Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 24 Feb 2018

1. Theresa May's Brexit plans are 'pure illusion' says Tusk

The UK's plans for the next stage of Brexit negotiations are based on "pure illusion", says Donald Tusk. The European Council president said that the UK is still trying to "cherry pick" its future relationship with the EU. Theresa May is expected to set out British ambitions on Friday of next week. The BBC says 11 senior ministers at Chequers made a breakthrough on so-called "managed divergence".

2. Meat crisis: hygiene breaches at over half UK plants

The meat scandal is growing as data shows hygiene breaches at almost two-thirds of audited meat plants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In an average week over the past three years, there have been 16 major failings recorded. "These figures are truly shocking," Kath Dalmeny, CEO of campaign group Sustain, told The Guardian.

3. Oprah 'definitely' not running for the White House

Oprah Winfrey has categorically ruled out a 2020 bid for the US presidency, declaring on a late-night talk show that she was "definitely not running". Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Oprah said: "Where do I look into the camera? I am definitely not running for president." She added that it was "a humbling thing to have people think that you can run the country".

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4. South-east England to be 'colder than North Pole'

Parts of southern Engand could be colder than the North Pole this weekend. Weather forecasters are predicting that the Arctic could inch above freezing point during the polar night for the first time in recorded history. The North Pole is up to 40C warmer than usual as the UK prepares for a blast of freezing air from Siberia.

5. South Africa 'nightmare' as tonnes of plastic pellets spill

South Africa is facing an ecological "nightmare" after billions of tiny plastic pellets spilled into the sea when a container fell from a ship in the port of Durban. The nurdles have now been washed up along 1,200km of coastline. Of the 49 tonnes which spilt in the water, only 11 tonnes have been recovered. Environmentalists say the threat posed to marine and birdlife is incalculable.

6. Paul Manafort faces charges over Ukraine lobbying

Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort secretly paid former senior European politicians to lobby for Ukraine's previous pro-Russia regime, it is claimed. In a new indictment filed by special counsel Robert Mueller, it is alleged that Manafort paid over €2m to the political figures. He faces new charges of conspiracy, money-laundering, failing to register as an agent for a foreign actor and making false statements.

7. Twelve percent of French women have been raped

More than one in 10 French women have been raped, according to a study on sexual violence. In a poll by the Fondation Jean Jaures thinktank, 12% of the 2,167 women questioned said they had suffered "sexual penetration with violence, constraint or surprise", the legal definition of rape in France. Some 31% said they were raped by their partner, and 19% by someone else they know.

8. Army major hands back medals over Iraq probe

An army major facing his eighth investigation over the death of an Iraqi teenager has given his medals back and quit the Army in protest. Major Robert Campbell, who was wounded in the line of duty, has returned his medals to the Queen. The Daily Telegraph says Major Campbell has been “broken” by the “sordid process” of successive investigations into the 2003 death.

9. Stephen Fry is recovering from cancer operation

Stephen Fry has revealed he is recovering from surgery for prostate cancer and said "it all seemed to go pretty well". Describing the operation he underwent in early January, he said on his website: "They took the prostate out. So far as we know it's all been got." He also encouraged men to get their PSA [prostate specific antigen] levels checked with a doctor.

10. American companies cut ties with National Rifle Association

Several US companies, including Hertz and Enterprise, have cut ties with the National Rifle Association. The moves come as consumers urge a boycott of businesses linked to the gun lobby. In a speech, NRA leader Wayne LaPierre said "opportunists" were using the recent shooting in Florida to expand gun control and abolish US gun rights.