BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING
In today’s briefing update, flooding in Sheffield forced dozens of shoppers to spend the night at a shopping centre. A major incident was declared in Sheffield as heavy rain continued overnight. In Wales, three men have been arrested following an allegation of “modern-day slavery.” Two elderly care homes reportedly hired foreign staff, who worked long hours with little pay.
In Pakistan, smog covering the city of Lahore has forced all schools to shut. Lahore is amongst the top 10 worst polluted cities in the world. French President Macron reportedly wants an independent Europe but the political reality is working against his will. And finally, Iraqi security forces have killed at least 10 protesters in Baghdad and Basra as turmoil deepens.
ALL in today’s news briefing – A daily roundup of all the news headlines that you need to know, summarised as part of WTX News Briefing.
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UK flooding: Dozens spend the night in Sheffield shopping centre
BBC News reports dozens of people spent the night in a shopping centre after torrential downpours flooded the city’s streets. Those trapped inside the Meadowhall Centre in Sheffield bedded down on benches and chairs while others tried throughout the night to get home in cars or taxis. 
A major incident was declared in Sheffield as the rain continued overnight. Elsewhere, in Rotherham firefighters rescued people by boat who were stranded in the Parkgate centre. Earlier on Thursday, 35 homes in Nottinghamshire were evacuated after a mudslide caused by torrential rain.
More than 100 flood warnings remain in place in the north of England, with the rain causing serious disruption to roads and rail services.
Read the full story on BBC News
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Smog causes the closure of eastern schools in Pakistan
Arab News reports Pakistan’s provincial administration of Punjab was forced to close all schools in Lahore on Thursday after the city was engulfed by smog.
“Lahore is among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, according to Air Visual,” said Nazifa Butt, climate maker at World Wildlife Fund Pakistan. The ideal range for good air quality is between zero and 100. Lahore’s air quality went beyond 600 on Nov. 6, causing significant concern.”
The Punjab Environment Department blamed Indian farmers for the smog, citing the city’s location on the country’s eastern border.
“The smog increased in Lahore due to the burning residues of produce in Indian cultivated areas and the changing direction of the wind,” said an official handout on Thursday.
Read the full story on Arab News
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Nato’s ‘free-rider’ problem: Macron wants independent Europe, but ‘it’s not something he can change just like that’
RT News reports after calling NATO brain-dead and criticising the US’ role in the alliance, Emmanuel Macron has shown a desire for European military independence but the political reality works against his will, analyst John Laughland told RT. 
“Macron is very confused, like many European leaders… he wants things which are incompatible,” Laughland said.
“He is naturally disposed to be pro-American. He comes from the Atlanticist elite of France. But he is horrified of Trump.”
Read the full story on RT News
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Iraqi forces kill at least 10 protesters in Baghdad and Basra as turmoil deepens
France24 says Iraqi security forces shot dead at least six anti-government protesters in Baghdad. And killed at least four others in the city of Basra as they broke up a sit-in, police said. 
Many more people were wounded in the clashes as weeks of deadly violence in Iraq over protests against an entrenched political elite showed no signs of slowing down.
Security forces used live fire against protesters near Shuhada Bridge in central Baghdad. Gunfire was used against demonstrators in Basra, the main source of Iraq’s oil wealth, who had staged a days-long sit-in.
Read the full story on France24
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Care homes at the centre of ‘slavery’ raid as police arrest three men
The Sun says three men were arrested today amid “modern-day slavery” allegations at two cares homes charging £800-a-week for elderly residents. Police were tipped-off that staff working there were allegedly forced to work long hours with little pay. 
Two men, aged 53 and 64, from South Wales and a man, 43, of Surrey were arrested to be interviewed by police. Gwent Police confirmed officers from its human trafficking team were working with partner agencies including the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
Neighbours of one of the homes said it has a number of foreign staff employed to care for the residents.
Read the full story on The Sun
Daily News Briefing: A daily roundup of all the news headlines that you need to know!
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