Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 2 Sep 2018

1. May’s election boss tries to scupper her Brexit plan

Senior Tories say Sir Lynton Crosby, the man who ran Theresa May’s election campaign, is secretly masterminding a bid to destroy her Brexit plan and install Boris Johnson in Downing Street. The Sunday Times says that May’s aides have held talks with civil servants about whether to call a general election if her Brexit deal is voted down by MPs.

2. Donald Trump cancels aid programme for Pakistan

The Pentagon has cancelled $300m (£230m) worth of aid to Pakistan, arguing that the regime has failed to decisively fight back against militants. The move came months after Donald Trump suggested that Washington repeatedly helped Pakistan, only to be rewarded with "nothing but lies and deceit". Trump’s administration has also decided to cut all US funding for the main UN programme for Palestinian refugees.

3. Help to Buy could be scrapped over house price concern

The Help to Buy scheme could be axed amid concerns it is pushing up house prices. The Sunday Telegraph reports that ministers are planning a "fundamental review" of the policy that could see it replaced with a fresh arrangement that is "more targeted on those it is meant to be helping." One-fifth of households on Help to Buy have used it to upgrade their homes rather than to get onto the housing ladder.

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4. Labour rebels 'planning vote of no confidence' in Corbyn

Labour MPs are planning a new vote of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn, claims The Sunday Times. The rebel moderates hope the vote would give MPs a way of expressing their opposition to Corbyn’s handling of anti-Semitism allegations and embolden others to join a breakaway. Meanwhile, shadow chancellor John McDonnell admits he is "worried and saddened" at the prospect of the party splitting.

5. Child social care services are 'at tipping point'

Child social care plunged more than £800m into the red in a single year, pushing services to "tipping point", says The Observer. Ministers are being asked for emergency funds to protect thousands of vulnerable children following the latest sign of the cash crisis engulfing councils across England. Theresa May has been warned by MPs that the crisis could cause another tragedy like the Baby P scandal of 2007.

6. 'Terrorist motive' as teen stabs tourists in Amsterdam

An Afghan citizen had a "terrorist motive" for stabbing two Americans at the main train station in Amsterdam, according to the authorities. Amsterdam police shot and wounded the 19-year-old suspect after the double stabbing on Friday at Central station. The victims are recovering in a hospital from what police termed serious but not life-threatening injuries.

7. Jail staff caught smuggling drugs weapons and phones

Hundreds of prison staff have been caught smuggling drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails, according to a Freedom of Information request by The Observer. The paper discovered that 341 staff in England and Wales had been dismissed, excluded, convicted or cautioned by police in the past six years as a result. In 2017 alone there were 71 cases of staff smuggling - up from 50 in 2015.

8. Coventry stabbing victim grandson of ska legend

A young man who was stabbed to death in Coventry city centre in the early hours of yesterday morning has been named as Fidel Anderson - the grandson of Specials singer Neville Staple. Writing on Facebook, the ska legend said: "We are truly devastated to announce the heartbreaking loss of my grandson Fidel (my daughter Melanie's son), who died today as a result of being attacked with a knife in the street."

9. Alfie Evans' parents 'welcome new baby boy'

The parents of Alfie Evans have welcomed a baby boy, according to reports. The news comes four months after the death of their first son from a rare degenerative condition. Kate James, 20, is believed to have given birth in recent weeks to a boy they have named Thomas, after his father Tom Evans, who is 21. A neighbour told the Liverpool Echo: "He looks a bit like Alfie, he’s a lovely cute thing."

10. Macca took DMT and saw 'massive wall' God

Sir Paul McCartney says he took DMT and came face to face with God, an entity he says looked like "a massive wall". Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said: "There was the gallery owner Robert Fraser, me, a couple of others. We were immediately nailed to the sofa. And I saw God, this amazing towering thing, and I was humbled."