Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 5 Mar 2014

1. US AND RUSSIA IN UKRAINE TALKS

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has begun talks with his US counterpart, John Kerry, and representatives of EU states at a meeting in Lebanon to try to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. The US wants international monitors in Ukraine. Meanwhile there have been injuries during clashes between pro- and anti-Russian groups in Donetsk

Ukraine rekindles Nato aspirations, angering Russia

2. NO 10 ‘HELD BACK IMMIGRATION REPORT’

The BBC says Downing Street has withheld a report into immigration because its findings are “incendiary”. The cross-governmental report rebutts statistics previously quoted by the home secretary on net migration, suggesting her claim that 23 UK workers lose jobs for every 100 migrants who arrive is far too high.

Subscribe to 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

Vince Cable implicated in row over 'withheld' migration report

3. BBC TO SHOW CLEGG V FARAGE DEBATE

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Ukip leader Nigel Farage will debate Britain's future in Europe in a live TV debate on the BBC next month. Clegg, whose Lib Dems are pro-Europe, challenged Farage to the debate last month. The hour-long discussion will be broadcast on BBC2 from 7pm on Wednesday, 2 April, and will be hosted by David Dimbleby.

Clegg v Farage debate dates confirmed: who will triumph?

4. £100M SOMERSET FLOOD PLANS REVEALED

A tidal barrage at the town of Bridgewater forms part of a £100m plan to combat flooding in Somerset. The draft report, leaked to the BBC, also features calls for extensive dredging on the Somerset levels and the resurfacing of many miles of roads in the county. The 23 page report was produced by locals in six weeks and is due to be presented to the government.

5. ITALY TO ACT ON POMPEII RAIN COLLAPSE

Rome says it will unblock €2m (£1.6m) in emergency funding to protect Pompeii, the ancient city considered one of the world’s most important - but neglected - archaeological sites, after flooding caused walls to collapse on Sunday and Monday. The news comes after calls for action from the EU and UN.

6. ONE THIRD OF EU WOMEN FACE VIOLENCE

The biggest survey ever conducted on domestic violence has found that around one third of women in the EU - almost 62 million - have experienced either sexual or physical abuse since the age of 15. Based on interviews with 42,000 women, it was compiled by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights.

Violence affects one in three European women, says EU

7. PISTORIUS GUN INCIDENT IN CAFE

The trial of Oscar Pistorius has heard how the Paralympian, accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, begged a friend to take the blame after he allegedly fired a gun inside a Johannesburg restaurant. The incident took place a month before he shot Steenkamp dead at his home in Pretoria. Pistorius claims he mistook her for an intruder.

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

8. MIKAEEL KULAR: CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED

Mikaeel Kular’s cause of death has been made public: internal bleeding and peritonitis. The three-year-old from Edinburgh’s disappearance sparked a major search before his body was found in woodland behind a house in Kirkcaldy, Fife. His mother, Rosdeep Kular, has since been charged with his murder.

Mikaeel Kular: mother pleads guilty to killing three-year-old

9. MEAT AND CHEESE ‘AS BAD AS SMOKING’

A US study suggests that eating a high-protein diet including meat and dairy products in middle age, is as unhealthy as smoking. Researchers in Carolina found those between 50 and 65 who ate a lot of animal protein were twice as likely to die early and four times as likely to die of cancer than those who did not.

Is too much animal protein really 'as bad as smoking'?

10. HOT TICKET: HANDEL OPERA RODELINDA

The ENO's revival of Handel's epic romantic opera Rodelinda has opened at the Coliseum, London. Richard Jones directs the comical drama of an exiled king who returns to his kingdom in disguise to save his wife from a forced marriage. "Tremendous," says The Guardian. Until 15 March.

Rodelinda - reviews of Handel's 'ravishing' romantic opera