Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 6 Oct 2018

1. Brett Kavanaugh poised for Supreme Court confirmation

Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court seat is all but confirmed after Republican Senator Susan Collins and Joe Manchin, a Democrat, both indicated their backing for the judge on Friday. Their approval comes despite an FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations. The move would see Donald Trump complete his drive to consolidate conservative dominance of the nation's highest court.

2. Ministers anxious over new universal credit costs

Millions of families would lose £200 a month under the new universal credit system. The Times says ministers are becoming "increasingly alarmed" about the rollout of universal credit after Esther McVey, the work and pensions secretary, told cabinet colleagues that 50% of lone parents and about two thirds of working-age couples with children would lose the equivalent of £2,400 a year.

3. Kremlin is targeting British teens with online trolls

Moscow is targeting British teenagers as part of a covert campaign to sow discord among young westerners, reports The Times. Accounts run from the Kremlin have posed as Harry Potter fans and used images of celebrities to harvest young followers on social networks. Thousands of young Brits have been exposed to a Kremlin-financed YouTube channel that has aimed to create confusion about the Salisbury poisoning.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. May plans to charm Labour MPs over Chequers Brexit deal

Theresa May is planning a secret charm offensive to persuade Labour MPs to back her Brexit deal even if it costs Jeremy Corbyn the chance to be prime minister, says The Guardian. Meanwhile, Tory Brexiteers are giving the PM an ultimatum, that if her negotiating strategy fails she must accept plans for a Canada-style trade deal or face a leadership challenge.

5. Credit scandal hits Barclays' consumer lending wing

Barclays is embroiled in a credit scandal as it is revealed that the bank’s consumer lending arm, Barclays Partner Finance, failed to stop customers at high street retailers being pressured into taking out loans they may not have been able to afford as recently as 2016. Among the retailers under the microscope are SCS, Sofology, Anglian Windows, Wren Kitchens, Everest, and Peter Vardy.

6. GPs consider plan to see patients in groups of 15

The NHS is considering plans for patients to see their GPs in groups of up to 15 people. In a bid to cope with growing shortages of staff, doctors said group consultations should become the default option offered by surgeries for many conditions. The scheme is expected to be included in the NHS 10-year plan which is due to be published within months.

7. Chicago policeman who shot black teen is convicted

The white Chicago police officer who shot black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times has been found guilty of second-degree murder. The jury verdict has eased anxieties over public disturbance in the tense city. As activists gathered outside the court, listening to the verdict on their mobile phones, one woman said: "Thank you, Jesus." The murder had been captured on dashcam video.

8. Council presses government to fill Kensington's 'ghost homes'

Millionaire owners of so-called ghost homes in Kensington and Chelsea could be ordered to fill them with families to cope with the housing shortage, says the Daily Telegraph. The Tory-led borough council is pressing ministers to change the law to allow them to move tenants into private homes which have lain empty for years in the neighbourhood.

9. Man who shoved 91-year-old onto tube tracks is found guilty

A man who pushed a 91-year-old man on to Tube tracks in London has been found guilty of attempted murder. Sir Robert Malpas went "flying" from the platform at Marble Arch when he was shoved by Paul Crossley. An Old Bailey jury found Crossley guilty of two counts of attempted murder. Sir Robert, a retired industrialist who was knighted in 1999, was rescued by passer-by Riyad El Hussani.

10. Juventus share price crashes amid Ronaldo allegations

Juventus football club’s share price closed almost 10% down as markets reacted to rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo. The football star is "ready to return to action" after being accused of rape, his manager at Juventus has said. Video has emerged of the footballer dancing with his accuser, teacher Kathryn Mayorga, in 2009. Mayorga, 34, has claimed Ronaldo raped her in June 2009 in a Las Vegas hotel room.