Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced Labour’s first Budget, featuring significant tax increases aimed at addressing a £22bn financial “black hole” inherited from the Conservatives. Employers will face the brunt of the £40bn tax rise, the largest in a generation. The Budget prioritizes investment in the NHS, education, and transport, with the NHS receiving its largest funding boost since 2010. Reeves also lifted the freeze on income tax thresholds beyond 2028 and adjusted borrowing rules to enhance infrastructure investment. Despite these measures, the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts minimal GDP growth in five years. Penelope Kingsley 31/10/2024 12:00 am
Israeli strikes on Baalbek, Lebanon, killed 19, including eight women, after evacuation orders. The attacks targeted Hezbollah sites, including command centers and fuel depots. Baalbek, a strategic area for Hezbollah, is near Syria’s border. The strikes follow Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, vowing to continue the group’s agenda against Israel. The Israeli military is expanding its campaign against Hezbollah in eastern Lebanon, a key area for the group. Ava Sinclair 31/10/2024 12:00 am
Rachel Reeves, Britain’s first female chancellor, presented a “kitchen-sink” Budget focused on economic growth and investment, fulfilling Labour’s election promises. The Budget includes significant spending plans and tax decisions. For detailed insights, the BBC News website offers explanations on topics like National Insurance, income tax, stamp duty, inheritance tax, non-domiciled status, wage standards, and VAT on private school fees. Ava Sinclair 30/10/2024 8:30 pm
Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, threatened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s life but also suggested openness to a ceasefire with Israel. In his first speech, Qassem warned of continued resistance and claimed responsibility for a drone strike on Netanyahu’s residence. Despite aggressive rhetoric, he expressed willingness for a ceasefire under acceptable terms, echoing previous leader Nasrallah’s stance. Qassem emphasized that no viable deal has been proposed yet and that Hezbollah won’t beg for peace. Israel is considering truce talks in southern Lebanon. Ava Sinclair 30/10/2024 8:30 pm
President Biden’s top Middle East advisers are working to mediate a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, aiming to replace the ineffective UNIFIL mission. The cease-fire would allow for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, intended to disarm Hezbollah. U.S. advisers Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are set to visit Israel to finalize the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed a long-term strategy to counter Hezbollah with his defense team. Noah Prescott 30/10/2024 8:30 pm
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reported that North Korean troops in Russian uniforms are moving to Russia’s Kursk region near Ukraine, a destabilizing development. Concerns rise over North Korea deploying up to 11,000 troops to Russia, with some heading to combat zones. Austin warned this could extend the Ukraine conflict and potentially involve other nations. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun noted the deployment might increase security threats and speculated North Korea might seek advanced technologies in return. Both Austin and Kim urged North Korea to withdraw its troops. Ava Sinclair 30/10/2024 8:30 pm
The Israeli army has issued an evacuation warning for Baalbeck and surrounding areas in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, including a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since October 8, 2023, over 2,790 people have died in Lebanon due to conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The UN and various countries criticized Israel’s move to ban UNRWA, which aids Palestinian refugees. The U.S. seeks clarification from Israel on a Gaza attack killing at least 88. The Israel-Hamas war has resulted in over 43,000 deaths since October 7, 2023. Sidon, Lebanon, suffered recent airstrikes. Noah Prescott 30/10/2024 5:00 pm
Elizabeth Báthory, known as “the Blood Countess,” is alleged to have killed up to 650 young women in 17th-century Hungary, sparking legends of her bathing in their blood. After a royal inquiry, her servants were executed, and she was confined until her death in 1614. However, some researchers, like Annouchka Bayley, argue that Báthory may have been a victim of political machinations, challenging the narrative of her as a serial killer. Bayley suggests Báthory’s actions, such as teaching women to read, threatened the power structure of her time. Penelope Kingsley 30/10/2024 5:00 pm
Israeli legislation cutting ties with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, raises concerns about aid disruption in Gaza. The laws, passed overwhelmingly, accuse UNRWA of Hamas infiltration, which the agency denies. The legislation could hinder UNRWA’s operations in Gaza and the West Bank, as Israel controls access. The laws’ implementation details and potential legal challenges remain unclear, but they could significantly impact Palestinians reliant on aid amid ongoing conflict. The first law prohibits UNRWA from operating within Israel’s sovereign territory, leaving its status in Gaza and the West Bank uncertain. Noah Prescott 30/10/2024 5:00 pm
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned an Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya, Northern Gaza, which killed or left missing at least 93 Palestinians, including many children. The US has contacted Israeli officials for an explanation and reiterated the need for a ceasefire. Additionally, Miller expressed concern over new Israeli laws banning UNRWA operations, potentially affecting millions reliant on its services. The European Commission urged Israel to repeal the decision, warning of “disastrous consequences” for refugees. The Biden administration has threatened to withdraw military support unless humanitarian conditions improve. Penelope Kingsley 30/10/2024 5:00 pm
