Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 16 Jan 2014

1. MOD CUTS THREATEN UK-US PARTNERSHIP

Cuts to the armed forces in the UK will mean the UK can no longer be a full military partner to the US, the former US defence secretary Robert Gates has warned. He told the BBC that for the first time since WW1 Britain does not have an operational aircraft carrier. The government plans to lose 20,000 soldiers and 6,000 Navy staff by 2020.

Robert Gates: military cuts will end UK's global role

2. 1,000 TEACHERS ACCUSED OF ABUSE

At least 950 school staff have been disciplined, suspended or dismissed in the last five years after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. One in four cases led to police charges. Charities said child sex allegations should be taken more seriously, but teachers’ leaders said many allegations were false, fanciful, or “malicious”.

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3. SARKOZY LAMBASTS HIS SUCCESSOR

Nicolas Sarkozy has criticised his successor, saying Francois Hollande had made the French presidency look “ridiculous” with scooter-driven night trips to see his mistress. He is said to have told a French magazine he made his relationship with Carla Bruni official quickly “because I didn’t want a photo taken one sordid morning or after nightfall”.

Are we under-estimating the 'dynamic' Francois Hollande?

4. ACTOR ROGER LLOYD-PACK DEAD AT 69

Roger Lloyd-Pack the actor best-known as dull-witted cleaner Trigger in the sit-com Only Fools and Horses has died aged 69. The actor, who also starred in The Vicar of Dibley, was suffering from pancreatic cancer his agent said. He is survived by found children, one of whom is the actor Emily Lloyd.

Roger Lloyd-Pack: Only Fools and Horses' Trigger dies aged 69

5. 10 OSCAR NOMS FOR HUSTLE AND GRAVITY

The Seventies drama American Hustle and the sci-fi drama Gravity have earned ten Academy Award nominations each. Both films are nominated for best picture, a category in which they will compete with 12 Years a Slave, Captain Phillips, Her, Nebraska, Philomena and The Wolf of Wall Street.

Why Jennifer Lawrence is 'the future of womankind'

6. F1 BOSS ECCLESTONE FACES BRIBERY CHARGES

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has stood down as a director of the board that runs the sport after it was announced that he would face criminal charges in Germany. The 83-year-old is due to go on trial in Munich in April over allegations he bribed a jailed German banker during negotiations over the sale of F1 to holding company CVC in 2006.

Bernie Ecclestone bribery case: what is F1 boss charged with?

7. POLICE TARGET LIVE-STREAM PAEDOPHILES

More than 130 British suspects have been identified by an international operation to target paedophiles live- streaming child sex abuse over the internet. The National Crime Agency is working on four international inquiries, after one investigation in the Philippines- that saw children being abused to order via Skype- led to 17 arrests in Britain.

Philippine live-streaming child abuse ring exposed by police

8. NO ACTION AGAINST LORD RENNARD

The Lib Dems say they will not be taking disciplinary action against Lord Rennard over sexual harassment claims. An independent inquiry into allegations of impropriety made by female activists concluded that the evidence against the peer was "broadly credible". But the lawyer who led the probe said there was less than a 50% chance that harassment charges could be proved.

Nick Clegg renews call for Lord Rennard to apologise

9. MURRAY MAKES AUS OPEN THIRD ROUND

Andy Murray survived a third set scare against unheralded Frenchman Vincent Millot but came back to win 6-2, 6-2, 7-5. The win takes him into the third round of the Australian Open. The Scottish player is recuperating from surgery on his back, but has showed few signs of injury in a tournament being played in blistering heat.

10. HOT TICKET: THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street is released in UK cinemas this week. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jordan Belfort, a penny stock dealer who rises to become a wealthy stockbroker living the high life, before greed, fraud and drug abuse lead to his downfall. "Polished and punchy," says The Guardian.

Scorsese's black comedy The Wolf of Wall Street - reviews