Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 27 Nov 2018

1. Trump joins criticism of May’s Brexit plan

US President Donald Trump yesterday added his voice to those criticising the Brexit deal agreed by the EU and Theresa May at the weekend, claiming it might not allow the UK to trade with the US. A Downing Street spokesperson insisted that it was “clear we will have an independent trade policy” under the terms of the agreement.

2. Matthew Hedges home from Dubai

British academic Matthew Hedges landed at Heathrow Airport this morning, following his pardon from a life sentence for alleged spying in the Gulf state. The 31-year-old thanked his “brave and strong” wife, Daniela Tejada, who had campaigned for his release, and said that seeing her and his family was “the best thing”.

3. Five people rang police 8,655 times in 2017

Five people with mental health problems rang London’s Metropolitan Police a total of 8,655 times in 2017, according to the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary. The police watchdog says that answering the calls cost £70,000, and is warning that police forces across the UK are “picking up the pieces” for poor mental health provision.

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4. Trump-Russia: Manafort accused of lying to inquiry

Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort has breached a plea deal by repeatedly lying to the inquiry into alleged Russian interference in the election, Special Counsel Robert Mueller has alleged. Manaford signed the deal after being convicted of financial fraud relating to his work as a political consultant in Ukraine, but could now spend the rest of his life behind bars.

5. WWII codebreaker Lady Trumpington dies

Former Bletchley Park codebreaker Lady Trumpington has died at the age of 96. A long-serving Tory peer, Trumpington achieved internet fame in 2012 when she was filmed in the House of Lords giving a V-sign to a fellow peer who referred to her age. Her son, Adam Barker, said she died peacefully in her sleep.

6. Girl group singer jailed for killing cyclist

A singer with Mobo-nominated band M.O. was jailed yesterday for eight months for crashing into a cyclist in Hemel Hempstead, causing her death. Nadine Samuels had failed to stop as she entered a roundabout. The 27-year-old, who toured with Little Mix, wept as Debbie Mills’ son spoke in court of his loss.

7. Mass killing at tourist spot shocks Japan

The bodies of six people including a seven-year-old girl have been discovered at a house in the Japanese mountain village of Takachiho, a popular tourist destination. Media reports said some of the victims appeared to have been stabbed. Mass killings are rare in Japan, in part because of strict gun control.

8. Gamer arrested after alleged rape overheard online

A video game player has been arrested in Florida after he was allegedly overheard raping a teenage girl on a PlayStation stream. Police believe Daniel Enrique Fabian, 18, assaulted the 15-year-old during a break while playing online multiplayer game Grand Theft Auto but failed to realise that he had left a microphone on.

9. InSight robot ready to investigate Mars

Nasa’s InSight Mars lander is sitting on the Elysium Planitia, a vast flat plain near the red planet’s equator, following a successful landing yesterday. The module touched down at 7.53pm UK time after an anxious seven-minute wait as it plunged through the atmosphere of the planet to its surface.

10. Brighton cat stabbings: what we know

Police in Sussex are investigating possible links between at least seven suspected attacks on cats within a small area of Brighton over the past two months.

All of the incidents have occurred in the Ditchling Rise district since mid-September and two have been confirmed as “highly likely” to be stabbing. Here is what we know.

Brighton cat stabbings: what we know