Your morning briefing: What you should know for Monday, November 12

The top stories you're waking up to today
Jason Collie12 November 2018

Californian wildfire set to become deadliest in state's history

Officials fear the death toll of 29 from a wildfire in northern California will certainly rise, with almost 230 people still missing.

The so-called Camp Fire has ravaged the town of Paradise and currently covers about 170 square miles.

Firefighters say gusty winds over the next few hours may give the blaze more impetus, and state officials have asked the White House for federal help.

If the death toll rises, it will become the deadliest fire in the state’s history. Two other people have died in a separate blaze in South California.

Johnson continues onslaught of May

Boris Johnson has urged the Cabinet to mutiny against Theresa May’s Brexit plan after claiming she is on the brink of total surrender to the EU.

The former foreign secretary says the UK would be reduced to being a colony under a backstop plan keeping it in a customs union if no solution to the Irish border issue is found.

Hopes of getting the Cabinet to sign off on Brexit proposals tomorrow appear to be receding after it was reported the EU will not agree to an independent arbitration clause allowing the UK to quit any backstop deal.

That apparent impasse will make it much harder for the PM to secure a special EU conference this month to settle Brexit terms.

German president joins Queen at Westminster Abbey Armistice service

The Queen and President of Germany heard prayers for a time of harmony during a service at Westminster Abbey last night marking the centenary of the Armistice.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was among those who delivered a reading during the service, making it in German.

The Queen was joined at the service not only by the Prime Minister and senior royals but by relatives of personnel who gave their lives during the First World War.

Armistice Day 2018

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Hunt to tackle Saudi's over Khashoggi death

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will confront Saudi officials about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi when he arrives in the country today.

Mr Hunt said he wanted Saudi Arabia to help deliver justice for Mr Khashoggi’s family, following the dissident’s death in the country’s Turkish consulate last month.

Mr Hunt is meeting both King Salman and the country's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He says he also wants to use the trip to help end the bloodshed in war-torn Yemen.

Danny John-Jules out of Strictly

Strictly viewers have said Danny John-Jules was the victim of a “stitch-up” as he was eliminated from the show last night.

The Red Dwarf actor was shown the door with only one of the four judges voting to save him following the dance-off against Graeme Swann.

His elimination comes after reports of a row with his professional dance partner Amy Dowden.

On this day…

1035: Death of Canute, Danish King of England

1859: The man who invented the leotard - Jules Leotard - gave the world's first flying trapeze display in Paris

1919: The first flight from England to Australia began from Hounslow with Ross and Keith Smith in a Vickers Vimy. They landed safely on December 10

1931: Abbey Road recording studio in London was opened by Sir Edward Elgar

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