Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 18 Jan 2019

1. May ‘might stop Bercow from getting peerage’

An unnamed source has told the BBC that the Government may block John Bercow from getting a peerage when he retires as Commons speaker, such is their anger at what they perceive as his bias on Brexit. It is customary for holders of the title to become a cross-bench peer after leaving the job. Bercow has also faced allegations of bullying, which he denies.

2. Prince Philip ‘dazzled by sun’ in car accident

Prince Philip told police he was dazzled by sunlight after his Land Rover was hit side-on by another vehicle as he pulled out of a driveway at the Sandringham Estate yesterday, the Daily Mail claims. The 97-year-old is said to be unhurt, despite his vehicle rolling over. The two other people involved were treated in hospital for minor injuries.

3. Pharmacists warn of medicine shortages

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is warning of “a massive shortage and price spikes” for drugs including painkillers, anti-depressants and blood pressure pills. The number of drugs listed on the Department of Health’s “shortage of supply” list for England has risen from 45 in October to 80, and there are fears that Brexit will worsen the crisis.

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4. Boris Johnson to make ‘disloyal’ speech

Boris Johnson is to make a “major” speech today that will be seen as a “further act of disloyalty” as he sets out his stall to lead the Conservatives, Sky News reports. Johnson will reportedly say that Brexit should be treated as a chance to “bring our nation together” and close the “gap in attainments and prospects” between London and the rest of the UK.

5. Favourite to lead Germany begs ‘stop Brexit’

The woman considered favourite to be the next leader of Germany is among two dozen prominent Germans from the fields of politics, industry and the arts who have written a letter published in The Times today that entreats the UK not to leave the EU. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and her fellow signatories say that Britons that “no choice is irreversible … our door will always remain open”.

6. Trump blocks Pelosi from visiting troops

US President Donald Trump has intensified his feud with House speaker Nancy Pelosi, blocking her from a planned visit to troops in Afghanistan by not allowing her the use of military aircraft to get there. The move comes a day after after veteran Democratic lawmaker Pelosi said the president should postpone his annual State of the Union address over security fears.

7. ‘Arrogant’ student jailed for sex attack

A 22-year-old named the “maddest fresher” by an Edinburgh University student magazine has been jailed for three years and placed on the sex offenders register for life after attacking an 18-year-old he met on dating app Tinder. Felix Beck, was described by the judge, Lord Uist, as having a “sense of sexual entitlement and arrogance”.

8. Ryanair issues profits warning as fares fall

Ryanair has issued its second profit warning in four months, blaming lower than expected winter air fares. The budget airline now expects annual profits of between €1bn (£880m) and €1.1bn (£970m), down from €1.1bn to €1.2bn (£1.06bn). However, the company said it believes the 7% drop in fares will also cause its rivals trouble, and pointed out that several budget carriers are for sale.

9. Nursing mother sets race record

A 35-year-old breastfeeding mother has become the first woman to win the 268-mile Montane Spine Race, running from Derbyshire to Scotland in a record time of 83 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds - 12 hours faster than the previous best time. Jasmin Paris beat all the male entrants despite having slept just three hours, causing her to hallucinate.

10. Briefing: how to see the super blood wolf moon eclipse

Uninformed stargazers may be in for a shock within the coming days when a rare celestial phenomenon turns the Moon dark red.

The so-called super blood wolf moon, a form of total lunar eclipse, will be visible in North America on Sunday night and in Europe the following evening. As well as seemingly turning a deep orange-red colour, the Moon will appear greatly increased in size.

Super wolf blood moon - in pictures