Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 19 May 2018

1. Prince Harry and Meghan to marry in Windsor

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will wed at noon at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, before travelling through the town in a carriage at around 1pm. In her vows, Meghan will not make the promise to obey her husband and will walk part of the way down the aisle by herself. Millions of people around the world are set to watch the ceremony.

2. More than 100 are killed in Cuban plane crash

Two days of national mourning have been declared after more than 100 people died in a plane crash in Cuba. The Boeing 737 airliner crashed near Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. It was carrying 110 passengers and crew. The Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma says three people have survived but are in a critical condition. Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel visited the crash site.

3. 'Cynical' Theresa May announces nine Tory peers

The prime minister has been accused of "hypocrisy" after appointing nine new Conservative peers to the House of Lords, including several ex-ministers. Theresa May, who had previously stated that senior politicians should not expect automatic ennoblement, sent six former MPs to the upper chamber. Critics called May "cynical" for releasing the news on the eve of the Royal Wedding, when it would receive little attention.

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4. Ten dead after gunman opens fire in Texan high school

Ten people were killed and the same number wounded after a gunman opened fire at a high school in Texas. The suspect, who was arrested and charged with murder, was identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old pupil at Santa Fe High School. Authorities said he had posted a picture of himself on Facebook wearing a Born to Kill shirt. The governor said the teenager "gave himself up".

5. Met chief says austerity cuts led to surge in violent crime

Government cuts have led to rise in violent crime, says the nation’s most senior police officer. Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick told LBC: "There’s a whole load of things, but of course I would be naive to say that the reduction in police finances over the last few years, not just in London but beyond, hasn’t had an impact. I’m sure it’s had an impact."

6. China sends nuclear bombers to South China islands

China has landed nuclear-capable bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region. The Chinese airforce said the bombers - which include the long-range H-6K – carried out landing and take off drills after simulated strike training on targets at sea. Tensions have risen after the US dispatched warships to disputed areas of the South China Sea.

7. Bercow 'calls Leadsom a liar after calling her stupid'

John Bercow allegedly accused Andrea Leadsom of being a liar after she confronted him over claims he had described her as a "stupid woman". Reports earlier this week claimed Bercow described the Leader of the House of Commons as a "stupid woman" and added that she was "f ------ useless". The Daily Telegraph says that when Leadsom confronted Bercow he called her a liar.

8. All bishops in Chile resign after Vatican summit on sex abuse

Every bishop in Chile has offered his resignation to Pope Francis, after an emergency meeting at the Vatican to discuss Chile's sex abuse scandal. A total of 31 current bishops and three retired bishops announced they would resign and place the issue "in the hands of the Holy Father so that he might freely decide for each one of us". Pope Francis has received a 2,300 page report about abuse in Chile.

9. Former Playboy model and her child dead outside NY hotel

A onetime Playboy model has fallen to her death with her seven-year-old son from the window of a New York City hotel. The 47-year-old woman, Stephanie Adams, and the boy, Vincent, were pronounced dead at the scene. Local media reports that she was in a bitter custody battle with her estranged husband over the child. The estranged couple had appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday morning.

10. Disgraced Platini says 'trickery' was used in World Cup draw

Former Uefa president Michel Platini, who is serving a four-year ban, has admitted that "a little trickery" was used in the 1998 World Cup draw to increase the chances of France and Brazil meeting in the final. "We did not spend six years organising the World Cup to not do some little shenanigans," he said. "Do you think other World Cup hosts did not?"

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