The News - Tuesday, 18 August 2026

BBC News

IVF staff accused of misleading UK parents about sperm and egg donors in northern Cyprus

Multiple children are feared to have been conceived using sperm and egg donors which were not the ones selected by the parents.

Russia warns UK over supplying drones to Ukraine

An MoD spokesperson responds by saying Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine.

Inside secret police warehouse as Germany targets small boats gangs

German authorities seize dinghies and life jackets during their first raids under a new law that cracks down on smuggling.

Young adults are taking prescription drugs instead of alcohol - and it's dividing experts

Increasingly, young adults are taking anxiety medication to feel "drunk" at parties. But it's not a free lunch, experts warn.

BBC breaks down Trump's latest shift on North and South Korea

Trump said the US will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un.

Jason Arday's family 'still coming to terms' with his death as vigil held

Jason Arday's family spoke of the "public cruelty" the academic faced before his death last week.

Disabled people in England to get 24-hour free bus travel

The change, which has been welcomed by campaign groups, will come into effect in England from April.

Ex-workers tell of 'chaotic atmosphere' at new £400m prison

Former workers have described a "chaotic atmosphere" of under-staffing and inadequate training.

Over 8,000 affected by water supply disruption

South East Water says its teams are exhausted as it tries to restore water to areas in Kent.

To joke or not to joke?: How to write a good out-of-office message

As we hit peak holiday season, the BBC looks at the dos and don'ts of composing a good out-of-office message.

Watch: What we learned from opening statements in Tupac murder trial

The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil breaks down the key arguments as the long-awaited trial gets under way.

The Papers: 'Who duped PM?' and 'Pep's agony'

The PM exchanging text messages with a person posing as Donald Trump's chief is prominent across Tuesday's papers.

Australia's mushroom murderer Erin Patterson is appealing - here's what you need to know

The Australian, who notoriously poisoned her family members, is trying to overturn her conviction.

Burnham exchanged messages with person posing as Trump's chief of staff

Downing Street has declined to comment on the security breach, first reported by Politico.

Norway's king admitted to hospital and put on sick leave

The 89-year-old - one of Europe's longest-serving monarchs - is suffering from a rare blood condition.

Princess Eugenie announces name of baby daughter

The couple's third child was born earlier this month at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, weighing 6lb 9oz.

Boy, seven, among four injured after crash that killed five teenagers

A car in which the five teenagers were travelling in was going the wrong way down a motorway in County Kildare.

'Britain's most bashed' bridge hit twice in two days

A road in Hinckley is shut due to the "road traffic collision" with a bridge, police say.

Lennon criticises 'nasty' Scottish Labour as leadership bid fails

Michael Marra and Joe Fagan secured enough to support to run to replace Anas Sarwar.

British couple on honeymoon killed in helicopter crash on Greek island

The newlyweds, named as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, were killed alongside their Greek pilot.

PM says he's not embarrassed about hoax message exchange

The PM communicated with a person posing as Susie Wiles, the chief of staff to Donald Trump.

How soon will the drought be over?

Rain has returned to parts of the UK this week but is it enough to end the drought some regions are facing?

National Television Awards pick first all-female shortlist for drama acting award

The five-strong list features Ella Bruccoleri, Sheridan Smith, Ruth Jones, Vicky McClure and Judy Parfitt.

Earl Spencer to 'tell the truth' about his sister Princess Diana in new book

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is due to be released in the UK next month, nearly 30 years after she died.

Prevent scheme not helping children fixated with violence, children's commissioner says

Growing numbers of children referred to the government's counter-terror programme are not suitable for it and need help, Dame Rachel de Souza warns.

One dead and hundreds ill in UK salmonella outbreak

Most of the cases were in England in recent weeks, linked to eating imported eggs, experts believe.

From jumpers to slug pellets - how British wool is back in demand

An increased demand in wool has meant prices have increased more than 70% in the last year.

Young adults are taking prescription drugs instead of alcohol - and it's dividing experts

Increasingly, young adults are taking anxiety medication to feel "drunk" at parties. But it's not a free lunch, experts warn.

Inside secret police warehouse as Germany targets small boats gangs

German authorities seize dinghies and life jackets during their first raids under a new law that cracks down on smuggling.

Why is feeding deer in the Royal Parks dangerous?

From safety risks to photography tips, here is what you need to know about the deer in London's Royal Parks.

'A floating prison' - sailors describe life on warships like USS Abraham Lincoln

Concerns have mounted about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed since 11 December.

Wetherspoons bans customers playing music from phones in pubs

The pub chain says the decision follows complaints about "other people's videos and amplified phone conversations".

Snooker player Graeme Dott goes on trial over child abuse allegations

The 2006 world champion is accused of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and a boy in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.

Serco employee charged with misconduct over sharing asylum seeker addresses in Thetford

The 62-year-old man is charged with misconduct in public office and appears before magistrates.

Kanye West announces tour dates in Russia

The musician would be the first major Western artist to play Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

Officers told not to pursue car on wrong side of motorway before crash, says Ireland's police body

The Garda Representative Association said officers were given a command to "disengage" with the car after it took "evasive action".

Pakistan top court orders ex-PM Imran Khan be moved to hospital from jail

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since 2023 on corruption charges which he says were politically motivated.

OpenAI makes ChatGPT less 'human' for teens in new safety update

OpenAI insisted this was not in response to a particular issue with children believing ChatGPT to be alive.

Former world champion Dott goes on trial over child abuse allegations

The 2006 world champion is accused of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and a boy in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.

Bournemouth Echo

TV chef Lesley Waters swapped mixing bowls for a safety harness

Before ‘active lifestyle’ became a buzzword, beloved TV chef Lesley Waters swapped her mixing bowls for a safety harness in the New Forest.

How one town turned unimaginable grief into an unforgettable summer festival

Two decades ago, unimaginable grief sparked a region-wide wave of defiant joy that culminated in the unforgettable Daisy Fun Days.

Fears for Poole Port workers as Brittany Ferries axes French route

Up to 20 jobs are expected to be lost after Brittany Ferries announced it would axe its Poole route to France.

Call for action on 'dangerous' road says people 'take their lives in their hands'

Residents who 'take their lives into their hands' every time they leave their homes are calling for urgent safety action on a 'dangerous' stretch of road.

Man who burgled Bournemouth Tesco store jailed - In the Dock

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

No contractor found for Bournemouth Pier repairs due to ‘scale and cost’ of works

BCP Council is rethinking their approach to the Bournemouth Pier repairs as no contractor has been found due to the scale and cost

BCP and Poole Town Council holding talks over former Poole Civic Centre

Talks are ongoing to secure part of the former Poole Civic Centre for use by the town council

Almost 5,000 jobs lost at Bradford supermarket chain Morrisons amid cost-cutting

Morrisons, headquartered in Bradford, reported the reductions in its latest financial accounts.

Calls for cheaper parking at Forestry England sites

A councillor wants cheaper parking for New Forest residents, saying current costs are pricing out pensioners and low-income families.

Firefighters tackle heathland blaze near car park in the New Forest

Firefighters tackled a heath fire near a car park in Lyndhurst on Saturday evening

9 rules you need to follow during Dorset hosepipe ban to avoid £1,000 fine

Large parts of Dorset have been placed under a hosepipe ban by Wessex Water, which restricts how you can use water.

Beaulieu responds after National Motor Museum announces plans to leave

A motor museum will remain open to the public in the New Forest despite the National Motor Museum Trust searching for a new home, the attraction has confirmed.

All exemptions from Wessex Water hosepipe ban in Dorset as restrictions start

A number of people and activities may be exempt from the Wessex Water hosepipe ban that has been introduced in Dorset

More than 700 cars to arrive in Wimborne for major motoring event this weekend

A multi-million-pound hypercar, childhood poster cars and rare classics will be on show at a major motoring event in Dorset this weekend

Sandbanks in Dorset named the best beach in the UK by travel experts

Sandbanks Beach in Dorset has been named the best beach in the UK by travel experts at Skyscanner.

Independent chair appointed to lead £20m Pride in Place Board for Boscombe West

Mandi Barron will head the Pride in Place Board for Boscombe West, guiding the long-term funding programme over the next 10 years.

Petition calls for the BCP Council leader and chief executive to resign

A petition is calling for the resignation of BCP Council Leader Millie Earl and Chief Executive Aidan Dunn

Hundreds climb aboard for Poole Harbour's first work boat open day

A harbour came alive with the sights and sounds of working boats as hundreds stepped aboard.

Residents invited to have their say on New Forest National Park Local Plan

The plan sets out policies to guide future development in the National Park.

Drug driving arrests nearly double in Dorset as drink driving falls, data shows

Drug driving arrests have nearly doubled in five years across Dorset while drink driving offences have steadily declined, according to newly released police figures.

'Concern for welfare' after 13-year-old girl reported missing

A 13-year-old Bournemouth girl last seen on Tuesday morning has been reported missing.

New Forest fire no longer a major incident- but recovery to take 'many years'

The large heathland fire in the New Forest is no longer being treated as a major incident- but recovery is said to take many years.

'Panther' spotted next to River Stour leaves man 'shocked'

A man walking beside the River Stour says he was left shocked after spotting what he believes was a 'panther' before it ran into nearby woodland.

Consent granted for demolition and rebuilding of part of ancient wall

LISTED building consent has been granted for the demolition and rebuilding of part of an ancient Tithe Barn wall at Barton Farm, Cerne Abbas.

Clayesmore: Five chapters, individual journeys, extraordinary futures

Every child’s journey is unique, and at Clayesmore that journey unfolds through five distinct chapters: Nursery, PrePrep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form

Sailor rescued by passing jet ski after dinghy capsized

A sailor was rescued after their dinghy capsized in Parkstone Bay.

LIVE: Fire resources reduced as crews tackle blaze for tenth day

Crews remain tackling the New Forest blaze for the tenth day- updates to follow.

Traffic cone thrown at men during racial assault incident

Two men were racially abused before having a traffic cone thrown at them in Bournemouth.

Grant helps four Australian siblings who came to Dorset follow their dancing dreams

Four siblings have moved from Australia to Boscombe to pursue their ballroom dancing dreams, with each of the siblings receiving a £381 grant from the DCF.

Bournemouth and Swanage named among the UK's cheapest beach hut destinations

Bournemouth and Swanage have been named among the UK’s best-value spots for renting a beach hut

Dorset speech and language therapist completes Three Peaks Challenge with a twist

Rachel Harrison, who works at Dorset HealthCare, completed the Three Peaks challenge to raise funds and awareness of Developmental Language Disorder

Care home residents meet farm animals and carry out odd jobs at Dorset farm

Residents from Colten Care's Fernhill dementia care home in Longham have enjoyed a hands-on day at High Mead Farm, reconnecting with animals and nature.

Long-running Dorset ska band to perform charity concert in Ferndown this Friday

Long-running Dorset ska band Rat Race is set to perform a charity concert in Dorset at the Barrington Theatre in Ferndown on August 21.

Homeowners in Dorset urged by trade body to check contractors' credentials

Homeowners are being warned to check contractors' credentials to avoid falling victim to fraudulent claims

Dorset solicitors launch limited-time discounted Lasting Power of Attorney offer

Harold G Walker Solicitors is encouraging people in Dorset to consider putting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place.

Charity shop offering free school uniforms to families ahead of back to school rush

Free school uniform available in Bournemouth

Internationally acclaimed music ensemble to perform in Christchurch in December

The Mediaeval Baebes will perform at Christchurch Priory on December 2 as part of their 30th anniversary tour.

Swanage Punch and Judy operator to celebrate ten years on the beach this month

The Swanage Seaside Special will take place on Shore Road on Saturday, August 22, featuring four live puppet shows starting from 12pm.

True crime book revisiting controversial Dorset murder case releases next week

Arsenic & Ashes: The Trial of Charlotte Bryant will be published by Banquo Books on August 25 and will be available from all good bookshops and online retailers

Therapy dogs from Bournemouth charity bring joy to Ferndown care home residents

Residents at Kings Park Care Home in Ferndown were delighted to welcome therapy dogs Umber and his daughter, Iris, from Helpful Hounds.

Shoppers at Tesco stores in Poole will get taste of the Mediterranean this week

Shoppers at Tesco stores in Poole will be able to get a taste of the Mediterranean this week as part of the retailer’s Taste the Med Roadshow.

St John Ambulance aiming to teach 500,000 life-saving first aid in September

New research from St John Ambulance highlights the lack of awareness and first aid knowledge across the region as it launches its Save a Life September campaign

Parents are being urged by HMRC to extend Child Benefit claims before August 31

HMRC is reminding families to extend their Child Benefit claims by August 31 to avoid losing payments if they have an applicable child aged 16 to 19.

New emergency bleed control kit installed at popular Ringwood recreation ground

Ringwood Town Council has installed the new bleed control kit at Carvers Recreation Ground, alongside an existing public access defibrillator.

Residents invited to have their say on draft New Forest National Park Local Plan

Residents, landowners and businesses are being invited to take part in a public consultation on the revised draft New Forest National Park Local Plan.

Social housing applicants in Dorset urged to renew applications by September 1

Dorset Council is reminding people on the Housing Register to renew their application before the new Housing Allocations Policy comes into effect on September 1

Wimborne church to celebrate 150th anniversary of founding of the Mothers' Union

Wimborne Minster is inviting the community to join in on Saturday, August 22 for a day of festivities celebrating 150th anniversary of Mother's Union.

Popular BBC series gets new streaming home and will soon be free to watch in the UK

ITV has announced that all five seasons of the popular period drama Poldark will arrive on its streaming platform ITVX next month.

M&S shoppers 'so excited' for new range this week as label returns after 26 years

M&S shoppers are delighted to see the brand's most recognisable fashion name back with a new St Michael collection created with Aries.

Aldi shoppers are rushing to grab these new August specialbuys for gardens and home

Aldi has unveiled a fresh batch of Specialbuys for August, with garden gadgets, student bedroom essentials and Asian food on offer.

UK drivers divided on proposed motorway rule change in place for 59 years

When asked if they believed the UK motorway speed limit would change, a pool of UK drivers was somewhat divided

Formula 1

ASK LAWRENCE: Who is the biggest threat to Antonelli?

Lawrence Barretto answers F1 Unlocked reader questions on the 2026 title race, whether we could see a new face on the 2027 grid and more.

Palmer indicates what Ferrari must do for chance at title

In the latest episode of F1 Nation, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has given his take on how Ferrari can ensure that they stay in the title fight during the second half of the season.

Dutch Grand Prix betting guide and predictions

Formula 1 makes its final visit to Zandvoort this weekend and our handy guide gives you everything you need to know before placing your bets.

Why Albon and Williams have decided to stick rather than twist

F1.com's Lawrence Barretto assesses the reasons behind Alex Albon's commitment to Williams for the 2027 season.

What F1 drivers have been up to ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix

George Russell got engaged, Kimi Antonelli soaked up the Sardinian sun and Lewis Hamilton got back in the gym. Find out how the F1 drivers have been spending their summer ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Williams confirm Albon will remain with the team in 2027

Alex Albon is set to extend his stay with the Williams team, having been confirmed to race for the outfit in 2027.

Our writers build their ultimate F1 teams

Before the second half of the 2026 season kicks off, we asked our writers to create their ideal F1 team by picking two drivers and a Team Principal.

How Ferrari’s 2026 season has played out so far

There has been progress for Ferrari in 2026, but can the Scuderia improve further in the second half?

Mercedes open up on Antonelli and Russell ‘healthy rivalry’

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are both fighting for the title, but the team believe that the drivers have maintained a good relationship.

Windows Central

Microsoft admits Windows 11's context menus are "cluttered and sluggish": Announces major upgrades to the right-click menu that increases performance and customizability

Windows 11's context menus are being overhauled with more customizability and a new decluttered layout that's faster to open.

Microsoft pulls "frustrating" Drag Tray file sharing feature from Windows 11 in latest preview builds: Promises to "explore improvements" after feedback from users

The Drag Tray, which appeared at the top of your screen whenever you grabbed a file in File Explorer, is being removed from the latest preview builds of Windows 11.

People are paying $2,599 for MSI’s latest handheld gaming PC because apparently RAM shortages, AI demand, and fiscal self-preservation are all optional now

MSI’s latest handheld gaming PC launched at a premium $1,799 price, but early supply constraints — fueled by RAM shortages and AI‑era component demand — pushed resellers into overdrive. Within days, eBay listings hit $2,599 as scalpers capitalized on limited availability and enthusiast hype.

Is gaming discourse more negative than ever? — And if so, is it deserved? How did we get here?

Whether it's Grand Theft Auto 6, Halo Campaign Evolved, or the new Wolverine game, it feels like a contingent of the internet is actively *hoping* for games to fail these days.

GitHub’s latest outage took Copilot down with it, creating one of the most disruptive developer breakdowns we’ve seen in months — GitHub says it is now "operating normally"

If your workflow just ground to a halt, you aren't the only one staring at an error page.

A tiny change to Windows 11's File Explorer proves Microsoft can't keep everyone happy

Microsoft tweaked how file sizes show up in Windows 11 File Explorer, triggering yet another debate over the OS. A poll of Windows Central readers reveals a sharp split between users demanding modern polish and power users clinging to classic legacy layouts.

The Witcher 3 will leave Xbox Game Pass this month, barely half a year after joining — as an indie-heavy wave enters instead

The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt Remastered Edition leaves Game Pass on August 31 after only joining in February, while indie titles arrive.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme beats Intel's flagship Panther Lake chip by up to 87% while costing significantly less, according to a new lab report

A commissioned study from the independent research group Signal65 demonstrates how far behind Intel and AMD's latest chips are compared to the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. Not just in raw performance, but in battery life and AI workloads as well. Here's what you need to know.

Microsoft disables Windows 11's new "Ask Copilot" Taskbar feature to "incorporate feedback" as it pivots to unified Copilot app

Copilot's own search and chat experience for Windows 11 is being temporarily removed as the company responds to feedback and prioritizes new Copilot superapp.

I used to use the stock Windows 11 Media Player to rip CDs but it's such a letdown now — here's what I started using instead

I used to just rip CDs using the stock Media Player app on Windows 11, but after a while away from it, boy, is it a letdown. But I found the app I should have been using all along.

I replaced File Explorer on my Windows 11 laptop with this app — and it's still one step ahead of Microsoft's optimization plans

Files v4.2.7 speeds up Windows 11's sluggish context menu and improves memory use, ahead of Microsoft's own planned File Explorer optimizations.

Crucial dodges SSD warranty claim, says "our inventory is depleted" — Consumers are being ignored as record profits roll in for memory and storage makers

As memory and storage makers make the pivot to AI customers and rake in record profits, regular consumers are being denied proper warranty claims for faulty RAM and SSDs. Is there any recourse?

Laffgaff

The perpetually optimistic and resourceful Anne Shirley is the protagonist of which classic Canadian novel?

Anne of Green Gables.

Nasty Tumble

I took a nasty tumble while boarding a flight yesterday and ended up in the hospital. Luckily, the doctor says it's just an airline fracture.

Itsfoss

Ubuntu is Growing Faster on Windows Than on Linux

The company's VP of Engineering expects WSL users to outnumber native Ubuntu desktop users within months.

This Solo Dev Already Built a Popular Distro. Now He's Trying It Again

Built on AlmaLinux with bootc, it promises atomic updates and zero manual upkeep.

The Xen Project is Serious About Safety, So It Formed a Committee

Founding members AMD, EPAM, and Renesas already put in the groundwork, and there's a new Premier Plus membership tier to go with it.

I Found an Easy Way to Make GNOME More Colorful

Rewaita makes it easy to recolor GTK and Libadwaita apps with popular palettes, custom colors and a few extra visual effects.