Author: News Desk

Rail disruption as drivers begin new overtime ban More travel disruptions for rail passengers lie ahead this week in the latest strike action by train drivers.  The Aslef train drivers union will not work overtime from Monday 7 August through to Saturday 12 August.  The latest overtime ban is part of a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions that has led to severe disruption. Passengers have been advised to check rail services before they travel. The overtime ban will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, GTR Great Northern Thameslink,…

Authorities in Spain and Portugal are warning that the risk of wildfires remains extremely high, as residents brace for further scorching temperatures this week. Thousands of hecters of land were destroyed in central Portugal over the weekend, while water-bomber planes were deployed to battle a large blaze threatening homes in southern Spain. FRANCE 24’s Carys Garland gives us more details.

Every little helps…for now.

Fines hiked for firms employing illegal migrants Businesses and landlords who are knowingly supporting illegal migrants are now set to face even bigger fines under new rules announced by the government.  Fim who have repeatedly employed illegal migrants could face fines of up to £60,000 per breach. The Home Office argues “illegal working and renting are significant pull factors” for illegal migration. Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said the move would help deter small boat crossings in the channel.  The new punishments come into force at the start of 2024 and will see businesses receive the civil penalty for employing illegal…

Al-Ittihad are prepared to pay the forward £155m over two years.

She wasn’t the only one frustrated.

Chandrayaan-3: Historic India Moon mission sends new photos of lunar surface India’s space agency has sent images of the Moon taken by the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, which entered lunar orbit on Saturday. The images show craters on lunar surface getting larger and larger as the spacecraft draws closer. The lander and rover are set to reach the surface on 23 August. If successful, India will be the first country to perform a controlled “soft landing” near the south pole. It will also make India the fourth country to achieve a soft moon landing after the US, the former Soviet Union and…

Pakistan passenger train derails killing 30 A derailed train in southern Pakistan has killed at least 30 people, a police spokesman confirmed. At least eight carriages went off track, overturning near Sahara railway station in Nawabshah, about 275km (171 miles) from the largest city Karachi. Rescue teams are desperately trying to free people from the wreckage and social media footage shows dozens of people trying to escape the overturned carriages. Authorities have dismissed reports that the track was flooded. Military and paramilitary troops along with rescue workers were on the scene.

All scouts leaving South Korea camp as typhoon looms The World Scout Jamboree in South Korea has officially ended early because of an incoming typhoon. Several countries including the UK had already left the international event, blaming high temperatures and poor sanitary conditions at the camp. Matt Hyde, the UK Scouts boss, said the site had become a health risk. More than 40,000 young people had attended the event, with hundreds falling ill amid 35C heat.

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk There are various stories on the front pages this Monday morning – including the government migrant plans and the US football team being knocked out of the World Cup. Migrant plans The Mail reports “remote island plan for Channel migrants.” The paper claims the government is drawing up proposals to fly asylum seekers to Ascension Island, a small British overseas territory in the South Atlantic if its Rwanda policy fails. The Times says the government is in negotiations with five other countries as part of plans to send asylum seekers on a one-way flight,…