Brief. Me - December 21, 2025 4:03 pm
Union flag must fly on all UK state buildings, ministers say – and planning permission now needed for EU flag
Ministers have ordered the union flag to be flown every day on all UK government buildings in Britain under new guidance that also states planning permission will be needed to fly an EU flag.
Currently, union flags are only required to be flown on designated days, but new guidance will ask for it to be flown all the time as a “proud reminder of our history and the ties that bind us”. – The Independent
Alexei Navalny’s health rapidly deteriorating in jail, lawyers say
The health of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is deteriorating as he serves his prison sentence in a Russian, his lawyers have said.
Navalny was sentenced to a two-and-half-year jail term last month for violating the terms of his probation as he was recovering from a nerve agent attack in Germany.
He is serving the sentence at a penal colony in Pokrov, about 85 kilometres east of Moscow, known for its harsh detention conditions. Earlier this month, Navalny described it as a “concentration camp”. – Euronews
Biden to Face Questioning at First News Conference
Joe Biden is set to go before reporters Thursday in the East Room of the White House for the first news conference since taking office in January.
While Biden has restored daily briefings by his press secretary and answered questions in other formats, he is the first president in four decades to make it this far into his first term without holding a formal question-and-answer session with members of the news media. – VOA
Owner of ship stuck in Egypt’s Suez Canal offers apology
The Japanese owner of a skyscraper-sized cargo ship wedged across Egypt’s Suez Canal has apologized for the incident that’s imperling global shipping.
Shoei Kisen, apologized on Thursday over the “tremendous worry” that the accident has caused to the other vessels and their involved parties. – Arab News
Taiwan says it has begun mass production of long-range missile
Taiwan has begun the mass production of a long-range missile and is developing three other models, a senior official said on Thursday (Mar 25), in a rare admission of efforts to develop strike capacity amid growing Chinese pressure.
China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military activity near the island, as it tries to force the government in Taipei to accept Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. – CNA
Nike, H&M face China fury over Xinjiang cotton ‘concerns’
Retail giants Nike and H&M are facing a backlash in China after they expressed concern about the alleged use of forced Uighur labour in the production of Xinjiang cotton.
Many Chinese have called for boycotts, celebrities have cut ties, and e-commerce platforms have dropped H&M. – BBC World
Covid-19: EU leaders to discuss boosting vaccine supplies
BBC News says EU leaders are to hold virtual talks to discuss ways of boosting Covid vaccine supplies and improving the rollout of doses across the 27-nation bloc.
The European Commission will ask leaders to support plans for added controls on vaccine exports, which could affect supply to the UK.
Boris Johnson earlier warned against imposing “blockades”. The virtual summit comes as a third wave of coronavirus infections sweeps across much of mainland Europe.
PM Johnson doesn’t rule out sending British troops to Yemen if ‘conditions were right’
Arab News says Boris Johnson has said the government would look at sending troops to Yemen if the conditions were right.
He said the situation would have to be very different before British military involvement would be considered.
“There has been no specific request or suggestion for UK engagement, but it is certainly something that we would be prepared to look at if the conditions were right,” Johnson said.
North Korea test-fires suspected ballistic missiles, in challenge to Biden’s US
France24 says North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea Thursday, in what would be its first substantive provocation to the new US administration of Joe Biden.
Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga said the launches threaten “peace and safety in Japan and the region,” and that Tokyo will closely coordinate with Washington and Seoul on the North’s testing activities.
Officials at an emergency National Security Council meeting in Seoul expressed “deep concern” that the North conducted missile launches while the Biden administration is looking to complete a policy review on North Korea.
Saudi Arabia says restaurant, salon and barbershop workers must be vaccinated
Arab News says starting in mid-May, coronavirus vaccinations will be mandatory for all barbershop, salon, restaurant, cafe and food outlet workers in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing said on Wednesday.
Workers will be required to be vaccinated in order to protect public health and curb the spread of the virus. Those who are not vaccinated before the deadline must provide a negative PCR test result every seven days at the expense of the employer.
‘Brazil is suffocating’: COVID surge creates severe oxygen crisis
Aljazeera says earlier this year, the jungle city of Manaus sent shockwaves across the globe when hospitals ran out of oxygen with lethal consequences – turning the city into the world’s COVID-19 epicentre.
Two months on, Brazil’s COVID catastrophe has never been worse. Now, with new coronavirus variants and a series of grim records of deaths and infections, there are fears that a lack of oxygen supplies seen in Manaus, the Amazonas state capital, could unfold elsewhere.
Brazil is approaching 300,000 COVID deaths and it set another weekly record last week with 2,255 deaths and 513,408 new cases. A lack of sufficient oxygen, intubation drugs and medical supplies could push Brazil’s hospitals closer to collapse in the coming weeks.
Killing of seven-year-old girl in Myanmar crackdown triggers outrage
TRT World says the shooting death of a seven-year-old girl in her own home has triggered fresh outrage at Myanmar’s military crackdown, with at least 20 children reported killed since the junta took charge last month.
The regime has unleashed a deadly wave of violence as it struggles to quell nationwide protests against the February 1 ouster and arrest of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The 75-year-old Nobel laureate has a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday as she faces a series of criminal charges that could see her permanently barred from political office.
Virginia Becomes First Southern US State to Abolish Death Penalty
VOA says Virginia is the first state in the U.S. South to abolish the death penalty.
Democratic Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill outlawing capital punishment in the state, saying it was “the moral thing to do.”
Virginia is the 23rd U.S. state to abolish the death penalty. Virginia has carried out more executions — nearly 1,400 — than any other state since its founding as a colony in the early 1600s.
Live Updates
- PM: No decision on pubs
- Jay Leno ‘sorry’ about Asian-American jokes
- Johnny Depp loses case to appeal libel decision
- Over 50s told to book jab before supplies dip
Covid: Jab passports possible ‘after all offered vaccine’
Merkel defneds vaccine rollout
- Covid-19: EU leaders to discuss boosting vaccine supplies
- PM Johnson doesn’t rule out sending British troops to Yemen if ‘conditions were right’
Many of Thursday’s front pages lead on the prospect of pubs being able to ban drinkers who have not had a Covid vaccination or a recent negative test.
The PM’s suggestion that people may have to prove they have been vaccinated before they can visit a pub makes a number of the front pages.
The Times says the prime minister’s comments mark a “significant change of approach” – after he appeared to rule out the idea just a month ago.
The Daily Telegraph agrees it is a “stark departure”, with ministers previously insisting that vaccine certificates would be “discriminatory”, and out of step with British values.
The paper says Mr Johnson’s tacit approval has “triggered a backlash” from lockdown-sceptic MPs, who argue that giving landlords the power to demand proof of vaccination would take the UK down a “dangerous path” to a “two-tier” system.
According to the Guardian, vaccine certificates could allow pubs to bypass social-distancing rules, and allow customers to crowd together. “No jab, no pint” is the headline in the Sun
Jay Leno apologises for offensive jokes about Asian people and ‘knew it was wrong’ – Read on
Johnny Depp to find out if he can appeal against ‘wife beater’ ruling – Read on
Britney Spears asks judge to end father’s control over her finances and personal life – Read on
Nationwide tells 13,000 staff to ‘work anywhere’ – BBC Business
COVID-19: Holiday gamble for Ryanair as it reveals ‘expanded’ summer schedule – Sky Business
Nike sees social media storm in China over Xinjiang statement – Reuters
Belgium fights back to beat Wales in opening World Cup qualifier – Read on
NHL referee banned after being caught saying he was targeting one team – Read on
Mitrovic scores twice as Republic of Ireland lose in Serbia – Read on
WHAT TRAVEL IS POSSIBLE FROM 29 MARCH? – The Independent
Coronavirus: Summer foreign travel should be ruled out, says Robin Swann – BBC News
COVID-19: Holidays abroad – when will Britons be able to leave the country? Here are the key dates to watch – Sky News
YOUR QUESTIONS answered
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