Author: WTX News Editor

A supporter of the banned Islamic State terror group has admitted plotting to blow herself up in a suicide bomb attack on St Paul’s Cathedral.  West-Londoner Safiyya Shaikh visited St Paul’s to scope out the iconic landmark and a hotel.  The 36-year-old was arrested after asking an undercover police officer to supply bombs.  At the Old Bailey, she admitted preparing an act of terrorism and will be sentenced in May. https://twitter.com/CourtNewsUK/status/1230824032800514051 Over the two months…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – Japan is to let the last remaining healthy travellers on the Princess Diamond – the cruise ship quarantine.  In Mexico, a man and a woman have been arrested for the horrific murder of a 7-year-old girl – the crisis over the murder of women and girls in Mexico has forced people onto the streets in anger. The mother of murdered British woman…

Nine people have been killed in two shootings at shisha bars in the western German city of Hanau, police say.  The attack which started at 22:00 local time on Wednesday left several others seriously injured.  In both locations, the bar attendees were reported to have been predominantly Kurdish.  The suspect was later found dead at his home, along with the body of a second person.  An investigation has been launched and at present, the motive…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – a bus-truck collision on an Indian highway has killed at least 19 people. In Iran, two elderly people have died of the coronavirus – the first virus deaths in the Middle East.  At least 8 people have been killed in two drive-by shootings in Germany. The shootings happened at two separate shisha bars in the city of Hanau. Horror on the set…

Three children, along with one adult have died after a car was allegedly set alight in Brisbane, Australia, police said.  The children were all under the age of 10 and were found dead in the car by emergency responders, said Queensland Police.  A man known to the victims has also died, while one woman suffered extensive burns and has been taken to hospital. The crime scene is in suburban Street in Camp Hill in the…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – the number of new coronavirus cases in China has fallen for a second day. The death toll now tops 2000.  The UK government says no visas for low-skilled workers, Labour party says “hostile environment” will make it hard to attract workers.  Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s criminal trial has been given a start date. He faces charges of fraud and bribery.  US President…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – Boris Johnson’s adviser has quit after backlash following comments he made about race. The aid effort in Syria is “overwhelmed” as the number of people being displaced has risen.  Kim Jong Un has spent over $500G on Russian horses in the past decade. The North Korean leader had previously staged a photo-op on a white stallion.   WikiLeaks is demanding answers after its…

A far-right group in Germany had been planning large-scale attacks on mosques similar to the ones carried out in New Zealand, it has been reported. Members of the group have been arrested as part of a large counter-terrorism investigation.  12 members of the group were detained on Friday, according to Der Spiegel magazine they were planning to attack a Mosque during prayers.  The plan was to copy the horrific Christchurch attack in New Zeland that…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – 14 children are among the 22 people killed in a village massacre in Cameroon. Indian astronauts are currently in training in Russia for their upcoming space mission – it’ll be the first time India has sent a manned crew into space. The […]

Caroline Flack dead at 40 TV Presenter Caroline Flack was found dead on Saturday after taking her own life. The ex-Love Island presenter was due to stand trial in March for an alleged assault. Questions have sprung up over mental health and media treatment of celebrities, as well as ITV and online bullies. Actor indicted for 2019 hoax attack Empire star Jussie Smollett has been charged with six counts relating to an alleged hoax hate…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the Sunday papers focus on the tragic death of TV presenter Caroline Flack. In other news, No 10 vows to scrap BBC license fee. In our special feature, we take a look into Caroline Flack’s death and ask who’s to blame – ‘appalling, anger-inducing and more complicated than the media will admit’ …………………………………………………….Love Island Caroline dies in Valentines tragedyThe Sunday Mirror runs with the story of TV presenter Caroline Flack’s death.…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – the Trump administration is taking $3.8bn from its military to help fund the Mexico border wall.  A popular TV host in Russia is facing up to six years in prison following a month-long attack on poor people and their decision to have children. Boris Johnson’s new Cabinet is set to meet later following the prime minister’s shock reshuffle that saw Sajid Javid…

242 people died from the new coronavirus in the Chinese province of Hubei on Wednesday, making it the deadliest day of the outbreak.  Wednesday also saw a sharp increase in the number of cases as a further 14,840 people were diagnosed with the virus.  Hubei is using a broader definition to diagnose people – which accounts for most of the rise in cases.  Since the figures were revealed, China has sacked two top officials in…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – 44 more coronavirus cases on the moored Japanese cruise ship have been confirmed.  Scores of businessmen in India have been lured into a ‘honeytrap’ on the popular dating site Grindr. Criminals targetted wealthy men to extort cash, jewellery and laptops. France, the wine industry has been told to brace itself for a tough year ahead following US tariffs.   UK, the cost of…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – Bernie Sanders has won the New Hampshire primary! And maybe on his way to challenge Donald Trump in the November US presidential elections. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has said the Church of England is deeply institutionally racist. It comes as Synod members backed a motion to apologise for racism in the C of E since the arrival of the Windrush generation.…

A new Crypto exchange based out of Singapore launched in London at the end of January. BITXMI Crypto Exchange impressed the financial savvy crowd with its robust infrastructure and backing from the Singaporean government, to bring an element of credibility and certainty behind a rather curious industry. https://twitter.com/bitxmicrypto/status/1226421354704056321 The location was the stunning ballroom at The Law Society in London. BITXMI crypto exchange hosted over 200 professionals from the City and a host of specialists…

Steve Walsh, a British man linked to 11 coronavirus cases has spoken for the first time. He is still in a quarantined hospital but confirmed he has “fully recovered” from the illness. Walsh said his family have been asked to isolate themselves “as a precaution.”   Steve Walsh, from Hove in East Sussex,  caught the virus in Singapore and is thought to have infected 11 others at a  French ski resort. He has said his thoughts…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – Spain has rescued 119 migrants from the sea and is currently searching for a further 67 still missing.  The government is set to give the green-light on the controversial HS2 project. The high-speed rail line is already over budget and behind schedule. In Lebanon, protesters are trying to block the government’s confidence vote. Protesters have clashed with security forces who have fired…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are –  another 97 coronavirus deaths confirmed in a 24 hour period. The death toll in mainland China is currently 908 with over 40,000 confirmed cases.  In Switzerland, voters have strongly backed a new law against homophobia in a referendum. The law aims to protect gay, lesbian and bisexual people from discrimination.  Tech, a 3D printer that aims to cover burns with artificial skin…

All the headlines you need to know Storm Ciara batters Britain Severe gales and heavy rain are sweeping across the UK today, with severe weather warnings being issued and major travel disruptions and cancellations.  Hero doctor who sounded coronavirus alarm dies  Dr Li Wenliang was a 34-year-old doctor based in Wuhan. He was the first to sound the alarm on the coronavirus. He initially got into trouble with authorities for “spreading rumours” about the virus.…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the Sunday papers focus on the government’s plans to bring in a mansion tax and raid on pensions. A coronavirus warning has been issued to the UK from a top virus expert. In our special feature, we take a look at the Thailand mass shooting. …………………………………………………….UK faces ‘major’ outbreak, warns top virus expertThe Sunday Times reports a microbiologist who co-discovered Ebola and Aids in Africa has warned Britain could suffer a…

NASA astronaut Christina Koch has completed the longest-ever single spaceflight by a woman.  Koch landed back on Earth after spending 328 days at the International Space Station (ISS) surpassing fellow American Peggy Whitson’s record.  https://twitter.com/earth__photos/status/1225713311792205829 Her stay on the ISS was just 12 days short of the all-time US record set by Scott Kelly, who was on the ISS from 2015-2016. “I’m so overwhelmed and happy right now,” she told reporters as she sat outside…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are: Hero doctor who got into trouble with authorities for giving an early warning about the coronavirus, dies in hospital. Iowa Caucus long-delayed results show Pete Buttigieg is in a narrow lead over Bernie Saunders as they race to face US President Trump in the 2020 presidential elections. In Canada, a train carrying crude oil has drailed causing a nearby settlement to be evacuated.…

A bomb found attached to a lorry on Monday in County Armagh may have been intended for a Brexit day attack, police have said.  Police received a report about an explosive device in a lorry at Belfast dock on 31 January – the day the UK quit the EU.  According to a report, the lorry was due to travel by ferry to Scotland and a search was conducted but nothing was found.  https://twitter.com/julianoneill/status/1225377446977056768 On Monday,…

BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING In today’s briefing update, The headlines are: the coronavirus death toll has again risen bringing today’s tally to 563. In further coronavirus news, two cruises ships holding 5,400 people on board have been quarantined in Japan and Hong Kong. A Canadian businessman has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after he told a court he had burned 1 million Canadian dollars in cash. His reason for doing so was…