Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 27 Aug 2016

1. Theresa May 'will trigger Brexit without Commons vote'

Theresa May will not hold a Commons vote on Brexit before opening negotiations to formally trigger Britain's withdrawal from the EU, claims the Daily Telegraph. Remain campaigners had argued that because the referendum result is advisory it should be approved by the Commons before Article 50 is triggered. However, sources claim May will invoke Article 50 without a vote in parliament.

2. French right press on with anti-burkini campaign

Right-wing politicians in France have stepped up their call for the burkini to be outlawed nationwide despite a decision by the country’s highest administrative court that the ban in one town is illegal. The ruling is likely to set a precedent for the 30 other towns that have banned the swimwear in the past month. But a right-wing mayor said the ruling "can only heighten passions and tensions".

3. Martin McGuinness to co-operate with historical probe

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness says he's willing to answer any questions about his past if new truth and justice structures are established in Northern Ireland. However, the former IRA commander, who is now Deputy First Minister, says the British government must open its files on The Troubles too. Plans for new historical investigations stalled amid claims the release of some documents could compromise Britain's national security.

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4. Pound enjoys its longest rally since Brexit vote

The pound has risen against the dollar for two straight weeks, confirming its best performance against the US currency since the Brexit vote. Amid a raft of positive UK data, sterling touched a three-week high of $1.3280 against the dollar yesterday after Janet Yellen, chair of the US Federal Reserve, said the case for raising interest rates in the world’s largest economy was strengthening.

5. Top head calls on parents to put away smartphones

The headmistress of one of the country’s leading schools has called on parents to put down their smartphones and turn off their laptops to guard the mental health of gadget-obsessed teenagers. Clarissa Farr of St Paul’s girls’ said children are increasingly "hiding on the internet" and avoiding real relationships. Parents were partly to blame, she argued, because of their own obsession with technology.

6. 'British' child appears in Islamic State video

Islamic State has released a video showing five boys, including one it identifies as British, executing prisoners in Syria. The children appear to be about 10 to 13 years old and the boy captioned as Abu Abdullah al-Britani is white. Children have often featured prominently in IS propaganda in which the terror group boasts about preparing the next generation of fighters.

7. PM to review discrimination in public services

The prime minister has ordered a review into how ethnic minorities and white working class people are treated by the NHS, schools, police and the courts. Theresa May said the audit, which is aimed at highlighting racial and socio-economic disparities and showing how outcomes differ due to background, class, gender and income, would "shine a light on injustices".

8. Angela Merkel 'quite fancied' David Cameron

Angela Merkel "quite fancied" David Cameron, his biographer has claimed. Sir Anthony Seldon believes that the former PM would flatter the German chancellor. Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Seldon claimed: "I think she quite fancied him, actually. He charmed her, he knew how to flatter her. And let's face it, they're not a whole bundle of fun, the other EU leaders."

9. Battered Branson: my helmet saved my life

Richard Branson has credited his helmet after he survived a high-speed bicycle crash. The Virgin boss believes his headgear saved his life after he came off his bike when he hit a road hump in the British Virgin Islands. The billionaire suffered a cracked cheek, torn ligaments and cuts and bruising to his body in the crash, which occurred on Virgin Gorda, one of the British Virgin Islands.

10. Watchdog examines masonic links of Hillsborough cops

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is examining the involvement of the Freemasons in the Hillsborough disaster. The watchdog is investigating whether senior police officers’ membership of the secret society had a bearing on the events that led to 96 people losing their lives. Both Former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, who had overall responsibility for policing at the match, and his predecessor were members of the Freemasons.