Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 6 Apr 2018

1. UN rebuffs Russian demand on poisoning

The UN Security Council has voted against Russia’s demand to be permitted to conduct a joint investigation with the UK into the alleged poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury last month. Russia’s ambassador to the UN gave a grandstanding speech yesterday rejecting claims that Russia was responsible for the attack.

2. Five more teenagers stabbed in London

Five teenagers were stabbed in three seperate attacks in London yesterday amid a surge in knife and gun violence in the UK capital. A boy of 13 was seriously hurt in a stabbing in Newham, and another in his late teens suffered stab wounds in Ealing. Two 15-year-old boys are in serious but stable conditions in hospital after a third incident in Mile End, during which a 16-year-old, who was later arrested, also suffered minor injuries. London Mayor Sadiq Khan denied police have lost control.

3. Trump threatens further $100bn tariffs on China

Donald Trump is considering another escalation of the trade war he has started with China. The US president has instructed the agency that develops US trade policy to consider an additional $100bn (£71bn) in tariffs on Chinese imports, “in light of China’s unfair retaliation” to his decision to impose steel and aluminium levies.

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4. Sugar tax on soft drinks comes into force

A tax on sugar in soft drinks comes into force today – but the Treasury says it will earn half as much for the national coffers as was originally estimated when it was devised by George Osborne in 2016, because manufacturers have reduced the sugar content of drinks. A can of Coca-Cola is expected to cost around 10p more under the tax.

5. Spy poisoning: guinea pigs and cat dead

Three pets belonging to former Russian spy Sergei Skripal died after his suspected poisoning with the novichok nerve agent, the Government has said. Two guinea pigs died from lack of water while his home, in Salisbury, was sealed off for investigation, and a cat was put down because it was “in a distressed state”, a spokeswoman said. A second cat belonging to the former spy has not been found.

6. British snowboarder suffocates in freak Alps accident

A British snowboarder suffocated to death after falling head first into deep snow. The 25-year-old man, who has not been named, was working in the Meribel ski resort, in the French Alps. According to local media reports, he was off-piste when the accident occurred, on Wednesday afternoon.

7. Fighter McGregor turns himself in to police

Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has turned himself in to police in New York City after CCTV footage seemed to show him throwing chairs and a railing at a bus carrying rival fighters. A bus window was smashed and one person was injured, police say. McGregor has been stripped of his world title following Saturday’s attack.

8. Darts champion Eric Bristow dead at 60

Five-time world darts champion Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack in Liverpool’s Echo Arena while a Premier League Darts event. The popular player became famous in 1980 when he beat then world-champion Bobby George. Known as the Crafty Cockney, Bristow attracted TV fans to the sport.

9. Luxury space hotel to open in 2021

A private firm has unveiled plans to open the first ever luxury space hotel in 2021, with the first guests staying the following year. Orion Span says six people, including two crew, will spend 12 days at a time in the hotel, which will orbit the Earth. Guests will be able to watch an average of 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours and try out space experiments.

10. Briefing: what is the law on self-defence against intruders?

The arrest of a 78-year-old man on suspicion of murder after he allegedly stabbed a suspected burglar this week has sparked public debate.

Richard Osborn-Brooks, who was released on police bail today, reportedly “found two intruders in his house in southeast London in the early hours” of Wednesday, says the BBC.

What is the law when defending yourself against intruders?