Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 29 Sep 2019

1. Boris trying to spark a riot, claims Labour

Labour says that Boris Johnson is whipping up fears of rioting and deaths so that he can invoke emergency powers and avoid extending the UK’s EU membership beyond October 31st. The party’s Brexit spokesman, Keir Starmer, said there was an “orchestrated” plan to manufacture a sense of outrage among Leave voters and spark civil unrest.

2. White House is ‘restricting access to phone transcripts’

The White House has reportedly restricted access to transcripts of some of Donald Trump's calls with foreign leaders. Following controversy over the US president’s calls with the Ukranian president, officials said notes about Trump’s calls to leaders, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and the Saudi crown prince, had not been handled in the usual way. The White House has yet to comment on the reports

3. Houthi rebels say they have captured Saudi troops

Houthi rebels in Yemen have told the BBC they have captured thousands of Saudi troops and killed others. They say that three Saudi brigades surrendered near the Saudi town of Najran. They added that all those captured would be paraded on the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV network later today. Saudi officials have not confirmed the claim.

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4. Julian Assange ‘being subjected to every torment’ in jail

Julian Assange is “being subjected to every sort of torment” at Belmarsh prison, according to his father, John Shipton. “I last visited Julian in August - he was a bit shaky, and is suffering from anxiety. He has lost a lot of weight,” said Shipton. The whistleblower is awaiting a hearing that could see him extradited to the US.

5. Austrians go to the polls in snap general election

The people of Austria are voting in snap general elections after a scandal in May brought down the coalition government. According to opinion polls, former chancellor Sebastian Kurz's conservative People's Party will grab the most votes but he is expected to need a coalition partner. Such negotiations could be complicated and may last for weeks.

6. UK councils warn of dangers of skin lightening creams

Local authorities have warned that UK retailers are selling dangerous skin lightening creams that can “act like paint stripper”. The Local Government Association said the highly toxic creams could increase the risk of cancer. Experts have forecast that the skin-whitening cream market will almost double in the next 10 years.

7. Sexual assaults on Brits abroad have rocketed

The number of British people reporting sexual assaults abroad has risen, according to figures from the Foreign Office. From the beginning of 2016 to the end of July this year, at least 965 Britons have reported being raped or sexually assaulted abroad - a rise of 44.5%. David Swindle, a former detective, said victims of such serious crimes are “made to feel comfortable in coming forward” in the UK.

8. Police will take no action over Farage's ‘knife’ comment

Police will take no further action over Nigel Farage’s remarks at a rally that “once Brexit is done, we will take the knife” to “overpaid pen-pushers in Whitehall.” Gwent police said: “It is our view that the comments in the video, do not constitute a criminal offence. As such, Gwent police will not be taking any further action.”

9. Weather warnings issued as rain and winds lash the UK

Forecasters have issued 25 flood alerts as torrential rain and strong winds are expected across the UK. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning lasting until 5pm on Sunday as it warned of persistent rain and a risk of flooding across the north-west and south-west of England and Wales. The inaugural Regatta London race has been cancelled because of conditions.

10. Andrew under the spotlight as FBI expands investigation

The FBI has widened its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, to probe any “connection” Prince Andrew may have with the late sex offender. A source told The Sunday Times the FBI is “not going to dismiss” claims relating to Andrew “because he is a royal.” Andrew has already been accused of having sex with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein’s alleged underage “sex slaves”.