Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 27 Mar 2017

1. May tells Sturgeon: UK is 'unstoppable' together

Theresa May has told Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that together, the UK is an "unstoppable force". The two politicans met Edinburgh today for the first time since the SNP leader revealed her timing for a second independence referendum. Their talks come just two days before the Prime Minister triggers Article 50 to start the Brexit process.

Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?

2. BT fined record £42m over broadband delays

BT has been fined a record £42m for delays in installing broadband for clients. Industry regulator Ofcom said BT's Openreach broke its rules by cutting compensation payments to telecom firms for delays from early 2013 to late 2014. It added that the size of the fine reflected the importance of its rules in promoting competition and protecting consumers.

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3. House-to-house fighting in west Mosul

Concerns are growing over civilian deaths in west Mosul, where a US-led coalition is fighting Islamic State. Sky News says it has seen house-to-house fighting in the terror group's last stronghold in Iraq and claims fighters are sheltering behind civilian families and launching attacks from their homes.

Mosul air strike: '200 civilians killed by US bombs'

4. Khalid Masood 'not connected' to terror groups

Police say there is no evidence of a link between Khalid Masood and terror groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Investigators also say that Masood drove at speeds of up to 76mph as he mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. Twelve people have now been arrested in connection with the attack that killed four people. Nine have been released without charge.

Khalid Masood: Police unlock Westminster attacker's final text

5. Nine out of ten councils to put tax rates up

Nine in ten local authorities in England will increase council tax from April, with just one – East Hampshire – reducing the rate and 22 freezing it. Bills in some areas will rise by 5%. The increases are in sharp contrast to rate changes five years ago, says The Guardian, when 90% of councils froze or reduced the tax and 35 raised it.

6. Russian opposition leader arrested after protests

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was arrested yesterday at an anti-corruption demonstration he had organised in Moscow. Protests were held in other cities as well, with people calling on Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to resign over corruption allegations. At least 500 protesters were detained by police nationally.

7. Eight feared dead in avalanche at Japanese ski resort

Eight climbers are feared dead and 30 more injured after an avalanche in the Nasu Onsen ski resort north of Tokyo. The victims are believed to be high school students, part of a group of 60 who were climbing in the area. It is feared the death toll may rise because the Japanese authorities are cautious about reporting deaths.

8. Comic Relief prompts 150 Ofcom complaints

Comic Relief sketches have prompted more than 150 complaints to TV watchdog Ofcom. The Friday night show raised more than £73m for charity but some viewers were upset by bad language from Steve Coogan and Russell Brand, while a sketch in which Vic Reeves appeared to brandish a fake penis at Susannah Reid caused controversy. The BBC did not reveal how many complaints it had received.

9. United Airlines bars teens from flying in leggings

United Airlines has been criticised after it prevented a group of girls from boarding a flight because they were wearing leggings. Three were allowed to fly after putting dresses on top, the other two were not. The group, which included a ten-year old, were travelling on an employee guest pass which the US airline said had a dress code.

United Airlines branded sexist for banning girls in leggings

10. Briefing: Will a pint a day really keep the doctor away?

Drinkers were celebrating this week after newspaper headlines announced that a modest wine or beer habit could ward off the risk of heart disease.

The Sun said that "a daily pint or glass of wine can slash the chances of suffering a heart attack by a third". The article was illustrated with a photograph of a man sinking a beer.

Many of us will welcome the news, but should we treat it with caution?

Fact Check: Will a pint a day really keep the doctor away?