Author: WTX News

The price of crude oil fell by almost 30% on Monday. The most since 1991 after Saudi Arabia started a price war with Russia by slashing its selling prices and pledging to unleash its pent-up supply onto a market reeling from falling demand because of the coronavirus outbreak. The world’s top oil exporter plans to raise its crude oil production significantly above 10 million barrels per day (BPD) starting in April, after the end of the OPEC supply cut agreement with Russia. Brent crude oil futures fell by as much as $14.25, or 31.5%, to $31.02 a barrel. That was…

A man has been shot and killed by police in Westminister, Central London after pulling out two knives when confronted.  The incident is not being treated as terror-related, the MET Police said. The Met said officers were patrolling the area at around 11:30 pm on Sunday when they noticed the man “acting suspiciously.”  When he was challenged by the officers he produced two knives, police said.  Armed officers responded by firing a Taser and a gun at the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene not long after.  No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident. …

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – MH17 trial begins! Four men accused of downing the civilian aircraft MH17 are facing murder charges.  Coronavirus, Boris Johnson is set to chair an emergency Cobra meeting and discuss introducing “social distancing” as a preventative measure. Iran has seen its highest COVID-19 death toll in 24 hours with 49 new deaths confirmed. Turkey’s President has said Greece should copy Turkey in opening their borders for migrants and letting them go to other EU countries. President Erdogan says it will free Greece of the refugee “burden.” In the…

For more than a century people around the world have been marking 8 March as a special day for women. How did it start? International Women’s Day (IWD) started in 1908 when 15,000 women took to the streets of New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman’s Day. In 1910, a woman called Clara Zetkin suggested making the day international at a conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The 100 women, from 17 countries in attendance all agreed on her suggestion…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the Sunday papers report on the government’s contingency plan in response to the coronavirus outbreak.  In our special feature, we take a closer look at how the coronavirus is affecting the UK, the government’s plans and what comes next. ……………………………………………………. Virus threat: emergency law to boost NHS volunteers The Observer leads with the government’s contingency plan in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The paper outlines emergency legislation that would make it easier for people to volunteer in the NHS or care homes, and plans for courts to use telephones and video links. They add…

More than 16 million people were placed under forced quarantine in northern Italy in a drastic move by the Italian Government putting Italy on lockdown. Early on Sunday morning, the government approved the drastic measures in an attempt to halt the spread of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) that is sweeping across the globe. Italy has witnessed a surge in new coronavirus cases, prompting new measures to stave off the outbreak. Rome has enacted sweeping measures to limit mobility and assembly in the region of Lombardy and 14 nearby provinces. Italy has now closed cinemas, theatres, museums across the country. Italian…

Meghan Markle has been slammed for ‘ruining’ her husband Prince Harry’s happiness and turning him into an “awful sad man” over the course of their marriage. Meghan slammed on International Women’s Day by the royal photographer Arther Edwards. According to royal photographer Arther Edwards, the former royal was merely acting during the first half of her marriage to Prince Harry. He accused her of “playing a very good part.” Edwards also suggested that “I personally think that he will come back and whether she comes or not, I don’t know. He will miss it so much. He’ll miss his own…

The coronavirus epidemic continues to cross more borders, the global health crisis hit a milestone on Friday when the total number of cases topped 100,000. The head of the U.N.’s food agency, the World Food Program, warned of the potential for “absolute devastation” as the outbreak’s effects ripple through Africa and the Middle East. India scrambled to stave off an epidemic that could overwhelm its under-funded, under-staffed health care system, which lacks enough labs or hospitals for its 1.3 billion people. COVID-19, which has already claimed nearly 3,400 lives, has spread to more US states, at least four additional countries…

The spreading of the coronavirus and the growing worry about it has reportedly led to UK consumers panic buying.  There is a growing number of reported empty shelves as people rush to stock up on products such as hand sanitiser, toilet papers, pasta and rice.  Supermarkets have reported a spike in demand amid concerns that the coronavirus could lead to shortages. And chemists have had to start rationing the sales of hand sanitizers after stock ran low.  The UK is stocking up  It’s not clear whether the UK is panic-buying just yet, but a survey from Retail Economics says as…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – Harry and Meghan have attended one of their last royal engagements.  Coronavirus, WHO chief warns countries are not taking the virus seriously enough.  Brazil has been lashed with torrential rains which have swamped the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janerio. At least 32 people have died so far and more rain is on the way! Australia is being urged to take action amid rising violence against women. Entertainment, R Kelly has pleaded not guilty to sex abuse allegations involving new accuser.  ……………………………………………………… Harry and Meghan…

I was raised in a very white, working-class environment in the North East of England and like many people from similar backgrounds, I don’t regard myself as a racist. I am married to an Arab, have a mixed-race daughter and enjoy the company of a diverse group of friends. Having said all of that, I have just read Robin DiAngelo’s book on White Fragility and there were some sections that made me feel extremely uncomfortable and squirm on my seat. She rolled out the term “white fragility” to describe the disbelieving defensiveness shown by white folk when they are confronted or…

White terror suspects that have been arrested in the UK is higher than those of Asian appearance for the second year in a row.  Figures show that 117 white people were arrested on suspicion of terror offences in 2019, compared to 111 Asian suspects and 21 black suspects.  “The proportion of white people arrested exceeded the proportion of Asian people arrested for the second consecutive year, having not done previously since 2004,” a Home Office document said.  There has been an increase in police operations against far-tight extremists recently including the group National Action.  The neo-Nazi terrorist group was banned…

A state of emergency has been declared in California following the state’s first coronavirus death, bringing the US death toll from the disease to 11.  A 71-year-old man, who died in a hospital near Sacramento, had underlying health conditions and had been on a cruise ship, according to officials.  The White House on Wednesday said to expect testing nationwide for the disease.  There are now at least 150 reported US cases of COVID-19 in 16 US states.  Authorities have announced more than 92,000 cases of the virus worldwide with more than 80,000 cases in China. And more than 3,000 people…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – India has restored Kashmir’s internet after a seven-month blackout. Coronavirus, South Korea has announced $9.8bn in emergency funding to fight the coronavirus. Some 300 million students worldwide are facing weeks out of school as the world steps up virus battle. In the UK, airline Flybe has collapsed putting 2,000 jobs at risk.  Entertainment, Katy Perry has announced she is pregnant with her first child with actor Orlando Bloom.  ……………………………………………………… India restores internet in Kashmir after 7 months of blackout Aljazeera News says authorities in India have temporarily…

After 240 days, Australia’s New South Wales is no longer on fire The state of New South Wales is free from bushfires for the first time in more than 240 days. More than 7 months of devastating fires in Australia have claimed the lives of at least 28 people. It has destroyed around 3,000 homes and affected up to a billion animals.  On Feb 13, fire officials said all the fires in New South Wales had been contained for the first time. But now, all the bushfires have officially been extinguished.  “For the first time since early July 2019, there…

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a notice to close schools for a month in an attempt to try to contain the outbreak of the Cornovairus in the region. Schools and universities across the UAE  will close starting Sunday, March 8 for a month to contain the spread of Covid-19, the country’s Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday. The UAE government is one of the first to react to the coronavirus outbreak. As it aims to contain the outbreak which has seen a surge of new cases. On Tuesday reported six new cases of coronavirus which…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – A 19-year-old man has been arrested over a reported threat he made against one of the mosques that were attacked in last year’s massacre in New Zealand.  In the US, Bernie leads and his campaign attempts to keep Cali voting stations open past 8 pm as wait times of over 4 hours threaten victory. In the UK, Home Secretary Priti Patel is facing fresh bullying claims – the third government department to make accusations of bullying against Patel.  Coronavirus, Iran has temporarily released 54,000 prisoners in an…

Two men are being questioned under terror laws over an attack on a prison officer at HMP Whitemoor – a maximum security jail.  The officer was stabbed in the head, chest and face as the cells were unlocked at the prison on 9 January.  The men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and preparation of a terrorist act, the MET police said.  They are alleged to have attacked an officer with improvised weapons. Police said at the time the men were wearing fake suicide belts.  Three prison officers and a nurse were…

A pet dog has been put in quarantine in Hong Kong after testing “weak positive” for the coronavirus, authorities said.  The owner, who was infected with the virus, handed the dog over to the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the department confirmed in a statement.  “We’re working with authorities in Hong Kong and scientists in Hong Kong who are testing … the dog … to understand these results and to understand where or if the dog was actually infected or if the dog picked this up from a contaminated surface, for example,” Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, technical…

The COVID-19 disease has spread to more countries and capitals with almost nine times as many cases reported outside China as inside in the past 24 hours. The EU has raised risk levels as global deaths passed 3,000. And the UK outbreak Coronavirus cases have grown significantly. The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the world was in “unchartered territory.” “We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing. Almost nine times as many cases were reported…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are Israeli PM Netanyahu is projected to win the Israeli election but will likely be just short of a majority. Shortest peace deal ever? The Taliban ends partial truce with the US, announces plans to resume Afghan military ‘operations’ after Afghanistan refuses to release 5,000 prisoners.  Coronavirus, in the US the death toll has now risen to six – after four more Washington citizens died. Saudi Arabia has announced its first case of COVID-19 amid growing fears the surge in numbers of those infected in Iran is threatening the…

Filipino police surrounded a Shopping centre in Manila after a gunman has taken hostages. The incident happened at the V-Mall in the San Juan area of the Philippine capital. Approximately 30 people are being held by the gunman. San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora told reporters that approximately 30 people are being held by the gunman. He said the exact number of hostages is uncertain and is based on the size of the office. He said the gunman is a disgruntled former security guard who had been removed from his job at the mall. Zamora said the gunman shot one person,…

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) warned Bulgaria must not expel Uighurs. The warning issued to Bulgaria that expelling asylum-seeking members of China’s Muslim Uighur community “would constitute a violation” of their rights. In China, the Uighurs could be “at risk of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and death,” the court said in its ruling, telling Bulgaria “not to remove the applicants.” The court was ruling in an application made by five Muslims who fled China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) under accusations of “terrorism” links. They arrived in Turkey between 2013 and 2015 and made their way to Bulgaria in…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – Everything you need to know about America’s ‘Super Tuesday’, a step closer to knowing who will face President Trump in the November elections.  Dozens have been detained at Kazakhstan protests over the death of an activist. The death triggered calls for anti-government rallies.  Coronavirus, the global death toll from the COVID-19 virus now surpasses 3,000. On Monday, China reported 42 more deaths. In the UK, the government will hold an emergency Cobra meeting as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped to 36.  Entertainment,  a comedian has…

Who is Carrie Symonds?  Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie have announced they are engaged and expecting a child together. They were Downing Street’s first unmarried couple when Johnson became PM last year. But who is Carrie Symonds? Her first job in politics was working for Zac Goldsmith, the MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, she said she was “not sure I’d have worked for the Tories if it hadn’t been for him.”  She now works for Oceana – a project that protects sea life. On social media, she shares her passion for conservation and news about plastic waste. Here…