Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 1 Sep 2019

1. Michel Barnier rejects Boris's demand to scrap backstop

Michel Barnier has rejected Boris Johnson's demands for the backstop to be scrapped. The EU's lead Brexit negotiator said the backstop was the “maximum flexibility” the EU could offer. The prime minister has repeatedly stated that the EU the arrangement - intended to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland - must be ditched if a no-deal Brexit was to be avoided.

2. At least five are dead after shooting in Texas cities

At least five people have been killed and 21 are injured after a gunman opened fire in the Texas cities of Odessa and Midland. Police shot dead the gunman after he hijacked two vehicles and began shooting at random yesterday afternoon. US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed about the shootings.

3. Hong Kong police beat passengers in metro station

Riot police in Hong Kong have stormed a metro station and beaten passengers with batons, as the city experienced its 13th successive weekend of major unrest. “Everyone started to scream ‘they are coming, they’re crazy’,” said an eye-witness. “They kept moving and hitting everyone in the car.” Police say they entered the station after protesters assaulted members of the public.

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4. Calls for inquiry into Cummings' ‘reign of terror’

There have been calls for a top-level inquiry into the “reign of terror” by Boris Johnson’s closest aide, Dominic Cummings. Leading politicians, a former cabinet secretary and an ex-head of the civil service are among those asking how Cummings was able to sack an adviser to Sajid Javid and order an armed police officer to escort her out of Downing Street.

5. US and Taliban close to deal says Washington negotiator

The US and the Taliban are close to an agreement that would reduce fighting and allow full peace talks among Afghans, says a top US official. Zalmay Khalilzad, the Afghan-born US lead negotiator, said he would travel to Kabul for consultations. His statement came a day after insurgent forces stormed the strategic northern city of Kunduz.

6. Queen is ‘distressed’ by Andrew's connection with Jeffrey Epstein

The Queen is “concerned and distressed” that Prince Andrew’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein are bringing “a more lasting whiff of scandal to the monarchy,” reports The Sunday Times. Allegations surrounding Epstein and his onetime friendship with Andrew are far too serious to be countered by mere denials, says a royal source.

7. Freedom of movement ban delayed on legal advice

Plans to end freedom of movement at midnight on October 31 have been abandoned after lawyers warned that the government risked losing a court case that would derail preparations for a no-deal Brexit. The legal advisers estimated that the government would have a 70% chance of losing such a court case.

8. Bulger killer set to be freed and moved to Canada

One of Jamie Bulger’s killers is set to be freed from prison within days, according to sources. Jon Venables will reportedly begin a new life abroad in Canada, as that will be cheaper for UK taxpayers than to give him a new life here. Both killers were previously released but Venables was jailed again after admitting to owning more than 1,000 child porn images.

9. Khan says Trump is poster boy for white nationalism

The mayor of London has said the lessons of world war two risk being forgotten because of the rise of “extreme” rightwing leaders like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. Khan branded Trump a “global poster boy for white nationalism”, whose example is being followed by Johnson. The London mayor’s statement is the latest instalment of his feud with the US president.

10. Boris tells Tory MPs it's him or chaos with Corbyn

Boris Johnson has told Conservative MPs they face a historic choice this week: back him to deliver Brexit and a £3.5bn spending “bonanza” for public services, or see Jeremy Corbyn “plunge the country into chaos”. Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said: “We need to put a tiger in the tank, put our pedal to the metal, foot to the floor.”