Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 27 Oct 2018

1. 'You're being intrusive' - Philip Green bites back

Sir Philip Green says it was "outrageous" for Lord Hain to name him as the man who prevented the press from publishing allegations of sexual and racial harassment. Tracked down in Arizona, he told Sky News: "I believe you're being intrusive." Meanwhile, it has been claimed that Baroness Brady has known for several months about a series of substantial payments made to employees making sexual and racial harassment claims.

2. Russia leads charge to block UK's WTO hopes

Russia is among 20 nations aiming to exploit Brexit after blocking an attempt by the international trade secretary, Liam Fox, to fast-track a World Trade Organization deal. The Guardian says this means Britain now faces "up to two dozen" separate negotiations with countries over how much meat and dairy produce will be permitted into the British market and what tariffs the UK will set on imports.

3. Record number of children's operations cancelled

A record number of children’s operations were called off last year, according to data obtained by Labour under freedom of information laws. The cancelled surgery included treatments for breast cancer and broken bones. A total of 18,647 emergency and non-emergency procedures due to be performed on under-18s were cancelled. The reasons given included staff shortages, critical care beds being unavailable and equipment failure.

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4. 'Trump supporter' charged over US pipe bombs

A man has been charged over a series of pipe bombs after his fingerprint was found on one of the devices. Cesar Sayoc, from Aventura, Florida, was arrested in Miami after explosive devices were sent to several high-profile critics of Donald Trump, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Robert De Niro. A van he owns was found to be covered in photographs of the US President.

5. Exit polls indicate Ireland voted to scrap blasphemy laws

An exit poll suggests the Republic of Ireland has voted to re-elect Michael D Higgins as president and scrap the country's laws on blasphemy. The survey estimated that 71% voted yes to removing the reference to blasphemy from the Irish Constitution, and that Higgins received 58% of first preference votes. Official counting of ballots will begin this morning.

6. Osborne went ahead with cap despite poverty warning

George Osborne pressed ahead with public sector pay cap, despite being warned by civil servants it would trap children in poverty, reveals the BBC. In his 2015 Budget, the then chancellor limited pay rises to 1% a year until 2019. Now, internal documents seen by the BBC show he was told the move would hit low income families.

7. Prince Charles considered cancelling royal wedding

Prince Charles considered calling off his wedding to Diana, according to a new book. The royal felt he and Diana were incompatible but concluded that breaking off the engagement "would have been cataclysmic". Feeling "permanently between the devil and deep blue sea" he belived that the marriage had "awful prospects".

8. Depression overtakes obesity on GP records

Depression has overtaken obesity on GP records for the first time, notes The Times. One in ten patients has had depression diagnosed, according to official figures. The British Medical Association said that the data showed "the rising burden of mental health" and highlights "how the increasing demand for services is outstripping the resources required to provide effective care that patients need".

9. Clocks go back tonight but will Europe drop the change?

The clocks go back at 2am on Sunday 28 October with the end of British summer time. However, this may be one of the final times that the rest of Europe changes the clocks back in unison with the UK as moves are underway to abolish daylight saving time in the EU. Meanwhile, Morocco has decided to scrap winter time and will instead keep its clocks at summer time all year around.

10. Philip Hammond aiming to boost small retailers

The chancellor will announce a £1.5bn boost to small High Street retailers in the Budget, according to reports this morning. Philip Hammond’s plan will include £900m in business rates relief for nearly 500,000 small businesses and a further £650m to boost high streets and transport links. He also intends to ease planning rules to allow home-building on empty sites.