- 1. 'There is no Brexit strategy,' leaked memo says
- 2. Hammond to spend £15bn on 'Brexit-proofing'
- 3. Obama reassures US allies over Trump
- 4. New Zealand town evacuated after quakes
- 5. Facebook rebels set up fake news taskforce
- 6. Surprise fall in the UK inflation rate
- 7. Government unveils second-phase HS2 routes
- 8. Famous dinosaur goes on national tour
- 9. Home Secretary approves extradition of hacker
- 10. Briefing: How Donald Trump could drive up UK borrowing costs
1. 'There is no Brexit strategy,' leaked memo says
A leaked Cabinet Office memo seen by The Times and the BBC claims there is still no single plan for Brexit "because of divisions within the Cabinet" and says it may take six months to arrive at a negotiating strategy. A spokesman said the government didn't recognise the claims, made by an unnamed consultant on 7 November.
Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver
2. Hammond to spend £15bn on 'Brexit-proofing'
Chancellor Philip Hammond is to invest up to £15bn in transport infrastructure and high-tech industry in an attempt to "Brexit-proof" the economy, says Sky News. Dozens of small projects will be backed and Hammond hopes to improve productivity with better road and rail links and the creation of more high-skilled, well-paid jobs.
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3. Obama reassures US allies over Trump
US President Barack Obama is seeking to reassure allies worried by the incendiary campaign pledges and statements of his successor, the Republican Donald Trump. Ahead of his final overseas trip – to Greece, Germany and Peru – Obama insisted Trump had "expressed a great interest" in maintaining the US commitment to Nato.
US and Russia spar over vetoed Syria sanctions
4. New Zealand town evacuated after quakes
Tourists and residents are being evacuated by air from Kaikoura, the New Zealand town hardest-hit by a series of earthquakes. The airlifts are going ahead despite strong winds and heavy rain. The town, north-east of Christchurch on South Island, has been cut off by landslides triggered by the tremors. Around 3,200 people are there.
5. Facebook rebels set up fake news taskforce
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said on Sunday that fake news on his site had not swayed the US presidential election, dismissing it as a "crazy idea". Now it has been reported a group of his employees have secretly come together to form a fake news taskforce. It has been said Facebook is afraid to act as most of the sites are right-wing.
6. Surprise fall in the UK inflation rate
The UK inflation rate fell during October, defying the expectations of analysts. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell to 0.9%, from 1% in September although a rise had been forecast. However, the Office for National Statistics said that pressure on prices is increasing after the pound's fall led to an increase in the price of raw materials.
7. Government unveils second-phase HS2 routes
The route for the second phase of the high-speed rail line HS2 has been unveiled, although there is still no decision on where to lacate a new station serving Sheffield. The new plans show the route the line will take north of Birmingha, towards Crewe and Manchester to the west and through the East Midlands to Leeds. The entire project is expected to cost £56m.
8. Famous dinosaur goes on national tour
Britain's best known dinosaur skeleton – actually an Edwardian plaster cast – is going on tour. Dippy the diplodocus must be moved out of the main hall of London's Natural History Museum while renovation takes place. In the meantime, the skeleton will visit Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, Rochdale and Norwich.
9. Home Secretary approves extradition of hacker
An order to extradite British hacking suspect Lauri Love to the US has been signed by Home Secretary Amber Rudd. The 31-year-old, who suffers from Asperger syndrome, faces a number of charges and an extensive prison sentence in the US if found guilty. He is accused of hacking the Federal Reserve, the US army, the Department of Defense, Nasa and the FBI.
Who is Lauri Love? The hacking suspect set to be extradited to the US
10. Briefing: How Donald Trump could drive up UK borrowing costs
Donald Trump's stunning victory in the US presidential election has prompted "a wave of selling that has swept across government-bond markets", says the Wall Street Journal. Since the result was announced last Wednesday, more than $1.2trn (£960bn) worth of bonds have been offloaded by investors, says Bloomberg. Analysts reckon the "rout" could continue over the coming weeks.
Post-Trump global bond rout to increase UK borrowing costs
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