Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 24 Dec 2016

1. Netanyahu livid as US allows UN's anti-settlement resolution

Benjamin Netanyahu described a UN call to end illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land as "shameful". The document was passed after the US refused to veto it, breaking with long-standing American practice. However, the Israeli Prime Minister said he would not abide by the vote at the 15-member UN Security Council. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the development as a "big blow to Israeli policy".

2. Bank blacklist is 'blocking honest clients'

A blacklist used by British banks to identify terrorists and potential money launderers has become so large that it includes "honest clients" and details of a three-year-old member of the royal family, says The Times. The two million strong World-Check, a database of "high-risk" individuals including criminals and politicians, is used by dozens of the world’s largest banks to carry out compliance checks on existing and potential clients.

3. Theresa May calls for 'unity' in first Christmas message

Theresa May has called for a "bold new role" for Britain in her first Christmas message. The Prime Minister also said Britain must "unite" as we "move forward into the future". She also spoke about the meaning of the birth of Christ and of growing up in a vicarage, in what Sky News says is a "more religious [tone] than many of those of her predecessors as Prime Minister".

Subscribe to 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

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

4. Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher suffers heart attack

Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia, is in intensive care after suffering a heart attack during a flight. Fisher, 60, went into cardiac arrest minutes before the end of the journey from London to LA. According to TMZ, passengers attempted to revive her with CPR and she was taken to hospital when the plane landed. Her family says she in intensive care in Los Angeles.

5. North Pole heatwave set to break records today

Experts say temperatures at the North Pole could be up to 20 degrees higher than average this Christmas Eve, in a record-breaking heatwave. Scientists claim these unseasonably warm weather patterns in the Arctic region are directly linked to man-made climate change. Temperatures throughout November and December were 5C higher than average.

6. Donald Trump 'adopting same narrative as Islamic State'

Donald Trump has been accused of adopting the same narrative as Islamic State. The president-elect said the Berlin attack was a purely religious assault and asked when "will the US and all countries fight back". A spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American–Islamic Relations, said Trump "appears to have been adopting the false Isis worldview of a clash between Islam and the West".

7. Storms Barbara and Conor arrive in Britain

Storm Barbara has arrived in the UK with gusts of more than 70mph in some parts. The storm is expected to last throughout Christmas Eve, with northern Scotland bearing the brunt of the strong winds. The Met Office says a separate gale, named Storm Conor, is closing in. Weather authorities are forecasting winds possibly reaching 90mph in some areas.

8. UK-born Nasa astronaut dies of cancer at 61

UK-born astronaut Piers Sellers has died of pancreatic cancer, aged 61, Nasa has announced. Born in East Sussex, Dr Sellers began working for the US space agency as a scientist in 1982 before joining its astronaut corps in 1996. He made three Space Shuttle flights to the International Space Station, between 2002 and 2010. "Piers was dedicated to all facets of exploration," said Nasa administrator Charles Bolden.

9. Is Miranda Hart's mother the next Mary Berry?

Miranda Hart and her mother are rumoured to be in the frame for hosting the Great British Bake Off, according to the Daily Telegraph. Hart’s 77-year-old mother could become the new Mary Berry under plans being considered by Channel 4. Hart and her mum starred as double act for a charity edition of Googlebox on Channel 4 in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.

10. Sam Allardyce back in the game at Crystal Palace

Sam Allardyce promised to "bring joy" back to Crystal Palace after being appointed manager last night. The former England boss agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to succeed Alan Pardew after talks with Palace chairman Steve Parish at the club’s training ground yesterday afternoon. Allardyce spent 67 days and one game as England manager, before being caught in a newspaper 'sting'.