Wednesday 9 December
- Brexit: Boris Johnson is to fly to Brussels as time runs out in trade talks
- A Mystery illness in India could be linked to heavy metal poisoning
- Record hunger in the Philippines as Covid restrictions bite
- Elon Musk joins California exodus, moves his personal residence to Texas after clashing with Sacramento over Covid-19 restrictions
- Turkish opposition combats corruption of previous governors
- Trump, Biden Vow Quick Coronavirus Immunization for Millions of Americans
- PSG v Istanbul game called off for racist comments by referee – causes outrage on social media
- Man Utd are knocked out of the Champions league
- The battle of the greats as Ronaldo outshines Messi
UK will break ranks with EU and halt US tariffs over state subsidies – FT News
‘Price rises likely’ due to global shipping mayhem – BBC Business
COVID-19: Experts make case for one-off £260bn tax raid on wealthy – Sky News
Airlines demand quarantine exemption from European hub airports – The Independent
Brexit: Boris Johnson to fly to Brussels as time runs out in trade talks
BBC News says Boris Johnson will fly to Brussels later for talks on a post-Brexit deal with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Time is running out to reach a deal, with the UK set to stop following EU trading rules on 31 December.
The pair will hold talks over dinner, after negotiations between officials ended in deadlock.
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A Mystery illness in India could be linked to heavy metal poisoning
Sky News says India’s mystery illness could be linked to heavy metal poisoning, according to tests.
The first cases of the illness emerged in the city of Eluru, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, during the weekend.
Patients suffered from symptoms ranging from nausea and anxiety to seizures, convulsions and loss of consciousness, but they had tested negative for COVID-19.
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Record hunger in the Philippines as Covid restrictions bite
France24 says charities are struggling to meet the ever-growing demand for food as millions of families go hungry across the country.
Covid-19 restrictions have crippled the economy and thrown many out of work.
“I’ve never seen hunger at this level before,” said Jomar Fleras, executive director of Rise Against Hunger in the Philippines, which works with more than 40 partners to feed the poor.
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Elon Musk joins California exodus, after clashing over Covid-19 restrictions
RT News says Elon Musk has moved his personal residence to Texas, following the earlier relocation of his private foundation, and hinted that his companies may quit California too.
“For myself, yes, I have moved to Texas,” Musk said on Tuesday at a virtual conference. “If a team has been winning for too long, they tend to get a little complacent, a little entitled, and then they don’t win the championship anymore. California has been winning for a long time, and I think they’re taking it for granted a little bit.”
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Turkish opposition combats corruption of previous governors
Arab News says the mayors of Istanbul and Ankara have been working to expose the corruption of their predecessors, who left the two cities in economic ruin.
Both mayors, when elected last year, promised full transparency in municipal finances and an end to cronyism, including the channelling of public money to close friends and family members.
Their promises to investigate former allegations of corruption have finally begun materializing.
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Trump, Biden Vow Quick Coronavirus Immunization for Millions of Americans
VOA says Donald Trump and Joe Biden held simultaneous events Tuesday focused on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump signed an executive order to ensure Americans get “first priority” access to a coronavirus vaccine, although it is unclear how that would be enforced.
Biden, promising 100 million vaccine shots within the first 100 days of his administration, said that will not be enough to eradicate the virus but “we can change the course of the disease.”
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In Review: California exodus
Most of California is under a strict new lockdown as Covid-19 continues to surge across the US.
The new stay-at-home order affects around 85% of California’s 40 million people. It will be in place for at least three weeks and cover the Christmas holiday.
The new order will see many businesses closed and people are banned from meeting anyone outside their household. – WTX News
With cases rising and California back in lockdown, many say California is seeing an exodus.
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What’s the media saying?
Blue State, Red Tape: California is shedding residents and businesses – City Journal
What California exodus? Exits fell 5.4% last year in first drop since 2011: 98.3% of us didn’t move. Only Michigan and Texas have better retention rates – The OC Register
California exodus: Many leaving state amid COVID-19 pandemic – FOX 11 LA
‘Customers are calling us crying’: scams and soaring prices as Californians move out – The Guardian
California exodus keeps Las Vegas housing market hot – News3lv
An important Electoral College deadline has passed. Here’s why that’s bad news for Trump
Trump’s long-shot bid to overturn the election became more far-fetched Tuesday after most states appeared to meet the deadline to guarantee that Congress must accept their electors. – USA Today
PSG, Basaksehir teams walk off after alleged racial slur
The Champions League game between Paris Saint-Germain and Basaksehir was interrupted when players walked off the field on Tuesday after alleging fourth official Sebastian Coltescu of Romania used a racial slur against an assistant coach. – Euronews
Amnesty Internl. calls for more responsive actions to help the elderly from terror-stricken regions
Nigeria is fighting to end bloody campaign group Boko Haram. President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to defeat the militants but they remain active in the states of Borno and Yobe. – Africanews
Israel to receive initial shipment of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine
Israel will receive an initial shipment of Pfizer Inc. coronavirus vaccines on Wednesday, PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said, a day earlier than first announced. – Arab News
