Author: News Desk

Boris Johnson announces free college courses for adults to find work in post covid world PM Boris Johnson has announced free courses for adults without A-levels will start in April, to help retrain adults to find work in a post-Covid world.  The prime minister, announcing a transformation of the training and skills system, said higher education loans will also be made more flexible, allowing people to space out their study across their lifetimes.  The free courses will be available in England from April and will be paid for through the National Skills Fund. The courses will be available to adults…

Jon Venables denied parole after child abuse images Jon Venables, one of the killers of toddler James Bulger has been denied parole for possessing child abuse images.  Venables had applied for parole after being jailed for having child abuse images on his computer in 2017.  In 1993, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson – both 10-years-old – took James Bulger, 2, from a shopping centre in Bootle. The pair tortured and killed Bulger leaving his body on a train track.  Venables served eight years for the murder of James Bulger and was freed on licence, along with Thompson, and given lifelong…

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman raised co-star Sienna Miller’s pay with his own salary  The shocking death of actor Chadwick Boseman in August, following a private four year battle with cancer, left many fans, co-stars and friends shocked. Many came forward with stories and tributes to the late actor and shedding light on his kind heart.  In an interview with Empire, actor Sienna Miller revealed it was Boseman who fought for her to be cast in 21 Bridges, and he went to extraordinary lights to ensure she was paid appropriately for the film they both starred in. “I didn’t know…

Eddie Redmayne defends JK Rowling after backlash for transgender tweets Actor Eddie Redmayne who played a transgender woman in 2015 has defended Harry Potter author JK Rowling in the face of widespread criticism for her -what some say – transphobic comments and tweets.  Redmayne told the Daily Mail that Rowling was receiving alarming “vitriol” on social media and he called it “absolutely disgusting.”  Redmayne sent Rowling a personal note of support during the heavy criticism she faced for her tweets and a 3,700-word statement regarding her views on transgender people.  Redmayne stressed he has “trans friends and colleagues.” He knows…

Amnesty stops work in India due to government ‘witch hunt’ Amnesty International has stopped its Indian operations after its bank accounts were frozen in what they say is a government “witch-hunt” against rights groups.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has long been accused of harassing non-governmental organisations for highlighting rights abuses, including in Indian-administered Kashmir.  Amnesty said they found out on September 10 that its Indian bank accounts were frozen, forcing them to let go of staff and pause all campaign and research work.  “This is the latest in the incessant witch-hunt of human rights organizations by the Government of…

Tuesday 29 Septmeber coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFINGTuesday 29 September 2020 News Briefing – Today’s headlines are dominated by the global Coronavirus Pandemic. As of 6:30 am (GMT), these are the global active numbers.Global COVID-19 UPDATECoronavirus Cases: 33,552,483Deaths: 1,006,381Recovered: 24,881,156 One million lives lost World counts cost of Covid-19 pandemicMexico revises cases and death tollUber wins right to operate in LondonNetherlands tightens restrictions amid surge in casesCDC was pushed to play down the risks of Covid-19 in reopening schools, former Pence staffer saysPandemic to keep Asia’s growth at lowest since 1967New rapid covid test to give results in…

Bella Hadid cleans out her closet for a good cause Bella Hadid’s ultra-luxe wardrobe featuring brands like Dior, Off-White and Vivienne Westwood is up for grabs! The part-Palestinian model this week decided to take part in the Sidewalk Sale for Social Justice in Brooklyn by donating a slew of her own clothing items to the good cause.  The Sidewalk Sale for Social Justice, which took place on Sunday, benefits a variety of causes such as Black Lives Matter, which Hadid has voiced her support.  The supermodel documented the charitable event via her Instagram Stories and showcased the “lil rack of…

Paris knife attack suspect wanted to avenge Hebdo cartoon Police in France are studying a video in which the man suspected of attacking people with a meat cleaver on Friday says he will commit an act of “resistance” after the republication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad in a satirical magazine.  The suspect – who is from Pakistan – was arrested soon after two people were wounded in front of the old offices of the Charlie Hedbo magazine. Officials said his clothes were splattered in blood.  According to French media, the video in question was found on the suspect’s phone.…

Pakistan arrests opposition leader ahead of planned protest Pakistan’s anti-graft body arrested an opposition leader Monday over his alleged involvement in a money laundering case. A court rejected bail for him, a move coming just before planned protests next month by his party looking to force PM Imran Khan’s resignation.  Shahbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim Leauge party was arrested at court after being denied bail, said Faisal Raza Bukhari, a lawyer for the National Accountability Bureau. The anti-graft body will now question Sharif at their jail, Bujharu said. The Pakistan Muslim Leauge party criticised his arrest as being politically…

‘Struggling’ students in Scotland told they can return home after Covid-19 spike Students who are struggling at university accommodation have been told they can return home due to recent outbreaks of Covid-19.  The Education Minister said he does not expect a “mass exodus” after updated guidance was published by the Scottish government.  The guidance states students can visit parents if there is a “reasonable excuse” such as a family emergency. But with no reasonable excuse, short stays are still deemed an “offence.” The updated guidelines come after a lot of complaints from students who felt they were trapped in university…