Brief. Me Better Faster December 19, 2025 12:11 pm
Ashford explosion: Seven in hospital after Kent blast that destroyed home
Police are attempting to establish whether anyone is missing following an explosion that ‘blew off’ the front of a house in Ashford, Kent.
Emergency services were called to the scene to help rescue those who were trapped inside the burning building, with police saying they were “working to establish if anyone else is unaccounted for”. – The Independent
EU suspends efforts to ratify controversial investment deal with China
The EU has suspended efforts to ratify an investment deal with China because of tensions between Brussels and Beijing.
The agreement was reached in principle last December but had yet to receive the necessary endorsement from EU institutions, such as the European Parliament. – Euronews
Man Shot Outside CIA Headquarters Dies in Hospital
The armed man who tried to enter the CIA’s main complex outside of Washington has died.
Officials with the FBI said Tuesday the unidentified man, who was shot multiple times after being denied entry at the CIA’s main gate, died at the hospital as a result of his injuries. – VOA
King Salman discusses bilateral relations with Turkish president
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received a telephone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which the leaders discussed bilateral relations.
Erdogan also passed on to the king his best wishes for the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday. King Salman thanked the Turkish President, and asked that the Almighty bless all Muslims on the occasion. – Arab News
Singapore retail sales rise at faster pace of 6.2% in March
Retail sales grew for the second consecutive month in March, up by 6.2 per cent year-on-year compared to the revised 5.3 per cent in February.
Excluding motor vehicles, sales went up by 4.4 per cent in March compared to 7.8 per cent in February. – CNA
Mexico president promises full investigation after fatal metro accident
At least 24 people died and dozens others were injured on Monday night in the accident, one of the worst ever to strike the Mexico City metro, raising questions about construction and maintenance standards on a network used by millions every day.
Mexico’s president has promised an in-depth investigation to find those responsible for the deaths of at least 24 people in the collapse of an elevated metro train line with a history of problems. – TRT World
Covid-variant vaccines fast-tracked with more investment
BBC News says the UK government is pledging extra money to fast-track vaccines that fight new variants of coronavirus.
Existing vaccines still protect against variants such as those identified in Kent and South Africa – but experts say it is also vital to stay a step ahead of a virus that keeps mutating.
The concern is about future variants that might escape this immunity.
Two former British soldiers acquitted of murdering IRA leader Joe McCann
RT News says two former British Army paratroopers accused of murdering an Official IRA commander have been acquitted after prosecutors failed to provide further evidence against them and the trial collapsed.
Joe McCann, 24, was unarmed when he was shot dead by paratroopers as he tried to evade arrest by a plainclothes police officer in Belfast in 1972.
The accused, identified only as Soldiers A and C, have admitted firing at McCann, but claim they acted within the law.
Global condemnation of Colombia’s use of ‘excessive force’ against protesters
France24 says the international community decried what the UN described as an “excessive use of force” by security officers in Colombia after numerous deaths during days of anti-government protests.
The United Nations, United States, European Union and rights bodies joined in the criticism after official data showed 19 people were killed and 846 injured in running clashes with the security forces.
Syria intercepts Israel attacks near Latakia by the Mediterranean
Aljazeera says Syrian air defenses have intercepted an Israeli attack on several areas in northwestern Syria, including the port city of Latakia along the Mediterranean coast, state media said.
The Israeli dawn attack on Wednesday also hit the town of Hifa, east of Latakia, and Masyaf in Hama province.
A civilian plastics factory was hit in Latakia city. There has been 1 reported death and 6 injures so far.
Netanyahu’s deadline to form government expires, rivals eyed
Arab News says Benjamin Netanyahu’s deadline for forming a new Israeli government expired early on Wednesday, with the country’s longest-serving prime minister failing to break the political deadlock.
There was also no guarantee that, after the conservative incumbent was unable to assemble a new coalition, parties outside his caretaker government could bridge their differences and unseat him.
Convicted US ex-cop files petition for new trial in Floyd death
TRT World says Derek Chauvin has asked for a new trial on claims of jury and prosecution misconduct.
The 45-year-old – who knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes in Minneapolis – faces up to 40 years in prison after being found guilty last month.
Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson argued that his client did not get a fair trial due to publicity around the case, court and prosecution errors, as well as “race-based pressure” on the jury.
Facebook Oversight Panel to Rule on Trump Ban
VOA says Facebook’s quasi-independent Oversight Board is set to announce Wednesday whether FB was correct to indefinitely prohibit Donald Trump from posting to his Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The board is made up of 20 members, including legal scholars, human rights experts, and journalists. A panel of five members prepares a decision, which must be approved by a majority of the full board, and which Facebook is then required to implement unless the action could violate the law.
Live Updates
- Covid-variant vaccines fast-tracked with more investment
- Global condemnation of Colombia’s use of ‘excessive force’ against protesters
- Syria intercepts Israel attacks near Latakia by the Mediterranean
- Convicted US ex-cop files petition for new trial in Floyd death
‘End of witch hunt’ – UK travel list announcement
Several of Wednesday’s front pages carry the story of the ‘witch hunt’ against soldiers who served in Northern Ireland.
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The Daily Telegraph calls for the ‘witch hunt’ of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland to stop. The paper says campaigners and military leaders have demanded an end to prosecutions after the latest trials collapsed. Two men who served were acquitted on Tuesday of the murder of an IRA man 50 years ago. – The Daily Telegraph
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The Daily Express leads with the same story. The paper says “End the cruel hunting of all our veterans”, quoting a former head of the Royal Navy. The paper says the two former soldiers walked free from court on Tuesday “after five years of hell.” – The Daily Express
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The i newspaper leads with holiday destinations with the least amount of risk to tourists and the UK, and says the UK government will reveal the official list on Friday. The paper says Portugal, the Canary Islands, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Zante, Malta, Israel, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland and the US Virgin Islands are all expected to go on the “green list” for quarantine-free travel. – The i
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The Times says a third vaccine is going to be offered to everyone over 50 in the autumn. The paper says the booster is an attempt to eradicate the threat of Covid entirely by Christmas, it might be offered at the same time as the annual flu jab. The paper suggests the jab will only be given to the over-50s and those who are at higher risk. – The Times
Ikea starts buy-back scheme with promise to tackle waste – Read on
Pfizer expects Covid vaccine demand for years – Read on
Post-Brexit fishing rights row rumbles on as France threatens to cut off electricity supply to Jersey – Read on
Avram Glazer: Manchester United owner refuses to apologise over Super League, as Sky News confront him in Florida – Read on
Ruben Dias and Phil Foden help Pep Guardiola steer Manchester City to Champions League final – Read on
Jose Mourinho named Roma boss – 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