Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 13 Nov 2014

1. MILIBAND: CRITICS KNOW I CAN WIN POWER

Labour leader Ed Miliband has said his critics know he can “absolutely” be Prime Minister - but he admitted his “mettle had been tested” by reports in the media that senior Labour figures are pushing for him to step aside. In a speech today he said that Labour could deliver reform without big spending.

Ed Miliband: my critics know I've got the right stuff to be PM

2. COMET PROBE STABLE - BUT FEARS OVER BATTERY

Scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) say the Philae probe is now stable and sending pictures from the surface of a comet, but not from the position intended. The probe has bounced twice and has now settled about 1km from its target site, and there are concerns that it may not receive the sunlight it needs to recharge its batteries.

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Rosetta researchers find 'building blocks of life' on comet

3. MASSIVE SEARCH FOR CHANNEL FERRY WOMAN

A huge search is underway for a woman who is reported to have gone overboard from a cross-channel ferry around six miles off the coast of Dover. The alarm was raised by the Pride of Kent at about 1.30am this morning. A helicopter, UK lifeboats, a tug boat and a French lifeboat are all searching the channel.

4. 'TIGER ON THE LOOSE' NEAR PARIS

Residents of a French town were warned to stay indoors today after reports of a tiger on the loose. The big cat was first spotted in a supermarket car park in Montevrain on Thursday morning. Other local residents also reported seeing a large cat. An area of woodland was roped off as helicopters with thermal imaging cameras searched for the predator.

5. TONY BENN’S SON TAKES BACK PEERAGE

The late Labour party grandee Tony Benn famously fought for the right to renounce the peerage he inherited so that he could enter the Commons as an MP. Now his eldest son, Stephen, has formally reclaimed the title of Viscount Stansgate after 50 years. He hopes to enter the Lords to represent Labour.

6. INDIA: STERILISATION DOCTOR ARRESTED

A doctor, SK Gupta, who is alleged to have botched operations at a sterilisation clinic in India has been arrested as the number of fatalities reached 14. And it has emerged that even as women lay dying from the first round of operations, a second sterilisation clinic was held - after which another woman died.

India sterilisations: why does India carry out operations?

7. MEXICO: PROTESTERS SET PARLIAMENT ABLAZE

Masked protesters in Mexico yesterday set fire to a state parliament building as violent demonstrations continued over the apparent massacre of 43 students. The killings have been linked to corrupt police and gangsters, with demonstrators saying the authorities are not handling the inquiry properly.

Mexico crisis: protests over missing students continue

8. FIFA REPORT WRONG SAYS CORRUPTION LAWYER

A Fifa corruption report, which cleared World Cup hosts Russia and Qatar of wrongdoing in the bidding process, contains "materially incomplete and erroneous representations", according to the man behind the original investigation. The intervention of Michael Garcia, who led a two-year inquiry into the claims, has raised fears of a whitewash.

Qatar World Cup gets all clear, but Fifa could fine English FA

9. LONDON WOMAN JAILED FOR I.S FUNDING PLOT

A London woman has been jailed for 28 months after being convicted of trying to send money to her husband, fighting for Islamic State in Syria. Amal El-Wahabi tried to get a friend to carry £16,000 into Turkey intended for her husband Aine Davis, who left the UK for Syria in July 2013. The plan failed when her friend was stopped at Heathrow.

10. HOT TICKET: TAYLOR WESSING PHOTO PRIZE

An exhibition of finalists for the 2014 Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize is showing at the National Portrait Gallery, London. It presents sixty portraits by contemporary photographers including images of Steve McQueen, Lenny Henry and Silvio Berlusconi. "Joyous," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 22 February.

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize -reviews

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