Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 11 Jan 2019

1. Rudd U-turns on proposal to cap child benefit

Amber Rudd has announced another U-turn on universal credit: she will not cap benefits for families with two or more children born before 2017. Child Poverty Action said it was “fantastically good news” but called for the two-child cap to be scrapped for all families. Rudd also said she was putting off rolling out universal credit.

2. May calls on union bosses to support Brexit deal

Theresa May has spoken to the heads of some of the country’s biggest unions in an attempt to get Labour support for her European Union exit agreement. The prime minister called Len McCluskey of Unite and Tim Roache of the GMB – the first time she has spoken to either of the union leaders – to say that the Government might accept a Labour amendment guaranteeing workers’ rights.

3. Andy Murray in tears as he announces retirement

Andy Murray has announced during a tearful press conference that he will retire from tennis after this year’s Wimbledon – but fears that next week’s Australian Open might be his last tournament because he is in such pain. The 31-year-old Scot said his hip injury means he sometimes struggles to even put on his shoes and socks.

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4. Police seek DNA sample from Cristiano Ronaldo

Las Vegas police have asked Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo for a DNA sample as part of an investigation into claims that he raped a woman in the city in 2009. The 33-year-old denies Kathryn Mayorga’s allegation. The American woman, a former model, also says she was coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement and accepting a settlement in 2010.

5. No-deal Brexit would risk ‘thousands of jobs’

The Confederation of British Industry is warning today that a no-deal Brexit would put thousands of jobs at risk and could shrink GDP by as much as 8%. Meanwhile, it has emerged that as many as 4,000 civil servants are being asked to give up their usual work for at least six months in order to focus on no-deal preparations.

6. Carbs return: study finds fibre reduces early death

In a blow to trendy low-carb diets, a study for the World Health Organization has found that eating the fibre in wholegrain cereal, pasta and bread – also present in nuts and pulses – can reduce the risk of heart disease and early death. Researchers from New Zealand said a high-fibre diet has an “enormous protective effect” against disease.

7. BBC presenter Dianne Oxberry dies at 51

Weather presenter Dianne Oxberry has died at the age of 51, just days after announcing she was battling illness. The Sunderland-born mother-of-two worked alongside Simon Mayo and Steve Wright on BBC Radio 1 before moving to the corporation’s regional news programme North West Tonight in 1994. Colleagues say they are “heartbroken”.

8. Former Neighbours actor charged with assault

Former Neighbours actor Craig McLachlan has been charged with assault and indecent assault by police. The 53-year-old claims accusations of inappropriate touching and harassment brought by three women are untrue and “perhaps made for financial reasons [or] to gain notoriety”. He will appear in a Melbourne court next month.

9. Fatberg fight: ‘fine to flush’ wipes label created

UK water firms have designed a logo that can be displayed on packets of wet wipes to denote which may safely be flushed down the toilet – and which contain plastic that means they must be disposed of in landfill to avoid creating so-called fatbergs that clog the nation’s sewers. To use the logo, manufacturers must submit their wipes for stringent testing.

10. Briefing: the pros and cons of HRT

Certain types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets could leave women more at risk from serious blood clots, new research suggests.

The Week looks at the benefits and potential risks.

What are the pros and cons of taking HRT?