1. British values oath proposed for public office
Anyone wishing to hold public office may be required to swear an oath of allegiance to British values, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has hinted. The pledge would be expected to cover elected officials, civil servants and council workers. The proposal comes after a report on social cohesion by Dame Louise Casey, which claimed that some sections of society did not accept British values.
2. US reaches 'understanding' with China as Trump lashes out
Washington says it has "secured an understanding" with China that it will return an underwater drone seized in the South China Sea on Thursday. However, US president-elect Donald Trump accused the Chinese of "stealing". In his latest bout of Twitter diplomacy, he added: "We should tell China that we don't want the drone they stole back - let them keep it!"
3. TUC and BCC join forces in migrants plea
The TUC and the British Chambers of Commerce have urged Theresa May to act on rights of migrants, saying uncertainty over 3.2m EU citizens in UK will inflict "serious damage" on the economy. In a strongly worded letter to the Prime Minister, the two groups say that further delays will be bad for business, families, local communities, and public services, such as the NHS.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
4. Government proposes pornography classes for all kids
Pupils will be taught about pornography, sexting, domestic violence and consent as the government draws up proposals to make sex compulsory in all schools. The plans, which could be included in amendments to the Children and Social Work Bill, currently before parliament, aim to broaden what is taught at present. Christian, Jewish and Muslim schools could lose their right to opt out of such teaching.
5. Robert Mugabe, 92, selected to fight another election
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who turns 93 in February, has been endorsed as the ruling party's candidate in a national election scheduled for 2018. The ruling ZANU-PF party announced its support for his candidacy, with the party's youth wing even going as far as proposing that the controversial Mugabe should rule for life with broad powers. Mugabe has been in office since 1980.
6. Paint thinner discovered in Lidl gravy granules
A dangerous paint thinner chemical has been found in gravy granules sold by Lidl. The discount chain is recalling two batches of its Kania Gravy Granules after they were discovered to have been contaminated with xylene. The supermarket said: "Lidl UK is recalling Kania Gravy Granules, Meat and Chicken, 300g, Best Before Date October 2017 and November 2017 only."
7. Farage wants to be a 'bridge' between Trump and UK
Nigel Farage has said he wants to be a "bridge" between the UK and Donald Trump's incoming US administration. Speaking to the BBC, the former UKIP leader claimed cabinet ministers had been banned from talking to him. Farage has held three meetings with the president-elect, who has said Farage would make a good UK ambassador, but Downing Street has rejected that suggestion.
8. Rail union leader hopes to 'bring down Tory government'
A union leader behind the rail strikes causing disruption for millions says he is aiming to "bring down this bloody working-class-hating Tory government". The president of the RMT, Sean Hoyle, said that "rule No 1" for his union, whose members have held a string of strikes on the unhappy Southern rail network, was to "strive to replace the capitalist system with a socialist order".
9. Did cold showers spark Birmingham prison riot?
Cold showers are thought to have been the cause of the worst prison riot for a generation. A lack of hot water available to inmates at HMP Birmingham on Friday is believed to sparked an escalation of trouble that resulted in 600 prisoners taking over four wings of the maximum-security jail for 12 hours, burning files, seizing riot gear and defiantly taking selfies.
10. Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton crowned winners of Strictly
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton have been crowned champions in the final of Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC sports presenter beat finalists Danny Mac and Louise Redknapp to lift the glitterball trophy. Oduba called his victory "the most incredible experience of my life". Saturday's final also marked Len Goodman's last appearance as a judge. His replacement has yet to be announced.
