the headlines: another 93,000 cases of covid have been recorded across the uk, a record total for the third day in a row. the government's scientific advisers say more stringent restrictions will be needed very soon in england to prevent covid hospital admissions reaching 3,000 a day. ghislaine maxwell, who's on trial in the us on sex trafficking charges, has told the court she won't be giving evidence. ms maxwell said there was no need to testify because the prosecution hadn't proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. she denies grooming girls for the late convicted paedophile, jeffrey epstein. borisjohnson says he takes personal responsibility for the conservatives' by—election defeat in north shropshire. he said there had been too much focus on the conduct of politicians rather than measures which could improve people's lives. some of his mps have urged him to make changes.