Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 27 Jan 2014

1. UKRAINE: STATE OF EMERGENCY THREAT

The threat of a state of emergency being declared in Ukraine looks to have eased after anti-government protesters ended their occupation of the justice ministry in Kiev. The country's justice minister had warned she would ask for a state of emergency unless protesters left the building.

Ukraine: Protesters leave justice ministry after threat

2. DAFT PUNK TAKE TOP HONOURS AT GRAMMYS

The biggest winners at this years Grammy awards - the recording industry’s answer to the Oscars - were French dance duo Daft Punk, who collected five honours including album and record of the year wearing their trademark robot outfits. Sir Paul McCartney played at the event with former Beatle Ringo Starr.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Grammy Awards 2014: top five unmissable moments

3. SURREY TORNADO ‘LIFTED CATS INTO AIR'

A mini-tornado which tore through the streets of Chobham, Surrey, on Saturday brought down trees, damaged houses and even lifted cats into the air, according to eyewitnesses. Around 13,000 households were left without power after the storm, which also hit Kent and Sussex - and 1,100 were still affected yesterday.

Snow, floods and flying cats: UK's weird weather continues

4. MIRROR MAN ADMITS PHONE HACKING

Dan Evans, a former journalist at the Sunday Mirror has pleaded guilty to phone hacking, the jury at the phone-hacking trial was told today. Evans, 37, the first journalist to be charged with phone hacking offences allegedly committed outside newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch, gave evidence at the Old Bailey today.

Jude Law at phone-hacking trial: five things we learned

5. SYRIA PEACE TALKS ARE 'DEADLOCKED'

The Syrian peace talks in Geneva are deadlocked over the divisive issue of transferring power to a transitional government, sources say. The Syrian government team reportedly presented a "declaration of principles" that did not mention transfer of power, and it was rejected by the opposition. The sides cannot agree on the future role of President Bashar al-Assad.

6. NIGELLA WON'T FACE DRUG PROSECUTION

Nigella Lawson will not be prosecuted despite telling a court she had used cocaine on several occasions. The Met announced today it would not be pursuing the matter because it was not in the public interest and a prosecution would be 'disproportionate'. It was also felt a prosecution might stop victims and witnesses being candid with police and courts.

Nigella Lawson returns, but where is the sauce?

7. UK WARNS SOCHI TERROR ATTACKS ‘LIKELY’

British officials believe further terrorist attacks in Russia before or during the Sochi winter Olympics are “very likely”, according to an internal document seen by the BBC. The biggest threat is said to come from Caucasus group Imarat Kavkaz (IK), though it says that group has no track record of attacking non-Russians.

No gays in Sochi, mayor of Winter Olympics city tells BBC

8. TRIERWEILER ARRIVES IN INDIA AFTER SPLIT

Valerie Trieweiler has arrived in India for her first public appearance since her former partner, France’s president Francois Hollande, announced the couple had split up. She was greeted in Mumbai airport by a scrum of around 50 journalists but made no comment. Her visit is to promote a charity, Action Against Hunger.

Trierweiler 'spirited' to India after Hollande confirms split

9. SNOWDEN: NSA INVOLVED IN ESPIONAGE

US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden has alleged the National Security Agency engaged in industrial espionage. In an interview with a German TV channel, the former NSA contractor said the agency would spy on big German companies that competed with US firms. Snowden also said he believes US officials want to kill him.

10. HOT TICKET: SAM MENDES' KING LEAR

Sam Mendes's new production of King Lear has opened at the National Theatre, London. Simon Russell Beale stars as Shakespeare's ageing, tyrannical king who suffers tragic consequences when he disinherits his honest daughter and gifts his kingdom to her devious sisters. "Exceptional," says The Guardian. Until 25 March.

King Lear – reviews of Sam Mendes' 'exceptional' staging