Friday morning news briefing: Trump tests positive for coronavirus

Danny Boyle
·5 min read
President Trump has repeatedly refused to wear a mask in public - AFP/GETTY  
President Trump has repeatedly refused to wear a mask in public - AFP/GETTY

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Donald and Melania Trump in quarantine with Covid

Donald Trump has announced that he and his wife Melania have tested positive for coronavirus and are in quarantine. In a tweet just before 6am, the US President said: "We will get through this TOGETHER!" The diagnosis came after Hope Hicks, one of Mr Trump's closest aides, also tested positive for Covid-19. This is everything we know so far about the couple's symptoms - and the likely impact on next month's election. The President and his staff regularly do not wear masks. Mr Trump has denigrated people who wear them - despite health professionals saying masks are one of the key things people can do to help prevent the spread of the virus. The FTSE 100 is set to fall and US stock futures have slumped after the news. Follow all today's updates in our liveblog.

SNP politician took coronavirus to the Commons

A Scottish Nationalist MP broke Covid laws twice by bringing coronavirus into Parliament before travelling home to Scotland on a train - despite knowing she had the virus. Margaret Ferrier, an SNP frontbencher, is under police investigation and faces calls to be fined £4,000 for "reckless" behaviour after testing positive on Monday. The MP failed to inform her party of her test result, keeping it secret for two days. Ms Ferrier was suspended by the SNP last night. Political Correspondent Harry Yorke reports how Commons and NHS authorities are trying to track down her contacts. If any other MPs are unclear of the law, this is when you need to self-isolate if you get Covid.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is facing a Tory rebellion over the national 10pm curfew after he was accused of presiding over a "nanny state". The rebels are discussing whether they can force a vote on the issue under rules which allow MPs retrospective debates about changes brought in by ministers. Camilla Tominey writes that many of the party's most senior MPs wonder when the Prime Minister will call time on the back-of-a-beer-mat policy. And Matt nails the funny side in today's cartoon.

Why so many of us are having Covid anxiety dreams

Are coronavirus-based fears stopping you getting a good night's sleep? For many people, their dreams are more frequent and bizarre - but others admit they are plagued by nightmares. Now new studies confirm the fact that, for many people, Covid-19 has turned 2020 not just into a metaphorical nightmare but a literal one. Leah Hardy investigates how to control your vivid Covid anxiety dreams and make them work for you.

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Burgess accused | Sam Burgess, the former rugby league and union international, is accused of attacking his heavily pregnant wife during a series of drug-fuelled rampages which were covered up by his club in Australia. The 31-year-old Yorkshireman, who is accused in police documents of harassment, was allegedly witnessed "crushing his 116kg" body into wife Phoebe Burgess. Tom Morgan reports on the documents, texts and police interviews uncovered by Australian media.

Around the world: Armenian 'Dad's Army'

Armenian media says 7,000 carloads of volunteers have already travelled to the frontline in Nagorno-Karabakh, answering a call to fight against Azerbaijan. Read Colin Freeman's dispatch from Yerevan, Armenia, and view our daily gallery of more striking images from around the world.

A man poses with an unexploded rocket shell - AFP VIA GETTY
A man poses with an unexploded rocket shell - AFP VIA GETTY

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. Spitting Image is back | How will it fare in the divided, febrile world of 2020?

  2. Victoria Wood biography | 'She made audiences laugh till it hurt and choked them up'

  3. Sober October | This is exactly what happens to your body when you drink alcohol

Business and money briefing

Grounded again? | Rolls-Royce is seeking taxpayer support as part of a £5 billion rescue package. The company has agreed a £1 billion extension to a loan guarantee after announcing a £2 billion rights issue from shareholders. Chief City Commentator Ben Marlow argues that ministers must answer for the decline of Rolls-Royce.

Sport briefing

'Respect shirt' | Gareth Southgate will remind England players "what it means to wear the shirt" after leaving Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood out of a 30-strong squad because of their behaviour on international duty. The manager said that "standards need to be protected" and it was important that the relationship with supporters was not damaged.

Tonight's dinner

Chicken thighs with plums and tarragon butter | Serve this simple, warming bake by Eleanor Steafel with fluffy mash and something green. Read on for the recipe.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

When Sofia Coppola took a bullet | Francis Ford Coppola gave his neophyte daughter 12 hours to prepare for the role of a lifetime. They would both pay the price for years. Anthony Brett examines how an all-time bad performance killed The Godfather Part III.