Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 May 2019

1. Brexit Party overtakes the Tories in two opinion polls

The Brexit Party has overtaken the Tories in national polling, with Nigel Farage predicted to win 49 seats in a general election. Labour would become the largest party by a margin of 137 seats, allowing Jeremy Corbyn to lead a minority government. A separate study found that Farage’s party had soared to a level higher than for the two main parties put together.

2. Hinduja brothers lead Rich List as Sheeran leapfrogs Adele

The Hinduja brothers have been named as the wealthiest people in the UK for a third time. According to The Sunday Times Rich List, Sri and Gopi Hinduja saw their fortune swell by £1.356bn in the last year to £22bn. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran has doubled his wealth in the last year to rise above Adele with a total worth of £160m.

3. Regulator probes charity's links to the opioid lobby

The Charity Commission has launched an inquiry into the charity Pain UK over its links to the opioid lobby. The Sunday Times says the charity is lobbying GPs to “carry on” giving patients opioids and has multiple links to makers of the potent painkillers, which it has failed to disclose. An expert said the revelations were “outrageous”.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. Sacked Williamson launches attack on May's Brexit talks

Former defence secretary Gavin Williamson says Theresa May's Brexit talks with the Labour Party are a “grave mistake”. Williamson, who was sacked over the Huawei leak, told the Mail on Sunday the talks were “destined to fail” as Jeremy Corbyn's only real interest was a general election. “It can only ever end in tears,” he added.

5. Farrakhan talks of ‘Satanic Jews’ as he denies antisemitism

During a speech denying allegations of antisemitism, Louis Farrakhan has referred to “Satanic Jews”. The Nation of Islam leader was also denying allegations of misogyny and homophobia after Facebook banned him from the social media platform. Farrakhan, who turns 86 this weekend, said those who think he is a hater do not know him and have never spoken to him.

6. ANC wins South African election despite worst-ever result

The African National Congress has won the South African election, despite recording its worst-ever result. The ANC's 57.5% share of the vote was its worst-ever election performance since 1994. Although President Cyril Ramaphosa now has another five years in office, his rivals will see him as a vulnerable target.

7. Threat from organised crime is ‘chronic’ says NCA chief

Organised crime is “chronic and corrosive” to the UK and more money is needed to tackle it, says the National Crime Agency. The agency’s head, Lynne Owens, said organised criminals were killing more citizens per year than terrorism, war and natural disasters combined. She called for “significant new investment” to combat organised crime.

8. ‘The young will pay’ for surge in public sector pensioners

The number of public sector’s pensioners retiring on incomes of more than £100,000 has more than tripled in the past seven years, according to a charity. The Intergenerational Foundation said the news illustrates a growing divide between the generations. “Younger workers will not receive such generous pensions, yet they are expected to keep paying for these pensions,” said a spokesman.

9. Wrestling star dies after collapse during London show

A former World Championship Wrestling star has died after collapsing during a show in London. Silver King reportedly died from a heart attack in the ring while facing Warrior Youth, according to the Mexican outlet Record. The wrestler, whose real name is Cesar Barron was performing at the Roundhouse in Camden, in north London.

10. Anger as female Afghan journalist is killed after threats

A leading Afghan journalist and political adviser has been shot dead in Kabul, days after she warned on social media that she feared for her life. Mena Mangal was gunned down in public in broad daylight. Women’s rights activists say the authorities left her unprotected. “This woman had already shared that her life was in danger. Why did nothing happen?,” said one.