Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 12 Nov 2016
- 1. Donald Trump backtracks on Obama healthcare pledge
- 2. Coalition of 84 MPs plot to force second EU referendum
- 3. A third of police forces use 'cruel' spitting hoods
- 4. Patients diverted to pharmacies to ease GP pressure
- 5. Police probe claims of Keith Vaz drug offences
- 6. Gary Lineker discusses Sun advertising with Walkers
- 7. Pound top performing currency in wake of Trump victory
- 8. NHS 'will need £50bn for negligence claims alone'
- 9. Police 'warn Gina Miller to avoid public places'
- 10. Tesco 'refuse free parking over baby formula purchase'
1. Donald Trump backtracks on Obama healthcare pledge
Donald Trump has said he is open to leaving intact key parts of Barack Obama's healthcare bill. The US President-elect, who had vowed to repeal the 2010 law, said he will retain the ban on insurers denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, and would also allow young adults to be insured on their parents' policies. "I like those very much," he told the Wall Street Journal of the two planks.
2. Coalition of 84 MPs plot to force second EU referendum
More than 80 MPs are plotting to force the government to hold a second referendum on the terms of Brexit. The coalition, led by Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, said that they will force a vote calling for another referendum on the terms of Britain’s exit from the EU. Sources have told the Daily Telegraph that the 84 MPs include Lib Dem members, the SNP, SDLP and 20 Labour backbenchers.
3. A third of police forces use 'cruel' spitting hoods
One-third of UK police forces use controversial hoods to prevent arrested people spitting or biting. The mesh fabric spit hoods are used by 17 of 49 police forces, a Freedom of Information request from the BBC has revealed. Since 2011 they have been used at least 2,486 times - in 635 cases on people with suspected mental health issues. Civil liberties group Liberty said the hoods are "cruel".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

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.
4. Patients diverted to pharmacies to ease GP pressure
Patients will get instant tests at chemists to see if they need antibiotics under new NHS plans. Designed to stop antibiotic resistance and to alleviate pressure on GPs, the proposal will ensure far quicker treatment for common ailments, the head of the NHS will say. It is part of a national plan to modernise the health service in the face of "unprecedented demand".
5. Police probe claims of Keith Vaz drug offences
Detectives are investigating possible drug offences following a Sunday Mirror story about Keith Vaz. The Labour MP quit as chairman of the Home Affairs Select committee in September after the paper claimed he paid for the services of two male escorts. The report claimed the MP also indicated to one of the men that he would pay for cocaine, although he said he would not use the drug himself.
6. Gary Lineker discusses Sun advertising with Walkers
Gary Lineker, the face of Walkers crisps, has held talks with the company about its relationship with The Sun newspaper, which has attacked him in recent weeks for his views on the refugee crisis. The former football star said people would have to "wait and see" the outcome of the discussions. However, Walkers says: "Our advertising approach is not determined by the editorial stances of individual newspapers."
7. Pound top performing currency in wake of Trump victory
The pound has become the best performing currency this week following the electoral victory of Donald Trump. Sterling climbed against all of major currencies and broke the $1.26 barrier against the dollar for the first time in five weeks. It is also its highest level since the "flash crash" that caused a massive drop in the currency’s value in early October.
8. NHS 'will need £50bn for negligence claims alone'
The NHS will need more than £50bn to pay for expected future negligence claims, having paid out more than £6bn in such claims over the past decade, says The Times. The health service received 5,419 claims in 2006-7 and this rose to 10,965 in 2015-16. The news comes as the NHS faces its biggest financial crisis, with hospital deficits reaching a record £2.5bn last year.
9. Police 'warn Gina Miller to avoid public places'
Gina Miller, the businesswoman who brought a legal challenge over Brexit, says police have told her to avoid public places. The 51-year-old said detectives warned her it was unsafe to go outside after she received threats. She said abusers had targeted her children following an appearance on The Andrew Marr Show last Sunday. Miller then complained to police who told her to take “extraordinary” security measures.
10. Tesco 'refuse free parking over baby formula purchase'
A mother who is unable to breastfeed her baby for medical reasons has said she was "guilt-tripped" by Tesco for buying baby formula. Laura Leeks said staff at a branch in Essex refused to let her park for free because she bought only the formula during her visit. The voucher is classed as a promotion and the law bans promotions on products including formula and tobacco.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
North Korea (sort of) welcomes tourists again
Under the Radar 'Hermit kingdom' allows foreign visitors for the first time since 2020 – but only in limited areas
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - February 23, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - loser's game, unexpected consequences, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 slow on the draw cartoons about Democrats' response to Trump
Cartoons Artists take on taking a stand, staying still as a statue, and more
By The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024
Daily Briefing Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win over Haley, 'Oppenheimer' leads the 2024 Oscar nominations, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024
Daily Briefing Haley makes last stand in New Hampshire as Trump extends polling lead, justices side with US over Texas in border fight, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024
Daily Briefing DeSantis ends his presidential campaign and endorses Trump, the US and Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024
Daily Briefing Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000, top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024
Daily Briefing Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response, families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024
Daily Briefing Congress averts a government shutdown, DOJ report cites failures in police response to Texas school shooting, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024
Daily Briefing Judge threatens to remove Trump from his defamation trial, medicine for hostages and Palestinians reach Gaza, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024
Daily Briefing The US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a third time, Trump's second sex defamation trial begins, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published