BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING
In today’s briefing update, The headlines are – UK’s COVID-19 approach ‘concerning’ says Jeremy Hunt after the government failed to ban public gatherings, close schools.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has been told to self-isolate after his wife tested positive for COVID-19.
A Chinese official said US military may have infected Wuhan with the virus and asks ‘where is your patient zero’?
In New Zealand, flowers and messages of support have been laid outside the Al-Noor mosque in tribute to the victims of the horrific shooting, ahead of the first anniversary.
Entertainment, Brad Pitt has signed up for a celebrity home improvements show.
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UK’s COVID-19 approach ‘concerning’ says Jeremy Hunt
BBC News says the government’s decision not to cancel public events over the coronavirus outbreak is “concerning”, says ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt.
His criticism of the UK approach comes as new measures to delay the virus spreading come into effect.
Many other countries have responded to the crisis by closing schools and cancelling sports and arts events.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was crucial to get the timing right for stricter measures.
In total, 10 people have now died in the UK with the virus.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Canadian PM Trudeau in two-week isolation after wife tests positive for coronavirus
France24 says Canadian PM Justin Trudeau will be in isolation for two weeks after his wife, Sophie, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday. The outbreak prompted the province of Ontario to shutter schools to limit the spread.
Mrs Trudeau recently returned from London and experienced flu-like symptoms, so she was tested for the coronavirus, the prime minister’s office said earlier on Thursday. The test came back positive, it said in the evening.
“The Prime Minister is in good health with no symptoms. As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days,” an official statement said. Sophie will be in quarantine for 14 days.
Read the full story on France24
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‘Where was your patient zero?’ Chinese official speculates Americans may have infected Wuhan
RT News says Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lijian Zhao has demanded US officials reveal what they’re hiding about the origins of COVID-19. And have suggested the coronavirus may have been brought to China by the US military.
Pointing to a video of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Robert Redfield apparently admitting the US had several deaths from Covid-19 before they were able to test for it, Zhao called on the American watchdog to come clean in a tweet posted on Thursday.
“It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan,” Zhao suggested, calling for the CDC – and the US in general – to “be transparent” and share what they know about where and when “Patient Zero” was first diagnosed.
Read the full story on RT News
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Flowers and messages of support adorn NZ mosque for shooting anniversary
Arab News says flowers and messages have been left outside the Al Noor mosque in tribute to the victims of the Christchurch shootings, ahead of its first anniversary. 
Aya Al-Umari is looking at the tributes. Her brother was one of the 51 Muslim worshippers killed when a gunman opened fire at the city’s Al Noor and Linwood mosques.
“We live it day in and day out,” she told Reuters, holding back tears as she explained she could not bring herself to enter the mosque.
“A year on anniversary is a great way for us to come together as a community and reflect on the incident that took the lives of many people and ultimately my brother too.”
Read the full story on Arab News
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Brad Pitt signed up for celebrity home improvement show
Sky News says Brad Pitt is set to appear in a home improvement TV show.
Celebrity IOU will see the 56-year-old actor join forces with identical twin stars Drew and Jonathan Scott, who front Property Brothers in the US and Canada.
The actor will fund a home renovation to a mystery person who has had a major impact on his life.
“It’s amazing to see someone who is extremely successful be grounded enough to always remember the people who helped them get there,” said Jonathan.
Read the full story on Sky News
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