Author: WTX News

Indonesia workers protest against new labour laws Indonesia workers have turned out for protests in several cities to oppose the passage of a controversial new jobs law that the government says is vital to attract investment but critics view as too pro-business.  Parliament passed into law President Joko Widodo’s “omnibus” Job Creation bill late on Monday,   revising more than 70 existing laws to speed up economic reform and improve the investment climate in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.  Parliament voted on the bill earlier than expected and ahead of a national strike due to start Tuesday that unions expect to…

9 schools to close in NYC neighbourhoods in an attempt to stop flare-ups of Covid-19 Andrew Cuomo on Monday ordered schools in certain New York City neighbourhoods closed within a day in an attempt to stop flare-ups of the coronavirus.  The governor took the action a day after the city’s major asked the state for permission to reinstate restrictions on schools and businesses in nine ZIP codes in Brooklyn and Queens where the virus was spreading more quickly than in other parts of the city.  Cuomo said the closures would take place by Tuesday.  “These clusters have to be attacked,”…

PM: Every UK home will be powered by wind farms by 2030 Boris Johnson will say, in his conference speech Tuesday morning, that every UK home will be powered by electricity from offshore wind farms within a decade.  The prime minister will pledge £160m to upgrade ports and factories for building turbines, promising to “build back greener.”  The plan aims to create 2,000 jobs in construction and support 60,000 more.  He will say the UK is to become “the world leader in clean wind energy”. “Your kettle, your washing machine, your cooker, your heating, your plug-in electric vehicle – the…

Tuesday 6 October coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFINGTuesday 6 October 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: 35,703,826Deaths: 1,045,955Recovered: 26,875,182 India cases rise by 61,267 in past 24 hoursNearly 500,000 redundancies planned in Covid crisisTrump mounts bizarre and misleading White House return despite warnings10% of the world’s population may have Covid-19 says WHOIran virus ‘red alert’ over record death toll Previous Next Headlines: What the papers say? Nearly 500,000 redundancies planned Covid crisis.India cases rise by 61,267 in…

At least 8 migrants drown after being forced off a boat by smugglers At least eight migrants have died after smugglers forced them off a boat near Djibouti, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). There are currently 12 migrants still missing.  Another 14 migrants survived and are receiving medical care, a statement said.  The migrants were believed to all be Ethiopians returning to the Horn of Africa after failing to reach Saudi Arabia via Yemen due to coronavirus border closures.  The conflict in Yemen, as well as the pandemic, have made the journey to Gulf nations more dangerous,…

Trump now ‘understands’ Covid-19 after falling ill, Walter Reed doctor calls Trump’s drive-by stunt ‘insanity’ President Trump says he now ‘understands’ Covid-19 after he and the first lady were diagnosed with the virus. Doctors have said the president is now doing well and could be back at the White House on Monday. “I learnt it by really going to school. This is the real school, this isn’t the let’s-read-the-book school,” he said in a message released just before his controversial drive-by outside the Walter Reed Medical Center, where he is being treated. “And I get it, and I understand it.…

France, Italy rescue continues after storm Alex kills at least 8, washing away roads and homes French and Italian rescue teams stepped up their search efforts Sunday after the devastating storm Alex caused floods, cutting off several villages in the mountainous border regions and causing widespread damage. At least eight people have died.  On the French side of the border, others remain unaccounted for. The torrential rain and flash floods battered the area, washing away roads and houses and triggering landslips.  Emergency services recovered four bodies on Sunday on the Mediterranean coast of Liguria, Italy, according to Italian media. Italian…

Monday 5 October coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Monday 5 October 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: 35,404,671 Deaths: 1,041,862 Recovered: 26,630,686 Trump photo op raises more questions US states see record rise in Covid-19 cases as cold weather arrives Gaming booms among the Covid gloom Paris will be put on maximum alert, but restaurants will stay open India records more than 74,000 cases 16,000 coronavirus cases missed in daily…

Things ‘bumpy’ until Christmas says PM Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned it may be “bumpy through to Christmas” and beyond as the UK deals with coronavirus. The PM told BBC’s Andrew Marr, there was “hope” in beating Covid-19 but called on the public to “act fearlessly but with common sense.”  He said the government was taking a “balanced” approach between saving lives and protecting the economy.  His comments come as the UK hits 10,000 new cases for the first time since mass testing started.  The PM said: “The best thing we can do now for all those who have…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the majority of Sunday’s papers are focused on US President Donald Trump’s health, following his coronavirus diagnosis.  In our special feature, we look at global coronavirus updates.  ……………………………………… Fears grow for Trump’s  health amid chaos over election plans The Observer says officials have given conflicting reports on Mr Trump’s health, and the Observer says “confusion reigned” over his condition on Saturday night. The president’s doctors have said he is doing “very well” in hospital, but their account was disputed moments later by the White House chief of staff who expressed concern about Mr Trump’s…

Insta Talk Ep 7: Get the skinny on Intermittent fasting – Makeup on a budget with celebrity makeup artist -Surviving the winter lockdown & Sustainable fashion On this week’s episode, Dyna Fayz is speaking to health expert Daniella Malfitano to get the skinny on the new health and fitness craze of intermittent fasting. Celebrity makeup artist and Makeup4TV founder Joanne Morgan is here to show you how to look glam on a £40 budget. If the thought of the winter lockdown gives you anxiety, education leader and writer Rania Hafez is here to help guide you through how to stay…

Trump Covid-19 diagnosis: What impact will it have on the election? In an unpredictable year, the president’s Covid-19 diagnosis has thrown the US into even more uncertainty and the election into uncharted territory. President Trump confirmed at 1 am on Friday that he and the first lady have tested positive for coronavirus and will begin quarantine immediately.  Trump has himself flouted the rules around facemasks and social distancing, and even mocked his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, for wearing a mask.  He’s spent months downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic, shaking hands with visitors despite public health warnings, and allowing his…

Australian man jailed for 3 years after stomping on pregnant Muslim woman Stipe Lozina – an Australian man- has been jailed for three years for punching and stopping on a pregnant Muslim woman. Rana Elasmar, a mother of four, was sitting in a Sydney Cafe, wearing a hijab, when Lozina approached her table. At the time of the attack in November, she was 38 weeks pregnant.  After briefly speaking to her, Lozina punched Elasmar several times and stomped on her head when she fell to the ground. Elasmar’s friends and other patrons leapt from their seats to restrain him.  He…

Friday 2 October coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFINGFriday 2 October 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: 34,484,468Deaths: 1,027,654Recovered: 25,674,937 Covid-19 vaccine will not end the pandemic on its own, experts warnCzech PM challenges EU leaders to face up to bloc’s shortfalls in handling coronavirus crisisItaly records its highest increase in Covid-19 cases since late AprilNearly 20,000 Covid-19 cases among Amazon workersParis could face new Covid-19 restrictions from Monday, health minister says Previous Next Headlines: What the papers…

Thursday 1 October coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Thursday 1 October 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: 34,159,512 Deaths: 1,018,793 Recovered: 25,430,643 United Airlines to furlough more than 13,000 employees starting Thursday Japan to allow entry for all nontourist new visa applications from October UN calls for more support for ‘people’s vaccine’ plan Victoria death toll reaches 800 Spain to lockdown Covid-19 hotpot, Madrid, angering regional government Growth in…

Wednesday 30 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFINGWednesday 30 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: 33,844,343Deaths: 1,012,665Recovered: 25,148,403 Disney lays off 28,000 at US theme parksIndia’s coronavirus infections surge to 6.23 millionGerman Chancellor warns of drastic increase in Covid-19 cases over winterUK spent £569m on 20,900 ventilators for Covid care but most remain unused Previous Next Headlines: What the papers say? UK spent £569m on 20,900 ventilators for Covid care but most remain unused.German Chancellor warns…

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…

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…

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…

Trump ‘paid $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017’ and paid no income tax at all in 10 of 15 years -NY Times claims  Donald Trump paid just $750 in federal income tax in 2016 and 2017 according to the New York Times. The paper has obtained tax records for Trump and his companies over two decades and claims he paid no income tax in 10 of the previous 15 years.  The records reveal “chronic losses and years of tax avoidance,” it says.  The President has called the report “fake news.” “Actually I paid tax. And you’ll…