Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 20 Jul 2018
- 1. Putin to make ‘special’ visit to White House
- 2. May to tell EU ‘no’ to Irish border backstop
- 3. Tories admit Chief Whip broke pairing accord
- 4. Police and intelligence agencies use child spies
- 5. Eleven dead as tourist boat sinks in Missouri
- 6. Youngest Battle of Britain pilot dies at 96
- 7. Cadbury to launch lower-sugar Dairy Milk
- 8. Macron aide filmed hitting protester in Paris
- 9. Giant black sarcophagus opened in Egypt
- 10. Briefing: why are murders and knife crime soaring?
1. Putin to make ‘special’ visit to White House
US President Donald Trump has invited Russian leader Vladimir Putin to visit the White House this autumn, prompting US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats to react with incredulity. Told the news at a live event, Coats said: “OK… that’s going to be special!” Trump prompted bipartisan hostility with Monday’s summit with Putin.
2. May to tell EU ‘no’ to Irish border backstop
Prime Minister Theresa May is in Ireland for two days and will tell an audience in Belfast today that she will never agree to the EU’s proposed ‘backstop’ position for the Irish border after Brexit: a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Meanwhile, advice is being prepared for businesses to cope with no deal.
3. Tories admit Chief Whip broke pairing accord
The Conservatives have admitted that Chief Whip Julian Smith asked MPs to break the long-standing convention of ‘pairing’ in the Commons. Some refused but Brandon Lewis voted, even though he was paired with a Lib Dem MP on maternity leave, Jo Swinson. Pairing allows MPs to miss votes without affecting their result.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
4. Police and intelligence agencies use child spies
British police and intelligence agencies are using children to spy on terrorists, gangs and drug dealers, it has emerged. The practice was uncovered by a House of Lords committee, which noted that some of the spies are aged under 16. The lords said they were concerned that spying might pose risks to children’s “mental and physical welfare”.
5. Eleven dead as tourist boat sinks in Missouri
At least 11 people died in Missouri yesterday, when a tourist boat sank in Table Rock Lake, in stormy weather. The amphibious ‘duck’ boat was carrying about 30 people when it sank and divers are still searching for five who are missing. Seven people were taken to hospital, including one who is seriously injured, US officials have said.
6. Youngest Battle of Britain pilot dies at 96
The youngest Spitfire pilot to fight in the Battle of Britain, Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum, has died at the age of 96. Wellum was just 18 when he joined the RAF in 1939. He remained with the service until 1960. The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said Wellum had been “enthusiastic” about attending a memorial service in September.
7. Cadbury to launch lower-sugar Dairy Milk
Chocolate manufacturer Cadbury is to make a new bar with 30% less sugar than its current Dairy Milk – and extra fibre. The bar will be sold alongside the full-sugar version. The company says the bar does not rely on artificial sweeteners. Glen Caton, of parent firm Mondelez International, said he could barely taste the difference himself.
8. Macron aide filmed hitting protester in Paris
A senior aide to French President Emmanuel Macron has been suspended for two weeks after he was identified in a video from 1 May protests in Paris. Alexandre Benalla attended the protest wearing a riot police helmet and can be seen stamping on a protester’s stomach. France’s interior minister said Benalla had no right to intervene.
9. Giant black sarcophagus opened in Egypt
A massive black granite sarcophagus found during construction work in Alexandria, alongside an alabaster bust so heavily weathered as to be unrecognisable, has been opened. Military engineers helped lift the massive lid, to reveal three skeletons and red-brown sewage water. The smell was unbearable and there were no mummies inside.
10. Briefing: why are murders and knife crime soaring?
The number of violent offences and murders reported in England and Wales has increased over the past year, according to official figures published by the police.
The statistics show that knife crime offences have risen by 16%, while the number of murders has risen by 12%.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Israel marks Oct. 7 attack, hits Lebanon, Gaza
Speed Read It has been one year since Hamas attacked Israel festival goers, sparking an escalating conflict in the Middle East
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Florida braces for Milton as FEMA tackles Helene, lies
Speed Read A flurry of misinformation has been spread about the federal response to Hurricane Helene
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Alcohol-free drinks for Sober October
The Week Recommends These are the best booze-free tipples from refreshing pale ales to bittersweet aperitifs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024
Daily Briefing Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win over Haley, 'Oppenheimer' leads the 2024 Oscar nominations, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024
Daily Briefing Haley makes last stand in New Hampshire as Trump extends polling lead, justices side with US over Texas in border fight, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024
Daily Briefing DeSantis ends his presidential campaign and endorses Trump, the US and Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024
Daily Briefing Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000, top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024
Daily Briefing Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response, families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024
Daily Briefing Congress averts a government shutdown, DOJ report cites failures in police response to Texas school shooting, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024
Daily Briefing Judge threatens to remove Trump from his defamation trial, medicine for hostages and Palestinians reach Gaza, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024
Daily Briefing The US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a third time, Trump's second sex defamation trial begins, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published