Brief. Me - December 22, 2024 3:34 pm
In today’s briefing update, we look at the differing take on the final stretch of negotiations between the UK and EU as the deadline for a deal is just hours away.
In our special feature, we’re diving into the debate as to whether the rules should be relaxed over Christmas as fears grow it’ll lead to a third wave.
Also featured: The latest Covid-19 figures, Sports, business and entertainment news.
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Merkel wants Britain to ‘crawl across broken glass’
The deadline for trade talks between the UK and EU dominates the Sunday papers. The Mail on Sunday leads with the headline “Merkel wants Britain ‘to crawl across broken glass'” as it says a government source has said Merkel is behind the EU’s “hard line” stance. The paper says sources say the chances of a no-deal outcome are as high as 80%. – Daily Mail
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Tory grandees’ fury over PM’s ‘nationalist’ no-deal Brexit
The Observer says Boris Johnson is facing anger from senior Conservatives and business leaders. The paper reports the PM’s handling of the final stage of the trade negotiations for the UK-Eu has caused “astonishment in his own party, and the EU”. – Guardian
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Billions in no-deal help for farmers and factories
The Sunday Telegraph says a bail-out package is being drawn up to support industries which will be hardest hit by a no-deal Brexit. The multi-billion pound package will help sheepfarmers, fishermen, car manufacturers and chemical suppliers – sectors which the paper says could be hit by tariffs if no agreement is reached. – Daily Telegraph
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Ministers warn supermarkets to stockpile food
The Sunday Times says supermarkets are stockpiling food after being told that a no-deal Brexit was a possibility. The paper says emergency planners predict it could lead to panic buying on a “scale that could dwarf the coronavirus crisis”. – Times
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No Deal: We are ready!
The Sunday Express says “We are ready” for no-deal. The Brexit-backing paper says detailed plans have been drawn up to cope with potential disruption on 1 January in the event of no-deal. – Daily Express
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Brexit talks go to the wire: Hours from a no deal
“Hours from a no deal” is the Sunday Mirror’s Brexit headline as it reports the UK prime minister saying the offer on the table is “still unacceptable”. It warns there are fears of “huge food price rises and job cuts”. – Daily Mirror
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UK Weather Forecast
Sunday 13th December 2020
Today
A cloudy and breezy day for much of the UK today with outbreaks of rain moving in from the south-west, lingering over the western areas for a time.
Tonight
Cloudy with rain in northeast Scotland this evening and showers or spells of rain elsewhere. It will be windy. There will be a few clear spells, mainly in central and southern England.
Covid-19 Update
CORONAVIRUS CASES: 72,174,058
DEATHS: 1,612,962
RECOVERED: 50,562,938
Tweet of the Day
https://twitter.com/jude_thambi/status/1338036204818866177
Treat of the week
Msmen/Rghaif/Marokkaanse pannenkoek
Renaissance
“I’m not like a regular mom, I’m a cool mom!”
A bit of Nostalgia from our entertainment people
Featured Story
“Relaxing coronavirus restrictions for five days over Christmas is a “mistake” that will have “consequences”, a public health expert has said.
Linda Bauld, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said people should think “very carefully” about seeing vulnerable loved ones over the festive period.
She also expressed concern about people travelling from areas with high infections to parts of the country with lower prevalence of the virus.” – Evening Standard
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“The most wonderful time of the year is soon upon us, but in a global pandemic who will we be allowed to rock around the Christmas tree with?
Families are allowed to ‘bubble’ with two other households in all four home nations between December 23 and 27, but those bubbles cannot meet inside pubs, hotels, shops, theatres or restaurants.
Restrictions on church services will be lifted, allowing Christmas Day services to be held.
This gives the public choice but should not be taken as advice to see family, professor Stephen Reicher, a scientist from the University of St Andrews, told Sky news.
“We have to make our own choices as to what is best for us, and perhaps in a season of pandemic the way you show your love for your family is to not hug them,” he said.” – Telegraph
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“England could face nearly a month-long extra lockdown in exchange for five days’ release from restrictions over Christmas, it has been suggested.
Dr Susan Hopkins, medical director of Test and Trace, indicated that for every day the rules are relaxed over the festive period, two more under harsher measures may be needed to crack down again on coronavirus.
Public Health England (PHE) later intervened to say Dr Hopkins “misspoke”.” – Sky News
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“NHS bosses have warned Boris Johnson that relaxing Covid restrictions over Christmas could lead to cases spiraling out of control yet again fears a new crackdown could hit the festive period.
Under the Government’s plans for a more-normal festive season, families are able to form a ‘bubble’ with two other households between December 23 and 27.
And in November, the Prime Minister pledged that several areas under the Government’s harshest set of lockdown rules will be moved to Tier Two before the end of this week” – Daily Mail
BUSINESS NEWS
Heathrow to shut Terminal 4 until end of next year – BBC Business
Investors dump UK funds on fears of no-deal Brexit – FT
Ministers plot creation of £4bn joint Gulf investment fund – Sky News
‘Brexit preparation? It’s a shambles, and will be for months’ – Guardian
SPORTS NEWS
Anthony Joshua knocks out Kubrat Pulev to raise hope of Tyson Fury bout –Read on
Man United 0-0 Man City: Is football struggling without fans? –Read on
Everton 1-0 Chelsea: Frank Lampard looking for response as Carlo Ancelotti hails his defence –Read on
Paul Pogba: Manchester United midfielder vows to ‘fight’ for club – Read on
