Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 14 Jul 2019

1. Leak says Trump scrapped Iran deal to spite Obama

Donald Trump scrapped the Iran nuclear deal to spite Barack Obama, according to a leaked memo written by the UK's former ambassador to the US. Sir Kim Darroch described the move as an act of “diplomatic vandalism”. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the chairman of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is in a relationship with the writer whose story brought down Britain’s ambassador to Washington.

2. British betting companies lure African children into gambling

British betting firms are “luring” hundreds of thousands of African children into illegal gambling that Kenya’s government says is “destroying” their lives. Companies appeal to children by using cartoon characters and free branded merchandise. Betway gave sponsored kit to youth football teams including Kibagare FC. The team’s coach said about half the child players had started betting as a result.

3. UK facing highest risk of recession for twelve years

Britain is facing highest risk of recession since 2007, says a study by the Resolution Foundation. The thinktank reminded us that the five previous recessions have produced an economic shock equating to a £2,500 loss for each household in the UK. Just weeks ago, Bank of England governor Mark Carney said there had been a “sea change” in the world’s financial market.

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4. Epstein documents regarding Prince Andrew accuser released

A US judge has ordered thousands of secret documents relating to an alleged “sex slave” of Jeffrey Epstein to be released, potentially causing fresh embarrassment for Prince Andrew. Virginia Roberts claimed that as a 17-year-old she had been “forced” by Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew in London, in Epstein’s New York mansion and on Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands. The duke denies the claims.

5. Power restored after major outage in Manhattan

A power failure in New York halted subway trains and trapped people in lifts on Saturday evening. More than 70,000 homes and businesses lost power in Manhattan, the most densely populated of the city's five boroughs. It hit a 30-block stretch from Times Square to 72nd Street and Broadway. Power has now been restored.

6. Man charged with murder of pregnant woman in Croydon

A man has been charged with murder after a pregnant woman and her baby died. Aaron McKenzie, 25, is accused of killing Kelly Mary Fauvrelle, 26, who was eight months pregnant when she was fatally stabbed at home in Croydon last month. He is also accused of the manslaughter of her son Riley, who was delivered by paramedics but died in hospital.

7. Corbyn slams ‘inaccuracies’ of Panorama documentary

Jeremy Corbyn says there were “many, many, inaccuracies” in the Panorama documentary which examined allegations of antisemitism in the Labour Party. He said: “The programme adopted a predetermined position on its own website before it was broadcast.” Meanwhile, The Observer says that some whistleblowers are to sue Labour over the party’s response to the documentary.

8. Poll finds higher support for legalisation of cannabis

A new survey has found that 48% of adults favour legalisation of recreational marijuana use, up five points in the past year. Just 24% were opposed. The figure rises to 52% for those aged 18 to 49. Support for the move is highest among Labour (56%) and Liberal Democrat (60%) voters. Among Tories, it is evenly split with 37% in favour and the same number opposed.

9. Iran tells UK it wants to resolve the supertanker crisis

Tehran has told the UK it wants to resolve the stand-off over the supertanker held in Gibraltar. Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the crisis and heightened tensions in a phone call. Hunt said it had been a “constructive call”. The supertanker's crew members have been conditionally bailed without charge.

10. LGBT themes for Last Night of the Proms this year

This year’s Last Night of the Proms will feature a tribute to gay rights, with a bisexual singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow, first sung by Judy Garland. Jamie Barton, a former winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, plans to wear a concert gown in the colours adopted by bisexual activists for the flag they carry on gay pride parades — pink, lavender and blue.