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Main article: France bans passengers and trade for 48 hours
Good morning to all. I am Martin Farrer and this is the most outstanding news of this morning.
Boris Johnson will hold a meeting of the government’s emergency committee, Cobra, this morning to address the growing coronavirus crisis in the country, as European travel bans. threatened the constant flow of goods. Ministers are grappling not only with a pandemic that Health Secretary Matt Hancock described yesterday as “out of control” in parts of England, but with the new threat of how a French ban on freight to Britain will affect the already precarious supply lines for essential goods. Truck queues of thousands of kilometers and travel chaos were expected this morning in Kent after the French decision to restrict trade in addition to banning passenger traffic in line with other European countries. Carriers and the food and beverage industry have warned it could have a “devastating” effect on supplies during the holiday period.
Travel bans to France, Germany, Italy, and non-European countries, including Israel, came as the latest figures showed that the new variant of Covid-19 has led to a large increase in cases, especially in London and south-east England. Ministers have admitted that the latest lockdown measures could last for months and have drawn fresh criticism from the Labor Party and the Prime Minister’s own party on how the crisis has been handled, in particular Saturday’s “extremely egregious” U-turn in the Christmas gatherings. Newspaper front pages also paint a grim picture for the government this morning. London business owners and residents have also criticized the government’s “incompetence”. Scientists are still investigating the new strain of the virus, which is believed to be 70% more transmissible, although newly developed vaccines are expected to continue to offer protection. A sudden spike in the case in Thailand has sparked a bombardment of evidence as officials still struggle to contain an outbreak in Sydney, Australia. Distribution of the Moderna vaccine approved last week has begun in the United States, but daily cases could reach as many as 5,000. Follow the latest news on our live blog.
Brexit limbo – The latest deadline in the Brexit trade deal talks passed with no deal being reached last night, as negotiators reportedly slowly moved towards a compromise on fishing rights. The two sides will resume talks in Brussels today despite last night’s inconclusive outcome, meaning Britain could start 2021 without any agreement in place. The European Parliament has said it will not vote on any agreement reached after Sunday’s deadline. A major problem remains the EU’s threat to impose tariffs on British products if the UK government blocks access to fishing waters.
‘McMafia’ fault – Britain’s first McMafia-style ‘dirty money’ investigation could force a woman who spent £ 1 million a year at Harrods to give up her £ 15 million home unless she reveals the source of her fortune. Zamira Hajiyeva, the wife of a former head of the Azerbaijan state bank jailed for fraud, has lost her appeal against an unexplained estate order that forces her to reveal how she got so much money. If she fails to comply, the National Crime Agency may seize properties worth £ 22 million, including her home in Knightsbridge in central London and a £ 11 million golf course in Berkshire.
Stimulus offer – Leaders of the US Congress believe they have reached an agreement on a $ 900 billion coronavirus aid package after concluding marathon negotiations last night. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said “help is on the way” after the four leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives finalized an agreement for a major rescue package for the virus-ravaged US economy. The settlement includes direct payments of $ 600 to individuals, an unemployment compensation supplement of $ 300 per week, and payroll assistance for struggling local media. It is the second largest economic stimulus in US history, after the $ 2.3 trillion Cares Act passed in March.
EPP Mystery – A little-known company with mysterious investors and ties to the Isle of Man has won £ 200 million government contracts to supply the UK with personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE Medpro was one of the companies placed in a “high priority lane” for well-connected businesses, although it has not disclosed the identities of the financiers and entrepreneurs behind the company. It is not clear how its offer to supply PPE was processed through a channel created for companies referred by politicians and senior officials.
Happy Hamilton – Lewis Hamilton won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, culminating in a year in which he became Formula One racing world champion for the seventh time and emerged as an increasingly strong critic of the lack of diversity of your sport. Hamilton removed the challenges in public voting from cricketer Stuart Broad and jockey Hollie Doyle, among others, but the latter was nevertheless a big winner for raising the profile of her sport. Hamilton said: “I am very grateful to the British public. I know there has been a lot of support … for them to call tonight and give me this great honor, I am truly very grateful.
Today in Focus Podcast
Throughout 2020, we have reported on the shocking developments as Covid-19 swept across Britain, changing our way of life in an instant. In this episode, we revisit the people who helped us tell the story, from Wuhan, ICU wards, nursing homes, and unemployment claims to a blind date that led to romance.
The people who helped us report on the pandemic
Lunchtime Reading: Michael Palin’s Proper Swan Song
The BBC screening last night of Michael Palin; Journey of a Lifetime provides Lucy Mangan with the opportunity to celebrate one of our national treasures and her contribution to the travel genre. It is, he notes, a fitting swan song, but his thoughts are filled with nostalgia as we look back on a year when we could barely leave our homes, regardless of the journey through the majestic Himalayas.
Sport
Ole Gunnar Solskjær described Manchester United’s 6-2 win over Leeds as one of the “great performances” against their Pennines rivals, with his team climbing to third place in the Premier League. The family of another United legend, Nobby Stiles, say they have been told his brain was badly damaged by repeated heads of the ball. Spurs coach José Mourinho lamented his team’s slow start when they lost 2-0 to Leicester, while Sam Allardyce’s reign at West Brom began with a sobering 3-0 home loss to Aston Villa. Joe Montemurro was in good spirits after Arsenal provided much-needed Christmas cheer for club fans with a 4-0 win against Everton in the final Women’s Super League game of the year. Tiger Woods has enjoyed a commanding career in golf, but added a new memory after he and his 11-year-old son, Charlie, completed five shots behind world number three Justin Thomas and his father during an exhibition event at Orlando on Sunday.
Deal
Codemasters, the British gaming company behind the maker of Formula One racing games, has been the subject of a £ 945 million takeover by an American rival as the industry emerges as one of the economic winners of the crisis. of the coronavirus. The FTSE100 looks set to lose 1.1% this morning due to concerns about the pandemic in Britain and the continued delay on Brexit. The pound has also suffered, falling 1.2% to $ 1,335 and is also out of place against the euro at 1,095 euros.
The papers
The normally sober FOOT It has the headline “‘Out of Control’ Covid 19 variant means sidewalks will remain for months,” which sets the tone for the rest of today’s front pages. the Quick says “Millions face the misery of confinement for two long months” and the Mail says: “The worst Noel and the agony of recent months!”. the Mirror goes harder with “Sick man of Europe” underneath a photo of Boris Johnson wearing a mask, while the Star He also attacks the government with “What a bunch of trinkets.”
the guardian focuses on the European travel ban – “Nations ban travel from the UK as new strain of virus takes hold” – as does me – “Europe imposed travel bans on the UK for fear of new strains of Covid” – and Telegraph: “UK hit by virus travel ban in Europe”. the Times says “Europe closes the door on Britain” and Sun has “the French show no merci.” In Scotland the Record declares “Fortress Scotland” and the Herald says: “Levels may face an ax as the new ‘too infectious’ Covid strain.
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