Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 2 Feb 2016

1. Ted Cruz beats Donald Trump in Iowa caucus

Ted Cruz has won the Iowa Republican caucus, the first vote of the US 2016 presidential election. "Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives," said the Texas senator, who pushed billionaire Donald Trump into second place. In the Democrat vote, Hillary Clinton is believed to be in a virtual dead heat with her rival Bernie Sanders as some results remain outstanding.

2. EU: Britain poised for June referendum

Britain is set for a June referendum on membership of the European Union after David Cameron said a draft deal aimed at keeping Britain in the EU will deliver the "substantial change" he has been demanding. The PM said there was "detail to be worked on" before a crunch summit on later this month February. The deal allows for an "emergency brake" on migrant benefits.

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Remain-voting City lobby group calls for 'dramatic Brexit U-turn'

3. Facebook ready for $2bn tax - but not in Britain

Facebook has set aside more than $2bn (£1.4bn) to settle global tax disputes while refusing to give the British taxman a penny, claims The Times. Mark Zuckerberg’s company, which paid £4,327 in British corporation tax in 2014, is challenging an audit by HMRC into its operations between 2010 and 2014. The news drags the social networking giant into the spotlight following the Google controversy.

4. Zika is an 'international emergency' says WHO

The Zika virus outbreak should be considered a "public health emergency of international concern", the World Health Organisation has announced. Brazil has warned pregnant women to stay away from this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro amid growing concern over the virus, which is blamed for causing a surge in brain-damaged babies.

Zika virus: tests support links to birth defects and paralysis

5. Health: will loneliness destroy the NHS?

Loneliness among older people could cripple the NHS, warns a top doctor. The problem could create drastic funding issues due to the costs of caring for isolated elderly patients in hospital, says Professor Keith Willett, the director for acute care with NHS England. He said hospitals could be transformed into "dormitories for older people" sent to A&E because they lack a support structure at home.

6. Sainsbury's makes £1.3bn bid to buy Argos

Sainsbury's has bid £1.3bn to buy Argos owner Home Retail Group as it seeks to "future-proof" its business. The offer is worth 161.3p a share, more than 60% more than Home Retail was worth in January when news of Sainsbury's interest broke. The supermarket hopes to make savings by moving some Argos stores into shops and selling its own clothing and homeware ranges.

Sainsbury's halts talks on Nisa buyout

7. Simon Danczuk investigated over expenses claims

Labour politician Simon Danczuk is being investigated over questions surrounding some of his accommodation expenses claims. The inquiry was launched by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority after a complaint from a member of the public. The Rochdale MP, who has been suspended by the party over separate allegations, says he is co-operating with the investigation.

8. Frank Bruno warned boxing comeback could kill him

Frank Bruno has been warned he could die if he returns to the boxing ring. The 54-year-old former boxer, who has struggled with mental illness since he quit the sport in 1996, announced the intention during a television interview yesterday. However, boxing promoter Frank Warren said: "If he does fight, he is putting his life at risk. It is that serious."

9. Transfer window closes after £175m spending

Spending in football's January transfer window reached a five-year high of £175m. Premier League clubs have now spent a record £1.045bn on transfers in the 2015-16 season. Stoke City broke their record to grab Porto's Giannelli Imbula for £18.3m, while Everton splashed out £13.5m on Lokomotiv Moscow striker Oumar Niasse.

Deadline Day transfer news: Premier League spending reaches £1bn

10. Briefing: Cash paves way for driverless cars testing

Self-driving cars are to receive a £20m boost from the government. The investment will go to eight new projects - six focused on "accelerating autonomous and connected vehicles from an infrastructure and business point of view" and two to develop driverless city centre shuttles to help the disabled and visually impaired. There are also plans to equip 40 miles of UK motorway with sensors for live, in-traffic autonomous-car testing.

Driverless cars to be tested on public roads

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