Author: News Desk

Ecuador leader proposes lifting ban on foreign military bases Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has proposed amending the constitution to allow foreign military bases in the country, 15 years after the last US troops left the Manta base on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. The base, once a hub for US anti-drug operations, was returned to Ecuador’s military in 2008. Noboa, 36, argues that Ecuador needs foreign military assistance to combat powerful transnational crime gangs using the country as a key drug trafficking route between South America, Europe, and the US. Despite declaring war on these gangs in January, violence continues to plague…

Israel planted explosives in thousands of Hezbollah pagers – reports At least nine people have been killed and thousands injured after a series of handheld pager explosions rocked Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, around 3,000 people were wounded, with 200 in critical condition, overwhelming local hospitals. Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese group backed by Iran, has blamed Israel for what it called a “sinful aggression” and warned that Israel will face “fair punishment.” Israel has yet to respond to the accusation but earlier announced that one of its key goals in the Gaza conflict is to return…

P Diddy denied bail in sex-trafficking case Hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail after pleading not guilty to charges in a sex-trafficking case. A New York federal judge ordered Combs to remain in custody, with prosecutors labelling him a “serious flight risk.” The 54-year-old music mogul was arrested on Monday night and is accused of operating a criminal enterprise since at least 2008. Prosecutors allege that the operation involved drugs and violence to coerce women into satisfying his sexual demands. The 14-page indictment against Combs includes charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transporting individuals for…

Suspicious packages sent to election officials across US Federal authorities, including the FBI and the US Postal Service, are investigating suspicious packages sent to election officials in 17 states. The packages, which in some cases contained an unidentified substance, are under review. There have been no injuries reported so far. These packages were addressed to secretaries of state and election officials from coast to coast, reaching states like New York and Alaska. The situation arises amid growing concerns over threats against election workers and warnings of potential political violence as the upcoming presidential election in November approaches. Investigators are working…

Superyacht and private jet tax could raise £2bn a year, say campaigners Oxfam says ‘commonsense solution’ would reduce emissions and raise urgently needed climate financeFair taxes on superyachts and private jets in the UK could have brought in £2bn last year to provide vital funds for communities suffering the worst effects of climate breakdown, campaigners say. Private jet use in the UK is soaring. It was home to the second-highest number of private flights in Europe last year, behind only France, according to figures from the European Business Aviation Association. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/18/superyacht-private-jet-oxfam-climate-finance

UK overseas aid spend will reach 17-year low without urgent action, NGOs warn Humanitarian sector says UK will lack credibility at world summits owing to ‘devastating’ impact of budget cuts. UK aid spending will fall to its lowest level since 2007 unless the government takes urgent remedial action in the autumn budget, a group of more than 100 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the aid and humanitarian sector jointly warn on Wednesday. The budget dedicated to providing aid overseas will be just 0.36% of gross national income (GNI) in 2024 largely owing to huge sums in the budget being diverted to…

Exodus from workforce costs UK ‘£16bn a year’ in lost tax receipts Institute for Employment Studies says UK has 800,000 fewer people in work or looking for work since before Covid. The UK has suffered the biggest contraction in its workforce since the 1980s, costing the public finances at least £16bn a year in lost tax receipts, according to a study. Hundreds of thousands of people have quit the labour market since the pandemic and never returned, undermining the strength of the economy and leaving the government out of pocket, according to the Institute for Employment Studies. The UK is…

UK’s new eVisa scheme ‘could create digital Windrush scandal’ Open Rights Group say digital documentation system is prone to data errors, system crashes and other glitches. Millions of migrants have been urged to register for a new eVisa scheme as campaigners warn the document could create a digital Windrush scandal. The scheme, which will be introduced at the end of the year, is designed to replace physical biometric residence permits that show proof of the right to reside, rent, work and claim benefits with digital eVisas. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/sep/18/uks-new-evisa-scheme-could-create-digital-windrush-scandal

Foreign Office urges ‘calm heads’ after deadly pager explosions in Lebanon The Foreign Office has urged “calm heads and de-escalation” after hundreds of pagers exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and in parts of Syria. At least nine people were killed and thousands wounded on Tuesday in what appeared to be a sophisticated, remote attack. An FCDO spokesperson said: “We continue to monitor the situation in Lebanon closely and the UK is working with diplomatic and humanitarian partners in the region. The civilian casualties following these explosions are deeply distressing. “We urge calm heads and de-escalation at this critical time.” Members of…

Champions League tonight – Villa and Liverpool in actionThe Champions League returns tonight with two English clubs – Aston Villa and Liverpool in action. Aston Villa Aston Villa playing in their first Champions League match since competition rebrandVilla travel to Switzerland to face European regulars Young BoysVilla have won three of their opening four Premier League gamesAston Villa have kicked off the season strongly, though defensive weaknesses have been evident in the early weeks. They’ve yet to keep a clean sheet, recently allowing goals from a struggling Leicester City and twice against bottom-placed Everton.However, with Young Boys facing form issues and injury…