Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 15 Nov 2014

1. MILIBAND TO ATTACK SPORTS DIRECT

Ed Miliband is to accuse Sports Direct of using “Victorian practices” by placing thousands of workers on zero-hours contracts. The Labour leader will slam the sports retailer for “exploiting” the contracts, which do not guarantee work or several basic employment rights. His speech will be welcomed by many voters but also reignite accusations that Labour is “anti-business”.

2. WILL WOMEN JOIN ARMY FRONTLINE?

Women may get call-ups to join the frontline of the British army for the first time, reports The Times. A long-standing rule preventing women from fighting on the front line with men could be relaxed after a government study into women in combat. Launching the review in May, then defence secretary Philip Hammond lambasted the army as the “last bastion of male chauvinism”.

3. OBAMA: CLIMATE DEAL IS POSSIBLE

Barack Obama has told the G20 that a global climate change deal is possible and vital, reports The Guardian. The US president told the Australian summit that each nation has a responsibility to do its part and “overcome old divides, look squarely at the science and reach a strong global climate agreement next year”. The US will contribute $3bn to the Green Climate Fund.

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4. HAMMOND: BRITAIN COULD QUIT EU

Britain must be willing to “stand up from the EU table and walk away”, says Philip Hammond. The foreign secretary tells the Daily Telegraph that Britain could leave the EU if the country does not gain control over its borders. Westminster must get “substantial, meaningful reform” from Brussels ahead of the in-out referendum Mr Cameron has pledged to hold in 2017, he adds.

5. MOST PARENTS WANT UNDER-12S LAW

Most British parents believe that leaving a child home alone under the age of 12 should be made a criminal offence. According to a YouGov poll in The Times, two-thirds of parents want the government to set a legally binding minimum age limit. Under the current system families judge for themselves when it is safe to leave a child.

6. FRANCE COMPARES CAMERON TO FAR-RIGHT

A senior figure in the French government has compared David Cameron to the far-right leader Marine Le Pen. The figure tells the Daily Telegraph that Cameron’s handling of the row over whether Britain should pay a £1.7 bn bill was “nationalistic” and “Byzantine”. The figure, who is close to President Francois Hollande, said Cameron showed “no European solidarity”.

7. DID RIGBY KILLER LEAVE ONLINE CLUES?

Online clues may have indicated the plans of Lee Rigby’s killers, a major report is expected to argue. An investigation by the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee will say that suspicious internet activities of Michael Adebolajo were not flagged up to MI5 by overseas internet providers. Adebolajo and accomplice Michael Adebowale murdered Drummer Rigby last year.

8. BARNSLEY COUNCIL BANS SANTA BEARD

A Barnsley taxi driver has been banned from dressing as Santa because council bosses say the false beard would prevent passengers from identifying him if he broke the law. Dave Leonard wants to wear the Santa outfit to raise money for charity. While backing the plan overall, the local council said wearing a long white beard would mean he did not match his taxi ID card.

9. CHILDREN IN NEED RAISES £32.6M

The Children in Need appeal raised more than £32.6m, reports the BBC. The charity evening was hosted by Sir Terry Wogan, alongside Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton and Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw. Among the acts taking part were One Direction, S Club 7 and Susan Boyle. Last year’s gala raised £31.m, to help disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

10. ROONEY TARGETS 2018 WORLD CUP

A fine strike from Shaun Maloney earned Scotland a valuable and deserved win over the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 Group D qualifier last night. England host Slovenia in a tea-time kick-off today. Wayne Rooney, who wins his 100th cap today, says he hopes to play at the 2018 World Cup.