Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 19 Feb 2018

1. Oxfam staff ‘threatened witnesses in Haiti’

Oxfam has made public for the first time a 2011 report about allegations that members of its staff used prostitutes, possibly underage, while working in Haiti. The ten-page document says that three of the accused men physically threatened witnesses during the charity’s investigation into the claims. The report also says that former director Roland Van Hauwermeiren was among those who admitted using prostitutes in Haiti.

2. May: student fees among ‘world’s most expensive’

Theresa May will admit today that students in England face “one of the most expensive systems of university tuition in the world”, as she announces an independent year-long review of fees. The Prime Minister is also expected to announce that a temporary freeze on increases will be extended for another 12 months. Labour says it would scrap fees entirely.

3. Three Billboards wins big at the Baftas

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri dominated at the Baftas last night, taking home five awards including Best Actress for Frances McDormand. The movie, written and directed by British-Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, also won Best Film. Many guests at the event in London wore black, or “Time’s Up” badges, in a show of support for the campaign against sexual harassment, and protesters invaded the red carpet outside.

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4. Trump inspires discount on rapid-fire rifle stock

A US manufacturer of “bump stocks”, devices that make semi-automatic weapons fire faster, has announced a Presidents’ Day discount inspired by Donald Trump. Slide Fire Solutions is offering a 10% discount with the coupon code MAGA - a salute to Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America great again”. Bump stocks were used by the Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock, who killed 58 people last October.

5. Russian curler charged with doping offence

A Russian medal winner at this year’s Winter Olympics in South Korea has been charged with doping by the Court of Arbitration in Sport. Alexander Krushelnitsky, 25, won a bronze medal in the mixed-doubles curling with his wife, Anastasia Bryzgalova. The scandal could result in Russian athletes being banned from marching under their own flag.

6. Swastikas drawn on Polish Embassy in Israel

Police in Israel are investigating after swastikas were drawn on the gate of the Polish embassy in Tel Aviv, apparently in response to comments by the Polish Prime Minister. Mateusz Morawiecki sparked a media furore in Israel by telling a Polish reporter that Jews, as well as Poles and others, were responsible for the Holocaust.

7. ‘Move your van’ note left on ambulance

Police are investigating after a note was left on an ambulance, telling the crew to “move your van”. The woman who left the note, in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, wrote that she didn’t “give a s**t if the whole street collapsed” and that the paramedics had “no right” to be parked outside her house. Local ambulance crews say such abuse is on the rise.

8. Walker dies after falling 800ft from Snowdon

A walker has died after apparently falling 800ft from the summit of Wales’s highest mountain, Snowdon. The man is believed to have slipped and fallen from the narrow-gauge railway track that climbs to the summit of the 3,560-foot hill. The local mountain rescue team was called to the scene at around 12.35pm on Saturday.

9. Peter Rabbit to feature on new 50p coin

The Royal Mint is releasing four new 50p coins that feature the drawings of children’s author Beatrix Potter, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of her birth. The coins, showing Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tittlemouse and Flopsy Bunny, will be released into general circulation later this year. There will also be collectable coloured versions at £10 and £60.

10. Briefing: Australian town to hold first ‘Mullet Fest’

The mullet has largely fallen out of favour since its 1970s and 80s heyday, when the “business in front, party in the back” style was sported by everyone from Mel Gibson to Tina Turner.

However, the retro ’do has never gone out of style in parts of Australia, where it “became a symbol of working-class Aussie identity”, says the Huffington Post.

Australian town to hold first ever ‘Mullet Fest’