Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 12 Jul 2017

1. Trump 'did not know of son's Russian meeting'

Donald Trump Jr says he did not tell his father about his meeting with a Russian lawyer during the US election campaign last year. The US President's eldest son also released a chain of emails in which he welcomed a suggestion that a Russian official was willing to share "official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary [Clinton]".

2. Brexit already hitting UK economy, says Moody's

Brexit uncertainty, the snap election and reduced living standards are starting to hit the UK economy, says credit rating firm Moody's, which adds the situation will worsen considerably during the rest of the year. Moody's also said it believed the probability of "an abrupt and damaging exit" from the EU has increased.

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Banks warn it's too late to stop Brexit exodus

3. Viscount faces jail over racist posts to Gina Miller

A viscount is facing jail for writing menacing and racist posts on Facebook about anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller. Rhodri Philipps, the fourth Viscount St Davids, called the businesswoman a "f*****g boat jumper" and offered £5,000 to "the first person to 'accidentally' run over bloody troublesome first generation immigrant".

4. Grenfell Tower search could take four months

Police say it could take four months to finish searching the remains of Grenfell Tower in London and have asked the families of the missing to be patient. Forty-two officers and archaeologists are continuing to search through the ash to find fragments of bone or teeth to identify victims, they added.

5. Spanish royals begin three-day state visit

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain landed in the UK last night to begin a three-day state visit, the first by a Spanish monarch for 31 years. The couple will be greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Horse Guards Parade today. The BBC reports the visit will be overshadowed by the issues of Brexit and Gibraltar.

6. Energy firms 'owe each household £285''

Energy firms should give a £285 rebate to each household in the UK after making £7.5bn in excess profits over the past eight years, Citizens Advice says. It blamed the amount on Ofgem making "errors in judgement" when setting price controls. However, the regulator questioned the figures and said it had helped lower bills.

7. MPs to debate abuse against election candidates

MPs will today reveal the extent of abuse suffered by parliamentary candidates in the general election, including anti-Semitic attacks, death threats and even slashed tyres. Tory MP Simon Hart, leading the debate, claims the scale of abuse is "driving people away from politics" and that greater legislation was needed.

8. 'Over-sexualised' bikini shaving advert banned

A TV advert for bikini-line shaving products has been banned for being "over-sexualised" and featuring close-up shots of women's crotches. The Advertising Standards Authority said it received 17 complaints about the Femfresh advert, which was shown on ITV and Channel 4's online on-demand services earlier this year.

9. Andy Murray knocked out of Wimbledon

Defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been knocked out of Wimbledon. The world number one was beaten in five sets by American Sam Querrey after the hip injury, which had threatened his participation in the tournament, flared up. Unable to move properly Murray lost 12 of the last 14 games as his opponent won the last two sets 6-1 6-1.

Roger Federer races to Wimbledon milestone

10. Briefing: Manipur’s long wait for justice

The Supreme Court presiding over the northeastern state of Manipur is expected to rule in late July on whether to investigate hundreds of deaths that might be linked to the security services.

While police deny any wrongdoing, human rights activists allege that a controversial law dating back to 1958 provided blanket protection to the Army and the Manipuri commandos to kill with impunity.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 allowed police to detain residents of the conflict-ridden state without warrants on "reasonable suspicion" and to shoot civilians in order to maintain public order. Activists claim that an estimated 1,528 people may have been unlawfully killed as a result.

Manipur: India’s long wait for justice

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