1. Cabinet ministers are 'at war' over free movement
The cabinet is at war over free movement, reports the Daily Telegraph. Sajid Javid and Philip Hammond are at odds over the issue after the Chancellor said that European Union workers should be given "preferential" treatment to help strike a post-Brexit trade deal. Home secretary Javid said that "free movement had to end" and that there can be "no back door".
2. Over 70,000 children prescribed antidepressants last year
Tens of thousands of children are being given antidepressants, reports The Times. The prescriptions were made despite warnings that the pills may harm developing brains with little benefit for the youngsters. NHS data shows that one in six adults in England used antidepressants during 2017 — an increase of almost half a million since 2015. The figures include almost 2,000 children of primary school age.
3. Trump recorded discussing a payoff to former model
Donald Trump was secretly recorded discussing a potential payoff to a former Playboy model two months before the 2016 election, reports the New York Times. The two-minute conversation includes the-then White House candidate discussing payments to Karen McDougal, who has claimed she had an affair with Trump in 2006, shortly after the birth of his youngest son.
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4. Yorkshire teenagers named in Columbine-style massacre plot
Two 15-year-old boys have been given custodial sentences for planning a Columbine-style massacre at their school in Yorkshire. The pair were 14 when they conspired to target a hit list at the school in Northallerton. The judge agreed to name the two defendants: Thomas Wyllie, sentenced to 12 years, and Alex Bolland, who received 10 years. Both boys claimed the plan was nothing more than a fantasy.
5. Facebook is investigating a second data firm
Facebook is investigating another data firm, reports the BBC. The social network giant has suspended Crimson Hexagon, based in Boston, while it examines concerns about the collection and sharing of user data. Crimson Hexagon describes itself as offering "consumer insights" and has contracts with government agencies around the world. Facebook is investigating whether some of these deals are in violation of its policies on surveillance.
6. Theresa May under pressure over Andrew Griffiths 'bullying'
Pressure is growing on Theresa May to explain what she knew about claims of "extreme bullying" against former minister Andrew Griffiths when she promoted him to government within days of becoming PM. Griffiths, who was forced to resign after sending hundreds of sexually explicit messages to two women, had been accused of bullying a council leader for several years when May arrived in 10 Downing Street.
7. Safety questions as woman loses nine members of family
A woman who lost nine members of her family, including her husband and children, when a "duck boat" sank claims the captain told people not to put on life jackets. The vessel was carrying 31 people when it overturned on Table Rock Lake, a popular tourist attraction. A total of 17 people died when the boat went down on Thursday.
8. Israel attacks the Gaza Strip again after gunfire at the border
Israel has bombed military targets in the Gaza Strip, after its soldiers came under gunfire at the border. A spokesman for the Israeli military says that one soldier died from his wounds. Officials in Gaza said four Palestinians were killed in the air strikes. Last week, Israel carried out its biggest attack against Hamas targets in Gaza since the war in 2014.
9. David Davis slams 'morally repugnant' use of child spies
Former Tory cabinet minister David Davis says the recruitment of child spies is "morally repugnant". The use of children as covert human intelligence sources emerged this week after a House of Lords committee voiced concern over proposals to loosen regulations on it. Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, says ministers must end the practice immediately.
10. George Michael 'committed suicide' claims lover
George Michael committed suicide, according to his lover. Fadi Fawaz also claims it was his the pop star’s fifth attempt to kill himself. Fawaz said the singer, 53, died on Christmas Eve, his late mum’s birthday, and not Christmas Day as previously reported. In March 2017 senior coroner Darren Salter said Michael died of natural causes.
