Author: Nikki Gray

Jacob Rees-Mogg cleared by sleaze probe over £6m in cheap loans The Independent says Tory frontbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg has been cleared of breaking parliamentary rules over £6 million he received in cheap loans. Kathryn Stone, the independent parliamentary commissioner, announced the decision on Wednesday on parliament’s website, saying the full verdict will be published in “due course”. Last month, Ms Stone was tasked with investigating claims that the leader of the Commons had breached paragraph…

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Ukraine flight downing ‘terrorism’ – possible compensation  A Canadian court has ruled the downing of Ukraine flight PS752 was an “act of terrorism” and deliberate. The ruling paves the way for possible compensation for victims’ families, says Arab News.  The Superior Court of Justice of Ontario found that “on a balance of probabilities” two missile strikes on the jetliner shortly after takeoff from Iran’s capital Tehran on January 8, 2020 “were intentional.” Lawyers Mark and…

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The United Arab Emirates smashes Covid-19 vaccine target!  The United Arab Emirates has vaccinated more than half of its population, smashing the country’s goal of vaccinating 52.46 per cent of individuals covered under the inoculation campaign.  “The campaign that was launched at the start of the year around the country, upon the directives of the country’s leadership, has vaccinated nearly 70.21 per cent of elderly people and those with chronic diseases, who are being prioritized,”…

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Tuesday’s News Briefing VIDEO: Biden immigration plan – Covid-19 test restrictions – Trump considering Assange pardon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxr0Z-dwOXE Johnson ‘glad’ to see Trump go, says ex-Civil Service head Lord Sedwill British lorry drivers now need negative Covid test to enter Denmark and Netherlands Portugal tightens Covid-19 lockdown amid record numbers of new cases, deaths UAE records highest number of COVID-19 cases since pandemic began Indian sailors stranded for months on Chinese coast reach Japan Biden to…

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Will 2021 be as stressful as last year? How to cope with current news in another unprecedented year so far 2020 will be remembered for many things, most of which were stressful, dark and damaging. And it doesn’t seem like 2021 is off to a good start.  New covid rules Just four days into the new year Boris Johnson announced England’s third national lockdown – schools and non-essential businesses closed – with hopes that the…

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FLOTUS Roasted Over White House Christmas Tree For her last holiday season as First Lady, Melania Trump has started to oversee the White House’s Christmas set up.  On Monday, November 23, the White House’s official tree arrived, where it was greeted by FLOTUS (Donald Trump did not attend). “Each year the arrival of the #WHChristmas tree brings a spirit of holiday warmth & tradition to the @WhiteHouse. This year’s tree will continue to bring joy…

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Violent rallies in Chile raise fears over referendum vote Marking the one-year anniversary of mass protests that have left more than 30 people dead and thousands injured, tens of thousands of Chileans gathered in the central square of Santiago in a mostly peaceful rally. But the rally deteriorated and turned into riots and looting after night fell.  Earlier in the day, people gathered in demonstrations in cities throughout Chile – many carrying signs and rainbow-coloured…

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Morocco’s tourism receipts soared to a record high in 2019 but will fall to a record low in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Morocco tourism travel receipts soared to a record high of $8.12bn in 2019, up from $7.5bn the previous year. A country that is heavily dependent on the tourist industry to bolster local GDP. But, inevitably in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, even if Morroco opens their borders in July this…

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2020 so far: As lockdown nears to an end, let’s look back on six months that changed the world and the stories you may have forgotten. But despite the global lockdown a lot has happened in 6 months Every day we publish multiple five-minute reads, including our Briefings, Columns and Trend Lines. Our briefings are written by our global network of expert contributors, on matters of current importance. Our lineup of five columnists provides a…

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