Author: LoveWorld UK

PROTESTING FARMERS IN SOUTHWEST FRANCE SET BALES OF HAY ALIGHT IN FRONT OF PUBLIC BUILDING Farmers are demanding  help from cheap imports In the southwestern city of Agen, angry farmers set fire to bales of hay, old tyres and rubbish they had dumped in front of the wrought-iron gates of the prefecture, which represents the central state locally. Protesting farmers also blocked several roads across France to press the government to loosen regulations and help protect them from cheap imports and rising costs. Farmers said the protests, with long lines of tractors snarling roads, would continue as long as their…

WOOLWORTH STORES COULD RETURN TO UK HIGH STREETS – It had 807 British stores and its closure left more than 27,000 people unemployed Once loved for its pick ‘n’ mix sweets and bargain prices, Woolworth stores could return to the UK. Woolworths originated in the US and operated for 100 years in the UK, having opened its first store in Liverpool in 1909. It had 807 British stores and its closure left more than 27,000 people unemployed. It suffered from the economic downturn of 2008-09 and from cheaper competitors eating into its market share. Some analysts say it was also…

CAMEROON INTO LAST 16 AFTER FRANTIC FINISH WITH GAMBIA – Cameroon beat Gambia 3-2 to advance in Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon staged a late fightback to snatch a place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Gambia to finish second in Group C. A lacklustre, goalless first half led to a remarkable second, which saw Cameroon take the lead three times in between Gambia’s first two goals in their history against the Indomitable Lions. Gambia thought they had equalized again in the 94th minute, only for the goal to…

PROPOSED ROYAL MAIL SERVICE REFORMS – Royal Mail could reduce the number of days it delivers letters from six per week to three or five Royal Mail could reduce the number of days it delivers letters from six per week to five or even three, under proposals to reform the service. A report from the regulator said the postal service was “getting out of date” and action needed to be taken. Ofcom said another option would be extending the number of days it takes for most letters to be delivered. Royal Mail said its current delivery network was “not sustainable”…

ISRAEL AND HAMAS BROADLY AGREE IN PRINCIPLE – An exchange of Israeli hostages during a month-long ceasefire Israel and Hamas broadly agree in principle that an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners could take place during a month-long ceasefire, but the framework plan is being held up by the two sides’ differences over how to bring a permanent end to the Gaza war.. Intense mediation efforts led by Qatar, Washington and Egypt in recent weeks have focused on a phased approach to release different categories of Israeli hostages — starting with civilians and ending with soldiers — in return…

ASTRAZENECA IN £80M COVID JAB COMPENSATION CLAIM Is how risk was calculated to blame Lawyers of 35 victims of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine have demanded a huge £80m in compensation for the injuries sustained after taking the vaccine. The cases have been linked to the deaths of at least 81 people and caused serious harm to hundreds more.  The claims allege the AstraZeneca vaccine is “defective”. The vaccine has been linked to a condition that causes blood clots called Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT).  In about one in five cases, patients who contracted VITT sadly died. 40 more claims…

FRENCH FARMERS UP PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENT AS PROTESTS SPREAD – 50% of cereals are exported outside France. Protesting farmers blocked roads across France and there was one fatal accident, as their unions urged the government to ease its drive for lower consumer prices and reduce environmental regulations. The protests, heading into a second week after spilling over from neighbouring countries, come as campaigning for European Union elections gathers pace. The unrest is the first major challenge for new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The government prides itself on its fight against inflation, pressuring the food sector to lower supermarket prices. But…

A halving of UK government borrowing over the past year has created scope for Jeremy Hunt to make tax cuts worth about £20bn in his March budget. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that higher VAT and income tax receipts coupled with lower spending resulted in a deficit of £7.8bn in December 2023 – the lowest for the month since the pre-pandemic year of 2019. With lower debt interest payments also contributing to the improvement in the government’s financial position, analysts said the prospects for a giveaway package had brightened. The December deficit was more than £6bn lower than the £14bn pencilled…

Calls for Israel to allow more aid into Gaza and to accept a future Palestinian state as necessary for its own security are expected to dominate a meeting of the UN security council in New York on Tuesday. Before the meeting, the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, met his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in New York to urge Israel to agree to a ceasefire and warn the US not to fuel the spread of the conflict. The meeting comes against a backdrop of a second US-UK coordinated raid against Houthi strongholds in Yemen, as well as intensified fighting in southern Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian said…

GHANA CONCEDE TWICE IN STOPPAGE TIME TO THROW AWAY LEAD – Ghana draw 2-2 with Mozambique  Ghana conceded twice in stoppage time to throw away a two-goal lead to draw with Mozambique and almost certainly exit the Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars looked to be cruising into the last 16 thanks to two Jordan Ayew penalties, one in each half. But Geny Catamo pulled one back from the spot on 91 minutes before Reinildo Mandava’s header broke Ghana hearts. Mozambique finish bottom of Group B, while Ghana need a miracle to progress as one of four best third-placed…