Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 8 Jul 2018

1. Theresa May faces backlash over European Union plan

Pro-Brexit MPs are furious that Leaver members of the Cabinet didn't take a greater stand against Theresa May’s plans for the country’s future relationship with the EU, says the Sunday Telegraph. Meanwhile, The Sunday Times says MPs are contacting Jacob-Rees Mogg, encouraging him to run for the Tory leadership. "He's our Churchill," said one. Boris Johnson reportedly describes May’s plan as "polishing a t***".

2. 'It's D-day' - rescue begins for Thai cave boys

The rescue operation to save Thai 12 boys and their football coach trapped in a cave has started. Yesterday, the head of the rescue mission said conditions were "perfect" for the evacuation to begin after the group were trapped for two weeks in northern Thailand. The move comes amid fears that incoming monsoon rains could soon prevent the plan. The rescue chief said: "Today is the D-day."

3. Fears grow that Trump will pull troops out of Europe

Diplomats fear Donald Trump could threaten to pull US troops out of Ukraine, reports the Sunday Telegraph. They also believe the US President could decline to take part in joint Nato exercises if Britain and other European countries fail to commit to increased spending on defence. Senior sources believe Trump will lobby Vladimir Putin about "redrawing the security landscape" across Europe.

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4. England reach first World Cup semi-final for 28 years

England reached a World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1990 thanks to a 2-0 victory over Sweden. Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored either side of the break to secure victory in Samara. "I hope everyone at home enjoys tonight because it's not often this happens," said manager Gareth Southgate. His side will now face Croatia in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.

5. Arron Banks met Russian ambassador at least 11 times

Brexit’s biggest funder met the Russian ambassador at least 11 times during the run-up to the EU referendum and in the two months beyond, reports The Observer. This new total means the two men met seven more times than Arron Banks has previously admitted. For a long time, Banks had admitted that contact consisted of one "boozy lunch" with the ambassador.

6. Grammar schools feel 'betrayed' by Theresa May

Grammar schools feel they have been "betrayed" by Theresa May. In a bid to balance the books, establishments are cutting teachers, taking out loans and scrapping A‑level subjects. "We are damaging our best schools and the prospects of our brightest students," said Roisin Maguire, director of the English Schools Office for the Christian Brothers.

7. Roman Polanski's wife rejects Oscars invite over 'hypocrisy'

The wife of Roman Polanski has rejected an invitation to become a member of the awards body behind the Oscars. Referring to the invitation, which was sent weeks after it expelled her husband in May, French actress Emmanuelle Seigner accused the Academy of "insufferable hypocrisy". Polanski, who faces historic statutory rape charges in the US, is suing the Academy over the expulsion.

8. Policeman in novichok fear is given the all-clear

The police officer who went to hospital over fears he may have been exposed to novichok has been given the all-clear. The officer, who initially attended Swindon’s Great Western hospital after feeling unwell, was later taken to Salisbury district hospital, a short distance from Amesbury where Dawn Sturgess and her partner Charlie Rowley fell ill last weekend.

9. North Korea accuses the US of 'gangster-like' behaviour

North Korea has accused Washington of trying to unilaterally pressurise the country into abandoning its nuclear weapons. After meetings with a US delegation led by Mike Pompeo, Pyongyang accused the US of betraying the spirit of last month’s summit between Donald Trump and Kim by making "one-sided and gangster-like" demands. Pompeo said his conversations with a senior North Korean official had been "productive".

10. BBC talent feels humiliated by new banding on salary disclosure

BBC stars say the corporation is "humiliating" them as it plans to release details of its top talent pay in £10,000 bands. Previously, when the salaries of those earning £150,000 or more were published, they were grouped in £50,000 bands, which allowed a small measure of privacy for famous faces on the payroll. However, Matt Hancock, the Culture Secretary, said that the previous disclosures were not detailed enough.