Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 1 Feb 2017

1. Brexit negotiations 'biggest since WWII'

Britain's former EU ambassador Sir Ivan Rogers has told MPs that Brexit negotiations will be the biggest the UK has been involved with since WWII and could become "extremely feisty" with public "name-calling". He also warned that EU Commission chiefs want the UK to pay as much as €60bn to leave the union and that it could take years for a trade deal to be agreed.

Brexit: Lords force Theresa May to give MPs single market vote

2. UK man fighting with Kurds 'killed himself'

Kurdish sources have told the BBC that Ryan Lock, a 20-year-old chef from Chichester who died fighting against Islamic State in Syria, took his own life rather than be captured. The source said Lock was one of five fighters put under siege by the extremist group near Raqqa and his body was found with gunshot wound under the chin.

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Briton fighting IS in Syria 'shot himself to avoid capture'

3. Cameron 'tried to get Daily Mail editor sacked'

According to the BBC, the proprietor of the Daily Mail says David Cameron, when Prime Minister, put pressure on him to sack the editor, Paul Dacre, because of his pro-Brexit stance. A spokesman for Cameron said he "did not believe he could determine who edits the Daily Mail". The right-wing newspaper campaigned vociferously against the EU.

David Cameron 'tried to sack' Daily Mail editor over Brexit

4. Trump picks conservative Gorsuch for US court

Donald Trump has nominated a deeply conservative 49-year-old circuit judge, Neil Gorsuch, to fill the current vacancy on the US Supreme Court. Gorsuch's right-wing views could tip the balance of the court on abortion and other issues and his appointment is already being contested by Democrats, with the party's Senate leader voicing "very serious doubts".

Trump travel ban: Judge expands definition of relatives

5. Khan accused of 'hypocrisy' over Trump travel ban

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of hypocrisy over his criticism of US visa restrictions imposed by Donald Trump. Khan spoke at a rally where he called on world leaders to demonstrate "moral leadership" by opposing the order. However, Farage noted that ambassadors from nations that ban Israeli citizens from entry were among the guests.

Nigel Farage: I could lead Ukip again

6. Brain scan helps locked-in patients communicate

Patients in Switzerland suffering from locked-in syndrome have been able to communicate after a ground-breaking experiment used a brain scan to see how they reacted to yes-or-no questions. One man, unable to move any part of his body including his eyes, was able to refuse permission to his daughter to get married. She chose to ignore him.

7. Three stabbed on Sunset Boulevard

A man was shot dead by police in Los Angeles yesterday after stabbing three people on Sunset Boulevard. The unnamed knifeman, described only as being in his thirties, attacked a cyclist and two other men in a Kack in the Box fast-food restaurant. Police attempts to Taser the man failed and officers shot him in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hollywood knifeman shot dead after stabbing rampage

8. Cross-country rail passengers to access cheap fares

Rail passengers are to enjoy easier access to the cheapest fares under a trial scheme to simplify charging. At the moment a journey from Wick in Scotland to Par in Cornwall could, in theory, cost £342.50 as a single ticket – but just £80 if legs are purchased individually. The new scheme will offer the £80 fare to all passengers automatically.

Rail fares to undergo 'biggest reform since 1985'

9. Four days a year 'wasted looking for parking'

Drivers in Britain waste an average of four whole days every year searching for a parking spot, a new survey suggests. The issue seems to be at its worst in London, where the average time taken to find a spot after each journey is eight minutes. The survey of 2,000 adults also found that 59% are frustrated by other drivers who take up two spaces.

10. Briefing: Oil price slump to end tax-free living in Saudi Arabia

A two-and-a-half year slump in the oil price has put an end to the tax-free life of people in Saudi Arabia after its government approved a "value-added tax to be imposed across the Gulf", says The Guardian. Backed by the International Monetary Fund and agreed with the Gulf Cooperation Council, a political union that includes as members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the five per cent tax will be applied selectively on some goods.

Oil price posts two-year highs - but how long can it last?