Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 15 Jun 2017

1. Firefighters search smouldering tower block

"Unknown numbers" of people are still missing a day after the Grenfell Tower tower block blaze in London. Firefighters are continuing to search the smouldering and intensely hot ruin, but say they do not expect to find anyone alive. Seventeen people have been confirmed dead, while 17 are in a critical condition.

'Twenty suicide attempts' since Grenfell Tower fire

2. Trump investigated for possible obstruction of justice

Donald Trump is reportedly being investigated for possible obstruction of justice. Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating alleged links between Trump's election campaign and Russia, has widened the scope of his inquiry after it was claimed the US President tried to stop an FBI inquiry into his sacked national security adviser.

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Trump 'under investigation' by special counsel

3. UN criticises 'staggering' number of deaths in Raqqa

UN war crimes investigators have criticised the "staggering loss of civilian life" following air strikes by the US-led coalition on Raqqa in Syria. Bombing has intensified in Islamic State's de facto capital over the last week and the UN says at least 300 civilians have been killed.

4. May tries to restart Northern Ireland Assembly

Theresa May will meet the leaders of Northern Ireland's five main political parties in Downing Street today for talks on restarting the power-sharing assembly at Stormont before the deadline on Friday this week. The Prime Minister also met DUP leader Arlene Foster, whose support she needs to shore up her minority government, on Tuesday.

London fire delays deal between Tories and DUP

5. McGregor to take on Mayweather in boxing match

Irish UFC cage fighter Conor McGregor is to take on Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in Las Vegas in August it has been confirmed. A fight between the two has been rumoured for months, but few exected it to take place. Mayweather, 40, is overwhelming favourite to win. He last fought in 2015 but has won all his previous 49 fights.

Mayweather vs McGregor preview: How to watch it on TV and betting odds

6. Heathrow baggage crisis hits holidaymakers

Thousands of holidaymakers have had to fly without their luggage after the baggage system failed at Terminals 3 and 5 of Heathrow. Handlers are processing the bags manually and very little is being loaded on to planes in time. Travellers are advised to pack essential items in their hand luggage.

7. Gunmen kill at least 17 in Somalia

Gunmen have killed at least 17 people and injured 26 after taking hostages at a Mogadishu restaurant popular with the political elite, following a car bomb at a neighbouring eatery. The dead are said to include "foreigners and children". Islamist terror group Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility.

8. Hundreds of water voles returned to wild

More than 300 water voles will be set free in Kielder Forest in Northumberland this week, the first group of a total of 700 being released into the wild this year. A loss of habitat and hunting by non-native mink has led to water voles becoming the UK's fastest declining land mammal.

9. Weatherman Fred Talbot jailed for sex offences

Disgraced TV weatherman Fred Talbot has been jailed for four years for historical sex offences against boys during school trips to Scotland. Talbot, 67, a former teacher, was convicted at Lanark Sheriff Court of seven charges of indecent assault between 1978 and 1981. Talbot is already serving a five year for previous sex offences.

10. Briefing: A hostage and Black Rod - the curious Queen's Speech traditions

The state opening of parliament is a time of pomp and ceremony - and some very unusual traditions that can leave onlookers bemused.

Dating back at least seven centuries, the elaborate ceremony is the only regular occasion on which all three parts of parliament - monarch, Lords and Commons - meet, the London Evening Standard says.

At its heart is the Queen's Speech, which is written by the government and lays out the policies and laws it wants to pass. This year, the monarch's address has an extra significance - it MPs vote against it, Theresa May's minority government will essentially collapse.

Black Rod, a crown and a hostage - the strange traditions of the Queen's Speech