Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 3 Sep 2017
- 1. North Korea 'holds its sixth nuclear test' says Japan
- 2. Theresa May 'secretly agrees explosive Brexit bill'
- 3. NHS bosses warn of 'worst winter' to come
- 4. Brits arrested in Magaluf amid huge drug crackdown
- 5. Some 1,200 dead and millions at risk in South Asia floods
- 6. Whitehall to crack down on 'crack cocaine' betting machines
- 7. Palestinian journalists face clampdown from Abbas
- 8. Serious injuries after lightning hits French music festival
- 9. Peggy Whitson back on Earth after smashing records
- 10. Fears of nuclear war after child killed at India/Pakistan border
1. North Korea 'holds its sixth nuclear test' says Japan
North Korea has carried out its sixth nuclear test, Japan says. "The government confirms that North Korea conducted a nuclear test after examining information from the weather agency and other information," foreign minister Taro Kono told the press. The move is seen as a direct challenge to Donald Trump. South Korean media said the blast was 9.8 times the strength of Pyongyang’s test last September.
2. Theresa May 'secretly agrees explosive Brexit bill'
Theresa May has secretly agreed a "politically explosive" Brexit bill of up to £50bn, reports The Sunday Times. Brussels is demanding a Brexit bill of €100bn (£92bn). Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has appealed for unity from pro-EU Tory MPs as the Commons prepares to debate the government's Brexit repeal bill on Thursday. The bill transfers EU law into UK legislation.
3. NHS bosses warn of 'worst winter' to come
Hospital bosses say the NHS could suffer its worst winter in recent history if it does not receive an emergency bailout. Although the government has given councils an extra £1bn for social care services, new data shows A&E waits and bed shortages remain "stubbornly" bad. NHS Providers is calling for a sum between £200m and £350m to be made available immediately.
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. Brits arrested in Magaluf amid huge drug crackdown
Twelve people from Britain have been arrested in the Spanish holiday resort of Magaluf after police smashed an alleged drug-dealing ring. Officers say they have seized three kilograms of high-purity cocaine and €103,000 (about £100,000) in cash. The suspects were part of a criminal organisation selling drugs to tourists in nightclubs in the party town of Magaluf, said a police spokesman.
5. Some 1,200 dead and millions at risk in South Asia floods
More than 1,200 people have died and 40m more are at risk in flooding across India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Although flooding is common during the monsoon season, this year’s have been "much worse," said Hari Balaji, a disaster management consultant. Torrential downpours have caused landslides, damaged roads and washed away tens of thousands of homes.
6. Whitehall to crack down on 'crack cocaine' betting machines
The government is preparing to clamp down on fixed odds betting terminals, according to a letter seen by The Observer. The letter was sent by the chancellor, Philip Hammond, to the Bishop of St Albans, who has been leading Church of England criticism of the betting industry’s use of the machines. The gambling machines have previously been described as the "crack cocaine" of the betting world.
7. Palestinian journalists face clampdown from Abbas
Palestinian journalists are enduring a crackdown from President Mahmoud Abbas. Five journalists were arrested on a single day last month, while others have been called in for questioning as part of a clampdown on both the media and expressions of dissent on social media. In June, the Palestinian Authority shut down roughly 30 critical websites.
8. Serious injuries after lightning hits French music festival
At least 15 people have been injured by lightning at a music festival in the north-east of France. A woman in her sixties and a 44-year-old man are in a serious condition. Authorities say the lightning struck in several areas of the Vieux Canal festival in the town of Azerailles. Victims were "directly hit by the lightning and suffered burns", the regional council said.
9. Peggy Whitson back on Earth after smashing records
Astronaut Peggy Whitson returned to Earth last night, bringing to a close a record-breaking flight. Her 665 days off the planet exceeds that of any other American and any other woman worldwide. She became the world’s oldest spacewoman, at 57, and became the first woman to command the space station twice following her launch last November.
10. Fears of nuclear war after child killed at India/Pakistan border
A five-year-old girl was killed after being shot by Indian troops on the Pakistani border, according to reports. The child had been walking outside her home in Polas village in the disputed region of Kashmir when a stray bullet hit her in the head. The United Nations fears nuclear war could break out between India and Pakistan amid on-going tension.
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
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
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