Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 5 Aug 2016

1. Russell Square stabbing victim and suspect are named

The woman killed in a knife attack in London's Russell Square on Wednesday has been named as US citizen Darlene Horton, while her alleged attacker has been identified by sources as Zakaria Buchan, a 19-year-old Norwegian of Somali origin. Horton and her husband, Richard Wagner, were due to return to the US today.

2. Brexit vote strikes UK recruitment levels

The EU referendum hit recruitment in July, according to a new survey by IHS Markit. The study of 400 UK recruitment and employment firms says permanent placements in the month fell at the sharpest rate since 2009, with participants citing uncertainty caused by the Brexit vote, and that some businesses had shifted towards using short-term staff.

3. ANC 'losing control of major cities' in electoral flop

The ANC's rule of South Africa's major cities is under threat after it suffered its worst election result since coming to power in 1994. Reports suggest the party will lose control of Port Elizabeth, where the opposition Democratic Alliance is leading the vote, while its control over the economic hub of Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria are also under question.

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4. Cameron gives peerage to nominations civil servant

David Cameron faces the prospect of an MPs' inquiry after critics said his resignation honours list would "embarrass a medieval court". The latest revelation is that the former PM has given a civil servant involved in the nominations process a peerage. A Tory MP said: "We have not seen anything like this since Harold Wilson's lavender list and we hoped that we would never live to see that again."

5. British charity funds 'used to help Hamas'

Israel has claimed that millions of pounds donated to the Christian charity World Vision were diverted to Hamas, including £60,000 from the UK that went to building a base for militants. Israeli investigators have arrested an alleged Hamas operative they claim used his position with the charity to funnel £5.3m a year to the group.

6. Dame Lowell Goddard quits child sex abuse inquiry

The inquiry into child sexual abuse has been thrown into turmoil after the resignation of its head, Dame Lowell Goddard, although Home Secretary Amber Rudd insists it will continue "without delay" and a new chair appointed. The investigation was set up in March 2015 to examine claims made against public and private institutions. Justice Goddard is the third chairwomen to quit.

7. Melania Trump denies she broke US immigration rules

US presidential candidate Donald Trump's wife, Melania, has denied suggestions she may have broken US immigration laws. Following the revelation that she posed for naked photographs in New York in 1995, critics said the Slovenian had previously stated she arrived in the US in 1996 on a short-term visa that did not allow her to work. "I have at all times been in full compliance with the immigration laws of this country," she said.

8. Prison governor seriously injured by inmate

A prison governor was seriously hurt during an "unprovoked" attack by an inmate. Paul Cawkwell was beaten up in the canteen at HMP Wayland, Norfolk, reports the BBC. The inmate has reportedly been transferred to another institution. A prison service spokesman said it would "push for the strongest possible punishment".

9. Power struggle over Boko Haram's leadership

A leadership battle has broken out in the Nigerian-based Islamist group Boko Haram after Islamic State tried to impose a new boss. IS announced that Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former spokesman for the armed group, would now be leading the militants. However, Abubakar Shekau, the long-time chief of Boko Haram, says he is the true leader.

10. Briefing: What happens if Trump drops out?

Donald Trump is having a bad week: he has slipped in the polls, been labelled "unfit" to hold office by President Barack Obama, caused a media storm and bipartisan condemnation for offending the parents of a fallen serviceman and, in a major blow to party unity, refused to endorse two of the most senior Republicans Paul Ryan or Senator John McCain, for re-election. Now rumours - unconfirmed - suggest he might withdraw.

Trump travel ban: Judge expands definition of relatives

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