hawkwood Road Car Park closing permanently

Car parks in Bournemouth will be permanently closing to allow for construction of a major regeneration project

Three-vehicle crash shuts road for nearly two hours

A three-vehicle collision led to the road being closed for almost two hours on Monday evening, May 18.

Major Boscombe regeneration project to start next month

A £23.9million regeneration project in Boscombe starting in June is expected to take more than two years to complete

RECAP - Police activity in residential Boscombe road

Police activity has been reported in Hamilton Road, Boscombe. We will be bringing you latest updates as we get them.

The secret wartime story of a Dorset SAS hero finally revealed

A new biography reveals the secret wartime life of Dorset SAS hero Peter Weaver

Ground Force's Charlie Dimmock's quiet life in the New Forest in a cosy cottage

Charlie Dimmock is well-known for her work on gardening shows such as Ground Force, and now lives in the New Forest

Legendary singer Donny Osmond to perform at Bournemouth venue next year

Donny Osmond will bring the Viva UK Tour to Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on February 3, 2027.

Long-running Dorset charity bike ride gears up for its 38th year

The Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride will take place on Sunday, July 5, and organisers are hoping to beat last year’s fundraising total of £24,190.

Popular free food festival to return to Dorset this weekend

Christchurch Food Festival will take place from Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25 along the Dorset coastline at Christchurch Quay and the Quomps.

Family create 'unforgettable memory' after finding 'beautiful' seahorse in harbour

A family made an unexpected discovery during a crabbing trip along the harbour.

Shop burglar jailed for six months - In the Dock

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

Care home managing director leads team to victory in charity cook-off

Duncan Edwards and the Pressure Cookers won Barchester’s 2026 charity cook-off, raising £53,000 to support disabled and vulnerable people across the UK.

Crematorium makes 'generous' donation of over £12,000 to Forest Holme Hospice

Harbour View Crematorium, based in Lytchett Minster, has donated £12,714.78 to Forest Holme Hospice Charity through its metals recycling scheme.

Dorset community takes part in memory-themed treasure hunt

A community in Dorset took part in a memory-themed treasure hunt to raise awareness and understanding of dementia

Care homes brew and bake in aid of national dementia campaign

Residents and team members raised a cuppa at Colten Care’s dedicated dementia care homes to help Dementia UK's campaign.

Unusual Dorset folly offers one of the best coastal sunset views

Here are some stunning photos that show a Dorset folly that offers one of the best sunset views around

Pirate-themed play park to reopen after £130k refurbishment

A play park in Poole is set to re-open in June following a major refurbishment to help modernise the facility as part of BCP Council Plans for Play project

Serial shoplifter stole almost £4k of goods from health and beauty stores

A serial shoplifter has been jailed after he swiped nearly £4,000 worth of goods from shops across Bournemouth.

Scaffolding company applies for goods vehicle operator's licence

Marshalls Scaffolding Ltd seeks a Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence for 2 HGVs at Bosley Nursery, Hurn. Local objections must be submitted within 21 days.

Two roads in Poole set to temporarily close for highway works

Birds Hill Road and Parkstone Road in Poole to close for highway improvement works by BCP Council June–July 2026. Check diversion routes and dates.

Women on trial for 'impeding police investigation' after man died

Two women are on trial charged with impeding a police investigation by taking two young people to Bournemouth after the death of a man on an Oxford estate.

Tank Museum to hold special forest-themed activities this half term

Tanks and trees take centre stage in a Dorset museum's new half-term experience exploring the unexpected links between nature and war machines

Iran conflict placing mounting pressure on tour operators, expert warns

Bournemouth insolvency specialist Antony Batty & Company Ltd is warning of the Iran conflict's potential threat to already-struggling smaller tour operators.

Care home surprises former opera singer with special birthday experience

Zara Taken, a resident at Care UK’s The Potteries care home in Broadstone and former opera singer, enjoyed a surprise outing to the Bournemouth Pavilion.

'Outdoor fitness equipment and outdoor table tennis would boost BCP'

Bournemouth is blessed with one of the finest stretches of coastline in the country. We have around eight miles of promenade, beautiful clifftops, parks, gardens and open spaces that attract residents and visitors all year round

Community spirit celebrated at annual parishioners' meeting in Wimborne

Wimborne Minster Town Council hosted its annual parishioners’ meeting at Allendale House on Tuesday, May 12.

Bournemouth University student wins prestigious journalism award

BU student Katie O’Donnell won the 2026 Orwell Society/NUJ Young Journalist’s Award in the Reviews category, becoming the first from the university to do so.

Fewer than 300,000 red squirrels remain in the UK

Fewer than 300,000 red squirrels remain in the UK, with around 39,000 in England and Wales, as the RSST and UKSA fund research.

Multiple roads in the New Forest temporarily closed for works

Hampshire County Council announces temporary road closures across the county from 18 May for essential works. See full list of affected roads and diversions.

More than 63,000 people in Dorset have received spring Covid vaccinations

More than 63,000 people in Dorset have already protected themselves against Covid this spring - don’t miss your chance!

Year 2 pupils graduate from Maths Mates programme at Bournemouth University

A group of Year 2 pupils are celebrating a boost in confidence after completing a maths programme at Bournemouth University.

Spring Autojumble marks 30th year at Beaulieu with over 14,000 in attendance

14,000 visitors attended the 30th Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, held on May 16 and 17, for a weekend filled with classic cars and rare motoring memorabilia.

Arts University Bournemouth hosting art exhibition at The Dolphin Centre

A collective of students from MA Painting at AUB are presenting Gathering, a multidisciplinary art exhibition taking place at The Dolphin Centre until May 23.

Several Upton roads to temporarily close for resurfacing and maintenance works

Several Upton roads, including Moorland Way and Watery Lane, will close from 26 May for Dorset Council resurfacing and maintenance works. Diversions in place.

Benugo at John Lewis in Poole Retail Park applies for premises licence

Benugo at John Lewis, Poole Retail Park, has applied to BCP Council for an alcohol licence to sell drinks on and off site daily, 8am–11pm.

Government

Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]

A Bill to make provision about the regulation of financial services and markets; and for connected purposes.

Commercial Payments Bill [HL]

A bill to make provision about payment terms in commercial contracts; to make provision about interest on late payment of commercial debts; to ban retention clauses in the construction sector; to expand the powers of the Small Business Commissioner in relation to payment disputes and poor payment practices; to amend the Enterprise Act 2016 in connection with other functions of the Small Business Commissioner; and for connected purposes.

Formula 1

Canadian Grand Prix betting guide and latest odds

Our experts bring you all the important betting information you need before making your predictions.

Listen to F1 Nation’s Canadian GP preview

The F1 Nation crew are here to run through the major talking points ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

Why Coulthard thinks Verstappen is ‘not going anywhere’

Former F1 driver David Coulthard has shared an insight into why he believes that Max Verstappen will not leave Red Bull.

Wolff backs ‘killer’ Russell to recover from challenges

Toto Wolff has no concerns around George Russell bouncing back after a frustrating Miami Grand Prix weekend.

Stella singles out ‘smart’ design trend from McLaren rival

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has identified a unique sidepod concept used by Red Bull.

10 viral moments from past Canadian Grands Prix

There have been plenty of memorable off-track moments in Montreal – here are some of the most viral from previous Grands Prix.

Aston Martin can do something 'very special' – Stroll

Despite a tough start to the season for Aston Martin, Lance Stroll is confident that "the future is very bright" for the team.

What F1 drivers have been up to before Canada

With a couple of weeks between the Miami and Canadian Grand Prix, here’s a recap of everything the F1 drivers have been up to.

Windows Central

Report: PlayStation won't release its single player games on Windows PC or Steam anymore — putting pressure on Xbox as it considers bringing exclusives back

PlayStation maker Sony will reportedly no longer release its single player exclusives on PC, raising questions about if and how Xbox will respond.

The first true MacBook Neo rivals are here, packing double the RAM and storage of Apple's budget laptop

Honor, ASUS, and HP are the first to ship laptops powered by Intel Wildcat Lake CPUs, matching the price of the MacBook Neo but with more storage and memory.

Xbox makes new 'Player Voice' forum to "collect your feedback and make it more visible," and I love it — the community's biggest issue is already clear

Microsoft has introduced a new Xbox Player Voice forum to "make it easier to share input and see how it’s handled" for fans eager to give feedback.

Your new Steam Controller will not work with the Xbox app and PC Game Pass unless you use third-party software on Windows

Game Pass titles from the Xbox PC app can't communicate properly with Valve's new controller via Steam Input, an issue that's currently only fixed with fan-made apps.

Diablo 4 has fixed its controversial shop problem by giving me a violent knife-wielding crab

Paid skins prove you have cash, but Diablo 4’s hidden grinds prove dedication beats a wallet every time.

Is the new Surface Pro for Business (12th Edition) worth an upgrade over the Pro 11? Here's what you need to know before you buy.

Microsoft just launched a new Surface Pro for Business (12th Edition) featuring Intel's "Panther Lake" Core Ultra Series 3 chips. Is it an upgrade you should rush out and buy? I compare the new model to the last-gen Surface Pro 11 to find out.

Forza Horizon 6 pulls in over 270,000 Steam players at launch, and the number is still climbing as Playground’s racer picks up momentum

Forza Horizon 6 has surpassed 270,000 concurrent players on Steam following its full launch, massively outperforming Forza Horizon 5’s peak player count while continuing to climb.

I love my Steam Deck, but I hate managing its pitiful storage size for games — with this 2TB SSD, however, I won't have to manage it again for months

A bargain is underway for the 2TB variant of the WD_Black SN770M SSD, one of our favorite storage upgrade units for gaming handhelds with strong Read speeds to cut down load times.

Winhanced update adds PlayStation integration and emulator support, turning Windows gaming handhelds into true all‑in‑one hubs

Winhanced’s latest update adds PlayStation library integration, PS5 remote streaming through Chiaki, smoother controller navigation, support for over 108 emulators, and a new Apps Library for handheld gaming PCs.

"Not the mainstream PC update you're hoping for": I break down how the Surface Laptop 8 for Business compares to the Surface Laptop 7

The Surface Laptop for Business (8th Edition) has launched, but before you run out and buy one, I have some details about what exactly is new (and why you should probably wait).

Microsoft unveils Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 for 2026 with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips, display upgrades, and new haptics: Launching first for business customers today

Microsoft is refreshing its Surface for Business portfolio today with new Intel chips, with consumer models expected in the coming months along with Snapdragon X2 variants over the summer.

Surface Laptop for Business 8 review: This new privacy screen makes your laptop invisible to everyone else in the coffee shop

Microsoft's Surface Laptop for Business 8th Edition features a world-first integrated privacy display and Intel’s Core Ultra 3, and a high price.

Microsoft forced to bring back Surface Laptop with 8GB RAM as it scrambles to keep prices down amidst RAM crisis: New device fails to meet Copilot+ PC requirements

Microsoft's midrange Surface Laptop offering with 16GB RAM now starts at $1,499 for business customers, forcing the company to bring back an 8GB configuration to bring that price down.

Microsoft confirms that it will bring Snapdragon X2 chips to new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop this year

Although not available today, the company has confirmed that customers will be able to buy its new Surface devices with Snapdragon X2 chips later this year.

Ex-Microsoft exec says the company blew it with AI, as it did with mobile — "Not even 3% of paying Copilot users use it even when it's pre-deployed right in their faces."

Former Microsoft executive Mat Velloso claims the company missed its chance with AI, citing past failures in the internet and mobile.

Xbox Ally in 2026: Thoughts on the state of "Xbox Mode" on Windows PC, AutoSR tested, and what comes next for Xbox Helix

I often think I'm the only "game journalist" on Earth actively using the Xbox Ally and Xbox Mode on PC. There are at least DOZENS of us globally using these devices ... so for that very small audience, I thought I'd share some thoughts on its current state.

Don't buy a new gaming keyboard until you see this 60% tenkeyless with 1,000Hz polling — saving your desk from any more clutter

Best Buy is hosting a 33% discount for the Razer Huntsman Mini 60% keyboard, giving PC players a chance to free up desk space and play with 1000Hz polling rates for less.

Laffgaff

Souvlaki is a food dish originally from which country?

Greece.

Hot Tub Inventor

This guy told me his friend Jack invented the hot tub. I said, “Jack, who's he?”

Itsfoss

The Famous Linux System Cleaner BleachBit Now Has a TUI (And I Tried It Out)

Still in alpha, it brings keyboard-first system cleaning to servers, headless machines, and remote SSH sessions.

Things Are Quietly Changing at Bitwarden, and People Are Worried

The password manager swapped its CEO, rewrote its core values, and briefly pulled "Always Free" from its pricing page.

Wow! Microsoft Now Has a Fedora-based Linux Distro

Azure Linux 4.0 is on the way, and its GitHub repo quietly confirms it's built on Fedora.