Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 2 Dec 2015
- 1. Commons to vote on bombing IS in Syria
- 2. Russia accuses Erdogan of trading oil with IS
- 3. Facebook founder to give away £30bn shares
- 4. Lord Coe quizzed on blood doping in athletics
- 5. Aung San Suu Kyi prepares to assume power
- 6. Cocaine users asked to think of global impact
- 7. Anti-terror police arrest four in Luton
- 8. Gary Neville leaves Sky to join Valencia
- 9. Morrissey wins Bad Sex Award with first novel
- 10. Briefing: everything you need to know about Help to Buy Isas
1. Commons to vote on bombing IS in Syria
David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed in the Commons during a debate on whether to extend the current bombing of Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq to Syria. The PM says action will make Britain safer, but the Labour leader says the case does not stack up. Other nations including the US and Russia are already carrying out air strikes. Labour MPs vote have been granted a free vote on the issue.
Syria 'planning a new chemical attack', US claims
2. Russia accuses Erdogan of trading oil with IS
Russia has accused the family of Turkey's President Recep Erdogan of being involved in trade of oil with Islamic State in Syria. Erdogan said the claim by Russia''s defence ministry was "slander". Barack Obama has urged Russia and Turkey to move on from the row over the shooting-down of a Russian warplane and focus instead on fighting IS.
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US and Russia spar over vetoed Syria sanctions
3. Facebook founder to give away £30bn shares
Mark Zuckerberg, founder of social network Facebook, is to give 99% of his shares, currently worth around $45bn (£30bn), to a charity set up in honour of his daughter. Zuckerberg detailed the plan in a 2,200-word letter to daughter Max, whose birth he announced last night. He said he and wife Priscilla would give the shares "during our lives".
Facebook founder to give away £30bn fortune
4. Lord Coe quizzed on blood doping in athletics
Lord Coe, president of athletics body the IAAF, is facing questions from the select committee on culture, media and sport today. MPs will ask the former Olympic runner about 'blood doping' in athletics. He will be questioned on why he did not end a role as a paid ambassador for Nike sooner after conflict of interest claims.
5. Aung San Suu Kyi prepares to assume power
Aung San Suu Kyi, whose opposition party won Myanmar's first democratic election for decades by a landslide last month, has met the president, Thein Sein, to discuss taking over. She will also meet the army chief Min Aung Hlaing. There is a law banning Suu Kyi from being president but she intends to find a way round it.
6. Cocaine users asked to think of global impact
A campaign by the National Crime Agency (NCA) urges cocaine users to consider the environmental devastation, organised crime and murder their habit causes worldwide. Tony Saggers of the NCA said users who "care about the exploitation of workers in sweatshops" often have no idea of the damage done by "their occasional line".
Cocaine users with a 'social conscience' targeted in campaign
7. Anti-terror police arrest four in Luton
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences in Luton. Seven addresses and several vehicles have been searched in the town. The suspects are all in their 30s and were held after a long-standing covert police operation. Police said the arrests were not connected to the Paris attacks and the men were not planning to travel to Syria.
8. Gary Neville leaves Sky to join Valencia
England football coach and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has quit his TV role to take over as coach of Spanish side Valencia. The former Manchester United player will continue to work with Roy Hodgson and the England team prompting many to speculate that the job in Spain is an audition for the England manager's role.
Gary Neville takes over at Valencia – is England job next?
9. Morrissey wins Bad Sex Award with first novel
Singer Morrissey, who published his first novel this year, has won the Bad Sex in Fiction award. List of the Lost clinched the sarcastic honour with lines like: "Eliza and Ezra rolled together into one giggling snowball of full-figured copulation, shouting and screaming." The book was panned when it came out in September.
Bad Sex in Fiction Awards: who are the contenders?
10. Briefing: everything you need to know about Help to Buy Isas
In an effort to help first-time buyers, the government has introduced the Help to Buy Isa, a government-back savings account with the usual tax-sheltering benefits, but which also pays a 25 per cent 'bonus' to savers, up to £3.000. It means couples looking to buy their first home could get a £6,000 government payout to help them on their way.
Help to Buy Isas: all the best buys and saving options
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