Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 28 Sep 2018

1. Johnson puts pressure on May with Brexit plan

Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has put more pressure on Theresa May to change her Brexit plans by outlining his own vision for a “Super Canada” free trade deal, on the eve of the Conservative Party Conference. He said that May’s plan was “a moral and intellectual humiliation” and promised that his version would not give Ireland a hard border.

2. Trump praises Kavanaugh’s ‘powerful’ words

US President Donald Trump yesterday stood by the ultra-conservative judge he has chosen for the Supreme Court, saying that Brett Kavanaugh’s testimony about a sexual assault he is alleged to have carried out as a teenager was “powerful”. Kavanaugh’s accuser, Dr Christine Blasey Ford, also gave emotional evidence yesterday, and denied having any political motive.

3. Tories ‘rattled’ by Labour’s populist policies

The Conservatives are “rattled” by Jeremy Corbyn’s latest “populist” policies – and divided on how to respond to them, The Times reports. Tory MPs are said to fear that his words at the Labour Party’s conference earlier this week will “resonate with millions of people”. Corbyn proposed transferring 10% of large businesses’ shares to funds for workers.

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4. Head teachers to march on Downing Street

Hundreds of head teachers are marching on Downing Street today to hand over a letter asking for extra funding for schools. The letter quotes the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which says per pupil funding in England and Wales has fallen by 8% in real terms since 2010. Only head teachers and those setting budgets will be on the march.

5. New Zealand PM Ardern rebuts Trump at UN

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received “thunderous applause” at the United Nations in New York yesterday for a speech seen as a direct rebuttal of an address that earned Donald Trump mocking laughter earlier this week, says The Guardian. Ardern called for global cooperation and equality.

6. Musk ‘deeply saddened’ to be sued for fraud

Tesla boss Elon Musk said yesterday he was “deeply saddened” to find himself being sued for fraud by a US business watchdog, which alleges that tweets he sent saying he would take the electric car manufacturer private infringed on share dealing law. Musk insisted he had “always taken action in the best interests of truth … and investors”.

7. Half of killer whales will die from pollution

Around half of the world’s killer whale groups are set to go extinct from the effects of pollution in the oceans, a new study has found. The animals are suffering from exposure to toxic PCB chemicals, even though they have been banned for decades. PCBs are still leaking into the oceans and entering the food chain, autopsies of orcas show.

8. Ryanair cancels 250 flights owing to strikes

Budget airline Ryanair has cancelled 250 flights scheduled for today across Europe because of striking pilots in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, and striking cabin crew in the same countries plus Italy, Portugal and Spain. According to the BBC, “relatively few” flights landing or taking off in the UK are affected.

9. ‘Mr Loophole’ gets Beckham off speeding charge

A speeding charge against David Beckham has been dismissed after the retired footballer retained the services of a lawyer who has trademarked the name “Mr Loophole”. Nick Freeman specialises in getting celebrities off such charges on technicalities. Beckham was accused of doing 59mph in a 40mph zone in central London earlier this year.

10. Where is adultery still illegal?

India has joined the list of countries to decriminalise adultery: its Supreme Court voted yesterday to repeal a 158-year-old colonial-era ban. But in some countries, infidelity can be punished by fines, prison, or even death. Where is adultery still illegal?

Where is adultery still illegal?