Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 19 May 2017

1. Times Square crash driver 'heard voices'

A former serviceman who drove his car along the pavement in Times Square, New York, killing a teenager and injuring 22 other people, told police he "heard voices" during the rampage. Richard Rojas, 26, also said he expected to die in the incident, law enforcement sources told US media.

2. Corbyn accuses May of 'shameful attack'

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused the Conservatives of launching a "shameful attack on older people" in its manifesto, which was unveiled by Theresa May yesterday. He also said it had revealed itself to be the "nasty party" by forcing those in need of social care to pay for it with their own homes, albeit after they have died.

Today's front pages: Theresa May not

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3. Party leaders attack Nuttall in TV debate

Leaders of the Greens, SNP, Lib Dems, Ukip and Plaid Cymru were critical of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn decision to avoid last night's live pre-election TV debate. The evening was largely a disagreement between Ukip's Paul Nuttall and the rest of the politicians, with Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP accusing him of being May's "spokesman".

TV leaders' debate dubbed 'worst episode of Take Me Out ever'

4. Rolf Harris released from prison

Rolf Harris has been freed from prison but remains on trial for indecent assault in London. The disgraced entertainer is believed to have left Stafford Prison this morning having served three years in jail for other offences. He has been granted bail on the current charges and will appear at Southwark Crown Court next week. He has been appearing via videolink until now.

Rolf Harris released from prison after three years

5. Trump heads off on 'over-ambitious' world tour

US President Donald Trump begins an ambitious world tour today, his fist foreign visit since taking office. In nine days, the 74-year-old will visit Saudi Arabia, Israel, Belgium, Italy and the Vatican. A new president usually visits Mexico or Canada first and Trump's itinerary is seen by some as too ambitious, with sensitive handling required.

Donald Trump sued by two states over business links

6. Moors Murderer's ashes not welcome in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council has said it will refuse any request to scatter the ashes of Ian Brady, the Moors Murderer, who died this week at the age of 79. Brady grew up in the city and it is said his last request was for his ashes to be scattered there. Terry Kilbride, whose brother was killed by Brady, said the ashes should stay within prison walls.

7. US jets attack Iran-backed militia in Syria

US jets have attacked a convoy of militiamen backed by Iran in south-east Syria, the first such clash since the American military returned to the region three years ago. The air strikes happened near the town of al-Tanf, where Syrian opposition forces backed by the US have been hit recently by Syrian and Russian jets, the BBC reports.

8. Sweden drops Assange rape case

Sweden is to drop the rape investigation into Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been living in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since 2012 to avoid extradition. Prosecutor Marianne Ny said his arrest warrant was being revoked as it was impossible to serve him notice. Assange fears Sweden would hand him to the US if he was arrested.

Will Julian Assange be forced to leave Ecuador’s London embassy?

9. UK downplayed Mugabe's massacre

British officials deliberately downplayed the massacre of thousands of Robert Mugabe's opponents in Zimbabwe in the 1980s, newly released documents have revealed.

Mugabe had swept to power in what was then Rhodesia in 1980, when his Zanu-PF party won more than 60 per cent of the vote in elections that followed years of bloody struggle against minority white rule.

However, the man hailed by western liberals as a freedom fighter began a brutal security clampdown against his political opponents.

UK downplayed Robert Mugabe massacre in Zimbabwe

10. Instagram rated 'worst for mental health'

A survey which asked 1,479 young people to score social media platforms for their negative impact on users rated Instagram as the worst. Carried out by the Royal Society for Public Health, the survey asked 14- to 24-year-olds to rate the platforms for their effect on anxiety, depression, loneliness, bullying and body image.