Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 20 Nov 2017

1. Cult murderer Charles Manson dead at 83

The cult leader and multiple murderer Charles Manson has died at the age of 83 after four decades in prison. His followers, known as the Manson Family, killed seven people in 1969, including the heavily-pregnant wife of film director Roman Polanski. The murders were seen as marking the end of the 1960s countercultural revolution.

2. British Gas to end standard variable tariffs

British Gas has said it will no longer roll customers onto standard variable tariffs (SVTs), after the Prime Minister described them as a “rip-off”. The energy firm said from next April it will give customers a “fairer, simpler deal and lower bills”. The Government is introducing a price-cap on SVTs, the tariff used by 50% of UK homes.

3. Coalition talks collapse in Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for “deep reflection” after coalition talks between the conservative bloc she leads and the FDP liberals collapsed. A sticking point in negotiations was the issue of introducing a cap on refugee immigration, something Merkel resists. She will now meet the president, who has the power to call elections.

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4. Chaos in Zimbabwe as Mugabe clings on

Zimbabwe is in political chaos after Robert Mugabe delivered a rambling address on live TV on Sunday – but did not announce his resignation, as he had been expected to. Tens of thousands of people have marched calling for the 93-year-old’s resignation, the army has arrested many of his associates and his party has fired him as leader.

5. ‘Nobody else involved’ in Gaia Pope death

Police say teenager Gaia Pope did not suffer any injuries to suggest “any other person was involved” in her death. Until toxicology results are received, her death is being classed as “unexplained”. Three people were arrested on suspicion of murder but none has been charged. Her body was found 11 days after she went missing.

6. Turkey bans LGBTI events in public

After blocking the annual Pride rally for three years on security grounds, the Turkish authorities have now announced a ban on all LGBTI events in Ankara province to “maintain public order”. Homosexuality has been legal in Turkey since its birth as a nation in 1923 and the annual Pride march had become a hugely popular event.

7. ‘Sleep on your side’ to avoid stillbirth

Pregnant women have been advised to sleep on their sides, not on their backs, to avoid stillbirth. A study of 1,000 women led by academics in Manchester found the risk of stillbirth doubled when women went to sleep on their backs during the third trimester. However, they say waking up on your back is nothing to worry about.

8. Alcohol ban for US troops in Japan

American troops serving in Japan will no longer be allowed to drink alcohol after drink driving was blamed for a fatal crash on Okinawa island. Troops will also be confined to their base and quarters, after Sunday’s incident, in which a soldier crashed his truck into a mini-van, killing the driver. The US army said “alcohol may have been a factor”.

9. Harassment claims against Jeffrey Tambor

US actor Jeffrey Tambor, known for Arrested Development and Armando Iannucci’s The Death Of Stalin, may quit the lead role in comedy series Transparent after cast member Trace Lysette and a former assistant accused him of sexual harassment. Tambor said the allegations were “untrue” but he was not sure he could carry on.

10. Briefing: where will Hammond’s knife fall?

The Chancellor unveils his Autumn Budget on Wednesday, outlining the government’s tax and spending plans for the coming 12 months. It’s a delicate balancing act for a fragile coalition government facing a year of upheaval.

Philip Hammond is under pressure to win back young voters who deserted the Conservatives in the June election. But if Hammond offers concessions at the expense of voters who rely on property investments and pensions, the Conservatives risk alienating their core supporters.

Budget 2017: what’s in Hammond’s red box?