Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 8 Apr 2017

1. Trump warned he's 'one step away' from conflict with Russia

Moscow has warned the United States that it is "one step away from military clashes with Russia". The statement from Dmitri Medvedev, the Russian prime minister, came after President Trump bombed Syria. Medvedev said that relations with Washington had been "completely ruined" by Trump’s action. The US says it is "disappointed but not surprised" at Russia's response.

2. Suspect arrested after Stockholm 'terror' attack

A man has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism following yesterday’s truck attack in Sweden's capital city. The Swedish Prosecution Authority said the suspect was being quizzed "on suspicion of a terrorist crime through murder". Four were killed and 15 others wounded after the hijacked truck crashed into a department store in central Stockholm on Friday afternoon. Security at Swedish borders has been tightened.

3. Google accused of 'extreme' gender pay discrimination

Google has been accused of "extreme" and "systematic" gender pay discrimination. The US Department of Labor says the web giant has "systemic compensation disparities" affecting female employees. The authorities have collected information suggesting the Google is breaking federal employment laws with its salaries for women.

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4. South Africans call for Zuma's removal in nationwide demos

Tens of thousands of marched in South Africa yesterday calling for the removal of President Zuma. In several cities, banner-waving demonstrators demanded that Zuma resign or that the ruling African National Congress expel him from office. Ratings agency Fitch has downgraded the country to junk status after Zuma controversially removed Pravin Gordhan, his finance minister, during a cabinet reshuffle.

5. Woman dies after chasing her dog on the M4

A 66-year-old woman has died after being hit by a van while chasing her dog on a motorway. Detectives belive the woman, who was struck by the Ford Transit at about 6.15pm on Friday evening, had followed the dog after it ran on to the busy carriageway. A portion of the M4 near Cardiff was closed for five hours as an investigation took place.

6. Bashir re-sentenced for beating wife with cricket bat

Mustafa Bashir, who beat his wife with a cricket bat and forced her to drink bleach, has been resentenced to 18 months after he dodged jail at an earlier hearing by dishonestly claiming to have a job offer as a professional cricketer. The 34-year-old admitted assaulting Fakhara Karim but was initially given a suspended sentence after he pretended Leicestershire County Cricket Club had offered him a contract.

7. Could embracing Pompeii pair have been gay lovers?

Speculation has emerged that the two iconic embracing figures at Pompeii could have been gay lovers, after a scan revealed they are both men. The two bodies were found in each other’s arms in their final moments as they were covered beneath molten rock and ash in the ancient city of Pompeii, when Mount Vesuvius violently erupted in 79 A.D.

8. Trump accepts China invite amid 'positive chemistry'

Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from Xi Jinping to make a visit to China, said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Trump is currently hosting the Chinese at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Tillerson says the "chemistry" between the men is "positive", which represents something of a breakthrough as last year Trump said China had "raped the US".

9. Last Samuri is favourite at 170th Grand National

A field of 40 horses is set to contest the 170th running of the Grand National today. The Last Samuri, who was last year's runner-up, hopes to become the first top weight to win the annual race since Red Rum in 1974. Bookmakers expect up to £300m to be gambled on the race. A crowd of 70,000 is expected at Aintree Racecourse on Merseyside.

10. UV warnings as Britain prepares for sunny Sunday

Britain is set to enjoy the hottest day of the year on Sunday. Health officials are advising people to protect themselves from harmful UV rays, as the Met Office says that temperature in parts of Britain will exceed 23C, making it warmer than south of France. However, the balmy weekend weather will recede back to average April conditions on Monday morning.

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