Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 10 Jan 2013

1. DON'T QUIT EUROPE, US WARNS BRITAIN

America yesterday warned Britain to stay in Europe or risk weakening its relationship with the US. Philip Gordon, assistant Secretary of State, said in London that the EU had "increasing weight" and Britain should remain part of it. "From an American perspective," he warned, "we certainly value that voice [Britain's] in the EU."

White House told to 'butt out' of debate over UK's role in EU

2. KURDISH WOMEN SHOT DEAD IN PARIS

Three Kurdish women, one of them said to be a co-founder of the separatist movement PKK, have been found dead in Paris with gunshot wounds. The BBC says that while it is unclear what the motive might have been, Turkey is currently in talks with rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, in an effort to persuade the PKK to disarm.

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France outraged by murder of Kurdish activists in Paris

3. SWANSEA EYE CUP AFTER CHELSEA WIN

Swansea are eyeing their first major cup final after yesterday’s shock 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the first-leg semi-final of the Capital One Cup. Rafael Benitez’s side were embarrassed by the Welsh team whose goals came from Michu and Graham.

Swansea halfway to Cup win after 2-0 defeat of Chelsea

4. BBC'S ANDREW MARR SUFFERS STROKE

BBC presenter Andrew Marr, 53, is under emergency care in hospital after suffering a stroke at his home on Tuesday, the corporation confirmed last night. The Sunday morning Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4's Start the Week will stay on the air but with guest presenters. Doctors said he was "responding to treatment".

BBC in shock as Andrew Marr suffers 'pretty serious' stroke

5. SPIELBERG'S 'LINCOLN' LEADS OSCARS RACE

Steven Spielberg's Civil War drama 'Lincoln' starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the American president, is the front-runner for Oscars glory after winning 12 nominations today. Spielberg’s movie is up for top honours including best movie, best director and best actor (Day-Lewis), but will face strong competition from Ang Lee's' Life of Pi' which has 11 nominations.

'Lincoln' takes lion's share of Oscar nominations

6. BOWIE SINGLE COULD BE CHART HIT AFTER ALL

David Bowie's comeback song 'Where Are We Now?' could make it into the UK singles chart this weekend after all. It had earlier been reported that because many customers are getting it for free as part of an album purchase from iTunes, it would be ineligible. But the Official Charts Company says it is working to fix the problem.

Bowie's new single could be eligible for UK chart after all

7. DELHI RAPE SUSPECTS 'BEATEN BY POLICE'

The men charged with the murder and rape of 23-year-old Jyoti Singh Pandey on a Delhi bus before Christmas have been tortured by police, a defence lawyer claims. Mohan Lal Sharma said they have been beaten and forced to drink their own urine. "Whatever statements they made were made under duress and are worthless," he said.

8. RACE TO SAVE TRAPPED KILLER WHALES

Villagers in Inukjuak on Canada's Hudson Bay yesterday called for a national rescue attempt after spotting more than a dozen orca – killer whales – trapped in rapidly forming Arctic ice. The Fisheries and Oceans agency said it would send a team today, but warned that ice-breakers were busy freeing trapped ships.

Pod of killer whales trapped in sea ice struggle to survive

9. HALF OF EARTH'S FOOD 'IS THROWN AWAY'

A report has claimed that up to half the world's food, as much as 2 billion tonnes, is thrown away each year because of inefficient farming and storage methods, consumer fussiness and overly strict sell-by dates. The "staggering" conclusion comes from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers which said it raised questions over the future of farming.

How can the earth support us if we throw away half our food?

10. HOT TICKET: ALL-STAR GANGSTER SQUAD

Crime film 'Gangster Squad' opens in UK cinemas today. Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin and Emma Stone star in a fictionalised account of a Los Angeles police team who must tackle 1940s gangster boss Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) on his own, dirty terms. "Classic B-movie fun", says Variety.

Gangster Squad: high-octane pulp fun with an all-star cast