Brief. Me Better Faster December 13, 2025 1:04 pm
COVID-19: UK close to bottom levels of coronavirus and third wave could be much less significant – Van-Tam
The UK is “at or close to the bottom” of levels of coronavirus cases, according to England’s deputy chief medical officer who praised the public for sticking to lockdown measures. – Sky News
Moldovan President Maia Sandu calls early election for July 11
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu announced plans on Wednesday to dissolve parliament, calling for early elections on July 11.
“Moldovans can now elect their next leadership. They are no longer hostages to predatory interests. I thank all our partners for your trust and support for Moldova’s democratic future,” Sandu tweeted.
It came after Moldova’s Constitutional Court cancelled a state of emergency meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. – Euronews
Despite Mass Shootings, Americans’ Love of Guns Endures
A.C.’s parents would not let him shoot a rifle. So, at age 17, two months after finishing high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he regularly shot an M16 rifle, a staple of America’s military. – VOA
Jordan lifts Friday lockdown, partial daily curfew to remain
Friday lockdowns in Jordan will be lifted as of tomorrow, the government announced, while the current night curfew will remain throughout the week.
Worshippers will be able perform evening prayer and Taraweeh – the Ramadan prayer – in mosques as of Friday, the Minister of State for Media Affairs, Sakher Dudin, said on Wednesday during a press briefing. – Arab News
Destination Dubai: Jets in demand to escape India COVID-19 surge
Indians from the millions-strong expat community in the UAE, stranded in their homeland during a catastrophic COVID-19 surge, are swamping private jet operators with requests to whisk them back to safety.
Fearing a prolonged flight ban between India and the Gulf state, they aim to use an exemption for private business planes that was in effect last year during the first wave of the global crisis.
West Bengal: India state elections go ahead as deaths hit record high
People in the Indian state of West Bengal are voting in the final phase of elections despite rising Covid cases.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths, raising concerns about the further spread of the virus as a deadly second wave sweeps the country. – BBC World
Boris Johnson to be questioned by the Electoral Commission over funding for No 11 flat refurb
I news says Boris Johnson will be questioned by investigators over the renovation of his Downing Street flat after the Electoral Commission said there were “reasonable grounds” to suspect that an offence had been committed.
The launch of a formal inquiry heaps further pressure on the Prime Minister.
PM Boris Johnson has said that he will provide any evidence that is required as part of the inquiry.
PM needs independent standards adviser – Labour
BBC News says Labour has urged the PM to appoint a fully “independent” figure to oversee ministers’ conduct, including his own.
Lord Geidt – announced on Wednesday as Boris Johnson’s new standards adviser – will look into the funding of the recent Downing Street flat renovations.
Sir Keir Starmer said it was wrong that Lord Geidt needed to get the PM’s permission before carrying out this and other inquiries.
UK sends India oxygen concentrators and ventilators – but no Covid vaccines
The Guardian says the UK has been “first out of the blocks” with help for India, but will not send vaccines until Britain has a surplus of supplies, the Foreign Office minister has told MPs.
He said the UK was responding to the Indian government’s needs, and had been the first country to provide practical support “in the face of heartbreaking scenes that had shocked us all”.
China’s ‘space dream’: A Long March to the Moon and beyond
France24 says the launch of the first module of China’s new space station – “Heavenly Palace” – on Thursday underlined how far the country has come in achieving its space dream.
The Tianhe core module houses life support equipment and a living space for astronauts, and is another key step in Beijing’s grand plans to establish a permanent human presence in space.
Beijing has poured billions into its military-run space programme, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022 and eventually sending humans to the Moon.
Finance plea for cash-strapped Turks as virus lockdown looms
Arab News says Turkey is bracing itself for a full lockdown from Thursday evening until May 17 in a desperate bid to help curb skyrocketing COVID-19 cases.
Experts and politicians have urged the Turkish government to introduce emergency measures to provide monetary aid to struggling citizens, including small business and shop owners, and those who rely on daily wages.
Almost all workplaces are being forced to suspend their activities during the lockdown, sparking outrage among cash-strapped sections of society left with no financial support mechanisms.
India COVID cases cross 18m, US to send $100m supplies
Aljazeera says with 379,257 new cases and 3,645 new deaths on Thursday, India’s total number of cases and deaths are now at 18.38 million and 204,832 respectively, according to health ministry data.
The US is sending supplies worth more than $100m to India to help it fight the surge of COVID cases. The supplies include 1,000 oxygen cylinders, 15 million N95 masks, and one million rapid diagnostic tests, the statement said.
The US also redirected its own order of AstraZeneca vaccine manufacturing supplies to India, which will allow it to make more than 20 million doses, according to the White House.
Three white men charged with hate crimes in Ahmaud Arbery’s murder
TRT World says the US Justice Department has brought federal hate crimes charges in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, charging a father and son who armed themselves, chased and fatally shot the 25-year-old Black man after spotting him running in a Georgia neighborhood.
Travis McMichael and his father, Gregory, were charged along with a third man, William “Roddie” Bryan, with one count of interference with civil rights and attempted kidnapping.
The McMichaels are also charged with using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Biden Proposes Large-scale Spending for Children, Families
VOA says President Joe Biden proposed a wide expansion of national government assistance for American children and families on Wednesday in his first address to a joint session of Congress.
The $1.8 trillion proposal features two years of government-paid, pre-kindergarten education for the country’s children and two years of free community college for young adults. It also calls for $225 billion in child-care assistance for U.S. families and monthly payments of at least $250 to parents, a heretofore unknown U.S. social safety net.
Live Updates
- PM needs independent standards adviser – Labour
UK sends India oxygen concentrators and ventilators – but no Covid vaccines
Finance plea for cash-strapped Turks as virus lockdown looms
India COVID cases cross 18m, US to send $100m supplies
Three white men charged with hate crimes in Ahmaud Arbery’s murder
Biden Proposes Large-scale Spending for Children, Families
Boris Johnson flatgate scandal – inquiry launched
Most of Thursday’s front pages focus on the Electoral Commission’s decision to investigate the funding of PM Boris Johnson’s Downing Street flat renovations – and the angry exchanges about the scandal during PMQ.
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The Metro headline says “interior resign” as it reports the “fiercest Commons clash yet” between the prime minister and Labour leader Keir Starmer. The paper says Starmer told the PM he must quit if he lied about Flatgate and the claims the PM said he would rather see “bodies pile high” than order another lockdown. The front splash pictures show a visibly angry PM during PMQ’s – Boris Johnson has denied wrongdoing. – Metro
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Daily Mail headline is the PM is “painted into a corner.” The paper says he and Carrie Symonds “may have to hand over personal emails and phone messages” to an official inquiry into how the flat renovations were funded. The Electoral Commission, leading the inquiry, “has sweeping powers to demand documents and interview witnesses” the Mail says. – Daily Mail
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The i paper says the PM will give evidence to the Electoral Commission. It says the case could be passed to police for criminal investigation if it is suspected that failure to declare funding was intentional. The paper adds that Dominic Cummings could also be asked to give evidence. – i news
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The Times says there is concern in Downing Street over the “paper trail” regarding the PM’s flat renovations. The paper says there are claims the joint Tory Party chairman Ben Elliot warned the PM in February 2020 that plans to fund the renovation through donations were “madness”. – Times
Apple profits double as it squares up to Facebook – Read on
Nestlé to cut almost 600 jobs as it closes UK factory and moves some production to Europe – Read on
Man’s best friend: Brits put a premium on pets even as household spend slips – Read on
Man City fight back to lead PSG in CL semi-final – Read on
Arsenal beat struggling West Ham to boost CL hopes – Read on
Turkey to replace Canada on 2021 F1 calendar – 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