Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 27 Dec 2014

1. NORTH KOREA SLAMS ‘MONKEY’ OBAMA

North Korea has described US president Barack Obama as “reckless in words and deeds like a monkey in a tropical forest” over the release of the film The Interview. An NDC spokesman denounced the US for screening the "dishonest and reactionary movie hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and agitating terrorism".

2. LABOUR FACES SCOTLAND BLOODBATH

Labour faces humiliation at the polls in Scotland next year, according to a Guardian/ICM online survey. The Scottish National party, which took just 20% in 2010, has since more than doubled its vote to reach 43%. Scottish Labour, which polled 42% north of the border last time, has since tumbled by 16 points to just 26%.

3. WEATHER WARNINGS AS UK SHIVERS

The Met Office has issued severe weather alerts across Britain. Yellow alerts are in place in the East Midlands, the West Midlands, London and the South East of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland's South West, Wales and across several other regions. Snow has already caused travel disruption with Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport forced to close yesterday.

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4. FARAGE NAMED ‘MAN OF THE YEAR’

The Times has named Nigel Farage its man of the year. Explaining its controversial choice, the newspaper says 2014 has been “a stellar year for Ukip and its leader”. It adds: “After more than two decades on the fringes, the party has finally bulldozed its way into the political mainstream, led from the front by Mr Farage.”

5. SEX & DRUGS SEE UK OVERTAKE FRANCE

Britain has overtaken France to become the world's fifth largest economy, according to new analysis. The Centre for Economics and Business Research said Britain's ascendancy was boosted by the inclusion of sex and drugs to UK growth. France has refused to add the trades to their figures because it does not consider them to be "voluntary commercial activities".

6. COULD HACKERS CRASH YOUR CAR?

Hackers could control your car remotely, motorists are being warned. Millions of vehicles are at risk of being hacked by criminal gangs or terrorists who could extort cash, steal information or cause crashes, experts are claiming. The wireless networks and internet connections fitted in modern cars leave them vulnerable to attacks.

7. SHOPS: BOXING DAY SALES FALL FLAT

Online sales, the success of Cyber Monday and Black Friday, and predictions of snowfall combined to take the shine off Boxing Day sales yesterday. Although queues of bargain hunters formed outside major stores, the turnout was lower than expected, with footfall down 10.5% during the first few hours of trading yesterday compared with the same period last year.

8. SPEEDING FINES SOAR IN DIGITAL AGE

Speeding fines have risen to their highest level for four years as a new generation of digital speed cameras are introduced. More than 115,000 motorists in England and Wales were issued with fines of at least £100 by magistrates last year - the highest level since the coalition came into power in 2010. The Association of British Drivers says speeding tickets are now simply a “cash cow”.

9. ALL KINGS CROSS TRAINS CANCELLED

Thousands of rail passengers are facing major disruption as all trains to and from London King's Cross have been cancelled because of overrunning engineering. The move, which Network Rail described as "regrettable and unfortunate", comes as thousands of people are likely to be travelling following the Christmas break.

10. WENGER: GIROUD ‘DESERVED’ RED CARD

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud “deserved” the be sent off for his headbutt during yesterday’s 2-1 victory over QPR. "Madness is a strong word - he didn't kill him,” said Wenger. “But he touched him and should not have done it." Leaders Chelsea beat West Ham 2-0, with second-placed Manchester City keeping up the pressure with a 3-1 win over West Brom.