Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 31 Jan 2013

1. SYRIA REFERS ISRAEL JET ATTACK TO UN

Syria has complained to the UN and threatened "consequences" after Israeli jets allegedly attacked a military research centre near Damascus yesterday. Russia said the attack - which has not been confirmed by Israel - violated the UN charter. The Syrian military says two people were killed and five others injured in the attack which left the facility partially destroyed and on fire.

Syria refers Israeli attack to UN and threatens 'consequences'

2. LANDMARK AWARD FOR AIRPORT DELAY

A couple whose Tenerife holiday was spoilt by a 22-hour airport delay have been awarded £680 compensation by a Staffordshire judge in a landmark ruling expected to "open the floodgates" to similar claims. The judge was the first to implement last October's ruling by the European Court of Justice that hold-ups longer than three hours merit compensation.

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3. SHOCK AT ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IN US

The US economy unexpectedly shrank at an annualised rate of 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2012, following 3.1% growth in the third quarter, initial official estimates indicate. If confirmed it will be the first contraction in the US economy since the Great Recession of 2009. Fears of Washington's 'fiscal cliff' were blamed.

4. REBECCA ADLINGTON SET TO RETIRE

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, 23, who won two golds at the 2008 Beijing Games but was disappointed to take only two bronzes at last summer's London Games, will announce her retirement from competitive swimming next week, the Daily Telegraph reports. She is likely to announce a plan to work with young people at swimming camps.

Rebecca Adlington 'to retire' from competitive swimming

5. MALI: FRENCH TAKE LAST REBEL TOWN

French forces have retaken the northern Malian town of Kidal, the last main stronghold of Islamist rebels in the region. The Islamist fighters had fled the town, near the Algerian border, as the French secured the airport and are hiding in the desert. With northern Mali towns and cities now in French hands, a guerrilla terror campaign is expected.

Mali: why does the press have the taste of blood in its mouth?

6. BECKHAM TO PLAY FOR PSG FOR FREE

David Beckham has sprung a surprise on football's transfer deadline day by agreeing to join French side Paris Saint Germain on a five-month contract that will see him donate his entire salary to a local children's charity. The 37-year-old former England captain was set to be unveiled by the club this afternoon. Beckham has been without a club since leaving LA Galaxy at the end of the US soccer season.

Beckham joins PSG, pledges his salary to children's charity

7. UK FIRST TO GET 'LAST CHANCE' BLACKBERRY

The new Blackberry Z10, the troubled company's "last chance" answer to Apple's iPhone and Android phones, is launched today in Britain - the first market to get the new handset. The Z10 is the first Blackberry to have no physical keyboard and some critics have accused the Canadian makers of directly copying the iPhone.

BlackBerry Z10 is impressive, but can it save the company?

8. CAMERON PROMISES LIBYA UK SUPPORT

David Cameron told Libyans today that "the British people want to stand with you and help you deliver the greater security that Libya needs". He pledged training and support from British police and the Army. He traveled to Tripoli from Algiers, where he had earlier promised a “security partnership” with Algeria in the fight against al-Qaeda-linked terrorists.

Cameron's African adventure: what is he getting us into?

9. PORN STAR RON JEREMY FIGHTS FOR LIFE

The cult porn star Ron Jeremy, 59, was last night fighting for his life in Los Angeles following a second surgery after he came close to death when an aneurysm burst near his heart. TMZ reported that he had driven himself to hospital with chest pains and was last reported to be "resting". Jeremy has starred in more than 2,000 porn movies.

10. HOT TICKET: KAFKA'S METAMORPHOSIS

The international hit based on Franz Kafka's 'Metamorphosis', with music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, has returned to the Lyric, Hammersmith. Gisli Orn Gardarsson plays Gregor Samsa, a salesman who wakes up to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect. Gardarsson is "astonishing", says the Sunday Times. Until 16 February.

Global hit show of Kafka's Metamorphosis back at Lyric