Friday morning news briefing: New lockdown in the North of England

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Partial lockdown reimposed across north of England

Boris Johnson last night ordered swathes of the north of England back into partial lockdown as he warned of a "damaging second wave" hitting the UK. Hundreds of thousands of people in Greater Manchester, Bradford, Blackburn and other areas were banned from holding indoor meetings involving people from different households. It comes after NHS data showed ­coronavirus reaching worrying levels in parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire, prompting the Prime Minister to take "immediate action" to keep people safe. Read the areas facing the indoor meeting ban, which include Leicester, which has had freedoms announced on June 23 reversed. How concerned should we be about a coronavirus resurgence? Science Editor Sarah Knapton analyses how, arguably, Britain is once again suffering from its haphazard testing regime, which is making it virtually impossible to track the pandemic.

Given the swift change in the restrictions for large parts of the country at short notice, it may be unsurprising to read a study has found half of the English public do not understand the rules governing lockdown. Researchers from University College, London found the slump in levels of understanding about what is and is not permitted was particularly acute among younger adults. Matt's cartoon reflects on the struggles of keeping up with the ever changing Government guidance.

Portugal ban to remain but worse-hit countries 'safe'

Portugal is to remain on the Government's travel ban list despite having lower Covid-19 rates than "green" listed countries under the latest Government changes. Luxembourg is the only country to be removed from the "green" list of 79 countries and territories that exempt returning holidaymakers from 14 days UK quarantine. It is the second nation taken off after a surge in Covid-19 cases following the weekend removal of Spain. The continued rejection of Portugal will provoke fury in Lisbon. An analysis by The Telegraph shows that Portugal has lower Covid-19 rates per 100,000 of the population than three countries in Europe which are on the UK's green list. Read on for details.

Trump hints at legal action over US election result

Donald Trump has raised the prospect of "litigation" taking place after the US election and warned that mail-in ballots could cause the result announcement to be delayed by "years". Speaking at a press briefing after his tweet suggesting delaying the election, the US president said he did not want to push back the date, but also gave dire warnings about the impact of postal votes. Mr Trump claimed that the use of universal mail-in ballots would make it easier for foreign countries like Russia and China to meddle in the election. US Editor Ben Riley-Smith analyses why Mr Trump suggested an election delay and reveals what he can do.

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

• Virtual GP | Hancock wants video appointments to be the default
• Hearing loss | Condition could be among long-term effects of virus
• Police retirement party | 22 officers end up in self-isolation
• Testing plan | Government aim to test 150k symptomless people a day
• Bite-sized savings | Michelin restaurants join £10-off Sunak scheme

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Delaying dementia | Four in 10 dementia cases could be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes, a major study has shown, with hearing loss found to be the biggest risk. A report by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention has identified 12 preventable factors which play a huge role in the onset of the condition. Read on for details.

• Jackson Carlaw quits | Ruth Davidson to stage temporary comeback
• High temperatures | UK broke six records in 2019, Met Office reveals
• Plastic bags | English shoppers buy just four single-use carriers a year
• Fourth Plinth | Propellers 'no risk' to Trafalgar Square pigeons
• Telegraph news quiz | Test your knowledge of the week just gone

Around the world: Police to search second allotment

German police have been asked to visit a second allotment rented by a Madeleine McCann suspect after neighbours called them two months ago to investigate. Christian Brückner, named as a suspect in the three-year-old's disappearance in 2007, had lived on and off at the allotment in Braunschweig between 2013 to 2016. Read on for the latest after officers completed a two-day dig at an allotment on the border of Hannover. And view the day's most striking images from around the world.

Comment and analysis

• Fraser Nelson | Quarantine sledgehammer crushing more than Covid
• Iain Dale | No 10's new spokesperson job is ultimate poisoned chalice
• Judith Woods | Do you have FOGO (that's Fear Of Going Out)?
• Lucy Denyer | It should be everyone's duty to join the National Trust
• Reader letters | Britain must not retreat into lockdown again

Editor's choice: Features and arts

1. Goodbye to a national treasure | The late, great Argos catalogue
2. How to keep cool in bed | Lessons from an ex-insomniac on how to sleep during a heatwave
3. The TV Baftas 2020 | Who will win, who deserves to win

Business and money briefing

John Lewis | Like almost every other player on the high street, John Lewis is battling a crisis that has turbocharged shoppers' stampede to buy over the internet. Part of chairman Dame Sharon White's response is straight out of the industry playbook. More shops could close, she said, and selling online is crucial. But Dame Sharon is clearly willing to try a raft of unconventional ideas in her battle to reinvigorate the chain - from becoming a residential landlord to stocking second-hand items.

• Pandemic profit | Tech's biggest companies become richer than ever
• Investment tip | Another property trust whose dividend looks secure
• Alex cartoon | See our cartoonist's latest work on world of finance

Sport briefing

Newcastle takeover crumbles | The Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of Newcastle United has collapsed after the offer of more than £300 million to buy the club was suddenly withdrawn amid fury at the Premier League continually delaying its approval. Jason Burt analyses why the deal floundered at the final hurdle and Luke Edwards reveals how the club could still have new owners by the start of next season.

• British Grand Prix | Sergio Perez ruled out after positive Covid-19 test
• Paralympics appeal | George Bates could take ineligibility case to Cas
• Not just wonderkids | Players who emerged in Premier League 19/20

Tonight's dinner  

Charred corn and prawns with lime, coriander and quick pickled onions | Simply double or triple the ingredients if you’re cooking for a crowd. Read the recipe.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

First Lady's legacy | Hold onto your trowels and stand by your flower beds. Earlier this week, Melania Trump announced the imminent "refreshment" of the White House Rose Garden. Debora Robertson looks at how it has always been seen as the domain of the First Lady and how Mrs Trump's predecessors left their mark.