Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 29 Dec 2015

1. Iraq declares Ramadi liberated from IS

Iraq has said that the city of Ramadi, lost to Islamic State (IS) in May, has now been "liberated" from the group. However, one Iraqi general disagreed, saying IS fighters still control around 30% of the city. Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi appeared on TV vowing to push the group out of the country altogether, starting by retaking Mosul.

2. Storm Frank to bring fresh floods to North

Another storm is threatening to bring yet more flooding to parts of the north of England and to southern and central Scotland. Storm Frank is forecast to sweep across the UK from this evening. There are nine severe flood warnings – meaning 'danger to life' – in force, mostly in York. David Cameron visited flooded areas yesterday.

3. Corbyn challenges Cameron to annual debate

Jeremy Corbyn has challenged David Cameron to an annual 'state of the nation' TV debate with the other party leaders, saying it is "crucial" that the government is held to account throughout its term of office and "not just at election time". Tim Farron of the Lib Dems and Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP said they would take part.

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4. 'Tens of thousands' of UK jobs to go in 2016

The manufacturer's organisation EEF is warning that tens of thousands of jobs will be lost in UK factories next year as they struggle against a tough export market. The knock-on effects of the demise of the steel industry and reduced North Sea oil production will also be a factor. Sectors including car making will buck the trend.

5. More people sleeping rough in countryside

British charities say there is an alarming rise in the number of people sleeping rough in the countryside, which may not be reflected in official figures on homelessness because they focus on cities. The south-west of England is particularly hit. A charity in Wells, Somerset, says it is supporting 20 rural rough sleepers.

6. Motorhead's Lemmy dead at age of 70

Lemmy, bassist and singer of Motorhead, has died at the age of 70, two days after being told he had cancer. Born Ian Fraser Kilmister in Stoke-on-Trent, he was the only permanent member of a group credited with introducing the punk sound to the heavy metal genre. According to the BBC, Lemmy died at home with his family in LA.

7. Palmyra arch to be recreated in London

The last remnant of the Temple of Bel, one of the archaeological wonders of Syria destroyed by Islamic State, is to be recreated in Trafalgar Square, using a 3D printer. The 2000-year-old arch, which stands 50 feet high, is being reproduced by the Institute of Digital Archaeology to highlight the fate of archaeology during war.

8. DNA analysis explains ancient Celtic origins

The genetic codes of ancient human remains from Ireland have been analysed, helping to explain where Celtic peoples originated. The DNA of a 5,200-year-old Neolithic female and a 4,000-year-old male from the Bronze Age were sequenced. They were more closely related to modern day southern Europeans than later Irish inhabitants.

9. Qatari royals take nine jets to Switzerland

Members of Qatar's royal family flew to Switzerland in a fleet of nine jets, including an Airbus, making emergency landings at Zurich-Kloten airport, after the emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani broke his leg at the weekend. The landings happened overnight, despite the airport usually forbidding night flights to avoid noise.

10. Briefing: the nine strangest festive traditions

Christmas is a time for giving, a time for receiving and - in various parts of the world - a time for tossing shoes, roller-skating to church and feasting on KFC. Read The Week's nine strangest Christmas traditions from around the world.

The strangest Christmas customs from around the world