Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 22 Jul 2018

Poll shows backing for Boris and far-right policies

A new poll found that the public believes Boris Johnson is better placed than Theresa May to negotiate with Brussels and lead the Tories into the next general election. The YouGov research also found that about 38% would vote for a new right-wing party that was committed to Brexit, while 24% are prepared to support a far-right anti-immigrant, anti-Islam party.

Hospital beds for acute mental illness patients fall 30%

The number of hospital beds for people with acute mental health conditions has fallen by almost 30% since 2009, reports The Observer. The significant drop comes despite repeated claims from Theresa May that improving care for the mentally ill is now a top priority. Paul Farmer, chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, said: "Mental health services have often been seen as a soft target for cuts."

Outcry as Blair strikes deal with the Saudi government

Tony Blair is advising the Saudi government as part of a £9m deal with his "institute for global change", reveals the Sunday Telegraph. The former PM’s company is helping support the Saudi Crown Prince's modernisation programme, under a "not for profit" arrangement. The news has sparked an outcry, because of the brutality of the Saudi regime.

Ministers still being persuaded over Brexit plan says Raab

Dominic Raab, the UK's new Brexit secretary, has told the Sunday Telegraph he is still persuading other cabinet ministers that the government strategy for leaving the European Union is the "best plan." Taking an uncompromising stance, Raab also said Britain will refuse to pay its £39bn divorce bill to Brussels if the EU fails to agree a trade deal.

RAF jets 'being used to fly tourists to their destinations'

RAF jets are being used to transport holidaymakers, claims the Mail on Sunday. The A330s are made available for commercial flights when they are not needed by the Ministry of Defence, even though they were purchased under a £10.5bn private finance deal. A source close to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson described the arrangement as a "poor historic deal" that is squeezing the department's budget.

Netanyahu introduced 'apartheid' law 'with eye on election'

Benjamin Netanyahu ushered in the controversial nation state law to ensure his own political survival, says The Sunday Times. Politicians and pundits in Israel argue that he introduced the law, which states that "the expression of national self-determination in the state of Israel is unique to the Jewish people", because the country goes to the polls next year.

UK's youngest terrorist asks court to grant him anonymity

Britain’s youngest convicted terrorist is seeking to keep his identity secret by asking the courts for anonymity for life. The convict from Blackburn, Lancashire, plotted at the age of 14 plotted to behead police officers. He was jailed for life in October 2015 for inciting terrorism. If successful, he will join some of the country’s most notorious offenders who have been allowed to hide their offences.

'Hindu vigilantes' kill Muslim for transporting cows

Suspected vigilantes in India killed a Muslim man transporting two cows, just over a year after a similar attack highlighted the rise of pro-Hindu fringe groups. Police in Rajasthan said a group of five to seven people surrounded the man and beat him to death on suspicion of smuggling the animals. Many Hindus regard the cow as sacred, but Indian Muslims trade cattle for slaughter and consumption.

French minister says 'jungle' trade war is already happening

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire says a trade war is now a reality. As G20 ministers gather for a summit in Argentina, he said the current US trade policy of imposing unilateral tariffs is based on "the law of the jungle". However, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin defended the tariffs and encouraged the EU and China to open their markets to allow free competition.

Steve Bannon to establish rightwing foundation in Europe

Steve Bannon is to launch a foundation in Europe designed to fuel the spread of rightwing populism across the continent. Speaking to the Daily Beast, Donald Trump’s former chief advisor in the White House said he plans to offer a rightwing alternative to George Soros’s Open Society Foundation, which has donated $32bn to largely liberal causes since it was established in 1984.