Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 3 Feb 2017

1. Fallon: Russia is destabilising West with hacking

The Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, warned yesterday that Russia is "routinely lying" and "weaponising misinformation" as it seeks to destabilise the West with hacking and other cyber attacks. In a hard-hitting speech, Fallon said Nato must do more to counter the wave of attacks on member states including Germany, Blugaria and the US.

2. Cancer rising six times faster in women

Cancer cases among women are rising six times faster than among men, Cancer Research UK says. The charity says the rise of unhealthy lifestyles and obesity are driving the increase – but women are bearing the brunt. While smoking is declining, the many women who took up the habit in recent decades are now being diagnosed with lung cancer.

3. US warns North Korea of 'overwhelming' nuclear response

The US defence secretary, James Mattis, has warned North Korea that any use of nuclear weapons will be met with an "effective and overwhelming" response, speaking in South Korea. His words were received well in the South, with American flags and pictures of Donald Trump waved in the streets. Mattis has now flown to Japan for talks.

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4. Spanish weather leads to UK vegetable crisis

Vegetable rationing has hit British supermarkets because of supply problems caused by bad weather in Spain and other growing nations. Tesco and Morrison's have both limited customers to three iceberg lettuces each - and Morrison's has imposed the same stricture on broccoli. The shops are trying to stop restaurants from buying all their stock.

5. Romanian protests against corruption laws continue

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in Romania for a third night of protests last night, as the country's prime minister, Sorin Grindeanu, refused to repeal a decree relaxing corruption laws. One cabinet minister has now resigned over the political crisis. President Klaus Iohannis says he will try to have the decree overturned by a constitutional court.

6. Trump adviser cites non-existent massacre

Donald Trump's senior adviser, Kellyanne Conway, has been criticised after telling the US media that "most people don't know" that Barack Obama blocked refugees from Iraq in response to the "Bowling Green massacre … because it didn't get covered". There was no such massacre and the six-month "ban" did not stop refugees entering the US.

7. Uber boss quits Trump advisory board

Travis Kalanick, the chief executive of ride-sharing app Uber, has stepped down from a position advising US President Donald Trump on economic matters because of a massive backlash from customers and commentators. Kalanick said his decision to advise Trump had not meant he endorsed his views, but his position had been "misinterpreted".

8. Hockney re-draws masthead for The Sun

Today, says Britain's biggest-selling newspaper, "this edition of The Sun is a genuine Hockney – so all our readers can own one". David Hockney – "Britain's best-known and best-loved living artist", says the paper – has re-designed the tabloid's distinctive masthead, promoting the largest exhibition of his works so far, at Tate Britain in London.

9. Coin maker hid $130,000 of gold in his rectum

A former employee of the Royal Canadian Mint has been jailed for 30 months for stealing gold. Leston Lawrence removed CA $165,451 (£100,000) from his place of work by hiding it in his rectum, in 22 separate pieces. Investigators found vaseline in his locker. If he fails to pay back the money on his release, he will be jailed for 30 years.

10. Briefing: The Brexit white paper

The government has laid out its official negotiating strategy for withdrawing from the European Union. Its white paper, demanded by Labour and some Tory rebels, lists the 12 principles announced by Theresa May in her Brexit speech last month. They include leaving the the single market, a bespoke customs deal and continued cooperation on intelligence.

Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver