Author: WTX News

9/11 anniversary plans cut back amid Covid-19 concerns This year’s 9/11 anniversary commemoration has had to be cut back due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  The 19th anniversary of the terror attacks will be marked by duelling ceremonies at the September 11 memorial plaza and a corner near the World Trade Centre, reflecting a divide over the memorial’s decision to suspend the tradition of relatives reading victims’ names in person.  Vice President Mike Pence is expected to be at both remembrances in New York and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the observance on the memorial plaza.  President Donald Trump…

China and India agree to ‘quickly disengage’ at disputed border China and India agreed in a joint statement from their Foreign Ministers on Friday that their troops must “quickly disengage” from a months-long standoff at the disputed Himalayan border.  The ministers met in Moscow to try and end the dispute, the most serious in decades at the border.  “The two Foreign Ministers agreed that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side. They agreed therefore that the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue, quickly disengage, maintain proper distance and ease…

UK economy grew 6.6% in July, continues to recover for a third straight month The UK economy grew by 6.6% in July, according to official figures, but the output is still far below pre-pandemic levels.  It is the third month in a row that the economy has grown.  But the ONS said the UK “has still only recovered just half of the lost output caused by the coronavirus.”  When businesses such as hairdressers, pubs and restaurants reopened in July they contribute to the growth.  But the UK economy is still 11.7% smaller than it was in February and growth in…

Friday, 11 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Friday 11 September 2020 News Briefing – Today’s headlines are dominated by the global Coronavirus Pandemic. As of 6:30 am (GMT), these are the global active numbers. Global COVID-19 UPDATE Coronavirus Cases: 28,329,602 Deaths: 913,927 Recovered: 20,244,383 Mexico reports nearly 5,000 new Covid-19 cases Tokyo to ease voluntary measures on travel and dining as cases slow India orders states to expand coronavirus testing MPs want furlough extended to minimise job losses North Korea issues shoot-to-kill orders to prevent virus Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is still…

Massive fire erupts at Beirut explosion site A massive fire has erupted at Beirut’s port – the site of the massive explosion that killed nearly 200 people last month.  The Lebanese army said on Thursday the blaze erupted at a warehouse storing oils and tyres in the port’s Duty-Free area.  Several workers told local media that there had been clearance efforts happening inside the warehouse to remove debris from last month’s explosion, at which point the fire caught.  As was the case with last months disaster, firefighters arrived on the scene without knowing what was on fire – though “we…

Trump nominated for 2021 Nobel Peace Prize by far-right Norwegian lawmaker Christian Tybring-Gjedde- a far-right Norwegian lawmaker – has nominated US President Donald Trump for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East. He said Trump should be considered because of his work “for a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel which opens up for possible peace in the Middle East.” Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed last month to a historic deal normalising relations and are scheduled to sign it at a White House ceremony next week. “No matter how Trump…

8,000 jumbo jets will be needed to deliver vaccine globally – in ‘biggest transport challenge ever’ –  says IATA Shipping a Covid-19 vaccine around the world will be the “largest transport challenge ever” according to the airline industry.  The equivalent of 8,000 Boeing 747’2 will be needed according to the International Air Transport  Association (IATA).  Whilst there is no Covid-19 vaccine just yet, the IATA is working with airlines, airports, global health bodies and drug firms on a global airlift plan.  The plan assumes only one dose per person is needed.  “Safely delivering Covid-19 vaccines will be the mission of…

3 more confirmed dead in California’s record-breaking wildfires, amid 20-year mega-drought Three people have died in a California wildfire that has forced thousands from their homes, authorities say.  Two people were found dead at one location and a third was found elsewhere, according to the sheriff of Butte County – northeast of San Francisco.  Police told local media that one of the three victims was a motorist who was apparently trying to escape the Bear Fire.  States across the US Pacific Northwest are currently fighting record-breaking wildfires.  California is experiencing more than two dozen wildfires amid being in the middle…

Thursday, 10 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Thursday 10 September 2020 News Briefing – Today’s headlines are dominated by the global Coronavirus Pandemic. As of 6:30 am (GMT), these are the global active numbers. Global COVID-19 UPDATE Coronavirus Cases: 28,026,967 Deaths: 908,002 Recovered: 20,104,939 The reason behind this year’s massive floods of the Niger Coronavirus ‘emergency’ puts Jakarta back in lockdown Williams reachs US Open semis Morocco extends health emergency as virus cases spike Lily and David get married Boris pinning hopes on £100bn ‘moonshot’ to avoid a second wave Previous…

Police chief quits after protests over death of Daniel Prude Rochester, New York’s, police chief La’Ron Singletary handed in his resignation on Tuesday along with his command staff saying there had been a “mischaracterisation and politicisation” of his actions following the death of Daniel Prude in police custody.  Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren told a City Council meeting that she had not asked the chief to resign, though she said there was “information that was brought to light today that I have not previously seen before.” But, she failed to elaborate.  Rochester erupted with protests last week after body camera footage…

Wednesday, 9 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFING Wednesday 9 September 2020 News Briefing – Today’s headlines are dominated by the global Coronavirus Pandemic. As of 6:30 am (GMT), these are the global active numbers. Global COVID-19 UPDATE Coronavirus Cases: 27,740,264 Deaths: 901,871 Recovered: 19,833,287 Oxford vaccine trial paused after participants fall ill US to announce plan to withdraw more US troops from Iraq Thousands of migrants flee massive fire at Lesbos camp Tokyo Games should be held ‘at any cost’ says Olympic minister Gatherings of more than 6 to be banned in…

Migrants sent to sea to quarantine, blamed for rising Covid-19 cases, as Italy’s refugee crisis deepens — ‘No one wants them here’  Refugees and migrants in Italy are being squeezed onto small Italian coastguard boats as officers in covered in white protection gear and preparing to take them to the Rhapsody ferry. There, almost 800 refugees and migrants will enter a 14-day quarantine.  Ahmed is one of the refugees being taken to Rhapsody ferry from one of Lampedusa’s ports. Refugees and migrants have been removed from the overcrowded reception centre in Lampedusa due to lack of space, and now must…

California wildfires burn through 2 million acres, as blazes continue to spread California’s wildfires are burning through a record number of acres this year as firefighters continue to battle several large blazes across the state.  CalFire – the state’s department of forestry and fire protection – says more than two million acres have burned, that’s more than the size of Deleware.  On fire, El Dorado, which has spread over 7,000 acres, was started by a gender reveal party, officials say.  California is also experiencing a record heatwave. Los Angeles County reported its highest ever temperature of 49.4C on Sunday. Temperatures…

Tuesday, 8 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFINGTuesday 8 September News Briefing – Today’s headlines are dominated by the global Coronavirus Pandemic. As of 6:30 am (GMT), these are the global active numbers.Global COVID-19 UPDATECoronavirus Cases:  27,492,982Deaths: 896,926Recovered: 19,592,280 Bali Covid-19 surge blamed on inaccurate testing for visitorsKing Salaman and Putin discuss vaccineGlobal Covid.19 deaths pass 890,000Beauty blogger dies at 17 Previous Next Headlines: What the papers say? Global deaths pass 890,000.Virus warning from scientists as UK cases rise.Could saliva tests be a Covid-19 game-changer in France?King Salaman and Putin discuss oil partnership, vaccine production.Bali Covid-19 surge blamed…

New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Arden restart campaign with holiday promise New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Arden has restarted her campaign for the country’s general election. The campaign had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  On Monday, the prime minister promised to make the Maori New Year a public holiday.  Electioneering had barely started last month when a sudden Covid-19 outbreak forced Auckland into lockdown and brought a temporary halt to campaigning.  The pandemic forced Arden to delay the election by four weeks to October 17 so her government could focus on containing the Auckland infections, which ended 102 days…

Biden leads by 10 points nationally, defends lead against Trump’s ‘law-and-order’ attack following US protests The US presidential campaign has been may have been silenced by the coronavirus pandemic, but not for much longer. After Labour Day, the US presidential race will enter a new public phase, as Joe Biden defends his polling lead against a fierce attack by President Trump aimed primarily at white voters in the Midwest.  Private polls conducted for both parties during and after their August conventions found the race fairly stable but tightening in some states, with Trump recovering some support from conservative-leaning rural voters…

Indian Muslim doctor spent 7 months in jail for raising his voice – finally free, harrowing tales of starvation and beatings  Dr Kafeel Khan, an Indian doctor jailed for more than seven months for speaking out against a controversial citizenship law, was released from jail on Tuesday night.  The order for his release came after Allahabad High Court called his incarceration “illegal” and ordered his immediate release. Khan’s lawyer told PTI: “Mathura jail administration informed at around 11.00 pm that Dr Kafeel will be released, and at around midnight, he was released.  Dr Khan told Al Jazeera he was physically…

Man arrested over Birmingham stabbings that killed 1 and left 7 injured A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after one person died and seven were left injured in multiple stabbings across Birmingham.  The man was arrested at an address in the Selly Oak area of the city at about 04:00 BST, West Midlands Police said. He is also being held over seven counts of attempted murder, police confirmed.  What happened? The attacks happened in four different locations across the city centre over 90 minutes on Sunday.  The suspect is being questioned in custody.  Police were first…

Monday, 7 September coronavirus updates BRIEF – ME! – DAILY NEWS BRIEFINGMonday 7 September 2020 News Briefing – Today’s headlines are dominated by the global Coronavirus Pandemic. As of 6:30 am (GMT), these are the global active numbers.Global COVID-19 UPDATECoronavirus Cases: 26,295,999Deaths: 887,593Recovered: 19,379,209 Kamala Harris hits Trump administration over Covid-19 responseFears UK government lost control as Covid-19 cases soarIndia overtakes Brazil as country second-worst-hit by Covid-19Rihanna injured after electric scooter accident Previous Next Headlines: What the papers say? Police see a 21% rise in assaults on officers during Covid-19 lockdown.Fears UK government lost control as Covid-19 cases soar.UAE records 513 new…

17 people were killed and dozens were injured after a gas pipeline reportedly exploded at a mosque in Bangladesh, officials said on Saturday. “I saw smoke was belching out of the mosque after the sudden explosion with a big bang and people were screaming. Some were rolling on the street as they tried to put out the flames on their bodies,” said local resident Mohammad Ratan. Fire officials said gas that accumulated from a leak in a pipeline running underneath the mosque likely triggered the explosion. The explosion, which fire service officials suspect was caused by leakage from a pipeline,…

Brief. Sunday Papers BrIEf.Me In today’s briefing update, the Sunday Papers see Brexit back in the headlines as the PM’s chief negotiator warms of a ‘no-blink’ exit, MPs unite for free speech — as reports that climate group Extinction Rebellion could be treated as an organised crime group in the future.   In our special feature, we look at global coronavirus updates.  ……………………………………… PM wants EU to get real The Sunday Express leads with reports that Boris Johnson will consider “staring the [EU] of access to cheap money on the financial markets,” in the event no long-term trade deal can be…

Insta Talk Episode 3: Live with Princess Diana’s fashion legacy &  Hope at the heart of Beirut On this week’s episode, Dyna Fayz is speaking to Ghayd Chammas, the man behind El 3ama to discover what’s happening on the ground in Beirut, a month after the disaster. Lebanese artist Christine Jamil is here to discuss how art and tragedy often come together and talks us through how painting has helped her process the Beirut blast.  Our fashion expert Rana is here to discuss the fashion legacy of the late Princess Diana of Wales and where you can shop to get…

A white professor admits to pretending to be black- but only because she got caught, says a former friend A white history professor who teaches African, Caribbean and diaspora history pretended to be a black woman for years, reopening the debate into the appropriation of race and identity in the United States.  George Washington University professor Jessica Krug admitted in a blog post on Medium that for the better part of her adult life “every move I’ve made, every relationship I’ve formed, has been rooted in the napalm toxic soil of lies.”  The university has said Krug’s revelations were now…

Iran’s coronavirus death toll tops 22,000- officials say schools will still open on Saturday Iran’s death toll from Covid-19 rose by 118 to 22,044 health ministry spokeswoman told state TV on Friday. The total number of known cases has now reached 382,772.  Sima Sadat Lari said 2,026 new cases have been identified in the past 24 hours in Iran, one of the Middle East’s hardest-hit countries.  Despite the risk of further spreading Covid-19 – that has some parents worried, Iranian authorities said schools would be open on Saturday under strict health protocols allowing them to operate safely.   …………………….. FOLLOW US…

France shuts 22 schools – just days after reopening – due to virus outbreaks France has shut 22 schools, just days after reopening, due to cases of Covid-19, French education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Friday.  “In mainland France, there are currently 12 schools closed out of a total of over 60,000, which is a small figure. Adding 10 schools in La Reunion (island), that makes it 22,” Blanquer told Europe 1 radio.  Up to 130 classes have also been halted within schools and the minister said the authorities were checking around 250 incidents related to Covid-19 in schools every…