Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 2 Aug 2016

1. China threatens UK over Hinkley Point delays

China has issued a thinly veiled threat to the UK that cancelling the Hinkley Point nuclear plant project would put at risk more than £100bn of investment. The Chinese foreign ministry urged London to ensure the "smooth implementation" of the project "as soon as possible", while the state news agency said the delay "adds uncertainties to the 'Golden Era' of China-UK ties".

2. Donald Trump calls Hillary Clinton 'the devil'

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has attacked Hillary Clinton as he faces continued criticism for his remarks about a US Muslim soldier's parents. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump said Democrat Bernie Sanders had "made a deal with the devil" by supporting Clinton, adding: "She's the devil."

Trump travel ban: Judge expands definition of relatives

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

3. David Cameron's honours list blocked

David Cameron's resignation honours list has been blocked over his plan to give a peerage to a former Tory treasurer who was embroiled in a City scandal. The committee responsible for granting titles has refused to support a gong for Michael Spencer, the City boss who has raised £70m for the party. Theresa May is refusing to rubber stamp the block, saying such a move would "set a very bad precedent".

4. Home ownership drops in large English cities

Home ownership is falling in major English cities, says the Resolution Foundation think-tank. Greater Manchester has seen the sharpest fall in home ownership, with the proportion of home owners dropping from 72% in April 2003 to 58% this year in the city. The Resolution Foundation said homes were becoming increasingly unaffordable for potential buyers.

London house prices: study predicts a 2.5% rise for 2020, but a 1% fall in 2021

5. Thousands attend funeral of murdered French priest

Thousands of people have attended a funeral service at Rouen cathedral for priest Father Jacques Hamel, who was murdered in his church by Islamic State sympathisers last week. Two men stomed his church during Mass and slit his throat. Muslims and Jews attended the ceremony in a show of solidarity and Archbishop Dominique Lebrun called for forgiveness.

6. iPlayer 'loophole' to be closed from September

People who only watch BBC shows on catch-up services will be legally required to have a TV licence from 1 September, closing the iPlayer 'loophole' that costs the BBC about £150m a year. The change applies to anyone watching BBC programmes on catch-up through any device and third-party services such as Sky, Virgin or BT.

7. Ecclestone's helicopter pilot arrested after kidnap

Brazilian police have arrested Bernie Ecclestone's helicopter pilot, accusing him of masterminding the kidnap of the F1 boss's mother-in-law. Jorge Eurico da Silva Faria was arrested in an apartment in a wealthy district of Sao Paulo, close to where Aparecida Schunck was found.

Ecclestone's pilot held for mother-in-law kidnapping

8. Naked Melania photos 'will win Donald the gay vote'

Naked photographs of Donald Trump's wife, Melania, embracing a female model may help the White House hopeful win votes, says a conservative commentator. "I think this probably might wrap up the LGBTQ vote for Trump," said Rush Limbaugh. "And the single, white male vote, particularly the some - or no-college-educated white male vote."

Melania Trump sues Daily Mail and blogger over escort 'lies'

9. HIV campaigners win drugs ruling

The High Court in London has ruled that NHS England can fund a "game-changing" drug that reduces the risk of HIV infection after the health authority had argued it was not their responsibility to fund preventative drugs. The ruling followed a legal challenge to NHS England's decision by the National Aids Trust, which argued the NHS should have the power to commission the drug.

NHS can offer 'game-changing' HIV drug, court says

10. Briefing: Will the UK avoid a Brexit recession?

Most agree it is no longer a question of whether or not the Brexit vote will hit the UK economy but rather by how much - and if that will lead to a full-blown recession. Even Brexiters admitted before June's referendum that uncertainty would hit growth. But they now argue that limited sentiment surveys and figures produced since the vote show an economy weathering the storm well.

Remain-voting City lobby group calls for 'dramatic Brexit U-turn'