Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 23 Dec 2011

1. SUICIDE CAR BOMBS KILL 30 IN DAMASCUS

The Syrian government says two suicide car bombs in Damascus have killed around 30 people. State reports blamed al-Qaeda or opposition groups but some opponents of the government accused it of organising the blasts itself in order to create an excuse for its continuing fatal crackdown on protest.

2. NEW EARTHQUAKES HIT SHATTERED CITY

A series of powerful earthquakes have hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch, 10 months after large parts of the city were destroyed by a devastating quake. The latest earthquakes closed the city's airport and prompted panic, with residents rushing away from buildings. The area has recorded more than 7,000 earthquakes since September 2010.

Quakes hit New Zealand city still getting over 182 deaths

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

3. CAVENDISH WINS BEEB GONG

World road race cycling champion and Tour de France green jersey winner Mark Cavendish has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The 26-year-old is only the third cyclist to win the gong. The England cricket team won the Team of the Year award. Former rower Sir Steve Redgrave was handed a lifetime achievement award.

In pictures: Career highs of sports personality of the year Mark Cavendish

4. CHINA JAILS DISSIDENT WRITER

A Chinese activist has been jailed for nine years for "subversive writing" as part of a government crackdown on calls for the Chinese to follow the example of the Arab Spring. Following the sentencing Chen Wei said: "I protest, I am innocent. The governance of democracy must win, autocracy must die."

5. PUBLIC MAY GET ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS

Patients would be given the right to view and annotate their medical records online under proposals the Government is backing, says The Times. GPs are expected to oppose the plan, which could come into force within three years. At present, patients have to ask their GP for access to their records, and GPs can limit the amount of information shared.

6. HUGE CREDIT CARD FEES BANNED

Excessive surcharge fees for using debit or credit cards to buy items such as concert tickets and flights will be banned by the end of next year. The Office of Fair Trading investigated the issue after consumer associations highlighted huge booking fees being charged by some firms. Small charges to cover processing costs will still be allowed.

Credit card charge ban: not enough to scare Ryanair

7. TURKEY RECALLS PARIS AMBASSADOR

Turkey has recalled its ambassador to France after Paris's decision to make it a criminal offence to deny the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks was genocide. Turkey's PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned France that the issue could open "very grave and irreparable wounds" in bilateral relations.

8. JOHN TERRY SHRUGS OFF ABUSE

Chelsea footballer John Terry put-in a defiant performance during his side's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last night. Terry - charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand - faced relentless boos and abusive chants. He capped his performance with a goal-line clearance in added-time, then handed his shirt to a Chelsea fan.

John Terry heckled at Spurs but saves the day for Chelsea

9. TSUNAMI GIRL FOUND AFTER SEVEN YEARS

An Indonesian girl who was presumed drowned after being swept out to sea during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami has reappeared and been reunited with her parents seven years later. She was discovered by her grandfather in a coffee bar. Her parents confirmed her identity from a mole and a small scar on her elbow. It is not yet clear what has happened to her in the past seven years.

10. HOT TICKET: CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS

The English Chamber Choir serves up a feast of carol favourites accompanied by organ and audience at St Martin-in-the-Fields this afternoon. Guy Protheroe directs the renowned choir in the serene, recently restored church. Get there early, performances start at 4.30pm.