Brief. Me Better Faster December 13, 2025 11:27 pm
Boris Johnson broke rules by criticising Sadiq Khan, says Labour
Labour is calling for an investigation into PM Boris Johnson’s verbal attack on the mayor of London during a televised government press conference on coronavirus.
The prime minister accused Sadiq Khan of “blowing” Transport for London (TfL) finances through an “irresponsible fares policy”, claims that have been rejected by the Labour incumbent. – The Guardian
Czechs have fourth new health minister in a year amid COVID-19 fallout
A third Czech health minister has been fired since the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
Jan Blatny, who had held the office since October, was dismissed by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on Wednesday.
Petr Arenberger, the director of Prague’s University Hospital Vinohrady, was sworn in by President Milos Zeman as the country’s fourth health minister in a year. – Euronews
US Prosecutors Build Case Against Oath Keepers Founder
Stewart Rhodes is feeling the heat.
“I may go to jail soon,” the Oath Keepers founder declared at a recent Republican rally near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. “Not for anything I actually did, but for made-up crimes.” – VOA
Oman ends night-time movement curbs, keeps ban for all commercial activities
Oman on Thursday lifted night-time movement curbs for residents and vehicles but kept its evening closure of commercial activities until the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
Commercial establishments were earlier mandated to stop operations from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. – Arab News
Myanmar envoy to London says military seized embassy in ‘coup’
Diplomats loyal to Myanmar’s junta have seized the country’s embassy in London, leaving the ambassador locked out in the street after he called for the release of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The ambassador, Kyaw Zwar Minn, said on Wednesday (Apr 7) the defence attache had taken over the mission in “a kind of coup”, an extraordinary diplomatic standoff that comes two months after the military seized power in Myanmar. – CNA
Myanmar’s UK envoy says military attache has ‘occupied’ embassy
Myanmar’s ambassador in London has spent the night in his car after saying he was locked out of his embassy.
Kyaw Zwar Minn said staff were asked to leave the building by Myanmar’s military attaché on Wednesday night, and he was told he was no longer the country’s representative.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has condemned the “bullying actions”. – BBC World
Belfast: Boris Johnson ‘deeply concerned’ after police attacked
BBC News says Boris Johnson has said he is “deeply concerned” about scenes of violence in Northern Ireland.
Police were attacked, petrol bombs thrown and a bus set on fire in another night of disorder in Belfast.
“The way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality,” he said.
The disturbances took place on both sides of an interface in the loyalist Shankill and nationalist Springfield Road areas of the city on Wednesday.
Body found in Epping Forest is missing student, police confirm
The Independent says a body found in Epping Forest has been formally identified as missing London student Richard Okorogheye, police have said.
The Met Police said the 19-year-old’s death is being treated as unexplained but officers do not believe there was any third-party involvement “at this stage”.
The cause of death is pending while further investigations are carried out, however a post mortem on Wednesday found no evidence of physical trauma or assault.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro ignores call for new lockdown despite rise in Covid-19 cases
France24 says Jair Bolsonaro doubled down on his opposition to lockdown measures to contain Covid-19, as experts warned a large-scale stay-at-home was “absolutely necessary” to slow a deadly surge of the coronavirus.
Hard-hit Brazil registered its deadliest day yet in the pandemic Tuesday with more than 4,000 deaths, fueling mounting calls for a lockdown — something Bolsonaro has vehemently rejected.
Jeddah authorities shut 100 commercial outlets for COVID-19 breaches
Arab News says Jeddah authorities closed 100 commercial outlets for breaching COVID-19 protocols, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Municipalities have stepped up their efforts to ensure compliance with coronavirus safety measures that are designed to protect public health.
The municipality of Jeddah governorate carried out 4,246 inspection tours of commercial centres and facilities.
US to restore aid to UN Palestinian refugee agency cut by Trump
Aljazeera says the Biden administration has announced plans to resume funding for the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, which has faced a dire financial situation since Donald Trump cut US assistance in 2018.
In a statement on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States would provide $150m in humanitarian assistance to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
US citizen refuses to be an FBI informant, lands on no-fly list
TRT World says a Muslim man of Lebanese descent was threatened and harassed by FBI agents for rejecting to be their informant. He’s now stranded in Lebanon.
The ACLU has revealed FBI agents pressured and threatened an American citizen of Lebanese origin for refusing to work for them as an informant.
As a result, his name was added to the US no-fly list, which bans people from entering the country.
College Admissions Scandal Parents Released from Prison
VOA says the college admissions scandal that made headlines over the past two years came to a close this week as the last celebrity parent was released from prison.
Fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli is now on house arrest after his role in the 2019 college admissions scandal, according to The Associated Press.
He was released from a federal facility in Lompoc, near Santa Barbara, California, and will remain in home confinement until April 17. He reported to prison in November.
Live Updates
- Belfast: Boris Johnson ‘deeply concerned’ after police attacked
- Body found in Epping Forest is missing student, police confirm
- Brazil’s Bolsonaro ignores call for new lockdown despite rise in Covid-19 cases
- Jeddah authorities shut 100 commercial outlets for COVID-19 breaches
- US to restore aid to UN Palestinian refugee agency cut by Trump
US citizen refuses to be an FBI informant, lands on no-fly list
Several of Thursday’s front pages lead with the news that under the 30s in the UK are to be offered alternative vaccines to the Oxford jab over blood clot links.
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The i leads with the news those under 30 in the UK are to be offered alternative vaccines to the Oxford jab. The paper says it follows “weeks of speculation” about the potential side-effects – but emphasises the risk is extremely small.
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The Daily Telegraph speaks to the family of the first-named person to have died from a blood clot after the Oxford jab. His family said he suffered from headaches and loss of vision. His sister said her brother had been “extraordinarily unlucky” and urges the public to “keep saving lives” by getting the jab, the paper says.
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The Sun newspaper seeks to reassure people to still get vaccinated. It’s front page focuses on the statistics that show blood clots are very rare. The paper says the medical review gave just a 0.000095% chance of developing a clot after having the Oxford jab.
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The Times says Boris Johnson has begun a campaign to maintain public confidence in the AstraZeneca jab, and ministers and government scientists are set to “embark on a media blitz to convince people to keep taking the vaccine”. Although the blood clots are rare, ministers believe they will need to make a renewed case for the AstraZeneca jab, the paper says.
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The Financial Times suggests the new guidance “could complicate Britain’s vaccination programme”. Downing Street “played down the significance of the announcement” and insisted it was confident of its supplies and the vaccine rollout was still on track, the paper adds.
High Street shops will ‘bounce back’ on reopening day – BBC Business
Commercial struggles offer open skies to private jet operators – CityAM
Man wins court battle over Betfred’s refusal to pay out £1.7m jackpot – Sky Business
Lee Collins: Yeovil Town captain ‘found dead in hotel room’ – Read on
Thomas Tuchel reveals he knew Chelsea would respond to West Brom setback – Read on
The Masters: Bryson DeChambeau unlikely to contend at Augusta National, says Butch Harmon – 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