Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 24 Nov 2017

1. May to warn EU of ‘hostile states like Russia’

Theresa May will tell EU leaders in Brussels today that they must be wary of “hostile states like Russia”, promising that the UK will remain committed to European security after it leaves the EU. She will also meet European Council President Donald Tusk, who said last week that more progress must be made on the Brexit divorce bill.

2. Mugabe’s successor to be sworn in

Emmerson Mnangagwa will be sworn in as president of Zimbabwe today – with his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, unlikely to attend the ceremony, says Sky News. The former vice president - known as The Crocodile for his political cunning - has spoken to Mugabe, who fired him, and promised the 93-year-old that he and his family will be guaranteed safety.

3. YouTube promises action on child videos

YouTube has promised to take an “even more aggressive stance” towards accounts that post sexual comments on videos featuring children, or that encourage children who have posted videos to perform sexual acts. Advertisers have turned away from the video sharing site after it was estimated that the may be tens of thousands of predatory accounts leaving indecent comments.

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4. Increase in homes left empty around London

The number of homes left empty long-term has increased sharply in the commuter belt around London, according to analysis of official data by the BBC. The number of homes left unfurnished and unoccupied for more than six months fell from 2010 to 2016, down from 300,000 to 200,000, but has climbed up again since.

5. Saudi Arabia still blocking aid to Yemen

Aid agencies say Saudi Arabia is still blocking aid to Yemen, where it is fighting a proxy war against Iran, despite promising on Wednesday to reopen humanitarian corridors into the north of the country, following diplomatic pressure from Western governments. A blockage of the Yemeni port of Hodeida was still in place eight hours after a deadline.

6. Uma Thurman comments on Weinstein case

Actor Uma Thurman has again hinted she was harassed by film producer Harvey Weinstein. In a tweet, Thurman wished fans a happy Thanksgiving, but added: “Except you Harvey, and all your wicked conspirators – I’m glad it’s going slowly – you don’t deserve a bullet.” Thurman, who worked with Weinstein on seven films, has spoken before of feeling anger towards him.

7. North Korean defector ‘likes watching CSI’

A North Korean soldier shot five times by his military colleagues as he made a dramatic defection - captured in a UN video – across the demilitarised zone to South Korea is a “pretty nice guy” and has been enjoying US TV series CSI, according to the lead surgeon caring for him. The medical team pumped 12 litres of blood into the defector during life-saving surgery.

8. Robinho given nine years for sexual assault

Former Manchester City footballer Robinho has been sentenced in absentia to nine years for the sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman who was made to drink “to the point of making her unconscious and unable to resist”. The 33-year-old is currently playing in Brazil. Five other men were also found guilty of the group assault.

9. Tom Baker returns to Doctor Who role

Actor Tom Baker has filmed a new scene as Doctor Who, wearing his trademark stripy scarf, for a revived episode of the BBC sci-fi series. The 83-year-old - who played the Time Lord from 1974 to 1981 - helped complete a never-released episode that was filmed in 1979 but left unfinished owing to a BBC strike. Titled Shada, the episode was written by comic novelist Douglas Adams.

10. Briefing: a catalyst for change in Africa?

Africa is a continent fused by coup d’etats - more than 200 since the post-independence era of the 1960s, many of which have led to seismic changes of government.

Nigeria alone has had at least eight attempted military takeovers. Burkina Faso has endured ten coups. But the military overthrow of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, and the ousting of Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh in January, signal a shift in tactics that could have profound implications for Africa's lingering despots.

Zimbabwe coup: a catalyst for change in Africa?