After 10 days of talks failed to find consensus, ministers have given local leaders in Greater Manchester an ultimatum - agree a deal on moving to the highest level of coronavirus restrictions by midday on Tuesday, or the government will take action. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the region's leaders had been "unwilling to take the action that is required to get this situation under control".
What situation? Well, the government argues Manchester's hospitals are under strain as the case count rises. But Prof Jane Eddleston, the region's medical lead for coronavirus, said the situation was "serious" but intensive care was not at risk of being overwhelmed. Mayor Andy Burnham and council leader Sir Richard Leese have also raised questions about how effective the tier three measures - explained here - would be, and about the level of financial support being offered for businesses and individuals affected.
The two Labour politicians said they were disappointed when the idea of an additional hardship fund was "taken off the table" on Monday, but Mr Jenrick said it was never on. Sir Richard has acknowledged the region will have to accept whatever is ultimately decided by government. In our political editor's view it's a pretty extraordinary and risky fight for both sides, and certainly one the prime minister would rather not repeat.
Elsewhere, there's been a mixed reaction in Wales to the decision to impose a two-week lockdown from Friday. Opponents say targeting hotspots would cause less economic damage, but First Minister Mark Drakeford insisted a "circuit-breaker" was necessary. And in other news, passengers flying from Heathrow will now be able to pay for a rapid Covid test before check-in. The aim is to help people travelling to some destinations where proof of a negative result is required on arrival.

Microphones are to be muted for parts of the final televised US presidential debate on Thursday in an attempt to stop the constant interruptions that marred the first clash. Nevertheless, incumbent Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden are already rowing even before the event. The latest dispute is over the topics they'll discuss - the president is accusing organisers of leaving out foreign policy to help his opponent, but the Biden camp says Mr Trump is trying to avoid questions about his response to the pandemic.
With two weeks until election day, Mr Biden has a commanding lead nationally in opinion polls, but a smaller one in the handful of key states that will ultimately decide the outcome. Today, we're taking a close look at the election from a global perspective. Who does China really want to win? And why does the result matter so much to Germans? Finally, how would a Biden victory change US foreign policy?

Visa and Mastercard have been accused of cashing in during the pandemic by charging retailers "excessive fees". Many more shops and hospitality businesses have switched to card payments as part of Covid safety measures, but the British Retail Consortium says the fees being charged by the two firms have almost doubled in the last two years. It says those costs will have to be passed onto customers. The industry body wants the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate. Visa and Mastercard say they offer fast, secure payment systems which "generate significant value" for businesses.

There's a mixed reaction to the Welsh Government's decision to impose a coronavirus circuit-breaker. "How brave of the Labour leader in Wales," the Sun says sarcastically, "to volunteer his people for house arrest, joblessness and ruin - to test the scientifically dubious theory that a new lockdown may set Covid back." The Daily Mirror is more generous and suggests Westminster "must follow suit" with a similar plan. The Guardian agrees the Welsh move has left England "going it alone". The i questions whether the public should be "jolted into compliance with worst-case scenarios", or "does that risk causing more damage by discouraging sick people from seeking help?" Along those lines, the Daily Express says leading charities, doctors and grieving parents have demanded action over what it describes as a "shocking rise" in people dying at home during the pandemic. And according to the Daily Mail, Prince William has warned of a "mental health catastrophe" if lockdowns stop people socialising. Finally, the Manchester Evening News says it's been trying to unravel the "secrecy and spin surrounding Greater Manchester's hospital figures", but has found it "impossible to provide a reliable and detailed picture" of NHS capacity "despite it being at the heart of a raging political row".

Folk-singing sisters The Staves had to navigate grief and self-doubt after their mother died unexpectedly. They tell BBC music reporter Mark Savage how they found their way back. Elsewhere, amid ongoing concern about overfishing, scientists say eating more jellyfish may be a sustainable alternative. Marine biologist Lisa-ann Gershwin explains why. And finally, meet the forklift truck drivers who never leave their desks - controlling their machines from afar.

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