Wednesday evening UK news briefing: EU's beefed up export rules target UK

EU targets UK with new vaccine export ban rules

Brussels has targeted Britain with beefed up rules to impose vaccine export bans on countries with higher vaccination rates than the EU. Britain has far outstripped the EU in vaccination, giving a first dose to more than half its adult population. The bloc, in the grip of a third Covid wave, has so far managed only 12pc. It comes as Belgium and France have tightened restrictions in an effort to curb a surge of Covid-19 cases. Yet Angela Merkel, pictured above, performed a stunning U-turn on her plans for an Easter lockdown in Germany, as eurozone economies face the prospect of their economic rebounds being snuffed out. As Italian authorities raided a vaccine factory amid unfounded fears that 29m AstraZeneca jabs meant for developing countries were hidden supplies meant for the UK, Andrew Lilico says the EU's posturing on jabs cannot disguise the fact the Continent faces a catastrophic third wave.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson warned tougher border controls between the UK and France might be needed "very soon" as cases surge across the Channel. In a terse back-and-forth with senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper during an appearance on the Liaison Committee, the Prime Minister said there was "a balance to be struck" between the risk posed by Europe's third wave and "the very serious disruption" that will be caused by tougher border measures. See how many cases there are where you live.

Global trade disrupted as ship runs aground in Suez

The Suez Canal could be blocked for days after a giant container ship ran aground, snarling up one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes. The MV Ever Given, one of the biggest container ships in operation, blew off course in a sudden gust of wind, authorities said, becoming wedged lengthways across the canal. The price of oil has surged due to the disruption caused to supplies, which could cost global trade $10bn a day and force some of the world's biggest carmakers to extend their factory shutdowns. Take a look at this gallery of the scene.

Zara Tindall gives birth to baby boy on bathroom floor

Zara Tindall has given birth to a son, who has been named Lucas Philip Tindall. Husband Mike Tindall said the royal baby - the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's 10th great-grandchild - was born on the bathroom floor after the couple were unable to make it to hospital. Meanwhile, police have arrested a man after a bomb disposal team attended a report of a suspicious item in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh. In a big day for royal news, it has also emerged the Duke of Sussex has another new role, this time sitting alongside Rupert Murdoch's daughter-in-law for a think tank's six-month study on "information disorder". Read more on Prince Harry's new role.

At a glance: Coronavirus evening briefing

• Long Covid | Seven in 10 patients still affected five months later

• Vaccine rollout | Teenagers would be prioritised, JCVI says

• Dido replacement | Dr Jenny Harries chosen to lead new agency

• Holidays on hold | 16 reasons why the travel ban makes no sense

• 'Nothing has changed' | Why holidays could still resume on May 17

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

John Lewis | Eight more John Lewis department stores will never reopen, the retailer has confirmed, putting 1,465 jobs at risk, in another blow for the high street. The closure of the branches comes on top of the eight stores it shut last year, which included two small travel hub shops at Heathrow and St Pancras. View a map of all the store closure sites.

• Bristol protest | Police arrest 14 at latest 'Kill the Bill' demonstration

• Myanmar violence | Seven-year-old girl becomes youngest victim

• Sarm Heslop | FBI called in to assist search for missing British woman

• Freddie the seal | No RSPCA action against owner of dog in attack

• Brush with the law | Men caught smuggling gold under their wigs

Around the world: Australia floods claim two lives

The bodies of two men were found in Australia today in cars trapped in floodwaters, the first deaths linked to wild weather in recent days that has submerged houses, swept away livestock and cut off entire towns. More than 40,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as torrential rain sparked dangerous flash floods, and authorities issued new evacuation orders for residents of Sydney's western regions.

Wednesday interview

'Murray Walker knew he was dying when we last spoke'

Commentator Martin Brundle relives his final conversation with his late friend and talks to Phil Duncan about his favourite gridwalk, career longevity and Lewis Hamilton

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

• Tom Harris | The SNP's incompetence is now on record

• Jeremy Warner | UK has too much debt to handle high interest rates

• Ben Wright | BBC apparatchiks have made yet another idiotic error

• Ben Marlow | Two-faced French are taking UK for a ride on Eurostar

• Will Greenwood | My England blueprint: What I'd change and keep

Editor's choice

1. The United States of Al | Is this TV's most politically correct sitcom or its most offensive?

2. 'Young at heart' | Eight things you only know as an old new dad like Bernie Ecclestone

3. High speed rail | How the TGV changed France, and put British railways in the shade

Business and money briefing

Pay dispute | BT's plan to dish out a £1,500 special bonus to 59,000 frontline staff has been branded a "desperate move" by union workers threatening to impose a national strike. Read on for details.

• Profit wave | A day in the life of a British fisherman

• For a rainy day | The best all-weather stocks to add to your Isa

• On top of markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day

Sport briefing

F1 season predictions | The wait is almost over for Formula One fans, but when the flag drops at Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix who will our writers be looking out for, and who do they think will win the drivers and constructors' championships? Read on to find out.

• England rugby | The XV Eddie Jones would never pick — but should

• Man Utd summer to-do list | Help for Solskjaer and bid for Ronaldo?

• Pick your team | Our writers select their England sides for the Euros

Three things for tonight

• Watch | This Is My House, BBC One, 9pm and more TV listings

• Read | Check out the best poetry books of last year

• Play | The best PS5 games: From Demon's Souls to Spider-Man

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Should football follow the Lions? | If you think a combined England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland football team could not work, Thom Gibbs wants you to think again. He outlines how rugby union's British and Irish Lions is the greatest concept in sport and says football should follow suit.