News 15/08/25

The Metropolitan Police say a further 60 people will be prosecuted for showing support for the banned terrorist group Palestine Action.

It follows the arrest of more than 700 people since the group was proscribed on 7 July, including over 500 during a protest in central London last weekend.

Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said these are the first significant prosecutions from recent protests, and many more are expected in the coming weeks.

There are warnings that any agreement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin could leave Ukraine in an impossible position after more than three years of war.

Speculation suggests the two leaders could strike a so-called “land for peace” deal, forcing Ukraine to surrender territory in exchange for a ceasefire.

Russia already controls around 19 percent of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas region seized before the full-scale invasion in 2022.

The Kremlin says talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska will not be brief, and could last six to seven hours.

Russian state media reports the meeting will include aides from both sides, with Moscow expecting it to deliver concrete results. Officials in Moscow say President Trump is due to greet Vladimir Putin at his plane, which is scheduled to land at 11am local time, 8pm in the UK.

The two leaders are expected to begin their discussions at around 8.30 tonight, UK time.

The UK’s largest bioethanol plant is to close, with the loss of 160 jobs.

The Vivergo facility in Lincolnshire, owned by Associated British Foods, had warned it would shut down unless the government provided financial support. That backing has not been offered, and sources at the company have told Sky News that a wind-down will now begin. A spokesperson for ABF, which also owns Primark, described the government’s decision as deeply regrettable.

They said ministers had abandoned a key national asset and squandered billions of pounds in potential growth for the Humber region, as well as a chance for the UK to lead the world in clean fuel technology.

Police in Portsmouth are investigating after a man died and another went missing in a collision involving a rigid inflatable boat near Tipner.

The crash was reported just before 8pm last night. A man in his 60s from Emsworth was pronounced dead at the scene, and his family have been informed. A search is continuing for the missing man.

People across parts of the East and South East of England reported hearing a sonic boom late this morning.

The loud bang was heard across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent and into London around 11.40. The RAF has confirmed three Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost contact with air traffic controllers.

Once communications were restored, the plane was escorted to Stansted and the Typhoons returned to base.

A suspended Labour councillor who suggested far-right protesters should have their throats slit has been cleared of encouraging violent disorder.

Ricky Jones, 58, made the comments at an anti-racism protest in Walthamstow last August following the Southport murders. He described demonstrators as “disgusting Nazi fascists” while gesturing across his throat.

Jones, who was suspended by Labour the following day, told police he was sorry and said the remarks were made in the heat of the moment and not meant to be taken literally.

Flights were disrupted at Manchester Airport on Friday after the wings of two EasyJet planes collided on the runway.

One aircraft was due to fly to Paris and the other to Gibraltar when the wing tips came into contact while taxiing. Both planes returned to the stand and passengers were given refreshment vouchers while replacement aircraft were arranged.

Ukraine says it has struck the Russian port of Olya in the Astrakhan region.

The military reported the overnight attack on Thursday targeted a ship carrying drone parts and ammunition supplied from Iran.

In a statement this morning, officials described Olya as a key logistics hub used by Russia to move military supplies.

A female police officer has spoken about her experience of running undercover to catch catcallers as part of a new campaign.

PC Abby Hayward from Surrey Police said she felt uncomfortable after being honked at twice during a three-mile run in plain clothes.

The Jog On campaign involves female officers running in public areas, while colleagues in uniform are nearby to challenge anyone shouting sexual comments.

PC Hayward said the abuse leaves her feeling uneasy and spoils her run.

The number of data centres in the UK is expected to rise by nearly 20 percent.

Figures shared with BBC News show there are currently around 477 centres across the country, housing powerful computers that run services like streaming, online shopping, and banking.

Construction analysts Barbour ABI say almost 100 more are set to be built, driven by the growth of artificial intelligence and its demand for extra processing power.

Most of the new facilities are planned to open within the next five years.

The government is teaming up with TikTok influencers to raise awareness about the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures.

Growing numbers of Britons are choosing overseas options for treatments such as hair implants and dental work, often tempted by cheaper prices and shorter waits.

Medical influencers will advise people to consult a UK doctor first, ensure they have travel insurance, and avoid package deals that bundle in surgery.

It’s part of a wider government effort to curb medical tourism and strengthen regulations for cosmetic procedures in England.