Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 24 Dec 2017

1. North Korea: new sanctions are 'an act of war'

North Korea's foreign ministry says new UN sanctions are an act of war and those who voted for them will "pay a heavy price for what they have done". The first official reaction from Pyongyang argued that the sanctions will restrict vital oil supplies and are tantamount to a complete economic blockade. It said the sanctions were "rigged up by the US and its followers".

2. Theresa May to u-turn on fox hunting vote

Theresa May will u-turn on her pledge to give MPs a free vote on fox hunting to focus on animal welfare, according to reports this morning. The Sunday Times says the Prime Minister will announce plans to permanently drop the commitment to give MPs a free vote on whether to overturn the fox hunting ban in early 2018. The move, which risks angering Tories in rural parts of the country, is seen as a bid to woo young voters.

3. UFOs 'proved beyond doubt' says ex-Pentagon chief

The existence of UFOs has been "proved beyond reasonable doubt", says a former Pentagon chief. "In my opinion, if this was a court of law, we have reached the point of 'beyond reasonable doubt'," Luis Elizondo told the Sunday Telegraph. "I think it's pretty clear this is not us, and it's not anyone else, so one has to ask the question where they're from."

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4. 'Take pride in Christian heritage' says Theresa May

British people should "take pride" in their country's Christian heritage at Christmas, says Theresa May. Meanwhile, in his own message, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "We pride ourselves on being a compassionate nation. My Christmas wish is that we all do more to help bring about the kind of society and world we want to live in."

5. Vast health gap has 'devastating impact' on poor

A huge health gap has been revealed between the UK’s rich and poor, according to a comprehensive new study. The report describes the "devastating impact" of the gulf which sees the poorest teens 70% more likely to visit A&E than their wealthier counterparts. It warned that with child poverty increasing, it is "hard to see the inequality gaps we highlight being eradicated any time soon".

6. Miss America officials resign after leaked emails scandal

Three top officials in the Miss America Organisation have resigned after leaked emails revealed how pageant officials mocked winners for their appearance, intellect and personal lives. President Josh Randle, chief executive Sam Haskell and chairwoman Lynn Weidner, a former Miss New Jersey, all quit yesterday. The Observer says the emails included a vulgar term for female genitalia to refer to past Miss America winners.

7. Blue passports a nostalgia gimmick, says Thatcher aide

Margaret Thatcher’s key foreign policy adviser says excitement over Theresa May’s announcement of the return of blue passports is nostalgia driven by ageing Eurosceptics. Accusing supporters of being "content with symbols, rather than substance", Charles Powell added: "Perhaps we should go the whole hog and reintroduce ambassadorial dress uniforms, as well as bowler hats and stiff collars for senior civil servants."

8. White House denies Trump said Haitians 'all have Aids'

The White House has denied that President Donald Trump suggested Haitian immigrants "all have Aids" and that Nigerian immigrants would "never go back to their huts". The New York Times said the US President made the comments during a meeting with senior staff in June but the White House described the report as "lies based on anonymous sources".

9. Nigel Farage overlooked for knighthood - again

Nigel Farage has been overlooked for a knighthood again. The former Ukip leader says he will not be handed a knighthood in next week’s New Year’s honours list. He said: "Of course I have not got an honour of any kind - I am not a Remainer." Earlier this year it was claimed that former Ukip MP Douglas Carswell blocked attempts to give Farage the honour at last year's New Year honours.

10. Moscow warning as US agrees to arm Ukrainian military

Donald Trump’s administration will provide the Ukrainian military with weapons, reversing an Obama-era policy. Heather Nauert, the state department spokesperson, said the decision was "part of our effort to help Ukraine build its long-term defence capacity, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to deter further aggression". Moscow says the move threatens the peace process.