Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 13 Nov 2017

1. Ministers ‘aghast’ at Orwellian tone of Johnson-Gove letter to May

Ministers have accused Boris Johnson and Michael Gove of sending an “Orwellian” set of secret demands to Theresa May. Cabinet members are “aghast” at the language used by the Foreign Secretary and the Environment Secretary in their joint private letter. The Guardian says the letter seems “designed to push May decisively towards a hard Brexit and limit the influence of former Remainers”.

2. Hundreds die in earthquake near Iran-Iraq border

At least 330 people have been killed and thousands more injured after an earthquake struck near the border between Iran and Iraq. An aid agency said 70,000 people needed emergency shelter following the magnitude 7.3 quake, one of the worst this year. Most of those who died were in Iran’s western Kermanshah Province, officials told state media.

3. Boys should be allowed to wear tutus, says CofE

The Church of England says primary school boys should be allowed to wear tutus and high heels if they wish. In its first guidance for teachers on transgender issues, the Church said that children “should be at liberty to explore the possibilities of who they might be without judgement or derision”. A growing number of children are expressing doubt over their assigned gender.

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4. Millions on brink of famine in war-torn Yemen

Seven million people are on the brink of famine in Yemen, reports The Guardian. Aid agencies are unable to get vital shipments into the war-torn country, which was already gripped by cholera outbreak when Saudi-led coalition forces tightened their blockade on the country last week. “We are weak, our children are weak and we have nothing left to give,” said one mother. “Only God can save us now.”

5. Poor broadband is ‘destroying life in rural areas’

Poor broadband is helping to kill off rural life as young people leave for the cities, according to the National Housing Federation. A report by the organisation says that “many people choose to leave rural areas and commute to nearby towns and cities to work, with some choosing to move out altogether for that reason”. It adds that the issue “limits the number of people willing to start and run businesses from rural areas”.

6. Traffic lights plan for congested motorway

A busy motorway will be fitted with traffic lights in a bid to ease congestion. The £7m trial will begin next month on a link road at a junction of the M6 and M62 in Cheshire. Data shows that traffic on the UK’s roads has hit record levels. The RAC says motorways are worst affected, with 61% of motorists saying motorway congestion and journey times have increased in the last 12 months.

7. Amazon attacked over ‘sneaky’ new Prime delivery fee

Amazon has been criticised for introducing a “sneaky” fee of £3.99 for its same-day delivery service. Customers are now expected to pay £3.99, plus a £2 tip for the driver, on orders under £40, says the Daily Mail. Punters have paid an annual fee of £79 for Amazon’s Prime service on the understanding that this covers free delivery of unlimited purchases, says the newspaper.

8. Bob Geldof returns Dublin honour in Suu Kyi protest

Bob Geldof says he will return his Freedom of the City of Dublin in protest against the Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi, who also holds the Dublin award, has faced international criticism over her failure to address allegations of ethnic cleansing against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims. Former rock star Geldof said “her association with our city shames us all”.

9. Filipino leader sings love song ‘on orders of Trump’

President Rodrigo Duterte sang a hit Filipino love song at a gala dinner for leaders, explaining later that it was “on the orders of Donald Trump”. Duterte, who has been described as the “Trump of the East” for his brassy approach, crooned the song, which includes the line: “You are the light in my world, a half of this heart of mine.”

10. Briefing: should we be worried about artificial intelligence?

“Success in creating effective AI could be the biggest event in the history of our civilisation. Or the worst. We just don’t know,” said Professor Stephen Hawking at this week’s Web Summit in Lisbon. Along with many benefits, said Hawking, artificial intelligence (AI) brings many “dangers, like powerful autonomous weapons, or new ways for the few to oppress the many”. The physicist called for new regulation to ensure humanity could prevent AI from threatening its existence.

Should we be worried about artificial intelligence?