News for August 18, 2026
Damn it: Clean air zone helps children's lung capacity catch up, study finds
A study shows that after a clean air zone was introduced, children's lung capacity matched that of peers in cleaner areas. The findings suggest improved air quality can close pollution-related gaps in child lung development. The report adds to evidence that low-emission zones offer health benefits for kids.
Damn it: Camilla reveals it was hard to keep Charles's cancer diagnosis secret
In a video marking Maggie's cancer charity's 30th anniversary, Queen Camilla discusses her husband Charles's cancer diagnosis for the first time. She says it was difficult to keep the diagnosis secret.
Damn it: Banned over a pair of £2 sandals — why some sellers are complaining about Vinted
Thousands of Vinted users say they have been suspended or permanently banned from the preloved app. They describe the actions as unjust and say there was little or no explanation from the platform. The piece highlights concerns over how Vinted enforces policies and handles account reviews.
Damn it: Debit cards dominate mobile wallets as cash usage lags.
About 90% of mobile wallet users have their debit card set as the default payment method. New data show this pattern among users. The result underscores the dominant role of debit cards in mobile wallets.
Damn it: Meta hooked children on Facebook and Instagram, court hears
A major state-led lawsuit against Meta opened in court. Meta argued that social media addiction does not exist. The case centers on the platforms' effects on children.
Damn it: Burnham reveals £345,000 in donations ahead of becoming PM
He received £345,000 in donations ahead of becoming prime minister. He has published his financial interests for the first time since returning to Parliament.
Damn it: Why has Russia threatened the UK, and what's next?
Russia has threatened the UK. London will continue to support Ukraine 100%, according to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Damn it: Burnham unveils rough sleeping plan
Burnham unveiled a plan to house rough sleepers in England. It has been likened to the pandemic-era 'Everyone In' scheme.
Damn it: Three dead after family get into difficulty off Sussex coast
A family encountered trouble while swimming off the Sussex coast. A man, a woman and a teenage girl died. A younger girl remains in a critical condition.
Damn it: Join EU migration pact to tackle small boats, says Ed Davey
The Liberal Democrats oppose joining the EU migration pact. They say participating would destroy the business model of gangs that arrange Channel crossings. The party argues the move would undermine people-smuggling networks.
Damn it: Satellite imagery tracks USS Lincoln on a months-long deployment
BBC Verify used satellite imagery to monitor the USS Lincoln. The ship is on a months-long deployment. Concerns about conditions aboard have grown.
Damn it: Lindsay Clancy begged for help before her children's killings, mother-in-law testifies
Lindsay Clancy admitted killing her daughter and two sons. She has pleaded not guilty to murder, saying she was experiencing postpartum psychosis. In court, the mother-in-law testified about the case.
Damn it: Premier League chief slams FIFA World Cup rights plan
Richard Masters, the Premier League's chief executive, criticised Gianni Infantino's plan to sell World Cup rights. He warned the move could back FIFA into a corner and damage the game. Masters called the proposal a self-inflicted wound for football.
Damn it: PREVENT not helping violence-fixated children, says children's commissioner
Growing numbers of children referred to PREVENT are not suitable for it and need help, says Dame Rachel de Souza. She warns the trend is growing.
Damn it: Wetherspoons bans playing music from phones in pubs
Wetherspoons will ban customers from playing music from their phones in its pubs. The move comes after complaints about other people's videos and amplified phone conversations.
Good grief: Earl Spencer to publish story of his sister, Princess Diana
Earl Spencer is publishing a story about his sister, Princess Diana. The work is titled Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. It will be released in the UK next month, nearly 30 years after Diana’s death.
Damn it: One dead, hundreds ill in UK salmonella outbreak
Most cases have occurred in England in recent weeks. Experts believe the outbreak is linked to imported eggs.
Damn it: Rain returns, but drought lingers in the UK
Rain has returned to parts of the UK this week, but it is not yet clear whether it will end the drought. Some regions remain drought-affected.
Damn it: Burnham says he's not embarrassed about hoax message exchange
The prime minister says he is not embarrassed by the hoax message exchange. He communicated with a person who posed as Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff.
Damn it: National Television Awards reveal first all-female drama acting shortlist
The National Television Awards have unveiled the first all-female shortlist for the drama acting award. The five nominees are Ella Bruccoleri, Sheridan Smith, Ruth Jones, Vicky McClure and Judy Parfitt.
Damn it: OpenAI tunes ChatGPT to sound less human for teens
Damn it — OpenAI says it updated ChatGPT to be less human-sounding for teen users. The company insists the change is a general safety refinement, not in response to any particular concern about children believing the AI is alive. The update aims to improve safety, clarity of responses, and disclosure of AI limitations.
Damn it: Man charged with sharing asylum seeker addresses
A 62-year-old man has been charged with sharing the addresses of asylum seekers. He is remanded in custody and will appear at Norwich Crown Court on 14 September.
Damn it: States sue Meta to overhaul Instagram and Facebook for minors
US states filed a lawsuit against Meta. They seek a sweeping overhaul of Instagram and Facebook for young users. The action comes as a child-privacy trial against the company begins.
Damn it: Russians pull billions from banks amid fear Kremlin will seize deposits.
Russians are pulling billions from banks, creating liquidity strains. The cash outflows threaten banks' funding and could complicate government bond issuance. The withdrawals reflect fears the Kremlin will seize deposits to finance its war in Ukraine.
Damn it: British honeymooners killed in helicopter crash on a Greek island, local media report
Local Greek media reported that a British couple on their honeymoon were killed in a helicopter crash on a Greek island, along with their pilot. The report provides no additional details about the incident.
Damn it: Klitschko says family in profound shock and grief after Panettiere's death
Hayden Panettiere, star of Heroes, died on Sunday. Her ex-husband, former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, shares a child with her and says his family is in profound shock and grief.
Damn it: Garda body says officers told not to chase car on wrong side of motorway
The Garda Representative Association says officers were ordered to disengage from pursuing the vehicle after it took evasive action. The claim centers on a directive to end the pursuit on the motorway.
Damn it: Job vacancies at five-year low as smaller firms scale back recruitment
Vacancies have fallen to a five-year low, according to the UK's statistics body. Smaller firms say higher labour and operating costs are forcing them to slow hiring.
Damn it: Germany raids under new anti-smuggling law, seizing dinghies and life jackets
German authorities launched the first raids under a new anti-smuggling law. They seized dinghies and life jackets during the operation. The action aims to disrupt smuggling networks that use small boats.
Damn it: IVF staff accused of misleading UK parents about donors in northern Cyprus
UK parents allege IVF staff used donors different from those they chose. The suspected mix-up involved clinics in northern Cyprus. The report says several children may have been conceived with unchosen donors.
Damn it: Tupac murder trial opens as BBC's Shaimaa Khalil breaks down opening statements
The Tupac murder trial has begun with opening statements. BBC reporter Shaimaa Khalil breaks down the key arguments. The case has been long anticipated.
Damn it: Witness recalls chaos the night Tupac was shot
An officer testified that Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times and refused to cooperate with police. He reportedly told the officer, 'We'll take care of it.'
Damn it: Russia warns UK over drone shipments to Ukraine
Russia warned the United Kingdom about supplying drones to Ukraine. A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said Britain is standing in solidarity with Ukraine.
Damn it: Disabled people in England to get 24-hour free bus travel
Disabled people in England will be able to travel on buses for free, 24 hours a day. The change will take effect from April. Campaign groups have welcomed the measure.
Damn it: Heavy showers threaten flash floods in the UK as heatwave could return in September
Forecasters warn of heavy showers and thunderstorms that could trigger flash flooding in parts of the UK. Some areas may see rapid water rise after intense rainfall. Early signs suggest a heatwave could return in September.
Damn it: Ex-workers describe chaotic work environment at £400m prison
Former staff describe a chaotic environment at the new £400m prison. They say it suffers from chronic under-staffing and inadequate training.
Damn it: Young adults use anxiety meds to feel drunk at parties
More young adults are taking prescribed anxiety medications to mimic alcohol at parties. Experts warn this is risky and not a safe substitute for drinking. The trend raises concerns about health and safety in social settings.