Form Time News

Current BBC News stories to read and discuss with your tutor group.


Tuesday
19th May 2026

Around the world

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".

At least 100 dead in Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, official says

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

In the UK

Married at First Sight UK brides tell BBC they were raped by on-screen husbands

Channel 4 was aware of one of the rape claims before broadcast, but the woman involved still featured in the show.

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

Politics

Burnham pledges not to 're-run' Brexit arguments

The potential leadership challenger says he is not proposing the UK considers rejoining the EU.

Farage facing new questions over home purchase funding

Reform UK has insisted the £5m party leader Nigel Farage received in April 2024 from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne was a gift.

Education

Students at risk if universities go bust, say MPs

An Education Select Committee report finds the government needs to make urgent plans for universities facing insolvency.

Calls for 'urgent action' on baby-sleep industry after BBC investigation

The BBC investigation revealed how some self-described sleep experts have been giving new parents advice that goes against NHS guidelines.

Health

Canadian from hantavirus-hit cruise ship tests positive

The individual is one of four former passengers on the MV Hondius isolating on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

'We're right on track,' says Streeting as key target for hospital waiting times hit

Government his its interim target of 65% of patients in England being treated within 18 weeks.

Business

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

Musk loses OpenAI court battle after jury finds he waited too long to sue

Jurors spent weeks hearing about Musk's claim that Altman had "stolen a charity."

Science

Waste carrier licences to be tightened as part of illegal dumping crackdown

The proposed changes come after a cow named Beau Vine got approved for a waste removal licence.

Is it safe to swim at England's bathing sites?

Signs warning people not to swim are in place at almost all of England's official inland river bathing sites due to concerns the water could be unsafe

Technology

Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt

Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.

Satellites and AI used to track UK hedgehogs in bid to slow decline

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

Entertainment

Married at First Sight UK brides tell BBC they were raped by on-screen husbands

Channel 4 was aware of one of the rape claims before broadcast, but the woman involved still featured in the show.

New BBC boss warns that 'tough choices are unavoidable'

Ex-Google executive Matt Brittin says the BBC has "never been more needed" but faces "very real challenges".