Author: LoveWorld UK

UK’S HUNT SAYS WILL STICK TO PLAN THAT IS WORKING Inflation Holds at 4.0% Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt said it is “time to stick to a plan that is clearly working” after official data showed British consumer price inflation unexpectedly held steady at an annual rate of 4.0% in January, defying forecasts of a rise. Hunt said it was still too high however and needed to reach 2% to relieve pressure on families.  Economists s had forecast an increase to 4.2%. Consumer price inflation – which was higher in Britain than in other rich economies until recently – is expected…

LABOUR ANTISEMITISM ROW DEEPENS AS THIRD POLITICIAN ‘SPOKEN TO’ OVER MEETING Antisemitism concern in the Labour Party deepens A third Labour politician attended a meeting of activists at the centre of an antisemitism row within the party, Sky News understands. Hyndburn councillor Munsif Dad, who leads the local authority’s Labour group, is thought to have been at the gathering where two parliamentary candidates are alleged to have made antisemitic remarks. On Monday, Labour withdrew support from and suspended Azhar Ali, who is standing under their banner at the upcoming Rochdale by-election, after he allegedly blamed “people in the media from…

TUI SWINGS TO SURPRISE FIRST-QUARTER PROFIT – Higher prices and bookings helped lift TUI’s earnings Europe’s largest travel operator TUI reported far better-than-expected first quarter results as it swung to a profit on the back of robust travel demand, sending its shares 7.4% higher in early trading in Frankfurt. The company reported an operating profit of 6 million euros versus a loss of 153 million in the year-earlier period and an LSEG forecast for a loss of 102 million euros. Europe’s airlines are entering 2024 with robust outlooks as travel demand is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels despite economic uncertainty,…

INDIA POLICE USE TEAR GAS ON FARMERS DEMANDING HIGHER CROP PRICES Protests against the government to honor a 2021 promise to pay them more  Police in India on Tuesday (February 13) fired tear gas at hundreds of farmers and their supporters who were marching to New Delhi to pressure the government to honor a 2021 promise to pay them more for crops. Security in the capital was tightened after farm unions from northern breadbasket states called for protests a day after talks with ministers aimed at securing minimum prices for a range of crops failed. At midday, police fired teargas…

GLOBAL MILITARY SPENDING JUMPS 9% O £1.7TRN The rise in spending has also been driven by China as well as the NATO alliance Global defence spending on everything from ammunition to nuclear weapons has jumped 9% to a record £1.7trn from a year earlier and will rise again in 2024 as the world enters “a more dangerous period”, new analysis has found. Russia – locked in a war with Ukraine – allocates more than 30% of annual government expenditure to its armed forces, according to the assessment on the balance of global military power by the International Institute for Strategic…

US SENATE PASSES $95 BLN AID BILL FOR UKRAINE, ISRAEL AND TAIWAN The lawmakers approved the measure in a 70-29 vote The Democratic-led U.S. Senate passed a $95.34 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, amid growing doubts about the legislation’s fate in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The lawmakers approved the measure in a 70-29 vote that exceeded the chamber’s 60-vote threshold for passage and sent the legislation on to the House. Twenty-two Republicans joined most Democrats to support the bill. The Senate vote occurred before sunrise, after eight hardline Republican opponents of Ukraine aid held an overnight…

LABOUR IN CHAOS BY WITHDRAWING SUPPORT FROM BY-ELECTION CANDIDATE Labour’s Azhar Ali unreservedly apologised to the Jewish community Opposition Labour Party has withdrawn support for its candidate to become a member of parliament in a special election after he was recorded espousing conspiracy theories about Israel. Labour announced today it had withdrawn support for Azhar Ali, its by-election candidate for Rochdale in northern England, after he suggested Israel had relaxed its security in run up to the attack by Hamas last year to provide grounds to invade Gaza. A spokesperson for Labour said that the party had withdrawn support for…

Tory peers have voiced concerns about a proposed conversion therapy bill, warning that it could lead to what they term a “thought crime.” The House of Lords deliberated a Private Member’s Bill presented by Liberal Democrat Baroness Burt of Solihull, aiming to make practicing or offering conversion therapy linked to sexual orientation and gender identity an offense in the UK. Baroness Burt explained her bill’s comprehensive nature, ensuring protection for all LGBT+ individuals without loopholes. She emphasized its focus on preventing coercion into behavior change, with law enforcement required to demonstrate both action and motivation in prosecution attempts. However, Conservative…

ARSENAL THRASH WEST HAM 6-0 – Declan Rice stars for Arsenal on his return to former side West Ham Declan Rice’s long-range goal capped a stunning demolition of his former side West Ham as Arsenal claimed a 6-0 win at the London Stadium to stay within two points of leaders Liverpool. The fixture was billed as a tough assignment for Mikel Arteta’s side following two defeats to West Ham earlier in the season but the hosts completely capitulated as four goals in 15 first-half minutes sent many fans streaming towards the exits early. William Saliba’s header from Rice’s corner set…

IVORY COAST WIN THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS – Ivory Coast beat Nigeria 2-1 in the AFCON final Hosts Ivory Coast completed one of Africa Cup of Nations’ most memorable comebacks to be crowned champions of Africa for a third time as Nigeria were beaten 2-1 in Abidjan. Nigeria captain and former Watford centre-back William Troost-Ekong headed the Super Eagles in front against the run of play at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium. Franck Kessie rose at the far post to meet Simon Adingra’s corner to deservedly level matters. Ivory Coast looked set for an early exit when they lost their…