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".
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
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.
