5 Things You Need To Know (18/8/17)

Welcome to our daily update, where we summarise the key talking points from the last 24 hours.

1. Barcelona

A huge manhunt is underway for Moussa Oukabir, the eighteen year old man who police believe rented the van which drove into pedestrians in Barcelona on Thursday. The terrorist attack, which has been claimed by Islamic State, killed thirteen and injured many others. A second terrorist attack occurred later that evening in the town of Cambrils, killing one person. Police killed five suspected terrorists at the scene.

Police believe the suspects involved with the incidents were planning even bigger attacks.

2. UK visitors are increasing

UK visitors increased to 3.5 million in June, a rise of 7% from the same month in 2016, figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown.

This increase could be attributed to the weaker pound, which has made the UK more affordable for some foreign visitors. Indeed, visitors from the United States are up 34%.

3. Brexit deal

A UK trade deal with the EU after Brexit is “not essential” according to the Institute Of Economic Affairs think tank.

“We could unilaterally eliminate all import tariffs, which would give us most of the benefits of trade, and export to the EU under the umbrella of the WTO rules.

“Then we can seek free-trade deals with all major trading partners, including the EU,” IEA Director Jamie Whyte said.

4. Heineken cleared to takeover Punch Taverns

The UK competition watchdog has cleared the way for Heineken to takeover Punch Taverns, which would be one of the biggest deals in the UK pub industry for year.

The purchase will make Heineken the UK’s third biggest pub operator.

5. Sir Bruce Forsyth

Veteran entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth has died at the age of 89. The former host of The Generation Game and Strictly Come Dancing enjoyed a career that spanned seven decades.

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