Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 Aug 2018

1. Tory MP warns of 'open warfare' if Boris is disciplined

There will be "open warfare" in the Conservative Party if Boris Johnson is severely disciplined over his burka comments, says Tory MP Andrew Bridgen. The Sunday Times has spoken to four cabinet ministers who back Johnson and who criticise Theresa May’s response to the controversy. Meanwhile Donald Trump’s former strategist, Steve Bannon, says Boris must not "bow at the altar of political correctness".

2. New study says most constituencies now back Remain

More than 100 constituencies that voted to leave the EU have switched their support to Remain, according to new analysis in The Observer. After modelling two YouGov polls of more than 15,000 people, the study concluded that most seats now contain a majority of voters who want to stay in the European Union. Among them is Uxbridge and South Ruislip – the seat of Boris Johnson.

3. Ten hospitalised after shots fire in Moss Side

Ten people are in hospital after shots were fired in the Moss Side area of Manchester on Sunday morning, according to Greater Manchester police. Around 2.30am, police received a report of gunshots on Claremont Road. A carnival in the area had finished some hours before the incident. Detective Superintendent Debbie Dooley told Sky News a number of people were in hospital being treated for various injuries.

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4. Erdogan warns Trump Turkey will 'seek new friends'

Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that the country would "seek new friends" after Washington "upset and annoyed" Ankara with sanctions. As tensions mount between the two nations, Erdogan told Donald Trump to respect its sovereignty "before it is too late". The Turkish lira sank by more than 16% on Friday - a record low against the dollar.

5. Cyclists could face 'death by dangerous cycling' charge

Cyclists who kill pedestrians could face charges of "death by dangerous cycling" or "death by careless cycling". The government has launched a consultation into whether new offences should be introduced for dangerous cyclists. Matt Briggs, whose wife was killed by a cyclist, told the BBC he welcomed the proposed changes to current "arcane laws".

6. A fifth of youngsters spend seven hours a day online

Almost one-fifth of people aged 16 to 24 spend more than seven hours a day glued to their smartphones, new Ofcom data reveals. The study found that people in that age bracket are twice as likely to be online for what is equivalent to over two full 24-hour days a week. In contrast, just 1% of over 65s and only 6% of 55-64 year olds spend over 50 hours a week online.

7. Authorial 'giant' Sir VS Naipaul dies at age of 85

Author Sir VS Naipaul has died aged 85, his family have said. Sir Vidia, who won the Nobel Prize in literature, was born in rural Trinidad in 1932. He wrote more than 30 books including A Bend in the River and A House for Mr Biswas. His wife Lady Naipaul called him a "giant in all that he achieved". Newspaper editor Geordie Greig, a close friend, said his death leaves a "gaping hole in Britain's literary heritage".

8. 'Flood havoc' kills 37 people in southern India

Flash floods in Kerala have killed 37 people and displaced around 36,000 after battering monsoons caused landslides and overflowing reservoirs across the southern state. An official at the Kerala State Disaster Management control room said those forced from their homes have moved to 350 relief camps across the state. Meanwhile, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: "Our state is in the midst of an unprecedented flood havoc."

9. Ashley and Day ready to battle over Debenhams

Rival billionaires Mike Ashley and Philip Day are set to "battle" for control of Debenhams, says the Sunday Telegraph. After Ashley’s Sports Direct pipped the owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill to grab House of Fraser, retail sources say both retail entrepreneurs are zooming in on Debenhams. Ashley is reportedly considering merging the two chains.

10. Trump describes Omarosa as 'lowlife' ahead of book launch

President has described former White House staffer and fellow reality-TV star Omarosa Manigault Newman as "lowlife." In her upcoming memoir, Manigault Newman says Trump used racial slurs on the set of The Apprentice. She describes the US President as a racist and a bigot. Asked for his response by the reports, Trump said: "Lowlife. She's a lowlife."