Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 14 Jan 2017

1. EU chief wants 'special' deal over access to City

The EU’s head negotiator in Brexit talks has shown the first signs of compromise after admitting he wants a deal with Britain that will guarantee the other 27 member states continued easy access to the City. Michel Barnier wants a "special" relationship with the City of London after Britain has left the bloc, according to The Guardian.

2. Donald Trump may drop sanctions against Moscow

Donald Trump has hinted he might drop sanctions against Russia. The US president-elect told the Wall Street Journal that he would keep sanctions against Russia in place "at least for a period of time", but added: "If you get along and if Russia is really helping us, why would anybody have sanctions if somebody’s doing some really great things?"

3. Al-Qaeda chief says Islamic State is going too far

The leader of al-Qaeda has attacked Islamic State for "madness" and "exceeding the limits of extremism", reports The Independent. Ayman al-Zawahiri, who succeeded Osama bin Laden when he was killed in 2011, slammed IS members as "cowards" with a "thirsty desire for authority". The two groups are competing for territory and supporters around the world.

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. Ukip to launch anti-Labour push in Stoke Central

Ukip will start a major push against Labour in northern England and the Midlands at the Stoke Central by-election. Paul Nuttall, Ukip’s leader, is considering standing in the seat after the unexpected resignation of its Labour MP Tristram Hunt. Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph claims that moderate Labour MPs are plotting to undermine Jeremy Corbyn by staging a series of resignations over the coming months.

5. Theresa May warns GPs over longer opening hours

GPs in England risk losing their funding unless they keep their surgeries open for longer to meet demand from patients, Theresa May has warned. Number 10 said many patients were going to already pressurised A&E departments because they cannot get appointments. The government wants to see surgeries open between 08:00 and 20:00, seven days a week, unless they can prove the demand is not there.

6. Princess Leia will not live on after Carrie Fisher's death

The Star Wars team have dismissed rumours that Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia character may live on. In a statement, Lucasfilm said: "There is a rumour circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher's performance as Princess or General Leia Organa." Fisher died of a heart attack on 27 December aged 60.

7. Corbyn to promise to take care into public ownership

Jeremy Corbyn will vow to take failing care homes into public ownership, warning that the social care system is at "serious risk of breakdown". Speaking to the Fabian Society, he will accuse the Conservatives of slashing taxes for the richest while cutting pay and public services. He will blame rising costs and falling fee payments from councils for the 380 care home businesses declared insolvent since 2010.

8. Amber keeps the dogs as Depp divorce is finalised

A judge finalised the bitter divorce of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard after months of scrapping over the final terms of their breakup. The divorce papers showed that Depp would retain sole possession of numerous real estate assets, including properties in Los Angeles, Paris and his private island in the Bahamas. Heard will maintain custody of her dogs Pistol and Boo.

9. Salmon prices set to leap as sea lice problems deepen

Salmon retail prices are set to soar because of infestations of sea lice. Wholesale costs rose 50% in 2016 as fish farmers from Scotland to Norway and Chile tried to tackle a "parasite problem", says The Guardian. Global supplies of Atlantic salmon, which fell nearly 9% last year, are expected to drop further during the first half of this year as lice problems worsen.

10. Health chiefs warn elderly and sick as cold snap worsens

The elderly and frail have been advised to stock up on food and medicine as health chiefs warned vulnerable people are at risk as Britain heads into a prolonged cold period. Families were urged to look after at-risk relatives, with A&E services struggling to cope with demand. More than 40 per cent of hospitals were forced into emergency measures last week.