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Ministers are rewriting planning rules to make it easier to approve intensive livestock farms, despite ongoing concerns about water pollution, air quality and local opposition.Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have been discussed in response to lobbying by the country’s leading chicken producers for at least two years.The British Poultry Council (BPC) told farming minister Angela Eagle last autumn that “access to more growing space is the number one priority for the poultry meat sector.”In a submission to the government’s farm profitability review, the BPC argued that the need for a solution—whether through planning reform or land‑use policy—“dwarfs all other issues currently facing us.”Ahead of a January round‑table with Eagle, the BPC urged the government to “develop national planning direction and oversight for food production … to safeguard the UK’s long‑term food security.”Eagle responded that the government has “announced proposals to reform the planning system to more quickly unlock food and farming infrastructure,” emphasizing that “planning should enable ambition, not stifle it.”Her briefing notes directly linked the proposed changes to industry lobbying, describing planning reform as one of the sector’s “biggest asks” and noting that the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are working to “find solutions to planning barriers to poultry sheds and other infrastructure necessary for food production.”The draft NPPF includes several measures that could ease approval of new intensive livestock developments: a higher threshold for refusing applications on environmental grounds, reduced scope for local authorities to adopt tougher rules, greater weight given to “domestic food production,” and a new emphasis on “better accommodation for livestock.”The industry says it needs extra space to house chickens because of voluntary commitments to lower stocking density. Critics point out that these welfare commitments are not legally binding and that planning conditions do not guarantee long‑term compliance. Recent withdrawals by restaurant chains from the Better Chicken Commitment underscore the controversy.Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the BPC, said the reforms are needed to accommodate welfare improvements rather than to expand production, noting a voluntary reduction in stocking density from 38 kg to 30 kg per square metre.Griffiths warned that failing to support domestic production could increase imports, and the BPC has called for food production to be classified as “critical national infrastructure.”Prof. Paul Behrens of the University of Oxford countered that the food‑security case for intensive poultry is “illusory” because the sector depends on imported feed and vitamins and is vulnerable to disease outbreaks such as avian flu.Opposition to poultry megafarms is organised, with local residents raising concerns over water pollution, air quality and the climate crisis. The Environment Agency estimates agriculture accounts for roughly 70 % of nitrate and 25‑30 % of phosphorus pollution in UK waterways, and runoff from intensive poultry units contributes to that burden.Last year, Norfolk councillors rejected Cranswick’s plan for a 900,000‑bird chicken farm after the company failed to demonstrate that the development would not cause “significant adverse effects on protected sites.”The BPC has also urged early intervention by the Planning Inspectorate to minimise delays, arguing that centralised oversight would bring objectivity to a system where “naysayers, particularly via social media, have a disproportionate sway in the decision‑making process.”Campaign group Communities Against Factory Farming warned that the proposed regime “risks embedding decades of industrial livestock land use in rural and green‑belt locations without adequate scrutiny,” giving “substantial weight” to the economic benefits of intensification.A government spokesperson rejected claims that the NPPF proposals are driven by lobbying, stating that they have been carefully considered to balance sector support with broader priorities such as food security and environmental protection.

Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Chris Nineham, vice‑chair of the Stop the War Coalition, were each convicted on Wednesday for breaching conditions set by the Metropolitan Police during a large‑scale pro‑Palestine rally on 18 January 2025. The court found they failed to keep the march within a police‑designated zone in central London and, in Jamal’s case, actively encouraged other demonstrators to do the same. The trial, held at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, concluded that both men were fully aware of the restrictions, given their leadership roles in planning the event. The judges noted that Jamal’s remarks amounted to “incitement” because they urged participants to disregard the stipulated boundaries, including the area surrounding the BBC headquarters on Portland Place. Supporters packed the public gallery, with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn among those present as the verdict was read, according to the PA news agency. In response, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign described the ruling as a “disgraceful decision” and asserted that “the fight is not over.” The statement, posted on X, warned that the judgment undermines the fundamental right to protest. Human Rights Watch UK director Yasmine Ahmed condemned the outcome, calling it a “black mark on British democracy” and suggesting the verdict is part of a broader governmental effort to silence dissent against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The conviction arrives amid mounting tension between law‑enforcement agencies and the UK’s sizable Palestine solidarity movement. Since the conflict in Gaza escalated in October 2023, tens of thousands of Britons have taken to the streets, and thousands of peaceful demonstrators have been arrested for displaying slogans such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Human Rights Watch’s research highlights a “disproportionate targeting” of pro‑Palestine activists, arguing that the current anti‑protest legislation threatens the ability to protest without fear of harassment. Activists are already gearing up for another large gathering scheduled for 11 April, when supporters of the direct‑action group Palestine Action plan to demonstrate again in London, despite recent arrests and ongoing legal pressure. Overall, the verdict underscores a growing debate over the balance between public order and civil liberties in the United Kingdom, with implications for future demonstrations linked to the Gaza war and broader international human‑rights concerns.

The United Kingdom is set to convene a virtual meeting of 35 countries to assess measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Gulf waterway that has been effectively closed due to the US-Israeli war on Iran. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper would host the meeting on Thursday.The meeting aims to “assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and resume the movement of vital commodities”, according to Starmer.Countries around the world have raised serious concerns about Iran’s effective closure of the strait, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquified natural gas supplies transit. The closure has sent global energy prices soaring and pushed nations to announce that they would release some of their strategic oil and gas reserves in an effort to lessen the crisis.Starmer emphasized that reopening the strait “will not be easy” and that countries that recently signed a statement saying they were ready “to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz” would take part in this week’s talks.In addition to the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands are among the countries to have signed it. The UK and other European countries have faced condemnation from US President Donald Trump, who has accused them of both failing to take action to reopen the strait and not providing sufficient support to Washington in its war effort.

India has initiated the world's largest national population count, a yearlong process involving over three million officials. This census, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, commenced on Wednesday and is set to conclude by March 31 next year. The data collected will be crucial in reshaping welfare programs and political representation across the country.Census workers will spend about a month collecting information from homes, documenting housing stock and living conditions. Information will be gathered through in-person surveys and online, allowing residents to use a smartphone application.A second phase of the counting will begin in September, during which more detailed information on people's social and economic characteristics, including religion and caste, will be surveyed. The caste system, an ancient social hierarchy in India, has been a contentious issue, with successive governments resisting a full caste count due to potential social tensions.The population data collected will underpin the distribution of government welfare programs and inform public policies. It may also lead to a redrawing of India's political map, with potential increases in seats in the lower house of parliament and state legislatures to reflect population growth. A 2023 law reserves one-third of legislative seats for women, so any expansion would raise the number of seats set aside for female representatives.The last detailed caste information was gathered in 1931 during British colonial rule. Since India's first census in 1951, only Dalits and Adivasis, members of marginalized groups, have been counted. The previous census in 2011 recorded a population of 1.21 billion, which has now grown to over 1.4 billion, making India the world's most populous nation, surpassing China in 2023.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has hailed Mohamed Salah as a club legend ahead of his departure at the end of the season. Salah announced his exit last week, and Slot believes he will leave the club a legend.Salah's professionalism and commitment to the club have impressed Slot, who highlighted his hunger to prove himself every three days. Slot expressed his hope that Salah can make his legacy even more special in the upcoming weeks and months.The pair appear to have patched up their differences, which had led to tensions earlier in the season. Slot is looking forward to Salah signing off with a flourish, and he encouraged supporters to give him a great farewell.In other news, Liverpool's bid for Champions League qualification has been boosted by the news that Alexander Isak is set to return to training on Thursday after more than three months out with a broken leg. The £125m British-record signing could make the squad for next week's European away leg in Paris.Slot expressed his excitement about having Isak back, citing his incredible abilities as a striker and the team's ability to generate chances. While Isak may not start immediately, Slot believes his return will be very helpful for the team in the last two months of the season.

The families of British citizens held in the United Arab Emirates over allegations that they shared images of the conflict with Iran have expressed frustration at the British government's failure to help.Several British citizens are among more than 100 foreign nationals who have been detained under draconian Emirate rules that outlaw publishing or sharing material that could 'disturb public security'.UK government ministers have refused to condemn the arrests, amid claims they are too fearful of offending the Emirates because of their economic clout.The campaign group Dubai Watch, which is supporting nine British detainees, said their identities could not be revealed for fear of reprisals. But it has shown the Guardian anonymised correspondence from their increasingly anxious families.A mother whose daughter is being held wrote: 'This experience is exhausting, mentally and emotionally.'She described reading media reports about the continuing conflict in which Iran has retaliated against US and Israelis strikes by firing drones and missiles against its Gulf neighbours, including the UAE.She said: 'I have just read another article, and quite frankly I could do one purely on the inadequacies and sycophantic responses from this [UK] embassy.'She also expressed increasing fears for her daughter's safety as attacks continued. The mother said: 'I spoke to [my daughter] last night and they are no longer allowed to go outside in the courtyard as it's now deemed too dangerous to do so. This is an even bigger worry as they are all just sitting ducks.'Another message from a woman whose husband had been detained under the same law said the case had been 'mishandled'. She added: 'We are scared because nobody is telling us the truth. Can you please help us.'Police in Abu Dhabi said those detained had 'filmed sites and events and disseminated inaccurate information via social media platforms during the ongoing events, an action that could stir public opinion and spread rumours among community members'. In a statement, the officials said these 'violations' amounted to a 'misuse of social media'.Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, confirmed that one of the detainees was a St Albans' constituent. She said their family was frustrated by the lack of consular help.Cooper told the Guardian: 'I'm deeply concerned that my constituent has been held with very little contact with their family, with no clear access to legal counsel, and no confirmation that UK consular officials have been permitted to visit them. The family are distressed and desperate for information about their wellbeing.'Cooper also criticised the UAE's round-up of anyone it has accused of sharing images of the conflict. She said: 'The response from the authorities appears wholly disproportionate given the nature of the allegations.'The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that five UK nationals were receiving consular assistance in the UAE.David Haigh, a human rights lawyer and founder of Dubai Watch, said: 'There's an awful lot more than five cases. The embassy is overwhelmed.'He added: 'There hasn't been any government intervention because it would offend the UAE and they don't want to do that. Impotent is the best way to describe the response. They're too scared – it's all about the money and investment from the UAE.'

The UK is set to host 35 countries, excluding the US, to discuss ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for oil and gas that has been blocked by Iran. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the next phase of discussions, led by the UK and France, will take place on Thursday, with Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, alongside international leaders.The meeting will focus on assessing viable diplomatic and political measures to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers, and resume the movement of vital commodities. British military planners will meet afterwards to discuss how to marshal their capabilities and make the strait accessible and safe after the fighting has stopped.The blockade has resulted in around 1,000 ships being stranded, with only about 130 ships passing through since the war began, compared to the normal daily number. The strait is a critical route, with a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies and a third of global fertilisers passing through before the conflict.The US has not been directly invited to participate in the talks, which will include countries that signed a joint statement last month, such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as Japan, Canada, South Korea, and New Zealand. The Ministry of Defence has sent military planners to US Central Command to explore options for getting tankers through the strait.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to 'enemies of this nation', and US President Donald Trump has posted that there will be no ceasefire with Iran until it relinquishes control of the waterway.

The UK Prime Minister's recent announcement of a 'five-point plan' to address the energy crisis has been met with skepticism. During his remarks from Downing Street, Prime Minister Starmer outlined measures that were largely pre-existing or unrelated to the immediate crisis. The plan included: cutting energy bills by over £100 per household, which was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last November's budget and has since been adjusted to £117 for an average dual-fuel household; extending the cut in fuel duty until September; supporting people exposed to heating oil rises with £53m; investing in clean British energy through the Clean Power 2030 plan; and pushing for de-escalation in the Middle East. Critics argue that most of these points were not new and did not adequately address the current crisis. The plan did not provide specifics on who else could get help with energy bills or how targeted support would be delivered. The Clean Power 2030 plan, a five-year £200bn infrastructure project, will not yield immediate results for consumers, with savings expected to arrive around 2040. The article concludes that repeating measures from last November's budget is not a plan and that a proper five-point plan would be needed if an energy price shock turns into a supply shock, possibly meaning rationing.

Alisha Joyce stepped back onto the rugby field in March, just 123 days after delivering her son, and a week later secured a place in Wales’ squad for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations. The 28‑year‑old described the selection as a surprise, but welcomed the chance to inspire the next generation of players.Joyce is the first Welsh international to tap into the new performance maternity programme, a policy designed to support athletes through pregnancy and return to elite competition. She shares her newborn, Ralphie, with her wife and teammate Jasmine Joyce, and has logged only 30 minutes of senior rugby since her comeback, coming off the bench for Brython Thunder.Wales head coach Sean Lynn delivered the call‑up unexpectedly. Joyce said she hopes to contribute her experience to a squad that includes nine uncapped players, acknowledging her new role as one of the senior members and a mentor for younger teammates.Having missed last year’s Six Nations and World Cup due to pregnancy, Joyce now brings her son to the training camp, describing the first four‑and‑a‑half months of parenthood as “incredible” and a source of motivation.Sleep deprivation posed a major challenge, especially given the importance of recovery in elite sport. Joyce noted that after the initial three months of erratic nights, Ralphie’s routine has settled, allowing her to focus more on training and performance.She cited teammate Abbie Ward—the first England player to have a baby while under a professional contract—as a key influence in deciding to continue her career after motherhood. Joyce reflected on the broader dilemma many athletes face: balancing the desire for a family with the timing of major tournaments and potential Lions selection.Both Joyce and Jasmine underwent IVF, a process that required careful planning and preparation. Joyce called the decision to pursue parenthood “one of the best” they’ve made, emphasizing how quickly life can change when a child is involved.Looking ahead, Joyce aims to earn playing time in the Six Nations, which kicks off against Scotland on 11 April, and has set her sights on the inaugural women’s British & Irish Lions tour in 2027. She hopes her journey shows young girls that they can excel in sport while being mothers, and she remains determined to return to top form.