Wednesday evening news briefing: South Yorkshire in Tier 3 - where is next?
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South Yorkshire agrees to enter Tier 3 - where is next?
South Yorkshire will join Manchester in Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions from Saturday - but which region is next? Talks in Tyneside and Tees Valley have been paused amid signs that progress has been made in controlling the spread of coronavirus. Tier 3 discussions have also taken place in West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed pubs and restaurants in the country’s central belt are to remain closed. The restrictions will now be in place until a tiered system is introduced on November 2. Our liveblog has the latest. Here is a reminder of the rules under Tier 3 and, if you are worried about facing tighter restrictions, see how many cases there are where you live.
After Andy Burnham’s high-profile battle with the Government over the introduction of Tier 3 measures in Manchester, Tom Harris examines whether we are seeing the Third Coming of the Labour politician. Another mayor battling the Prime Minister is Sadiq Khan, who accused Boris Johnson of lying to the House of Commons after he claimed Transport for London had been "effectively bankrupted" by the London Mayor. It comes after ministers threatened to strip Mr Khan of control of London's transport network unless he agrees to hike council tax and fares and extend the congestion charge zone, in return for funding.
US 'concerned' UK fur sales ban may risk trade deal
The US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, is "concerned" that the UK's proposed fur sales ban could jeopardise a free trade deal with the US, a leaked letter has revealed. The correspondence, dated October 15, warns the proposed ban on the import of American fur "poses difficulties and challenges" and has "implications for the free trade agreement currently being negotiated" with the US. The revelation comes as Michel Barnier said a Brexit trade deal is "within reach", before offering to meet all of the UK's conditions to reboot negotiations with Brussels. The chief negotiator is expected to come to London as early as tomorrow to resume full talks. The value of the pound jumped as hopes of a deal rise.
William hails cancer patients during 'darkest of times'
The Duke of Cambridge acknowledged the "unimaginable challenges" faced by both cancer patients and specialists this year as he paid tribute to their ability to embody hope in the "darkest of times". The Duke visited The Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton, Surrey, to hear about the rapid changes undertaken to keep treatment going and to mark the start of construction for a new state-of-the-art Oak Cancer Centre. It comes 30 years after his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, laid a ceremonial foundation stone to commemorate the building of the Chelsea Wing at The Royal Marsden in London. Meanwhile his brother, the Duke of Sussex, has warned online misinformation is creating a "global crisis".
At a glance: Latest coronavirus headlines
Pandemic preparedness | Lord Sedwill admits UK 'hadn't rehearsed'
China vaccine | State-owned firm 'could produce 1bn doses next year'
Gaming quarantine | School shuffling pupils every 15 minutes
Travel latest | Cyprus travel corridor at risk as cases soar
Covid in Shetland | Fear, stifling rules and cautious optimism
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Nawaz Sharif plea | Pakistan has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel calling on the UK to deport former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to serve a corruption prison sentence. The request to return the exiled opposition leader, who has lived in London for a year, risks dragging Britain into the centre of a bitter confrontation between Imran Khan's government and the country's political opposition. Read on for details.
'Strong handshake' | Alleged reason male teacher chosen over female
British shipbuilding | Boost as new ships to be built by UK-led teams
Spencer Davis | Frontman of the Spencer Davis Group dies – obituary
New treatment | Sea lion suffers epilepsy linked to global warming
Conservation battle lost | HS2 fells former Tree of The Year winner
Around the world: Soldiers 'fired on protesters'
Nigerians were in shock today after a deadly shooting of peaceful protesters in the biggest city Lagos that Amnesty International blamed on security forces. There was no immediate death toll from the incident on Tuesday evening in which witnesses said armed gunmen opened fire on a crowd of over 1,000 people to disperse them after a curfew was imposed to end spiralling protests over police brutality. Read the latest.
Wednesday interview
'I was terrified our chance had gone'
Louisa Carberry became the first foreign female trainer to win the Grand Steeple de Paris when Docteur de Ballon obliged at Auteuil. She spoke to Marcus Armytage about her triumph in France
Comment and analysis
Angela Epstein | Pointless Tier 3 will leave Manchester in despair
Annabel Fenwick Elliott | Our Covid response makes no sense
Con Coughlin | Trump will go down in history as a revolutionary
Jeremy Warner | China's manufactured growth is no triumph
Tanya Gold | No-one told Netflix that Hitchcock's Rebecca was perfect
Editor's choice: Features and arts
Moral Money | 'My grandson wants to move in with me to save money – can I refuse?'
Restomods | Has the restored classic car market gone too far?
Bake Off, half-term report | The bland millennials are still the teachers’ pets
Business and money briefing
Trump's Chinese account | Donald Trump spent years cultivating business projects in China, where he maintained a previously unknown bank account, it has been reported. The president also had an office in the authoritarian state during his first run for president and had ties to a major government-controlled company, according to the report. The news comes two days before the final presidential debate. Read on for everything you need to know about the final face-off
Drunk encounter | Ex-Freshfields lawyer appeals £35k fine
Tax relief | How to claim £120 for working from home for just one day
On top of markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day
Sport briefing
'Rugby caused my dementia' | Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions scrum-half Roy Laidlaw has revealed that he has Alzheimer's disease and believes that tackling contributed to his condition. Laidlaw has said he is experiencing symptoms aged just 69. Read on for more.
Premiership final | Wasps cleared to play after latest Covid-19 tests
Man of many talents | Technical director, translator... and goalie
James Corrigan | I didn't mind third kits until I saw the zebra shirt
Tonight's TV
Billions, Sky Atlantic, 9pm & 10pm | It's a good decision to serve up a double helping to get us hooked into the fifth season of the high-stakes business drama. Read on for more.
And finally... for this evening's downtime
Range Rover at 50 | An iconic blend of luxury and practicality, as well as a Royal favourite, no other manufacturer can match the Range Rover's versatility. Not every model was built with luxury in mind. Jeremy Taylor reveals why it is more than a luxury SUV.
