Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 30 Jun 2017

1. Grenfell Tower cladding 'changed to save cash'

Kensington and Chelsea Council asked for cheaper aluminium cladding to be used instead of the planned zinc for the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower in 2014, reports the BBC, citing leaked documents. It adds the papers show the change to the less fire-resistant material saved a total of £300,000. "There is no suggestion a deliberate decision was made to cut fire safety," the broadcaster says.

2. Corbyn sacks MPs over single market vote

Jeremy Corbyn has sacked three frontbench MPs for voting against the party whip and backing a Queen's Speech amendment calling for the UK to stay in the single market. Ruth Cadbury, Catherine West and Andy Slaughter joined dozens of Labour MPs, along with Greens, the SNP, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru, in backing Chuka Umunna's motion.

3. Trump's revised travel ban comes into force

A revised version of Donald Trump's travel ban comes into force today, restricting entry into the US for travellers from several mainly-Muslim countries. People without a business or personal connection to the US could be denied visas and refused entry. The policy was one of Trump's major campaign pledges, but has been hit with legal actions.

Subscribe to 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. May gives in on abortion amendment

Theresa May survived the vote on the Queen's Speech yesterday following her U-turn over abortion rights. Women in Northern Ireland will now have access to the procedure on NHS England after Tory backbenchers threatened to back Labour MP Stella Creasy's move to debate the issue as an opposition amendment. The Queen's Speech was passed by 323 votes to 309.

5. Sarin gas confirmed in Idlib attack

Sarin gas was used in an attack on civilians in Idlib, Syria, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has confirmed, although it did not say who was responsible. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he was "not surprised" by the findings. More than 90 people, including children, died in April's attack.

6. Hong Kong releases pro-democracy activists

Chinese police have released several activists arrested in Hong Kong last night for staging a pro-democracy protest ahead of the 20th anniversary of the end of British rule in the city. A series of events are planned to celebrate the handover, including a banquet attended by President Xi Jinping. Further demonstrations are planned tonight.

7. Man held after 'trying to ram crowd at Paris mosque'

Paris police have arrested a man who attempted to ram his car into a crowd outside a mosque in the suburb of Creteil. Barriers had been erected around the building to prevent such an attack and no one was hurt. The man is said to be Armenian in origin and it is claimed he wanted to "avenge" attacks in France by Islamist groups.

8. Fine school-run parents, say health groups

Parents should be fined for leaving their car engine running as they wait for their children outside school, say official health experts. Public Health England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also recommend tree-planting and supporting bicycles and electric vehicles to tackle the 40,000 deaths a year caused by air pollution.

9. 'Diva' funeral for Manchester attack victim

Thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral of 29-year-old Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack in May. The Coronation Street "superfan", a popular figure on social media, had planned his own "theatrical" funeral and wanted to "exit like a diva", says Sky News.

10. Briefing: The police officer who fought the London Bridge attackers

A policeman who fought off three attackers during the London Bridge terrorist attack that killed eight people has spoken about the ordeal for the first time.

British Transport Police Officer Wayne Marques was patrolling near the bridge when the attack happened in early June and he was one of the first responders.

After hearing screams, Marques said he ran towards the scene. The 38-year-old originally thought the disturbance was a pub or gang fight "at the most", he told the BBC.

Police officer tells how he fought off London Bridge attackers