Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 3 Jul 2019

1. First woman nominated to head EU Commission

EU leaders have put forward their nominations for the bloc’s top jobs, with a woman up for the role of European Commission chief for the first time ever. German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been nominated to replace Jean-Claude Juncker, while Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel is in line to take over from Donald Tusk as European Council president.

Ursula von der Leyen: who is she and what does she think of Brexit?

2. England out of World Cup after losing to US

England’s Lionesses lost their semi-final against the US by 2-1 in the French city of Lyon last night, ending their hopes of winning the Women’s World Cup. England manager Phil Neville said that he was “proud” and that his team had “touched the hearts of the nation”. Ellen White had a goal ruled offside by the VAR and captain Steph Houghton missed a crucial late penalty.

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Today’s back pages: World Cup agony and heartbreak for England’s Lionesses

3. Obesity causes more cases of cancer than smoking, charity warns

Obesity is a more common cause of four types of cancer than smoking, a a new billboard campaign by Cancer Research UK is warning. The charity says bowel, kidney, ovarian and liver cancers are more likely to be caused by being overweight than by smoking tobacco. The Times notes that 15 million Britons are obese, while six million adults smoke - a reversal of the situation in the early 1990s.

Obesity ‘causes more cases of some cancers than smoking’

4. Johnson vows to ditch obesity taxes

Tory leadership candidate Boris Johnson says he wants to review so-called sin taxes and scrap them if they are not found to be effective. Levies on tobacco, alcohol and sugar were introduced in a bid to cut preventable ill health, but Johnson has vowed not to extend the policy until a review is completed. The Times says his pledge is a sign of “confusion” in his campaign, with Health Secretary and Johnson supporter Matt Hancock championing the levies.

Today’s newspapers: ‘Bullish Boris ready to walk away’

5. Dubai ruler’s wife flees to UK ‘in fear of her life’

The sixth wife of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum is in hiding in the UK “in fear for her life” after fleeing her husband, according to the BBC. Princess Haya is reported to be living in a £85m town house in Kensington Palace Gardens in London. The broadcaster says the situation could cause a diplomatic rift between the UK and the United Arab Emirates.

6. Man jailed for shooting dead great-grandson

A 78-year-old man has been jailed for three years for manslaughter after shooting his six-year-old great-grandson with an unlicensed air rifle. Stanley Metcalf died in hospital after being shot in the stomach by Albert Grannon of Sproatley, near Hull, in July last year. Stanley’s mother told Sheffield Crown Court that the pensioner had never apologised for her son’s death.

7. Toy Story 2 casting couch gag cut in wake of #MeToo

Disney fans have noticed that a short sequence has been quietly deleted from the end credits of the latest Blu-Ray releases and digital downloads of Toy Story 2. The faux blooper scene showed the character Stinky Pete cosying up with two Barbie dolls and and suggesting he could get them a part in the next movie. Toy Story 2 was directed by John Lasseter, the former Pixar CCO who was ousted in the wake of the #MeToo movement following allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

8. Dalai Lama apologises for remarks about women

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists has apologised for remarks he made about the possibility of a female successor, after telling the BBC that any woman Dalai Lama “should be more attractive”. The 83-year-old’s office issued a statement saying he favoured gender equality, regretted any offence and had been joking when he make the remark during an interview with the British broadcaster.

China reopens battle over next Dalai Lama

9. Bomb squad called after ‘straight pride’ march organisers sent glitter

US law enforcers, three fire departments and a bomb squad were called in after the organisers of a “straight pride” march in Boston reported receiving mailed envelopes filled with a suspicious “granular” substance – which turned out to be glitter, according to reports. The letter was sent to three members of the Super Happy Fun America group who are said to have far-right links and to have organised previous events that turned violent.

Pride month 2020: how the gay pride movement started

10. Briefing: has Trump’s presidency been revolutionary?

The battle to oppose Donald Trump in 2020 has begun. A large field of Democrats has embarked on the complex strategic game of choosing policies and styles as each candidate strives to win attention in a crowded field. Over all of these looms the incumbent.

The Trump record is already being portrayed as one of radical and – by Democrats at least – dangerous change. But is this really the case?

Has Donald Trump’s presidency been revolutionary?