Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 17 Jan 2015

1. TERRORISM: EUROPE ON HIGH ALERT

Europe is on high alert in the wake of a series of anti-terror raids and arrests of suspected Islamist militants. Raids in Belgium, France and Germany have seen 20 people taken into custody. Belgium has joined France in deploying troops alongside police. Britain's top anti-terror police officer has warned of an increased threat to the Jewish community.

2. CAMERON RECEIVES OBAMA BOOST

David Cameron has received a huge pre-election boost as Barack Obama says he “must be doing something right” on the economy. The US president said: “I would note that Great Britain and the United States are two economies that are standing out at a time when a lot of other countries are having problems. So we must be doing something right.”

3. DISRUPTION AS UK FACES SNOWY FREEZE

Parts of Britain could face six inches of snow this weekend as an Arctic blast moves in. Heavy snowfall in Scotland has already sparked travel disruption overnight and caused the Rangers v Hearts match at Ibrox to be abandoned. Chris Burton, forecaster for The Weather Network, said: “Almost anywhere in the UK has the risk of seeing snow at some point next week.”

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4. BUT 2014 WAS HOTTEST ON RECORD

Last year was officially the hottest on record, say US government scientists. After smashing temperature records that had stood for hundreds of years across virtually all of Europe, and baking regions in China, South America, and Russia – 2014 has been officially named the hottest on record, with global temperatures 1.24F (0.69C) higher than the 20th-century average.

5. TORIES ‘SHOULD FEAR MILIBAND MOST’

The Conservatives should be far more worried about Ed Miliband than Nigel Farage during the general election campaign, says Lord Patten. The peer, a former Tory chairman, told the BBC Miliband is "highly intelligent" and a "good debater". Speaking after days of debate over possible televised debates, Patten said: “I wouldn't be worried about the Farage factor.”

6. UK’S ‘LAST VICTORIAN’ DIES AT 114

Britain’s last Victorian has died. Ethel Lang, who lived to see six British monarchs and 22 prime ministers, passed away at the age of 114. She danced into her late nineties, enjoyed watching snooker and “always liked a cup of tea”. Her daughter said: “Her secret to living so long was living so well,” she said. “She never smoked and rarely had a drink. She was always out and about.”

7. ICC LAUNCHES GAZA CRIMES PROBE

The International Criminal Court has launched an inquiry into alleged war crimes committed against Palestinians when Israel bombed Gaza last year killing at least 2,000. The move comes weeks after Palestine agreed to be subject to the jurisdiction of the court in the Hague, which investigates and issues judgements on crimes against humanity across the world.

8. ISIS ‘EXECUTE MEN FOR BEING GAY’

Photographs have been released showing ISIS militants apparently throwing two men to their deaths for being gay. A crowd had gathered at the foot of a tower block to witness the death of the two men accused of "engaging in homosexual activities". Other images released by the group show two men being crucified in front of a baying crowd and a woman being stoned to death.

9. OIL: PM CALLS FOR UK PAY RISES

UK workers should be handed pay rises by employers who are enjoying soaring profits from tumbling oil prices, says David Cameron. The prime minister announced he wants British firms, which have seen profits hit a 16-year high, to pass on the success to their employees. Living costs have continued to rise since the financial crash but salaries have not gone up for years.

10. JOSE: CHELSEA ‘TREATED DIFFERENTLY’

Jose Mourinho says Chelsea are treated differently by the authorities. As the Blues boss contests a charge for claiming there is a"campaign" against his side, he highlighted the lack of punishment of Arsene Wenger for shoving him earlier this season. "Do you think if I push a manager in the technical area that I don't have a stadium ban?” he said. “I have a stadium ban."