1. ‘Chilling’ warning led Boris to impose national lockdown
England faces a month of nationwide lockdown from Thursday after Boris Johnson announced new restrictions. Pubs, restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops and places of worship will close, but schools, colleges and universities can stay open. The Mail on Sunday says the PM acted after he was told of “chilling” plans to store dead bodies in municipal ice rinks if hospital mortuaries filled up.
2. Police open investigation after priest shot in Lyon
A Greek Orthodox priest has been left with life-threatening injuries after being shot in Lyon. The priest - named by police as 45-year-old father-of-two Nikolas Kakavelakis - was fired at twice while he was closing a church yesterday afternoon. The motive for the attack remains unclear. Authorities have launched an investigation of attempted murder.
3. Brexit teams fear Covid infections could scupper talks
Brexit negotiators fear crunch trade talks could be wrecked by the surge of Covid-19 cases in Europe. The Sunday Telegraph says officials are concerned that the negotiations could collapse if any senior figures test positive for the disease, amid soaring levels of coronavirus infections in Brussels, where talks are taking place this weekend. Key negotiators have been told to isolate.
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4. Man in medieval costume behind stabbing attacks in Quebec
At least two people have been stabbed to death and five more wounded in an incident the Canadian city of Quebec. The authorities say a man “dressed in medieval clothes” attacked “multiple victims” with a bladed weapon last night. Although a man in his mid 20s was arrested, residents are still being told to stay inside as an investigation is under way.
5. Powerful typhoon makes landfall in the Philippines
Asia's most powerful typhoon this year has made landfall in the Philippines with maximum sustained winds of 225km/h (140mph). Typhoon Goni hit Catanduanes island this morning and has since crossed onto the main island of Luzon, where the capital Manila is located. CNN says up to 31 million people could be affected by the super typhoon.
6. BBC chief apologises to brother of Princess Diana
The director-general of the BBC has apologised to the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales for the use of fake bank statements to secure her famous Panorama interview. Tim Davie has written to Earl Spencer but refuses to open an investigation into allegations that other deceitful tactics were used by the BBC journalist Martin Bashir.
7. Emmanuel Macron intensifies his war of words with Turkey
Emmanuel Macron has accused Turkey of adopting a “bellicose” stance towards its NATO allies. The French president has condemned Turkey’s behaviour in Syria, Libya and the Mediterranean and claimed: “Turkey has a bellicose attitude towards its NATO allies.” However, he said tensions could ease if his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan showed respect and did not tell lies.
8. Biden and Trump spend final weekend in key swing states
The final weekend of campaigning for the White House has seen the two candidates target key states. Joe Biden, joined by ex-President Barack Obama in Michigan, said the US was “done with the chaos” of the Trump administration. However, Trump said in Pennsylvania there would be a “great red wave” of Republican victories. Although Biden has a solid lead in the polls, his advantage is narrower in swing states.
9. Show-business pays tribute to Sir Sean Connery
Tributes have been paid to Sir Sean Connery, who has died at the age of 90. Daniel Craig, the current James Bond, said Sir Sean was “one of the true greats of cinema”. Dame Shirley Bassey, who sang the themes to three Bond films including Goldfinger, said: “He was a wonderful person, a true gentleman and we will be forever connected by Bond.”
10. England wins the rugby Six Nations on dramatic final day
England won rugby’s Six Nations after France beat Ireland on a dramatic final day of the delayed tournament. Eddie Jones’ side, who claimed a bonus-point win against Italy earlier in the day, were forced to wait as both teams in the day’s final fixture attempted to take the title. France's 35-27 victory duly confirmed England's first title since 2017.
