Wednesday evening news briefing: National Insurance threshold to rise to £12,000 pledges Boris Johnson

Election latest: Prime Minister hints at manifesto promise

Boris Johnson has promised to raise the National Insurance threshold to £12,000, as the Liberal Democrats launch their election manifesto. The Prime Minister made the pledge in response to a testing question from an engineering worker in Teesside. It is likely to form a major plank of the Conservative manifesto, due to launch on Sunday. It comes on a bruising day for the Conservatives after Twitter accused the party of "misleading" voters when its social media team changed its Twitter branding to resemble independent fact-checkers during ITV's election debate last night. You can watch Dominic Raab defend the move and here is a guide to what fake news is – and how to spot it.

The Prime Minister's National Insurance promise comes as the Liberal Democrats launch their election manifesto today, pledging to decriminalise cannabis. The party has also said they will allocate an extra £10 billion a year to schools, as well as putting a 1p uplift on income tax to pay for £7bn a year more funding for the NHS and social care system. Sam Barker looks at how much the Lib Dems' 1p income tax increase will actually cost you. For any of you left wondering what is going on, or what manifestos are, The Refresher newsletter written by Amy Jones explains the key terms and facts behind big political stories. And here is a summary of what all the parties have promised so far.

Lady Colin Campbell dropped after 'defending' Jeffrey Epstein

Royal biographer Lady Colin Campbell has been sacked from turning on the Christmas lights in Prince Charles' home town - after "appearing to partially defend" convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Lady C had been set to appear at the switch-on in Tetbury, Glos., on December 6, which is near Prince Charles' Highgrove House estate. But the 70-year-old's appearance has now been pulled by furious organisers over comments when discussing the scandal-hit Duke of York and disgraced billionaire Epstein. It comes as Prince Andrew is put under fresh pressure to resign his patronages and leadership roles as BT becomes the latest company to pull out of an entrepreneurship scheme set up by the Duke.

Pulling rabbits out of hats: The inside story of Pochettino's fall

Mauricio Pochettino's belief was that winning one trophy with Tottenham Hotspur would be equal to lifting 10 with any of their top-four rivals. In the end, that one trophy proved elusive and the circumstances under which he was asked to pull rabbits out of hats are what he will largely blame for his five-year reign being brought to an end. Matt Law has the inside story on Pochettino's Spurs downfall, which led to the appointment of Jose Mourinho this morning. Now fans are wondering how their beloved side will play under the Portuguese manager. JJ Bull analyses what the crowds at White Hart Lane can expect and here is the case for and against Mourinho, according to two Spurs supporters.

News digest

• Killed by dogs | Calls for hunting ban after pregnant woman dies on stroll

• Harry Dunn | Dominic Raab defends decision to seek legal costs from family

• Child abuse video | Top police officer's career in ruins after conviction

• Swastika image | Boarding school suspends pupils over doctored photo

• Telegraph Travel Awards | Which country did you name the greatest?

Video: Why young Jewish activists have left Labour

Jennifer Cohen was raised in a Jewish Labour-supporting home. Her parents had always voted for the party. But since the election of Jeremy Corbyn as party leader, she now not only would never vote for the party, but feels scared about what a Labour government would mean for British Jews. The Telegraph has spoken to several young, left-wing former Labour supporters who now feel politically homeless under the current Labour leadership. Here is their story.

Comment

• Allison Pearson | Dear, oh, dear! What is it about Jo Swinson?

• Asa Bennett | Corbyn's failure to have a proper Brexit plan is a cruel joke

• Olivia Colman | I can't stand by as refugee children are kept from parents

• Laura Bates | Why more young women are identifying as 'feminist'

• Rebecca Pearson | I know what it's like to be pressured into nudity on set

World news: The one story you must read today...

Journalist's murder | Maltese police arrested one of the country's most prominent businessmen today in connection with an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, two sources said. Yorgen Fenech was detained after police intercepted his yacht off the Mediterranean island, sources with knowledge of the matter said. His arrest came the day after the government said it would offer a pardon to a suspected middleman in the 2017 murder if he provided legally binding evidence of who was behind the killing. Read how police boarded Mr Fenech's vessel and forced it to return to port.

Editor's choice

1. How I retired early | 'I quit the rat race at 43 after getting fired spurred me into action'

2. Illegal parties and gruelling classes | How studying in the US was a world apart

3. The Duchess of Sussex | How she became 2019's 'most powerful' dresser

Business and money briefing

Financial stability under threat | The European Central Bank has admitted that its own record-low interest rates are destroying banks' profits and pose a "key" threat to the ailing region’s financial stability. Read how it may be affecting profitability in the eurozone's banking industry.

• Fever-Tree | Tonic maker's sales lose their fizz with thrifty shoppers

• Robinhood launches | Revolut rival stock trading app coming to the UK

• Stay on top of the markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day

Sport briefing

How to rescue a Premier League season | The table is only 12 games old and still working itself out. Many underperforming clubs are due better performances and good fortune, while some early high fliers are still in danger of being dragged into a relegation scrap. Here is an in-depth look at areas struggling sides need to strengthen - and who they could realistically sign.

• Euro 2020 play-offs explained | The Nations League route to qualifying

• Six Nations | The options if Eddie Jones was unable to pick Saracens players

• From Iranigate to Zinzan | An A-Z of England tours of New Zealand

And finally...

Bush benefits | Hedges can cut air pollution by half, scientists have found after studying particulate levels on either side of a bush near a children's playground. In what is believed to be the first study of its kind, researchers measured traffic pollutants using emerging pollution sensing technology behind and in front of a hedge that shielded a children's park. Read on for details.