Tuesday evening news briefing: Foreign trips no longer raise Covid risk

Shoppers in Nottingham ahead of Tier 3 restrictions coming in on Thursday - Joe Giddens/PA
Shoppers in Nottingham ahead of Tier 3 restrictions coming in on Thursday - Joe Giddens/PA

If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here. For two-minute audio updates, try The Briefing - on podcasts, smart speakers and WhatsApp.

Covid risk no longer increased by travelling abroad

Going abroad no longer increases the risk of getting Covid-19, the latest formal data reveals. A survey by the Office for National Statistics found the infection rate among those who travelled abroad in the past 30 days is roughly the same as that for people who stayed in the UK. Previous iterations of the long-term study found those who travelled abroad had higher positivity rates. The news may come too late for some destinations, as the fresh data reveals drastic shifts in UK travel behaviour. Read how the pandemic has heralded the death of the city break and return of the two-week beach holiday. One destination travellers may avoid is Italy, after protesters threw petrol bombs and looted shops as demonstrations against the Italian government's tough new anti-virus measures broke out in cities across the country.

Back home, the UK has recorded a further 367 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, its highest figure recorded since May. It comes as the Conservative party is on the cusp of a civil war over the North-South divide, Tory MPs have claimed, after more than 50 backbenchers signed an open letter to Boris Johnson. The Northern Research Group is the biggest threat to Mr Johnson's authority since he came to power. Led by Jake Berry, a former Northern Powerhouse minister, it has led to comparisons with the European Research Group, which was a constant thorn in the side of Theresa May. Yet many MPs have hinted at an entirely different real reason for the group's creation.

What the end of free bank accounts means for you

HSBC could be the first to call an end of free banking in the UK as the Bank of England considers turning rates negative for the first time. Threadneedle Street has already slashed rates to a record low of 0.1pc, damaging banks’ profits and giving savers almost no return on their deposits. Read what HSBC's finance chief Ewan Stevenson said here, as experts warn more banks could follow suit. Here is what the end of free bank accounts would mean for you. Meanwhile, Ben Marlow analyses why HSBC must reform overdraft fees before charging for accounts.

Happily ever after? Belgian king meets secret daughter

Every girl dreams of becoming a princess one day. Yet rather than a dashing prince, Belgium's newest princess has the courts to thank for her new status. She met the country's retired king for the first time since winning her long-running fight to be recognised as his daughter. Albert II refused to admit that Delphine Boël was his secret lovechild for 20 years and only after losing a seven-year court battle that forced him to take a DNA test. Click here to see a photograph of Princess Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg, sitting smiling alongside Albert II and his wife, Queen Paola, in their Brussels residence of Castle Belvédère on Sunday.

At a glance: Latest coronavirus headlines

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Madeleine McCann | Police officers from Scotland Yard have attended a "secret" meeting in Lisbon with their Portuguese and German counterparts to work out where Madeleine McCann could be buried, reports claim. Read on for details of their "one last roll of the dice".

Around the world: Barrett cements Trump's legacy

The Democrats did all they could to stop the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, described as "a momentous day for America" by President Donald Trump with a week to go to the election. Why did they fail? Tim Stanley sets out why she got the job and analyses how the appointment guarantees Donald Trump's legacy.

Tuesday interview

Plotting a fairy-tale slaying of Jurgen Klopp's Goliath

Rasmus Ankersen, left -  Lars Ronbog/FrontzoneSport
Rasmus Ankersen, left - Lars Ronbog/FrontzoneSport

 

Midtjylland chairman Rasmus Ankersen reveals the unconventional methods used at his club as the Champions League minnows take on six-time winners Liverpool

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. 'I'm gonna give you a proper kicking' | Ian Brown's journey from violence to anti-vaxxer

  2. Hamilton vs Schumacher | Weighing up the skills and achievements of two of F1's greats

  3. Feeding the children | 'My pride was hurt when I used a food bank, but I've no money left'

Business and money briefing

Covid economy | The economic damage caused by coronavirus should be published on a daily basis alongside health figures such as infection rates and deaths, according to the boss of Revolution Bars.

Sport briefing

Six Nations | To snatch the Championship title at the end of a protracted Six Nations, England need to hit the ground running. Charlie Morgan analyses how they will attempt to pile points on ItalyDaniel Schofield examines why Eddie Jones continues to snub Exeter players.

Tonight's TV

The Perfect Weapon, Sky Documentaries, 9pm | Based on the book by David E Sanger, John Maggio's documentary offers a brief modern history of hacking. Read more.

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Is coworking about to make a comeback? | At first it was a novelty – you could stumble out of bed and open your laptop while making the first pot of coffee. But for many, it wasn't long before the shine wore off of working from home. So what is the solution? Eleanor Steafel asks whether Covid can breathe new life into shared offices.