Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 30 Nov 2018

1. Donald Trump says Michael Cohen is ‘lying’

Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen has admitted he lied to Congress about a Trump property deal in Russia during the 2016 election. However, the US president claims his former right-hand man was “lying” to prosecutors in the hope of receiving a reduced sentence on charges of violating finance laws. Cohen is claiming that Trump continued trying to develop a tower in Moscow months into his presidency campaign – contradicting Trump’s account.

2. Fox goes into bat for May’s Brexit plan

Theresa May’s deal with the European Union will give the UK a “firm and stable” base on which to build a “global future”, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox is set to say. Amid the controversy over the row, Fox will give a speech in which he will acknowledge that the withdrawal agreement will “not please everyone”.

3. UN aiming to cut 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide

UN's climate science panel says we must remove 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the air in order to avoid dangerous climate change. However, according to one leading researcher, there’s a bit of a hitch when it comes to pulling this heat-trapping gas out of the atmosphere: “We haven’t a clue how to do it.”

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4. Armed officers on London patrol to tackle gangs

A major shift in British policing may see armed officers sent out on foot patrol in the most violent areas of London. The Metropolitan Police wants to send officers armed with guns to deal directly with violent criminals in the areas of the capital most affected by gang feuds and knife crime. However, there are fears that such patrols could prove provocative.

5. Syrian boy thanks public following bully video outcry

The Syrian boy who was filmed being bullied has thanked the public for their support. The 15-year-old, named only as Jamal, was gripped by the throat and had water poured over his face in an attack by a school bully that was widely shared online. Following an outcry over the footage, a Go Fund Me campaign raised £130,000 for his family.

6. Ukraine says Moscow’s tanks massing on border

The Ukrainian president says Russian military tanks are massing along his country’s border. Speaking to Sky News, Petro Poroshenko claimed tanks are tanks lining up close to where Russia stores its ammunition. He said: “This is the tank base just 18km from our border, this was happening in September, October, and now.”

7. US man admits to killing 90 women over four decades

A 78-year-old convicted murderer serving a life sentence in a Texas prison could be confirmed as one of the worst serial killers in US history after he confessed to killing 90 women over nearly four decades. Samuel Little made the confession during an interview with law enforcement officials in May. Little’s known crimes stretch back to 1956.

8. Labour MP makes history with HIV revelation

A Labour MP has become the first to reveal he is HIV-positive in the House of Commons. Lloyd Russell-Moyle said the condition was “deeply misunderstood”, adding that he hoped his move to speak out would help diminish the stigma around the disease and increase understanding of it. The MP for Brighton Kemptown was praised by colleagues.

9. Southwest Airlines sorry about girl mocked over name

A US airline has apologised after a member of its staff mocked a five-year-old passenger’s name. Traci Redford and her daughter, Abcde - pronounced Ab-si-dee - were travelling home to El Paso, Texas, from California’s John Wayne Airport when the incident occurred. A Southwest Airlines gate agent allegedly laughed upon seeing the child’s boarding pass and then took a photo of it that was posted online.

10. Briefing: the diciest issues for G20

Representatives from the world’s major economies are facing major diplomatic challenges as they meet in Argentina this week for the annual G20 summit. So what are the trickiest topics on the agenda?

G20 summit: the diciest issues on the agenda