Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 17 Jun 2017

1. Grenfell: 'coward' May slammed for 'lacking empathy

Theresa May has been criticised by viewers for showing a "lack of empathy" during a television interview about the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The Prime Minister, who has already been slammed for initially failing to meet with victims, was told she "misread the public mood" during the BBC grilling. Earlier, she had to be bundled away from an angry crowd who branded her a "coward".

2. Cladding for Tower was cheaper, more flammable choice

The material used for the cladding that covered the Grenfell Tower was the cheaper, more flammable version of the two available options, an investigation has found. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail says the bosses of the company that installed the tower's "allegedly deadly" cladding were accused by HMRC of pumping £2.5m into tax avoidance schemes. Ray Bailey and his wife Belinda’s company went bust in 2015.

3. Saudis and Israel discuss economic ties

Saudi Arabia and Israel are negotiating the establishment of economic ties, in what The Times describes as a "dramatic move" that would "put the Jewish state on a path to normal relations with the bastion of Sunni Islam and guardian of the two sacred Muslim cities". It is thought that the ground-breaking ties would begin gradually, allowing El Al, the Israeli airline, to fly over Saudi airspace.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. Has Russia killed the leader of Islamic State?

Moscow believes that it has killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic State, during an airstrike in Raqqa, in Syria. Although sources in Raqqa have question the claim, if it is proved correct it would be a colossal setback for the group as it struggles Syria and Iraq. Washington-led coalition officials said that they could not confirm the Russian claim.

5. EU flags at half-mast as Helmut Kohl dies at 87

Helmut Kohl, the architect of Germany's reunification in 1990, has died at 87. The former chancellor led Germany between 1982 and 1998. He was also responsible for the introduction of the euro, alongside then French president Francois Mitterrand. Flags at EU institutions are to be flown at half-mast. Jean-Claude Juncker said in a tweet: "Helmut's death hurts me deeply."

6. Honours for murdered PC and June Whitfield

The police officer murdered in the Westminster attack was awarded a posthumous bravery medal in the Queen's birthday honours. Comedian Billy Connolly is knighted and actress Julie Walters becomes a dame. Also on the list are television star June Whitfield and author JK Rowling. Ed Sheeran, Sir Paul McCartney and Delia Smith are also honoured. The honours list is being hailed as the most diverse ever.

7. Rescue bid after US destroyer crashes into Japanese cargo

Rescue crews are searching for seven US navy crew members after their vessel collided with a container ship 100km off the coast of Japan. The USS Fitzgerald, a 505-ft, 8,900-tonne destroyer, was flooded after the collision with the ACX Crystal, a 29,000-tonne container ship. In 2001, nine Japanese sailors, including four teenagers, died when their ship was accidentally struck by a US submarine off Hawaii.

8. Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died of sleep apnoea

Carrie Fisher died from sleep apnoea and "other factors", the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled. The common condition causes sufferers to stop breathing during sleep, either for a few seconds or minutes. Although the Star Wars actress’s death certificate said in January that the 60-year-old had suffered a cardiac arrest, the LA coroner said the exact cause was unknown.

9. Donald Trump takes axe to Obama's Cuba deal

US President Donald Trump says he is reversing Barack Obama’s "completely one-sided deal with Cuba". Trump promised to put new restrictions on travel and sending funds to the Caribbean island. Although he will not close the US embassy in Havana or overhaul key diplomatic ties, he described Obama's March 2016 deal with Cuba as "terrible" and "misguided".

10. Cristiano Ronaldo wants away from Spain over tax allegations

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has put top clubs on alert after complaining he is “outraged” at his treatment by tax authorities and announcing he is determined to leave Spain. A source close to the Real Madrid player claims the “outraged” star “feels great indignation” and a sense of “injustice” over allegations – which he contests – that he defrauded the authorities of €14.7m.