Boris Johnson is facing criticism after reportedly saying devolution had been a "disaster north of the border" and introducing it Tony Blair's "biggest mistake" as prime minister. The remarks - first reported in the Sun - were made during a video call with Conservative MPs on Monday. First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon said the comments showed the powers of the Scottish Parliament were under threat and independence was the only way to protect them. Labour also reacted angrily, saying Mr Johnson's attitude "put the future of the UK at risk".  

In public, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross tried to calm the waters - suggesting, as Downing Street has done, that the PM supported devolution and was instead specifically criticising the SNP's handling of it. In private though, several veteran Scottish Tories said there was real anger at the remarks.

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says Mr Johnson's own goal is a political gift for the SNP, six months out from crucial Holyrood elections where Scotland's place in the union is set to be a central issue. It's also another blow to Mr Johnson's attempts to get a grip of his government after days of infighting at Number 10.

President-elect Joe Biden has warned that Donald Trump's refusal to hand over power to him in the usual way could cost lives. Mr Trump hasn't acknowledged he lost the US election - and has, in fact, tweeted the exact opposite.

The government agency that handles the transition has therefore not recognised the incoming administration, and sensitive information and briefings haven't been given to the Biden team. Crucially, they're excluded from planning around coronavirus, and in particular, a vaccination distribution strategy. Mr Biden said that lack of co-operation could lead to dangerous delays. Former first lady Michelle Obama also urged Mr Trump to step aside for the good of the country. "This is not a game," she wrote on social media.

President Trump has criticised the use of an electronic voting system widely used by election authorities, suggesting it's lost him millions of votes. BBC Reality Check debunks those claims. And while much attention is focused on the election, the pandemic has been getting worse in the US. Here we examine how bad the situation is.

The Scottish government will decide later whether to place some areas under its highest level of coronavirus restrictions. Those causing most concern are Glasgow, North and South Lanarkshire, East and West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire - with a total population of about 1.8 million. The level four controls would mean all hospitality, non-essential shops, gyms and salons would have to close. Schools would stay open. Read more on the rules.

Meanwhile, a senior health official has suggested the regional tiered system of measures in England - explained here - may have to be "strengthened" to get the country "through the winter". Public Health England's Susan Hopkins said tier one had "very little effect" and the impact of tier two was inconsistent. Our health correspondent Nick Triggle says the discussion in government about what happens after lockdown is very much ongoing. 

The news about a second effective coronavirus vaccine is widely reported.  The Guardian claims the government "scrambled" to secure five million doses "amid fears that Britain had missed out". The Daily Star accuses the government of "sleeping on the jab" by forgetting to put in an order. But the Times is optimistic - it says Health Secretary Matt Hancock "brushed off" suggestions ministers should have moved earlier to secure a larger supply. "Lockdown looms over Christmas" is the ominous headline on the front of the Daily Telegraph, after Mr Hancock also admitted it was "too early to know" if the current restrictions in England were making a difference. The Daily Mail finds positives though, in the news that testing of care home visitors will be rolled out nationwide within weeks. "You can hold Granny's hand at Christmas" is its headline. Elsewhere, the Sun says it can reveal that Britain's chief Brexit negotiator, Lord Frost, has told Boris Johnson to expect a trade deal with the EU "early next week". The paper's leader accepts "no deal is the harder road", but warns the PM that "a sell-out is the certain road to rapid political ruin". 

Observing other mums going wild on a hen night while she was sober inspired Sophie McCartney to make spoof Attenborough-style videos about motherhood. The series, Planet Birth, has now won her a Funny Women award. Elsewhere, BBC Women's Hour has announced its top 30 women working in the environment - see who made the list. And finally, with live venues closed and much filming on hold, celebrities are finding new ways to entertain - and pay the bills - including sending personalised video messages to fans.

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