Brief. Me Better Faster December 17, 2025 1:59 pm
Millions of holidaymakers will defy order not to travel to ‘amber list’ countries, Boris Johnson warned
Millions of holidaymakers are set to defy government orders not to travel to “amber list” countries despite warnings that trips should only be made in exceptional circumstances. – The Independent
Air-France-KLM launches first long-haul flight with eco-fuel
Air France-KLM sent into the air Tuesday what the company called its first long-haul flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel — petroleum mixed with a synthetic jet fuel derived from waste cooking oils. – Euronews
Top House Republican opposes new probe of January 6 Attack on US Capitol
The leader of Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives said Tuesday he opposes creation of a commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. – VOA
Kuwait to send urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza as Israel continues attacking Palestine
Kuwait’s Cabinet said it will send urgent relief assistance to Gaza Strip amid violent attacks by Israeli forces, state news agency KUNA reported. – Arab News
COVID-19 vaccine tourism emerges in Thailand as demand grows
Thais who do not want to wait for the COVID-19 vaccine distribution from their government have opted for a new option to get it overseas.
The growing demand for vaccination amid a new wave of outbreaks in the country has given rise to tour packages that let customers join the vaccination queue abroad and choose from a greater variety of vaccines to build their immunity against the coronavirus. – CNA
New York prosecutor says Trump inquiry now ‘criminal’
The New York attorney general’s office says it is investigating the Trump Organization “in a criminal capacity”.
A spokesman for the state’s top prosecutor, Letitia James, said the inquiry into Mr Trump’s property company was “no longer purely civil”. – BBC World
Covid-19: Nurse who cared for PM resigns from NHS
BBC News says a nurse who cared for Boris Johnson when he had Covid-19 has quit the NHS and criticised the government’s handling of the pandemic and nurses’ pay.
Jenny McGee said she was “taking a step back” from the NHS after her “toughest year” in the job, but hoped to return.
Anger as Priti Patel intervenes to delay long-awaited report on private detective’s murder
The Independent says a report into the unsolved murder of Daniel Morgan has been delayed again due to a Home Office review, prompting anger from his family.
Mr Morgan was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, southeast London on 10 March 1987.
Israeli-Palestinian conflict rages on as France pushes ceasefire resolution at UN
France24 says Israel and armed Palestinian groups in Gaza exchanged fire overnight into the early hours of Wednesday, as France proposed a ceasefire to stem more than a week of bloodshed.
Warplanes continued to hit Gaza city in the hours before dawn, flying low and keeping many people awake, an AFP correspondent there said.
Israel closes Gaza border crossing again, halting aid deliveries
Aljazeera says international aid trucks that started rolling into Gaza through Karem Abu Salem, (Kerem Shalom), a border crossing with Israel, was stopped on Tuesday when Israel closed the crossing, citing a mortar attack in the area.
“After a firing of mortar bombs towards the Kerem Shalom Crossing … it has been decided to stop the entry of the rest of the trucks,” said COGAT.
UAE says it will offer Sinopharm booster shot
Arab News says the UAE has said it will offer a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine from Sinopharm for those who have already received two doses.
The move is part of the UAE’s “proactive strategy to provide maximum protection for society,” the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said.
US approves $735M weapon sale to Israel as missiles bombard Gaza
TRT World says Joe Biden’s administration has approved the potential sale of $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel.
Congressional sources on Tuesday said that US lawmakers were not expected to object to the deal despite Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza.
US on path out of pandemic, CDC chief says
VOA says the CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the US appears to be on a path out of the pandemic, noting the most recent seven-day average of new Covid-19 cases and deaths is the lowest since the pandemic began.
During a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing, Walensky said the most recent figures indicate “we should all have cautious optimism.”
Live Updates
- Boris Johnson warns Britons not to travel to amber list countries on holiday
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict rages on as France pushes ceasefire resolution at UN
- Israel closes Gaza border crossing again, halting aid deliveries
- UAE says it will offer Sinopharm booster shot
- US approves $735M weapon sale to Israel as missiles bombard Gaza
- US on Path Out of Pandemic, CDC Chief Says
Foreign holiday ‘chaos’ and ‘mass confusion’
The Daily Telegraph says the government’s foreign holiday guidance is “chaos” as a health minister says it’s too dangerous for people to travel abroad – despite the travel ban being lifted on Monday. The paper says the comments attracted criticism from Tory backbenchers and travel bosses.
The Daily Mail’s front page says “contradictory messages” about the traffic light system for trips abroad have sparked “mass confusion” and left travel bosses “begging for clarity”. The paper also claims on one of the Queen’s new puppies has died – in what the paper says will bring “fresh heartache” for the monarch.
The i reports the PM could face a Commons “backlash” if the government tries to bring in localised restrictions to curb the spread of the Indian Covid variant. The PM is said to be facing a “revolt” from his own MPs who are threatening to join Labour amid fears that another lockdown “would be devastating for businesses,” according to the paper.
The Metro’s lead story is on the nurse who is credited with saving the PM’s life when he had Covid-19 and was in intensive care. The nurse has quit the NHS and criticised the government’s handling of the pandemic and staff pay. “We’re not getting the respect and now pay that we deserve” the paper quotes her as saying.
Accidental savers ‘to stay prudent’ after lockdown – BBC Business
Boris Johnson warns Britons not to travel to amber list countries on holiday – Read on
Biden charges up $174bn electric vehicle plan in Michigan speech – CityAM
Champions League top-four race: Chelsea take control as Leicester lose grip – Read on
Brighton 3-2 Man City: Man City lose thriller at Brighton – Read on
Tyson Fury: ‘Deontay Wilder wants $20m to let Anthony Joshua fight happen’ – Read on
A spat over Covid vaccine doses has erupted between the European Union and the UK threatens to have far reaching implications over coronavirus jab disruption.
Brussels demanded access to AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in UK plants to make up for a shortfall after the pharmaceutical giant said it would have to cut the amount of doses delivered to the bloc by the end of March.
What do we know about the dispute? And what potential implications could the rumbling dispute have on future Covid vaccine rollouts? – (ITV)
Recent and upcoming changes
Restrictions are easing across the UK.
In England
Step 1 of the roadmap out of lockdown has begun. Shielding ends on 31 March.
In Scotland
People will be asked to ‘Stay Local’ from 2 April. A timetable for further lockdown easing from 5 April is on GOV.SCOT.
In Wales
The stay at home restriction was lifted on 13 March. Read about the rules on GOV.WALES.
In Northern Ireland
The next review will happen on or before 15 April. You can read the guidance on current restrictions on nidirect.
latest Covid-19 news
For the latest Covid-19 news visit the UK governement website