Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 20 Feb 2018

1. Davis: Brexit will not be a Mad Max dystopia

Brexit Secretary David Davis will insist today that Brexit will not plunge Britain into a “Mad Max-style world borrowed from dystopian fiction”. Making a speech to Austrian business leaders in Vienna, Davis will say that fears of a “race to the bottom” in environmental protection and workers’ rights once the UK no longer has to meet EU standards are “based on nothing”.

2. UK ‘working with US’ to prosecute Isis torturers

Home Secretary Amber Rudd says she is “working with the Americans” to make sure the last two Islamic State torturers of the four-strong British terror cell dubbed The Beatles “face the full force of the law for their terrible crimes”. She would not comment on claims that Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh have been stripped of British citizenship.

3. Westminster councillor ‘schmoozed’ 514 times in three years

The Tory deputy leader of Westminster City Council received gifts and hospitality 514 times in the last three years, figures show. That makes Robert Davis a “contender for the title of most schmoozed politician in Britain”, says The Guardian. The value of the freebies is believed to total £13,000 at the very least, according to the newspaper.

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4. Mystery mute girl found wandering Birmingham

Police are appealing for help identifying a girl, thought to be about 14, found wandering the streets of Birmingham carrying a pink blanket and a toy dog. The girl, found in a distressed state on 14 February in the city centre, has been unable to speak so far. She is being kept in hospital for observation.

5. At least 17 dead in Mozambique ‘garbage slide’

At least 17 people have died in Mozambique after heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of a huge mound of rubbish, which slid onto at least six homes in the densely populated capital Maputo. The pile of waste was at least three stories high when it collapsed. Some residents have fled the area for fear of a second incident.

6. Campaigners want ‘upskirting’ made an offence

The End Violence Against Women coalition has called for “upskirting” – taking photographs up women’s skirts in public places without their permission – to be made a specific criminal offence. Maria Miller, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, suggested that new laws could help tackle the “horrific crime”. Police records show that children has young as ten have been victims.

7. Fried chickens fans suffer as KFC struggles

Restaurant chain KFC was forced to close more than half of its 900 UK outlets yesterday because it could not get hold of enough chicken after changing its delivery contract. Disgruntled KFC fans have taken to social media to express their dismay. The GMB union says it warned the chain that changing its distribution network partner from Bidvest to DHL was a mistake.

8. Jamie Oliver’s restaurant goes into administration

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has bought back one of his two flagship restaurants that have gone into administration, the BBC reports. Upmarket steak restaurant Barbecoa Piccadilly will close, one year after it relaunched, but Barbecoa St Paul’s will stay open, after Oliver purchased the assets. Last month his firm announced 12 of 37 Jamie’s Italian outlets will close.

9. Japan’s 45-year-old ski jumper to return in 2022

Japanese ski jumper Noriaki Kasai, who remains one of the best in the world at the age of 45, has promised to compete at the next Winter Olympics, in Beijing in 2022. Kasai made Olympic history in South Korea this year, becoming the first athlete to compete in eight Winter Olympics. Japan finished the event in sixth place.

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’