Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 23 Aug 2015

1. Top economists approve Corbyn policies

Dozens of leading economists, including a former adviser to the Bank of England, have expressed their support for Jeremy Corbyn’s policies, dismissing claims that they are extreme. “His opposition to austerity is actually mainstream economics, even backed by the conservative IMF,” they write. “He aims to boost growth and prosperity.”

2. Air show crash fatalities may rise

Seven people died after a plane crashed during the Shoreham Airshow yesterday. The jet hit several cars on the A27 in West Sussex before crashing into bushes. The pilot is critically ill and fighting for his life at Royal Sussex County Hospital, say police. The Hawker Hunter failed to complete a loop-the-loop at the show. Police say more fatalities may emerge.

3. Jihadi John: ‘I’ll cut heads in Britain next’

Jihadi John has released a new video in which he vows to return to Britain and “carry on cutting heads”, claims the Mail on Sunday. In a one-minute 17-second video, the notorious ISIS figure, who has taken part in the several beheadings in Syria, including two Britons, says: “I am Mohammed Emwazi. I will soon go back to Britain.”

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4. Mandelson ‘advising European Commission’

Peter Mandelson has secretly been advising the European Commission on how to stop Britain leaving the EU, says the Sunday Telegraph. The former Labour spin doctor had offered to provide communications advice in the run-up to the referendum on Britain’s membership of the union. He has been liaising with leading staff for Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission.

5. British embassy reopens in Tehran

The British embassy in Iran will be reopened later, nearly four years after it was closed. Philip Hammond, the foreign secretary, will be in Tehran for the reopening ceremony. Iran will simultaneously reopen its embassy in London.

The move comes weeks after Iran reached a deal with six world powers aimed at curbing its nuclear programme.

6. Curry houses closing amid chef shortage

At least two curry houses are closing each week in Britain because of a severe shortage of chefs, reports the Mail On Sunday. The UK’s trade body for Indian restaurants warns hundreds more will shut down soon despite their continued popularity. The level of closures was revealed by the sales data of Cobra, the beer sold in most curry houses, and confirmed by the trade association.

7. Boothroyd: Labour risks heading for disaster

Betty Boothroyd says Labour is “galloping towards the precipice” if it elects Jeremy Corbyn as its leader. The former Speaker of the Commons, who battled against a Militant takeover of the party in the 1980s, accused Corbyn’s hard-left supporters of “deluding a new generation” with the same extremist “claptrap” that gripped the party 30 years ago.

8. BBC to end Met Office partnership

The BBC has pulled the plug on its partnership with the Met Office which dates back more than 90 years, reports The Sunday Times. The final weather bulletin presented by the Met Office will be broadcast in October 2016, 94 years after the first, in November 1922. Bill Giles, a BBC weather forecaster from 1983 to 2000, said: “It’s a hell of a shame. It’s the end of an era.”

9. Louis van Gaal defiant on strikers

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists his club does not need to strengthen the forward line despite a goalless draw with Newcastle. Bournemouth registered their first ever Premier League win as Callum Wilson's hat-trick helped them beat West Ham 4-3. Today, Chelsea and Manchester City are away to West Brom and Everton respectively.

10. Mo Farah wins gold at World Championships

Mo Farah made it six global distance titles in a row as he retained his 10,000m crown, reports the BBC. His victory came despite a last-lap at the 2015 World Championships. It was quite an exorcism for Farah who, seven years ago in the same stadium in Beijing, crashed out of the Olympics after failing to qualify from the heats of the 5,000m.