Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 7 Aug 2019

1. Counterterror police chief warns of no-deal Brexit security risk

The UK’s most senior counterterrorism police officer has warned that no amount of planning could prevent a no-deal Brexit damaging the country’s safety and security. Neil Basu said the three biggest losses would be access to passenger name records, access to a European intelligence database and the ability to use European arrest warrants.

2. Philippines declares dengue epidemic following 622 deaths

An outbreak of dengue fever in the Philippines has been declared an epidemic, with cases up by 98% year-on-year after the authorities banned a vaccine linked to dozens of child deaths. The epidemic has claimed the lives of 622 people already, with at least 146,062 cases of infection recorded since January.

3. Food industry asks for no-deal competition waiver

Food suppliers in the UK want the Government to suspend normal competition regulations in the event of a no-deal Brexit, to allow them to work together to agree on supply and pricing. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) told the BBC that the scheduled leaving date in October, when Britain relies more heavily on imported produce, could cause more problems for food supply than the original spring deadline.

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4. Alana Cutland: body found after Madagascar plane fall

The body of Cambridge University student Alana Cutland has been found in a rural area of Madagascar almost two weeks after she fell from a light aircraft. The 19-year-old reportedly opened the door of the plane and stepped out, despite attempts to stop her by the pilot and a fellow passenger. Police said she was “disappointed” with her research project, but her family said she had fallen ill and sounded delirious in a phone call made minutes before she boarded the flight.

5. Police in Texas apologise for leading black man on rope

The police chief of a Texas city has apologised for an incident in which a handcuffed black suspect was led on a rope by two officers on horseback. Vernon Hale said the officers in Galveston had no “malicious intent” but admitted the incident showed “poor judgement”, and promised the technique would not be used again.

6. Cornwall music festival Boardmasters cancelled

This weekend’s Boardmasters music festival has been cancelled following forecasts of severe weather conditions in Cornwall. Wu Tang Clan, Florence + The Machine and Foals were due to headline the three-day event. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms for much of England on Friday and Saturday.

7. Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison dead at 88

Nobel Prize-winning US author Toni Morrison died on Monday, her family have announced. The 88-year-old “passed away peacefully... surrounded by family and friends” at a medical centre in New York, the family said in a statement. Morrison’s 1987 novel Beloved, about a runaway female slave, was made into a film starring Oprah Winfrey.

Tributes paid to ‘giant’ author Toni Morrison

8. How to beat seagulls: maintain eye contact

A new study has found the best way to avoid having your chips, or any other tempting food, stolen by a seagull: maintain eye contact. Researchers from the University of Exeter tested 74 seagulls using a sealed and weighted-down bag of chips in coastal towns in Cornwall, and found that a hard stare was the most effective means of discouraging the kleptoparasitic birds.

9. Campaign for Real Ale bans sexist beer names

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has banned sexist or otherwise discriminatory beer names and imagery from its Great British Beer Festival at London’s Olympia venue this week. A cider called Slack Alice, described as being “a little tart”, has fallen foul of the inclusivity drive, as have pump badges showing buxom, scantily clad women.

10. Gun violence: why does the US have so many mass shootings?

Two mass shootings within 24 hours have reignited the heated debate around gun violence and firearm laws in the US.

Gun violence: why does the US have so many mass shootings?