Brief. Me Better Faster December 13, 2025 8:53 pm
Covid: Pubs, restaurants and cafes in Wales to open indoors from Monday
Pubs, restaurants and cafes in Wales will be able to serve customers indoors from Monday and international travel for Welsh citizens will be allowed, the first minister has said. – The Guardian
French MPs take a swing at COVID-easing as sex clubs allowed to reopen but nightclubs remain closed
Some French MPs have expressed their bafflement at the government’s easing of COVID-19 restrictions which will see nightclubs remain closed but swingers’ clubs reopen.
France began easing some of its lockdown measures earlier this month with the next phase scheduled for May 19. On this date, outdoor dining and drinking will be allowed while shops, cinemas, museums and theatres will be able to reopen. – Euronews
Major US pipeline fully operational but shortages still bite deep
The US pipeline network shut down by a cyberattack has said it has restarted its entire network and resumed fuel deliveries to all markets, but gas stations up and down the East Coast were still facing shortages after a wave of panic buying. – TRT World
Jerusalem conflict stokes fears of civil war in Israel
The fight over the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, clashes in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslim worshippers and Israeli police, and the exchange of rockets, shelling and airstrikes between Hamas and the Israel Defense Force could turn into a civil war between Israeli Jews and Palestinian citizens of Israel, experts fear. – Arab News
India’s COVID-19 cases rise above 24 million as B1617 variant spreads across globe
The number of recorded COVID-19 infections in India climbed above 24 million on Friday (May 14) amid reports that the highly transmissible coronavirus mutant first detected in the country was spreading across the globe. – CNA
Long-awaited ‘Friends’ cast reunion to air on May 27
The long-awaited “Friends” cast reunion will be broadcast on May 27 and will feature a slew of celebrity guests including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and K-Pop band BTS. – TRT World
Indian variant: Next steps considered amid India variant concern
BBC News says restrictions – local and regional – may be introduced and cannot be ruled out the government has said, as concerns over the speed of the Indian Covid-19 variant’s spread in England grows.
It said “economic and social” restrictions could be reimposed in parts of England if necessary.
Measures could also include bringing forward second vaccines for some people in the worst affected areas.
Julia James: Trial date set for man accused of ‘extremely violent’ murder of PSCO
The Independent says a trial date has been set for a man charged with the murder of PCSO Julia James.
Julia James was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27.
Callum Wheeler, 21, from Aylesham, is accused of inflicting serious head injuries on the 53-year-old.
Israel strikes Gaza from ground and air, escalating offensive
France24 says Israel has struck Gaza from both ground and air in response to more rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave. The continuing escalation of violence has now killed more than 100 Palestinians.
Days of deadly violence have seen Israeli soldiers massing on the edge of the territory, although the army stressed there had been no ground incursion despite an earlier statement that troops were carrying out an attack “in the Gaza Strip”.
Turkey’s notorious mafia leader claims close state ties
Arab News says Turkish officials entered into a war of words with the country’s well-known mafia leader, Sedat Peker, who released a series of videos about schemes within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) involving some of its deputies.
The claims pushed opposition politicians to call for the truth behind the claims in order to fight against the criminalization of politics.
Myanmar jails local journalist, to free Japanese reporter
Aljazeera says a Myanmar journalist who reported on anti-military government protests has been jailed for three years for incitement, his news organisation said, while authorities announced a twice-arrested Japanese reporter would be freed.
Min Nyo, who worked for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) in Myanmar’s Bago region, was arrested on March 3 and found guilty by a military court in one of the first verdicts against media workers since the February 1 military coup.
More than 1.3B Covid-19 vaccine jabs administered globally
TRT World says more than 1.37 billion coronavirus vaccine jabs have been given worldwide, according to data gathered by the Our World in Data website.
China is the most vaccinated country with 254.3 million jabs, said the site, followed by the US with more than 260 million. India has 176.5 million, the UK with 54.2 million, Brazil has given 49.2 million shots to its residents, Germany has 36.8 million and France with more than 26 .8 million vaccine jabs.
US Retains Its Support for Israel, but Fissures Emerge
VOA says for a long time, United States foreign policy has been unwavering American political support for Israel.
But some Demvcrats are voicing complaints about Israeli attacks on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that have killed at least 83 people, while Republicans have maintained steadfast, unified support for the Jewish state, where at least six have been killed by Hamas’ missile strikes.
Live Updates
Indian variant: Next steps considered amid India variant concern
Julia James: Trial date set for man accused of ‘extremely violent’ murder of PSCO
Israel strikes Gaza from ground and air, escalating offensive
More than 1.3B Covid-19 vaccine jabs administered globally
Greensill scandal: David Cameron ‘grilled’
FT leads with former PM David Cameron’s appearance before two parliamentary committees to answer questions about his lobbying for Greensill Capital. During his quizzing by MPs David Cameron said his efforts on behalf of the company were to benefit the economy. He acknowledged that he received a “generous” pay package which was more than what he earned as PM.
Metro reports David Cameron took flights to his home in Cornwall on a private jet belonging to the Greensill founder. The paper calls it “sleazy jet.” Cameron says he cannot recall how many times he used the jet, the paper adds. The paper says David Cameron refused to say how much he stood to make from Greensill, which collapsed months after his lobbying efforts.
The Guardian says David Cameron was told his “reputation is in tatters” during the four-hour grilling by MPs. The paper says the former PM refused to apologise for his behaviour in launching what was described as a “barrage” of lobbying messages. The paper also carries a picture of two men who were released by immigration officials after a protest in Glasgow.
Portugal: No decision yet on UK holiday travel – BBC Business
Greensill lobbying scandal: David Cameron’s ‘spellcheck’ excuse on interest rates text message questioned by MPs – Sky Business
Some post-Brexit EU jobseekers end up in detention upon arrival – CITYAM
Liverpool boosts top-four hopes with win at Man Utd – Read on
Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury: 14 August bout in Saudi Arabia could host overseas fans – Read on
Villa draw dents Everton’s European hopes – 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