Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 11 Jun 2017

1. Boris denies leadership plot as DUP hails 'positive' talks

The Democratic Unionist Party says it has held "positive talks" over the prospect of supporting a Conservative minority government. Widespread reports suggest Boris Johnson is preparing a leadership bid, with a close ally saying it is "go-go-go" for him to unseat Theresa May. However, Johnson has dismissed the reports as "tripe". Meanwhile, May has sacrificed her two closest advisers – Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy.

2. Colonel Gaddafi's favourite son is 'released from prison'

Colonel Gaddafi's son, Saif al Islam, has been released from prison by rebels, according to reports. His father's heir apparent, he had been held in the town of Zintan for the past six years. A former playboy, he had often appeared in the West as the public face of the Gaddafi regime. He remains on the International Criminal Court's wanted list.

3. US releases images of Russian jet intercepting B-52 bomber

The US Air Force says a Russian fighter jet was scrambled to intercept American bombers over the Baltic Sea. Pictures released by Washington suggest an SU-27, known by its NATO reporting name of "Flanker", was deployed to head off a US B-52H craft, which is capable of carrying a nuclear weapon. Moscow said the appearance of the B-52H will not ease tensions between it and the West.

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4. London Bridge attackers wore belts for 'maximum fear'

Police have released images of the fake explosives belts worn by the men who carried out the London Bridge attack, saying the use of the belts was a "tactic" to create "maximum fear". Meanwhile, it has emerged that Boris Johnson scrapped railings on London Bridge when he was mayor of London because they were considered "ugly". Last week, concrete barriers were hastily installed in the wake of the attack.

5. Richard Hammond survives 'fireball horror' car crash

Richard Hammond has been airlifted to hospital after a car crash in Switzerland. The former Top Gear presenter, who suffered brain injuries after a 288mph rocket car accident in 2006, "miraculously" escaped what the Mail On Sunday calls a "fireball horror" with a fractured knee. He was reportedly "conscious and talking" after freeing himself from the doomed vehicle.

6. China's 'social credit' algorithm compared to Orwell novel

China is experimenting with a "social credit" system that rewards well-behaved citizens and punishes dissent, reports The Sunday Times. The scheme, which has been dubbed a '1984 algorithm' by critics, gives citizens a rating based on their behaviour. It is already operating in some cities and will be adopted across China by 2020. Online critics of the proposal have had their posts removed from the internet.

7. Anti-Muslim protestors outnumbered in the US

A series of anti-Muslim rallies planned in cities across America by far-right activists have inspired counter-protests from "concerned" civil rights groups. In New York and Chicago, a few dozen "anti-sharia" demonstrators were outnumbered by counter-protesters. "The theme of today is drowning out racism," said a counter-protester in New York. "The more racists get a platform, the more people get attacked."

8. Why heat makes us less likely to help others

Warmer weather makes us less inclined to help other people, according to new research. Scientists found that as temperatures rise, men and women become less sociable and therefore less inclined to help others. A 5F rise in temperature led to a 50% fall in willingness to help. Researchers concluded that humans have evolved to be more selfish to preserve our own energy resources during periods of extreme heat.

9. Farage considers comeback after election outcome

Nigel Farage is weighing up a return to frontline politics and says he will make up his mind in the coming week. The former Ukip leader said Theresa May’s electoral gamble had "reinvigorated a political class which never believed in Brexit". He claimed that Brexit voters "will be furious if we stay in the single market and the customs union" as a result of the election.

10. Batman actor West dies in Los Angeles at 88

The man who played the iconic 1960s Batman has died at 88. Adam West passed away on Friday night in Los Angeles after suffering from leukaemia, his family has announced. "Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans' lives. He was and always will be our hero," his family said in a statement.