Author: LoveWorld UK

RESOLVES TO SET MINIMUM AGE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA-The Parliament resolution is not legally binding and does not set policy  The European Parliament has agreed on a resolution which calls for a default minimum age of 16 on social media to ensure “age-appropriate online engagement” and to combat a rise in mental health problems among adolescents from excessive exposure. The Parliament resolution, however, is not legally binding and does not set policy. According to a draft published in October, the legislation asked for “the establishment of a harmonised European digital age limit of 16 years old as the default threshold under…

ONE MILLION WORKERS FACE HIGHER TAX RATE – UK Government to push a million earners into higher tax bands as thresholds stay frozen  Around one million additional workers are set to be pulled into the higher 40% income tax bracket as the government maintains its freeze on tax thresholds.  The Office for Budget Responsibility says the freeze means wage growth is pushing ordinary earners into tax bands originally designed for top-income workers. Critics have labelled the policy a “stealth tax,” arguing it places growing pressure on middle-income families already dealing with inflation and high living costs.   However, Chancellor Rachel…

TAIWAN UNVEILS $40 BLN DEFENCE BOOST — President vows sovereignty “cannot be violated or annexed” President Lai Ching-te said today that Taiwan will introduce a $40-billion supplementary defence budget to underscore its determination to defend itself. As Taiwan faces calls from Washington to spend more on its own defence, Lai said in August he hoped for a boost in defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2030. Unveiling the $39.89 billion package, Lai said history had proven that trying to compromise in the face of aggression brought nothing but “enslavement”. During a news conference in the presidential office,…

CHELSEA CRUSH 10-MAN BARCA IN 3-0 WIN — Chelsea dominate from start to finish as Barcelona unravel after an early red card  Chelsea claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over 10-man Barcelona in the Champions League thanks to an own goal, a slice of individual skill from teenager Estevao and a first strike of the season for Liam Delap. Chelsea heaped pressure on the Spanish champions from the kick-off and went ahead in the 27th minute when Barca defender Jules Kounde bundled the ball into his own net. Barcelona had to play the second half with 10 men after captain Ronald…

VON DER LEYEN CALLS FOR MORE WORK — EU Commission President urges effort for lasting Ukrainian solutions in Parliament  EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs on Monday that “much more effort is needed, but we have a starting point” in securing a durable peace for Ukraine.  She addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, highlighting ongoing EU support for Ukraine, including economic aid, sanctions enforcement, and humanitarian measures. Von der Leyen stressed that initial agreements on aid packages provide a foundation, but warned that further cooperation and commitment from member states are essential.  She urged EU governments to…

TREASURY UNSURE WHO FACES PENSION TAX HIT – Ministers face criticism over lack of impact data Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted the Treasury does not know how many workers will be affected by her planned tax raid on pensions in Wednesday’s Budget.  The move will strip tax breaks from salary-sacrifice workplace pension schemes, potentially costing the average worker around £210 a year. Reeves is considering limiting National Insurance relief for staff and employers to contributions under £2,000 annually.  However, Treasury officials confirmed they do not hold data on how many people use these schemes nationwide. The revelation came after Lib…

UKRAINE TEAM STARTS WORK IN GENEVA — Zelenskiy’s chief of staff says the delegation has opened talks as meetings get underway  Ukraine’s delegation has begun its work in Geneva to discuss Washington’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine, the head of the delegation, presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, said on Sunday, November 23rd. He said that Ukraine’s delegation had met with the national security advisors of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, and that the next meeting was with the U.S. delegation. A U.S. official said U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had arrived on…

EU CUTS UK’S DEFENCE FUND FEE – Brussels drops demand to €2bn as deadline for SAFE deal approaches The European Commission has sharply reduced the UK’s entry fee for the new €150 billion SAFE defence fund, cutting its proposed contribution from €6.7 billion to around €2 billion. The revised figure comes after weeks of negotiations and divisions within the EU, with Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands urging closer cooperation with London, while France insists the UK should pay more for access. If Britain joins the scheme, UK defence firms could see their contract access ceiling rise from 35 per cent…

REEVES TO END THE 2 CHILD CAP BENEFIT – Chancellor also expected to drag 9m people into higher tax rates by freezing thresholds  Rachel Reeves will unveil £15bn of extra benefits spending in this week’s Budget, funded by a tax raid on the middle classes.  This is on top of the £40bn in taxes from her first budget, and this is despite all the talk about a Fiscal Black Hole.  That’s the difference between the amount of money the Chancellor is expected to bring into the UK Treasury, versus the amount she expects to spend. Despite this, the Chancellor has…

MERZ ARRIVES IN ANGOLA FOR EU-AU SUMMIT-EU leaders will also meet to discuss Ukraine at the summit  Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Angola earlier today to attend an EU-African Union summit in Luanda. According to European Council President Antonio Costa, EU leaders will meet to discuss Ukraine, and those not present at the summit have been invited via video conference, a spokesperson said. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that talks between the United States and Ukraine in Geneva on amending a 28-point plan to end the war with Russia had produced a “decisive success” for…