Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 20 Apr 2019

1. Police release footage of Lyra McKee murder

Detectives investigating the murder of journalist Lyra McKee have released footage of the shooting and appealed for help from the local community. The 29-year-old was struck by a bullet as she reported on rioting in Londonderry on Thursday night. At a vigil in Derry on Friday, McKee's partner, Sara Canning, described her as a “tireless advocate and activist” for the LGBT community.

2. Juncker warns that Britain cannot delay Brexit indefinitely

The UK cannot delay Brexit indefinitely and must stop wasting time, says the European commission chief. Jean-Claude Juncker told Britain that its departure from the European Union must happen by the new 31 October deadline. “I hope that the British will make use of this time and not waste it again. We cannot keep on putting off the withdrawal date indefinitely,” said Juncker.

3. CIA warns Britain that Huawei has Chinese security links

The Chinese telecoms company that wants to supply vital technology for Britain’s new 5G mobile network is backed by branches of Beijing’s state security apparatus, the CIA has warned. Intelligence shows that Huawei has taken money from the People’s Liberation Army, China’s National Security Commission and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, reports The Times.

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4. Nearly a quarter of teachers face pupil violence every week

Almost one-quarter of teachers are suffering violence at least once a week, according to a union. In a study of 4,912 teachers, 89% had been subjected to physical or verbal abuse over the past year and 24% said they had been physically attacked by pupils at least once a week. One said: “I feel like I have had all of my powers to deal with unruly behaviour stripped away from me.”

5. Bercow warned Trump snub could harm US relationship

John Bercow must allow Donald Trump to address Parliament this summer or risk impairing Britain's special relationship with the US, ministers believe. As preparations continue for President Trump to make a full State visit to the UK in June, the Speaker is refusing to extend the traditional courtesy of asking the visiting President to address. US officials have made it clear that they are angry at the snub.

6. ‘Respectful’ Assange ‘went through hell’ in embassy

Julian Assange went through “hell” in the Ecuadorian embassy as officials tried to “break him down”, according to a former senior diplomat. Fidel Narvaez, who worked at the London embassy for six of the seven years the WikiLeaks head lived there, said: “Julian had a respectful relationship with staff, diplomats and administrative staff.”

7. Hot weather will see Easter spree, predict experts

Shoppers are set for an “£11.5bn Easter spending splurge,” says the Daily Mail. The warm weekend is expected to increase takings in a boost for the High Street and overall economy. Punters are tipped to splash out on summery clothes and days out, as well as garden centre and DIY products. The Met Office expects highs of up to 27C (80F) over the Bank Holiday weekend.

8. Three top climbers feared dead after avalanche in Rockies

Three of the world’s leading climbers are feared dead after being engulfed by an avalanche during a “nightmare” ascent in the Canadian Rockies. Jess Roskelley, 36, David Lama, 28, and Hansjörg Auer, 35 had been attempting a route on the 3,295m (10,810ft) Howse Peak, in Banff National Park, Alberta. They have been described as “three of the most cutting-edge climbers of the last years”.

9. Penalties for swearing and other minor offences soar

Penalties of up to £100 handed out for minor misbehaviour have rocketed by 400% since 2016. The offences include parents who dropped their kids off outside the school gates and others punished for swearing in the street. Public Spaces Protection Orders let councils ban whatever they think has a “detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality”.

10. Fresh heartbreak for Adele as she separates from husband

Adele has separated from her husband Simon Konecki, her representatives have announced. In a statement on Friday, they said the pair were “committed to raising their son together lovingly”. The 30-year-old married Konecki, a charity boss, in 2016. The best-selling artist is known for her chart-topping albums 19, 21 and 25. In 2018 it was revealed Adele made £142m in one world tour.