Day: August 28, 2025

Ecuadorian Civil Society Groups Alarmed by New Law

Over thirty civil society groups in Ecuador expressed grave concerns on Wednesday after the National Assembly approved the Social Transparency Law, a measure advocated by President Daniel Noboa. Critics argue that the law unreasonably restricts their operations without adequate justification, reports 24brussels.

The legislation passed on Tuesday with a majority vote from the governing party, despite strong opposition claims that it contravenes constitutional rights and aims to target and criminalize civil society organizations.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the affected groups denounced the ruling party’s incendiary rhetoric during parliamentary discussions, which portrayed them as criminals lacking any substantial evidence. This presumption of guilt, the complainants argue, undermines public trust in their work and severely limits their capacity to secure private donations and international support, endangering crucial social and human rights initiatives.

Despite modifications made to the initial bill, these organizations maintain that significant shortcomings persist, undermining freedom of association and unjustly constraining a vital sector that is essential for democratic advancement, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.

This new legislation represents the fourth urgent economic measure that President Noboa has successfully passed with parliamentary backing. Previous initiatives faced partial and temporary suspension by the Constitutional Court, which is currently reviewing a range of constitutional challenges presented by civil groups and labor unions.

Club Brugge Dominates Rangers to Secure Champions League Group Stage

Club Brugge has qualified for the League Phase of the Champions League for the second consecutive year, sealing their spot with a resounding 6-0 victory over Rangers at the Jan Breydel Stadium, following last week’s 1-3 win in Glasgow, reports 24brussels.

The Bruges club entered the second leg with a comfortable advantage, and any hope Rangers had of reversing the outcome dissipated rapidly in the first eight minutes, leading to an early goal and a red card for Max Aarons of Rangers. Brugge extended their lead with four additional goals before halftime, followed by another shortly after the break.

Coach Nicky Hayen expressed satisfaction with the decisive qualification process, characterized by a total aggregate score of 9-1 over two legs. “We are the ones who made it an easy game. From the very first seconds, the players executed the plan perfectly, and by half-time we were already five goals up. That shows the focus and hunger of this team,” he stated after the match.

In contrast, Rangers coach Russell Martin offered an apology to fans for the team’s dismal performance, calling it “humiliating and painful.” He expressed regret that supporters had to witness such a defeat.

European Jackpot

This marks the twelfth time Club Brugge has reached the group stage of Europe’s top club competition, highlighting their international consistency. Over the past nine seasons, Brugge has participated in the Champions League seven times. Last year’s campaign alone generated over sixty million euros, a revenue figure that is a significant benchmark for other Belgian clubs.

Alongside Union Saint-Gilloise, who qualified automatically, Club Brugge’s success ensures that Belgium will have two representatives in the Champions League for the first time since 2019. The draw for the group stage will take place Thursday evening in Monaco, with Brugge positioned in pot two and Union in pot four.