Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 14 May 2019

1. WhatsApp admits hackers targeted users

Instant messaging service WhatsApp has admitted hackers were able to exploit a vulnerability in its software to spy on users by installing surveillance software. The attack on the service, owned by Facebook, was aimed at a “select number” of users, WhatsApp said, but recommended that all 1.5 billion should update their app for security purposes.

2. Inequality a threat to democracy, says IFS

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), one of the country’s leading research institutes, says increasing inequality in the UK is driving voters away from the centre ground of politics. The IFS is launching what it says will be the biggest study of inequality, chaired by economist Professor Sir Angus Deaton, who describes the situation as “making a mockery of democracy”.

3. NHS fines overturned for 1.7 million people

The government spending watchdog has found that 1.7 million fines handed out by the NHS to patients wrongly accused of having fraudulently claimed free treatment since 2014 in England have been overturned. Some 30% of all fines imposed in that period, many relating to dental treatment, were withdrawn – totalling £188m.

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4. May warned Labour deal ‘will split party’

Theresa May has been told by a group of former cabinet ministers and other senior Tories that she risks splitting the Conservative Party if she continues trying to find a cross-party solution to Brexit with Labour, The Times reports. Thirteen ex-ministers and Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, have written to May in protest.

5. Trump’s China tariffs awkward for Republicans

US President Donald Trump’s dogged insistence on his trade war with China leaves his Republican colleagues in an awkward position, The Guardian says. Trump’s tariffs are at odds with the party’s belief in free trade and his stance on them contradicts his own economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, who admits they will hurt US consumers.

6. Instant fines for drivers idling engines

The government is considering giving local authorities the power to issue on-the-spot fines to drivers who leave their engines running when parked, in an attempt to reduce air pollution. Environment Secretary Michael Gove said any new powers must be “used proportionately” by councils but said he backed the idea.

7. British-resident ‘spy’ jailed in Iran for 10 years

An Iranian woman who lives in the UK and works for the British Council has been sentenced to ten years in jail in Iran, for alleged spying. She has not been named but is thought to be London-based Aras Amiri, 33, who was arrested in Iran last year while visiting her grandmother there, who was unwell.

8. F1 car flown to home of terminally ill boy

The Mercedes F1 team has delivered one of its cars to the Surrey home of a terminally ill boy dubbed a “spirit angel” by champion Lewis Hamilton. Harry Shaw from Redhill, who is five, sent a good-luck message to Hamilton ahead of the Barcelona grand prix. Hamilton went on to win and dedicated his victory to the young fan.

9. Jacinda Ardern rejects child’s dragon-research bribe

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, has returned a NZ$5 (£2.50) bribe to an 11-year-old girl who had sent the note to her asking her to make her government conduct research into finding dragons with telekinetic powers. Ardern replied saying she was not conducting research in this area but would “keep an eye out” for dragons.

10. Briefing: what is wokeness?

Cambridge University has been accused of holding a “woke inquisition” after one of the institution’s colleges dismissed a researcher over his alleged links with far-right extremists.

But what is the history of wokeness? And is it problematic?

Stay woke: what is wokeness?