Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 20 Dec 2016

1. Berlin lorry crash 'was terrorist attack', say officials

Twelve people were killed and 48 injured when a man drove a lorry into a crowd at a Berlin Christmas market yesterday in a "probable terrorist attack", authorities say. Police detained a suspect, who is reported to be an Afghan or Pakistani refugee, close to the scene, but say they cannot be sure he was behind the wheel.

Berlin attack: Anis Amri shot dead in Milan

2. Russia condemns murder of ambassador

Russia has condemned the murder of its ambassador to Turkey yesterday as a "provocation" aimed at disrupting the "peace process in Syria". Andrei Karlov was shot dead by off-duty Turkish policeman Mevlut Mert Aydintas, who said he was avenging deaths in Aleppo.

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US and Russia spar over vetoed Syria sanctions

3. Donald Trump wins electoral college vote

Donald Trump has formalised his victory in November's election with the Electoral College casting its votes to make him the next US president. He secured the necessary 270 votes despite a campaign encouraging the electors to vote against him. Thousands of anti-Trump protesters gathered in state capitals yesterday.

Donald Trump sued by two states over business links

4. Queen to step down as patron of charities

The Queen is to step down as patron of 25 organisations at the end of this year, Buckingham Palace says. She will give up her roles with charities including the NSPCC, Save the Children, Barnardo's and Battersea Dog's Home and organisations including the Rugby Football Union, the Lawn Tennis Association and the Royal Geographical Society. Other Royals will take over.

5. Laser treatment for prostate 'is a leap forward'

A new therapy for prostate cancer had been called a "truly huge leap forward" by researchers at University College London. Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy, which uses laser light to activate a drug, does not cause the side-effects associated with current treatments, including impotence or incontinence, and has a better success rate.

6. Wimbledon champion Kvitova stabbed in burglary

Petra Kvitova, the two-time Wimbledon champion, says she is "lucky to be alive" after a knife attack at her home on Tuesday, that left her with a "severe" injury to her left, playing, hand. Her publicist, Karel Tejkal, said the 26-year-old was stabbed during a "random" burglary and had not been deliberately targeted.

Petra Kvitova 'lucky to be alive' after knife attack

7. Brexit 'could worsen NHS nurse shortage'

Brexit will cause a severe shortage of nurses in the NHS, exacerbating an existing shortfall, suggests analysis by the Institute for Employment Studies. The NHS has recruited heavily from countries including Spain, Portugal and Ireland in recent years, but there is already a growing reluctance from EU nurses to work in the UK.

8. MH370 search 'should shift further north'

Australian search teams say they have a "high degree of confidence" they have spent two years searching the wrong part of the Indian Ocean for the wreckage of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. They have spent £117m combing 46,000sq-miles, but say new data suggest they should look further north.

9. Ed Miliband becomes 'flu man' in US

An image of former Labour leader Ed Miliband has been appearing on network news in the US as part of a campaign to warn viewers about the dangers of flu. A shot of the politician blowing his nose during the party conference in 2011 has featured heavily on NBC news, which was apparently unaware he is a well-known figure.

10. Briefing: What does the fall of Aleppo mean for Syria?

The battle for Aleppo is over. Russian officials have declared mission accomplished in their joint action with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the former rebel stronghold, while civilians and opposition fighters are being evacuated into the surrounding countryside under military escort. However, victory will be a far from simple affair, warn experts.