Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 17 Apr 2016
- 1. Tsunami warning after dozens die in Ecuador earthquake
- 2. 'Rupture' warning as Botham bats for a Brexit
- 3. Crisis as England faces 10,000-strong schools shortfall
- 4. 44% think Cameron's tax affairs 'morally repugnant'
- 5. Roman villa discovered in Wiltshire back garden
- 6. David Hare mourns theatreland's box office obsession
- 7. Schools offer therapy for exam-frazzled parents
- 8. Polio vaccine switch to target two remaining strains
- 9. Brixton tenners change hands for £40
- 10. Villa relegated as Foxes reach home stretch
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1. Tsunami warning after dozens die in Ecuador earthquake
At least 41 people have been killed after a 7.8-magnitude quake struck the central coast of Ecuador. A tsunami warning has been issued after the powerful quake caused "considerable damage", according to authorities. The quake struck at 18:58 local time on Saturday near the northern coastal town of Muisne. Severe damage is reported in many areas.
2. 'Rupture' warning as Botham bats for a Brexit
Britain faces an “economic rupture” if the country votes to leave the EU, the government has warned. According to work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb, a Brexit would have “disastrous” consequences for families. Meanwhile, Sir Ian Botham has joined the campaign to leave the European Union, declaring that Britain should “stand proud” as he did as a cricketer.
3. Crisis as England faces 10,000-strong schools shortfall
England is facing a shortfall of 10,000 primary school places, reports The Observer. Government data shows councils across the south-east, the Midlands and the north of England will have more pupils than places by 2019-20. Local authorities are warning that funding pressures will take the crisis to new levels in the next few years.
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4. 44% think Cameron's tax affairs 'morally repugnant'
More than 40% of people think David Cameron's handling of his financial affairs has been "morally repugnant", according to a new poll. The damning phrase is the one previously used by chancellor George Osborne to describe tax dodging. A ComRes poll for The Independent and Sunday Mirror found 52% believe the PM has not been "honest and open" about his financial affairs.
5. Roman villa discovered in Wiltshire back garden
An "elaborate" Roman villa has been discovered by chance by a home owner in Wiltshire. Luke Irwin unearthed the villa while he was carrying out some work at his farmhouse. The untouched mosaic and villa are described as "extraordinarily well-preserved". Historic England said the discovery was "unparalleled in recent years".
6. David Hare mourns theatreland's box office obsession
The playwright Sir David Hare has warned that a fixation with box office success is having a detrimental effect on British theatre and distorting decisions about which plays are staged. He said: “Because subsidy is so stretched … every director of a theatre has an emollient eye on the box office. It is now assumed that what is good is that which succeeds.”
7. Schools offer therapy for exam-frazzled parents
Top schools are offering therapy to anxious parents as exam stress soars, reports The Sunday Times. In a bid to ease pressure on pupils, parents are being asked to attend sessions with therapists to advise them to ease up on their children. “Parents — and I am one of them — need to keep a sense of perspective and try not to transmit our anxieties onto our children,” said a headmaster.
8. Polio vaccine switch to target two remaining strains
Health campaigners say a crucial milestone towards polio eradication has been reached as more than 150 countries begin switching to a different polio vaccine. The new vaccine will target the two remaining strains of the virus. There were just 74 cases of the paralysing disease last year and there have been 10 so far in 2016.
9. Brixton tenners change hands for £40
Brixton Pound banknotes featuring David Bowie are changing hands online for more than four times their face value, reports the FT. The note, which has a face value of £10 and can only be spent in certain Brixton shops and restaurants, is described as “Britain’s trendiest cash”. The currency was launched in 2009 as a way to encourage people to support local independent businesses.
10. Villa relegated as Foxes reach home stretch
Aston Villa have been relegated from the Premier League after their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United yesterday. Their relegation after 34 games is the joint third-fastest - in games played - since the top flight was reduced to 20 teams two decades ago. Leicester can extend their lead at the top to 10 points with a win against West Ham today.
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