Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 21 Dec 2016

1. Berlin: Police hunt for lorry attacker

A manhunt is underway across Europe for the prime suspect in Monday's lorry attack, in which 12 people were killed at a Christmas market in Berlin. Images of the man, named only as Anis A, have been released. Born in Tunisia in 1992 he entered Germany in 2015, but was facing deportation. Islamic State has claimed it was responsible.

Berlin attack: Anis Amri shot dead in Milan

2. Obama bans oil-drilling in Arctic waters

Outgoing US President Barack Obama has permanently banned drilling for oil in millions of acres of US-owned waters in the Arctic and Atlantic ocean. The move is being seen as an attempt to safeguard the environment from president-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to drill in protected areas.

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Arctic ice machine to halt melting caps

3. House price growth predicted to slow in 2017

House price growth in the UK will slow to 3% next year, about half the rate it reached in 2016, says the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, but demand will still outstrip supply. The group's prediction for 2016, which it made last year, is proving to be accurate.

4. Trump videoed 'saying every offensive, racist thing ever'

US actor Tom Arnold says he has a video showing Donald Trump saying "every offensive, racist thing ever... saying the N-word, saying the C-word, calling his son a retard..." during a recording of The Apprentice. Arnold said he was asked to release the footage during the US election but had signed a confidentiality clause when he appeared on the show.

5. At least 29 die in fireworks explosion at Mexican market

At least 29 people have died and at least 60 been injured in a huge explosion at a fireworks market in Mexico. The Red Cross said it had sent 35 ambulances and 70 volunteers, while the military has been deployed to transport the injured to hospital using helicopters and other vehicles.

Mexico City fireworks blast kills 29

6. Farage faces legal action over charity claim

Nigel Farage faces the threat of legal action from campaigning charity Hope Not Hate after he accused the widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox of having links to extremism because of his support for the group. The former Ukip leader was speaking about the Berlin attacks on LBC radio when he made the claim.

Hope Not Hate crowdfunds lawsuit against Nigel Farage

7. EU court rules against May's 'snooper's charter'

Theresa May's "snoopers' charter" has suffered a blow after the EU's highest court ruled governments cannot impose blanket, or "indiscriminate", monitoring of their citizens' electronic communications. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling came in response to challenge originally brought by David Davis, the Brexit minister.

EU judges hit Theresa May's 'snoopers' charter'

8. Increased security in London after Berlin attack

Security at Buckingham Palace has been tightened in the wake of the lorry attack in Berlin and roads around the palace will now be closed during the changing the guard ceremony at the palace. The three-month trial has been brought forward after the terror attack. Police say they have detailed security plan in place for Christmas and New Year.

UK police step up security following Berlin and Turkey attacks

9. 'Smog refugees' flee north China cities

Tens of thousands of "smog refugees" are reported to have fled the north of China, where a pollution red alert was issued last Friday. Chinese media reports that flights to pollution-free regions are packed. One travel agent says 150,000 will head abroad to escape the smog this month.

10. Briefing: Five tips to cut the cost of your Christmas travel

The vast majority of us will be making journeys of one form or another over the Christmas period. Whether you're driving to visit family, taking the train to work or for a night out, or flying abroad for a festive break there are a number of ways you can keep your costs down.

Five tips to cut the cost of your Christmas travel