Monday morning UK news briefing: Civil Service chief to rebuff Dominic Cummings' claims

Dominic Cummings has not been cleared in the "Chatty Rat" leak inquiry. That is what the head of the Civil Service is expected to make clear today, as No 10 fights back against the former aide's claims.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will be questioned by MPs about the allegations made by Mr Cummings in a blog post.

A Cabinet Office source said that, if asked, Mr Case would undermine two core claims made by the Prime Minister's ex-chief adviser in his 1,000-word piece published on Friday.

Mr Case's office argues the inquiry into who leaked plans last October for a second national lockdown is ongoing - countering Mr Cummings's claim that he was cleared of being the source, dubbed the "Chatty Rat".

Mr Case will appear before the public administration and constitutional affairs committee this afternoon. Follow live updates and reaction.

A new front to the briefing war emerged last night when it was claimed that Boris Johnson made an incendiary remark when reluctantly agreeing to a second lockdown last year.

He allegedly said he would rather see "bodies pile high in their thousands". Read more about the claim, which was flatly denied by Number 10 as "just another lie".

Next month, Mr Cummings is expected to accuse Mr Johnson of blocking plans to close Britain's borders and putting lives at risk.

McDormand triumphs in Oscars without sparkle

Nomadland director Chloe Zhao enjoyed a night to remember at the Oscars and capped a dominant awards season. The Chinese filmmaker won best director - becoming the first woman of colour to do so - and Nomadland won best picture. The film, which follows itinerant communities in the post-recession US, also picked up best actress for its star Frances McDormand. Film Critic Robbie Collin says McDormand's Oscar win proves she is anything but ordinary. Read his five-star review of Nomadland. Sir Anthony Hopkins became the oldest man to win best actor for The Father. See a list of all the winners from the scaled-back, sanitised ceremony and view a gallery of the best dressed stars.

Tired all the time? Here's what you can do about it

Are you suffering from a "lockdown low"? The number complaining of poor sleep rose sharply last year. Even as the vaccination programme kicks in and restrictions start to lift, many are feeling residual tension from the past year - combined with a strange sense of stagnation, listlessness and low mood. Helen Chandler-Wilde looks at the reasons behind your post-lockdown exhaustion - and what you can do about it.

At a glance: Coronavirus morning briefing

• Vaccine rollout | All over-40s could get jab call this week

• Valneva | Scottish jab trial compares 'old-fashioned' technology

• India | Britain starts flying out lifesaving oxygen equipment

• Anti-lockdown | Protest police 'were told not to wear riot gear'

• Lockdown tailback | Young turning backs on learning to drive

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

'Inappropriate' terms | Non-disabled people should not be called "able-bodied", a charity has said. The term is seen by some in the disabled community as implying that all people with disabilities do not have "able bodies". "Blind" is also on the list of inappropriate terms for those with disabilities that has been released by the Leonard Cheshire charity.

• Defence | Greatest fleet since the Falklands to leave UK

• Troubles killing | Soldier to take case to European court

• Stage set | Putin and Biden could meet within weeks

• Record bid | Half-chopper, half-bike land-speed machine

• Line of Duty review | Hare-brained attempt to do a Bond

Around the world: Israel develops tanks with a 'brain'

Israel is developing an AI "superbrain" that uses an array of high-powered sensors to help tanks and robots patrol battlefields and find enemy targets. James Rothwell in Jerusalem was given exclusive access to the programme, dubbed Athena after the Greek goddess. View more striking pictures from the weekend in our world gallery.

Comment and analysis

• Tim Stanley | Why Cummings cannot throw stones at the PM

• Alan Cochrane | Sturgeon still can't answer same old questions

• Roger Bootle | Italy needs to replicate Iron Lady's strengths

• Andrew Montford | Net zero is a disaster waiting to happen

• Shane Watson | Which post-lockdown marriage type are you?

Editor's choice: Features and arts

1. Interval strategy | Why 'slow dieting' could be the secret to long term weight loss

2. Morning after the night before | Science of the midlife hangover - and how to deal with it

3. Overcoming sibling rivalry | What to do when your children just will not stop fighting

Business and money briefing

Broadband speeds | Ministers have launched a £1billion auction for thousands of miles of phone lines alongside railways, in a move they hope will boost broadband speeds and improve train services. Private sector bidders would upgrade 10,000 miles of cables while also building 250 masts close to train lines. The investment could help the Government improve rural broadband - and also help trains run on time.

• Property | Charts that offer a clue into house prices recovery

• Future of Work | Are robots coming for white collar workers?

• Alex | View today's cartoon strip on the world of finance

Sport briefing

Four in a row | Pep Guardiola saluted the "incredible level and quality" of Manchester City as they became only the second side to win four League Cups in a row. City's manager, who secured his 14th cup-final victory in 15 attempts with the 1-0 win over Tottenham, also said he wanted to share the trophy with "our people" after almost 8,000 fans attended the Wembley showpiece. Read Jason Burt's match report.

• Aston Villa 2 West Bromwich Albion 2 | Match report

• Jim White comment | Greenwood should be forgiven for error

• Social media | Players' union urges sponsors to join boycott

Tonight's dinner

Chicken rendang | An easy, tasty rendang that takes a fraction of the time of the classic beef version. Read the recipe. Sign up to our Cookbook newsletter.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

'People were attracted to her warmth' | Helge Rubinstein was Shirley Williams's closest friend over seven decades. She walks down memory lane with Peter Stanford to recall her enduring relationship with the MP who died earlier this month.