Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 11 Jan 2015

1. MET OFFICER: UK ATTACK ‘UNLIKELY’

Britain’s most senior policeman has told Sky News that a terror attack on Britain is “unlikely”. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "I don't think it's likely but I think we all know it's a possibility - the threat level is severe and so therefore that means a terrorist attack is possible.” Days ago, M15 warned that the UK faced a threat of "complex and ambitious plots".

2. TERROR: WORLD LEADERS HEAD TO PARIS

World leaders are due at a large rally in Paris to show unity after the terror attacks in the French capital. Meanwhile, it has emerged that a Muslim worker saved customers’ lives at the Jewish deli attack. In Germany, a newspaper that reprinted the Charlie Hebdo cartoons suffered an arson attack overnight. Nobody was hurt.

Charlie Hebdo attack: how should the world respond?

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3. CANCER REFERRAL SCHEME LAUNCHED

Patients will be allowed to refer themselves for cancer tests - bypassing their GP - under pilot schemes to be introduced by the NHS. The Sunday Times says that doctors will also be ordered to lower the threshold at which they refer patients for cancer investigations in a bid to combat missed and late diagnoses. Younger patients and those with fewer symptoms will now be referred.

4. TEBBIT TELLS PM TO JOIN DEBATES

Voters will conclude that David Cameron is “frit” if he ducks live television debates ahead of the general election, says Norman Tebbit. The former Tory minister tells The Observer it would be unwise for the PM to dodge the debates. “I don’t think it is going to improve his image. I think the public will take the view that he is frit. And anyway, the public enjoy these confrontations.”

5. HEBDO MAN WILL ‘VOMIT’ ON ‘NEW FRIENDS’

A Charlie Hebdo cartoonist says he will “vomit on all these people who suddenly say they are our friends” after people across the globe offered solidarity under Je Suis Charlie slogan. Bernard Holtrop, who was not in the office when it was attacked on Wednesday, said the publication's new found fame was “laughable” and comes from people who have “never seen it”.

6. OVATION FOR GAY CATHOLIC PRIEST

A Catholic priest in Dublin has received a standing ovation from parishioners after telling them he is gay. Father Martin Dolan, of the inner-city Church of St Nicholas of Myra, told the congregation he supported gay marriage and added: “I’m gay myself”. A recent poll showed that nearly 70% of people in Ireland support gay marriage.

7. NEW ROAD SIGNS TO WARN OF BOARS

New road signs are to warn motorists of the lethal dangers of wild boars. Transport ministers have acted after a fatal collision on the M4 last week. The animals, which can weigh more than 20 stone, will be featured on a brand new road sign will comprise a red triangle portraying a large boar leaping across a road.

8. POWER OUTAGE MISERY CONTINUES

Tens of thousands of homes remain without power as several parts of the UK are being warned to prepare for further bad weather. High winds and gusts of more than 100 mph have cut power lines and damaged networks, leaving nearly 20,000 without power. Ice and flood alerts remain in place in Scotland as well as England and Wales.

9. OUTRAGE OVER MURDOCH MUSLIM TWEET

Rupert Murdoch has sparked fury after saying all Muslims should be held responsible for jihadi terrorism. The News Corp boss wrote on Twitter: “Maybe most Moslems peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer they must be held responsible.” As anger grew, he added that: “Political correctness makes for denial and hypocrisy.”

10. CAN SOUTHAMPTON BEAT MAN UTD?

Third host fourth today as Southampton travel to Manchester United. The Reds welcome back a host of injured players including Angel di Maria, Rafael, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia. At lunchtime, Arsenal will host Stoke City. Arsene Wenger will have a host of attacking talent available including Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott, after the trio recovered from injuries.