Brief. Me - January 5, 2026 2:40 pm
In today’s briefing update, the Sunday Papers report cases of Covid-19 in care homes are spiralling again. The PM is set to opt out of human rights law. The Brexit breach is also on the front pages as well as the PM’s promise to shake up the criminal justice system.
In our special feature, we look at global coronavirus updates.
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Virus cases in care homes spiral again
The Sunday Times reports, leaked documents from the Department of Health show that Covid-19 is spreading through care homes again. A memo sent to the health secretary’s team lists care homes in Bristol, Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire and Wolverhampton as among the worst hit.
Meanwhile, the front page also features a joint article from former prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major accusing Boris of “embarrassing” the UK.
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Top lawyers slam minister for wrecking UK’s reputation
The Observer says some of the UK’s top lawyers have accused the attorney general Suella Braverman of sacrificing the UK’s reputation, side-lining legal advisers and bypassing the ministerial code after the government unveiled plans to breach part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
Also on the front page is a photo and tribute to designer Sir Terence Conran, who has died at the age of 88.
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Johnson set to opt out of human rights law
The Sunday Telegraph says`Britain is preparing to opt out of major parts of European human rights laws, including the Human Rights Act, risking a further row with the EU. The proposals are being drawn up by the PM’s aides and ministers.
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Boris pledges to see justice is truly done
The prime minister is on the front splash of the Sunday Express with an article he has written vowing to shake-up the justice system, in what the paper calls the “most radical sentencing reforms in 20 years.”
UK Weather Forecast
Sunday 13th September 2019
Today
Much of England and Wales will be dry with long spells of sunshine and it will be feeling warm. Elsewhere, there will be mostly cloudy skies, with rain in north and west Scotland, heavy at times.
Tonight
Tonight, winds will ease and most areas of England and Wales will see clear spells, but patches of mist and fog will develop. Elsewhere it will be mostly cloudy, with rain in the far north easing.
Financial Update
Exchange Rates
US Dollar $ $1.21 120.3
UAE Dirham 4.45 4.41
Euro 1.09 1.08
Swiss Franc 6.76 6.62
Renaissance
“Just keep swimming” – Finding Nemo, 2003
A bit of Nostalgia from our entertainment people
Featured Story
GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY
CORONAVIRUS CASES: 28,946,977
DEATHS: 924,615
RECOVERED: 20,813,210
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France records over 10,000 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours for the first time
France24 says France on Saturday reported 10,561 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, a new daily record as the number topped 10,000 for the first time.
Saturday’s record figure came after French PM Jean Castex warned on Friday that there has been a “clear worsening” in France of the spread of the virus, which has “not lowered in intensity” and “will still be with us for some months.”
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Czech Republic sees record rise in virus cases for third straight day
Rueters India says The Czech Republic reported its largest single-day increase in new Covid-19 cases for a third straight day on Sunday, recording 1,541 cases, according to Health Ministry data.
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India’s cases rise to 4.75 million with another spike
Aljazeera says India has registered a single-day spike of 94,372 new confirmed coronavirus cases, driving the country’s overall tally to 4.75 million.
The Health Ministry reported 1,114 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities up to 78,586.
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Oxford University resumes Covid-19 vaccine trials
The Guardian says the closely watched trial of an experimental Covid-19 vaccine that was halted after a participant fell ill is to resume in the UK.
The University of Oxford, which has partnered with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to pilot the study, said that the MHRA had recommended that its trials resume after an independent committee review of safety data triggered a pause last week.
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Mexico’s confirmed Covid-1 9 deaths rises to 70,604
Reuters says Mexico reported 5,674 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 421 additional deaths on Saturday, bringing its totals to 663,973 infections and 70,604 deaths, according to updated Health Ministry data.
The government has said the real number of infected people is likely to be significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
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US could see ‘deadly December’ with tens of thousands of Covid-19 deaths, computer model predicts
CNN says an influential model is predicting a catastrophic winter with a significant rise in coronavirus deaths.
“When we look ahead into the winter with seasonality kicking in, people becoming clearly less vigilant, you know mask use is down, mobility is up in the nation, you put all those together and we look like we’re going to have a very deadly December ahead of us in terms of toll of coronavirus,” IHME director Dr. Christopher Murray told CNN.
ARTS & ENT
Glee actor ‘put her arms up and yelled for help’ before she drowned
Sky News says actor Naya Rivera raised her arm and called for help as she drowned while boating with her son, according to a post-mortem report.
The report by the Ventura County Medical Examiner said Rivera, 33, had helped her son back into the boat after swimming and he had noticed her “put her arm up in the air and [yell] ‘help'” before she “disappeared in to the water”.
SPORTS
Osaka fights back to win US Open
BBC Sport says Naomi Osaka demonstrated her growing maturity to fight back against Victoria Azarenka in a compelling US Open final and claim her third Grand Slam title.
Japanese fourth seed Osaka, 22, won 1-6 6-3 6-3 for her second US Open title.