Monday evening news briefing: Is it safe to travel as coronavirus takes hold in Europe?

Military officers outside Milan cathedral - FLAVIO LO SCALZO/REUTERS
Military officers outside Milan cathedral - FLAVIO LO SCALZO/REUTERS

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Travel advice updated as coronavirus grips continent

Seven people have died in a day in Italy. Global stock markets have turned into a bloodbath. In South Korea, the start of the football season has been postponed indefinitely. The worrying headlines are stacking up as the coronavirus outbreak spreads, with Oman and Iran reporting their first cases today. With 11 Italian towns on lockdown - and a search underway to find a super-spreader of the disease - is it safe to travel to Italy? Greg Dickinson has the latest advice and explains how your travel insurance could be affected. And here is a reminder of the symptoms to look out for, and what to do if you think you may have coronavirus.

Meanwhile, panicked investors are selling off shares in droves on fears the coronavirus will send shockwaves through the global economy. Traders have piled into low-risk assets such as gold and the US dollar. Meanwhile, an influential survey has predicted the German economy will stagnate for another quarter as businesses struggling with the manufacturing slump are hit by coronavirus and trade tempests. For the latest updates, including the number of UK cases, follow our liveblog.

PM defends under-fire Patel after bullying claims

Boris Johnson has confirmed he has "full confidence" in Priti Patel, as colleagues lined up to defend the Home Secretary over hostile briefings. Media reports that Ms Patel is distrusted by intelligence chiefs and bullied her staff have been dismissed as "false" by the government. Former environment secretary Theresa Villiers claimed the "spiteful" leaks about Ms Patel are sexist, amid reports the Home Secretary has ordered an inquiry into the briefings. The Prime Minister's official spokesman issued a statement today. It comes as Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite to become the next Labour leader, said that if he came into power, he would scrap the "offensive" minimum salary threshold under the points-based immigration system unveiled by Ms Patel last week.

Setting lynx wild in Britain 'could cut deer numbers'

Lynx could be reintroduced into Britain's countryside to keep deer numbers down, the head of Natural England has said. The big cat has been missing from the UK for 1,300 years, but proponents of rewilding have called for its return, pointing to successful trials in Europe. Tony Juniper told The Telegraph that as part of his plans to restore nature, he would like to reintroduce animals that once roamed the British countryside before man hunted them to extinction and destroyed their habitats. Yet many groups, including farmers, are opposed to the idea.

News digest

Video: Inside the dressing room with Tyson Fury

It was undoubtedly one of the greatest nights for British boxing. But what was it like inside the dressing room with Tyson Fury before his historic victory? Boxing Correspondent Gareth A Davies was there as the Gypsy King prepared for the fight and filmed him as he readied himself for battle against Deontay Wilder in the most extraordinary way.

Comment

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

Just not cricket | India poured on the pageantry with a joyful, colourful welcome for President Donald Trump today that kicked off a whirlwind 36-hour visit meant to reaffirm US-India ties. More than 100,000 people packed into the world's largest cricket stadium, where the president was hugged on stage by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But there was a comedy moment when President Trump mispronounced cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's name during speech at Motera stadium.

Editor's choice - health and fitness special

Bobbi Brown | 'I only need a week of bread to put on 10 pounds - but one trick works for me'

 

Dry fasting | The wellness influencers who are giving up water

 

'Digital diets' | What would happen if you gave up your phone for Lent?

Business and money briefing

New tax rules to batter landlords | Property owners who let their houses and apartments are selling up because they will no longer be able to claim tax relief on mortgage interest payments from April. So where will they put their money now? Harry Brennan analyses the options.

Sport briefing

Mo Farah | Britain's Olympic athletics hero reportedly "denied" to United States anti-doping investigators that he had received injections of a controversial supplement before the 2014 London Marathon, only to later alter his account saying he had initially forgotten. Read on for details of the new evidence to be shown in a BBC Panorama programme.

Tonight's TV

Flesh and Blood, ITV, 9pm | Flesh and Blood may not be great art, but it is great fun and has a cast to match. Francesca Annis plays Vivien, a wealthy widow and head of a family of three children. Read on for more.

And finally...

Year-long flights | Short-haul it most certainly is not. Defence giant BAE Systems proudly boasted about the maiden flight of its Phasa-35 drone, flagging the prospect of the high-altitude solar-powered craft eventually staying aloft for a year. Read on for details of the aircraft.