Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 14 Jan 2015

1. FRANCE: CHARLIE HEBDO SELLS OUT

This week’s edition of satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo has sold out at many newsagents and kiosks across France, despite a print run of three million. The issue, which carries a cartoon of Mohammed on the front, was put together by staff from the magazine who survived last week’s massacre by Islamists.

Charlie Hebdo Mohammed cover is 'an act of war'

2. WARNINGS AS WIND AND SNOW HIT UK

The Met office has issued amber and yellow warnings for most of Scotland, western England and much of Wales. Snow, ice and gales are expected for the next 48 hours. Snowfall will be at its heaviest in central and southern Scotland, with up to four inches. Train services have been cancelled in Scotland today and snow has blocked roads. A tornado struck in Pembrokeshire..

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3. CAMERON, MILIBAND CLASH OVER DEBATES

David Cameron and Ed Miliband have accused each other of "running scared" over televised TV debates at a fiery Prime Ministers Questions. David Cameron has refused to take part in the debates unless the Green Party is involved, but Miliband said that was a "pathetic excuse". Cameron claimed Miliband was scared of the Greens.

PM's TV absence 'unacceptable' - but why Farage and not Green leader?

4. FAR-RIGHT ‘HAS LEAST SUPPORT IN 20 YEARS’

Hope Not Hate, the anti-racism organisation, has published a report which says support for far-right groups like the BNP and EDL is at its lowest in the UK for 20 years. Despite strong online activity, the groups have failed to build significant numbers of new active supporters, says Hope Not Hate.

Rise of Ukip leaves support for far-right groups at 20-year low

5. 400,000 EXTRA A&E VISITS IN 2014

The number of visits to NHS A&E units jumped by 400,000 to 14.6m in 2014, according to figures from NHS England. That is the equivalent of nine new A&E units, says College of Emergency Medicine. Although 92.6% of patients were seen within four hours in the last quarter of 2014 that figure has now fallen to less than 87%, with many hospitals declaring "major incidents".

6. POLL SHOWS LABOUR AHEAD ON NHS

A poll carried out by former Conservative party treasurer Lord Ashcroft has given Labour an 18-point lead over the Tories on the NHS. Just 15% of 20,000 respondents thought the service had improved over the past five years, while 51% said it had got worse. The survey was carried out in November.

Election 2015: Nick Robinson, one man who’d welcome a second election

7. POPE CREATES FIRST SRI LANKAN SAINT

Huge crowds this morning watched Pope Francis canonise Sri Lanka’s first saint at an open-air mass in Colombo. Hundreds of thousands of worshippers were present to hear Francis preach the importance of transcending religious differences. He said religious freedom was a “fundamental human right”.

8. PART OF SPACE STATION EVACUATED

Fears of an ammonia leak on the International Space Station have led to the evacuation of a US part of the ship. Six astronauts and cosmonauts donned breathing apparatus and moved into the Russian segment after the alert. However, Nasa later said a sensor problem probably created the false impression of leaking coolant.

9. PAEDOPHILE'S EX CLEARED OF SEX ABUSE

The ex-partner of paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been cleared of seven child sex abuse image offences. Joanne Mjadzelics, 39, reported Watkins to police five times before he was arrested in 2012 and jailed for 35 years. She said she had encouraged Watkins to send her images in order to expose his criminality.

10. BRIEFING: WHY LOW PRICES MAY BE BAD FOR US

George Osborne hailed yesterday's fall in inflation to 0.5 per cent as "welcome news" which would benefit both businesses and consumers, but not all analysts agree that the effects of lower inflation will be entirely positive. The Week's briefing examines why inflation has dropped, and why falling prices may be bad for the economy.

Low inflation: something to fear or celebrate?