Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 17 Feb 2017

1. Blair: It's time to rise up and reject Brexit

Former prime minister Tony Blair will issue a rallying cry to pro-EU MPs today, setting himself up as the leader of the Brexit resistance. It is his "mission" to persuade Britons to change their minds about leaving the EU, he will say, urging his audience to "rise up". It is thought Blair may want to found a new anti-Brexit political party.

Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver

2. Islamic State kills at least 72 at revered Pakistan shrine

At least 72 people have been killed by Islamic State at a Sufi Muslim shrine in southern Pakistan. A suicide bomber blew himself up among worshippers at the crowded shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalnadar in Sehwan, Sindh province. The shrine is one of the oldest and most revered in the country.

Subscribe to 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

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.

Sign up

3. Trump denies his administration is in 'chaos'

US President Donald Trump yesterday denied his administration was in "chaos" and claimed it was running like a "fine-tuned machine". He also repeatedly attacked the assembled reporters as "dishonest" and refused to answer some questions during a White House press conference lasting an hour and 16 minutes.

Donald Trump sued by two states over business links

4. British beaches littered with plastic 'nurdles'

More than 70% of British beaches are littered with "nurdles", small pellets of plastic used in the production of plastic goods, a survey of the coast from Shetland to the Scilly Isles has discovered. The pellets can cause damage to birds and fish and the animals that eat them. Billions are spilt down drains and washed out to sea every year.

5. Michael Flynn replacement declines role

US President Donald Trump's choice of new national security adviser has declined the job. Robert Harward, a former Navy Seal vice-admiral, was to replace Michael Flynn, who stepped down after lying about his contact with Russia. However, he is believed to have insisted on bringing his own team with him, which was not acceptable to Trump.

6. Disadvantaged teens less likely to apply for university

Teenagers' chances of going to university depend heavily on where they live, with those living in disadvantaged areas less likely to apply, according to official figures. Analysis of Ucas figures shows 47% of teens living in a London postcode apply for a post-graduate course, compared to 32% of those who live in the south-west.

7. Eighth continent 'found' under the ocean

Scientists have "found" another continent. Researchers say the landmass under the Pacific Ocean, the high point of which is New Zealand, should be considered a continent called Zealandia. The suggestion is not new, but a renewed push has been made to have Zealandia recognised in the pages of a US geographical journal.

Zealandia: Is this Earth's hidden eighth continent?

8. Second date for tennis star Bouchard

Tennis star Eugenie Bouchard is to go on a second date with a student she met after losing a bet on Twitter. John Goehrke asked the 2014 Wimbledon finalist if she would go out with him if the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl. They did and the couple went to baasketball game this wek. Bouchard said there would be a second date "for sure".

9. Woolly mammoth embryo 'two years away'

Harvard scientists say they are two years away from creating a hybrid elephant-woolly mammoth embryo, although it will be many years before they might attempt to take the embryo further and make a living creature. The team have spliced elephant DNA with mammoth traits from DNA samples found in the permafrost.

Can the woolly mammoth be brought back from extinction?

10. Briefing: The pros and cons of two-state solution

Donald Trump has signalled that his administration is prepared to depart from past US policy and consider alternatives to the two-state solution to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestine. "I'm looking at two states and one state and I like the one that both parties like," he said in a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel: what are the pros and cons of a two-state solution?