Thursday morning news briefing: Trump a 'clear and present danger'

Inside the chamber for historic impeachment vote, plus - secrecy fears over UK Covid vaccine rollout

tmg.video.placeholder.alt RmBnZY27mxo
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.

Knife-edge as Trump impeached for second time

Donald Trump has become the first US president in history to be impeached twice. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in voting for a single article for "incitement of insurrection" over Mr Trump's role riling up a mob of supporters who stormed the US Capitol last week, leaving five dead. Democrats warned he was a "clear and present danger". Mr Trump released a video after the vote urging calm. US Editor Ben Riley-Smith was inside the chamber when history was made. Outside, the "jaws of mobocracy" were muzzled by a growing National Guard presence on Capitol Hill. What now? The second step is a trial in the Senate, which could happen after Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan 20. Mr Trump could still be convicted and barred from ever holding the presidency again. This is the likely timeline. Whatever comes next, Washington Editor Nick Allen says there is a silver lining for Mr Trump.

PM pledges to ramp up Covid vaccination rollout

Boris Johnson has pledged to "accelerate" the delivery of the Covid vaccine after it emerged that, under the current plan, the programme will not significantly ramp up again until March. Last night, the Scottish government published its own detailed plan of how many vaccines it expects to receive each week until May. But vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi was accused of "secrecy" after he cited national security concerns around revealing the plan for vaccine distribution. Health Editor Laura Donnelly understands ministers are investigating if vaccines scheduled for delivery next month could be dispatched earlier.

Meanwhile, Covid hospital patients can be discharged into care homes without being tested, under draft guidelines leaked to The Telegraph. Care providers are "deeply worried" about the proposed rules, which advise clinicians to release patients without a test 48 hours before discharge if they have no new Covid symptoms and have isolated in hospital. Camilla Tominey asks: Is the Government about to make the same mistakes? As debate continues about England's lockdown rules, Matt provides this morning's laugh with his latest cartoon.

Sex and the City: 'I was in the real Carrie's gang'

In between all the bad news comes a chink of light. A sequel to Sex and the City, called And Just Like That…, has been announced. As the hit TV series makes a comeback, Helen Kirwan-Taylor reveals what it was like to be part of the real "Carrie gang" in New York City in the Eighties - and cannot help but wonder what the next chapter will hold.

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

You had one job… | The fisheries minister raised eyebrows by revealing she was busy organising a nativity trail when the Brexit deal was agreed - and did not read its fine print on fish. Victoria Prentis's disclosure that she had not filleted the details of the deal straight away sparked a backlash. One MP said: "Surely she could have taken a little time away from the festivities to look after her own departmental responsibilities?".  

Around the world: Hindu brew as pilgrims gather

A holy man pours a cup of tea during the Gangasagar Mela, one of the largest Hindu festivals in India. It is celebrated by millions of pilgrims on the sacred day of Makar Sankranti on Sagar Island. View more striking pictures from around the world in today's gallery.

Gangasagar Mela went ahead despite Covid fears
Gangasagar Mela went ahead despite Covid fears Credit: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR /AFP

Comment and analysis

You've got this: Getting you through lockdown

  1. Mental Health Emergency | Is work in a time of Covid working for everyone?
  2. Do what you love | How to maximise the mental health benefits of exercise
  3. Escapism in fiction | The ever-seductive power of Mills & Boon novels

Business and money briefing

Bust - then ban? | Eight former Carillion bosses could be banned from serving as directors for up to 15 years after ministers launched legal action over the contractor's collapse in 2018. The outsourcer's former chairman, two chief executives, two finance directors and three non-executives could be disqualified under the proceedings.  

Sport briefing

Hug rules | Premier League clubs will refuse to punish those who flouted football's coronavirus rules - in defiance of a government order for the game to stamp out goal-celebration hugs. See how players ignored what was meant to be a crackdown on unnecessary contact.  

Tonight's dinner

Chicken meatball, greens and white-bean soup | A simple, satisfying meal by Diana Henry for chilly evenings. View the recipe and try out our Cookbook newsletter.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

Was FBI behind Martin Luther King’s assassination? | Sam Pollard's new documentary takes a smart, un-conspiratorial look at the dark rumours surrounding MLK’s life and death. Read Tim Robey's verdict. For more movie reviews, try The Film newsletter.

 

License this content