5 STORIES COMING UP TODAY

‘MAJOR INCIDENT’

London mayor Sadiq Khan has declared a ‘major incident’ as the spread of coronavirus threatens to ‘overwhelm’ hospitals. Covid-19 cases in London have exceeded 1,000 per 100,000, while there are 35% more people in hospital than in the peak of the pandemic in April.

MURDER CLAIM

Relatives of murdered honeymooner Michaela McAreavey have accused the Mauritius authorities of disrespect and inertia as they prepare to mark the 10th anniversary of her death. The 27-year-old Irish woman was strangled in her hotel room in 2011.

30,000 FINES

More than 30,000 fines have been handed out by police for breaches of Covid-19 laws since they came into force, new figures show.

‘TASTELESS’ ACT

Birmingham pub bombings campaigner Julie Hambleton has described as ‘tasteless’ a police decision to fine her £200 for an alleged Covid breach after taking part in an anniversary convoy to mark the blasts.

BIRTHDAYS

Joan Baez, singer, 80; Jimmy Page, rock guitarist, 77; Crystal Gayle, singer, 70; Joely Richardson, actress, 56; The Duchess of Cambridge, 39.