Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 13 Aug 2017
- 1. Virginia governor tells far-right to 'go home'
- 2. May 'to offer an apology' at Conservative conference
- 3. Health inequality grows despite government pledges
- 4. Exam board lower requirements after Gove's reforms
- 5. Trump slammed for hinting at military option in Venezuela
- 6. Uber covers up sex attacks, says police inspector
- 7. Etonian Rees-Mogg considers bid for Tory leadership
- 8. 'Scourge of war criminals' quits UN over Syria
- 9. Hammond and Fox aim for show of unity over Brexit
- 10. Mo Farah takes silver in his final major track event
1. Virginia governor tells far-right to 'go home'
A woman died and 19 people were injured when a car rammed a crowd of people opposing a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The governor of Virginia has told the white supremacists who brought chaos to the area to "go home". President Donald Trump condemned "in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides".
2. May 'to offer an apology' at Conservative conference
Theresa May will issue a "grovelling apology" at the Tory party conference for losing the government’s majority at the general election, claims the Mail on Sunday. In a bid to head off a growing revolt, the Prime Minister will reportedly make a televised public plea to Tory supporters to give her another chance. Her supporters hope the move will "clear the air" and prevent the conference being dominated by recriminations.
3. Health inequality grows despite government pledges
The health inequality gap between rich and poor is growing in England, according to figures from the Department of Health. The data shows that people living in the most deprived areas of the UK face a greater risk of premature death, seeing a child die soon after it is born, or of ending up in hospital as an emergency case. Last year, health inequality was identified by Theresa May as a "burning injustice".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
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.
4. Exam board lower requirements after Gove's reforms
Marks required to secure top grades in the first round of tougher GCSE and A-level exams have been lowered to avert a results slump, says The Sunday Times. It was feared that the biggest exam shake-up in a generation — ushered in by former education secretary Michael Gove — would cause a dramatic fall in results this summer. Gove said his reforms were designed to drive up standards.
5. Trump slammed for hinting at military option in Venezuela
President Trump has been condemned for saying he was considering military action in the Venezuela crisis. Venezuela's foreign minister said the US President’s words were hostile and risked destablising the region. Argentina said dialogue and diplomacy were the only paths to promote democracy in Venezuela. Violent demonstrations since April have left more than 120 people dead in the country.
6. Uber covers up sex attacks, says police inspector
Uber has failed to report sex attacks committed by its drivers and obstructed officers trying to investigate them, say police. Inspector Neil Billany says he has "significant concern" that the ride-hailing app company seemed to be "deciding what [crimes] to report", telling police only about "less serious matters" that would be "less damaging to [its] reputation". Uber faces a licence review in London.
7. Etonian Rees-Mogg considers bid for Tory leadership
Jacob Rees-Mogg is "sounding out" friends over a leadership bid, reports The Sunday Times. The eccentric Tory, who has previously insisted he does not see himself as a "serious" candidate, is giving "careful consideration" to his political career, according to sources. Earlier this week, the father of six was revealed as the second-most popular choice to become the next Tory leader in a poll of party members.
8. 'Scourge of war criminals' quits UN over Syria
Former prosecutor Carla Del Ponte – known as the scourge of war criminals - says she will quit the United Nations inquiry on Syria because of her disgust at the UN security council’s failure to act. "I think the security council should have done something, but no, nothing, nothing happened. No justice for the victims; total impunity in Syria," she said.
9. Hammond and Fox aim for show of unity over Brexit
Britain will need a transition period to help businesses adjust after it leaves the EU, the chancellor and the international trade secretary have said. In a joint Sunday Telegraph article aimed to promote an image of cabinet unity, Philip Hammond and Liam Fox said any deal would not be a "back door" to staying in the EU. Meanwhile, former Labour minister David Miliband says there should be a second referendum.
10. Mo Farah takes silver in his final major track event
Mo Farah ran his final track event last night, winning a silver rather than the gold he coveted. It was the first time he had failed to win gold at an international championships since 2011. However, says The Sunday Times, with 10 golds and two silvers at major global competitions, Farah, who will now concentrate on marathons, "must be regarded as Britain’s most prolific athlete".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
10 concert tours to see this winter
The Week Recommends Keep warm traveling the United States — and the world — to see these concerts
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Does Trump have the power to end birthright citizenship?
Today's Big Question He couldn't do so easily, but it may be a battle he considers worth waging
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of romantasies
In the Spotlight A generation of readers that grew up on YA fantasy series are getting their kicks from the spicy subgenre
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024
Daily Briefing Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win over Haley, 'Oppenheimer' leads the 2024 Oscar nominations, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024
Daily Briefing Haley makes last stand in New Hampshire as Trump extends polling lead, justices side with US over Texas in border fight, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024
Daily Briefing DeSantis ends his presidential campaign and endorses Trump, the US and Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024
Daily Briefing Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000, top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024
Daily Briefing Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response, families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024
Daily Briefing Congress averts a government shutdown, DOJ report cites failures in police response to Texas school shooting, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024
Daily Briefing Judge threatens to remove Trump from his defamation trial, medicine for hostages and Palestinians reach Gaza, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024
Daily Briefing The US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a third time, Trump's second sex defamation trial begins, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published