Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 10 Mar 2018

1. Trump says North Korea deal 'very much in making'

Donald Trump has tweeted that a deal with North Korea is "very much in the making". The US President’s claim came a day after he revealed he had agreed to meet North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. The White House has said the meeting will not take place unless the regime takes "concrete actions" first. Pyongyang has yet to make a statement.

2. New 'bullying' allegations levelled at Bercow

Fresh allegations of "bullying" have left John Bercow under pressure to resign as Speaker of the House of Commons. Bercow has apologised to two members of Parliamentary staff, including a postman, after they complained following angry outbursts over the phone, claims the Daily Telegraph. A source said Bercow's behaviour towards staff is an "open secret". Theresa May said she was "concerned" by the reports.

3. 'Pharma bro' Shkreli cries as he is sentenced

'Pharma bro' Martin Shkreli has been jailed for seven years for securities fraud. Shkreli, who is notorious for raising the prices of a lifesaving HIV drug by 5,000%, was found guilty of two counts of securities fraud and a single count of conspiracy. The 34-year-old wept in court in Brooklyn, New York, and begged the judge for mercy.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. Ministers may impose limit on children's online time

The government is considering imposing a limit on time spent by children on social media amid concern that overuse damages mental health. Children aged 12 to 15 spend more than 20 hours a week online, according to the children’s commissioner. Secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, Matt Hancock, said there is "genuine concern" over the "negative impact" this could have on their lives.

5. Theresa May's Saudi deal 'a national disgrace'

A new aid deal between the UK and Saudi Arabia has been branded a "national disgrace". Ministers have signed a £100m aid agreement with Riyadh to coincide with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to London this week. Kate Osamor, the shadow international development secretary, said the agreement "made a mockery" of Britain’s standing and will "whitewash" Saudi Arabia’s reputation.

6. Elderly man died in A&E because of overcrowding

A leaked email reveals that an 85-year-old man died while waiting in a hospital’s accident and emergency unit because of the "dangerous overcrowding of the department". The patient attended A&E in Northampton, complaining of abdominal pain. As he waited on a chair to be seen by senior staff, his condition deteriorated just before 1am and he suffered a cardiac arrest.

7. Is Charles paving the way for 'Queen Camilla'?

Speculation is mounting that groundwork is being laid for the Duchess of Cornwall to become the Queen when Prince Charles is crowned King. Despite years of denials by royal aides, the Clarence House website has deleted all references to Camilla being named the 'Princess Consort', including a passage stating "it was intended The Duchess will be known as HRH The Princess Consort when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne".

8. Salisbury residents angry as 200 troops arrive

Almost 200 members of the armed forces arrived on the streets of Salisbury yesterday, as local residents say they are being "kept in the dark" over the nerve agent investigation. Home Secretary Amber Rudd will chair a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra. Sergei and Yulia Skripal are both in a serious condition in hospital after being exposed to a nerve agent.

9. UN says UK breached human rights over Grenfell

The UK government may have breached human rights over Grenfell Tower, says the United Nations. The UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing told The Guardian that residents say they were excluded from decisions about housing safety issues before the fire and had not been engaged "in a meaningful way" after the blaze, which killed 79 people and left hundreds homeless.

10. Steve Bannon to address the French far-right

The controversial former Donald Trump adviser, Steve Bannon, will address a Front National conference as French far-right leaders aim to resolve deepening rifts. Marine Le Pen hopes to unite her far-right party when it meets this weekend for its first conference since she lost to Emmanuel Macron in the final round of the French presidential election.

Explore More