Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 5 Dec 2014

1. DEMONSTRATIONS IN US OVER ‘CHOKEHOLD’

There has been a second night of angry demonstrations in US cities including New York and Washington DC over the refusal of a grand jury to charge a white policeman who put a black suspect in a stranglehold shortly before his death. Civil rights leaders say the decision is a “travesty of justice”.

Grand jury: how it works and why it is used

2. OSBORNE COMPLAINS OF ‘HYPERBOLIC’ PRESS

As the chancellor, George Osborne, complains of “hyperbolic” press coverage of his spending plans, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned his “colossal” cuts to public spending might force a “fundamental re-imagining of the state”. Osborne said his previous cuts had no led to the “world falling in”.

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3. SCOTLAND LOWERS DRINK DRIVE LIMIT

The drink-drive limit has been lowered in Scotland from today, in line with most of the rest of Europe. The new level is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The level remains 80mg in the rest of the UK, the joint-highest in Europe. The average man can now drive after slightly less than a pint of beer in Scotland.

Scottish drivers face tougher drink-driving rules

4. RAIL FARES TO RISE BY 2.2% NEXT YEAR

Commuters are facing an average rise in rail ticket prices of 2.2% from 2 January, with the average rise in cost for a season ticket being 2.5%. While the hike will take many season ticket costs over £5,000, it is still the smallest increase for five years. Off-peak leisure tickets are likely to rise furthest.

Rail fares rise: what can you buy for the price of a return train ticket?

5. PREMIER FOODS ASK SUPPLIERS FOR CASH

One of the UK’s biggest manufacturers, Premier Foods, has told the smaller businesses which supply it with raw materials and ingredients that they must make a cash payment to keep doing business. The firm - whose brands include Mr Kipling, Bisto and Oxo - claims the scheme is entirely legal.

6. ELGIN MARBLES STATUE LENT TO RUSSIA

For the first time, the British Museum is lending one of the Elgin Marbles overseas. The river god Ilissos has been lent to the Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia, despite diplomatic tensions over the Ukraine. Greece has repeatedly called for the marbles, bought by Lord Elgin in the 19th century, to be returned.

Elgin Marbles loaned to Russia: should they be back in Greece?

7. PRISONER BOOK BAN 'UNLAWFUL'

The High Court has ruled that a government ban on sending books to prisoners in England and Wales is unlawful. The ban was introduced a year ago as part of a scheme to limit what prisoners can receive in parcels. But Mr Justice Collins said he could see "no good reason" to restrict access to books. The Prison Service said the ruling was "surprising".

8. BREASTFEED IN A CORNER, SAYS FARAGE

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has said that women should "perhaps sit in the corner" while breastfeeding in public. Speaking on his LBC radio phone-in show he said "ostentatious" breastfeeding made some people "feel very uncomfortable". He had been asked about an incident in Claridge's in which a woman was asked to cover up.

9. NASA LAUNCHES ORION SPACE CAPSULE

Nasa has finally launched its Orion capsule, designed to carry humans beyond the International Space Station to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. The test, which was aborted on Thursday, finally took place on Friday morning. The capuse was due to be sent into space and then re-enter the Earth's atmosphere to test its heat shield and parachutes.

Orion: Nasa's 'Mars ship' set for test mission

10. HOT TICKET: BLACK SEA SUB THRILLER

British adventure thriller Black Sea opens in UK cinemas today. Jude Law stars as a retrenched submarine captain who puts together a motley crew of misfits to hunt for lost Nazi gold in the depths of the Black Sea. "Engrossing," says Time Out.

Black Sea – reviews of 'gripping' submarine thriller