Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 16 Apr 2017

1. North Korea missile launch fails says the US

Washington says North Korea has made a failed attempt to test a missile as tensions between the countries grow. US military said the attempted launch failed last night when the missile "blew up almost immediately". An unnamed US official said it was unlikely to have been an intercontinental missile. Hours earlier, Pyongyang had paraded what appeared to be long-range ballistic missiles at a large military display.

2. EU to remove 'crown jewels' from Britain within weeks

The EU will strip Britain of its "crown jewels" of European agencies within weeks, says The Observer. Employing around 1,000 people, the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency provide a hub for businesses in the UK. Frankfurt, Milan, Amsterdam and Paris are among the cities hoping to take the agencies.

3. Poll suggests public support for Corbyn's policy blitz

Many of Jeremy Corbyn’s policies have the support of the majority of the British public, according to a new poll. The Labour leader has announced a 'policy blitz' including free school meals, forcing big businesses to publish their tax returns, and a £10-an-hour minimum wage. A ComRes poll found considerable public support, particularly for the raising of the minimum wage and moving the top rate of tax to 50p from 45p.

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4. The planet's oldest person dies in Italy at 117

The world's oldest person has died at the age of 117. Emma Morano, who was the last person from the 1800s still living, was born on 29 November 1899 in the Piedmont region of Italy. The BBC points out that her life not only took in three centuries but also survived "an abusive marriage, the loss of her only son, two world wars and more than 90 Italian governments".

5. Britons 'coming together' since Brexit vote says May

Theresa May has described a "sense of people coming together" since the EU referendum. The Prime Minister insisted that "opportunities" would arise from Brexit and spoke of the UK's "shared ambitions and above all shared values". In her first Easter message since entering Downing Street, May said that Britons should feel "confident" about Christianity's place in society.

6. Urban fox numbers quadruple since the 1990s

Urban fox numbers have more than quadrupled in two decades as a booming vulpine population means that there are believed to be more red foxes per square kilometre in urban areas than there are in the countryside. Scientists from Brighton and Reading universities estimate that the number of foxes in UK towns and cities has reached 150,000, up from 33,000 in the 1990s.

7. Boris gives Moscow final warning over Syria support

Boris Johnson says Russia "still has time to be on the right side of the argument" on Syria. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the Foreign Secretary also warned that the United States may bomb Syria again. He denounced Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as an "arch-terrorist" and vowed that Britain would push for "war crimes prosecutions for those responsible" for chemical attacks.

8. Everton bans The Sun after MacKenzie's Barkley column

Everton FC have banned the Sun newspaper from their stadium and training ground after Kelvin MacKenzie’s controversial column about Ross Barkley and the city of Liverpool. A club statement said Everton "will not dignify any journalist with a response to appalling and indefensible allegations", adding that the Sun "must know that any attack on this city, either against a much respected community or individual, is not acceptable".

9. Turks go to the polls over presidential power plan

Turkish voters are going to the polls to determine whether major new powers should be given to their president. Surveys suggest it is a very tight race with analysts saying that the vote is likely to be swung by people who will not make up their minds until they reach the polling booth. Around 55 million people are eligible to vote. The results are expected on Sunday evening.

10. Dick Van Dyke says kids 'idolise' violence in films and games

Actor Dick Van Dyke says violent video and movies are harmful to young people who learn to "idolise" violence "as a romantic way of life". Complaining that many films are now "all gunfire and killing", he added: "Now kids emulate street gangs. They like to dress like hoods. That’s just a reversal. They’re picking the wrong role models."