UK: Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 1 Nov 2017
Five of the eight people killed by a terrorist driving a truck along a cycle lane in New York yesterday were Argentinian friends on a trip to the city to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation. Another two were Belgian nationals. The suspect, shot by police but still alive, is 29-year-old Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov.
The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into a claim by journalist Kate Maltby that First Secretary of State Damian Green put his hand on her knee. Green, effectively Theresa May’s deputy, said the allegation was “untrue” and “deeply hurtful” and insisted he had never made “any sexual advances” on Maltby, a family friend.
A senior US official says President Donald Trump will not visit the heavily armed border between North and South Korea when he travels to the peninsula during a 12-day tour of Asia starting on Saturday. There is a tradition of US presidents showing support to South Korea by visiting the border but the official said it had become “a cliche”.
A new report by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) warns that of the recommended 35 portions of fruit and vegetables per person per week, just one is grown in the UK and picked by non-EU workers. That means the country faces serious health implications if it leaves the EU without a trade deal, according to the RSA report.
The head of a new watchdog, the NHS Counter Fraud Agency, says she will crack down on “despicable” fraud which costs the NHS more than £1.25bn annually. Sue Frith says patient fraud includes people wrongly claiming for exemption from prescription charges, while dentists claim £70m for NHS work they have not done.
An arrest warrant has been issued for US actor Rose McGowan over controlled substances left on plane in January. Police have reportedly had the warrant since February and have been trying to reach McGowan, one of the women who accuse producer Harvey Weinstein of harassment. She asked on Twitter: “Are they trying to silence me?”
Online producer Netflix has suspended production of its hit series House of Cards immediately, after star Kevin Spacey was accused of a sexual assault on a 14-year-old, 31 years ago. Netflix announced on Monday that it would not commission a new series of the show. The latest decision could delay the launch of the new series.
Australia is to ban climbing on Uluru, the World Heritage site previously known as Ayers Rock, from October 2019 because it is sacred to the local Anangu aboriginal people. There have long been signs asking visitors not to climb the rock out of respect – but they were ignored by 16% of visitors to the site between 2011 and 2015.
The winner of the first Channel 4 Great British Bake Off has been named – officially this time. Former army officer Sophie Faldo said winning was “pretty mega”. Judge Prue Leith accidentally tweeted “Bravo Sophie” 11 hours early, saying later she was confused by time difference between the UK and Bhutan, where she was visiting.
France’s Emmanuel Macron, Ireland’s Leo Varadkar, Estonia’s Juri Ratas and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern have a lot in common - as part of a group of under-40s leading their nations and a political revolution.
And as The Times says: “The baby leaders club is swelling.”
With young political stars sweeping to power worldwide, some commentators are asking whether Britain is missing an opportunity.
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