Brief. Me - December 14, 2025 5:18 pm
In today’s briefing update, the Sunday papers focus on the government’s plans to bring in a mansion tax and raid on pensions. A coronavirus warning has been issued to the UK from a top virus expert.
In our special feature, we take a look at the Thailand mass shooting.
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UK faces ‘major’ outbreak, warns top virus expert
The Sunday Times reports a microbiologist who co-discovered Ebola and Aids in Africa has warned Britain could suffer a “major outbreak” of coronavirus. Prof Peter Piot is said to be “increasingly alarmed” by the rapid spread of the virus.
Read the full story on the Times
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Tories eye mansion tax and raid on pensions
The Sunday Telegraph says the prime minister is weighing up “shock plans” to impose a “mansion tax” on owners of expensive homes. If so, the paper says the move will “infuriate” the Conservative Party grassroots and “stun” MPs. Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid are also considering cuts to pension tax relief for the Budget next month, in a bid to fund a “huge increase” in public spending, the paper says.
Read the full story on the Daily Telegraph
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PM gears up for Britain to boom
The Sunday Express says the government is set to deliver the “biggest revolution in transport and communications in Britain since the Victorian era.” The paper reports the planned infrastructure spending is designed to ensure the whole country enjoys a “renaissance of prosperity” after Brexit.
Read the full story on the Daily Express
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Revealed: How drug giants can access your health records
The Observer says the Department of Health and Social care has been selling the medical data of millions of NHS patients to American and other international drug companies. The paper says the department has misled the public into thinking the information would be anonymous.
Read the full story on the Guardian
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Soldier lay dead in barracks for three weeks
The Sunday Mirror says a soldier laid dead in an Army camp for three weeks before he was found late last month. Bernard Mongan’s superiors failed to spot he was not on duty, the paper says.
Read the full story on the Daily Mirror
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Bamber: By his closest friend
The Sunday People’s front splash leads with a story about Jeremy Bamber. Bamber was convicted of murdering his adoptive parents, sister and her twin sons in 1985. The paper quote what it calls his “closest friend.” The case has found itself back in the spotlight due to a new ITV drama, White House Farm, which is based on the real-life events in 1985.
Read the full story on the Daily Mirror
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https://wtxnews.com/2020/02/07/space-nasa-astronaut-sets-new-record/
UK Weather Forecast
Sunday 9 February 2020
Sunrise 07:28
Sunset 17:06
Today
Storm Ciara will bring stormy conditions across the UK today, with very strong winds, potentially damaging, as well as heavy rain and squally showers. Showers wintry on high ground in Scotland later.
Tonight
Showers blowing in from the west, with showers turning increasingly wintry across high ground in the north. Still windy, and still the chance of lightning in heavier showers.
Financial Update
Exchange Rates
US Dollar $ $1.21 120.3
UAE Dirham 4.45 4.41
Euro 1.09 1.08
Swiss Franc 6.76 6.62
Tweet of the Day
Woke up to the news that you can finally disable Netflix’s autoplay feature. Blessed day! pic.twitter.com/AsT3TdHbez
— Michael (@yosoymichael) February 7, 2020
Treat of the week
5-Ingredient Green Curry
Featured Story
Thailand mass shooting
Aljazeera news looks at Thailand’s worst mass shooting in pictures. They say the 32-year-old soldier behind the mass shooting was said to be angry over a land deal and went on the rampage in a shopping mall he fled to after shooting his commanding officer.
Jakrapanth Thomma was shot and killed by Thai security forces after a 16-hour standoff at the terminal 21 shopping centre in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima. The area is a hub for Thailand’s relatively poorer rural northeastern region.
According to Thai media, the suspect was a sharpshooter and a gun enthusiast who often posed with weapons on social media.
Newsweek reports Facebook has removed the profile of the soldier who posted on social media while committing Thailand’s worst mass shooting.
A Facebook spokesperson said in a statement: “ We have removed the gunman’s presence on our services and have found no evidence that he broadcasted this violence on FB live.” Adding: “We are working around the clock to remove any violating content related to this attack. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and the community affected by this tragedy in Thailand.”
The shooter had posted on his Facebook page before and during the shooting, including a post asking whether he should surrender. “No one can escape death,” he wrote in one post according to the Associated Press. Another said: “Should I give up?”
The Daily Mirror reports on terrified shoppers who hid in a storeroom whilst the gunman launched his massacre.
In footage posted online, terrified shoppers are seen cowering in terror in a dark room during the Thai shopping centre massacre. A journalist who took the clip said she did not know if any of the people shown would come out alive.
In further horrifying footage captured by a witness, the gunman is seen firing rounds into a crowd as people flee at about 5:30 pm local time on Saturday.
In another video clip, he is wearing a military helmet and tactical outfit and complains of being exhausted from shooting his victims.
Device found on lorry ‘was intended for Brexit attack’
