Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 20 Sep 2018

1. May makes case for Chequers Brexit proposals to EU

Theresa May last night had her first opportunity to lay out her Chequers plan for Brexit to her 27 EU counterparts – and chose to take an admonitory tone, saying the UK would not extend the negotiations or delay its leaving date. The prime minister said that the “onus” was on all 28 nations to make sure a deal is arranged before the UK’s 29 March exit.

2. Rail firms and Grayling blamed for train chaos

An inquiry into the mass cancellation of rail services this year following the introduction of new timetables has placed significant blame on Network Rail, train operators and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. The report by the chairman of the Office of Rail and Road concluded that “nobody took charge”. Grayling has announced a major review.

3. Salisbury ‘poisoning’ may have been hoax

The latest of three poisoning incidents in Salisbury this year may have been a hoax, according to police sources. Alex King, 42, and his wife Anna Shapiro, 30, apparently fell ill in a restaurant in the Wiltshire city on Sunday. However, the hoax theory has been put forward after it emerged that King is a convicted criminal who once hoaxed Prince Charles.

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4. Clean-up under way after 100mph winds

Storm Ali yesterday left a trail of death and destruction across the UK and Eire yesterday. Two people were killed as winds of up to 100mph winds left homes without power, lorries overturned and trees felled. The clean-up operation has begun, with workmen struggling to return power supplies to homes.

5. MP Ian Paisley survives first ever recall vote

For the first time since the law was changed following the MPs’ expenses scandal, constituents have had the chance to recall their MP from Parliament – and opted not to. Northern Ireland MP Ian Paisley escaped losing his job by just 444 votes. He was suspended for 30 days after enjoying free holidays in Sri Lanka.

6. Trump advised Spain to ‘build wall across Sahara’

US President Donald Trump advised Spain’s foreign minister to build a wall across 3,000 miles of the Sahara desert to stem immigration, it has emerged. Trump is thought to have made the suggestion in June when Josep Borrell visited the White House. Trump’s promise to build a wall along the US-Mexico border is as yet unfulfilled.

7. Hong Kong man jailed for yoga ball murder

An anaesthetist has been jailed for life in Hong Kong for the murder of his wife and teenage daughter. Malaysian professor Khaw Kim-sun, 53, left a yoga ball full of carbon monoxide gas in the back of his wife’s car. It slowly deflated, killing Wong Siew-fing and 16-year-old Lily. Police were initially baffled by their deaths.

8. British schoolgirl beaten in final of America’s Got Talent

A 14-year-old from County Durham yesterday finished sixth in the final of TV talent show America’s Got Talent – but was told by judges she is the “ultimate rock star”. Courtney Hadwin, 14, had amazed audiences with her powerful voice, reminiscent of Janis Joplin. She had been a favourite to win the $1m (£760,000) prize.

9. Spiders build 1,000ft web in Greece

Warm weather conditions have resulted in the alarming sight of a 1,000ft spiders’ web along a beach in Greece. The huge webs covers large numbers of plants in the town of Aitoliko and has been spun by tetragnatha spiders. The arachnids make large webs when they are mating – and the good weather has boosted their numbers.

10. Is the NHS ‘subconsciously racist’?

Chaand Nagpaul, the first non-white doctor to lead the British Medical Association (BMA), has accused the NHS of being “subconsciously racist”.

The careers of black and ethnic minority, or BME, doctors have been hampered by a culture of “inequality” and bias in the system, he claims.

Is the NHS ‘subconsciously racist’?