Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 5 Aug 2019

1. Johnson announces £850m hospital spend

Twenty hospitals in England will receive an extra £850m in total funding for upgrades to outdated facilities and new equipment, under plans to be unveiled by Boris Johnson during a visit a hospital in Lincolnshire today. The addition funding is part of a total £1.8bn NHS cash boost pledged by the prime minister. The Financial Times says many of the selected hospitals are in Leave-supporting areas or marginal seats that the Conservative Party needs to hold at the next general election.

2. Boy of six thrown from tenth floor of Tate Modern

A six-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after he was allegedly thrown off a tenth-floor viewing platform at London’s Tate Modern gallery yesterday. The child was found with serious injuries after landing on a fifth-floor roof. A 17-year-old boy was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and is in custody.

3. Trump faces criticism in wake of two mass shootings

Opponents of Donald Trump have accused the US president of creating a climate of racism and hate in the US, following two mass shootings over the weekend. A 21-year-old white man believed to be a white supremacist was arrested after targeting Hispanics in an attack in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday. A second shooting in Ohio hours later is not thought to have been racially motivated. A total of 29 people died in the two attacks, with many more injured, some critically.

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4. Chaos in Hong Kong as protesters lead city-wide strike

Hong Kong has been brought to a near-standstill today, as pro-democracy protests enter a ninth consecutive week. Campaigners have organised city-wide general strikes, with the airport operating at half capacity. Earlier, a car rammed barricade put up by protesters to block a city centre road, injuring one. Fears are growing of a clampdown by the Chinese military.

5. UK teenager ‘abducted’ in Malaysia

The disappearance of a London teenager with learning difficulties in Malaysia is being treated by police as an abduction, a charity supporting her family says. Nora Quoirin, 15, disappeared overnight on Saturday while on holiday with her family at a resort on the edge of rainforest near the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

6. India abolishes Kashmir accession treaty

The Indian government has rushed through a presidential decree to scrap the special status of India-administered Kashmir, hours after imposing a major security clampdown in the disputed region. The revocation of Article 370 of India’s constitution - which guaranteed the Muslim-majority state significant autonomy - is the biggest shake-up of the fragile situation for 70 years.

7. Heathrow: talks bid to avert Tuesday strike

A strike planned by Heathrow Airport workers for today has been called off, as talks continue to stop a further walkout on Tuesday. About 4,000 Unite union members voted on Friday to strike, with 88% in favour. Talks are also being held over a separate potential strike by British Airways pilots.

8. HSBC chief executive Flint steps down

HSBC boss John Flint has stepped down just 18 months after taking up the role, after the bank said it needed a change in leadership to tackle a “challenging global environment”. The 51-year-old, who has been at the bank for 30 years, was seen as a safe pair of hands. The surprise announcement of his departure comes as HSBC announces a 15.8% rise in pre-tax profits to £10.2bn for the first half of 2019.

9. Brazil: gang leader dresses as teen girl for jail break attempt

The leader of one of Brazil’s most powerful drug gangs tried to escape from prison by pretending to be his 19-year-old daughter, according to the authorities. Clauvino “Shorty” da Silva was spotted by guards wearing a silicon mask, wig, tight jeans and a pink T-shirt as he attempted to walk out of the jail in Rio de Janeiro after swapping places with his daughter when she visited him.

10. Briefing: Inside Downing Street

Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds have become the first unmarried couple to take up official resident in Downing Street after moving into the prime ministerial home earlier this week.

But while the famous front door has featured in countless news reports, including the recent resignation of Theresa May, only a privileged few see what goes on inside the No. 10 complex. Containing around 100 rooms, there is plenty to explore.

Inside Downing Street: behind the famous doors