‘I love rats but we can’t live with them’: the headache of rising rodent populations around the world 25. August 2026 (16:00) Robert Corrigan has been dealing with the ‘smart’ rodents all his life – and believes there are better solutions to deal with the growing infestation in the world’s cities“The rodents have paid for every single bill I’ve ever had – every mortgage, every car payment, every pint of Guinness,” says Dr Robert Corrigan. “It’s been a great ride and I’m still at it.”New York-based Corrigan is one of the most respected voices in the world of rodentology. Now in his 70s, he has devoted his entire adult life to studying rats and our relationship with them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump claims US could rename Lake Ontario as Lake America amid Canada trade war – live 25. August 2026 (14:48) Lake Ontario lays on the border between the two countries, with New York state on one side and Toronto, the capital of Canada’s Ontario province, on the otherSign up for the US Breaking News emailOn Truth Social, however, the president shot down assertions that the US talks with Canada collapsed in part due a proposed trade deal that would have weakened French language protections.“I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French!” he wrote. “In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Third drone and suspected military explosives found near Leipzig airport 25. August 2026 (14:37) Local media report discovery by German investigators after attempted attack on cargo and military logistics hubEurope live – latest updatesGerman investigators uncovered a third drone and suspected military explosives thought to be connected to an attempted attack on Leipzig airport, local media have reported.The drone was discovered in Kabelsketal, just to the west of the airport, along with about 50g (1.8oz) of a suspected military explosive on 14 August, 10 days after the unsuccessful sabotage. Leipzig airport is a cargo and military logistics hub used by Nato and Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines for transporting military supplies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Andrew Tate rented supercars to appear ‘uberwealthy’, says his lawyer 25. August 2026 (14:25) Self-described misogynist and his brother, Tristan, are playing role to generate income from online attention, Miami court filing saysAndrew Tate rented supercars and borrowed a yacht to appear “uberwealthy” and generate online engagement, his lawyer has said.Legal representatives for the self-described misogynist social media influencer and his brother, Tristan Tate, have claimed the pair deliberately portray themselves as far wealthier than they are because their “business model depends on online attention”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US fossil fuel lobbyists also represent hundreds of cities fighting for climate damages 25. August 2026 (14:00) Local governments working with firms also linked to fossil fuel giants, analysis of federal lobbying disclosures showsCongressional lobbyists working for fossil fuel firms that are exacerbating the climate crisis are simultaneously representing more than 300 local governments raising funding to recover from climate damage, according to a new analysis.The research by F Minus and Make Polluters Pay reviewed congressional lobbying disclosures for the first quarter of 2026, finding that another 568 local governments hired fossil fuel lobbyists to work on non-climate related issues during that time, some of which included climate adjacent issues, like healthcare and home insurance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Artist known for sculptures of Mao Zedong jailed for slandering ‘heroes and martyrs’ 25. August 2026 (13:53) Gao Zhen sentenced to three years in prison after already spending two years in detentionGao Zhen, a prominent Chinese artist known for provocative sculptures of the former leader Mao Zedong, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of slandering China’s “heroes and martyrs”. The sentencing came two years after he was detained while visiting the country with his family, according to his wife and human rights groups.The case has attracted international condemnation, largely because the artworks at the centre of the case were created more than 10 years before China created the law under which Gao was charged. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China denounces US threat of sanctions over trade with Iran 25. August 2026 (13:43) Beijing says it will take ‘all necessary measures’ to protect its interests as US steps up efforts to isolate TehranExplainer: could US sanctions threaten China-Iran ties?China has denounced the threat of US sanctions for its trade with Iran, saying any such measures would be illegal, and warned it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its national interests.Beijing’s rejection of the US threat of secondary sanctions for any country or entity continuing to trade with Tehran had been predicted. China buys an estimated 80% of Iran’s oil exports and it has defied previous US efforts to limit the flow of revenue to the Tehran regime. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Boy injured in crocodile enclosure discharged from hospital 25. August 2026 (13:19) Family of three-year-old allegedly thrown into pit at Cambridgeshire zoo say he is happy to be back at homeA three-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a zoo’s crocodile enclosure has been discharged from hospital and is settling back in at home, his family has said.The child returned home a few weeks ago and was “happy to be home, playing with his toys, sleeping in his own bed and being a big brother”, his parents said in an update posted online. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two planned datacentres will have higher UK carbon emissions than ExxonMobil, analysis finds 25. August 2026 (13:04) Exclusive: Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire sites predicted to emit 4.5m tonnes a year when fully runningThe carbon emissions from just two planned datacentres in England will exceed all of the fossil fuel company ExxonMobil’s UK emissions, analysis has revealed.Experts have said this demonstrates the “serious threat” datacentres pose to the UK’s legally binding climate goals. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump EPA aims to exempt datacenters from disclosing air pollution, advocates warn 25. August 2026 (13:00) Trump administration proposes new rule to dismantle requirement for datacenters to publicly report air pollutionA new rule proposed by the Trump administration aims to kill public notification for datacenter air pollution, public health advocates warn, and allow emission permits to be issued behind closed doors.The datacenters are often sources of nitrogen oxide, which helps form ozone, carbon monoxide and heavy metals, among other pollutants. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
