Author: WTX News Editor

Thursday’s Briefing VIDEO: Demi Lavato opens up about 2018 overdose; three strokes and a heart attack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jnuaYcts4 Strong decline in coronavirus across England since January, React study shows Budget to provide fresh Covid rescue package as tax rises deferred Italian PM Draghi wins confidence vote, vows ‘reconstruction’ from Covid-19 crisis Heavy snowfall, gales as winter storm hits Middle East ‘Wildly unfair’: UN boss says 10 nations used 75% of all vaccines Hackers disrupt Myanmar govt…

Daily News Briefing Brief. Me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jnuaYcts4 The top stories Strong decline in coronavirus across England since January, React study showsBBC News says there has been a “strong decline” in levels of coronavirus infections in England since January, say scientists tracking the epidemic.Imperial College London’s React study found infections have dropped by two-thirds across England since lockdown began, with an 80% fall in London.But virus levels are still high, with one in 200 testing positive…

Wednesday’s Briefing VIDEO: 1.7m in England told to shield – Caroline Flack documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw7iZ2SlAFY 1.7mn more people in England told to shield from Covid-19 after checks by Oxford Uni algorithm Cutting Covid top-up ‘will put 700,000 people into poverty’ Rishi Sunak urged to charge-up green investments in UK’s Covid recovery French MPs approve bill to combat Islamist extremism Italy’s Mount Etna spews lava as it erupts several times Oman’s coronavirus-related ICU patients double in 2…

Dominic Raab demands UAE proves that ‘kidnapped’ princess still alive The UK wants to see proof that Princess Latifa  – daughter of the ruler of Dubai – is still alive after she said she was being held against her will in “deeply troubling” new footage.  Dominic Rabb was asked if he would support seeing proof from the UAE that Latifa was alive, telling Sky News:  “Given what we’ve just seen, I think people would just…

Reopening gyms quickly ‘vital for mental health’ The reopening of gyms and leisure centres are top of the list of priorities for reopening when lockdown is eased amid concerns about mental health, a minister has said.  They were among the last businesses to open their doors following the first lockdown last year.  Mental Health Minister Eluned Morgan said she was concerned by the impact of the closure on mental health.  But, a Welsh Government advisory…

Daily News Briefing Brief. Me – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw7iZ2SlAFY The top stories 1.7mn more people in England told to shield from Covid-19 after checks by Oxford Uni algorithmRT News says a new algorithm developed by researchers in England is advising another 1.7 million vulnerable people to ‘shield’ because they’re at higher risk from contracting Covid-19 – and some 820,000 will be bumped up the vaccination list.The NHS is to send letters out to the cohort identified by…

MAINSTREAM MEDIA DOESN’T CARE The mainstream media doesn’t care about anti-Asian hate crimes, in fact, they’re fuelling it Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a rapid rise in anti-Asian hate crimes across both the US and UK. In San Francisco, a local television station showed footage of a young man sprinting toward, then violently shoving to the ground, a man identified as Vicha Ratanapakdee, 84, who had been out for a morning…

UAE reports 3,236 new Covid cases, 14 deaths The UAE has reported 3,236 new Covid-19 cases, taking the overall tally for the country to 355,131. According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the latest coronavirus patients – all in a stable condition and receiving care – were identified after conducting more than 193,163 additional Covid-19 tests among UAE citizens and residents over the past few days.  The number of recoveries has gone up…

10 arrested for hijacking phones of celebs after large European investigation 10 people in the UK, Belgium and Malta have been arrested for allegedly hijacking mobile phones belonging to US celebrities including social media influencers, sports stars and musicians to steal personal information and millions in cryptocurrency.  Europol said the gang is believed to have stolen more than $100 million in cryptocurrency, authorities say.  The attacks involve deactivating a victim’s mobile phone SIM card, either…

Daily News Briefing Brief. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s0Sc3vAFVo The top stories Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon set to confirm phased return to schoolsBBC News says Nicola Sturgeon is to announce whether more pupils will start to return to Scottish classrooms from next week in a statement at Holyrood.This could include children aged four to seven at primary schools and some secondary pupils for coursework.She has said she is “very keen” to begin the phased return of younger pupils to…

5 affordable luxury jewellery brands for 2021 Luxury jewellery at affordable prices is the true hero of style. Jewellery has remarkable powers, able to make or break your look. Whether you’re a mix-and-match or “less is more” type there’s some can’t miss designers on our radar worth checking out for 2021. Let’s be real here. Jewellery is truly the unsung hero of style. No matter the outfit, your accessories can either make or break your…

Monday’s Briefing VIDEO: REMEMBERING Caroline Flack – Myanmar internet BLACKOUT – Quarantine Hotels TODAY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8LYNgiNqVc Meghan and Prince Harry expecting second child Ministers flatly reject Tory demands to end Covid controls by May Fresh protests in Myanmar after junta cuts off internet, deploys tanks Saudi Arabia on track to become ‘a leading industrial power’ Japan appoints ‘minister of loneliness’ to battle pandemic side effects Guinea declares Ebola epidemic after three deaths On Anniversary of…

Daily News Briefing Brief. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXLMP8NTNMw The top stories Meghan and Prince Harry expecting second childBBC News says Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their second child, a spokesperson for the couple has said.Harry and Meghan are preparing to welcome a brother or sister for their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned one last May.A spokesperson for the couple said they were “overjoyed”.A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and…

Brief. BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, we look at Sundays top stories. The main story being the prime minister’s map to the end of lockdown, and the paper’s predictions on the lifting of restrictions.  In our special feature, we’re looking at the acquittal of former US President Donald Trump. Also featured: The latest Covid-19 figures, Sports, business and entertainment news.  …………………………….. Several of the papers claim to know how and when the lockdown in England…

Priti Patel attacks BLM protests as ‘dreadful’ and criticises ‘taking the knee’ Priti Patel has criticised sports stars who ‘take the knee’ and attacked last year’s Black Lives Matter protests as “dreadful”. Asked if she would ever adopt the gesture, she said: “No I would not. There are other ways in which people can express their opinions.” In an explosive interview, Ms Patel also refused to express confidence in Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, saying she…

Daily News Briefing Brief. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXLMP8NTNMw The top stories Covid-19: UK ‘not learning lessons of Australia quarantine’BBC News says the UK’s rules on quarantine hotels for travellers arriving from Covid “red list” countries are less stringent than those enforced in Australia.Australia’s system, introduced early last year, is seen as a gold standard internationally.But as a result of repeated outbreaks among staff and guests, and the arrival of new variants, the rules in Australia have been tightened…

BBC news and BBC World News has been barred from airing in China, according to the National Radio and Television Administration said Thursday. The development came a week after Britain’s media regulator revoked Chinese state television’s broadcast licence. On February 4, British media regulator Ofcom revoked China Global Television Network’s (CGTN) licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom after an investigation found the licence was wrongfully held by Star China Media Ltd. BBC World news…

The United Arab Emirates police force, the UAE Police have had to clampdown with tougher COVID-19 measures because of increasing Covid-19 infection rates. The UAE reported 3,525 new cases on Thursday, bringing the national total to 339,667 people infected with COVID-19. The death toll reached 974 after another 18 people died from the virus. The death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic is edging closer to the 1,000 mark in the UAE. As a result,…

NO SHORTAGE OF HORRIFYING MOMENTS The betrayal of Britney Spears: how pop culture failed a superstar The Guardian says in an effective new documentary, the difficult life of a pop star is examined from family struggles to the toll of being at the mercy of the media. There is no shortage of horrifying, look-away-from-the-screen moments in Framing Britney Spears, the New York Times-produced documentary that examines, in succinct, bruising fashion, the pop star’s incendiary career…

Temperature of -23C in Scotland is UK’s lowest in 25 years The Met Office says an overnight temperature of -23C recorded in Scotland is the lowest in more than 25 years. It was the lowest February temperature since 1955, and the UK’s coldest night since 30 December 1995. A Met Office yellow snow and ice warning is in place for large parts of the country until 12:00 on Friday. ScotRail said the winter weather was…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) (ICC ruling on Israel) has ruled it has jurisdiction in Palestinian territories over war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories. So what is next for Israel and will the ICC investigate war crimes by Israeli authorities, or is this just a symbolic gesture?! To outline the principals of the ruling this new ICC jurisdiction applies to Hamas and any other Palestinian authority and Israel under its jurisdiction, so it applies…

Thursday’s Briefing VIDEO: DISTURBING, never-before-seen, Capitol attack footage, impeachment trial day 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SGVQb8R30 Covid: Prisoners like ‘caged animals’ in lockdown jails Half of UK exporters to EU are having Brexit difficulties, survey finds EU chief admits to failings in Covid vaccine rollout, bloc was ‘too optimistic’ Domestic violence doubles in Lebanon India says reached deal with China on border troop disengagement Saudi Activist al-Hathloul Released After 1,000 Days in Prison Disturbing capital attack footage…

Daily News Briefing Brief. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SGVQb8R30 The top stories Covid: Prisoners like ‘caged animals’ in lockdown jailsBBC News says prisoners in England’s jails have been locked in their cells for more than 90% of the day to keep them safe from Covid-19, the prisons watchdog says.And the extra restrictions have led to a decline in their mental and physical health and a rise in drug-taking and self-harm.Predictions up to 2,000 inmates would die in the pandemic…

Bucket List Travel: Our Top 20 Places In The World We’re all dreaming of our first vacation beyond pandemic life. So to help you out we’ve selected our top 20 places that were voted some of the most desired places to visit.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD9gheJiIvo Big 7 Travel surveyed its 1.5 million social audiences to determine the top 50 bucket list places around the world. Here’s our favourite 20 for you to start dreaming of and what…

Norway approves Utøya memorial for victims of 2011 massacre, despite local concerns A memorial has been approved for the victims of the 2011 Norway terror attacks despite local concerns. The Norwegian justice system dismissed the objections from residents of the island of Utøya who opposed the construction of a memorial.  Sixty-nine people were killed on the island by far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik, while eight others died in an earlier bombing near government offices in…