Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 29 Jul 2018

1. Qatar World Cup bid team 'broke Fifa rules'

The team behind Qatar’s controversial World Cup bid broke Fifa’s rules by running a secret "black operations" campaign to sabotage rivals, reports The Sunday Times. Emails from a whistleblower show how the bid paid a public relations firm and former CIA agents to release fake propaganda about its main rivals - the US and Australia. The Qatar tournament organisers deny the allegations.

2. No more concessions, grassroots tell Theresa May

Theresa May has been warned by her own constituency chairman that she must not concede any further ground to the European Union, reports the Sunday Telegraph. Meanwhile, ministers have put together plans to send in the army to deliver food, medicines and fuel in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Supermarkets are warning their suppliers to stockpile supplies such as tea and coffee.

3. Powerful earthquake kills 10 people in Indonesia

An earthquake has struck a popular tourist destination in Indonesia, killing at least 10 people. The 6.4 magnitude quake hit the central Indonesian island of Lombok on Sunday morning. People fled their homes and hotels as the earthquake hit. The island is located about 40km (25 miles) east of Bali.

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4. Growing bill as NHS doctors prescribe toiletries

Doctors are dishing out free prescriptions for toothpaste, bodywash and shampoo, costing the NHS £3.4m last year. The Sunday Times says the number of prescriptions for toiletries has soared by nearly 600% in a decade, from 79,000 in 2007 to about 471,000 last year in England. These includes products made by consumer giants such as Colgate and Neutrogena.

5. Emergency summit as farmers fear drought fallout

Farmers will meet Whitehall officials this week for an "emergency drought summit," reports The Observer. The meeting comes as fears grow that the heatwave could have a serious impact on the UK’s food supply. The National Farmers Union says "tinderbox conditions" could lead to a shortage of feed for livestock and dairy farmers within months.

6. Black man confronts Spicer at book signing event

A black man confronted former White House press secretary Sean Spicer at a book signing and accused him of calling him the N-word when they were at school together. Spicer seemed to recognise Alex Lombard at first, waving and asking him how he was. His publicist said later that Spicer had no recollection of being in school with him.

7. Geraint Thomas set to win the Tour de France

Britain's Geraint Thomas is set to win the Tour de France today after maintaining his overall lead on the penultimate stage of the race. Although the Team Sky rider finished third behind Tom Dumoulin, he still leads the Dutchman by one minute, 51 seconds. Race convention dictates that the leader is never challenged on the final stage. He will become the third Briton to win the race.

8. Weather warnings as wind and rain batter Britain

Heavy rain and gales of up to 50mph are forecast to hit the UK today. A yellow weather warning for wind and rain is in place for southern England and Wales until 3pm. The Met Office is also predicting that flooding is possible and large waves are likely in coastal areas. However, the BBC’s weather forecaster says the conditions "don’t meant that summer is done with us yet".

9. Trump golf resort wrecked dunes at nature site

Donald Trump’s golf resort in Aberdeenshire wrecked a special nature site, documents released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed. Scottish Natural Heritage says that serious damage has been done to the site of special scientific interest at Foveran Links on the Menie estate. It says the spectacular dunes system has been "partially destroyed".

10. City to open ladies' loos to transgenders

Women’s toilets at dozens of landmarks including Tower Bridge, the Old Bailey, and Museum of London could be opened to people who identify as transgender. The City of London is planning to open all its women’s facilities and services to anyone who "self-identifies" as a woman or girl, regardless of whether they have transitioned. Feminists say the plan is a "mind-blowing" erosion of women’s protected spaces.

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