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Your morning briefing: What you should know for Friday, July 19

14 hurt as cars 'smash into crowds watching boy racers'

At least 14 people have been injured as two cars reportedly ploughed in a spectators watching “boy racers” in Stevenage.

Police said some of those hurt were being treated for serious injuries after the crash at about 9.45pm last night.

Witnesses have described how a car smashed into a crowd who were watching enthusiasts show of their modified cars.

Footage showed a number of cars speeding up and down the street as dozens watched on.

US warship destroys Iranian drone amid heightened tensions

A US warship has destroyed an Iranian drone that came within "threatening distance" in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident marks a new escalation between the countries less than one month after Iran downed an American drone.

Donald Trump blamed Iran for a "provocative and hostile" action and said the US responded in self-defence.

He called on other countries to condemn what he says are Iran's attempts to disrupt global commerce in the Persian Gulf.

Boris pledges end to Brexit delay 'bad dream'

Boris Johnson has claimed the last three years under Theresa May will seem like a "bad dream" once he delivers Brexit.

The Tory leadership favourite insisted he would stick to his commitment to get the UK out of the EU on October 31.

Mr Johnson used a Daily Express interview to again stress that the UK will leave the bloc "come what may,” with or without a deal.

Kyoto fire victim fund tops $1m

More than $1 million has been raised in less than 24 hours to help victims of a devastating fire that left 33 people dead in Kyoto, Japan.

A man burst into the Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) building and started what turned into a deadly blaze yesterday morning.

US anime company Sentai Filmworks responded to the tragedy by setting up a crowdfunding appeal titled ‘Help KyoAni Heal’.

The campaign instantly sparked international support, receiving more than $100,000 in just two hours.

By the early hours of this morning, the total topped $1 million.

Lucy McHugh's father condemns killer's 'evil desire'

The father of murdered schoolgirl Lucy McHugh has condemned her killer’s "cruelty and violence against our defenceless little girl".

Andy McHugh said that Stephen Nicholson's "evil desire for sexual gratification" led to the "brutal destruction" of his daughter, 13.

Stephen Nicholson, 25, was convicted of her murder as well as three counts of rape when she was aged 12.

Lucy was lured by Nicholson to woodland in Southampton on July 25 last year.

He stabbed her 27 times in the neck and upper chest.

Netball World Cup: England top group

England fired a message to their Netball World Cup rivals with a dominant 58-47 win over South Africa.

The victory in their final group game in Liverpool set up a semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday.

The South Africans must recover in time to face favourites and triple defending champions Australia.

On this day…

1545: The Mary Rose, pride of Henry VIII's battle fleet, sank in the Solent with the loss of 700 lives. It was raised on October 11 1982 and taken to Portsmouth Dockyard.

1843: At Wapping Dock, Prince Albert launched the world's largest ship, Brunel's 3,270-ton Great Britain.

1848: At a convention in Seneca Falls, New York state, female rights campaigner Amelia Bloomer introduced "bloomers" to the world, which she described as "the lower part of a rational dress".

1990: MPs voted in favour of permanent televising of the House of Commons.