Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 3 Nov 2019

1. ‘Double trouble’ for Johnson as election campaign hots up

There is “double trouble” for Boris Johnson, says The Sunday Times, after new opinion poll showed Labour has enjoyed a bounce in support since the general election campaign kicked off and remain parties finalised an electoral pact to block him. A YouGov survey found that Labour had gained six points between Wednesday and Friday, though that still leaves them 12 points behind the Tories.

2. Chinese news agency denounces attack on Hong Kong office

China’s state-owned news agency has condemned the attack on its Hong Kong office by pro-democracy protesters as “barbaric”. Xinhua released a statement denouncing the “acts of mobs” that had vandalised and set fire to the lobby of its Asia-Pacific office building in Wan Chai. The Hong Kong Journalists Association has condemned “any act of sabotage against the media”.

3. Man killed as car is driven into pub in Colchester

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a car was driven into a pub in Essex. The incident, in Colchester, left one dead and three injured. The arrested man has also been held on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, death by dangerous driving and assault. Police were called to the Spinnaker Public House in Hythe Quay, around 12.30am on Sunday.

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4. Clare Balding demands ‘complete transparency’ on pay

Clare Balding has demanded “complete” transparency about the money paid to BBC stars, arguing that “nobody knows how many days Gary Lineker does for his enormous salary”. The broadcaster also called for more equality in the prominence of women’s and men’s sports, saying that when the football season begins, coverage of women’s sports “comes to a shuddering halt”.

5. Airbnb bans party houses after shooting at Halloween bash

Airbnb has said the company will ban “party houses” after a deadly shooting at a Halloween party held at an Airbnb rental home in California. Taking to Twitter, chief executive Brian Chesky said that the company would expand manual screening of “high risk” reservations and remove guests who fail to comply with policies banning parties at Airbnb rental homes. “We must do better, and we will,” he added.

6. Theatrical announcements set to become gender fluid

The tradition in theatres to say “Ladies and gentlemen, please make your way to your seats,” when a show is ready to start could change. Equity, the trade union that represents actors and entertainers, has published fresh new guidelines, encouraging venues to adopt “gender neutral terminology for collective calls, both front of house and backstage”.

7. Fracking ‘stunt’ is slammed by opposition parties

The Tories’ pledge to suspend fracking has come under fire. Jeremy Corbyn wrote on Twitter: “The Conservatives' temporary pause of fracking is an election stunt to try and win a few votes. Boris Johnson described fracking as ‘glorious news for humanity’. We cannot trust him.” Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey, said: “This belated, eve of election policy pause won't distract voters from the Tories' shocking record on the environment.”

8. Unilever and Heinz criticised for adverting on porn site

Unilever and Kraft Heinz are under attack for advertising on Pornhub, the world’s most popular porn website. The consumer giant Unilever, which makes Dove soap, Marmite and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, ran a campaign on the website for a male grooming company. One ad read: “If you use our bathroom products you won’t have to visit this site as much.”

9. Thunberg thumbs a lift across ocean after venue change

Greta Thunberg has asked for lift back across Atlantic after the venue for the COP25 climate was moved from Santiago to Madrid. Writing on Twitter, the teenage climate campaigner, who refuses to fly, said: “It turns out I’ve travelled half around the world, the wrong way. Now I need to find a way to cross the Atlantic in November... If anyone could help me find transport I would be so grateful.”

10. Will winter election reduce involvement of women?

The timing of the next general election has raised concerns that women may not play as big a part as usual. It is argued that women do not feel comfortable taking part in political canvassing or answering the door to political activists after dark. The Women and Equalities Committee said that street harassment is a widespread problem, with women and girls subjected to “relentless” problems.