Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 10 Dec 2014

1. UN: PROSECUTE CIA FOR USING TORTURE

The UN and human rights groups have called for the CIA operatives who used what Barack Obama has admitted was torture on suspected members of al-Qaeda to be prosecuted. The UN’s human rights rapporteur, Ben Emmerson, said senior officials from the George W Bush administration should be put on trial.

Psychologists who aided CIA in torture lost sight of morality

2. BRITAIN BRACED FOR ‘WEATHER BOMB’

Severe gales, bringing “exceptionally high” waves, are forecast for the UK today, the Met Office says. The worst of the ‘weather bomb’ - rapidly developing cyclogenesis - is to hit Scotland, northern Ireland and northern parts of England and Wales. Power cuts, floods and travel disruption are all anticipated.

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Weather bomb: the storm phenomenon brewing over Britain

3. SHRIEN DEWANI BACK IN UK AFTER TRIAL

British businessman Shrien Dewani - who had been accused of organising the murder of his new wife, Anni, in Cape Town on their honeymoon in 2010 - is back in the UK after the case against him was dismissed. Judge Jeanette Traverso ruled prosecution arguments fell “far below” the level needed to convict.

Shrien Dewani: will inquest resolve unanswered questions?

4. OFSTED: SECONDARIES ‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’

Ofsted says too many secondary schools in England are not making enough progress and have “stalled”. The education watchdog has ruled that almost one third are not good enough. Chief Sir Michael Wiltshire will warn today that “poor and inconsistent” leadership is to blame for the problems.

5. MALALA: I MIGHT BE PAKISTAN PRESIDENT

Activist Malala Yousafzai has said she hopes to enter politics - and perhaps even become president of Pakistan one day. The 17-year-old, shot in the head by the Taliban for fighting for girls’ education, today becomes the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel peace prize, shared with an Indian campaigner.

6. PISTORIUS MURDER APPEAL TO BE HEARD

A South African court has granted prosecutors permission to appeal against paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius's acquittal on the charge of murder. However, the judge refused prosecutors permission to appeal against the five-year jail term he received after being convicted of culpable homicide for the shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. However, permission was given for an

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

7. RAIL ENGINEERING TO CAUSE XMAS DELAYS

Train companies are advising customers not to travel between Christmas and New Year because of engineering works on both the east coast and west coast mainlines. Cancellations are planned and severe delays are anticipated. More than 11,000 engineers are to work on part of a £200m upgrade.

Christmas trains: which rail lines will be closed?

8. EBOLA IS ‘RUNNING AHEAD OF US’, SAYS WHO

The World Health Organisation has warned that the deadly Ebola virus is “running ahead” of efforts to contain the outbreak in West Africa. WHO boss Margaret Chan says the situation has improved in some parts of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone but the risk to the rest of the world is “always there”.

Ebola: what are the symptoms and is there a cure?

9. WILLIAM AND KATE ATTEND NY FUNDRAISER

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last night were guests of honour at a lavish fundraising dinner in New York City for St Andrews University, where they met as students. Guests paid £6,400 to attend the dinner at the Met Museum, celebrating 600 years since Scotland’s oldest university was founded.

Princess Charlotte to start nursery school in January

10. HOT TICKET: BLAKE AT ASHMOLEAN

A major survey show of William Blake's life and work has opened at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. It features more than 90 works focusing on his methods of printing and engraving, and includes a life-size reconstruction of his printing studio. "Wonderful," says The Independent. Until 1 March.

William Blake: Apprentice and Master – reviews of exhibition