Approval of east London datacentre labelled ‘slap in the face’ for local democracy

• During a UN Security Council debate, India urged the international community to take immediate action to mitigate humanitarian fallout and food crises caused by ongoing global conflicts. • Indian Envoy P Harish emphasized the impact of trade disruptions on food security and detailed the domestic measures India has implemented to protect its own food supplies.

• India's Permanent Representative P Harish urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate action to mitigate the humanitarian fallout of global conflicts. • Speaking during a Tuesday open debate titled "Food Under Fire," Harish highlighted how modern conflicts create ripple effects that extend far beyond the immediate zones of hostility.

• A left-wing NGO reported that "Jewish terrorists" attacked its activists in the West Bank on August 25, while a Palestinian woman was reportedly detained after reporting settler violence at her home. • In a separate diplomatic clash, Sa'ar booted Dutch representatives from a US-backed Gaza coordination center, citing the implementation of "anti-Israel measures."

• UN Secretary-General informed the Security Council that 2025 recorded the highest number of armed conflicts since the Second World War. • The report highlighted record-breaking levels of acute hunger globally, marking a critical humanitarian crisis.

Christian Castro is charged in Minnesota with assault and falsely reporting a crime by anotherSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent accused of firing his gun and wounding a Venezuelan man in the leg is caught in an interstate extradition dispute between Texas and Minnesota – and could walk out of a Texas jail as soon as Wednesday if a federal judge does not intervene.Christian Castro is charged in Minnesota with assault and falsely reporting a crime by another, in relation to the incident where he was involved in the wounding of 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in January. Continue reading...

Academic was found unresponsive by family members, inquest told, as coroner adjourns proceedings to later dateA coroner has formally opened an inquest into the death of Jason Arday, who resigned as a professor at the University of Cambridge amid allegations of plagiarism.Arday, 41, died at his home in Battersea, south London on 14 August, nine days after his resignation. Family members watched the 10-minute hearing at London inner south coroner’s court via a video link. Continue reading...

Harry, Meghan and family expected to enjoy ‘extended stay’ with children Archie and Lilibet already enrolled at schoolThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived back in the UK, landing at Birmingham airport, according to reports.Prince Harry, Meghan, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are expected to enjoy an “extended stay” in Britain, with the children already enrolled at school in the UK and due to start next week. Continue reading...

Scientists found those who had used hormone replacement therapy were 10% less likely to be diagnosed with dementiaHormone replacement therapy may reduce the risk of dementia, a study has found.Scientists tracked more than 180,000 postmenopausal women in the UK in the largest study of its kind. They found that those who had used HRT were 10% less likely to develop any type of dementia and 16% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the most common form, compared with those who had never used it. Continue reading...

To Nicola, Love Peter will focus on couple’s relationship during 12-year period of embezzlement and fallout of caseChannel 5 is reuniting with the producers of Power: the Downfall of Huw Edwards for a drama about how Nicola Sturgeon’s former husband embezzled £400,000 from the Scottish National party and the impact it had on her reputation.To Nicola, Love Peter will examine the couple’s relationship over the 12-year period that Peter Murrell diverted funds from the SNP while he was the chief executive to spend on items including a £124,550 motorhome and more than £2,600 on a pair of luxury salt and pepper grinders. Continue reading...

All US immigrant visa applications halted as state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access. Plus tributes pour in for Dolly Parton, who has died aged 80Good morning. All US immigrant visa applications have been paused by the Trump administration as the state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants whom they deem could need US assistance. The agency launched the initiative at all embassies and consulates in early August.Applicants with scheduled interviews were sent emails that their appointments had been canceled. Agency officials claim this will ensure visa applicants will not end up relying on US public benefits. This week the Trump administration also announced plans to revoke visas from asylum seekers who had initially entered the US for tourism or business. Up to 200,000 people seeking asylum could be affected.Is the move lawful? “The court made clear that immigration laws cannot be used to justify discrimination,” Joanna Cuevas Ingram, a senior staff attorney at the National Immigration Law Center, said. In February, a federal judge overturned the president’s attempt to suspend the US refugee system entirely.Why are the states suing Meta? The lawsuit centers on the allegations that Meta deliberately designed addictive products that hooked young people, leading to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and suicide. Meta has denied all allegations, saying the states are chasing an “outlandish payout”. Continue reading...

Cleveland police not ruling out links to organised crime as force also continues to investigate circumstances around fatal A66 crashA murder investigation has been launched after a house fire in Middlesbrough killed two people, with police not ruling out links to organised crime.The blaze in the early hours of Wednesday came as police continue to investigate the wider circumstances around a collision on Saturday on the A66 which killed seven people, including two police officers. Continue reading...

Piketon datacenter promises to generate thousands of jobs, but environmental groups voice concern over projectOn a winding road tucked away behind forests in the Appalachian foothills of southern Ohio is where OpenAI, Nvidia and Japanese investors are set to spend $500bn on one of the largest artificial intelligence datacenters on the planet.Last March, the energy secretary, Chris Wright, the commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick and a host of Japanese and other dignitaries briefly descended on Piketon to enthusiastically break ground on a project to build 8GW worth of AI computing power. Continue reading...