Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 16 Aug 2018

1. Trump revokes security clearance of critic Brennan

US President Donald Trump has blocked access to sensitive national information for his critic, the former CIA head John Brennan. It is customary for ex-directors of intelligence services to maintain high security clearance as a courtesy. Brennan previously said Trump’s press conference with Vladimir Putin was “nothing short of treasonous”.

2. Boris Johnson’s Heathrow vote trip cost £20,000

As foreign secretary, Boris Johnson missed a vote on adding a runway at Heathrow Airport because of a one-day trip to Afghanistan, which some pundits alleged was contrived to get him out of voting on an embarrassing issue. Now official figures show the trip cost the taxpayer £20,000. Johnson’s constituency is under the Heathrow flightpath.

3. New Zealand bans house sales to foreigners

New Zealand has banned non-resident foreigners from buying homes, in a bid to help end a housing crisis. In recent years there has been concern about the impact of Chinese and American investors buying property in a country where prices are up 60% in a decade. Australians and Singaporeans are exempt because of existing free trade rules.

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4. Rugby star Danny Cipriani charged with assault

England rugby international Danny Cipriani has been charged with assault and offences including resisting arrest. A fly-half for Gloucester, Cipriani was allegedly involved in an incident at a nightclub in St Helier, Jersey in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He was on the island for a pre-season tour with his rugby club.

5. Young people less enthusiastic about university

A new poll of English and Welsh school pupils has found a drop in enthusiasm about attending university. Only 75% agreed that it was “important” to get a degree, a drop of 11 percentage points on five years ago. However, more than 75% said they were “likely” to go to university. The Sutton Trust said the cost of university was a factor.

6. Italy blames business for bridge collapse

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has revoked the licence of the private company, Autostrade, which is maintains toll roads, after a bridge in Genoa collapsed, killing at least 39. Rescuers are still searching the rubble for survivors of the disaster, which happened in heavy rain on Tuesday. A 12-month state of emergency is in force.

7. More than 40 overdose in Connecticut park

More than 40 people have overdosed on drugs in a park in Yale, Connecticut, since Tuesday evening. They are believed to have taken a synthetic drug which may have been laced with the opioid fentanyl. A man was arrested yesterday in connection with the overdoses. Some of the victims are reported to be in a critical condition.

8. Banksy exhibition in Moscow a surprise to Banksy

The first Russian exhibition of work by Graffiti artist Banksy, which has been seen by 200,000 people and was dubbed Moscow’s art event of the summer, went ahead without his knowledge. Told about the exhibition – which the organisers admitted was not sanctioned by Banksy – the reclusive artist said: “What’s the opposite of LOL?”

9. Woman sues dating agency over lack of men

A woman who wanted a wealthy new boyfriend has successfully sued an “exclusive” dating agency based in the affluent London area Knightsbridge, because it misled her about the number of men on its books. Tereza Burki, of Chelsea, paid a total of £12,600 to the Seven Thirty agency – the judge restored it to her, plus £500 for distress.

10. Briefing: is Elvis Presley really dead?

Elvis Presley fans worldwide are marking the 41st anniversary this week of the rock and roll legend’s death - but others are asking whether the King is still among us.

Millions of devotees were left devastated when the King died suddenly from heart failure at the age of 42, while others refused to accept that the rhinestone-clad megastar had really gone.

Elvis Presley death conspiracies: long live the King