Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 15 Jan 2013

1. NEW MOVE TO STOP BREAST CANCER

Healthy women with a family history of breast cancer could soon be offered daily preventative medication in the form of the drugs tomoxifen or raloxifene. The watchdog NICE, often accused of stopping the NHS from using expensive drugs, is issuing new guidelines on the basis that the drugs could save thousands of lives.

NHS in 'historic' push to offer breast cancer prevention drugs

2. CAMERON TO MAKE EU SPEECH ON FRIDAY

David Cameron's long-awaited speech on Britain's position in Europe has been pulled forward to Friday when the PM will address a gathering of businessmen and European diplomats in Holland. He will announce plans to negotiate a "fresh settlement" on EU membership terms and - possibly - a referendum after the 2015 general election.

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3. LANCE ARMSTRONG 'CONFESSES TO OPRAH'

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong is reported to have confessed finally to using performance-enhancing drugs. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey recorded last night and due to be broadcast on Thursday, he also threatened to testify against cycling officials who "knew about his doping and possibly facilitated it", according to the New York Times.

Armstrong 'confesses to doping but could take others down'

4. HMV CHAIN IS LATEST HIGH STREET CASUALTY

HMV, Britain's oldest high street music retailer, has called in the administrators and suspended its shares with immediate effect after the failure of talks to save the chain. Christmas sales had been "slightly behind expectations", while long-term business has been eroded by online sales, digital downloads and supermarkets.

HMV collapse 'inevitable' - but music fans will miss the magic

5. MALI ISLAMISTS VOW REVENGE ON FRANCE

Islamist forces in northern Mali, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad, vowed to "open the gates of hell" in revenge on France yesterday, "striking at the heart" of the country in retaliation for its intervention on behalf of the Mali government. The UN Security Council unanimously backed President Hollande's decision.

6. RORY MCILROY SIGNS £150M NIKE DEAL

World number one golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland yesterday stepped into fallen hero Tiger Woods's shoes by taking over the sponsorship deal with Nike that he had held for 16 years, but for even more money. McIlroy will be Nike's 'brand ambassador' in a deal reported to be worth up to £150 million over ten years.

£150m Nike deal: can McIlroy be bigger even than Tiger?

7. CRUCIFIX BAN WAS WRONG SAYS ECHR

Nadia Eweida, a Christian who worked for British Airways, suffered religious discrimination when she was forced to stop wearing a crucifix at work, the European Court of Human Rights ruled today. But three other Christians who claimed they were also discriminated against because of their religion lost their cases at the ECHR.

BA wrong to ban Christian from wearing cross says ECHR

8. OBSERVER REMOVES BURCHILL COLUMN

An Observer article by Julie Burchill that called transsexuals 'dicks in chick's clothing' was last night taken offline after a flood of complaints. Liberal Democrat minister Lynne Featherstone called for Burchill to be sacked. But more protesters then complained that the paper had failed to protect Burchill's right to free speech.

Burchill: deleted by Observer, resurrected by Toby Young

9. MELBOURNE VICTORY FOR ANDY MURRAY

Andy Murray cruised into the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday with a straight-sets win over Dutchman Robin Haase - 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 - in just one hour and 37 minutes. Murray, the US Open champion, is hoping to become the first man to follow up his maiden Grand Slam title with another major title.

Andy Murray's new approach pays off as he crushes Haase

10. HOT TICKET: ROJO'S SLEEPING BEAUTY

The English National Ballet's production of 'The Sleeping Beauty' has opened at the London Coliseum. With choreography by Kenneth MacMillan and music by Tchaikovsky, it tells the well-known fairytale of a princess cursed to sleep until awoken by true love's kiss. "Radiant", says The Independent. Until 19 January.

ENB's Tamara Rojo delivers 'ravishing' Sleeping Beauty