Author: WTX News

Hong Kong will ‘not interfere’ in China detention of 12 Hong Kong has said it will “not interfere” in the arrest by mainland Chinese authorities of the 12 residents who were detained as they sought to flee to Taiwan by sea, despite pleas from their families, as it emerged that Taiwan was holding five other people from Hong Kong who had also fled by boat.  In a statement on Sunday, Hong Kong authorities said they received requests for help from the families of the groups who were detained last month for illegal entry into mainland China as they were attempting…

2 LA Sheriff Deputies out of surgeries following ‘ambush’ shooting The two Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department deputies who were shot in an ‘ambush’ attack and critically injured Saturday night are out of surgery, according to an LASD spokesperson.  “It looks like they’re going to be able to recover,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Sunday afternoon.  “We’ll see what the long-term impact is. We don’t know that yet, but they survived the worst,” Villanueva said during a community dialogue event. The deputies were “ambushed” as they sat in their car, police said.  https://twitter.com/Terrence_STR/status/1304995990320144385 Villanueva said the shooting of the officers…

Monday 14 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Monday 14 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 UPDATE Coronavirus Cases: 29,185,779 Deaths: 928,290 Recovered: 21,031,029 New Zealand extends coronavirus restrictions upon discovery of one new case Japan’s foreign residents face discrimination due to Covid-19 Doctors in Indonesia fight spread of fake news on Covid-19 Israel to impose a new nationwide lockdown as Covid-19 surges Covid-19 ‘Rule of six’ comes into effect 86%…

Pakistan arrests one of 2 suspects in highway gang rape case amid protests Pakistani police say they have arrested one of the suspects in the rape of a woman who was dragged from her car and attacked after he car broke down on a highway in central Punjab province.  Police say the woman was driving late on Wednesday night outside the city of Lahore with her two children when her car ran out of fuel.  The woman, in her 30s, called the police for help, but two men took her and her children out of the car at gunpoint before…

Iran’s confirmed Covid-19 cases top 400,000 Iran’s confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,089 to 402,029, a health ministry spokeswoman confirmed via state TV on Sunday, The country reported 128 new deaths in the past 24 hours.  The official death toll now stands at 23,157 in Iran, one of the worst-hit countries in the Middle East.  Over the past 24 hours, 956 Iranians were hospitalised for complications from the novel coronavirus, the spokeswoman added, during the daily briefing.346,242 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals while 3,791 remain in intensive care units.  As of Sunday, 3,559,565 Covid-19 lab tests…

Death toll over 30 as wildfires continue to devastate West Coast The wildfires sweeping through the West Coast states have killed more than 30 people, officials say.  Dozens are missing in Oregon alone and one emergency official said the state should prepare for a “mass fatality incident.”  Over the past three weeks, wildfires have been raging across Oregon, California and Washington, burning acres of land and destroying thousands of homes. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes to escape the wildfires.  Joe Biden warned on Saturday that “climate change poses an imminent, existential threat to…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the Sunday Papers report cases of Covid-19 in care homes are spiralling again. The PM is set to opt out of human rights law. The Brexit breach is also on the front pages as well as the PM’s promise to shake up the criminal justice system.   In our special feature, we look at global coronavirus updates.  ……………………………………… Virus cases in care homes spiral again  The Sunday Times reports, leaked documents from the Department of Health show that Covid-19 is spreading through care homes again. A memo sent to the health secretary’s team lists care…

Insta Talk Episode 4: Live we discuss KUWTK, Body Shaming and 2020 fall trends On this week’s episode, Dyna Fayz is speaking to CEO of the global Enigma magazine, Yasmine Shihata, about the end of #KUWTK and how they went from unknown faces to creating a billion-dollar empire.  Dyna talks to health coach Daniella Malfitano about extreme beauty standards, mental health and how to stay happy in this weeks episode of Insta Talk. Our fashion expert Rana is here to discuss how plus-size women can keep up with 2020 Autumn trends.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHVTO9Pmz5U Insta Talk – the show from WTX…

9/11 anniversary plans cut back amid Covid-19 concerns This year’s 9/11 anniversary commemoration has had to be cut back due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  The 19th anniversary of the terror attacks will be marked by duelling ceremonies at the September 11 memorial plaza and a corner near the World Trade Centre, reflecting a divide over the memorial’s decision to suspend the tradition of relatives reading victims’ names in person.  Vice President Mike Pence is expected to be at both remembrances in New York and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the observance on the memorial plaza.  President Donald Trump…

China and India agree to ‘quickly disengage’ at disputed border China and India agreed in a joint statement from their Foreign Ministers on Friday that their troops must “quickly disengage” from a months-long standoff at the disputed Himalayan border.  The ministers met in Moscow to try and end the dispute, the most serious in decades at the border.  “The two Foreign Ministers agreed that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side. They agreed therefore that the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue, quickly disengage, maintain proper distance and ease…

UK economy grew 6.6% in July, continues to recover for a third straight month The UK economy grew by 6.6% in July, according to official figures, but the output is still far below pre-pandemic levels.  It is the third month in a row that the economy has grown.  But the ONS said the UK “has still only recovered just half of the lost output caused by the coronavirus.”  When businesses such as hairdressers, pubs and restaurants reopened in July they contribute to the growth.  But the UK economy is still 11.7% smaller than it was in February and growth in…

Friday, 11 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Friday 11 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 UPDATE Coronavirus Cases: 28,329,602 Deaths: 913,927 Recovered: 20,244,383 Mexico reports nearly 5,000 new Covid-19 cases Tokyo to ease voluntary measures on travel and dining as cases slow India orders states to expand coronavirus testing MPs want furlough extended to minimise job losses North Korea issues shoot-to-kill orders to prevent virus Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is still…

Massive fire erupts at Beirut explosion site A massive fire has erupted at Beirut’s port – the site of the massive explosion that killed nearly 200 people last month.  The Lebanese army said on Thursday the blaze erupted at a warehouse storing oils and tyres in the port’s Duty-Free area.  Several workers told local media that there had been clearance efforts happening inside the warehouse to remove debris from last month’s explosion, at which point the fire caught.  As was the case with last months disaster, firefighters arrived on the scene without knowing what was on fire – though “we…

Trump nominated for 2021 Nobel Peace Prize by far-right Norwegian lawmaker Christian Tybring-Gjedde- a far-right Norwegian lawmaker – has nominated US President Donald Trump for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East. He said Trump should be considered because of his work “for a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel which opens up for possible peace in the Middle East.” Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed last month to a historic deal normalising relations and are scheduled to sign it at a White House ceremony next week. “No matter how Trump…

8,000 jumbo jets will be needed to deliver vaccine globally – in ‘biggest transport challenge ever’ –  says IATA Shipping a Covid-19 vaccine around the world will be the “largest transport challenge ever” according to the airline industry.  The equivalent of 8,000 Boeing 747’2 will be needed according to the International Air Transport  Association (IATA).  Whilst there is no Covid-19 vaccine just yet, the IATA is working with airlines, airports, global health bodies and drug firms on a global airlift plan.  The plan assumes only one dose per person is needed.  “Safely delivering Covid-19 vaccines will be the mission of…

3 more confirmed dead in California’s record-breaking wildfires, amid 20-year mega-drought Three people have died in a California wildfire that has forced thousands from their homes, authorities say.  Two people were found dead at one location and a third was found elsewhere, according to the sheriff of Butte County – northeast of San Francisco.  Police told local media that one of the three victims was a motorist who was apparently trying to escape the Bear Fire.  States across the US Pacific Northwest are currently fighting record-breaking wildfires.  California is experiencing more than two dozen wildfires amid being in the middle…

Thursday, 10 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Thursday 10 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 UPDATE Coronavirus Cases: 28,026,967 Deaths: 908,002 Recovered: 20,104,939 The reason behind this year’s massive floods of the Niger Coronavirus ‘emergency’ puts Jakarta back in lockdown Williams reachs US Open semis Morocco extends health emergency as virus cases spike Lily and David get married Boris pinning hopes on £100bn ‘moonshot’ to avoid a second wave Previous…

Police chief quits after protests over death of Daniel Prude Rochester, New York’s, police chief La’Ron Singletary handed in his resignation on Tuesday along with his command staff saying there had been a “mischaracterisation and politicisation” of his actions following the death of Daniel Prude in police custody.  Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren told a City Council meeting that she had not asked the chief to resign, though she said there was “information that was brought to light today that I have not previously seen before.” But, she failed to elaborate.  Rochester erupted with protests last week after body camera footage…

Wednesday, 9 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Wednesday 9 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 UPDATE Coronavirus Cases: 27,740,264 Deaths: 901,871 Recovered: 19,833,287 Oxford vaccine trial paused after participants fall ill US to announce plan to withdraw more US troops from Iraq Thousands of migrants flee massive fire at Lesbos camp Tokyo Games should be held ‘at any cost’ says Olympic minister Gatherings of more than 6 to be banned in…

Migrants sent to sea to quarantine, blamed for rising Covid-19 cases, as Italy’s refugee crisis deepens — ‘No one wants them here’  Refugees and migrants in Italy are being squeezed onto small Italian coastguard boats as officers in covered in white protection gear and preparing to take them to the Rhapsody ferry. There, almost 800 refugees and migrants will enter a 14-day quarantine.  Ahmed is one of the refugees being taken to Rhapsody ferry from one of Lampedusa’s ports. Refugees and migrants have been removed from the overcrowded reception centre in Lampedusa due to lack of space, and now must…

California wildfires burn through 2 million acres, as blazes continue to spread California’s wildfires are burning through a record number of acres this year as firefighters continue to battle several large blazes across the state.  CalFire – the state’s department of forestry and fire protection – says more than two million acres have burned, that’s more than the size of Deleware.  On fire, El Dorado, which has spread over 7,000 acres, was started by a gender reveal party, officials say.  California is also experiencing a record heatwave. Los Angeles County reported its highest ever temperature of 49.4C on Sunday. Temperatures…

Tuesday, 8 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFINGTuesday 8 September 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:  27,492,982Deaths: 896,926Recovered: 19,592,280 Bali Covid-19 surge blamed on inaccurate testing for visitorsKing Salaman and Putin discuss vaccineGlobal Covid.19 deaths pass 890,000Beauty blogger dies at 17 Previous Next Headlines: What the papers say? Global deaths pass 890,000.Virus warning from scientists as UK cases rise.Could saliva tests be a Covid-19 game-changer in France?King Salaman and Putin discuss oil partnership, vaccine production.Bali Covid-19 surge blamed…

New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Arden restart campaign with holiday promise New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Arden has restarted her campaign for the country’s general election. The campaign had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  On Monday, the prime minister promised to make the Maori New Year a public holiday.  Electioneering had barely started last month when a sudden Covid-19 outbreak forced Auckland into lockdown and brought a temporary halt to campaigning.  The pandemic forced Arden to delay the election by four weeks to October 17 so her government could focus on containing the Auckland infections, which ended 102 days…

Biden leads by 10 points nationally, defends lead against Trump’s ‘law-and-order’ attack following US protests The US presidential campaign has been may have been silenced by the coronavirus pandemic, but not for much longer. After Labour Day, the US presidential race will enter a new public phase, as Joe Biden defends his polling lead against a fierce attack by President Trump aimed primarily at white voters in the Midwest.  Private polls conducted for both parties during and after their August conventions found the race fairly stable but tightening in some states, with Trump recovering some support from conservative-leaning rural voters…

Indian Muslim doctor spent 7 months in jail for raising his voice – finally free, harrowing tales of starvation and beatings  Dr Kafeel Khan, an Indian doctor jailed for more than seven months for speaking out against a controversial citizenship law, was released from jail on Tuesday night.  The order for his release came after Allahabad High Court called his incarceration “illegal” and ordered his immediate release. Khan’s lawyer told PTI: “Mathura jail administration informed at around 11.00 pm that Dr Kafeel will be released, and at around midnight, he was released.  Dr Khan told Al Jazeera he was physically…