Thursday evening news briefing: Is France next on quarantine list?

France holidays face quarantine risk as Covid surges

France has recorded its highest daily number of new Covid-19 cases since June, raising the prospect of it joining Spain on the Foreign Office's quarantine "red" list. The 1,695 cases reported in the country for Wednesday is only marginally lower than the 1,772 seen in Spain, where holidaymakers are required to quarantine for 14 days after arriving back in the UK. Its cases per 100,000 of the population has also risen significantly over the last two weeks. A decision by the Government is expected within the next 24 hours. Our liveblog has the latest. Indeed, there are growing fears that a second wave of coronavirus is on the march across Europe, with sharp increases in infections in several countries. In Germany, the number of daily new cases crossed 1,000 for the first time in three months. So what if your holiday is cancelled? Consumer champion Katie Morley explains your rights.

Back home, Preston council has told its residents to start following the same restrictions that Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire are following, after official figures showed a spike in cases. The move pre-empts a meeting between Health Secretary Matt Hancock and his most senior health and data experts, to decide whether further steps need to be taken to stamp out rising cases in parts of the country. It is worth remembering that apart from a few local areas, the risk of coronavirus is now very low in the community, with some experts claiming that rises in areas like Blackburn may be caused by increased testing. Science Editor Sarah Knapton analyses how the danger of coronavirus compares with the risks of everyday life.

Police 'had it in for' Caroline Flack, says mother

The mother of Caroline Flack has told a senior police officer she ought to be "disgusted with herself" for pursuing assault charges against her daughter, who was suicidal at the time. The 40-year-old TV presenter was found hanged in February after discovering that she was to face trial, accused of attacking her boyfriend, Lewis Burton at her north London flat. An inquest into her death was told prosecutors had initially wanted to let her off with a caution but the police overruled the decision resulting in her being charged. Caroline Flack's mother Chris Flack, in an impassioned examination of evidence given by Detective Inspector Lauren Bateman, who was the senior officer dealing with the case, said she felt "even more upset now than I did at the start" of the inquest. She also accused the CPS and police of "having it in for" her daughter.

Windsor Castle garden opens for first time in 40 years

Coronavirus has had a severe impact on tourist attractions. Now the fightback is on. A formal Windsor Castle garden designed by the Duke of Edinburgh is to open to the public for the first time in more than 40 years. The East Terrace Garden, created by George IV in the 1820s, will open this weekend, allowing visitors to stroll along the terrace and into the garden long favoured by generations of royals and often chosen as a backdrop for official portraits. Read on for pictures of the large garden, which features 3,500 rose bushes planted around a central fountain.

At a glance: Latest coronavirus headlines

• Bedroom lockdowns | Children in care suffering as restrictions triple

• Test and trace | PM defends 'world beating' system as cases missed

• North Korea | Escalating virus response raises fear of outbreak

• Masks and no assembly | Science behind reopening schools safely

• 90-minute tests | How do the rapid tests work and how do I get one?

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Beirut blast | French aid to crisis-stricken Lebanon will not go to "corrupt hands", President Emmanuel Macron pledged today, as public outrage grew over the devastating explosion in Beirut caused by thousands of tons of dangerous chemicals that were stored in the capital for years despite repeated warnings. Meanwhile, residents in and around Newcastle, Australia, have expressed fears about the town's vast stockpile of ammonium nitrate – which could be almost four times bigger than the amount that exploded in Lebanon. Read on for details.

• Madeleine McCann | Suspect's rape appeal 'likely invalid'

• Plea change | Man stabbed young mother in face and neck

• Michelle Obama | Trump gives ex-First Lady 'low-grade-depression'

• 'Cut time-wasting' | Pharmacists want power to change prescriptions

• Normal People podcast | 'Remainers were just talking to themselves'

Around the world: Grace Millane killer's appeal launch

The man who was found guilty of murdering 22-year-old British backpacker Grace Millane in New Zealand in 2018 has appealed his conviction and sentence to life imprisonment. In November, a jury found that Millane was strangled to death on her birthday by the man she met on Tinder, whose identity has been kept secret by court order. Prosecutors said she was strangled for a prolonged period, while he argued her was the result of rough sex gone wrong. Read more.

Thursday interview

Jerome Boateng - 'We understand the Chelsea game is not done'

Since lockdown Bayern Munich have won all 11 of their matches to wrap up the Bundesliga and German Cup, part of a run of 24 wins in 25 games, and they go into the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Chelsea with a 3-0 win from the first game in London. Jerome Boateng tells Jason Burt how the "joy and fun" was brought back to the club - and his own game after concerns his best days were over.

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

• Patrick O'Flynn | Tories need Thatcher-like strength to crush unions

• Andrew Roberts | Why Mrs Thatcher's legacy will never be sunk

• Tom Harris | Douglas Ross can shake up Scotland's political panto

• Patrick Minford | Fit economy requires new thinking about money

• Taha Lokhandwala | Already own gold? Great. Don't buy more

Editor's choice: Features and arts

1. The future of Gen Z's mental health | How to fix the 'unhappiest generation ever'

2. 'I met the man who destroyed my city' | Hiroshima survivor tells of unique meeting

3. Not every man is as schhexy as Connery | The real reason Edinburgh accent is popular

Business and money briefing

Recovery better than expected | The economy is bouncing back from Covid-19 as businesses reopen and shoppers get spending but big risks remain over the recovery, the Bank of England said today. Economics Editor Russell Lynch analyses why Andrew Bailey, the Governor, has struck a curiously upbeat note even as jobs crisis looms.

• Dividend warning | Aviva raises prospect of cut amid UK push

• Hong Kong | Residents snap up property in northern England

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

Sport briefing

England vs Pakistan | After a rain interrupted first day, Pakistan have continued to bat well on day two of the first Test. Follow our liveblog.

• Five subs | Premier League clubs vote against rule for new season

• Alexis Sanchez | Pay-off between £5m and £10m to make Inter move

• Keeping it local | Chelsea curtail pre-season as Covid decimates tour

Tonight's TV

Semi-Detached, BBC Two, 10pm | Given a full series after last year's well-received pilot, Lee Mack is supported by a seasoned comic cast and a premise – each episode takes place in real time – that ensures no let-up in incident. Read more.

And finally... for this evening's downtime

The shambolic Genesis reunion | Setting up Womad – World Of Music And Dance – crippled Peter Gabriel, so his former bandmates offered to keep the bailiffs away. It saved their former lead singer from bankruptcy, but as Ian Winwood reveals, the issue was they could barely remember how to play together.