BBC News Briefing

19 August, 2026

Alex Binley

Hello. Israel's military has said it will open criminal investigations into two incidents that saw 22 Palestinians killed. From Germany, our correspondent explains why the location of a warehouse she visited is secret. And remote Christmas Island is rarely ever in the news, so find out why it's making headlines.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Israel confirms soldiers fired at car in which Palestinian girl was killed

Hind Rajab smiles at the camera. She has long, brown wavy hair and is wearing a pink flower crown on her head. She also has a pink T-shirt and black zip-up on. She is sitting on a chair adorned with garlands of red flowers.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society operator who stayed on the phone with Hind for hours said the girl repeatedly asked for someone to come and rescue her. Credit: Family/Reuters

For the first time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed it opened fire on a car carrying a five-year-old Palestinian girl and six relatives in Gaza in 2024. Hind Rajab initially survived the attack that killed her family members, and answered a phone call during which she pleaded for help. After several hours the call disconnected. An ambulance sent to reach Hind – in a move co-ordinated with the Israeli army - was shelled, killing two paramedics. The IDF initially said none of its troops were in the area at the time of Hind's killing, a statement that was soon questioned. On Wednesday, the IDF said it would open a criminal investigation into what happened, as well as the killing of 15 Palestinians, including medics and a UN worker, in March 2025.

GET UP TO SPEED

Pressure from underwater is causing the sea to froth in a circle, as if a lot of air is quickly rising to the top.

Ukrainian man arrested over Nord Stream pipeline blasts

The suspect is alleged to have been one of the divers who planted explosives on the pipelines between Russia and Germany.

What happened >

Nick Kyrgios wers a white cap backwards on his head and a black T-shirt. He has a black beard and looks solemn.

Tennis star suspended after positive cocaine test

In a post on Instagram, Nick Kyrgios said he takes "full responsibility" for the "huge mistake". He could be banned for four years.

What we know >

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'Human remains' found in lake as water levels fall

A jaw with teeth still attached was found among the skeletal remains as water levels in the US's largest reservoir dropped to a low.

Read more >

A close up image of an elderly man with a white beard and balding white hair is seen. He is reddish in the face and is looking down.

Spared execution 8 times, oldest US inmate dies at 101

Francis Clifford Smith's guilt and the evidence on which he was convicted of murder have been questioned over the years.

More on 'Birdman of Osborn' >

A composite image showing an animated character from KPop Demon Hunters (left) and Ryan Clark, lead singer of Demon Hunter, in a black vest with numerous tattoos singing on stage

Christian band sues Netflix over KPop Demon Hunters

The US band, Demon Hunter, says it faces "an existential crisis" after the success of the children's film with a similar name.

The band's case >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Sea deaths: A Palestinian couple and their teenage daughter have been named as the three people who died in Shoreham, while visiting from London.

Emma Barnett: The 41-year-old BBC presenter opens up about the hysterectomy she "never wanted to have".

Banned: Thousands of Vinted users say they've been wrongly suspended or barred from the app, including one woman over a pair of £2 sandals.

AT THE SCENE

Germany

Inside secret police warehouse as Germany targets small boats gangs

Dozens of large boxes and white sacks filled with bright orange lifejackets are seen inside a wrehouse. The room is white and has large windows along one wall.

Smuggling gangs have long used garages or warehouses to store equipment in western Germany before transporting it to northern France.

Authorities in Germany have carried out their first raids under a new law making it a crime to facilitate migrant smuggling to the UK. The country, particularly in the west, has become a staging post for criminals organising dangerous Channel crossings from France to England.

Jess Parker has brown, bobbed hair that is parted on the side. Only her head and shoulders can be seen. She is wearing a black jacket and looking straightahead at the camera.

Jessica Parker, Berlin correspondent

We were given special access to a police storehouse at a secret location, housing more than 9,000 life jackets and dozens of dinghies and boat engines, seized in a raid on smuggling gangs in an operation in western Germany. The boats could have taken more than 2,000 migrants across the English Channel illegally, the UK's National Crime Agency said.

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The life jackets in the warehouse are tightly bundled and wrapped in plastic. Their bright orange covers are stuffed with little more than what feels like poly-foam - completely inadequate for the open and unpredictable waters of the sea.

Keep reading

Watch: Jessica takes a look around the secret warehouse.

Undercover: Our reporter was offered a €15,000 deal for a dinghy and life jackets while investigating Germany's link to migrant smuggling.

Questions answered: Use our interactive tracker to explore the latest migration statistics for the UK.