Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 9 Nov 2018

1. DUP accuses May of betrayal over Irish sea border

A plan to place a customs border in the Irish Sea if there is no Brexit agreement will be included in a divorce deal, according to a leaked letter from the Prime Minister. The DUP has accused Theresa May of breaking her promise that she would never sign up to a deal that could allow Northern Ireland to be divided from the rest of the United Kingdom.

2. 'Remarkable' decline in fertility rates is discovered

Researchers say there has been a “remarkable” decline in fertility rates. A report, published in the Lancet, found that, while in 1950 women were having an average of 4.7 children in their lifetime, the fertility rate nearly halved to 2.4 children per woman by last year. "It's a remarkable transition,” said Prof Christopher Murray at the University of Washington.

3. White House defends sharing doctored CNN video

The White House defended sharing a video on social media that had been doctored to make CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s actions towards an intern appear more aggressive. White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, said: “We stand by our decision to revoke this individual’s hard pass. We will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior clearly documented in this video.”

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4. Home Secretary to grant police new powers over knives

Police will get enhanced powers to stop and search suspects, Sajid Javid has revealed. The Home Secretary said he wanted police to sweep away bureaucracy and make it easier to deploy powers that senior officers say are vital in the fight against crime. The moves come as pressure grows on the authorities to combat the surge in violent crime and knife attacks.

5. Tough trading as 14 shops close every day

Accountancy firm PwC says around 14 shops are closing every day as UK high streets face their bleakest trading conditions in five years. During the first six months of the year, a net 1,123 stores disappeared from Britain's top 500 high streets. Due to the rise in online shopping, electrical and fashion stores have suffered most, with pubs and restaurants also struggling.

6. Imelda Marcos convicted on seven counts of corruption

Imelda Marcos has been found guilty of seven counts of corruption during her 20 years in office. The former first lady of the Philippines, who is 89, is facing a jail sentence of between six and 11 years for each count. The charges relate to private foundations she set up in Switzerland while holding public office. The convictions mean she will have to step down from her current position in the House of Representatives.

7. Parents ask nannies to stop using social media at work

Nannies are being asked to sign contracts banning them from social media during work hours amid concern that they are becoming too distracted to supervise children. As fears over the issue grow, agencies said that some parents were asking for older nannies because they were less likely to be using social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

8. David Attenborough agrees to chill with Netflix

Netflix has signed Sir David Attenborough as it takes a chunk of the BBC's wildlife pie. The US streaming giant has poached Sir David, alongside the director of BBC series Planet Earth and Blue Planet, for a new “groundbreaking” series entitled Our Planet. The news comes days after writer George Monbiot accused Attenborough of “betrayal” for not campaigning on the environment.

9. John McDonnell investigating a four-day working week

The Labour shadow chancellor is in talks with the economist Lord Skidelsky about an independent inquiry into cutting the working week from the customary five days to four. John McDonnell said a pledge to reduce the working week by a day could feature in Labour’s next manifesto. Skidelsky said he did not want to “be too exact” about his own recommendations.

10. How much power does the royal family have?

The days of rule by royal decree may be long gone, but the Queen retains an impressive array of powers - including dominion over whales and dolphins.

What powers does Queen Elizabeth II have?