Brief. Me Better Faster December 28, 2025 12:19 pm
Maria Rawlings: Man charged with murder of mother found dead in Romford
A man has been charged with the murder of Maria Rawlings, who was found dead in London last week.
Metropolitan Police announced Valentin Lazar, a 20-year-old from Barking, was charged on Monday evening. – The Independent
Three Portuguese border police officers sentenced for beating Ukrainian migrant to death
Three Portuguese border police officers have been handed prison sentences for beating a Ukrainian migrant to death.
A Lisbon court found that the inspectors kicked and beat the handcuffed Ihor Homeniuk with batons, breaking his ribs and causing death by asphyxiation. It happened on March 12, 2020, in the temporary reception centre at Lisbon airport.
He had arrived in Portugal by plane two days earlier from Turkey without a valid visa, in search of work. – Euronews
Ransomware Attack That Halted US Fuel Pipeline a ‘Criminal Act,’ Biden Says
A Russia-linked cyberattack targeting the largest U.S. fuel pipeline system is a “criminal act, obviously,” President Joe Biden said Monday.
“The agencies across the government have acted quickly to mitigate any impact on our fuel supply,” the president said at the White House at the start of remarks about his economic agenda. – VOA
Arab League Council holds urgent session to discuss attack on Jerusalem
The League of Arab States held an urgent session of the League Council among Arab foreign ministers on Monday, at the request of Palestine, which was supported by a number of Arab countries.
The session aimed to discuss the Israeli attacks in the occupied city of Jerusalem, the Islamic and Christian holy sites, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque, and plans to force Palestinian families out of their homes, particularly in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. – Arab News
No ‘festive vibes’: Malaysians brace for another sombre Hari Raya amid nationwide COVID-19 lockdown
Just a month ago, Siti Farahani Halim was feeling hopeful that she would be able to spend Hari Raya Aidilfitri with her family back in her village in the northern state of Perlis.
The 25-year-old who is based in Kuala Lumpur where she works as a corporate affairs executive, was buoyed by talk that the government could lift interstate travel restrictions for the festivities this week. – CNA
Jerusalem crisis: Pleas for calm as violence escalates
BBC News says countries worldwide have appealed for calm after days of unrest spiralled into retaliatory attacks by Israel and Palestinians.
The US, the EU, and the UK have urged Israel and the Palestinians to lower tensions as soon as possible.
The violence escalated on Monday night after Palestinian militants fired rockets toward Jerusalem. In response, the Israeli military launched air strikes against militant targets in the Gaza Strip.
Man, 21, charged over murder of PCSO Julia James 13 days after she was found bludgeoned to death
The Sun says a man was last night charged with murdering PCSO Julia James 13 days after she was bludgeoned to death.
Callum Wheeler, 21, was arrested on Friday around eight miles from where the 53-year-old mum-of-two was discovered with serious head injuries in Snowdown, Kent.
He is due to appear via video link at Medway Magistrates Court today.
Golden Globes backlash: Tom Cruise hands back awards and NBC drops broadcast
The Guardian says Tom Cruise has returned his three Golden Globes in protest after criticisms leveled at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association continue to create problems in the industry.
The actor is one of many to stand up against the HFPA, the small group of international journalists who vote on the awards after an exposé highlighted failings. NBC has also announced that it will not be airing the 2022 Golden Globes.
The HFPA has been under fire since the Los Angeles Times revealed allegations of corruption and impropriety as well as a lack of any black members.
Colombia protesters, government fail to make progress at first meeting
France24 says a meeting between Colombian protest leaders and President Ivan Duque broke up on Monday with little sign of progress on curbing nearly two weeks of sometimes deadly anti-government protests.
Protest leaders said the government had not shown empathy for their demands, while the government emphasised the meeting was exploratory and said it wanted to reach agreements with demonstrators.
Eid shoppers urged to be wary of virus risk in Saudi Arabia
Arab News says as the daily number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Saudi Arabia continues to hover between 950 and 1,100, authorities are calling on residents to remain careful and vigilant as they prepare for Eid Al-Fitr.
Shoppers are urged to remain on high alert and choose online shopping rather than visiting packed malls. Warnings have been issued that store closures are imminent if commercial establishments fail to abide by the required precautions and ensure social distancing is maintained.
Brazil’s Amazonas state braces for another Covid-19 surge
Aljazeera says when Rosa Dos Anjos was admitted to a Covid-19 intensive care unit in the Amazonian capital of Manaus for 15 days in January, she thought her fortunes could not possibly get any worse.
The 50-year-old had already lost her father to the virus during a deadly first wave of the pandemic last year – and Dos Anjos was fighting for her life as oxygen supplies ran out and the healthcare system collapsed all around her.
Pfizer vaccine jabs expanded to US children as young as 12
TRT World says US regulators have authorised Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for use in children as young as 12, widening the country’s inoculation programme as vaccination rates have slowed significantly.
The vaccine has been available under an emergency use authorisation to people as young as 16 in the United States. The vaccine makers said they had started the process for full approval for those ages last week.
Live Updates
- Jerusalem crisis: Pleas for calm as violence escalates
- Man, 21, charged over murder of PCSO Julia James 13 days after she was found bludgeoned to death
- Golden Globes backlash: Tom Cruise hands back awards and NBC drops broadcast
- Colombia protesters, government fail to make progress at first meeting
Many of Tuesday’s front pages are dedicated to the news that the end of the lockdown restrictions in England is now in sight.
The Daily Mail says “the end is now in sight” as it quotes PM Boris Johnson. The paper adds that with no deaths reported in England and the 1m social distancing rule set to be axed an upbeat Boris Johnson has said a “normal” summer is ahead.
The i leads with “six days until you can hug your family” as the guidance is relaxed. The paper describes the lifting of lockdown restrictions as the “big unlock” – as overnight stays, indoor pints and no face masks in classrooms are all part of the changes.
The Daily Telegraph quotes Boris Johnson saying that “it is up to all of us to exercise common sense” about the risk from Covid. Cartoonist Matt focuses on hugging with two people sitting in a beer garden and the caption: “They say hugging your grandchildren carries no risk, but sometimes the little blighters wipe their noses on your jacket.”
The Times describes the latest easing plans as a “cautious kiss goodbye to Covid curbs on freedom”. It says Boris Johnson has signalled an end to “government edicts” as it aims to replace public health law with guidance.
The paper also reports that in Tuesday’s Queen’s Speech the government will pledge to put “rocket fuel” under its levelling-up agenda with a focus on education.
Apple’s UK users deserve app price compensation, claim says – BBC Business
Pound has best day since January after weekend election results – Sky Business
West Midlands Trains ‘scams’ its own staff with email promising a pandemic bonus – CityAM
Fulham relegated with defeat by Burnley – read on
Boris Johnson confirms up to 10,000 fans allowed at sports stadiums from 17 May – read on
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez v Billy Joe Saunders: Briton’s surgery ‘went well’ as he vows to ‘be back’ – 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