Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 28 Jul 2017

1. Sixty tower blocks fail 'Grenfell test'

At least 60 tower blocks around the country use cladding and insulation unable to pass a new safety test inspired by the Grenfell Tower blaze. The test involves starting a fire under a large-scale mock-up of the combination of insulation and cladding used at the west London tower. Of the 60 blocks, nine are council-owned.

2. US Senate votes down Obamacare repeal bill

The US Senate has voted against moves to repeal the "Obamacare" healthcare act. Republican Senator John McCain was joined by at least two other politicians from the GOP to reject their party's so-called "skinny repeal" bill. A more radical attempt at repeal was also voted down on Wednesday.

Senate rejects Obamacare repeal bill

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3. Putin promises retaliation if Trump signs sanctions

Vladimir Putin has accused the US of "insolence" and promised to retaliate if Donald Trump signs further sanctions on Russia into law. The US Congress this week voted to take action in response to alleged Russian interference in other countries' elections. The bill now needs Trump's signature.

4. Five killed as Venezuela 'heads for civil war'

Anti-government activists say Venezuela is on the brink of civil war following months of demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro's government. At least five people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and police ahead of Sunday's vote to rewrite the country's constitution. More than 100 people have reportedly died in protests over the last four months.

Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro claims election victory

5. Grenfell: Police consider corporate manslaughter

Police investigating the Grenfell Tower blaze say there are "reasonable grounds" to suspect that Kensington and Chelsea Council and the organisation which managed the block may have committed corporate manslaughter offences. They added that "a senior representative of each corporation" would be interviewed over the fire.

'Twenty suicide attempts' since Grenfell Tower fire

6. Brexit could stretch until 2022 says Hammond

Chancellor Philip Hammond has given the clearest indication yet that the UK will not make a sudden exit from the EU in 2019. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme he said the UK would quit the single market and customs union in 2019, but said "literally nobody" wanted a post-Brexit migration "cliff-edge" because "we have a high level of dependence on foreign workers in the UK".

Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver

7. Top smartphones 'at risk from malware bug'

Samsung Galaxy, iPhone and Google Nexus smartphone users have been told to update to the latest operating system immediately. Security expert Nitay Artenstein, of Exodus Intelligence, told a security conference in Las Vegas that a wi-fi bug could leave the phones open to a malware attack, but the latest update would resolve the issue.

8. Squid, anchovy and tuna found in UK waters

Squid, anchovy and tuna are increasingly being found in UK waters as they warm up, a new report says. Matthew Frost, chairman of the working group that produced the report, said a summer fishery of squid had been established in the North Sea for the first time, along with an anchovy fishery "which is clearly linked to climate change".

9. Scaramucci in foul-mouthed tirade against White House staff

Donald Trump's new communications director has admitted launching a foul-mouthed tirade against two of his colleagues who opposed his appointment. Anthony Scaramucci told a reporter that chief of staff Reince Priebus was a "f******g paranoid schizophrenic" and also used profane language to discuss chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Foul-mouthed interview sparks White House turf war

10. Briefing: How Trump's transgender ban will affect the US military

Donald Trump's decision to reinstate a ban on transgender people serving in the US military provoked a swift backlash this week - as well as equally vocal support from some conservatives. In a tweet, the President said the "tremendous" cost of medical treatment was too much for the US military to bear. His opponents say the figures involved represent a tiny fraction of the military budget - and that the ban will reinforce prejucide against transgender people. The White House has not announced any details of the ban, nor how it will be implemented, but Trump said transgender individuals will not be allowed to serve "in any capacity". Serving transgender members of the military said they had effectively been fired by tweet, while former soldier and transgender woman Chelsea Manning accused the world's biggest and richest armed forces of cowardice.

How Trump's transgender ban will affect the US military