1. UK given two-week deadline by EU's Brexit negotiator
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator has given Theresa May’s government a deadline of two weeks to give "vital" clarification on the financial commitments it is willing to honour. Michel Barnier said it was "absolutely vital" to hear Britain’s plans for the the estimated €60bn (£53bn) divorce bill. Asked whether it was necessary to hear within two weeks, he said: "My answer is yes."
2. Washington warns against Lebanon proxy conflicts
The US Secretary of State has warned other countries against using Lebanon for proxy conflicts. Rex Tillerson’s remarks come as Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, claim the Saudis detained Lebanon’s prime minister Saad Hariri and forced his resignation. "There is no legitimate place or role in Lebanon for any foreign forces, militias or armed elements other than the legitimate security forces of the Lebanese state," said Tillerson.
3. Comic Louis CK admits sexual misconduct allegations
Comedian Louis CK has admitted to allegations of sexual misconduct made against him. After the New York Times reported the allegations, Louis CK said: "These stories are true. At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my dick without asking first, which is also true." He added that he "wielded" his power over women "irresponsibly".
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4. Austerity police cuts 'are endangering national security'
Cuts to local policing will endanger national security, according to one of Britain’s top counter-terrorism officers. Neil Basu, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism, told The Guardian that 20 years of progress in neighbourhood policing were at risk and that withdrawing police on the ground would mean shattering the alliances and sense of trust that bring vital intelligence to the force.
5. 'Green' Hammond aiming for 'Budget blow' to diesel drivers
The 'green' chancellor is planning a "Budget tax blow" to diesel drivers, claims the Daily Telegraph. While petrol motorists enjoy a cut under plans being considered by Philip Hammond, diesel drivers could reportedly face a fuel duty tax rise. Sources say Philip Hammond wants to be seen as the green Chancellor and is under pressure to curb dangerous emissions in his Budget later this month.
6. Lynx is 'humanely destroyed' after escaping from zoo
A lynx which escaped from a Welsh zoo has been "humanely destroyed", say local authorities. After Lilleth, the Eurasian cat, fled from Borth Wild Animal Kingdom, the local council said it "exhaustive efforts" to recapture her, before concluding that the risk to public safety had "increased to severe". The council said it would carry out an inspection of the zoo in the coming weeks.
7. Charities circumvent begging ban with anonymous notes
Charities are dodging a ban on begging letters to elderly people by sending them anonymised 'Dear homeowner' mailouts, says the fundraising regulator. An MP warned people were "starting to lose faith in charities" because of their tactics. In 2015, Olive Cooke, a 92-year-old poppy seller, committed suicide after being bombarded with thousands of donation requests from charities.
8. Sepp Blatter denies groping US goalkeeper Solo
US footballer Hope Solo has accused former Fifa president Sepp Blatter of sexual harassment. Speaking to Portuguese newspaper Expresso, the goalkeeper - who has 202 caps - said: "I had Sepp Blatter grab my ass." She says the incident happened at the 2013 Ballon d'Or awards. Blatter, 81, told BBC Sport: "This allegation is ridiculous."
9. Boris Johnson in hot water over bullfighting remarks
Boris Johnson has landed himself in fresh controversy by saying efforts to ban bullfighting in Spain are wrong. The Mirror says the "blundering" Foreign Secretary told an Anglo-Spanish dinner event that trying to ban the sport was "political correctness gone mad". The Guardian says the Foreign Office is considering measures to ease relations with Iran before Johnson’s visit to Tehran.
10. 'One could weep' - UK is Western Europe's most obese country
The UK is the most obese country in western Europe, says the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. An OECD report shows that 26.9% of the UK population had a body mass index of 30 and above, the official definition of obesity, in 2015. A spokesperson for the National Obesity Forum said: "One could weep over the figures."
