Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 8 Dec 2011

1. TORY REVOLT HITS CAMERON

The Prime Minister faces a growing party revolt as he flies to Brussels for tomorrow's crunch EU summit. Cabinet member Owen Paterson and London Mayor Boris Johnson both insist Mr Cameron must hold a referendum before agreeing to a fiscal union being created to save the euro.

Demands for referendum push David Cameron to the brink

2. INQUIRY INTO 'CHEATING' EXAMINERS

Education Secretary Michael Gove has ordered an inquiry into evidence that examiners offer teachers secret advice on how to improve their pupils' GCSE and A-level results. The Daily Telegraph filmed an examiner telling teachers at a seminar which questions to expect in exams.

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Probe into exam system after claims of 'tip offs' to teachers

3. S&P THREATENS EU CREDIT DOWNGRADE

Standard & Poor's warned last night it might downgrade the AAA credit rating of the European Union if the credit ratings of eurozone countries are downgraded. Such a move would have no affect on the credit ratings of EU member states that are not part of the single currency.

S&P's euro downgrade threat: standard practice, poor timing

4. NI SPIED ON LABOUR MP

James Murdoch's lawyers admit News International mounted a surveillance operation on senior Labour MP Tom Watson, an outspoken critic of the company. Meanwhile, former News of the World reporter Neville Thurlbeck says executives hid evidence of hacking from MPs and company managers.

5. JET ALMOST CRASHED AFTER WEIGHT ERROR

A Thomas Cook passenger jet carrying 223 people came close to disaster after the captain used the wrong weight to calculate the take-off speed, the Daily Mail reports. The incident took place at Manchester airport on 29 April. Disaster was averted when the pilot flying the plane noticed something was wrong.

6. STORM BATTERS SCOTLAND

Winds of up to 130mph have left thousands of homes without electricity in Scotland, while police have advised against travel. Meanwhile, floods have been reported in Cumbria and strong winds in Wales and Northern Ireland. The Met Office has issued a red alert, saying the storm might cause structural damage.

7. ASSISTED SUICIDE PATIENT BLASTS UK LAW

A British cancer patient who travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Zurich to die left a final note attacking UK politicians for their "cowardice". Former television producer Geraldine McClelland was angry that UK laws meant she could not have an assisted suicide at home.

'Cowardice of politicians' forces BBC woman to die at Dignitas

8. BANK OF ENGLAND KEEPS RATES AT 0.5%

The Bank of England has held interest rates at their record low of 0.5% amid fears of recession caused by the eurozone debt crisis. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank cut interest rates by 0.25% to 1%.

9. UNITED AND CITY CRASH OUT

Both Manchester clubs were eliminated from the Champions League last night. United failed to advance past the group stage for only the third time in 17 years after a 2-1 defeat at Basel. City, who beat Bayern Munich 2-0, finished third in their group and will join their neighbours in the Europa League.

Manchester heartbreak: both sides humiliated in Europe

10. HOT TICKET: WESTAL HEADS SOUTHWEST

The third restaurant from the foodies behind the celebrated Terroirs and Brawn restaurants has opened in Battersea. Hearty rustic French-themed meals cooked by Colin Westal, previously of Café Anglais, are accompanied by a generous wine list. The London Evening Standard calls it “a great addition to the neighbourhood”.