BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING
In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – UK, MPs are to debate emergency legislation that would grant special powers aimed at tackling the spread of Covid-19.
Colombia, at least 23 inmates have died in a prison in Colombia’s capital. The inmates died in a prison riot sparked by the sanitary conditions amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Syria, war-ravaged Syria has reported its first Covid-19 case. Syria says “necessary measures” have been taken to deal with the case.
Iran’s leader has called on the US to lift sanctions amid the global health crisis. The US imposed new sanctions on Iran last week blacklisting five international companies from doing business with the country.
Entertainment, convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus whilst in prison.
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Coronavirus: MPs to debate emergency legislation
BBC News says emergency legislation that would grant powers aimed at tackling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic will be debated by MPs later.
Under the proposals, airports could shut and police would be able to force people with virus symptoms to isolate.
The powers, which would be time-limited for two years are expected to be approved by MPs.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned new, stricter anti-virus measures could soon be introduced.
Read the full story on BBC News
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At least 23 inmates killed in prison riot over coronavirus in Colombia
France24 says a prison riot in Colombia’s capital late on Saturday left 23 prisoners dead and 83 injured, the justice minister said. Prisoners in Bogota had been protesting the sanitary conditions amid the global outbreak of coronavirus.
Thirty-two injured prisoners have been hospitalised, Justice Minister Margarita Cabello said in a video. And seven prison guards are also injured -two are in critical condition.
The Andean country will enter a nationwide lockdown from Tuesday night. So far 231 people have been confirmed infected with the disease and two have died.
“Today is a very sad and painful day,” Cabello said. “Last night there was a mass criminal escape attempt at the El Modelo prison and riots in various detention centres around the country.”
Read the full story on France24
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War-ravaged Syria suffers its first case of COVID-19 – state media
RT News says Syria’s health minister has confirmed the first case of coronavirus in the country.
It was announced the person in question came from abroad and Health Minister Nizar al-Yaziji told SANA state news agency that the “necessary measures” have been taken to deal with the case.
Earlier on Sunday, the official said that the nation was actively preparing for a potential coronavirus outbreak on its territory. Despite suffering from the years-long civil war and a terrorist surge, Syria is now preparing for the health crisis.
A special quarantine ward has already been established in one of the city’s hospitals, already capable of hosting 50 people.
Read the full story on Arab News
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Iran’s leader points to coronavirus as the reason for the US to lift sanctions
Fox News says Iran’s leader President Rouhani, in an open letter, urged Americans to call on their government to end the “dark chapter” of sanctions against his country as it fights the coronavirus pandemic.
The US imposed new sanctions on Iran last week, blacklisting five international companies from doing business with the country, Reuters reported.
“Our policy of maximum pressure on the regime continues,” Brian Hook, the US special representative for Iranian affairs said, according to Reuters. “US sanctions are not preventing aid from getting to Iran.”
In his letter, Rouhani wrote, “Even under the circumstances of the pandemic, the US government has failed to abandon its malicious policy of maximum pressure, and is this in practice aiding the spread of this virus with sanctions.”
Read the full story on Fox News
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Harvey Weinstein tests positive for coronavirus in prison
Sky News says convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus, a US federal prison union official has said.
The former Hollywood film producer is in isolation at Wende Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison east of Buffalo, New York.
He was moved from NYC infamous Rikers Island jail where he is severing a 23-year sentence.
The president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Micheal Powers, said he learned that Weinstein’s tests came back positive on Sunday morning.
Read the full story on Sky News
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