Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 18 Sep 2019

1. Supreme Court hears prorogation defence

The Supreme Court is beginning the second day of the hearing into whether Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament for five weeks in the run-up to the Brexit deadline was lawful. The court will be hearing arguments in favour of the Government from Sir James Eadie QC. On Tuesday, Lord Pannick QC, representing businesswoman Gina Miller and other campaigners against the prime minister’s move, said the suspension was carried out to “silence” MPs and was an “unlawful abuse of power”.

Prorogation unlawful: will Boris Johnson resign?

2. Israel: political deadlock following second election

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fallen short of securing a parliamentary majority with his hard-right allies in the country’s second election this year, exit polls suggest. Official results are expected this morning, but it appears that there will be no clear winner. The vote was called after Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government in the wake of an election in April.

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Israeli election - is the Netanyahu era over?

3. US says Saudi oil attack drones were launched from Iran

The US says it has identified locations in southern Iran as the sites from which drones and cruise missiles were launched to attack major Saudi Arabian oil facilities on Saturday. US officials told media that Saudi defences did not stop the attacks because they were pointed south to protect against attacks from Yemen. The air strikes have pushed up the price of oil globally.

4. Air pollution particles found on placentas

Researchers have found black particles caused by air pollution on the foetal side of placentas, suggesting unborn babies are exposed directly to pollution in the womb. The study, led by Belgian scientists, is the first to show that particles breathed in by the mother can breach the placental barrier. It was already known that dirty air increases the risk of miscarriage.

Toxic air ‘will shorten children's lives by 20 months’

5. Thunberg tells US Congress to ‘try harder’

Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg told the US Congress yesterday: “I know you are trying but just not hard enough. Sorry.” The 16-year-old, who sailed to the US from England last month, was joined by fellow young campaigners at the meeting with the Senate climate crisis task force. On Monday, Thunberg visited Barack Obama at his office in Washington D.C.

Today’s newspapers: ‘Bullish Boris ready to walk away’

6. Australian hiker ‘carries own leg’ to rescue

An Australian hiker has spoken of how he had to had to “carry” his broken leg while crawling through bushland after falling down a waterfall. Neil Parker, 54, says it took him two days to cover two miles after his leg was “clean snapped in half” in the tumble on Sunday at Mount Nebo, northwest of Brisbane. Parker, who also fractured his wrist, was finally rescued after reaching a clearing in the bushland, where he was spotted and winched to safety by a helicopter team.

7. Death of panda in Thailand prompts anger in China

The death of a giant panda in a zoo in Thailand has prompted an outpouring of anger on Chinese social media. Male panda Chuang Chuang had been at the Chiang Mai zoo on loan from China since 2003. The animal’s unexpected death on Monday at the age of 19 has prompted Chinese authorities to send investigators to Thailand, amid online claims that he was not cared for properly.

8. Amazon to make Lord of the Rings series in NZ

Amazon Studios has announced it will make its new Lord of the Rings TV series in New Zealand, promising a major boost for the country’s economy. The show, a prequel to Sir Peter Jackson’s three films, is expected to be the most expensive TV series ever made, with a budget of $1bn (£801m). Shooting is to start in Auckland in the next few months.

9. All Blacks cover up their tattoos in Japan

The New Zealand All Blacks have been forced to cover up their tattoos while not on the pitch defending their Rugby World Cup title at the tournament in Japan. Halfback Aaron Smith said he and his teammates were wearing long-sleeve tops or tights while in hotel lobbies and when visiting public baths, because tattoos are associated with yakuza gangsters in Japanese culture.

2019 Rugby World Cup squads: who will be playing for the 20 teams in Japan?

10. Briefing: will Article 50 be extended?

Boris Johnson is searching for a way around a new law designed to prevent him from taking Britain out of the EU without a deal on 31 October.

Parliament passed a bill earlier this month demanding that the prime minister must ask Brussels to push back the Brexit deadline to 31 January if he cannot reach a withdrawal agreement with the bloc and MPs don’t vote for no-deal. But will he make the request for an extension - and would he get one?

Article 50: will it be extended or revoked?