Author: News Desk

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are: TV cameras will soon be allowed into Crown Court for serious high-profile criminal cases. But only the Judges comments during sentencing will be filmed, not the trial itself. Popular site Reddit went down in parts of the United States and Europe, many users took to Twitter to vent their frustrations. Thousands of problems were registered within just a couple of hours. In France, a former Catholic priest who is on trial for sexually abusing children has blamed the Church for failing to help him. The former priest said…

Extreme weather has claimed the lives of more than 70 people in Pakistan-administred Kashmir and neighbouring Afghanistan, as heavy snowfall triggers avalanches.  55 people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and 15 people in Afghanistan have died, officials said on Tuesday.  The latest deaths raise the two countries’ overall death toll from the severe weather to 126 since Sunday. From the snowy Alps, this may not seem very extreme. However, both Pakistan and Afghanistan are not prepared for such cold or extreme weather, so the slightest increase in extremity severely affects the region.  https://twitter.com/PakistanVisit1/status/1217108523970187265 The Himalayan region of Kashmir was the worst-affected area,…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are: Israeli jets strike Syria – Syrian military has said Israeli jets have struck airbases in Homs. They say their air defence intercepted several missiles.  A ‘staggering number’ of human rights activists were killed last year in Colombia according to the UN.  In the UK, the government has struck a deal to save regional airline Flybe. The Democrats have released new documents on the eve of President Trump’s impeachment trial. In Pakistan, extreme weather has claimed the lives of at least 73 people – ten people are still missing. …

Oscars nominations overwhelmingly white and male – AGAIN This year’s Oscar nominations have been announced, and its a familiar sight. Once again leading the pack is white men.  Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, is up for 11 awards. The controversial film is followed by The Irishman, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and 1917 which all have 10 nods each.  However, the prestigious Academy Awards are facing criticism once again for the lack of diversity. Only one black person made it into the acting category and one non-white director was chosen for the director’s category. Once again, no women were nominated…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, the Canadian prime minister has said further talks over Harry and Meghan’s move to Canada are needed. He said the shape and cost of the move have yet to be discussed.  A third day of protesting in Iran after public anger boils over downed Ukrainian passenger plane.  An 11-year-old in Mexico shot and killed his teacher and injured 6 others. The boy has also been confirmed dead. Authorities say they believe the school shooting was influenced by a video game.  The US has warned the potential rollout of Huawei 5G in…

A volcano in the Philippines has started spewing red-hot lava, and authorities have warned of “an imminent hazardous eruption.” Multiple sources have predicted the volcano will erupt within a matter of hours.  The Taal Volcano in Batangas province, South of the capital Manila, began to erupt in the early hours of Monday after blasting steam and rock up to 15,000 metres into the air on Sunday.  Clouds of ash travelled more than 62 miles north to Manila and forced a partial shutdown of the country’s main airport. The ash clouds have led to more than 240 international and domestic flights…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, the Queen will meet with senior royals at Sandringham today to discuss the future of the Sussexes’ – and hopes for it to be sorted within a matter of days. A second day of protesting in Iran following the accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane. Iranians have taken to the streets to demand senior leaders resign. A Russian soldier who is accused of a mass shooting at a military garrison in Serbia has claimed he is the victim of hazing. In the US, Secretary of Defence Mark Esper says he…

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Zac Goldsmith in the House of Lords, much to the disapproval of Labour and Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). His appointment allows him to keep his ministerial job despite losing his seat in the election. The election was the second time Goldsmith was ousted by the Liberal Democrats in Richmond Park. But now he’s been made a life peer and reappointed as environment minister by the PM. Labour has accused the prime minister of presiding over “government-appointed jobs for mates.” Goldsmith just happens to be friends with Johnson and his partner. The MCB says…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the Sunday papers focus on the recent royal news – Prince William has expressed his “sadness” over broken bond with his brother and the Queen is holding a royal meeting on Monday. In our special feature, we take a look at why Meghan and Harry have stepped down as senior royals, and what happens next. …………………………………………………….Historic Royal Meeting: Showdown at SandringhamThe Sunday Express declares a “showdown at Sandringham”, ahead of the meeting the Queen will hold with Prince Charles, Prince Harry and Prince William. Meghan is expected to join via conference call from Canada. Read the full…

BRIEF – ME! – ENTERTAINMENT NEWS BRIEFING Entertainment Briefing, Catch up with this week’s top stories from the world of art, music, film and TV. In music, Selena Gomez has returned to music with her latest album RARE – her first great pop album. Justin Biever reveals he has Lyme disease and opens up about speculation he was on drugs.   Film and TV, Nicholas Hoult has been cast in the upcoming Mission: Impossible film – though his role hasn’t be confirmed, speculation is he’s playing a villain. The magic lives on in NYC! The Big Apple will get it’s first…