UK Edition
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PM speaks out as free school meals row intensifies
Boris Johnson has said children will not go hungry "a result of any Government inattention", as the row over free school meals intensifies. The Prime Minister stressed the Government was also "uplifting Universal Credit" which was "one of the best ways you can help families in these tough times". Mr Johnson was forced to clarify that he had not spoken to Marcus Rashford since June, the England footballer who has spearheaded the campaign. His comments come amid growing anger on the backbenches, after MPs were deluged with emails from outraged constituents. Chief Sports Writer Oliver Brown explains how Rashford's free school meals campaign has been unlike anything he has seen a footballer do. With a potential second U-turn on free school meals impending, Michael Deacon sketches how the footballer's efforts left Matt Hancock fulfilling one of the most crucial roles in Government... as the PM's whipping boy. Patrick O'Flynn sets out how the Tories have woefully failed to articulate conservative solutions to child hunger.
Meanwhile, the Government has confirmed Warrington will move to the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions just after midnight tonight. The Tier 3 rules mean pubs and bars will close unless they can operate as a restaurant and people are largely banned from mixing with anybody outside their household or support bubble. Earlier, Mr Hancock refused to rule out bringing in a tougher set of Tier 4 measures. Our liveblog has the latest. Here is what the new three-tier lockdown rules mean for you.
Trump mocks Biden for calling him 'George' - video
Donald Trump mocked Joe Biden for mistakenly calling him "George" during a televised campaign event and accused the US media of helping his Democratic rival "get through" interviews. Mr Biden was speaking at a virtual concert on Sunday night when he made the slip. As he spoke, his wife Jill appeared to be trying to prompt the presidential candidate with some spectators suggesting she was muttering "Trump" under her breath as her husband fumbled his words. Watch the clip here. With Mr Biden turning 78 next month, and many Democrats believing he would only serve one term if elected to the White House, more focus than usual is on his running mate Kamala Harris. Rozina Sabur analyses how she could be the most powerful Vice President since Dick Cheney. As the presidential race enters its final week, US Editor Ben Riley-Smith will host a webinar on the US election tomorrow. Here is how to join.
Nasa confirms presence of water on the Moon
Scientists have discovered water on sunlit areas of the Moon for the first time, raising the tantalising prospect that astronauts on future space missions could find refreshment - and maybe even fuel - on the lunar surface. The Moon was believed to be bone dry until around a decade ago when a series of findings suggested that our nearest celestial neighbour has traces of water trapped in the surface. Today, Nasa has announced water has been discovered in the Clavius Crater, located at the southern hemisphere of the Moon. Read our liveblog from the briefing that took place on the world's largest airborne observatory.
At a glance: Latest coronavirus headlines
- Twelve-minute tests | Available in Boots 'within a fortnight'
- Coronavirus testing | Experts urge countries to ramp up funding
- Second wave | France may be at 100,000 virus cases daily
- Four month lockdown | Melbourne reports no new Covid-19 cases
- Festive fail | Plan to give Santa Claus early Covid shots cancelled
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
'I need immediate assistance' | Audio of the moment the captain of the Nave Andromeda oil tanker made a mayday call demanding "immediate assistance" has been released. During the 21 second distress call, made on Sunday morning to the authorities via an open radio channel, the captain can be heard saying he is trying to "keep them calm" after a group of stowaways became violent towards his crew. Listen to the clip.
- Darren Grimes | Vlogger and David Starkey bring formal complaint
- 'Zombie' batteries | Rising number of waste fires and explosions
- Vaccine fears | Singapore halts use of flu jab after 48 die
- Prince Andrew | No return to public life 'unless he clears his name'
- Prince Harry | 'I had no idea unconscious bias existed until Meghan'
Around the world: Belarusian workers stage sit-ins
Hundreds of factory workers and students across Belarus staged sit-ins and rallied outside their workplaces and universities today, in a bid to pressure president Alexander Lukashenko to step down. Mr Lukashenko has come under growing pressure from protesters after he won the rigged August presidential elections, which plunged the former Soviet republic into a protracted political crisis. The industrial action began on Monday morning after Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an exiled opposition leader, issued an ultimatum for Mr Lukashenko to stop police violence, release all political prisoners and resign. Read the latest.
Monday interview
Malika Booker - How a family tragedy led to 'the best poem of 2020'
The winner of one of poetry's most coveted prizes talks about her sources of inspiration, and setting up a workshop in her kitchen
Comment and analysis
- Ross Clark | It's bonkers to sacrifice freedoms to 'save Christmas'
- Jeremy Warner | I've never been more worried for Britain's future
- Mark Almond | Isle of Wight tanker is wake-up call for the Navy
- Simon Heffer | Outdated views leave Roadkill dead on arrival
- Oliver Brown | Why we should salute Hamilton's story of supremacy
Editor's choice: Features and arts
- Saying 'Hello' to style | Every detail behind Adele's many SNL outfits
- Frank Bough | Consummate broadcaster's image was hit by tabloid revelations – obituary
- High intensity | The best no-gym workouts to lose weight and tone up, over 40
Business and money briefing
Gin deal | Spirit giant Diageo has agreed to snap up Herefordshire gin and vodka-maker Chase Distillery. The takeover, for an undisclosed amount, will further expand the Tanqueray and Gordon's owner's UK gin business as customer demand for spirits continues to rise. Details here.
- World's biggest float | Alibaba spin-off set to raise $34bn
- China sanctions | US defence giants hit for selling weapons to Taiwan
- On top of markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day
Sport briefing
Six Nations | England head coach Eddie Jones has included nine uncapped players in his autumn squad but has found no room for European player of the year Sam Simmonds or Exeter’s double winning captain Joe Simmonds. Read on to see who made the squad.
- Brian Moore | France fast becoming Rugby World Cup favourites
- Arsenal's creativity block | How can Arteta fix their problems?
- Jason Burt | Leeds took a risk with Bielsa but he has rewarded them
Tonight's TV
The Sister, ITV, 9pm | Neil Cross, who has long been interested in the evil that men can do, has adapted his well-received 2009 novel Burial for TV over four nightly episodes. Read more.
And finally... for this evening's downtime
'Leaf-blowers are a public nuisance' | Don't worry, elderly residents: if the coronavirus doesn't get you, the slippery orange leaves blown onto the pavement by the neighbour certainly will. Sophia Money-Coutts outlines why gardeners need to put away their noisy man-toys and asks: if rakes were good enough for ancient Chinese civilisations, why are they not sufficient for us?