Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 15 Sep 2018

1. Destruction as storms lash America and the Philippines

Weather forecasters have warned that storm Florence could cause life-threatening flash flooding in parts of North and South Carolina, and Virginia. Five deaths have been linked to the former hurricane and thousands of people have been staying in emergency shelters. Meanwhile, areas of the northern Philippines have suffered from the strong winds and heavy rains of Typhoon Mangkhut.

2. Blow for Trump as Manafort co-operates with Mueller

Donald Trump has been dealt a fresh blow as Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman, agreed to cooperate with Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election. At a court hearing in Washington DC, Muller confessed to two criminal charges as part of a plea deal. "I’m guilty," he said. The White House told reporters the case was "totally unrelated" to Trump

3. Was Michael Foot a paid informant of the Soviet Union?

The British intelligence service believed that Michael Foot was a paid informant of the Soviet Union, according to a new book. It is also claimed that officers were prepared to warn the Queen of the Labour leader’s "KGB history" when he stood to become prime minister. A Soviet defector has previously claimed that Foot received a series of clandestine payments from the KGB.

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4. Adviser tells parents to set an example on phone time

A government adviser has said that parents should leave their phones on the kitchen table at night to set an example to their children. Ian Bauckham CBE is encouraging parents to be tougher on youngsters when it comes to using technology. He said that parents must start "modelling good behaviour" and not be "checking [their] phone 12 times during a family meal".

5. It's not about the leadership, claims Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson has claimed that he is focused on challenging Theresa May’s Brexit policy rather than trying to replace her. As rumours circulate that the former foreign secretary is considering a leadership bid, he said "It’s not about changing Prime Minister, it’s about chucking Chequers". The colourful MP added: "It's not about the leadership.”

6. McDonnell says bankers must stop being 'masters of economy'

London’s financial services industry must never again be the "master of the economy", the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, will say today. In a speech accusing bankers of cashing in on speculation at the expense of the general public, he will promises higher taxes and tougher regulation on banks on the 10th anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

7. Lily Allen details assault and warns of 'rife' industry abuse

Lily Allen warned that sexual abuse is "rife" in the music business as she gave her first detailed account of a record industry boss sexually assaulting her as she slept. In her forthcoming book, she details the assault after the man settled her in his own hotel room after she had got "smashed" at a party. She also describes an industry with "a potent mix of sex, youth and availability".

8. Under-fire Archbishop leads bid for Wonga loan book

The Guardian says that the Archbishop of Canterbury is spearheading a not-for-profit attempt to buy the £400m Wonga loan book after the company collapsed under the weight of compensation claims. The Most Rev Justin Welby was accused of hypocrisy this week as it was revealed that the church holds shares in Amazon just days after he had criticised the web retailer in a speech.

9. Is angry Ashley planning to take Sports Direct private?

Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley has accused shareholders of stabbing him the back, prompting feverish speculation that he may take the company private. The controversial billionaire has accused investors of failing to support him and "repeatedly hounding" his ally Keith Hellawell, who quit as chairman this week. He added that "true entrepreneurs will never be accepted in the public arena".

10. Reports say disappeared Chinese actress Fan has been jailed

It is believed that China’s highest earning actress has been jailed for tax evasion. Fan Bingbing, who has not been seen in public for three months, last updated her social media accounts in early June. She disappeared from the public eye shortly after a leading television host accused her of faking contracts to avoid paying hefty income taxes.