Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 24 Apr 2016
- 1. Boris slams Barack Obama's 'weird' arguments
- 2. MPs in late bid to avoid all-out junior doctor strike
- 3. Britain's super-rich suffer slump in fortunes
- 4. Pop star Prince cremated in small private service
- 5. Cold callers to face fines if they withhold numbers
- 6. Runners prepare for historic London Marathon
- 7. Obama in fresh trade warning on Brexit
- 8. Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho fails drug test
- 9. Pearl Mackie is the new Doctor Who companion
- 10. Can Leicester go eight points clear without Vardy?
1. Boris slams Barack Obama's 'weird' arguments
Boris Johnson says Barack Obama has used “ridiculous" and "weird” arguments for Britain to stay in the EU. He told the Mail On Sunday: “It is very weird that the US should be telling the UK to do something they would not dream of doing themselves in a million years.” In a separate interview he refused to apologise to Obama for his attacks, saying: "Oh come on. This is all a complete distraction.”
2. MPs in late bid to avoid all-out junior doctor strike
Pregnant women and cancer sufferers are among 125,000 NHS patients whose hospital treatment could be postponed during the first all-out strike by junior doctors. Meanwhile, in a bid to avert the strike, a group of cross-party MPs have written to the health secretary urging him to trial the controversial contracts. NHS England says next week’s action would be an "unprecedented situation”.
3. Britain's super-rich suffer slump in fortunes
Britain’s super-rich have been hit by the worst slump in fortunes since the financial crash, according to the new Sunday Times Rich List. Lakshmi Mittal – who topped the list in 2008 with £27.7bn - has lost three-quarters of his wealth. Oil billionaires Carrie and François Perrodo have lost 42% of their fortune, while Alisher Usmanov, a shareholder in Arsenal Football Club, is down 23% to £7.58bn.
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4. Pop star Prince cremated in small private service
Prince has been cremated at a small, private service for family, friends and musicians. The cause of the pop singer’s death is still unknown and it could be several weeks before the results of Friday's autopsy are announced. The 57-year-old was found dead in a lift on his Paisley Park estate, near Minneapolis, on Thursday. Fans are still laying tributes at the site.
5. Cold callers to face fines if they withhold numbers
Cold callers who use withheld numbers could be fined more than £2m in a new law to be announced today. From next month, direct marketing companies registered in the UK will need to display their phone numbers when making unsolicited calls. The reform will make it easier for people to decide whether to answer their phone and to make formal complaints if they are harassed.
6. Runners prepare for historic London Marathon
Thousands of runners will take part in the 36th London Marathon today. The race will be started from space, with astronaut Tim Peake providing a 10-second countdown at the beginning of the run. The millionth finisher in the history of the London Marathon, which was first contested in 1981, will cross the line on The Mall.
7. Obama in fresh trade warning on Brexit
The UK could take up to 10 years to negotiate trade deals with the US if it leaves the EU, Barack Obama has told the BBC. The US president said: "It could be five years from now, 10 years from now before we were able to actually get something done." Obama’s recent statements against a Brexit have angered Leave campaigners.
8. Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho fails drug test
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has until Tuesday to respond to the Uefa charge following his failed drugs test. Sakho tested positive for what is believed use of a “fat burner” as an aid to lose weight. The France international was tested after the 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Europa League round of 16 second leg tie on March 17.
9. Pearl Mackie is the new Doctor Who companion
Pearl Mackie has been revealed as the new Doctor Who companion alongside Peter Capaldi's Time Lord in the Tardis. She replaces Jenna Coleman, who left the series in 2015. Mackie’s role was announced on BBC One during half time of the FA Cup semi-final match between Everton and Manchester United. “I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Doctor Who family," she said.
10. Can Leicester go eight points clear without Vardy?
Leicester can go eight points clear in the league if they beat Swansea City today. However, the Foxes will be without top scorer Jamie Vardy, who will serve at least a one-match ban as a result of his red card in the draw with West Ham. Crystal Palace will face Watford in the second FA Cup semi-final, after Manchester United beat Everton in yesterday’s semi at Wembley.
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