Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 29 Apr 2019

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1. Rape victims to be asked to surrender phones
2. Socialists win Spain election with no majority
3. Sri Lanka bans burka following terror attack
4. London Marathon tops £1bn for charity
5. Severely obese people 50% more likely to die early
6. Over-50s ‘should pay more National Insurance’
7. Model aged 26 dies after catwalk collapse
8. Fewer UK tourists booking EU holidays
9. Study: sugar not necessary to enjoy tea
10. What is China’s Belt and Road initiative?

published 29 April 2019

1. Rape victims to be asked to surrender phones

Police in England and Wales are now asking victims of alleged crimes – including rape – to hand over their mobile phones and give permission for their data to be accessed. The new policy comes after several rape and serious assault cases collapsed when evidence from phones later emerged, but Victim Support warned that it could deter reporting of crimes.

2. Socialists win Spain election with no majority

Spain’s ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) won the country’s snap general election yesterday but did not secure a majority and will have to seek a coalition partner. PSOE won 123 seats in parliament, while its nearest rival, the conservative Popular Party, won 66. The recently founded far-right Vox party broke through to win 24.

3. Sri Lanka bans burka following terror attack

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has announced that he is using emergency powers to ban face coverings in public. Sirisena did not specify the niqab or burka but he is believed to be targeting Muslims, after Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday bombings that claimed at least 250 lives.

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4. London Marathon tops £1bn for charity

A record 42,905 competitors took part in the London Marathon yesterday. Organisers said afterwards that the annual event has raised a total of £1bn for charities since its inception in 1981. British Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah finished fifth in the men’s race, more than three minutes behind the winner, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge.

5. Severely obese people 50% more likely to die early

Middle-aged people who are severely obese are 50% more likely to die early than those of a healthy weight, according to analysis of data from 2.8 million NHS patients. Those with the highest levels of obesity were found to have 12 times the risk of type 2 diabetes, 22 times the risk of sleep apnoea and four times the risk of heart failure, compared with peers who are not overweight.

6. Over-50s ‘should pay more National Insurance’

People over 50 years old should pay more than £300 extra National Insurance a year in order to fund a “fairer” social care system, former Tory cabinet minister Damien Green says. The idea is a “last resort” suggested by Green to bring in an extra £2.4bn in funding. As a minister, Green drew up a green paper on social care.

7. Model aged 26 dies after catwalk collapse

A male model has died in Brazil after collapsing on a catwalk during Sao Paulo fashion week. Tales Soares, who was 26, fell ill on Saturday. According to Brazilian media, spectators at the event initially thought that his fall was part of a performance. Soares was a vocal advocate for gay rights in the South American country.

8. Fewer UK tourists booking EU holidays

Figures from travel agent Thomas Cook and the Post Office suggest that fewer Britons will take their summer holiday in an EU destination this year, perhaps because of the uncertainty of Brexit. Thomas Cook said 10% fewer of its customers are visiting the EU this year, while separate data from the Post Office reveals a jump in currency sales for long-haul destinations including Japan and Indonesia.

9. Study: sugar not necessary to enjoy tea

People who take sugar in their tea are likely to enjoy the drink just as much if they cut out the sweet stuff, either gradually or in one step, according to a study by British researchers. The team, who analysed data on 64 tea drinkers who changed their habits, said: “Reducing sugar in tea doesn’t affect liking, suggesting long-term behaviour change is possible.”