Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 10 Jun 2018

1. Brexit campaign bankroller in Russia revelations

Arron Banks, the millionaire businessman who bankrolled Nigel Farage’s Brexit campaign, had several meetings with Russian embassy officials in the run-up to the EU referendum, according to The Observer. The controversial Banks was also offered a business deal involving six Russian goldmines, reports The Sunday Times, which says the news raises "explosive questions" about interference from Moscow.

2. Government 'turns blind eye' to fate of Saudi arms exports

The UK government is accused of turning a blind eye to arms exports to Saudi Arabia that are diverted to terrorists or criminals. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, an arms sales watchdog, says the government failed to disclose intelligence that could save the lives of thousands of people involved in global conflicts. Britain is trying to expand its multibillion pound arms trade with the Gulf kingdom.

3. Tremors as earthquake hits the north of England

The north of England was hit by 3.9 magnitude earthquake last night. The British Geological Survey has confirmed that tremors were felt in the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire areas. A Twitter user in Hull said: "Our house moved and the furniture shifted". The largest British earthquake this year took place in Cwmllynfell in south Wales in February with a magnitude of 4.6.

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4. Back Theresa May or get Corbyn, Tories are told

Tory rebels have been told to back Theresa May or risk opening the door to a Corbyn government. Remainer Amber Rudd and leading Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith have told "every Conservative" to "march in lockstep" with the PM ahead of key Commons votes on Brexit. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, they say failure to unite would "risk losing the precious chance to go on implementing policies that transform lives".

5. Disarray at close of G7 as Trump slams Canada

The G7 summit has ended "in disarray", says the BBC. Accusing Canada of "dishonesty" and saying that countries were imposing "massive tariffs" on the US, Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement of the joint communique issued at the end of the summit. Taking to Twitter, the US President said he had instructed US officials "not to endorse the communique as we look at tariffs on automobiles".

6. Buffet weighs in as Apple nears unprecedented $1tn value

Apple is tantalisingly close to becoming the first company to be valued at $1tn. On Friday, it was valued at over $940bn, with Amazon not far behind at over $820bn. Warren Buffett, who usually steers clear of tech investment, has joined the Apple party, buying 75m shares. Apple has more than trebled the $300bn the company was valued at when Steve Jobs died in 2011.

7. Pro-Tory Facebook group includes Islamophobic posts

A pro-Conservative Facebook group contains Islamophobic, homophobic and racist comments about public figures including Sadiq Khan and Diane Abbott, reports The Observer. Investigators found that several sitting Tory MPs, and dozens of Conservative councillors, were members of the closed group. Among them were Jacob Rees-Mogg. Former Tory cabinet minister Sayeeda Warsi has backed an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the party.

8. Taliban calls unprecedented ceasefire in Afghanistan

The Taliban in Afghanistan has announced an unexpected three-day ceasefire. Just hours after dozens of people were killed in a string of attacks, the militant group said it would halt attacks over the Muslim Eid holiday in the middle of June. Earlier this week, the government declared an unconditional ceasefire of its own.

9. Khan tells May Grenfell survivors treated 'inhumanely'

The London Mayor has told the Prime Minister that survivors of the Grenfell tragedy were treated in a "chaotic and inhumane" way. Sadiq Khan has criticised Theresa May over delays in rehousing survivors, potential immigration enforcement against some of those affected and the choices for the panel investigating the disaster. Meanwhile, the panel is under pressure to consider the role of "institutional racism" in the tragedy.

10. Man dies after stabbing near north London tube station

A man has been stabbed to death in Haringey, north London. Police were called to reports that a man was seriously injured near Turnpike Lane tube station last night. He had suffered stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police has launched a murder investigation - its 74th in the capital so far this year.