Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 20 Sep 2014
- 1. MILIBAND SLAMS PM'S 'HOME RULE' PLAN
- 2. JIHADI JOHN’S DAD PLEADS GUILTY
- 3. SALMOND: THE DREAM SHALL NEVER DIE
- 4. PAYPAL FOUNDER PLANS TO CURE DEATH
- 5. ROTHERHAM CHILDCARE CHIEF QUITS
- 6. UKRAINE AGREES PLAN WITH REBELS
- 7. LABOUR ‘TO OFFER VOTE TO 16-YEAR-OLDS’
- 8. ISLAMIC STATE FREES TURKISH HOSTAGES
- 9. WEMBLEY TO HOST EURO 2020 FINAL
- 10. DASHING DEBUT PUTS ALIBABA AT $231BN
1. MILIBAND SLAMS PM'S 'HOME RULE' PLAN
The political true to save the Union collapsed yesterday as Labour condemned David Cameron’s plans for English “home rule”. Meanwhile, police made six arrests as they separated groups of rival independence supporters and Unionists in Glasgow. Trouble broke out when Union supporters fired a flare in the city’s George Square.
2. JIHADI JOHN’S DAD PLEADS GUILTY
The father “Jihadi John” has pleaded guilty in New York to terrorism charges related to al-Qaeda’s bombings of US embassies in Africa. Adel Abdul Bary, 54, whose son is the suspect in the Islamic State beheading videos, wept as he admitted to three charges in an unexpected plea deal with federal prosecutors. He was extradited to the US from Britain after a 14-year tussle.
3. SALMOND: THE DREAM SHALL NEVER DIE
Alex Salmond is to step down as Scottish first minister and resign as leader of the Scottish National Party after voters rejected independence. Salmond, who has been first minister since 2007 and SNP leader for 20 years, nonetheless encouraged nationalists to press on, saying: "For me as leader my time is nearly over, but for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream shall never die.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
4. PAYPAL FOUNDER PLANS TO CURE DEATH
A maverick scientist has predicted he can eliminate the menopause within 20 years, reports The Times. Aubrey de Grey says progress in stem cell and regenerative therapies could eliminate the menopause. Meanwhile, PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel is going one step further, telling the Daily Telegraph he is on a mission to cure death.
5. ROTHERHAM CHILDCARE CHIEF QUITS
The head of children’s services at Rotherham council quit “by mutual agreement” yesterday following the revelation that hundreds of vulnerable children were sexually abused in the town. Joyce Thacker had been under pressure to leave her £115,000-a-year post since a damning report on child sexual exploitation was published last month.
6. UKRAINE AGREES PLAN WITH REBELS
Ukraine's government has agreed a peace plan with pro-Russia rebels, reports the BBC. The nine-point memorandum includes installing a 30km (19-mile) buffer zone, the withdrawal of "foreign mercenaries" on both sides, and a ban on flights over part of eastern Ukraine by military aircraft. More than 3,000 people have died in fighting since April.
7. LABOUR ‘TO OFFER VOTE TO 16-YEAR-OLDS’
Ed Miliband will pledge to give the vote to 16 year olds, say party sources. The move, which would enfranchise more than 1.5m teenagers, comes because party sources believe youngsters are more likely to vote Labour than Tory. However, surveys have suggested that the majority of the public, including most 16-year-olds, do not support the idea.
8. ISLAMIC STATE FREES TURKISH HOSTAGES
Dozens of Turkish hostages seized by Islamic State militants have been released, says the country's Prime Minister. Ahmet Davutoglu said the 49 captives, who were taken in June, were freed following a pre-planned operation involving the country's intelligence services. "I am sharing a joyful news which as a nation we have been waiting for," he said.
9. WEMBLEY TO HOST EURO 2020 FINAL
Wembley Stadium will host the final and semi-finals of Euro 2020, Uefa has confirmed. FA chair Greg Dyke says the news will be a “spur” to younger England players. Meanwhile, Aston Villa can take an unexpected lead in the Premier League today if they beat visitors Arsenal. The struggling Gunners are desperate for a win, which could send them as high as third place.
10. DASHING DEBUT PUTS ALIBABA AT $231BN
China’s internet giant Alibaba enjoyed a dramatic debut on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. It ended the day valued at over $231bn - more than Facebook or Amazon and eBay combined. Shares were initially priced at $68 and reached a high of $100 in America’s biggest ever share sale. Jack Ma, a former English teacher, started launched Alibaba in his one-bedroom apartment in 1998.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Chennai's chess champions
In The Spotlight The Indian city is 'churning out' a flood of chess 'wizards' and 'geniuses'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Chocolate is the latest climate change victim, but scientists may have solutions
Under the radar Making the sweet treat sustainable
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Sudoku hard: December 17, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024
Daily Briefing Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win over Haley, 'Oppenheimer' leads the 2024 Oscar nominations, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024
Daily Briefing Haley makes last stand in New Hampshire as Trump extends polling lead, justices side with US over Texas in border fight, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024
Daily Briefing DeSantis ends his presidential campaign and endorses Trump, the US and Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024
Daily Briefing Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000, top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024
Daily Briefing Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response, families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024
Daily Briefing Congress averts a government shutdown, DOJ report cites failures in police response to Texas school shooting, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024
Daily Briefing Judge threatens to remove Trump from his defamation trial, medicine for hostages and Palestinians reach Gaza, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024
Daily Briefing The US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a third time, Trump's second sex defamation trial begins, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published