Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 8 Jan 2015

1. PARIS SUSPECTS 'ROB SERVICE STATION'

The two main suspects in the Charlie Hebdo attack, brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi, are believed to have robbed a service station in northern France. Food and petrol was stolen in the raid and shots were fired. Earlier a policewoman was shot dead in Paris. A third suspect handed himself in to police. A minute's silence has been held for the 12 victims of the attack.

Charlie Hebdo suspects dead as police free hostages

2. OLDHAM PULL OUT OF CHED EVANS DEAL

Oldham Athletic have pulled out of a deal to sign striker and convicted rapist Ched Evans after reports of death threats to staff and their families. The club had said it was 80% certain to sign the player despite a 60,000-strong petition asking them not to and opposition from sponsors. Evans served half of a five-year sentence for rape but still maintains his innocence.

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Oldham call off Ched Evans deal after threats against staff

3. TESCO TO CLOSE 43 SHOPS ACROSS UK

Struggling retailer Tesco will close 43 unprofitable branches across the UK and drop plans to open 49 others - despite better-than-expected Christmas sales. The firm will also make cuts of £250m and is considering closing its staff pension programme. Sales over Christmas were down just 0.3% year-on-year.

4. WINDS AND SNOW TO BATTER UK TONIGHT

Forecasters are anticipating uprooted trees and downed power lines across the UK from tonight as winds whipped up by a 250mph jet stream strike reach the country, bringing snow in their wake. The north of Scotland may see 100mph gales - strong enough to damage buildings - with 60mph winds expected in England.

UK storm: Rail services cancelled due to hurricane force gales

5. US ANTIBIOTICS BREAKTHROUGH HAILED

A new technique for growing antibiotics developed in the US has been hailed as a “game-changer”. Nearly three decades since the last new class of antibiotics to prove useful was discovered - and with resistance increasing globally - a team in Boston has come up with a novel way of growing bacteria in soil.

Teixobactin: 'game-changing' new antibiotic discovered

6. 2,000 FEARED DEAD IN BOKO HARAM ATTACKS

As many as 2,000 people are feared dead after another assault by militant Islamist group Boko Haram on the north-east Nigerian town of Baga. Large parts of the town were burnt down in attacks on Wednesday after a nearby military base was over-run at the weekend, 3,000 people are said to have fled to Chad. The group has also threatened to attack Cameroon.

7. FARAGE CHARLIE HEBDO CLAIM 'IRRESPONSIBLE'

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has been accused of using the Charlie Hebdo massacre to score political points after he claimed it raised questions about a "gross policy of multiculturalism". Home Secretary Theresa May said his comments were "irresponsible" and they were also condemned by Labour leader Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg of the Lib Dems.

8. THREE MORE WOMEN ALLEGE COSBY ASSAULT

Another three women have come forward to accuse US comedian and actor Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting them several years ago. Their lawyer, Gloria Allred, has urged Cosby to agree to a trial even though the allegations, dating from 1981 to 1996, are outwith the statute of limitations.

9. NO RISE IN INTEREST RATES YET

The Bank of England has held interest rates at the historic low of 0.5% for another month. It is now almost six years since the rate was last changed, in March 2009. Analysts had predicted an increase in interest rates in early 2005 but with the eurozone experiencing deflation and the price of oil at less than $50 a barrel rates look unlikely to rise.

10. HOT TICKET: RUSSIAN SATIRE THE DRAGON

Tangram Theatre company's new adaptation of Yevgeny Schwartz's Stalin-era satire is playing at the Southwark Playhouse, London. Swaggering superhero Lancelot tries to save a village from a tyrannical dragon but discovers the locals aren't so keen on liberty. "Intelligent, unsettling and ebullient," says The Times. Until 10 January.

The Dragon - reviews of 'oddball' Russian satire