Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 13 Jan 2017

1. Village evacuated as snow and wind hits UK

Severe weather warnings have been issued for high winds, snow and ice across the UK, while the village of Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, has been evacuated for fear of flooding. Further north, the army is on standby for possible floods in Skegness, Lincolnshire, and residents have been urged to leave their homes or move upstairs.

Travel chaos and evacuations as snowstorms batter UK

2. China warns US risks war over Trump threats

China has warned of a "large-scale war" if president-elect Donald Trump makes good on campaign statements pledging to blockade islands in the South China Sea. Beijing has built fortifications on the islands, but Trump's future secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, has said accessing them "is not going to be allowed".

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3. Russia says US troops in Poland are a threat

Russia has spoken out against the biggest build-up of US troops in Europe since the Cold War, with around 1,000 of an eventual 4,000 soldiers arriving in Poland. The Nato deployment is intended to reassure Baltic states nervous about Russian aggression. Moscow said it considers the mission a threat to national security.

Russia hits out at biggest US military build-up in Europe since Cold War

4. Syria accuses Israel of airport rocket attack

Syria has accused Israel of carrying out a "flagrant" rocket attack on Mezzeh Military Airport west of Damascus this morning. Military officials said several missiles were launched just after midnight, but did not say whether there were any casualties. The army also warned Israel of "repercussions".

Syria 'planning a new chemical attack', US claims

5. Tristram Hunt MP resigns to take over at V&A

Labour MP Tristram Hunt is to stand down as an MP to become the director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum. His resignation will trigger a by-election in the vulnerable seat of Stoke on Trent Central. Hunt, who was a TV historian before becoming an MP, has been a fierce critic of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Stoke by-election: Tristram Hunt quits for V&A role

6. New king of Rwanda lives on Manchester estate

A resident of a housing estate in Greater Manchester has been named as the new king of Rwanda. Emmanuel Bushayija has refused to talk to reporters since the death of his uncle, King Kigeli, who was exiled to the US in 1962, when the African nation voted to become a republic. Bushayija was identified as his successor by a courtier.

7. Lord Snowdon, ex-husband of Princess Margaret, dies

Lord Snowdon, the former husband of Princess Margaret, has died at the age of 86. A high society photographer, Lord Snowdon began his career in the 1950s and was known for his work with Vogue. He became a royal photographer after marrying Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister, in 1960. They divorced in 1978 amid rumours of an affair.

8. Sky pulls comedy show over Michael Jackson row

Sky has pulled an episode of comedy show Urban Myths, which featured a white actor playing Michael Jackson, after complaints from the singer's family. Joseph Fiennes was cast as Jackson in an episode featuring him, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando. Jackson's daughter Paris said she was "incredibly offended" by the portrayal.

9. Nintendo reveals price of long-awaited Switch console

Japanese games giant Nintendo has finally announced a release date and a price for its long-awaited Switch console. The device will cost $299.99 in the US, £279.99 in the UK and 29,980 yen in Japan, more than most fans had predicted, and will be released on 3 March. The Switch is a hand-held device which doubles as a home console.

Nintendo Switch: Online mobile app launches in two weeks

10. Briefing: Graham Taylor, from triumph to turnip

Tributes have been flooding in for former England manager Graham Taylor, who has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 72. He was in charge of England between 1990 and 1993 and despite coming in for savage criticism as the team flopped at Euro 92 and then failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the US, was a popular figure within the game.

Five things you didn't know about England boss Graham Taylor