Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 17 Aug 2016

1. Trott and Kenny golds seal Team GB's best-ever showing

Engaged cyclists Laura Trott and Jason Kenny yesterday both won golds, making Rio Team GB's most successful overseas Olympics so far. The UK has 50 medals and is in second place on the overall table. Trott is now Britain's most successful female Olympian, with four golds, while Kenny has equalled Sir Chris Hoy's tally of six.

Laura Trott and Jason Kenny: Perfectly ordinary Olympians

2. Choudary conviction 'could build support for IS'

Anti-terror experts warned the conviction of Anjem Choudary for inciting support for Islamic State might build support for the terror group. An expert told Sky News there will be a "spike in interest" in the hate preacher's online social media presence. Choudary will be sentenced next month and faces up to ten years in jail.

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Anjem Choudary: Cleric's conviction 'could boost his profile'

3. Tax avoidance 'peddlers' face tougher fines

Accountants and financial advisers who help clients avoid tax will face tougher fines under new laws proposed by the Treasury. A consultation suggests fining as much as 100% of the tax avoided. So far the focus has been on tackling the individuals who avoid tax while their advisers have remained in the background.

4. Mexico: Son of drug lord El Chapo kidnapped

The son of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has been kidnapped by rival cartel the Jalisco New Generation. Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar and several other members of Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel were abducted from a restaurant on Monday, police say.

Son of Mexican drug lord El Chapo kidnapped

5. Oil tanker hijacked off coast of Malaysia

A Malaysian oil tanker carrying 900,000 litres of diesel has been hijacked and taken to Indonesia, authorities say. The MT Vier Harmoni was sailing from the port of Tanjung Pelepas when it was seized. The cargo is reportedly worth around 1.57m ringgit (£300,000). It is not yet known who has taken it.

Who is behind the Malaysian oil tanker hijack?

6. Australia to close Manus Island detention centre

The prime minister of Papua New Guinea says Australia plans to close the notorious Manus Island detention centre. Papua New Guinea's highest court ruled the detention of migrants there is in breach of the constitution. Physical and sexual abuse is reported to have taken place at the site.

7. Irish Olympic official arrested in ticket touting probe

The head of the European Olympic Committees, Patrick Hickey, has been arrested in Rio as part of a police investigation into alleged ticketing touting. The 71-year-old Irishman is suspected of illegally passing on Olympic tickets to be sold on at a profit. Hickey was taken to hospital after complaining of "feeling sick" after his arrest, it has been reported.

8. Donald Trump supports Milwaukee police shooting

The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has said the recent shooting of a black man by police in Milwaukee – one of many such incidents to spark protests across the country – seems to have been justified. Sylville Smith was shot dead on Saturday. He was said by the authorities to have refused to drop a handgun he had.

Trump travel ban: Judge expands definition of relatives

9. Woman found guilty of love rival murder

An obsessive woman who murdered her love rival has been jailed for 30 years. "She devil" Sarah Williams, 35, planned the attack of "barbaric savagery" with accomplice Katrina Walsh, 56. Their victim, 60-year-old Sadie Hartley, was stunned her with a cattle prod and stabbed 41 times by Williams in a bid to win back ex-lover Ian Johnston. Both women were given life sentences.

10. Briefing: Five beautiful towns and villages for commuters

If you are thinking of leaving London in search of a suburban

paradise, here are five of the most beautiful towns and villages

within an hour of the capital. For example Bray, in Berkshire, the

tiny village on the Thames where two of the four British restaurants

with three Michelin stars are to be found. A ten-minute drive from

Maidenhead station, from where commuters can reach Paddington in just 19 minutes.

Best commuter spots: Five beautiful towns and villages