Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 7 Sep 2015
- 1. David Cameron to set out refugees plan
- 2. Stonehenge researchers in major discovery
- 3. Blood test ‘could predict Alzheimer’s’
- 4. Queen ‘is worth £57bn to UK economy’
- 5. London Islamophobia ‘is up 70%’
- 6. Sarah Palin: immigrants must ‘speak American’
- 7. Palestinian West Bank arson victim dies
- 8. Tom Watson to warn on Corbyn campaign
- 9. UK is set for 'long Indian summer'
- 10. Briefing: Iranian film stirs anger in Saudi Arabia
1. David Cameron to set out refugees plan
David Cameron will reveal details of government plans to resettle more refugees from Syria when MPs return from the summer recess today. Chancellor George Osborne has already explained that the international aid budget will be used to help councils house people. Actress Angelina Jolie tells The Times that refugees fleeing for their lives must be given priority over economic migrants.
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2. Stonehenge researchers in major discovery
Stonehenge researchers believe they may have found the largest prehistoric site. Thanks to a ground-penetrating radar, some 100 stones were discovered at the Durrington Walls "superhenge", a later bank built close to the famous Stonehenge site. Finding the stones – which may have originally measured up to 4.5m (14ft) in height - was "fantastically lucky", researchers said.
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'Archaeology on steroids': Huge stones found buried next to Stonehenge
3. Blood test ‘could predict Alzheimer’s’
There is news of a medical breakthrough today as scientists reveal that a ground-breaking blood test which determines a person’s “biological age” will help to predict and diagnose dementia. The gene analysis technique, which will give an accurate impression of how healthily people are ageing, would allow doctors to estimate their risk of a wide range of chronic illnesses.
4. Queen ‘is worth £57bn to UK economy’
The Queen’s total value to the economy has been estimated at just under £57bn and this year alone her net contribution will be £1.155bn, notes The Times. The estimates, from the brand and business valuation agency Brand Finance, are revealed before the Queen makes history this week by passing the reign record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
5. London Islamophobia ‘is up 70%’
Islamophobic crimes in London have risen by 70% in the past year, according to the Metropolitan Police. Figures for the 12 months up to July showed 816 Islamophobic crimes, compared with 478 for the previous 12 months. Women were the primary targets, according to Tell MAMA, an organisation that monitors Islamophobic attacks.
Islamophobic attacks soar in London
6. Sarah Palin: immigrants must ‘speak American’
Sarah Palin has sparked a storm of laughter and anger after insisting that immigrants to the United States should “speak American”. The former Republican vice presidential nominee was adding her voice to a row triggered by Donald Trump’s criticism of Republican rival Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish. Her remark prompted considerable mockery on Twitter.
7. Palestinian West Bank arson victim dies
A Palestinian woman has died of injuries she sustained during the July arson attack on her West Bank home that killed her husband and infant son. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls to take in more refugees – and pledged to build 18-mile border fence. The UN says Israel plans to demolish up to 17,000 Arab buildings in the West Bank.
8. Tom Watson to warn on Corbyn campaign
Tom Watson will warn today that plans by the Jeremy Corbyn camp to force every Labour MP to face a reselection battle would amount to a “charter for internecine strife”. In his final speech to Labour members before the close of ballots, the frontrunner in the deputy leadership contest will say that the mandatory reselection of MPs would act as a “destructive force”.
Jeremy Corbyn is a 'disaster', says Stephen Hawking
9. UK is set for 'long Indian summer'
Is Britain about to enjoy an Indian summer? Temperatures are expected to sweep into the 70Fs over the coming days with highs possibly touching 80F (26.6C) in some regions. A vast area of high pressure moving in from Bermuda will bring “tropical” air in from Europe. Experts are also speculating that Britain could bask in an Indian summer that lasts into October.
10. Briefing: Iranian film stirs anger in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric has condemned an Iranian film that depicts the early life of the Prophet Mohammed as obscene and hostile. Muhammad: the Messenger of God recently premiered to sold-out audiences in Iran, but has courted controversy outside the country since filming began. Although the film does not show the Prophet's face, any visual depiction is prohibited by Sunnis. Shia Islam, which is practised by the majority of Iranians, is less strict.
Iranian blockbuster causes outrage in Saudi Arabia
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