Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 20 Jan 2013

1. BRITONS FEARED DEAD AS ALGERIA SIEGE ENDS

Some of the Britons caught in the four-day siege in Algeria returned home overnight but five British nationals and a UK resident are believed dead or missing. The siege ended on Saturday with an army raid that killed all the hostage takers. "This attack is another reminder of the threat posed by al-Qaeda and other violent extremist groups in North Africa," said Barack Obama.

23 hostages and 32 terrorists dead as dust settles in Algeria

2. 'CASH FOR HONOURS' ROW HITS CLEGG

Nick Clegg has been accused of a cash for honours deal as it emerged he may award a peerage to a Lib Dem donor with business links to offshore tax havens, reports the Sunday Times. Pizza magnate Rumi Verjee, who has an estimated personal fortune of £125m, has donated £770,000 to the party since May 2010. “It’s cash for peerages all over again,” said Labour MP John Mann.

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3. PISTOL POINTED AT BULGARIAN POLITICIAN

A gunman attempted to assassinate a Bulgarian politician during a televised speech. The armed man took to the stage and pointed a small black pistol at the head of Ahmed Dogan, the leader of Bulgaria's Movement for Rights and Freedoms party. The attacker appeared to attempt to fire the gun before security guards wrestled him to the ground.

Bulgarian politician has gun pointed at his head - video

4. BRITISH ACCUSED OF HORSEMEAT 'HYPOCRISY'

Chef Raymond Blanc says he detects "the unappetising taste of hypocrisy" in British reaction to the horsemeat found in supermarket burgers. Writing in the Mail On Sunday, the Frenchman said the British are not squeamish about eating chicken burgers containing beaks and claws, nor do they mind eating "other animals such as cute lambs".

5. HEATHROW TURNS INTO 'REFUGEE CAMP'

Heathrow Airport is under attack for its inability to cope with two inches of snow that has fallen in recent days. A travel expert said the airport turned into “a refugee camp” as 500 flights were cancelled on Friday and Saturday. Local hotels are charging up to £600 a night to desperate passengers. At least 260 more flights could be axed on Sunday as the cold snap continues.

6. AGENCY MAY REVIEW ARMSTRONG BAN

The World Anti-Doping Agency says it may review Lance Armstrong's lifetime ban if he co-operates with investigations. Meanwhile SCA Promotions, which insured bonuses paid to Armstrong, will file a $12m lawsuit against the disgraced cyclist next week, saying he has "neither has the legal right, nor frankly the moral right to keep those funds."

Lance Armstrong 'showed too little contrition' with Oprah

7. FOUR DIE IN HIGHLANDS AVALANCE

Four people died after an avalanche in Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands on Saturday afternoon. A fifth was left with head injuries. The Reverend Moira Herkes, who will lead prayers for the dead on Sunday, said "It is very distressing, because people come here for pleasure and when something like this happens it hurts everyone involved."

Prayers after four killed by 'windslab' avalanche in Glencoe

8. RSCPA AND FSA ACT ON HORSE TORTURE TAPE

Undercover footage of horses being tortured at a Cheshire abattoir has sparked investigations by the RSCPA and the Food Standards Agency. The graphic film, secretly recorded by an animal sanctuary group, shows horses being beaten with an iron bar and other ill-treatment. Two slaughtermen have had their licenses withdrawn.

9. WORLD'S BIGGEST FAMILY NEARS 200

The world's largest family could be on the brink of becoming 200 strong. The Ziona family has at least 181 members including 94 children and 33 grandchildren. Its head, Pu Ziona, has 39 wives. However, the Times Of India claims the total will hit 200 with the imminent arrival of three children. When asked by the press for a definitive total, the family requested more time to work it out.

10. DJOKOVIC WINS FIVE-SET THRILLER IN OZ

Defending champion Novak Djokovic survived a massive scare in the Australian Open today as he beat Stanislas Wawrinka 12-10 in the final set of a five-hour marathon to book his place in the quarter finals. Djokovic began badly and lost the first set 6-1, but led 2-1 before the Swiss won the fourth set to take the match to an epic finale.