Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 18 Sep 2018

1. Musk names first tourist for trip to Moon

Japanese fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa will be the first tourist to voyage around the Moon, SpaceX boss Elon Musk has revealed. Billionaire Maezawa, 42, is expected to lift off in the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) in 2023. He says he will invite up to eight artists from across the world to join him on the fly-past and then make art inspired by the trip.

2. Cave diver sues Musk over ‘paedo’ slur

A British cave diver involved in the rescue of a Thai football team trapped in a flooded cave in July is suing Tesla boss Elon Musk for libel. Musk groundlessly accused Vernon Unsworth of being a “child rapist” and a “paedo” after the diver criticised him in a TV interview. A lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles court seeks at least $75,000 (£57,000) in damages.

3. Trump escalates trade war with Beijing

The US is imposing its biggest tariffs yet on Chinese imports as it escalates the trade war begun by President Donald Trump. The latest taxes apply to $200bn (£150bn) worth of Chinese goods including handbags, rice and textiles. The tariffs will start on 24 September at 10%, increasing to 25% next year.

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4. Russian military plane ‘shot down by Syria’

A Russian military aircraft with 14 people on board has disappeared from radar screens – and US intelligence claims it was shot down in error by Russia’s ally Syria. Russian broadcaster Tass seemed to try to blame France, saying rockets were launched from a French frigate, but a French military spokesman denied any involvement.

5. Bid by midwives to prevent obesity in pregnancy

The Royal College of Midwives is calling for women to be given weight targets during pregnancy, after new research showed that too much weight gain by mothers-to-be may lead to babies growing into unhealthy children. Routine weighing of expectant mothers was phased out in the 1990s, on the grounds that it caused stress.

6. Emmys: GoT returns as Britons win prizes

Game of Thrones last night won the key award for drama at an Emmys ceremony that rewarded British talent. Welsh actor Matthew Rhys won the lead actor in a drama series prize for his role in The Americans, while Claire Foy won the female equivalent for her work on The Crown. Writer Charlie Brooker also won, for Black Mirror.

7. Woman helped to walk by anonymous donor

A young Welsh woman is learning to walk after having surgery in the US paid for by an anonymous donation of £37,000. Jade Owen was born with cerebral palsy and spent years trying to raise funds for spinal operations. The 20-year-old is now learning to walk with assistance after having a selective dorsal rhizotomy - aimed at reducing spasticity.

8. Coca-Cola considers launching cannabis-infused drink

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola is considering using a cannabis extract in some of its products, after the drug was legalised for recreational use in some US states. The firm said that it might use cannabidiol, which is not psychoactive, in some “functional wellness beverages”. The original recipe for Coke contained small amounts of cocaine.

9. ‘Magnet fishers’ uncover hand grenades

The MoD has warned that the growing craze for “magnet fishing” - trawling in canals and rivers to uncover metal objects - can be both dangerous and costly. Magnet fishing enthusiasts are uncovering live ordnance, which must then be made safe, at the expense of taxpayers. Hand grenades, guns and safes have been found.

10. Briefing: how the strawberry needle scare unfolded

Australian police have issued a public health warning after needles were found hidden in strawberries across all six of the country’s states.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt has described it as a “very vicious crime” and “a general attack on the public”.

Strawberry needle scare: what’s going on?