Thursday morning news briefing: PM's adviser quits in power battle
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Fears more aides will follow Lee Cain out No 10 door
Boris Johnson is trying to prevent an exodus of his Downing Street staff. Key aide Lee Cain, No 10's director of communications, resigned last night after a public power struggle with the Prime Minister's fiancée Carrie Symonds. Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson's most senior adviser, is understood to now be considering his position. Mr Cain announced he would quit after Ms Symonds effectively vetoed his promotion to chief of staff and amid an extraordinary briefing battle. Until now, the cracks spreading through Team Johnson during the Covid crisis had been largely under wraps. Associate Editor Camilla Tominey explains how the row over Mr Cain laid bare tensions at the heart of the administration. And this piece looks at other chief of staff contenders.
In the race for a vaccine, have we ignored their flaws?
The race for a coronavirus vaccine took an unexpected turn when Russia announced it had produced a jab with even better results than Pfizer's amid growing concern that the US version is "completely unworkable". Less than 48 hours after Pfizer claimed to have succeeded in producing a vaccine with 90 per cent efficacy, Moscow said its Sputnik-V candidate had reached 92 per cent. The flagrant one-upmanship may have raised some eyebrows. But, as Science Editor Sarah Knapton writes, there is mounting concern the desire to be first with a vaccine is leading to rushed announcements that send share prices soaring - but may ultimately fail to deliver. It came as it emerged Pfizer's chief executive sold shares worth $5.6m on the day of the firm's vaccine announcement.
Meanwhile, the Government is to buy 200 million tests that can detect Covid in 15 minutes - with experts saying they could offer a "freedom pass" out of mass restrictions. Leaked documents reveal that contracts will be awarded next month, after research found that the £5 kits can detect three in four Covid cases in those with no symptoms.
All sewn up: Prince Charles on his fashion collection
The Prince of Wales has appeared on numerous best-dressed lists over the years - but the idea of him launching a fashion line would seem unlikely. That is what his charity has done today, unveiling an 18-piece luxury capsule collection for men and women. Head of Fashion Lisa Armstrong spoke to Prince Charles about his own style. And view a gallery of the best pieces to buy from the Modern Artisan collection.
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At a glance: More coronavirus headlines
Guidance | Masks 'protect the wearers' - not just other people
Testing | Fifth of positive antibody results are wrong, study suggests
£40k | Students find ways to make money as part-time jobs dry up
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Police station ramming | Officers are investigating an attack last night in which a car was driven into a police station entrance in north London before an attempt was made to set it alight. See pictures from the aftermath, with the BMW having been smashed into the glass doors in Edmonton before the driver got out and poured petrol on the car.
Brexit | Trade talks could 'fall apart', says Irish foreign minister
Zoom | New Yorker writer fired for exposing himself on work call
Channel | Migrant surge was preventable, borders chief claims
Graham Norton | Star to take wage cut as he quits Radio 2
Around the world: Trump 'caught dead voters'
Donald Trump's campaign alleged four dead people voted in Georgia's elections while making claims of widespread fraud. Republicans released obituaries of deceased residents whose names they claimed were used to cast ballots. Read more and view an election gallery.
Comment and analysis
Allister Heath | Last chance to stop post-Covid socialist nightmare
Jonathan Sumption | Lockdown leaves no place for common sense
Madeline Grant | Premature to declare Keir Starmer 'one of us'
Reader letters | Why won't National Trust face up to concerns?
Michael Deacon | The 40 all-important things I have learnt at 40
You Are Not Alone: Getting you through lockdown
Lockdown slump | Can elite self-improvement plan restore you in four weeks?
Powering through | Why are we all so tired right now? Five ways to feel better
Covid-compliant Santa school | 'The day I learnt how to virtually save Christmas'
Business and money briefing
Festive headache | Retailers fear December chaos as supply chain problems threaten to wreck hopes of a profitable Christmas. A mix of lockdown measures, staff absences and fearful customers may derail the festive season even when non-essential shops reopen. The problems could mean customers cannot buy presents due to delays in the system.
Tax | Biggest hikes since 1990s 'needed to fix public finances'
Investment tip | Lots of promise, but premium on borrowed time
Alex cartoon | See our cartoonist's latest work on world of finance
Sport briefing
The Masters 2020 | All eyes will today be on Bryson DeChambeau, who is threatening to flex his muscles again. Reporting from Augusta, James Corrigan says action will be taken to keep the game "relevant".
British Cycling | Sprint coach sacked over 'relationships'
Graham Cowdrey | Ex-Kent batsman dies after short illness
Tonight's dinner
Cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and cavolo nero | Tubes of pasta filled with a light mixture make a satisfying dinner. View the recipe by Stephen Harris. For more ideas, try our Cookbook newsletter.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
Death mystery | Did the Soviets kill Albert Camus? A new book alleges that KGB sabotage led to a car crash that killed the French philosopher. Jake Kerridge investigates the claims.
