Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 12 Oct 2019

1. Boris Johnson signals late u-turn on Irish border plans

Boris Johnson is making a last-ditch u-turn on his plans for the Irish border, reports The Guardian. The prime minister’s concession that there could not be a customs border on the island of Ireland has teed up 48 hours of intense negotiations. “Northern Ireland effectively stays in the EU’s customs union but for the purposes of trade it’s in the UK’s customs union,” said a source of Johnson’s plan.

2. Trump under pressure to halt Turkey's offensive in Syria

Pressure is building on Donald Trump to stop Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish-held areas in Syria. The US president’s decision to withdraw US troops effectively triggered the Turkish incursion and he has faced bitter condemnation. Now, Defence Secretary Mark Esper has warned of “serious consequences” while Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested fresh sanctions.

3. Tories five times more likely to vote against climate action

Conservative MPs are almost five times as likely to vote against climate action than MPs from other parties, analysis has shown. The Guardian reports that Tories also registered significantly more donations, shares, salaries and from fossil fuel companies, petrostates, aviation companies and climate sceptics. Boris Johnson has voted five times against bills or amendments that could have had a positive climate impact.

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4. Five injured in stabbing attack in Manchester shopping mall

Five people were injured in a knife attack at the Arndale Centre in Manchester. A 40-year-old man has been detained under the Mental Health Act. Police say three people were stabbed and two others were hurt when a man with a large knife started “lunging and attacking people”. Investigations into his motive are continuing.

5. High street stores panicked into massive price cuts

High street stores are slashing prices by up to 90 per cent in a “panicked” bid to win customers, reports the Daily Mail. A perfect storm of a mild early-autumn, fierce competition, online shopping and weak consumer spending have led a number of stores, including Debenhams, New Look, Jigsaw and House of Fraser, to make deep price cuts.

6. England football fans arrested after violence in Croatia

England football fans have had violent clashes with police in Prague. Police said 14 foreigners were among 31 people arrested after the pre-match violence. Thousands of England fans had travelled to watch the Three Lions take on the Czech Republic in a Euro 2020 qualifier, with violent scenes ahead of kick-off on Friday evening. Supporters threw bottles at officers, who returned fire with stun grenades.

7. It's battle of the Mail as Dacre lashes out at successor

Paul Dacre has publicly criticised Geordie Greig, his successor as editor of the Daily Mail. The former editor has accused Greig of being “economic with the actualité” in a recent newspaper interview. Dacre said: “He claims 265 advertisers came back to the Daily Mail in his year as editor. In fact, far more than that number left during the same period.”

8. Trump's fourth homeland security chief steps down

Donald Trump has announced that Kevin McAleenan is stepping down as the acting secretary of homeland security. The US president said McAleenan wanted to spend more time with his family and move into the private sector. “Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done!” Trump wrote on Twitter. McAleenan had held the position since April and was the fourth person to lead the department in two years.

9. Farah protests innocence amid questions over former coach

Mo Farah says he has “not done anything wrong” as questions mount over his former coach being banned for doping violations. Alberto Salazar was sanctioned for four years last week but Farah, who has never failed a drugs test, told the media: “There is a clear agenda to this. I know where you are going with it. I have seen it with Raheem Sterling and Lewis Hamilton.”

10. Nazanin's daughter returns to UK for ‘bittersweet’ reunion

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband says his reunion with his five-year-old daughter was “bittersweet”. Gabriella, five, returned to Britain, leaving her mother in jail. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 40, is now on suicide watch at Evin prison. Her husband Richard said there is a “real risk” his wife’s mental and physical condition will now worsen.