Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 19 Dec 2015

1. Will Boris be appointed as foreign secretary?

Boris Johnson could get a chance to boost his leadership credentials as David Cameron considers appointing him foreign secretary after he quits as London mayor. A senior source close to the prime minister said he was considering handing Johnson a key cabinet position like foreign secretary in a bid to ensure he campaigns for Britain to stay in the EU.

2. UK wealth inequality has soared since 2012

The richest 1% of the population have as much wealth as the poorest 57% combined, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. The agency found overall wealth inequality has increased since 2012. The Independent also reveals that George Osborne has stepped up his private meetings with representatives of the UK’s big banks since the general election.

3. Washington hails UN's Syria 'milestone'

A United Nations plan for Syria is a "milestone" in the efforts to end the conflict in the country, according to John Kerry. The US secretary of state said the plan gave Syrians a "real choice... between war and peace". However, arguments continue over the future of president Assad. The unanimously agreed Security Council resolution makes no mention of a plan for the leader.

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4. PC universities are 'letting down a generation'

Increasingly politically correct British universities are stifling free speech by banning anything that causes the least offence to anyone, a group of leading academics has warned. A generation of students is being denied the “intellectual challenge of debating conflicting views” because self-censorship is turning campuses into over-sanitised “safe spaces”, say the academics in the Daily Telegraph.

5. Adolf Hitler really did have just one testicle

Hitler did have only one testicle, according to a German researcher. Long-lost medical notes seem to confirm that the Nazi leader suffered from cryptorchidism, or an undescended right testicle. Notes written by Dr Josef Steiner Brin, the medical officer at Landsberg prison, state “Adolf Hitler, artist, recently writer” was otherwise “healthy and strong”.

6. David Cameron hints at July 2016 EU poll

David Cameron has hinted that the UK will stage its referendum on membership of the European Union next summer, reports The Guardian. The prime minister also repeated his view that continued membership of the bloc is vital not just to economic security but to the fight against international terrorism. Next July is the strongly rumoured date for the poll.

7. Star Wars breaks opening night records

The new Star Wars movie has set an opening night box office record in the US and Canada. Star Wars: The Force Awakens took $57m (£38m) on Thursday night, beating the previous record of $43.5m held by Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011. Industry experts say the galactic giant could become the biggest selling movie of all time.

8. Doctors hand out Botox without checks

Doctors are putting patients at risk and breaching medical guidance by handing out Botox prescriptions without face-to-face consultations. The Times has found that the treatments — which can leave patients scarred or suffering facial paralysis — are often administered without an assessment. Ministers promised a clampdown on the “wild west” cosmetics industry two years ago.

9. Tories accused of gagging bullying victims

The Conservatives have been accused of trying to brush allegations of bullying under the carpet after gagging two former aides who claim they are victims. The two whistleblowers, Arianne Plumbly and Katie Woodland, were both threatened with legal action after speaking out against Lucy Allan MP. Labour’s John Mann said of Allan: “She’s unfit to be an MP.”

10. Guus Hiddink set for Stamford Bridge role

Former Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink is tipped to become Chelsea's interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. However, for Saturday's visit of Sunderland, Eddie Newton and Steve Holland will oversee the side. Leaders Leicester are at Everton, with Manchester United hosting Norwich City. Strugglers Aston Villa travel to Newcastle.