1. May reverses roles in her Brexit cabinet
In an attempt to choose between two options for the UK’s future customs relationship with the EU, Theresa May has split her 11-strong Brexit cabinet into leavers and remainers and has asked each group to assess the option to which it is naturally opposed. Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson have been asked to sit the debate out.
2. US increases sanctions on Iran after leaving deal
After US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the international accord on Iran’s nuclear programme agreed by his predecessor in 2015, the US has decided to step up sanctions. Six people and three companies have been targeted for alleged links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said.
3. Dismay at £50m boost for grammar schools
Selective schools in England are to receive a £50m cash boost from the Government, prompting “dismay” from school leaders who say the state system is at “breaking point”, says Sky News. The money will mean more places are available at the country’s 163 grammars. The schools will be required to take more disadvantaged pupils.
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4. Missing Frightened Rabbit singer: body found
A body has been found by police hunting the missing Glasgow indie band singer Scott Hutchison. It has not been formally identified but the Frightened Rabbit frontman’s family have been told. Hutchison, 36, went missing near Edinburgh early on Wednesday morning after tweeting: “Please, hug your loved ones. I’m away now. Thanks.”
5. Warning car seatbelts can unlatch at speed
Recent models of Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona cars have a fault: the left rear seatbelt can unlatch without warning when the cars are driven at speed. VW Group, which makes all three models, has admitted the fault. Owners are being urged not to use the middle seatbelt, which can press on the rear left, until a fix is found.
6. Seven found dead at rural home in Australia
The bodies of four children and three adults have been found at a rural property in Western Australia, police say. Firearms were found at the home in Osmington but police would not confirm reports of a murder-suicide. If confirmed as a mass shooting, it will be Australia’s worst since 35 were shot dead in a massacre in Tasmania in 1996.
7. Man charged after changing UPS HQ address
A man in Chicago has been charged with mail fraud after he used a form at a post office to change the address of the headquarters of delivery firm UPS to that of his own small apartment. Prosecutors say cheques totalling $58,000 (£43,000) made out to UPS were paid into the account of Dushaun Henderson-Spruce, 24. He denies the claims.
8. Royal wedding fans told to leave home at 4am
Supporters of the royal family have been told to leave their homes as early as 4am if they want to be sure of getting a train to Windsor on Saturday 19 May to be present for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Great Western Railway has warned that later trains may not stop in the royal town if too many spectators arrive.
9. Historian casts doubt on Portillo father story
A historian has suggested the father of former Tory cabinet minister Michael Portillo confected his version of a famous speech made during the Spanish civil war. Luis Portillo wrote an account of a clash between the rector of Salamanca University, Miguel de Unamuno, and a fascist general which has been taken as verbatim by previous historians.
10. Briefing: Stephen Hawking’s memorial service
Admirers of Stephen Hawking can enter a ballot for a chance to pay their respects in person at a memorial service in his honour at Westminster Abbey next month.
The physicist and author of pop science bestseller A Brief History of Time died at the age of 76 on 14 March and was cremated at a private funeral ceremony in Cambridge on 31 March.
How to enter the ballot for Stephen Hawking’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey
