Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 10 Oct 2019

1. Trump on Kurds: ‘They didn’t help us with D-Day’

Donald Trump has defended his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, a move that leaves the road clear for Turkey to attack the US-allied Kurdish forces that have fought Islamic State. The president noted that the Kurds “didn’t help us with Normandy” during the Second World War. Turkey has begun air strikes on Kurdish targets, calling them “militants”.

Today’s newspapers: ‘Bullish Boris ready to walk away’

2. Johnson is ‘traitor’ for rejecting offer, EU says

Senior EU negotiator Guy Verhofstadt last night called Prime Minister Boris Johnson a “traitor” for rejecting a potential counter-offer to his Brexit proposals. Johnson is meeting Irish leader Leo Varadkar in Cheshire today for last-ditch talks aimed at finding a solution to the Irish border question.

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The blame game: Boris Johnson’s Brexit strategy

3. Isis ‘Beatles’ fighters taken into US custody

Two London-born Islamic State fighters dubbed the “Beatles” by their victims because of their accents have been taken into US custody, Donald Trump has announced. El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey allegedly took part in brutal hostage executions in Syria. The UK has asked that the pair do not face the death penalty.

4. Trump notes say US will not hand over diplomat’s wife

Donald Trump yesterday said he would “work” to “find a way forward” in the case of a US diplomat’s wife who fled the UK after being involved in a fatal car crash. However, the US president held up his briefing notes accidentally and a photo taken by the press showed a note saying the US will not return Anne Sacoolas to the UK.

Harry Dunn: Anne Sacoolas charged with death by dangerous driving

5. Chief medic calls for ban on eating on public transport

The Government’s outgoing chief medical officer wants eating and drinking to be banned on public transport in order to tackle obesity. In a final report before she steps down, Dame Sally Davies says “children’s health, not companies’ profits” must be put at the centre of policy. She also calls for plain packaging for junk food.

6. Javid and Patel top annual power list of British Asians

Two cabinet ministers have made the top ten on the Asian Media Group’s latest ranking of the most influential British Asians. Chancellor Sajid Javid is No.1, with Home Secretary Priti Patel in second place. Anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller is third and London Mayor Sadiq Khan is at No.4.

7. Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to 97-year-old

British-born scientist Professor John Goodenough has become the oldest ever Nobel laureate, after being awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of lithium-ion batteries. Fellow scientists M. Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino share the prize for their work on these rechargeable devices, which are used for portable electronics.

8. Ozzy Osbourne delays tour but insists: ‘I’m not dying’

After a year of illness, Birmingham-born heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne has postponed a European solo tour for a second time – but insisted to fans: “I’m not dying.” The 70-year-old added: “I am recovering. It’s just taking a little bit longer than everyone thought it would.” A fall required spine and neck surgery and caused pneumonia.

9. ‘Wagatha Christie’: Coleen Rooney uncovers alleged leaker

Tabloid papers have renamed footballer’s wife Coleen Rooney “Wagatha Christie” because of her detective work in finding out who within her circle of close friends and family was leaking stories to the press. Rooney blocked all but her suspect from her private Instagram account and then planted bogus stories. She now accuses Rebekah Vardy.

10. Briefing: where are Isis fighters now?

Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from the Syria-Turkey border has sparked fears that Islamic State may once again tighten its grip on the region.

At its peak, five years ago, the militant group controlled 34,000 square miles of territory stretching from western Syria to eastern Iraq, before being pushed back to small pockets in the north of Syria. So where are these fighters now?

Where are Isis fighters now?