Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 20 Dec 2017

1. Trump’s tax bill passed by Republicans

The US Senate yesterday voted Donald Trump’s new tax codes into law. The controversial Bill, which gives permanent tax breaks to corporations and temporary ones to individuals, was passed along party lines, with all Democrats voting against and all Republicans voting for. Independent analysis says it will benefit the wealthy.

2. Further searches over alleged Christmas terror plot

Police resumed searches early this morning at addresses in Sheffield and Chesterfield as they investigate an alleged terror plot timed to take place at Christmas. Armed police and Army bomb disposal squads were involved in raids on five properties yesterday, and four men arrested under the Terrorism Act are still being held.

3. BoE to let EU banks operate as normal in UK after Brexit

The Bank of England will allow European wholesale banks – those offering services to businesses rather than individuals – to trade as normal after Brexit, The Guardian says. Rather than making them create UK subsidiaries, which would be expensive for the banks but safer for UK customers, the BoE will let them operate branches.

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4. Lib Dems propose second EU referendum date

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a second referendum, in December 2018, on leaving the EU. Party leader Vince Cable said there was growing public support for a second ballot, and that it could be held if the remaining negotiations can be concluded in nine months. Prime Minister Theresa May has said to hold another vote would be “betraying the British people”.

5. Nightclub acid attacker jailed for 20 years

A 25-year-old man from Hertfordshire who sprayed acid around a packed nightclub in April has been sentenced to 20 years in jail and another five on licence. Arthur Collins was called a “calculated liar” for denying the charge that he had injured 14 people, some permanently. Collins was the boyfriend of The Only Way Is Essex star Ferne McCann at the time.

6. ‘Fur free’ retailers found selling rabbit and fox

Five UK retailers that claim to be “fur free” are in fact selling items containing rabbit, mink and fox fur, according to a Sky News investigation. Online fashion firm Boohoo advertises £5 earrings as “faux fur” but testing showed they were mink. The other retailers found in breach of similar pledges were TK Maxx, Amazon, Groupon and Miss Bardo.

7. Separated couple facing first Christmas apart in 70 years

An elderly couple in Canada are being forced to spend Christmas apart for the first time in 70 years. Herbert Goodine, 91, has been told to leave the care facility where he lives with his wife Audrey, 89, and move into a nursing home. The story has caused outrage across Canada, but care home staff say they are forced to move Goodine by law.

8. Five-year sentences for shining lasers at planes

The Department of Transport has brought forward legislation to increase the punishments for shining lasers at aeroplanes and other forms of transport. The proposals would create five-year jail sentences and unlimited fines for the offence, and would also extend the types of transport covered to include trains, buses, boats and hovercraft.

9. Google says Christmas comes early in UK

Britain is more interested in Christmas than any other country in the world, according to Google. The tech giant has released data on how often – and when – people look for Christmas topics on its search engine, and the UK is at the top of the table. Not only is there more interest in the holiday, but searching starts earlier in the year.

10. Briefing: plans for ‘water cremation’ put on hold

Controversial plans to introduce “water cremation” for the first time in the UK have been shelved amid concerns that human remains might find their way into the water system.

A council in the West Midlands had been granted planning permission to offer what it describes as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation. The process involves placing the corpse in a torpedo-shaped metal chamber where it is liquefied and then flushed down the drain.

Plans for ‘water cremation’ are put on hold