Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 21 Aug 2016

1. Economists up forecasts as Brexit confidence grows

Britain's economy is expected to grow faster than expected, as economists reverse some of the pessimistic downgrades made immediately after the referendum result. Robust economic data published since the vote has persuaded some experts that a major economic crunch is unlikely to strike the in the short term. City economists now believe the UK will grow by an average of 1.6% this year and 0.7% in 2017.

2. Hospital doctors warns of chronic staff shortages

"Dangerous" understaffing in hospitals is so widespread that signs of illness are being missed and newly qualified doctors left in charge of up to 100 patients. In a survey of UK doctors in The Observer, medics said they were left strained and in tears at being "pressurised" by managers to take on more shifts to help hospitals cope with rising demand.

3. Poll says British want EU migrants to stay

More than 80% people in the UK believe EU migrants already living here should be allowed to remain after Brexit, including 77% of Leave voters. The data is revealed in new poll for the British Future thinktank which is calling for a "national conversation" on immigration as part of a comprehensive review of a system in which, it says, "the public has lost all confidence".

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4. Mo Farah defends title as Team GB surpass 2012 haul

Mo Farah successfully defended his Olympic 5,000m title as Great Britain won 66 medals in Rio, surpassing their medal haul from London 2012. Farah's victory added to his gold in the 10,000m as he repeated the distance double he won four years ago. However, Tom Daley said he was "heartbroken" after a shock semi-final elimination in the Olympic 10m platform diving competition.

5. Bin Laden raid author pays book profits to Pentagon

The former US Navy Seal who wrote a bestselling book about his role in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden is to pay nearly $7m (£5m) to the government for violating non-disclosure agreements. Matt Bissonette, who failed to get Pentagon clearance before the book No Easy Day was published in 2012, has agreed to forfeit all profits and royalties, as well as film rights and speaking fees.

6. Sadiq Khan calls on Labour to ditch Jeremy Corbyn

Sadiq Khan has called on fellow party members to replace Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Writing in The Observer, the London mayor warns that the Labour Party "cannot go on like this”. He accuses the Labour leader of failing to "win the trust and respect of the British people," claiming his lack of leadership had become clear during the EU referendum.

7. Islamic State blamed for 'bombing' of Turkish wedding

Authorities say at least 30 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a wedding in Turkey's Gaziantep. Another 94 people were injured in the explosion, which a regional official in southern Turkey has described as a "terror attack". President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Islamic State were the "likely perpetrators" but some security officials have also blamed Kurdish militants for the attack.

8. Government 'slaps down' top doctor on drink advice

The government is to set the recommended weekly limit for both men and women at 14 units, a reduction of seven for men. However, the move is being seen as a “slapdown” of Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, who wanted more robust guidelines. Last week, Theresa May also watered down the childhood obesity strategy, ditching plans to force food companies to reduce sugar content.

9. Arrests as UK forces make record haul of cocaine

A haul of cocaine with a street value of £80m was recovered from a vessel off the English coast. Officers boarded the British-registered converted fishing trawler just south of Falmouth in Cornwall where they discovered approximately 50 bags of the drug. All three crew were charged with importing cocaine. A Border Force spokesman said: "This is one of the most significant drugs seizures ever made in the UK.”

10. Omran Daqneesh's brother Ali 'dies in Aleppo'

The brother of Omran Daqneesh, the Syrian boy whose photograph aroused moved the world after he was injured in a Russian airstrike, died of his injuries yesterday. Nine-year-old Ali Daqneesh was outside the family’s flat in Aleppo when the building was hit earlier this week. Omran was discharged on Friday, but Ali, who had been on a ventilator, succumbed to massive liver and kidney injuries.