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Monday morning news briefing: Police start coronavirus spot checks

Boris Johnson faces 'certain' defeat if he refuses demands of rebel MPs - BLOWER
Boris Johnson faces 'certain' defeat if he refuses demands of rebel MPs - BLOWER

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Neighbours told to call police on isolation cheats

Coronavirus rule-breakers face a crackdown from today. Neighbours are being encouraged by the Government to report Covid sufferers who are not self-isolating to the police on the day it becomes an offence punishable with a fine of up to £10,000. Police will also conduct spot checks in areas with high infection rates and in high-risk groups. It comes amid concerns that people are becoming increasingly fatigued by lockdown measures and suggestions by Boris Johnson that the virus is spreading because people are not abiding by the rules. The new legal duty to self-isolate has, like other coronavirus restrictions, not been subject to a vote in Parliament. Political Editor Gordon Rayner reports that the Prime Minister has been warned that he faces "certain" defeat in Parliament this week if he refuses demands to give MPs more of a say.

Around one in four Britons is experiencing extra curbs on their movements, with many no longer able to socialise with friends or meet with family members who do not live in their home. But Science Editor Sarah Knapton explains that analysis shows local lockdowns are not working to suppress coronavirus cases - with just one town managing to break free of restrictions and cases continuing to rise for most. As the new 10pm cut-off led to chaotic scenes over the weekend, Public Health England surveillance showed that pubs and restaurants caused less than three per cent of infections in the week before curfew was announced.

Donald Trump 'paid just $750 in income tax'

Donald Trump paid just $750 (£587) in federal income tax during his first year as president, according to his tax returns obtained by The New York Times. It reports he paid no income tax at all in 10 of the previous 15 years. Mr Trump has fought hard to keep his tax affairs private and is the only modern president to refuse to release his returns, describing attempts to force him to open them up as a "witch hunt". The revelation comes two days before the first election debate, which Washington Correspondent Rozina Sabur says could be a pivotal moment.

Chilly French Open gets a frosty reception

As the rescheduled French Open got under way, tennis became a winter sport. On the sunken courts, some soaked, bone-chilled players tried to pretend that it was just another day at the office. Others complained about the weather. Belarus's Victoria Azarenka, the former world No 1, refused to wait on court until conditions improved, saying: "I live in Florida, I'm used to hot weather." Many players wore extra clothing, with even Andy Murray wearing tights as he was badly defeated.

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Police killing | The man suspected of shooting dead Sergeant Matt Ratana at a police station has been named as Louis de Zoysa, the eldest of five children from a middle-class south London family. Born in Croydon, the 23-year-old Catholic former churchgoer is believed to be severely autistic. Yesterday, players at East Grinstead Rugby Club held a minute's silence in memory of Sgt Ratana, who was head coach at the club.

Around the world: All-out war looms in Armenia

Armenia's prime minister called on citizens to "defend our sacred homeland" after heavy fighting with Azerbaijan brought the two countries to the brink of all-out war. Read our report by Abbie Cheeseman and view more world pictures in our daily gallery.

Armenian defence volunteers assemble - MELIK BAGHDASARYAN/REUTERS
Armenian defence volunteers assemble - MELIK BAGHDASARYAN/REUTERS

Comment and analysis

In case you missed it: Highlights from the weekend

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. How to stave off winter dread | Techniques for keeping anxiety at bay

  2. Eating disorders | Freddie Flintoff: 'How I kept my bulimia a secret'

  3. Migraines and menopause Heart attack risk factors every woman should know

Business and money briefing

Retail | A second wave of Covid-19 will be a "knockout punch" to Britain's beleaguered high streets, with one in 10 stores at risk of never reopening. Some 12m square metres of floor space - equivalent to more than 400 shops the size of the flagship John Lewis department store on Oxford Street - will no longer be needed, according to property experts.

Sport briefing

The game's gone | A group of the Premier League’s most senior managers are ready to make a direct appeal to football's governing bodies to overrule "ludicrous" changes to the handball law. Steve Bruce, the Newcastle United manager, called the new Premier League interpretation of the rule "a total nonsense" even after his team salvaged a draw with a penalty in added time against Tottenham Hotspur.

Tonight's dinner

Red mullet with chilli, parsley and linguine | This simple dish by Diana Henry combines tender fish with herbs. Read on for the recipe.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

Planet Normal | Where's Boris?, came the cry loud and clear this week. Listeners yearn for that ebullient fellow who promised to "get Brexit done" and now seems capable of only doing what his scientific advisers tell him. Boris used to take gleeful aim at "gloomsters and doomsters". Now, it appears that he is their hostage. Listen to the latest episode of Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's podcast.