News 01/08/26

A renowned climber who served in the British special forces has died following an avalanche on one of the world’s highest mountains.

Nirmal Purja’s company, Elite Exped, confirmed the former British Army and Royal Marines soldier died in Pakistan. Purja, known as Nims, was leading a ten-strong team on Broad Peak when the avalanche struck on Thursday. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed on Saturday that none of the group survived.

Gianni Infantino’s leadership of Fifa has been publicly questioned by football governing bodies in Europe, North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Uefa and Concacaf issued statements on Saturday criticising leadership at the world governing body, after Infantino announced Fifa would not sell stakes in competitions to private investors. Uefa welcomed the withdrawal, calling it a victory for the game, but accused Infantino of breaking promises made during his twenty-sixteen presidential campaign.

Six new CCTV cameras have been installed across Slough to try and catch those responsible for fly-tipping.

The mobile units join three existing cameras, bringing the operational total to nine. Officials from Slough Borough Council say the cameras can be moved between hotspots and have played a key role in identifying offenders since the initiative was launched a year ago.

Australia has defended its world-first ban on social media for under-sixteens, after a study found little drop in use months after taking effect.

Ministers backed the landmark policy today, after the internet regulator revealed over eight in ten teenagers still use restricted platforms. Introduced in December over health concerns, the law faces strong criticism from mostly American-based tech firms.

Spain’s interior minister has accused some countries of showing an unacceptable attitude regarding reactions to the Ceuta border crossings.

Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez highlighted that Spain has land borders with Africa, unlike any other EU member state. While most EU nations expressed support, he criticised others for showing a selfish attitude with no solidarity, calling their stance irresponsible.

A logistics distribution company is seeking permission to expand its operations in Berkshire.

Fullers Distribution Limited, currently based on Fairlie Road in Slough, has applied to open a new operating centre at Speedway Farm on the Colnbrook Bypass. The proposed centre would accommodate six goods vehicles and six trailers. Local residents or landowners who believe the move will affect their property or enjoyment have until August 18th to submit written representations to the Traffic Commissioner.

At least nine people have been killed and twenty-eight injured following Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv this morning, according to Ukraine’s emergency service.

Moscow has escalated attacks on the capital, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to urgently request missile interceptors. The strike comes two days after a suspected Russian cruise missile landed in Poland during a wider attack that killed eight people, including six members of one family.

Snapchat has joined platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn and Substack to combat artificial intelligence-generated content.

Parent company Snap announced its Spotlight feed will stop recommending wholly AI-generated videos, prioritising authentic, human-made content instead. The move follows a surge in online content known as AI slop, created using rapidly expanding generative AI tools over recent weeks.