Brief. Me Better Faster December 26, 2025 12:00 pm
Regular exercise may cut COVID-19 death risk by a third, major study finds
Regular exercise reduces the chances of dying from infectious diseases such as COVID-19 by more than a third and makes people 31% less likely to catch the virus, a major study has found. – Sky News
‘We have a deal’: EU to cut emissions by ‘at least 55%’ by 2030
EU leaders and Parliament’s negotiators on Wednesday reached an agreement to set into law the bloc’s objectives to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent compared to 1990s level. – Euronews
US Trying to Insulate Electrical Grid From Cyberattacks
With America’s electrical infrastructure getting zapped daily by an unprecedented number of cyberattacks, the federal government is taking action to prevent a potentially crippling hack of the grid. – VOA
New oil price surge caps year of recovery since ‘Black Monday’
Oil prices resumed their surge on global markets on Tuesday as traders shrugged off the memory of “Black Monday” 2020, when some crude prices went into negative territory at the start of the pandemic recession. – Arab News
Taiwan’s worst drought in decades deepens chip shortage jitters
In the foothills of Taiwan’s mountainous spine, reservoirs are running dry as the island experiences its worst drought in decades – a crisis that risks deepening an already acute global semiconductor shortage. – CNA
TikTok sued for billions overuse of children’s data
TikTok is facing a legal challenge from former children’s commissioner for England Anne Longfield over how it collects and uses children’s data.
The claim is being filed on behalf of millions of children in the UK and EU who have used the hugely popular video-sharing app.
If successful, the children affected could each be owed thousands of pounds – BBC World
George Floyd: Jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty of murder
BBC News says a US jury has found a former police officer guilty of murder over the death of African-American George Floyd on a Minneapolis street last year.
Derek Chauvin, 45, was filmed kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes during his arrest last May.
The 12-member jury took less than a day to reach their verdict, which followed a highly charged, three-week trial that left Minneapolis on edge.
He will remain in custody until he is sentenced and could spend decades in jail.
Read the full story on BBC news
All six English clubs out of SuperLeague
WTX News says Manchester City were the first club to formally pull out after Chelsea had signalled their intent to do so by preparing documentation to withdraw.
This was after huge demonstrations outside Stamford Bridge earlier this evening.
The other four sides – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham – are set to follow, with a statement expected later on Tuesday.
The backlash the clubs and the owners received was incredible. Unity amongst all others in football to defy the American led agenda.
Read the full story on WTX News
Experts urge Sadiq Khan to cancel new Silvertown road tunnel
The Independent says Sadiq Khan is being urged to ditch plans for a new road tunnel in east London on the grounds that it will make it harder to meet the UK’s climate goals.
Experts have warned that the Silvertown Tunnel will encourage more people to drive and increase traffic and pollution on surrounding roads.
They argue that the new link – which will be for motor traffic only with no access for pedestrians and cyclists – is the wrong sort of infrastructure to be building if the UK is to get serious about the climate emergency.
Read the full story on the Independent
India Covid surge hits new record as oxygen runs short
France24 says India’s brutal new Covid outbreak set new records on Wednesday with more than 2,000 deaths in 24 hours as hospitals in New Delhi ran perilously low on oxygen.
India has been in the grips of a second wave of infections blamed on lax government rules and a new “double mutant” virus variant, adding almost 3.5 million new cases this month alone.
Read the full story on France24
Saudi Arabia calls for Iran to engage in talks, avoid escalation
Arab News says Saudi Arabia renewed its call for Iran to engage in ongoing negotiations in Vienna, avoid escalation and not expose the region to more tension.
This came following a council of ministers meeting, chaired by King Salman on Tuesday.
The Cabinet reiterated that it is closely following the current developments related to Iran’s nuclear program, citing the emphasis of the Kingdom’s call for Iran to get involved in the current negotiations, prevent escalation and desist from jeopardizing the regional security and stability to further tension.
Read the full story on the Arab News
Pandemic has led to ‘dramatic deterioration’ of press freedom worldwide
TRT World says with governments taking advantage of the virus to clamp down on reporters’ access to information, the pandemic has also seen a decline in public trust.
Journalism is completely or partly blocked in 73 per cent of 180 countries due to the pandemic, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a report on Tuesday.
The group’s 2021 World Press Freedom Index reflected a dramatic decline in news coverage due to the coronavirus pandemic being used “as grounds to block access to information, sources and reporting in the field.”
Read the full story on TRT World
Search for Survivors of Capsized Ship Ends
VOA says the U.S. Coast Guard in Louisiana announced late Monday it had suspended the search and rescue operation for eight people still missing from a commercial lift ship that capsized in a violent storm off the coast one week ago.
Last Tuesday, the Seacor Power capsized about 20 kilometres off the coast with 19 people on board in water about 15 meters deep. A Coast Guard ship and so-called “good Samaritan” vessels in the area that responded to the ship’s distress call that day rescued six people. A body was also recovered from the Gulf of Mexico.
Since that time, four other bodies were recovered.
Read the full story on VOA
Live Update
George Floyd: Jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty of murder
All six English clubs out of SuperLeague
Experts urge Sadiq Khan to cancel new Silvertown road tunnel
India Covid surge hits new record as oxygen runs short
Saudi Arabia calls for Iran to engage in talks, avoid escalation
Pandemic has led to ‘dramatic deterioration’ of press freedom worldwide
Most of Wednesday’s front pages cover the story of the ESL being left in ‘tatters’ after all clubs start to pull out. The papers went to print before all six English clubs quit the ESL. The other main story this morning is the conviction of Derek Chavin, who was found guilty on all three counts of George Floyd’s murder.
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European Super League ‘in tatters’
The Guardian leads with the ESL. The paper says the ESL is “on the brink of collapse” after Man City and Chelsea pulled out. The paper reports that the PM would drop “a legislative bomb” to stop the league. – The Guardian
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The i newspaper says “own goal” as it reports the UK government is prepared to change the law on football club ownership, towards the German model of fan control or by introducing a “golden share to give supporters a veto over major decisions.” Also featured, the news of Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict in Floyd’s death. – The i
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The Metro says “they think it’s all over” playing on BBC commentary from the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. Chelsea fans demonstrated before the match against Brighton last night, the paper adds. Elsewhere, the paper marks “95 glorious years” of the Queen – as she celebrates her birthday. – the Metro
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The Times says the “Super League crumbles as clubs bow to fan fury.” Many newspapers will have been sending their first editions to print around the time Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd, as the news came in late in the UK. The Times says Chauvin showed little emotion during the trial, will be sentenced later, and is expected to appeal. – the Times
Netflix: Shares plunge as subscribers switch off – BBC Business
Downing Street cancels televised press briefings after spending £2.6m on new studio – City AM
COVID-19: Primark to return £121m in furlough cash as reopening sparks ‘record sales’ – Sky Business
Chelsea go fourth in draw with Brighton on dramatic night for European football – Read on
Ed Woodward: Manchester United executive vice-chairman to stand down at end of 2021 – Read on
World Snooker Championship: Stuart Bingham beats Ding Junhui – 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