Brief. Me Better Faster December 13, 2025 11:26 pm
Lancashire: Child dead and four injured after homes destroyed in gas explosion
A two-year-old boy died yesterday after a gas explosion destroyed two terraced houses in Heysham.
Lancashire Fire reported that 10 units had been sent to a row of homes on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.30am on Sunday. Four people were injured, two are critical. – The Independent
German vaccine tsar: everyone may need a third dose next year
The head of Germany’s independent vaccine advisory panel says it’s likely that all citizens will have to get vaccinated again next year against COVID-19.
Virologist Thomas Mertens, chairman of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, told Funke newspaper: “The virus won’t leave us again.” – Euronews
American Muslim Groups Boycott White House Eid Over Israel Support
American Muslim organizations boycotted Sunday’s White House virtual Eid celebration marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to protest what they see as the Biden administration’s support of Israeli violence against Palestinians. White House Correspondent Patsy Widakuswara has the story. – VOA
Lebanese demonstrations voice backing for Palestinian cause
Demonstrations in solidarity with the Palestinians were held for the third day at the southern Lebanon border on Sunday as political and civil figures continued to call for Lebanon not to be involved in the developments in the region. – Arab News
India’s COVID-19 cases lower but WHO expert says positive tests ominously high
India on Monday reported a further decline in new COVID-19 cases though daily deaths remained above 4,000 and experts warned that the count was unreliable due to a lack of testing in rural areas, where the virus is spreading fast. – CNA
Long working hours killing 745,000 people a year, study finds
Long working hours are killing hundreds of thousands of people a year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The first global study of its kind showed 745,000 people died in 2016 from stroke and heart disease due to long hours. – BBC World
Covid-19: Lockdowns ease in England, Wales and most of Scotland
BBC News says PM Boris Johnson has urged people to continue to play their part in stopping coronavirus, as lockdown rules ease in England, Wales and most of Scotland.
The easing of restrictions means millions of people can now socialist indoors in limited numbers, hug and visit pubs and restaurants inside again.
The ban on foreign travel has also been lifted and replaced with new rules.
Gaza rocked by fresh airstrikes after Netanyahu vows to keep attacks at ‘full force’
The Guardian says just hours after the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu signalled the attack on Gaza would continue, Israeli warplanes have launched what appears to be the ‘heaviest airstrikes yet on Gaza City.’
The intense attacks early on Monday, rocked the city for 10 minutes as it covered a broader area and lasted longer than the raids just 24 hours earlier – which killed 42 Palestinians. The deadliest single attack in the latest violence between Israel and Hamas.
Police break up crowds in Barcelona after state of emergency lifted
Euronews says police officers in Barcelona dispersed crowds of people drinking and dancing in the city and on a beach in the first weekend since Spain lifted its state of emergency.
Police forces said they had dispersed crowds encompassing a total of 9,055 people between 10pm on Saturday and 6am on Sunday morning.
Brazil struggles with Covid-19 vaccine rollout as death toll spirals
France24 says four months into Brazil’s vaccine rollout, the pandemic-stricken country is still struggling to find enough jabs. The vaccine rollout has already been marred by shortages and delays as political blunders now prolong the crisis.
Around 33 million people – 15 per cent of the population – have received at least one vaccine dose in Brazil, a proportion still too small to have a substantial impact on the virus’ spread.
Iran calls for international action on ‘apartheid’ Israel
Aljazeera says officials in Iran have called on the UN and Muslim nations to step in to stop “apartheid” Israel from attacking Palestine while a top military commander has said Iran will stand by Palestinians.
The High Council of Human Rights of Iran has written a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take action on “genocidal acts” and “racial cleansing” being committed by Israel.
Saudi Arabia condemns Afghan mosque bombing during Eid Al-Fitr
Arab News says Saudi Arabia has said it condemns and denounces an explosion inside a mosque on the outskirts of the Afghan capital Kabul that killed at least 12 people and wounded 15.
Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack in Shakar Dara district, as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers on the second day of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.
Crews battle Los Angeles wildfire that forced evacuations
VOA says smoky wildfire churning through a Los Angeles canyon community gained strength Sunday as about a thousand residents remained under evacuation orders while others were warned they should get ready to leave, authorities said.
Cool, moist weather early in the day gave firefighters a break, but by afternoon flames started moving again in steep terrain where tinder-dry vegetation has not burned in a half-century, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Minneapolis suburb where officer killed Black motorist OKs path to policing changes
VOA says elected officials in a Minneapolis suburb where a police officer fatally shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in April approved a resolution that puts the city on track to major changes to its policing practices.
The Brooklyn Center City Council voted 4-1 Saturday in favour of a resolution that would create new divisions of unarmed civilian employees to handle non-moving traffic violations and respond to mental health crises.
Live Updates
Covid-19: Lockdowns ease in England, Wales and most of Scotland
Gaza rocked by fresh airstrikes after Netanyahu vows to keep attacks at ‘full force’
Iran calls for international action on ‘apartheid’ Israel
Saudi Arabia condemns Afghan mosque bombing during Eid Al-Fitr
Crews Battle Los Angeles Wildfire that Forced Evacuations
Many of Monday’s front pages carry Boris Johnson’s warning that the public should remain cautious despite lockdown lifting
Experts say ignore lockdown lifting
The Guardian leads with health experts urging the public to ignore the easing of lockdown measures and continue to meet outdoors rather than inside pubs and restaurants – to reduce the Covid risk. The British Medical Association is also recommending young people – who may not have been vaccinated – be cautious with social and physical contact.
PM’s warning
Daily Telegraph says PM Boris Johnson has urged everyone “must play their part” in order to limit the spread of the Indian variant. The PM encouraged everyone to get their vaccine. The paper carries the PM’s pleas on the front page as the “vast majority” of those in hospital with the variant have not had a jab.
The i also says the “new freedoms come with a health warning”. One of the biggest measures lifted today is international travel, with holidays allowed to green countries. But Labour is calling for a longer ban on foreign travel and Matt Hancock has warned against trips to Spain, Greece, France and Italy.
The Daily Express also leads with the PM’s warnings for the nation to remain cautious. More than 20 million people have now received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, with the government hoping to reach one million jabs a day, the paper adds.
Covid-19: Thousands set to jet overseas on holiday as rules ease – BBC Business
COVID-19: Ryanair reveals record annual losses but sees recovery on horizon – Sky Business
Ranked: These countries have the most female billionaires – CITYAM
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson pays tribute to father after scoring winner – read on
Chelsea thrashed by Barcelona in Women’s Champions League final – read on
Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury: British boxers to meet on 14 August in Saudi Arabia – 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