Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 3 May 2017

1. Trump and Putin agree to press for Syria ceasefire

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have agreed to push together for a ceasefire in Syria following a phone call yesterday, their first conversation since Washington carried out air strikes on a Syrian air field in response to a chemical attack. The two men also discussed North Korea.

2. Madeleine McCann's parents still facing online abuse

Madeleine McCann's parents continue to face online abuse over the toddler's disappearance, which happened ten years ago today while the family were on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, says Sky News. Kate and Gerry McCann said last week that they avoided social media and tried to protect their twins from the abuse.

What happened to Madeleine McCann? A timeline of the case

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3. No charges for US police over Alton Sterling killing

The US Department of Justice has decided not to prosecute two white police officers who shot and killed a black man in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last summer. Video of the event seems to show the officers holding down Alton Sterling, 37, and firing their weapons. The incident sparked days of protests. State prosecutors could still bring charges.

4. Sainsbury's reports 8.2% fall in full-year profits

Sainsbury's has announced a fall of 8.2% in full-year profits, taking the amount to £503m before tax. Like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, dropped 0.6%, although group sales rose 12.7% thanks to the performance of its subsidiary store Argos. The group said falling profits reflected rising costs and maintained competition from the likes of discount supermarkets Aldi and Lidl.

Sainsbury's halts talks on Nisa buyout

5. Prince William demands €1.5m over topless images of Kate

Prince William has demanded €1.5m (£1.27m) in compensation over topless photos of his wife Kate Middleton, taken when they were on holiday in France in 2012. In a statement to a French court, the Prince said the publication of the images was "all the more painful" given his mother's experience with the paparazzi. Six people are on trial, accused of invasion of privacy and complicity.

6. Eight civilians killed in Kabul suicide attack

Eight civilians were killed and at least 28 people injured after a suicide attack on a convoy of Nato armoured personnel carriers in Kabul, Afghanistan. Three US service personnel were wounded but the armoured vehicles were able to return to return to their base under their own power. The Taliban launched a spring offensive last week.

7. Turner Prize shortlist announced

The shortlist for this year's Turner Prize has been announced, with all four nominees aged over 40. Two of the four - painters Hurvin Anderson, 52, and 62-year-old Lubaina Himid - only became eligible after age restrictions were lifted. The other artists are Andrea Buttner and Rosalind Nashashibi. The winner will be announced in December.

A new age for the Turner Prize as older nominees selected

8. Melenchon supporters refuse to back Macron

A new poll suggests the majority of supporters of hard-left French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, knocked out in the first round of voting, will abstain rather than back Emmanuel Macron. However, surveys continue to put the centrist candidate ahead of his far-right rival Marine Le Pen.

Macron vs Le Pen: Where do they stand on key issues?

9. Clinton takes 'personal responsibility' for election defeat

Hillary Clinton says she bears "absolute personal responsibility" for the Democrats' defeat in the 2016 US presidential election, but in her first interview since losing the election in November, she told CNN's Christiane Amanpour interference from the FBI and Russia played a decisive role and turned many voters against her.

What is Hillary Clinton doing now?

10. Briefing: Why are pensions such a political hot potato?

The last few days have been filled with speculation over whether the Prime Minister will renew the "triple lock" pledge on pensions in order to appeal to pensioners.

There has been talk of a backlash among Tories if she fails to do so. Scottish National Party leader Angus Robertson drew a stumbling response at the final Prime Minister's Questions before the election, after directing both of his questions at the issue.

The policy may well end up in the Conservative manifesto, but so far May is refusing to commit to it.

What's the pensions triple lock and why is it such a political hot potato?

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