Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 6 Jan 2018

1. Tillerson 'never questioned' Trump's mental health

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says he has "never questioned" Donald Trump's mental health. After Michael Wolff’s controversial book about the Trump White House was published, Tillerson - who reportedly called the US President a "moron" earlier this year - said: "I have no reason to question his mental fitness." In a late-night tweet, the US president dismissed the book as "boring and untruthful" and Wolff a "total loser".

2. MEPs urge Theresa May to keep Britain in single market

A cross-party group of MEPs is urging Theresa May to stay in the European single market and customs union. The 20 MEPs, including three Tories and most of Labour politicians based in Brussels, warn that crashing out of the economic grouping would make Britain poorer. They also argue that voters should be given a chance to rethink Brexit altogether.

3. Taxi rapists' victims could send him back to jail

Alleged victims of John Worboys who were excluded from the original trial are ready to bring fresh prosecutions against the serial sex offender. Lawyer Richard Scorer says his clients are devastated by the imminent release of the black-cab driver, who “denied his heinous crimes and then forced [victims] to endure the torment of a criminal trial”. The 60-year-old has spent nine years and nine months in prison.

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4. Russia criticises US for convening UN council on Iran

Moscow has slammed the US for convening the UN Security Council over protests in Iran. After US ambassador Nikki Haley praised the protests as a "powerful exhibition of brave people", Russia's envoy Vassily Nebenzia said involving the council in an "internal affair" was damaging. Tehran complained too, saying the US was abusing its power as a permanent member. At least 21 people have been killed in the protests.

5. Mobile phone smuggling sees exam cheating soar

A trend of mobile phones being smuggled into exam halls saw the number of pupils penalised for cheating during GCSE and A-level exams rise sharply last year. The exam regulator said the most common category of malpractice was the introduction of "unauthorised materials" into halls. Its data also shows that the number of teachers and school staff involved in exam malpractice more than doubled between 2016 and 2017.

6. Ladbrokes and EasyJet reveal gender pay gaps

Easyjet, Ladbrokes and Virgin Money are among the major firms to reveal gender pay gaps of more than 15% in favour of men for mean hourly pay. Women's hourly pay rates are 52% lower than men's at Easyjet. On average, women earn 15% less per hour at Ladbrokes and 33% less at Virgin Money. In 2016, the UK gender pay gap was 18.1% for all staff.

7. US east coast prepares for coldest night on record

Parts of the United States are expecting the coldest night in the country's history, with temperatures forecast to feel as cold as -35C. An Arctic blast has hit the east coast bringing with it more than a foot of snow, hurricane-force winds and coastal floods. Cars were frozen into the ground in Boston after floodwater turned to ice. The storm began in the Gulf of Mexico.

8. Is the House of Fraser chain about to collapse?

Rumours are circulating that the House of Fraser is close to collapse after it sought to slash its rent bill. The struggling retail chain, which will reveal its results from the festive period next week, has written to landlords asking for its rents to be cut just 24 hours after rival Debenhams saw nearly £70m wiped off its value after it issued a shock profit warning following weak Christmas sales.

9. Gambling Commission warning over online casinos

The Gambling Commission says online casino operators are failing to prevent money laundering and protect problem gamblers. An investigation has begun into 17 companies, after the Commission expressed "significant concerns" in a letter to all 195 UK operators. The BBC says the Commission found evidence that customers whose gambling was becoming compulsive were not being helped.

10. Outcry as Bulger killer Venables set to be tried in secret

A row has erupted after the Crown Prosecution Service revealed that one of the killers of James Bulger is to be tried in secret after being charged over indecent images of children. Jon Venables has been charged and will face trial at an unnamed court at an unspecified date later this year. The pressure group Justice said the "principle of open justice" ensures that "justice is seen to be done".