Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 1 Jul 2019

1. Hong Kong protesters clash with police on China handover anniversary

Police in Hong Kong used pepper spray, batons and shields on pro-democracy protesters who seized key roads earlier today ahead of what is expected to be a huge rally on the 22nd anniversary of the city’s handover to China. The semi-autonomous city has been shaken by a series of demonstrations over the past month, with protesters demanding the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

Police and protesters clash on Hong Kong anniversary

2. Hunt angers businesses with no-deal comment

Business groups have criticised Tory leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt for saying that he would tell people whose companies went bust as a result of a no-deal Brexit that their sacrifice had been necessary. Appearing on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, Hunt also said he would pursue no deal if a new departure plan looked impossible by the start of October. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson’s ally Matt Hancock has promised that the leadership front runner would scrap public sector pay freezes if he becomes prime minister.

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Jeremy Hunt would tell small businesses no-deal Brexit was worth it

3. Assault and robbery among crimes reported in Parliament

Crimes reported in Parliament have soared by nearly 50% in the last two years, with offences including assault, robbery, blackmail and drug possession, according to the Metropolitan Police. Figures released to Sky News in response to a freedom of information request show that a total of 578 crimes were reported on the parliamentary estate in Westminster between 2016 and 2018. A sharp increase in the number of threatening letters sent to MPs is being attributed to anger over Brexit.

What is behind the surge in crimes reported in Parliament?

4. CoE to stream new commandments for social media

The Church of England is to unveil its guidelines for social media use, in a bid to tackle abuse and misleading content. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will unveil the set of online principles during a live Q&A at Facebook’s UK headquarters today. He will also urge Christians to sign up to a “digital charter” to help foster a “positive atmosphere” online.

Is social media bad for your mental health?

5. Soho is most unhealthy place to live in UK, study finds

The central London area of Soho is the least healthy place to live in the UK, while the healthiest is the market town of Great Torrington in Devon, a new study has concluded. The other nine places in the top ten healthiest areas were all in Scotland. Researchers from the University of Liverpool based their analysis on a range of range of lifestyle and environmental factors, including proximity to health services and parks, and levels of air pollution.

6. FA fury as US officials caught in England’s World Cup hotel

A row has broken out at the Women’s World Cup in France after undercover US team officials were caught wandering into private rooms at England’s hotel while Phil Neville’s side were out training. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, two days before the two teams meet in Tuesday’s semi-final. The US team insisted they were merely investigating the Lyon hotel for a possible future stay but the Football Assocation is said to be furious.

Today's back pages: England beat India at Cricket World Cup

7. Taylor Swift’s back catalogue bought by man she calls ‘bully’

All of US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s master tapes and studio albums have been bought by a man that she alleges bullied her for years. Manager and mogul Scooter Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings announced on Sunday that it is acquiring Big Machine Label Group, which owns Swift’s back catalogue. The chart-topper, who moved to Universal Music Group in November, wrote in an Instagram post: “This is my worst case scenario.”

8. Leg fat ‘better’ than belly fat for older women

Carrying more fat on the hips and thighs rather than the stomach protects postmenopausal women from heart disease, a new study suggests. US researchers found that among women of a healthy weight, those who are “pear-shaped” have a lower risk of stroke or heart disease than those who are “apple-shaped”. Experts say more research is need to explain the link.

9. Sleepy Norfolk town pays £1,600 for terror attack insurance

Councillors in Thetford have voted to to take out a £1,600 insurance policy in case terrorists strike the small market town. The decision has been mocked by local people, with farmer Mark Maloy telling the Daily Mail: “There’s more chance of being kicked to death by butterflies than a terrorist attack [in Thetford].”

10. Briefing: who is Elizabeth Warren?

Elizabeth Warren’s campaign is gaining momentum, with many believing she has a real chance of being the Democrats’ pick to challenge Donald Trump as he tries to win a second term as Republican president.

So how did she get here?

Elizabeth Warren: who is the wannabe Democrat president?