Asha News public digest (12 clusters)

1. Villa close to £65m move for Chelsea's Jackson [general] (2 articles)
Aston Villa are close to signing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in a deal worth up to £65m, with an initial fee of £47.5m plus £17.5m in add-ons. The 25-year-old Senegal international would reunite with former Villarreal boss Unai Emery at Villa Park. The transfer is expected to trigger Ollie Watkins' move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal for £32m in 2023 and spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, with Chelsea set to make a profit on their investment.

2. US Designates Palestine Action Terrorist Group [general] (2 articles)
The Trump administration has designated Palestine Action, a UK-based group, as a terrorist group and imposed sanctions on it. This action comes just over a year after the group was proscribed in Britain. Both articles were published on August 26, 2026, with The Independent reporting the US government has 'taken action' against the group, and the Financial Times noting the timing follows Britain's own designation.

3. US Designates Palestine Action a Terrorist Group [general] (3 articles)
On August 26, 2026, the Trump administration designated UK-based Palestine Action as a terrorist group, imposing sanctions. The US Treasury Department accused the group of supporting 'numerous acts of terrorism since July 2020.' This action came over a year after Britain proscribed the group in 2025. Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori condemned the designation as hypocritical, stating the group's actions 'always been about saving lives.' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that 'far-left extremists' would face the 'full weight of our economic tools.'

4. Deadly Flash Floods Strike Nepal and Tibet Border Region [general] (2 articles)
Massive landslides and flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border region in August 2026, causing widespread destruction with hundreds dead or missing. An avalanche is suspected to have caused an unusual flash flood without heavy rainfall. Nepal's foreign minister reported an earthquake on the Tibet-Nepal border shortly before the landslide, but USGS analysis contradicts this, stating no earthquake occurred. Affected districts include Gorkha, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, with buildings submerged in Nuwakot's Trishuli Bazar.

5. Trump administration designates Palestine Action a terrorist group [general] (3 articles)
The Trump administration has designated the UK-based group Palestine Action as a terrorist group, imposing sanctions through the US Department of the Treasury. The group, which was banned in the UK in 2025 under anti-terror legislation, is accused of supporting 'numerous acts of terrorism since July 2020'. Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori responded calling the designation 'beyond hypocritical' given US involvement in Palestine and Iraq. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that 'Far-left extremists, their fronts, and their enablers should be on notice' and that the US would 'continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated.'

6. What to Know About Deadly Flash Floods in Nepal and Tibet [general] (2 articles)
Massive landslides and flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread damage with hundreds dead or missing. Nepal's foreign minister initially reported an earthquake preceding the landslide, but USGS analysis found no earthquake occurred. Four districts in Nepal (Gorkha, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading) were affected, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Chinese state media reports significant casualties while Nepalese officials anticipate 'huge scale loss.'

7. Tim Curry, star of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘It,’ dies at 80 [general] (2 articles)
Tim Curry, the English character actor renowned for his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' died at age 80 at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday. His longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz confirmed the death, though no cause was disclosed. Curry suffered a stroke in 2012 that left him in a wheelchair. He earned three Tony nominations for 'Spamalot,' 'My Favorite Year' and 'Amadeus,' plus an Emmy nod in 1994. The actor starred in the 1975 cult classic alongside Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf and Susan Sarandon, with the show premiering at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1973.

8. Tim Curry, iconic character actor and star of 'Rocky Horror Picture Show,' dies at 80 [general] (2 articles)
Tim Curry, the celebrated character actor best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' died at age 80. He passed away at his Los Angeles home after suffering serious health issues for over ten years, including a stroke in 2012 that left him in a wheelchair. Curry earned three Tony nominations for 'Spamalot,' 'My Favorite Year' and 'Amadeus,' and an Emmy nod in 1994. He originated the role of Frank-N-Furter in the 1973 London production before the 1975 film became a cult classic.

9. Tim Curry, star of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, dies aged 80 [general] (2 articles)
Tim Curry, beloved actor known for his roles in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' 'It,' 'Clue,' and 'Muppet Treasure Island,' has died at age 80. According to TMZ, Curry passed away Tuesday night after suffering serious health issues for over ten years. Law enforcement sources told TMZ no foul play is suspected in his death. The New York Post reports that Page Six has reached out to Curry's representatives for comment.

10. Tim Curry death latest: The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Clue star dies aged 80 after health issues [general] (3 articles)
Tim Curry, the iconic actor best known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', has died at age 80. According to TMZ, Curry passed away Tuesday night after suffering serious health issues for over ten years. Law enforcement sources told TMZ there is no foul play suspected in his death. The veteran actor was also known for roles in 'Clue', 'It', 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York', and 'Muppet Treasure Island'. Page Six has reached out to Curry's representatives for comment.

11. At least 14 newborns killed in Pakistan nursery hospital fire [general] (2 articles)
At least 14 infants died in a fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on August 26, 2026 when an air conditioning unit compressor exploded in the nursery ward around 6:45 a.m. One infant was rescued by a doctor. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif removed Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri from office and ordered an investigation. A grieving mother identified as Mrs. Mohammad Sami told AP she lost her child just three days after giving birth, saying 'I don't know what to say or whom to blame.'

12. Murder investigation launched after two die in Middlesbrough house fire [general] (2 articles)
Cleveland Police launched a murder investigation after two people died in a house fire in Grangetown near Middlesbrough. Officers responded to a house on Birchington Avenue at 5:23am on Wednesday. Police are not ruling out links to organized crime and are also investigating a separate fatal collision on the A66 that killed seven people, including two police officers, on Saturday.