Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 9 Aug 2018

1. US to sanction Russia over Skripal poisoning

The US is to impose further sanctions on Russia, this time in response to the poisoning in Salisbury of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The sanctions will come into force later this month and target exports of sensitive electronic components and other technologies. Russia has criticised the move and says the assertion that it carried out the nerve agent attack in Wiltshire was “far-fetched”.

2. May writes to grassroots seeking Brexit support

Theresa May has sent a lengthy letter to Tory grass-roots activists, asking for their support for her so-called Chequers Brexit plan. The letter includes an endorsement by Brexiteer ministers Andrea Leadsom and Liam Fox. May wants the UK to be part of a free-trade area for goods governed by a common rulebook with the EU.

3. Argentina rejects legal abortion pill proposal

The Argentine Senate has rejected a bill that would have legalised abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, with senators voting 38 to 31 against. Abortion is only allowed in Argentina in cases of rape, or where the mother’s life is in danger if she goes ahead with the pregnancy. Uruguay is the only South American nation to have fully legalised abortion.

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4. Girl killed by Yorkshire beach rockfall

A nine-year-old girl has died in North Yorkshire after a section of cliff collapsed on a popular beach at Staithes. The emergency services were called to Seaton Garth yesterday afternoon, after the child suffered serious head injuries as a result of the rockfall. The cliffs were known to be dangerous and police have now sealed off the beach.

5. Macron criticised for not attending Amiens ceremony

France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe have been criticised by opposition politicians for failing to attend a ceremony yesterday to mark the centenary of the Battle of Amiens. Britain was represented at the commemoration of the First World War battle by Prince William and Theresa May, while France sent its armed forces minister.

6. Drink-drive suspect: ‘Let me off, I’m white’

A former cheerleader arrested in South Carolina for drink-driving and drug possession after speeding through a stop sign at 60mph told a police officer that she should be let off because she was a “clean, thoroughbred white girl”. Lauren Culshaw, 32, also said she should be given special treatment because her partner was a police officer.

7. Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle dies at 36

Champion golfer Jarrod Lyle has died of cancer at the age of 36. The two-time Nationwide Tour winner overcame acute myeloid leukaemia in 1998 and again in 2012, before it returned last year. He retired from the game last year and spent his final days with his wife, Briony and two daughters.

8. Actor Margot Kidder’s death ruled to be suicide

The death of actor Margot Kidder was announced in May, with her manager saying the 69-year-old had died peacefully in her sleep. Now her death has been ruled as suicide, with a Montana coroner saying she died of a self-inflicted drug and alcohol overdose. Kidder’s daughter said it was a “big relief” that the truth was now known to the public.

9. Pitt hits back after Jolie claims lack of support

Lawyers for Brad Pitt have refuted claims made by his ex-wife, fellow actor Angelina Jolie, that he has not paid any “meaningful” child support since their 2016 divorce. Pitt’s legal team said he had paid $1.3m (£1m) in costs and leant Jolie $8m (£6.2m) to buy a house. Pitt also accused Jolie of trying to “manipulate media coverage”.

10. Briefing: how egg freezing works and how much it costs

Experts are warning that women “must be informed about the relatively low success rates, high costs and side effects associated with egg freezing and IVF treatment”.

The NHS funds egg freezing in the UK for girls and women for medical reasons. However, women can choose to freeze their eggs privately for non-medical reasons, reports The Guardian.

Egg freezing: how does it work and how much does it cost?