Brief. Me Better Faster December 13, 2025 10:23 pm
COVID-19: End of ‘cruel’ isolation rule for care home residents
Care home residents are now able to leave for “low risk” visits without isolating for 14 days on their return.
The change in coronavirus restrictions comes into force today, meaning residents will be able to leave their care home for a walk, or visit a loved one’s garden, and not face any restrictions when they get back. – Sky News
Amazon had sales income of €44bn in Europe in 2020 but paid no corporation tax
Fresh questions have been raised over Amazon’s tax planning after its latest corporate filings in Luxembourg revealed that the company collected record sales income of €44bn (£38bn) in Europe last year but did not have to pay any corporation tax to the Grand Duchy. – Guardian
Asian-American business leaders launch $250M effort to combat hate
Asian American Foundation says it will invest its largest-ever philanthropic effort to support the community in anti-hate programmes, education, and data and research. – TRT World
France to sell Egypt 30 fighter jets — Egyptian defense ministry, report
Egypt has signed a contract with France to buy 30 Rafale fighter jets, its defense ministry said in a statement early on Tuesday, in a deal that investigative website Disclose said on Monday was worth 3.75 billion euro ($4.5 billion). – Arab News
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam flags ‘fake news’ laws as worries over media freedom grow
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday (May 4) that the government was working on “fake news” legislation to tackle “misinformation, hatred and lies”, as worries grow over media freedoms in the global financial hub. – CNA
Scores of casualties as Mexico City metro overpass collapses
At least 15 people have been killed and 70 others injured, with 34 hospitalised, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said, adding people could still be trapped inside the train, which split in two and was partially suspended. – VOA
India says infections ‘slowing down’ as it passes 20 million cases
BBC News says the number of new Covid infections in India has officially passed 20 million cases, even as the government says that infection rates are coming down.
India says infections have consistently dropped since 30 April, when it recorded more than 400,000 cases. It reported 355,832 cases on Tuesday.
Experts say the number of deaths and infections are being underreported.
And an oxygen crunch has shown no signs of abating and people are struggling for treatment.
UK likely to give green light for travel to fewer than 10 EU countries
The Guardian says Britons’ summer holiday plans have been given a major boost, as the EU confirmed vaccinated travelers will be able to fly to Europe from June, though it’s understood the UK could give the green light to travel to fewer than 10 countries.
A traffic light system will be announced this week under which countries will be added to green, amber, and red lists, with different rules regarding issues such as quarantine of returning travelers for each list.
France to vote through new law aimed at tackling climate change
France24 says the French parliament is set to vote through a new climate change law on Tuesday intended by President Emmanuel Macron to reinforce his green credentials one year ahead of national elections.
The draft legislation is almost certain to be approved in a first reading by the lower house of parliament, where Macron has a working majority, but it has been heavily criticised by environmental groups.
Campaigners see it as too timid given the pace of climate change globally and accuse the French leader of half-hearted commitment to a cause he has admitted to embracing belatedly.
UK and India announce $1.4bn private sector investments
Aljazeera says the United Kingdom and India have announced £1 billion of private-sector investment and have committed to seeking a free trade deal. This was ahead of a virtual meeting between Boris Johnson and Indian leader Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
The meeting replaces an in-person visit Johnson had planned to make last month to deepen cooperation as the UK seeks new trading partners after leaving the European Union. That visit was cancelled due to surging COVID-19 cases in India.
“Like every aspect of the UK-India relationship, the economic links between our countries make our people stronger and safer,” Johnson said in a statement.
Gulf countries condemn continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
Arab News says Gulf countries have condemned Houthis’ continued launching of drones and ballistic missiles towards Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s defense forces intercepted a ballistic missile and two Houthi explosive drones targeting the southern city of Najran, the Arab Coalition reported on Sunday.
The UAE’s foreign ministry said the continuation of these extremist attacks reflects the militia’s disregard for all international laws and norms, state news agency SPA reported.
Colombia braces for fresh tax reform protests after deadly week
TRT World says protesters in Colombia have called for a new mass rally after a least 19 people died and more than 800 were wounded in clashes during five days of demonstrations against a proposed government tax reform.
The office of Colombia’s human rights ombudsman said 18 civilians and a police officer died in violence during the protests that began throughout the country on April 28, while 846 people, including 306 civilians, were injured.
Authorities have detained 431 people, and the government deployed the military in the worst affected cities.
Biden to Quadruple Refugee Cap
VOA says President Joe Biden, who initially decided to keep intact his predecessor’s historically low number of annual refugee admissions, Monday announced he is quadrupling this year’s total.
“I am revising the United States’ annual refugee admissions cap to 62,500 for this fiscal year,” the president said.
“This erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000, which did not reflect America’s values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.
The new admissions cap will also reinforce efforts that are already under way to expand the United States’ capacity to admit refugees, so that we can reach the goal of 125,000 refugee admissions that I intend to set for the coming fiscal year.”
Live Updates
- India says infections ‘slowing down’ as it passes 20 million cases
- UK likely to give green light for travel to fewer than 10 EU countries
- France to vote through new law aimed at tackling climate change
- UK and India announce $1.4bn private sector investments
- Colombia braces for fresh tax reform protests after deadly week
EU welcomes back British tourists, UK greenlist to be announced
Tuesday’s front pages lead on the potential return of international travel this summer.
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The Metro says the EU is planning to welcome back British tourists this month if the UK opens up in return. However, the PM has reacted cautiously and warned of an “influx of the disease.” – Metro
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The Guardian says summer holiday plans were given a big boost on Monday after the EU confirmed vaccinated travellers would be able to visit from June. It suggests the changes in quarantine requirements for popular holiday destinations could make 2021 “the year of the last-minute booking”. – Guardian
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The Daily Telegraph says Spain, Greece and France are among the countries which British holidaymakers could be able to travel to next month. The paper says they could be on the “safe green list” being drawn up by Downing Street for international travel by the end of June – however it says only a “tiny handful” of highly vaccinated countries, such as Gibraltar, Malta, Israel and Iceland, will go on the list from 17 May. – Daily Telegraph
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The Times claims ministers will meet this week to agree a limited green list of “about a dozen countries” that people can travel to from 17 May without having to isolate on their return. It says the list will be reviewed after three weeks, with ministers confident that by then people will be able to travel to most of Europe, the Caribbean and the US. – Times
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I newspaper says England has been given the greenlight to unlock further on 17 May. The paper which quotes a No 10 official as saying that the government is expecting to go ahead with the next stages of its roadmap out of lockdown. Restaurants, pubs, cinemas and museums are among the businesses which will be allowed to fully reopen. – i News
Hospitality bosses lose court battle over indoor opening – BBC Business
Billionaires Bill Gates and wife Melinda to get divorced after 27 years – Sky Business
New £1bn trade agreement with India could create more than 6,500 jobs – Sky Business
Starbucks on hiring spree for 400 new jobs across UK as demand revives – CityAM
World Snooker Championship final: Mark Selby wins fourth world title – Read on
European Super League: Premier League brings in new owners’ rule to stop repeat – Read on
Katie Taylor has unfinished business with Natasha Jonas and should offer rematch – Read on
Premier League hits and misses: David Moyes rewarded for attacking style, Gareth Bale finding form at Tottenham – Read on
P Diddy announces that he’s legally changed his name as he unveils driving license – Read on
Pink was terrified she was going to die from Covid-19 and even rewrote her will – Read on
Britney Spears slams ‘hypocritical’ documentaries for ‘highlighting trauma’ – Read on
Khloe Kardashian ‘DMs’ Instagram model claiming to have bedded Tristan Thompson – 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