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Tuesday morning news briefing: Boris Johnson tears up backstop

Bedside mannerisms | Boris Johnson meets Scarlett Gibbons, five, during a visit to the paediatric unit of the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro yesterday - 2019 Getty Images
Bedside mannerisms | Boris Johnson meets Scarlett Gibbons, five, during a visit to the paediatric unit of the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro yesterday - 2019 Getty Images

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Prime Minister demands new arrangements with Europe

With just 10 weeks until Britain is due to leave the European Union, Boris Johnson is talking tough. The Prime Minister last night tore up the Northern Irish backstop and demanded new terms for a Brexit deal. Read the blistering letter Mr Johnson sent EU Council president Donald Tusk, as he suggested new proposals. It came after a one-hour phone call in which the Prime Minister and Leo Varadkar, the Irish premier, clashed over the border issue. If you need a reminder, Europe Editor Peter Foster has a very simple guide to the Brexit backstop and Irish border conundrum. He has also travelled to Poland to write a dispatch on the reality of European border controls in a small town.  Meanwhile, ministers are worried that the Government's no-deal public information website could crash under the weight of people seeking post-Brexit information. Here is what is planned under the £130million public information campaign and this is how a no-deal Brexit could affect your daily life.

Knight to the rescue: Sir Elton defends royals over 'hypocrisy'

Sir Elton John counted Diana, Princess of Wales as "one of my dearest friends" and movingly sang at her funeral. Now the pop star has leapt to the defence of her younger son in an attempt to shield the Duke of Sussex and his wife from "relentless and untrue assassinations" amid allegations of hypocrisy over their private jet flights. Robert Mendick explains how the singer put a metaphorical arm around the Duke and Duchess. Meanwhile, Prince Harry's former girlfriend Cressida Bonas has announced her engagement - to another Harry.

Bake Off contestants revealed: Why are they so young?

The Great British Bake Off has unveiled its youngest line-up ever, with half of the show's contestants in their 20s. Jessica Carpani has full details and the producers' reason for choosing so many young people. And what about the star bakers of yesteryear? Here is what previous winners are up to.

News briefing

Gallery: The big picture

Whole world in their hands | Choristers from Holy Trinity Church Coventry rehearse for evensong as Gaia, a 23ft sculpture of Earth, hangs on display at Peterborough Cathedral. View more striking images from around the world.

Choir - Credit: Joe Giddens /PA
Credit: Joe Giddens /PA

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Editor's choice

  1. Britain's booming cities | Most affordable spots (outside London)

  2. 'I was the last survivor' | Marchioness 30 years on

  3. Money Makeover | 'I earn £36k. Can I retire in 15 years, age 47?'

Business and money briefing

Greene King | Hong Kong's richest man has made a bid to become one of the biggest players in the British beer business, with a £4.6bn takeover of Greene King. Oliver Gill has what else the 91-year-old billionaire's conglomerate owns.

Sport briefing

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Man United 1 | Paul Pogba missed a crucial penalty as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were held to a draw by Wolves. But why didn't Marcus Rashford take it instead? Read Jason Burt's match report.

And finally...

Dirty protest | A landlord is dumbfounded by the arrival of a pile of manure outside his pub - laden with signs accusing him of cheating on his wife. As Bill Gardner explains, he insisted the allegations were part of a smear campaign.