Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 29 Apr 2017

1. Trump stokes the flames after North Korea missile test

Donald Trump has accused North Korea of "disrespecting the wishes of China" with its latest missile test. The ballistic missile exploded seconds after lift-off according to the South Korean military. The US military said the missile did not leave North Korean territory. Washington has been encouraging Beijing to try to rein in the reclusive state's military activities.

2. Cable says Brexit could cause worse crash than 2008

Brexit could trigger worse economic crash than 2008, warns Liberal Democrat Vince Cable. Launching his election bid, the former business secretary predicted that a hard Brexit would cause an "economic storm". He added: "For Britain, the economic weather is arguably worse than it was before the credit crunch. The pound has plummeted, which is driving up prices and trapping consumers in a vicious Brexit squeeze."

3. Terror suspect was released without charge in 2015

A suspect arrested on Thursday over an alleged Islamist bomb plot had previously been released without charge after being accused of travelling to join Islamic State. The Times reports that Mohamed Amoudi, 21, one of six people arrested by balaclava-clad armed officers in London and Kent, was deported from Turkey in 2015 after authorities suspected he was heading for the border with IS-held Syria.

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4. Corbyn to pitch for 'warmer' style of leadership

Jeremy Corbyn is to promote a "warmer" style of leadership as Labour strategists seek to portray the leader as willing to engage with ordinary people, in contrast to Theresa May. Meanwhile, in a speech today he will warn that "a Brexit for the few is now brewing". Theresa May will head to Scotland today where she will address a campaign rally.

5. Thousands of women may sue rogue breast surgeon

Several hundred patients are expected to pursue compensation after a breast surgeon was convicted of carrying out needless operations. Thompsons Solicitors said at least 350 women will bring a High Court case against Ian Paterson, while a separate legal firm predicted that there could eventually be "hundreds, if not thousands" of other claimants. The Daily Mail says the women were "maimed".

6. Tory stands aside after saying homosexuality is 'wrong'

A Tory MP who told students that homosexuality is "wrong" and "dangerous to society" has announced that he will not stand in the general election. The comments from Andrew Turner, 63, who has represented the Isle of Wight for 16 years, shocked politics students at Christ the King College in Newport. Stepping aside, Andrew Turner said it was time for "a new generation" to take over.

7. 'Reckless' Trump loosens restrictions on oil drilling

Donald Trump has signed an executive order to loosen restrictions on oil drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic. Claiming that his move would "unleash American energy", the US president said it would create "thousands and thousands" of jobs. Scrapping Barack Obama's environmental protections was one of Trump's key pledges during the presidential election campaign. Environmental groups said his move was "reckless".

8. Mystery deaths in Liberia are not caused by Ebola

A series of mysterious deaths in Liberia are not caused by Ebola, say the authorities. Eleven people have died and five remain in hospital after contracting a mystery illness which officials believe is linked to their attendance at the funeral of a religious leader. "We are still investigating. The only thing we have ruled out is ... Ebola," said Liberia’s chief medical officer, Francis Kateh.

9. Tim Farron links 'poisonous' Theresa May with hate crimes

Tim Farron says Theresa May has promoted “poisonous propaganda” about immigrants leading directly to hate crimes. Speaking to The Independent, the Liberal Democrat leader said May was “playing the immigration card” at the general election by sticking to her target to reduce immigration numbers despite opposition from within her own cabinet.

10. British health chiefs fear US-style 'opioid epidemic'

Hundreds of thousands of Britons are hooked on painkillers prescribed by their doctors, reports The Times. Prescriptions of opioid drugs like codeine and tramadol have doubled over the past 10 years, even though they are ineffective for chronic pain. Concerned health officials here have pointed to America, where tens of thousands of people had died of overdoses amid an opioid epidemic.

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