Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 7 Dec 2019

1. Leaders clash over Brexit in final head-to-head debate

Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson argued about Brexit in the final televised debate before the election. During the BBC broadcast, Johnson said he had “a wonderful deal”, and promised to use it to take the UK out of the European Union on 31 January. Corbyn said Labour would bring Brexit “to an end” by negotiating a new deal and putting it to the public in a referendum. A snap poll from YouGov found 52% of viewers believed Johnson won the debate.

2. Trump tells the World Bank to stop lending to China

Donald Trump said the World Bank should stop lending money to China, a day after the institution adopted a plan to aid Beijing with $1bn to $1.5bn in low-interest loans annually until 2025. The US president tweeted: “Why is the World Bank loaning money to China? Can this be possible? China has plenty of money, and if they don’t, they create it. STOP!”

3. Brexit diplomat quits after tiring of ‘peddling half truths’

The British diplomat in charge of explaining Brexit to the US authorities and public has resigned. Alexandra Hall Hall said she was no longer prepared to “peddle half-truths on behalf of a government I do not trust”. Friends and colleagues say the Brexit counsellor at the UK embassy in Washington had been frustrated with the job for some time.

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4. LA jury says Elon Musk did not defame Vernon Unsworth

A jury has ruled that Elon Musk did not defame British cave explorer Vernon Unsworth by calling him a “pedo guy” on Twitter. Unsworth sought $190m (£145m) in damages from the Tesla founder, arguing that the tweet damaged his reputation. But Musk told the court the phrase “pedo guy” was common in South Africa, where he grew up.

5. M25 closes after 55-tonne crane crashes onto motorway

Part of the M25 is shut after a huge crane overturned and crashed over both sides of the busy motorway. The 55-tonne crane toppled at Junction 27 for the M11 in Epping, Essex, on Friday afternoon. It caused huge tailbacks in both directions, with more than 10 miles of near-stationary traffic. Highways England has warned motorists to avoid the area.

6. ‘Entitled’ broadcasters slammed by media chiefs

Top broadcasters have been accused of letting a “sense of entitlement” drive “hysterical” rows with politicians. David Elstein, a former BBC editor, criticised broadcasters’ “generalised hostility” to politicians. Lord Grade said that broadcasters were becoming hysterical. The controversy comes after the prime minister rejected a televised appeal by Andrew Neil to agree to an interview.

7. Prince Andrew faces new allegation from Epstein victim

Prince Andrew is under fresh pressure as another of Jeffrey Epstein victims tells lawyers she had sex with the royal too. Although there is no indication that the woman claims to have been forced into having sex with Andrew she could become the second woman to state on oath they had sex with the Duke of York as a result of his friendship with the convicted sex offender.

8. Rapist and kidnapper struck after being freed by mistake

A man who has been convicted of a series of rapes and kidnappings against 11 women and children was freed by mistake. The authorities failed to realise that Joseph McCann should have been in jail for a previous violent offence. The 34-year-old was found guilty at the Old Bailey of all 37 counts after attacking 11 women and children and could face a life sentence.

9. Old people being treated like Amazon depots, says Rantzen

Elderly people are being treated like a Amazon depots by delivery drivers who have to meet massive daily targets, says Dame Esther Rantzen. The former broadcaster is urging companies to stop parcels being constantly left at elderly neighbour's houses if their intended recipient is out. She also suggests signs should be provided that read: “I am afraid I am unable to take in parcels for my neighbours.”

10. Couple denied adoption due to Indian heritage win £120,000

A British couple who were told they could not adopt a child because of their Indian heritage have won almost £120,000. Sandeep and Reena Mander, from Maidenhead, Berkshire, were forced to adopt overseas after Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council rejected their application to join a register of approved adopters because of their ancestry. They successfully sued the local authority.