Brief. Me Better Faster November 24, 2024 6:18 pm
Deontay Wilder: GoFundMe page set up in effort to pay step-aside fee and save Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury
A crowdfunding page has been set up in an attempt to pay-off Deontay Wilder and save the heavyweight unification bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. – The Independent
Greek villages evacuated as wildfire rages
At least six Greek villages and two monasteries were evacuated on Wednesday night due to a major forest fire on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth, about 90 km west of Athens, fire officials said. – Euronews
Video shows Louisiana police brutality in deadly arrest of Black man
Louisiana state troopers have been captured on body camera video stunning, punching and dragging a Black man as he apologised for leading them on a high-speed chase — footage of the man’s last moments alive that The Associated Press obtained after authorities refused to release it for two years.- TRT World
Egypt extends measures to contain coronavirus to end of May
Egypt will extend measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, including early closing hours for shops, until the end of May, the cabinet said on Wednesday. – Arab News
Verdict postponed for lawsuit against Indonesian government over unhealthy Jakarta air quality
An Indonesian court has postponed the issuance of a verdict regarding a lawsuit against the government over the alarming levels of air pollution that regularly blanket Jakarta. – CNA
Qantas accelerates cost cuts as $1.5bn loss looms
Qantas has announced new cost-cutting measures to help it deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Australian carrier also said it would report an annual loss before tax of more than $1.5bn (A$2bn, £1.1bn). – BBC World
Rail services to come under unified state control
BBC News says the government has announced the biggest shake-up in the UK’s railways since privatisation in the mid-1990s.
It will see the creation of a new state-owned body, Great British Railways (GBR), which will set timetables and prices, sell tickets in England and manage rail infrastructure.
But private operators will still be contracted to run most trains.
Former BBC chiefs told to expect criticism in Diana interview inquiry
The Guardian says the findings of the BBC’s inquiry into the tactics Martin Bashir used to obtain his sensational interview with Princess Diana are due to be published on Thursday, and former senior executives associated with the 1995 Panorama programme have been told to expect criticism in the report.
BBC’s Tim Davie commissioned an independent investigation into how the journalist persuaded the royal to be interviewed, following pressure from Diana’s family prompted by 25th-anniversary coverage of the broadcast last year.
France’s Sarkozy returns to trial in campaign funding case
France24 says the trial of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is accused of illegally financing his failed 2012 re-election campaign, resumes on Thursday after being adjourned on opening day in March after a lawyer fell sick with COVID–19.
The trial casts a further shadow over the career of a man who as president from 2007 to 2012 bestrode the national and global stage. Earlier this year, Sarkozy was convicted of corruption in a separate case.
UAE to allow 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies from June
Arab News says the UAE will allow foreigners to start a company without an Emirati shareholder from next month.
The change comes into effect from June 1, WAM reported.
“The amended Commercial Companies Law aims at boosting the country’s competitive edge and is a part of UAE government efforts to facilitate doing business,” said Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri.
Netanyahu ‘determined’ to continue Gaza bombardment
Aljazeera says Israeli fighter jets continued to hit the Gaza Strip on Thursday, as PM Benjamin Netanyahu defied the United States’ call to seek a de-escalation on the path to a ceasefire.
At least 227 Palestinians have been killed in 11 days of violence. The dead include 64 children and 38 women. On the Israeli side, 12 people have been killed.
Colombians vow to press ahead as anti-govt protests enter fourth week
TRT World says Colombia’s wave of anti-government protests has entered their fourth week, as unions, student groups and others turned out at marches to demand social change amid intermittent talks between the government and strike organisers.
The protests have been marked by violence by both police and civilians. The attorney general’s office has confirmed 15 deaths connected to protests, while one human rights group tallies more than 40.
US House votes to back probe into January Attack on Capitol
VOA says the U.S. House of Representatives has approved the creation of an independent commission to investigate the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
The Democratic-controlled House, joined by 35 Republicans, voted 252-175 to create the commission, similar to one that investigated the 2001 al-Qaida terrorist attacks on the U.S.
Live Updates
- Rail services to come under unified state control
- Former BBC chiefs told to expect criticism in Diana interview inquiry
- France’s Sarkozy returns to trial in campaign funding case
- UAE to allow 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies from June
- Netanyahu ‘determined’ to continue Gaza bombardment
Thursday’s front pages.
Bitcoin falls further as China cracks down on crypto-currencies – BBC Business
Donald Trump attacks ‘unfair’ criminal investigation into his family business – Sky Business
English farmers to be offered £100k to call it a day – CityAM
West Bromwich Albion: Manager Sam Allardyce to leave at end of season – read on
Anthony Joshua to Tyson Fury: ‘You’ve let boxing down. You lied to the fans’ – read on
Klopp proud of hard-fought ‘semi-final’ win at Burnley as Liverpool move into top four – 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
