Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 24 Mar 2019

1. 'Erratic' May facing a 'full-blown cabinet coup'

Theresa May is reportedly facing a full-blown cabinet coup as senior ministers moved to oust the prime minister and replace her with her deputy, David Lidington. The Sunday Times says “frantic” telephone calls saw senior ministers agree that the PM must announce she is standing down. They concluded she has become a toxic and “erratic” figure whose judgment has “gone haywire”.

2. MPs expenses claims have soared since 2009 scandal

MPs are claiming 22% more in taxpayer-funded expenses than they did in 2009 when a scandal erupted over the issue. The Sunday Times found that the total claimed by MPs has risen by more than a fifth to £116m. Britain’s wealthiest MP, the Conservative Richard Benyon, submitted parliamentary expenses for a £6.80 lavatory seat from Wilko in August 2017.

3. Passengers airlifted from cruise ship after SOS call

More than 1,300 passengers are being airlifted one-by-one to safety from a cruise ship after its engines failed in stormy conditions off the west coast of Norway. Authorities in the county of More og Romsdal said the ship suffered engine problems and all those aboard were being evacuated to shore. The MV Viking Sky had sent out a distress signal amid high waves and strong winds.

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4. Barbra Streisand apologises for Michael Jackson remarks

Barbra Streisand has apologised for comments she made about Michael Jackson and the child abuse accusations against him. The singer had told The Times that she believed the allegations against Jackson but said his actions “didn't kill” the accusers and that “his sexual needs were his sexual needs”. Taking to social media, she has said she “didn't mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced”.

5. 'One million' march for a second Brexit referendum

An estimated one million people yesterday marched through central London yesterday to ask that MPs grant them a fresh referendum on Brexit. Protesters carrying EU flags and placards called for any Brexit deal to be put to another public vote. Speakers at the rally included Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former and former attorney general Dominic Grieve.

6. Cyclone Idai death toll surges as scores more deaths reported

The death toll from Cyclone Idai, which ripped through southern Africa, has risen dramatically after the authorities reported scores more deaths. Land and Environment Minister Celso Correia said the number of people declared dead in Mozambique rose from 242 to 417. The revised figure puts the overall death toll at about 700 people across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

7. Campaigners call for supermarkets to ban glitter

Supermarkets are being told to stop stalling over a ban of sales of glitter. Campaigners say leading retailers must back customers’ wishes and phase out microplastics. “Glitter might look lovely but, because it’s plastic, it sticks around long after the sparkle has gone – often in the stomachs of fish and birds,” said the 38 Degrees, which has launched a petition.

8. Islamic State 'planning attacks in Europe' after caliphate falls

Islamic State is plotting attacks in Europe as its “caliphate” collapses, claims The Sunday Times. “Chilling” documents suggest that the group plans to “wreak devastation” after their territorial self-declared caliphate was recently lost in Syria. However, it also lists “Problems and obstacles,” including: “No availability of suicide bombers.”

9. Medicines 'will not run out after no-deal' says professor

Medicines will not run out in the event of a no-deal Brexit, claims a royal college. Prof Russell Viner, the president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said he had been “considerably reassured” by the government. He told them: “We do not believe there is a need to stockpile medicines and would encourage you to dissuade patients from doing so.”

10. England's final cigarette 'will be smoked by 2050'

The last cigarette to be smoked in England will be in Derby by 2050, researchers have predicted. Their report claims that if the current decline in smoking continues, then today’s 7.4m smokers will reduce to zero in 30 years. They say Bristol will become the first city to quit by having no smokers after 2024, followed by York and Wokingham.