Welcome to your early-morning news briefing from The Telegraph - a round-up of the top stories we are covering on Wednesday. To receive twice-daily briefings by email, sign up to our Front Page newsletter for free. 1. Joe Biden refuses to extend Afghanistan deadline

       Joe Biden on Tuesday night rejected calls to delay his Aug 31 exit date from Afghanistan, leaving Boris Johnson and fellow world leaders to ask the Taliban to let people go safely after troops withdraw.

       In a virtual conference call with G7 leaders on Tuesday, the president made it clear that the US was committed to hitting its deadline of pulling out troops by Tuesday, citing heightened security threats. Read the full story.

       2. Longer, ‘greener’ lorries could be rolled out on Britain’s roads next year

       Extra-long “eco-friendly” lorries which cut down the number of freight journeys could be on the roads next year, the Government has announced, amid a shortage of long-haul drivers.

       Longer-semi trailers (LSTs), which are up to 2.05m (6.8ft) longer than the current limit of 13.6m (45ft), could save up to one in eight journeys by fitting more freight in, according to a nine-year trial by the Department for Transport (DfT). Read the full story.

       3. Nigella Lawson renames ‘slut’ dessert saying word has taken on ‘coarser’ meaning

       Nigella Lawson has renamed a dessert in her recipe book after growing concerned the word “slut” had taken on a “coarser” meaning.

       The celebrity cook, 61, made the revelation on social media after posting a “recipe of the day” for a home-made jelly she now calls Ruby Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly. Read the full story.

       4. Senior officer accused of ‘groping’ female sailor removed from HMS Queen Elizabeth

       A senior naval officer has been removed from HMS Queen Elizabeth after he was accused of having “groped” a British female sailor while on deployment.

       The Telegraph understands that the incident took place earlier this month while the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was ashore in Guam and personnel were at a “social function”. Read the full story.

       5. Germany's SPD takes shock poll lead as race to succeed Angela Merkel tightens

       The race to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor tightened dramatically on Tuesday as the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD) took a shock lead in opinion polls.

       With five weeks to go until Germany votes in general elections, the SPD overtook Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrat party (CDU) to take the lead with 23 per cent support. Read the full story.

       Stay up-to-date with breaking news and the latest politics from The Telegraph throughout the day.