NewsFix: Tuesday September 7, 2021
Morning all,
Plenty happening today, but the update likely to catch the most attention today is from South Carolina, as the ‘Murdaugh Mysteries’ take yet another turn.
Until tomorrow,
Hilary
ON TODAY’S AGENDA…
- In Brazil, supporters of President Bolsonaro are expected to gather today in Brasília and São Paulo today to rally for the president whose chances of re-election appear to be dwindling. Bolsonaro - who has been compared to Donald Trump on many occasions - was last month added to a list of people being investigated for spreading misinformation. Worth noting: These rallies coincide with Brazil’s independence day, and concerns have been expressed that there could be violence.
- President Biden is expected to visit New York and New Jersey today after the states were badly hit by Hurricane Ida last week.
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to outline England’s social care reforms in a statement to the House of Commons later. It has been widely reported Johnson will announce a 1.25% increase in National Insurance. Why? To tackle the cost of the pandemic. On Monday, the government announced £5.4bn was allocated to help the NHS backlog.
- In Ireland, students who received their Leaving Cert results last week are expected to find out today what CAO options they receive for college courses.
- Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to outline her government’s plan for the year ahead, in a speech to MSPs later today.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
- The Wire actor, Michael K Williams, has died at the age of 54. According to widespread reports, Williams died of a suspected overdose, though that has not been officially confirmed. Williams had spoken openly in the past of his drug abuse, including in a powerful 2012 interview - The Redemption of Michael K Williams.
- Cardi B and her husband Offset have welcome their second child together, a son. The child’s name has not yet been revealed.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE
In Monday’s NewsFix, we outlined claims made by an Armed Forces Minister, James Heappey, that British soldiers had taken their own lives in the last week over the situation in Afghanistan.
Minutes after making the claim on Sky News, Heappey corrected himself on the BBC - after NewsFix was published - saying it was “inaccurate”.
PANDEMIC
- In the US, more than 40 million cases of coronavirus have been recorded.
- In the UK, more than seven million people have now tested positive for coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.
COST OF COVID
The pandemic has cost Ireland’s tourism industry an estimated €13.4bn, according to a new study cited by RTÉ News.
The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation also claimed coronavirus has cost the country 100,000 jobs.
MOST READ
- BBC News: The Wire star Michael K Williams found dead
- The Guardian: The Wire star Michael K Williams dies aged 54
- The Financial Times: The Chinese control revolution: the Maoist echoes of Xi’s power play
- Al Jazeera: Myanmar shadow government calls for uprising against military rule
THE MURDAUGH MYSTERIES
In Monday’s NewsFix, we wrote about the shooting of Alex Murdaugh, a prominent South Carolina lawyer. He survived the shooting on Saturday, but it brought the unsolved June murders of his wife and son back into the headlines.
Remember: Prior to the June murders, son Paul Murdaugh was facing trial over a 2019 drunken boat crash that killed Mallory Beach. Investigations into the June murders also led to authorities finding new information on the unsolved 2015 murder of Stephen Smith.
What’s new?
In another shocking twist, it has been revealed that the day before Saturday’s shooting ,Murdaugh left his firm after being accused of misappropriating “millions”. According to The New York Times, the firm - which hired a forensic accounting firm to investigate concerns - was founded by his great-grandfather more than a century ago.
“The murders of my wife and son have caused an incredibly difficult time in my life. I have made a lot of decisions that I truly regret. I'm resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that has been exacerbated by these murders. I am immensely sorry to everyone I've hurt including my family, friends and colleagues. I ask for prayers as I rehabilitate myself and my relationships.” - Alex Murdaugh’s statement
The exact reason for the rehab stint was not specified.
*The New York Times has the most fascinating article about this story. If you don’t have a subscription, here is another helpful piece.
WORTH A WATCH
This Saturday will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
‘9/11: Inside the President’s War Room’ provides incredible insight into the decision making process of the Bush administration in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.
Featuring first hand testimony from President Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and other senior staff - this 89-minute documentary is not one to be missed.
It is available on BBC iPlayer, and Apple TV.
TODAY MARKS…
- 25 years since American rapper Tupac Shakur was shot six times because of a gang-related incident in a drive-by shooting in LA. The widely revered artist died a few days later, on September 13 1996.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE…
Nailed it.
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