Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 11 Nov 2018

1. Blow for Theresa May as EU rejects key compromise

Brussels has rejected Theresa May’s key Brexit proposal, which was intended to avoid the UK being trapped in an indefinite customs union. There are now fears that talks have broken down just days before “no-deal” preparations costing billions need to be implemented. Four ‘Remainer’ ministers are reportedly on the brink of resignation after the departure of Jo Johnson.

2. Prince Charles to lead tributes on Armistice Day

On the hundredth anniversary of Armistice Day, a procession of 10,000 people to the Cenotaph will give “a nation's thank you” to those who laid down their lives in World War One. Prince Charles will lead the UK tributes to all those who have lost their lives in conflict. German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier will lay a wreath in an historic act of reconciliation between the two countries.

3. Californian wildfire death toll reaches 25

The death toll from the California wildfire has increased to 25. The majority of the dead are in Butte County, where a further 110 people have been reported missing. Around 250,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes due to the Hill and Woolsey fires in southern California. Among the famous people affected are West Wing star Martin Sheen and former One Direction singer Liam Payne.

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4. Government considers 'tax on age' to fund social care

Ministers are considering a ‘tax on age’ targeted at the over-40s to address the social care funding crisis. Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, admitted he was “attracted to” a cross-party plan for a compulsory premium deducted from the income of the middle-aged and over-65s to fund the cost of their care in later life. There are already similar schemes in other countries, including Germany.

5. Turkey shares tape of Khashoggi's murder with UK

Turkey has shared a recording of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi with the UK and other countries, says President Erdogan. “We gave it to Saudi Arabia,” he said of the audio tape. “We gave it to America. To the Germans, French, English, we gave it to all of them.” Turkey says the journalist was murdered by a 15-man Saudi hit squad sent by the “highest levels” of Saudi leadership.

6. Climate scientists insist Brits must eat less meat

Government scientists say Britons must eat less red meat if the UK is to meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Committee on Climate Change has calculated that “enteric fermentation” in Britain’s sheep and cattle produces the equivalent of 23m tons of CO2 a year. This will prevent the UK achieving its target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050, says the watchdog.

7. Lamplugh suspect complains of 'character assassination'

The lead suspect in the disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh has complained in a letter about the “assassination” of his character. John Cannan, who is serving a sentence for a separate offence, reportedly made the claim to a female pen pal. A police search of the back garden of a house in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, once owned by Cannan's mother, is now in its 13th day.

8. Special needs funding crisis forces councils into the red

A crisis in funding for children with special educational needs is plunging councils into the red, reports The Observer. As freedom of information requests show that the combined overspend on “high needs” education budgets soared from £61m in 2015-16 to £195m in 12 months, 40 councils have either cut special needs funding, are planning to make cuts or are raiding other education budgets to cope.

9. Trump mocked for cancelling cemetery visit due to rain

Donald Trump has faced criticism after he called off a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery yesterday because of the rain. The White House blamed “scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather” for the late cancellation of the US President’s visit to the site of thousands of US graves. Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames – the grandson of Winston Churchill – called Trump “pathetic”.

10. Somalian authorities say bombs killed at least 53 people

Authorities in Somali say the death toll from bombings near a popular hotel in Mogadishu has risen to 53 with more than 100 injured. Islamic extremists detonated four bombs outside the hotel on Friday afternoon. “Most of these people were civilians who were passing by the area when the attack occurred,” Abdulahi Ahmed, a Somali security official, told the media.