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The coronavirus outbreak is 'out of control' in Germany as cases and deaths continue to rise after a failed 'lockdown light', Angela Merkel's economy minister said today.  Peter Altmaier admitted that 'the less intrusive measures were not enough' after Germany was forced to shut down shops and schools and go into a second 'hard lockdown' over Christmas following six weeks of partial measures.  It came as 16,362 cases and 188 more deaths were added to Germany's tally today, bringing the infection count to 1.34million and the death toll to 21,975.   Altmaier warned that hospitals would be overflowing within weeks if the new lockdown were not imposed, with the number of intensive care patients at a record high of more than 4,500.  After failing to come down significantly during the 'lockdown light', the infection rate has now risen again in Germany, prompting tough new measures over Christmas  The death rate has also continued to rise and is

Ursula von der Leyen hailed 'movement' in the Brexit talks today amid hopes that a deal could be struck as early as this week. The EU commission president said the discussions were in the 'very last mile' amid claims that both sides have given ground on so-called 'level playing field' rules.  Addressing an online conference, Ms von der Leyen said the latest developments in the wrangling were 'good'. 'We are talking about a new beginning with old friends,' she said. 'We are on the very last mile to go. But it is an essential one. We want a level playing field, not only at the start, but also over time.' Nerves are jangling as Michel Barnier and David Frost hold yet more talks in Brussels. The EU negotiator told the bloc's ambassadors at a briefing this morning that there was a 'narrow path' to an agreement after progress was made before yesterday's deadline set by Boris Johnson and Ms von der Leyen. Meanwhile, Downing Stree

A married police superintendent at the head of Britain’s bird protection unit has been sacked for 'sexting' from his work phone and lying about an affair with a colleague. Nick Lyall, who lead the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group, was twice quizzed by senior officers about his relationship with a police staff member. But after twice denying the affair, which bosses at Bedfordshire Police feared may have been been 'inappropriate' due to his rank and influence, the high-ranking officer later admitted the affair. A three-week tribunal also heard how Mr Lyall had 'engaged in sexualised text messaging' on his work phone. But while a misconduct panel found the relationship was 'not inappropriate', the hearing ruled Mr Lyall's actions amounted to gross misconduct.  Mr Lyall has now resigned from the force.  Nick Lyall , who leads the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group, which battles the illegal persecution of birds of prey in England and W

Britain's daily coronavirus cases have risen by more than a third compared to last Monday, after 20,263 people tested positive today. Official figures also revealed 232 people have died after contracting the virus - in a 22.8 per cent spike on the 189 deaths seen on this day last week. Today's case total is the highest Monday figure since November 9, when 21,350 cases were reported in the early days of the country's second national lockdown.  Monday's 20,263 cases is 37.6 per cent bigger than the 14,718 recorded on December 7. Today's figures come as 10million people in the South East are thrust into Tier 3 shut down with just 30 hours' notice following a surge in Covid infections in the region.  The Health Secretary told the Commons that the tough new rules will come into effect in London just after midnight on Wednesday morning, sparking fury that he is sending thousands of businesses to the wall. It comes as: Britain's daily coronavirus cases have soared

An art student who spent two years upskirting women on the London Underground has been spared jail and will return to live in Hong Kong under the 'watchful eye' of his mother. Wui Tung Colin Chan, 22, from Hong Kong, was caught covertly filming underneath women's clothing, capturing 11 videos of buttocks, genitalia and intimate clothing. His crimes were discovered in March this year when a victim spotted him filming up her skirt on an escalator at London's Victoria Underground Station and bravely carried out a citizen's arrest. Chris Hewertson, prosecuting, said the woman was leaving the station when she 'noticed out of the corner of her eye that her skirt was moving.' Mr Hewerston said: 'She turned and saw him with his phone held out palpably trying to get the phone under her skirt, she noticed the screen facing upwards with the camera setting on. Wui Tung Colin Chan, 22, from Hong Kong, was caught covertly filming underneath women's clothing, captu

A furious holidaymaker who had to pay almost £1,000 extra because an airline spelled his wife's name wrong on her Christmas holiday plane ticket has won his money back after taking them on in court. Maxime Audet had to stump up for a new ticket after realising at the last minute that his wife Veronique's name had been spelled with two letters the wrong way round on the booking for their £2,000 festive trip to Canada last year. German travel giants Lufthansa claimed the error was Mr Audet's and said they could not correct it administratively, demanding he pay for a whole new ticket or his wife not to travel at all. But the Deloitte actuary, 34, scored a 'David and Goliath' victory over the air giant when he took them to court and - representing himself - had the 'unreasonable' charge overturned by a judge. Maxime Audet has won his money back after taking Lufthansa to court after they charged him almost £1,000 because his wife Veronique's name had been spe

What are the Tier 3 rules?  Ministers could bring forward a decision to plunge millions of Londoners into Tier 3 to today as coronavirus cases in the capital soar 'off the chart'. In a move that could devastate businesses just days before Christmas, the city could see its hospitality and culture sectors closed down, with shoppers from Tier 2 zones outside the limits barred from shopping in its major retail hubs like Oxford Street.  MPs were warned this morning that there was 'exponential growth' in cases in London's boroughs and some of the major commuter areas like Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Meanwhile Kent, already in Tier 3, could face a further tightening of restrictions with a surge in cases that has yet to fall. Health Secretary Matt Hancock will update MPs on the latest developments in the fight against Covid-19 at 3.30pm today. His statement is understood to focus on further measures for London to tackle the spread of coronavirus. The Government agreed t