Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 12 Jan 2015

1. TERROR MARCH IS FRANCE’S BIGGEST DEMO

The largest demonstration in French history took place yesterday, with around 1.5 million people marching through the centre of Paris in a show of unity after Islamist gunmen killed 17. At the front of the crowd were world leaders including David Cameron, Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu.

David Cameron in security talks after Paris terror attacks

2. AIR ASIA FLIGHT ‘HIT SEA AND EXPLODED’

Investigators say Air Asia flight QZ8501 - which crashed on 28 December, killing all 162 people on board - exploded when it hit the sea. Divers brought the ‘black box’ flight recorder to the surface of the Java Sea this morning. They have also located the cockpit voice recorder - but it has not yet been raised.

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AirAsia QZ8501: pilots 'turned off critical computer system'

3. FOX NEWS MUSLIM CLAIM SPARKS MIRTH

A so-called "terrorism expert" who was interviewed on right-wing American news channel Fox yesterday has apologised after his claims about the Islamisation of the UK sparked widespread hilarity. Steven Emerson said Birmingham was a no-go area for non-Muslims and claimed Muslim police beat up non-Muslims in London.

#FoxNewsFacts mocks claim that Birmingham is for Muslims only

4. BOYHOOD DOMINATES GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Richard Linklater’s film Boyhood, which took 12 years to make, won three awards at last night’s Golden Globes - best film drama, best director and best supporting actress for Patricia Arquette. UK actor Eddie Redmayne won best actor in a drama for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

Golden Globes 2015: triumphant Boyhood now Oscars frontrunner

5. CHARLIE GUNMAN’S WIFE CONDEMNS ATTACK

The wife of Cherif Kouachi, one of the two brothers who murdered 12 people at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris last week, has condemned his actions and offered condolences to victims. Izzana Hamyd was arrested and questioned for 72 hours after the attack but has now been released.

6. DOLCE VITA'S ANITA EKBERG DEAD AT 83

Former Miss Sweden Anita Ekberg, who starred in Federico Fellini’s 1960 film La Dolce Vita, has died at the age of 83. Ekberg’s famously-voluptuous appearance as she walked in a strapless gown through the waters of the Trevi Fountain defined her career. She suffered illness and poverty in later life.

7. EBOLA NURSE NO LONGER CRITICAL

British nurse Pauline Cafferkey, infected with Ebola while volunteering in Sierra Leone, is no longer critically ill. She was admitted to London's Royal Free Hospital after falling ill last month but she is now "showing signs of improvement". The 39-year-old's has received blood plasma from another British nurse, Will Pooley, who recovered from the disease last year.

8. ONLY 45% WILL GET FULL PENSION IN 2016

Fewer than half of new pensioners will be entitled to the full flat-rate state pension when it comes into effect in April 2016. Under the new system a payment of around £150 a week will be made to all new pensioners, however only 45% of those retiring between 2016 and 2020 will get the full amount, because of issues with their contributions.

9. ‘RELATIVE OF NESSIE’ FOUND IN SCOTLAND

Paleontologists have given a Scottish Gaelic name to a new species of extinct marine reptile discovered on the Isle of Skye. Dearcmhara - jokingly dubbed a long-lost cousin of the Loch Ness Monster - measured 14ft and lived in the warm seas around Scotland during the Jurassic period, 170 million years ago.

10. HOT TICKET: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S KOOZA

Cirque du Soleil's touring circus show Kooza is playing at London's Royal Albert Hall. The world-famous Quebecois troupe uses acrobatics and clowning in the story of an innocent clown searching for his place in the world. "Spellbinding," says The Independent. Until 19 February.

Kooza – reviews of Cirque du Soleil's 'spellbinding' show