Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 8 May 2014

1. PUTIN: SEPARATIST VOTE MUST BE DELAYED

Russian PM Vladimir Putin has executed a “tactical retreat”, according to the Guardian, telling pro-Russian separatists in the east of Ukraine they must postpone a referendum on autonomy. He also called for an end to government operations in the east where troops are trying to regain control from separatists.

Ukraine rekindles Nato aspirations, angering Russia

2. BARCLAYS: 20,000 JOBS CUT AS BANK SHRINKS

Barclays has announced it will cut almost 20,000 jobs - significantly more than the 10,000-12,000 it had anticipated - as it carries out a strategy to shrink its investment banking activities. The BBC reports 14,000 will go this year but Sky News says a further 5,000 will lose their jobs in 2015 and 2016.

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Barclays: thousands more job losses as 'bad bank' unveiled

3. SCOTS WARNED OVER KEEPING THE POUND

New research by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research have led to a warning to Scotland not to try to keep the pound if it becomes independent. The economists say a currency union would be unstable and undesirable, resembling the dollarisation seen in countries such as Panama.

4. MALALA URGES ACTION ON NIGERIA KIDNAP

Campaigner Malala Yousafzai has urged the world to take action over the kidnap of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls by Islamist terror group Boko Haram. The Pakistani schoolgirl, who survived being shot in the head by the Taleban, said: “If we remain silent, then this will spread, this will happen more and more.”

Suicide bomber kills 47 at school assembly in Nigeria

5. MET POLICE TO WEAR BODY CAMERAS

The Met police in London are to try wearing body cameras which will record everything that happens while they are on the beat. The force hopes it will increase transparency and accelerate convictions. Five hundred cameras will be distributed across 10 London boroughs for a first trial of the plan.

6. SOUTH AFRICA: EARLY ELECTION LEAD FOR ANC

As votes are counted in South Africa’s fifth general election as a full democracy, the ruling ANC has taken an early lead. With 31% of votes counted, the ANC has 58.7% followed by the Democratic Alliance on 27.7%. The ANC is expected to win - but anything less than 60% will be seen as a major upset.

South Africa votes in 'crucial' test for ANC

7. MADELEINE MCCANN: POLICE REACH PORTUGAL

UK police officers have arrived in Portugal to continue the search for Madeleine McCann, who went missing in 2007 at the age of three. Sky news says digs are to take place at several locations, with ground-penetrating radar to guide excavations. They also want to interview three potential suspects.

What happened to Madeleine McCann? A timeline of the case

8. ABU HAMZA WORKED FOR MI5, SAYS DEFENCE

Abu Hamza’s defence team yesterday told the judge in a US court where he is standing trial for 11 terrorism charges that the radical Islamist cleric had secretly worked for MI5, tasked to “keep the streets of London safe”. The judge refused to allow the jury to be shown evidence to support the claims.

Abu Hamza guilty: radical cleric likely to die behind bars

9. KATIE PRICE DIVORCES THIRD HUSBAND

Augmented topless model and novelist Katie Price, aka Jordan, has announced she is splitting from her third husband, Kieran Hayler, accusing him of having an affair. She tweeted: “Sorry to say me and kieran are divorcing him and my best friend jane pountney bee having a full blown sexual affair for 7 months.”

10. HOT TICKET: HIP HOP DANCE FESTIVAL

Hip hop dance festival Breakin’ Convention has launched its UK tour at Sadler’s Wells, London. The event features live performances from UK and international dancers including actor/dancer Ukweli Roach, Ill-Abilities and Wanted Posse. “Exhilarating,” says The Guardian. Until 7 June.

Breakin’ Convention – reviews of hip hop dance festival