Brief. Me Better Faster December 14, 2025 10:42 pm
UK economy builds momentum as Covid-19 restrictions ease
Britain’s economy is building momentum and the Bank of England is expected to sharply upgrade its annual growth forecasts next week, as a Guardian analysis shows rapid progress rolling out the Covid vaccine is fuelling a boom in consumer spending.
Activity has held up better than expected after businesses adapted to life under the third national lockdown, while the reopening of non-essential retail and hospitality venues outdoors in England and Wales has benefited from pent-up demand. – The Guardian
France eases lockdown as bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas to reopen May 19
French bars and restaurants as well as cultural sites and non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen to customers on May 19.
President Emmanuel Macron outlined the phasing out of restrictions in an interview with regional newspapers on Thursday.
Some of the steps, including the reopening of borders to foreign tourists from June 9, will only be possible with a health pass attesting the holder has either been vaccinated, has recently tested negative for the virus, or has recently recovered from it. – Euronews
Florida Legislature Passes Bill Limiting Ballot Access
Florida’s Legislature on Thursday passed a bill that makes it harder to access drop boxes and mail-in ballots, the latest Republican-led state to push for what activists say is voter suppression.
Republicans cite former President Donald Trump’s claims that President Joe Biden stole the November election as reasons for the sweeping measures. Judges discredited such claims, made without evidence, in more than 60 lawsuits that failed to overturn the election result. – VOA
Iran’s main envoy meets with top Kuwait leaders
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met with Kuwait’s top leaders during his visit to the Gulf state, state news agency KUNA reported.
Zarif discussed on Thursday with Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah regional and international issues and bilateral relations, the report added. – Arab News
Thailand faces ‘tight situation’ for hospital beds, those with many COVID-19 symptoms to get priority
A shortage of hospital beds in Thailand has put a strain on its public health system as a new wave of COVID-19 infected more than 34,000 patients this month.
On Thursday (Apr 29), the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported 1,871 new cases and 10 more deaths. Although the daily case number went below 2,000 for the first time in six days, hospitals are increasingly filled with patients with severe conditions. – CNA
Lady Gaga: Five arrested in dognapping case
Five people have been arrested over the violent theft of two French bulldogs belonging to US artist Lady Gaga.
In February attackers shot dog walker Ryan Fischer in the chest and took Lady Gaga’s dogs, Koji and Gustav.
Mr Fischer had to have part of his lung removed but survived the attack, and has since left the hospital. – BBC World
Bafta suspends Noel Clarke over harassment claims
BBC says actor and director Noel Clarke has been suspended by Bafta after allegations of sexual harassment, weeks after he received one of its top awards.
In a statement, Bafta said it made the decision “in light of the allegations of serious misconduct” in the Guardian.
The actor, 45, was given the outstanding British contribution to cinema prize at a ceremony on 10 April.
Clarke has said he “vehemently” denies “any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing”.
France to accept British tourists with Covid ‘health pass’ from early June
The Independent says people hoping for a break across the English Channel this year have been given a boost by reports that France will accept foreign tourists who have a “health pass” from 9 June.
Travelers who can prove they’ve had a vaccine or a negative Covid test are to be welcomed back to French cities and beaches in just over a months’ time, according to a timetable published by local media outlets.
Dozens killed in stampede at Israel religious festival, medics say
France24 says a massive stampede at a densely packed Jewish pilgrimage site killed at least 44 people in northern Israel on Friday, with rescue workers facing chaotic crowds while trying to evacuate the injured.
The disaster occurred in Meron at the site of the reputed tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a second-century Talmudic sage, where mainly ultra-Orthodox Jews flock to mark the Lag BaOmer holiday.
Palestinian polls postponed until Jerusalem voting guaranteed: Abbas
Arab News says Palestinian Territories: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Friday that elections had been postponed until there was a guarantee voting can take place in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, further delaying polls in a society that last voted in 2006.
Addressing a meeting of Palestinian factions, Abbas said he had urged the international community to push Israel to allow campaigning and voting in east Jerusalem, an area annexed by the Jewish state in 1967 which Palestinians claim as their future capital.
Families mourn as Brazil hits 400,000 COVID deaths
Aljazeera says on Thursday, Brazil surpassed 400,000 coronavirus-related deaths, the second-highest total in the world after the United States. More than half of those were recorded in 2021, while April has been the deadliest month since the start of the pandemic.
Experts blame several factors for the recent uptick, including the more contagious P1 variant, fatigue with restrictive measures such as lockdowns, and slow vaccine rollout.
Greek court sentences Syrian refugee to 52 years for Turkey crossing
TRT World says a Syrian refugee attempted to cross into Greece from Turkey like so many before him, but has been given an extraordinary punishment for it.
A Syrian refugee has been sentenced to 52 years in prison for crossing into Greece from Turkey last year, the Independent reported on Wednesday.
A Mytiline court on the Greek island of Lesbos announced the decision last Friday on KS, the refugee identified only by his initials, ruling that his crossing was “illegal.”
Arrests in US Capitol attack surpass 430
VOA says U.S. federal agents have arrested more than 430 people in connection with the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, a senior Justice Department official told lawmakers Thursday, adding that the number of arrests continues to grow.
The figure, announced by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brad Wiegmann, represents more than half of an estimated 800 supporters of former President Donald Trump who breached the Capitol to try to prevent Congress from declaring Joe Biden the winner of the November presidential election.
Live Updates
- Bafta suspends Noel Clarke over harassment claims
- France to accept British tourists with Covid ‘health pass’ from early June
- Dozens killed in stampede at Israel religious festival, medics say
- Palestinian polls postponed until Jerusalem voting guaranteed: Abbas
- Arrests in US Capitol Attack Surpass 430
Boris Johnson ‘cash for curtains’
Most of Friday’s front pages continue with the ongoing scandal into the funding of the Prime Minister’s flat renovations.
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The Metro says Boris Johnson has declared “I love John Lewis” as the row over funding renovations continues. The paper suggests PM Boris Johnson has “pointed the finger” at his fiancee Carrie Symonds with the comment – because she is said to have insisted on the revamp due to ex-PM May’s “John Lewis furniture nightmare.” The paper notes how Keir Starmer posed for pictures while browsing wallpaper at the Trafford Centre John Lewis. – Metro
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The Sun says “Tango & cash for curtains” as it reports BBC bosses are keen to secure Carrie Symonds for the next season of Strictly Come Dancing. The paper says Carries is at the top of the “wish list” for the show and could be offered as much as £200,000 to hit the dance floor. – Sun
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The Times says the row over the PM’s flat has done little to dent public support for the party. The paper says a YouGov poll found an 11-point gap between the parties. Despite the overall support, the poll found more than half who were surveyed agree the Tories are “very sleazy and disreputable.” – Times
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Daily Express says a “laser-focused” PM took aim at his critics. The paper says the PM insisted he was dedicated to “delivering our Covid recovery” rather than the “farrago of nonsense” surrounding his home decorations. – Daily Express
One in seven shops lie empty after lockdown – BBC Business
Amazon’s profits more than tripled in the first three months of 2021 – Sky Business
Tories extend poll lead despite Boris Johnson’s scandal-plagued week – CityAM
Man Utd score six in Europa League semi-final first-leg win against Roma – Read on
Pepe penalty gives Arsenal hope despite defeat at Villareal – Read on
NFL Draft 2021: Trevor Lawrence selected by Jacksonville Jaguars as quarterbacks make headlines – Read on
A spat over Covid vaccine doses has erupted between the European Union and the UK threatens to have far reaching implications over coronavirus jab disruption.
Brussels demanded access to AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in UK plants to make up for a shortfall after the pharmaceutical giant said it would have to cut the amount of doses delivered to the bloc by the end of March.
What do we know about the dispute? And what potential implications could the rumbling dispute have on future Covid vaccine rollouts? – (ITV)
Recent and upcoming changes
Restrictions are easing across the UK.
In England
Step 1 of the roadmap out of lockdown has begun. Shielding ends on 31 March.
In Scotland
People will be asked to ‘Stay Local’ from 2 April. A timetable for further lockdown easing from 5 April is on GOV.SCOT.
In Wales
The stay at home restriction was lifted on 13 March. Read about the rules on GOV.WALES.
In Northern Ireland
The next review will happen on or before 15 April. You can read the guidance on current restrictions on nidirect.
latest Covid-19 news
For the latest Covid-19 news visit the UK governement website