1. Sadiq Khan: Labour must unite and return to Blair's strategy
Sadiq Khan says Labour must unite and develop “the habit of winning elections”, urging the party to return to the strategy followed by John Smith and Tony Blair. Speaking to The Guardian he said: “We need to understand that Cameron’s government is as bad as John Major’s.” Speaking of Brown and Blair’s approach, he added: “That is the trajectory we need to be on if we want to win in 2020.”
2. EU campaigners to take to hit the pavements
Campaigners from both sides of the EU referendum debate will hit the streets this weekend to try to win over voters. With less than six weeks to go until the poll, and with the surveys putting the two camps at roughly 50-50, both sides are keen to make a breakthrough and take the lead. The much-discussed referendum takes place on 23 June.
3. Donald Trump 'posed as his own spokesman'
Donald Trump posed as a spokesman for himself during the 1990s, claims the Washington Post. In a recording obtained by the paper, a voice similar to Trump's can be heard masquerading as a media representative for the billionaire businessman. Reporters would hear from the "spokesman", John Miller or John Baron, when asking to interview Trump.
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4. New RSPCA boss apologises for hunt prosecutions
The new head of the RSPCA has apologised for the charity becoming too political. Jeremy Cooper said the RSPCA had become too partisan and its previous leader had taken on too many prosecutions. In his first interview in his new role, he said that it would be "very unlikely" the RSPCA would bring another prosecution against a hunt.
5. Venezuela declares state of emergency
The president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro has declared a 60-day state of emergency in response to what he believes are plots from within the country and from the US to topple his left-wing government. “Washington is activating measures at the request of Venezuela’s fascist right, who are emboldened by the coup in Brazil,” Maduro said during a Friday night broadcast on state television.
6. BBC presenter has been stalked for a quarter of a century
The BBC’s Emily Maitlis has revealed that she has had a stalker for more than 25 years. She met the man, Edward Vines, while she was at university. “I had a police presence outside my house two months ago,” she told The Times. “There is an injunction and, when he breaches it, it starts again. There is a weariness to it. It feels never-ending. His life is ruined; I try to blank it.”
7. British 'drug mule' is released by Peru
Melissa Reid, the Brit jailed for trying to smuggle drugs from Peru, is to be released from prison, authorities in the country have announced. The 22-year-old, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, and Michaella McCollum, from Co Tyrone, were jailed in 2013 for attempting to smuggle cocaine to Spain. Reid has served about a third of her sentence. McCollum, 23, was freed last month.
8. Russia tipped to win the Eurovision Song Contest
Russia is the favourite to win this evening’s Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. Sergey Lazarev, a well-known pop star in the country, is widely tipped to win with his techno ballad, You Are The Only One. Other countries tipped to do well are Australia, France, Sweden and Ukraine. The UK will be represented by Joe and Jake.
9. Are Cockneys disappearing from the East End of London?
Cockneys are becoming an endangered species in the East End, according to a BBC documentary. More than half the white population has abandoned the borough of Newham in the last 15 years alone, the programme will claim. A resident says: “People who haven’t been for many years come out of Upton Park Station and say: ‘I can’t believe what’s happened here, it could be Baghdad.’”
10. Louis van Gaal: I will be here next season
Louis van Gaal believes he will still be Manchester United manager next season. The Dutchman has been given no assurance on his future but he expects to see out the final season of a three-year contract he signed in 2014. The under pressure boss said: "I have said I shall be here, that is my opinion, so the board has to decide if it is like that."
