Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 14 Oct 2019

1. Queen’s speech to focus on law and order agenda

The Queen will deliver her 65th Queen’s Speech to Parliament today, outlining Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit priorities – and the focus will be on law and order, with several new pieces of legislation to reform Britain’s justice system. Among 22 new bills laid out will be plans for tougher treatment for foreign criminals and sex offenders, and new protection for victims of domestic abuse.

2. Weekend Brexit talks fail to yield breakthrough

Intensive Brexit negotiations ended on Sunday night without any breakthrough, according to EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. The Guardian reports that Barnier has told colleagues it may now be impossible for the UK to leave the EU on 31 October with a deal, and that talks might have to continue after the EU leaders’ summit on Thursday.

3. Syrian army to fight with Kurds against Turkey

Syrian government forces are to be deployed along the Turkish border to help repel the Turkish military incursion against Syrian Kurds. The announcement marks a major shift in alliances and comes after Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of US troops from the region, paving the way for the attack. French leader Emmanuel Macron has told Turkey and the US that the Turkish offensive must end “immediately”.

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4. Japan: typhoon death toll climbs

At least 37 people are dead, with a further 20 missing, after the worst storm in decades struck Japan on Saturday. More than 110,000 people are taking part in search and rescue operations, combing the wreckage left by Typhoon Hagibis. Many people remain trapped by floods and landslides as the weakened storm continues.

5. Hong Kong protests: threatening China will end in ‘smashed bodies’

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has told pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong that those who try to “divide” China will find their “bodies smashed and bones ground to powder”. The warning came as peaceful rallies in Hong Kong again descended into clashes on Sunday.

6. Climate advisers urge scrapping of air miles schemes

The UK government’s advisers on global warming is calling for air miles schemes to be banned, after finding that some customers take flights just to maintain their status on the schemes. Instead, a levy could be introduced that penalises frequent fliers, says a new report commissioned by the Committee on Climate Change.

7. Hosts Japan reach rugby world cup quarter-finals

Japan yesterday beat Scotland 28-21 to reach the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup, in a match that was almost cancelled because of Typhoon Hagibis. The Japanese side dedicated their victory to “everyone who is suffering with the typhoon”. The Times says Japan’s game was “so rapid, accurate and unrelenting” that it seemed they were “playing on fast-forward”.

8. Robert De Niro: Trump is too stupid to know he’s evil

Actor Robert De Niro has continued his vigorous criticism of Donald Trump, saying in London last night that the US president is a “monster” who is “too stupid to even know he’s evil”. De Niro was speaking at the European premiere of The Irishman, his new film with old ally Martin Scorsese, which closed the London Film Festival.

9. Andy Serkis plays talking anus in fatberg warning

Actor Andy Serkis is playing a talking anus in an animated film urging people not to flush wet wipes down the toilet, in a bid to prevent so-called fatbergs. The star - known for voicing and providing the movements for characters including Lord of the Rings creature Gollum - said: “I didn’t think I’d ever feel so passionate to take on the role of a talking a**hole.”

10. Briefing: what is virtue signalling?

Virtue signalling, a phrase coined just four years ago, has become a popular putdown for anyone who appears to hold a belief but doesn’t act on it.

But has the term always had such negative connotations? Here, The Week takes a look at the rise – and bastardisation – of a sociological phenomenon.

What is virtue signalling?