August 20, 2025 - Brief Briefing

Alibaba says smart car spinoff Banma plans to list shares in Hong Kong

Alibaba’s global headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, on May 9, 2024. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Alibaba-backed Banma, a provider of technology...

by admin August 20, 2025

Alibaba says smart car spinoff Banma plans to list shares in Hong Kong

Politics

Two Labour-run councils ‘considering all options’ to challenge migrant hotel use

Two Labour-run councils have said they are considering legal action to stop the use of hotels to house migrants in their areas after Epping...

by admin August 20, 2025

Two Labour-run councils 'considering all options' to challenge migrant hotel use

World

UK condemns Israel’s approval of plans for new West Bank settlement to ‘erase’ idea of Palestinian state

The UK has condemned Israel’s approval of plans for a new West Bank settlement, which has been hailed as “erasing” the idea of a...

by admin August 20, 2025

UK condemns Israel's approval of plans for new West Bank settlement to 'erase' idea of Palestinian state

Politics

Did Robert Jenrick really ‘boast’ about opening hotels for asylum seekers?

A row has broken out between the Tories and Reform about previous comments on migrant hotels, so who said what and when? At the...

by admin August 20, 2025

Did Robert Jenrick really 'boast' about opening hotels for asylum seekers?

Environment

Trump says U.S. will not approve solar or wind power projects

Wind turbines operate at a wind farm near solar panels near Palm Springs, California, on March 6, 2024. Mario Tama | Getty Images President...

by admin August 20, 2025

Trump says U.S. will not approve solar or wind power projects

Politics

Where can asylum seekers go if they can’t be housed in hotels?

A High Court judge ruled that ministers can’t use a hotel to house asylum seekers in Epping on Tuesday. The question now is where...

by admin August 20, 2025

World

New Zealand: Family’s plea to fugitive dad on the run with children for nearly four years

The family of a father who disappeared with his three children nearly four years ago in New Zealand have broken their silence to appeal...

by admin August 20, 2025

New Zealand: Family's plea to fugitive dad on the run with children for nearly four years

Politics

Observer editor-in-chief James Harding says BBC should be ‘put beyond reach of politicians’

The Observer’s editor-in-chief has called for the BBC to be “put beyond the reach of politicians” – and has compared the fight for survival...

by admin August 20, 2025

Observer editor-in-chief James Harding says BBC should be 'put beyond reach of politicians'

Technology

These little robots are changing the way solar farms are built, saving time and money

Private renewable energy projects are still moving forward despite a pullback in government support, and new technology is making that construction more efficient. Solar...

by admin August 20, 2025

These little robots are changing the way solar farms are built, saving time and money

Sports

NASCAR’s 2026 schedule includes new street race

Associated Press Aug 20, 2025, 11:50 AM ET Open Extended Reactions CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR in 2026 will race on a new street course...

by admin August 20, 2025

NASCAR's 2026 schedule includes new street race

Technology

Sony raises PlayStation 5 prices in U.S. as tariffs start to hit

The PlayStation DualSense controller and PlayStation 5 console. Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images PlayStation 5 game consoles will cost $50 more in...

by admin August 20, 2025

Sony raises PlayStation 5 prices in U.S. as tariffs start to hit

Two Labour-run councils ‘considering all options’ to challenge migrant hotel use

Two Labour-run councils are considering legal action to stop the use of hotels to house migrants in their areas after Epping council won a...

by admin August 20, 2025

Police watchdog closes investigations over decision to charge Caroline Flack

The police watchdog has closed its investigations into the circumstances leading up to the decision to charge TV presenter Caroline Flack with assaulting her...

by admin August 20, 2025

Police watchdog closes investigations over decision to charge Caroline Flack

World

Israel calls up thousands of reservists as it prepares to launch new Gaza offensive

Israel will call up 60,000 reservists as it prepares to launch an expanded military operation in Gaza City. The military said the country’s defence...

by admin August 20, 2025

Israel calls up thousands of reservists as it prepares to launch new Gaza offensive

Environment

Microplastics are everywhere. Here’s why that matters to big oil

Microplastics are increasingly being found in our bodies and food supply. They are defined as pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters — about...

by admin August 20, 2025

Microplastics are everywhere. Here's why that matters to big oil

Fresh call for UK-wide smacking ban as NSPCC says more young adults believe it’s wrong

Campaigners have issued a fresh call to ban smacking across the UK after a poll found more young adults think it’s unacceptable. All corporal...

by admin August 20, 2025

Fresh call for UK-wide smacking ban as NSPCC says more young adults believe it's wrong

World

Tents abandoned as Palestinians flee Israeli advance into Gaza City

Thousands have fled parts of Gaza City in recent days amid airstrikes and advancing Israeli troops, new satellite imagery shows. Israel’s advance comes as...

by admin August 20, 2025

Tents abandoned as Palestinians flee Israeli advance into Gaza City

World

Investigation launched into ‘horrifying’ death of French online streamer

An investigation has been launched into the death of an internet streamer who was known for taking part in extreme online challenges. Raphael Graven,...

by admin August 20, 2025