Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 18 Jul 2018

1. Trump: ‘I mis-spoke at Putin press conference’

US President Donald Trump said yesterday that he mis-spoke when speaking next to Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday, accidentally saying the direct opposite of what he meant to say. It took Trump more than 24 hours to correct his ‘mistake’ and clarify that he does believe Russia tried to hack the election he won in 2016.

2. Obama: ‘Beware shameless, lying strongmen leaders’

Former US president Barack Obama yesterday warned an audience of young people that “strongman politics” was on the rise, with “shameless leaders who, caught in a lie, just double down and lie some more”. Without naming names, Obama was addressing a crowd of 15,000 in South Africa at an event marking Nelson Mandela’s birth.

3. May prepares for questions from MPs on Brexit

Theresa May will answer questions in the House of Commons today, as she does most Wednesdays, and one subject will dominate – Brexit. She will later address Tory backbenchers on her Brexit plans. Before that, however, Boris Johnson will make his resignation statement to the House – and Sky News says it could be “explosive”.

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4. Dairy products ‘could be luxuries after Brexit’

The managing director of one of Britain’s biggest dairies, Arla, has warned Britain’s reliance on imported milk and yoghurt means any disruption caused by Brexit will “most likely [cause] shortages of products and a sharp rise in prices, turning everyday staples like butter, yoghurts, cheese and infant formula, into occasional luxuries”

5. Tesla investors demand apology for cave diver

Some of electric car firm Tesla’s biggest shareholders have demanded that founder Elon Musk apologise to the cave diver he baselessly accused of being a paedophile. Musk lashed out at Vern Unsworth, who said Musk’s offer to save 12 boys trapped in a Thai cave was just self-promotion. One shareholder called Musk “immature”.

6. Judgement due in Sir Cliff Richard libel case

The High Court will deliver a verdict today on singer Sir Cliff Richard’s libel case against the BBC, which broadcast live helicopter footage of a raid on his home by police investigating historical sex abuse in August 2014. Sir Cliff was never charged. The BBC has warned that a verdict finding against it will have implications for free speech.

7. Teenagers prefer family time to sex, poll finds

A survey of 1,000 16- to 18-year-olds carried out for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service has found that young people are drinking less than they used to and are less likely to have sex, preferring to focus on family time instead. The Service said this might explain the sharp fall in the number of teenage pregnancies since 2007.

8. ‘Dr Bumbum’ on the run after death of patient

A Brazillian celebrity plastic surgeon whose expertise with buttock fills has earned him the name ‘Dr Bumbum’ has gone on the run after a woman died as a result of injections to her bottom. Dr Denis Furtado carried out the procedure on Lilian Calixto at his home in Rio de Janeiro. She fell ill and died in hospital later the same day.

9. Trump’s claim about father’s birth is untrue

US President Donald Trump said twice on his recent European tour that his father was born in Germany – but this is untrue, it has emerged. Fred Trump was born in New York City and barely left it during his lifetime. His father – Trump’s grandfather – was born in Germany. Fred Trump pretended to be Swedish for business reasons.

10. Briefing: the arguments for and against designer babies

Perfecting the genes of unborn babies could be “morally permissible” in the future, according to a new report by an influential medical ethics panel. Under current laws, scientists are “only allowed to genetically edit human embryos for 14 days for research purposes, after which they must be destroyed, and it is illegal to implant them into a womb”, says The Daily Telegraph.

But the Nuffield Council on Bioethics says it could be acceptable to changes these laws, provided safeguards were met. The council’s report says that gene-editing procedures would be acceptable if they secure the future person’s welfare and do not increase disadvantages, discrimination or divisions within society.

Designer babies: the arguments for and against