Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 8 Jan 2013

1. TALIBAN CLAIM UK SOLDIER'S DEATH

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the death of a British soldier killed in the first 'green-on-blue' attack of 2013 by a member of the Afghan National Army. The culprit shot at members of the Afghan army before killing the soldier, from 28 Engineer Regiment, at Patrol Base Hazrat in Helmand Province.

2. BELFAST POLICE FIRE PLASTIC BULLETS

Plastic bullets were fired by police during a fifth night of rioting in east Belfast last night as violence escalated in protests over the decision to limit the days on which the Union flag flies over City Hall. Police were attacked by loyalists with bricks and petrol bombs following a "largely peaceful" demonstration outside City Hall.

3. FIRES RAGE ACROSS NEW SOUTH WALES

South-eastern Australia is facing "catastrophic" fires stoked by high winds and record temperatures. More than 100 fires have also been reported in New South Wales. Prime minister Julia Gillard said residents had to stay alert as "this is a very dangerous day." Temperatures have reached 39C five days in a row.

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Australia ablaze: bushfires hit Victoria and New South Wales

4. BRITISH GAS BOSS TO GET £13M PAY-OFF

Phil Bentley, 53, managing director of British Gas, is to leave the company with a 'golden goodbye' worth nearly £13 million in salary, bonuses, shares and pension pot, according to the Daily Mail. Continued above-inflation price hikes have seen the cost of gas and electricity double for the average household since Bentley took over in 2006.

British Gas chief Bentley in line for explosive £13m pay-off

5. LIONEL MESSI WINS FOURTH BALLON D'OR

Lionel Messi, the 25-year-old Argentinian forward who plays for Barcelona, won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Fifa Ballon D'Or award in Zurich last night after a year in which he scored 91 goals to beat Gerd Muller's old record of 85 in a calendar year. Messi beat team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for the honour.

Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi voted world’s best player yet again

6. OBAMA STARTS FIGHT OVER CABINET PICKS

President Obama challenged Capitol Hill yesterday when he announced choices for two key cabinet posts for his new term. His pick of former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defence, a peace-monger in favour of defence cuts, angered Republicans, while choosing John Brennan, who defends torture, to head the CIA, dismayed Democrats.

Paul Krugman spares Obama's blushes by refusing Treasury job

7. COMMONS VOTE ON 1% WELFARE CAP

In the first big Commons vote of 2013, Tory and Lib Dem MPs are being urged to back the coalition’s controversial one per cent cap on welfare benefits tonight. Labour argues that it represents an attack on working people. Benefits have historically risen in line with inflation so a one per cent rise is a cut in real terms.

8. AFGHAN PRESIDENT IN DC FOR TALKS

President Hamid Karzai arrives in Washington today for talks billed as crucial to Afghanistan's relationship with America after troop withdrawals in 2015. President Obama is expected to outline how many troops will stay on, and to play tough with Karzai's shopping list for weaponry and medical support.

9. BOWIE RELEASES FIRST SINGLE IN A DECADE

David Bowie has made his first single for a decade to coincide with his 66th birthday. 'Where are We Now?' was released today on iTunes in 119 countries. Bowie, who has not performed live since 2006, raising speculation that he might be unwell, used Twitter to announce the release. A new album, The Next Day, will follow in March.

David Bowie breaks silence with 'beautiful' new single

10. HOT TICKET: FIREBIRD REVIVED IN LONDON

The Royal Ballet's revival of Sergei Diaghilev's 'The Firebird' has opened at the Royal Opera House. The ballet about a prince who is helped by a magical bird features a score by Igor Stravinsky and costumes and sets from a 1926 Ballets Russes production. "Fabulous", says The Times. Until 11 January.

Royal Ballet revives fabulous Firebird at Covent Garden