Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 16 Jun 2019

1. Saudis demand a ‘decisive’ response to oil attacks

Saudi Arabia has demanded a “rapid and decisive" response to attacks on oil tankers in the Middle East. Khalid al-Falih, the energy minister, warned of a threat to energy supplies and market stability after two tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, weeks after four others were targeted off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

2. Man is stabbed to death in east London

A man in his 30s has been stabbed to death in Tower Hamlets, east London. The man was found on Alton Street just before 2pm on Saturday. The stabbing comes after two teenagers were killed in a stabbing and shooting which happened 12 minutes apart in different parts of London on Friday. Ten people have been arrested in connection with the latter offences.

3. Notre Dame holds its first mass since devastating fire

The Notre Dame in Paris has held its first Mass since the April fire which caused vast damage to its roof and destroyed its spire. The clergy, led by the Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit, wore hard hats as they held the Mass to a limited assembly of around 30 people.

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4. More evacuation orders in flood-hit Lincolnshire

Nearly 600 homes in Lincolnshire have been told to evacuate as more is rain forecast. A river burst its banks in the region after the torrential rain which has hit the UK this week. Matt Warman MP said the town of Wainfleet was “by no means out of the woods yet” when it came to danger.

5. Legendary Italian film director dies at 96

Italian director Franco Zeffirelli has died aged 96. He passed away at his home in Rome. His son Luciano said his father “had suffered for a while, but he left in a peaceful way”. Zeffirelli was best known for his film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, opera and the television miniseries Jesus of Nazareth.

6. Hong Kong shelves extraditions plan after mass protests

The Hong Kong government has suspended its plan to allow extraditions to mainland China. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said: “I feel deep sorrow and regret that deficiencies in our work – and various other factors – have stirred up substantial controversies.” The controversial plan had sparked huge protests.

7. Kenyan police die after car hits a roadside bomb

At least eight Kenyan police officers have died after their car hit a roadside bomb. Eleven people were in the car when it hit the device near the Somali border. Although nobody has admitted to planting the bomb, it has been reported that the officers had been chasing suspected al-Shabab Islamist militants.

8. ‘Lucky to be here’ Froome ‘fully focused’ on recovery

The cyclist Chris Froome says he is “fully focused” on getting “back to his best” after his high-speed crash on Wednesday. The Tour de France champion said “I know how lucky I am to be here” after he suffered a fracture to his neck as well as a fractured right femur, elbow and ribs, plus a broken hip.

9. Man charged after woman with toddler was stabbed

A man has been charged after a 36-year-old woman with a toddler was stabbed in north London last week. Christel Stainfield-Bruce was pushing her three-year-old son in a buggy when she was attacked in Islington after she refused to hand over her phone. Ismail Musa has been charged with causing GBH with intent.

10. Vast swarms of flies terrifying villagers in Russia

Huge swarms of flies have hit villages in Russia’s Urals region, causing health concerns and anxiety over local harvests. “You can’t hang out your washing to dry or open your windows, let alone go outside,” said a woman in Lazorevy told state television, as thick clouds of flies swept into the village.