Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 2 Jan 2018

1. Protests planned over rail fare rises

Commuters’ groups are staging protests at some 40 rail stations across the country today following the annual rise in rail fares. Prices have jumped by an average of 3.4%, the biggest increase since 2013. Campaigners warn that commuters are being “priced out of getting to work”, but the Government says rises were capped in line with inflation.

2. Nine more people killed in Iran protests

Another nine people, including an 11-year-old boy, have been killed in street protests in Iran, according to state TV. A total of at least 20 people have now died in demonstrations that have been taking place across the country for the past six days. The protests - the largest public display of discontent in Iran since 2009 - were sparked by anger over the country’s economic situation but have since become more political.

3. Davis: EU cannot ‘cherry-pick’ terms of deal

Brexit Secretary David Davis has attempted to turn the tables on EU negotiators, borrowing one of their favoured phrases to say the EU cannot expect to “cherry-pick” the terms of a future free trade deal with the UK. In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Davis said financial services must be included in the deal - something the EU has rejected.

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4. Gunmen in Nigeria kill 14 churchgoers

A total of at least 14 people were shot dead in the early hours of Monday morning in two coordinated attacks on Christians in Nigeria. The victims were returning from midnight church services celebrating the New Year when the attacks took place, in Rivers State. Police said a further 12 people were taken to hospital with injuries.

5. More than 11,000 homes empty for at least ten years

Despite the housing crisis, more than 11,100 homes across the UK have been unoccupied for longer than a decade, according to the Lib Dems. Party leader Vince Cable said it was a “national scandal”. Long-term data about empty housing is not routinely published, but the party made freedom of information requests to 275 local authorities.

6. Trump starts 2018 with Pakistan tweet

Donald Trump launched a sharply worded attack on US ally Pakistan in his first tweet of the year yesterday. The US president wrote that America had “foolishly” given aid to Pakistan yet received “nothing but lies & deceit”. Pakistan immediately summoned the US ambassador to its foreign office to hear a protest about the Twitter message.

7. Storm Eleanor to bring 80mph winds

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind in northern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland, as the fifth named storm of the winter approaches. Storm Eleanor is forecast to bring winds of between 70mph and 80mph, with large waves breaking along the west coast. The warning is in effect until 8am on Wednesday.

8. Zoo closes to allow macaques to grieve

A wildlife centre in Scotland has closed to allow a troop of macaques time to grieve following the death of the youngest member of the group. Camperdown Wildlife Centre, in Dundee, said macaques were “a highly social species” and would spend some time preening and guarding the dead body, “which will allow the whole group to come to terms with the loss”.

9. Japan: traditional cakes cause deaths

Two people have died in Japan, and several are in critical condition, after choking on traditional cakes. The mochi rice cakes are eaten as part of New Year celebrations, but claim several lives every year, owing to their unusually sticky texture. Children and old people find them hard to chew and can choke, with most victims aged over 65.

10. Briefing: Is Poland drifting towards totalitarianism?

The European Union is considering unprecedented disciplinary measures against Poland over its judicial reforms - specifically, the adoption of 13 new laws that allow the Polish government to meddle in legal matters and threaten the independence of the judiciary.

Poland has been given three months to either address the EU’s concerns or face sanctions under Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty.

Is Poland drifting towards totalitarianism?