Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 11 Feb 2015

1. WHISTLE-BLOWERS IN NHS TO BE PROTECTED

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt is to announce sweeping reforms today which will protect NHS employees who decide to speak out about problems in the service after a review by Sir Robert Francis found that poor care at failing hospitals went undetected for years because staff were afraid to blow the whistle.

2. OBAMA WARNS PUTIN BEFORE BELARUS TALKS

Barack Obama has warned Vladimir Putin that Russia will face greater penalties if it continues its “aggressive actions” in Ukraine ahead of a summit in Belarus at which Putin will meet the leaders of Ukraine, France and Germany. There has been a burst of intense fighting as both sides try to make territorial gains.

Obama: Vladimir Putin trying to 'recreate Soviet empire'

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3. UK EMBASSY IN YEMEN EVACUATED

The British Embassy in Yemen has been evacuated and the foreign office has told all UK nationals to leave the country immediately as the crisis there deepens. Shiite Houthi rebels who have been besieging the capital for months have now seized power. The US ambassador is expected to leave Sanaa today.

Yemen crisis: who are the rebel groups and why are they fighting?

4. HSBC: MILIBAND ATTACKS 'DODGY' CAMERON

Ed Miliband has accused David Cameron of being a "dodgy Prime Minister surrounded by dodgy donors" after it was claimed that the Conservative Party had raised more than £5m from HSBC clients with Swiss accounts. The bank has been accused of helping clients avoid tax. Labour has also benefited from HSBC customers with Swiss accounts.

5. AUSTRALIA: MACHETE TERROR PLOT ‘FOILED’

Police in Australia say they have averted a potentially “catastrophic” terror plot after arresting two men and seizing a machete, hunting knife, home-made IS (Islamic State) flag and a video with a man talking about an attack. Police say the men, 24 and 25, would have made their attack in Syndey on Tuesday.

Police 'foil machete terror plot in Sydney raid'

6. 300 MIGRANTS FEARED DEAD IN MEDITERRANEAN

More than 300 migrants are feared dead after the boats they were travelling from North Africa to Europe sank in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the UN the migrants left Libya on Saturday in four dinghies. Initial reports earlier this week suggested 29 people had died but the UN now says there has been a "tragedy on an enormous scale".

7. ANGER OVER NORTH CAROLINA SHOOTINGS

The deaths of three Muslim students, shot dead in North Carolina, have provoked outrage on account of a perceived lack of media coverage. Deah Shaddy Barakat, his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and her sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha were shot in the town of Chapel Hill. A 46-year-old man, Craig Stephen Hicks, later turned himself in.

Chapel Hill shooting: thousands mourn slain students at funeral

8. JON STEWART TO LEAVE THE DAILY SHOW

Jon Stewart, who has been named in polls as one of the most trusted sources of news for younger Americans, despite hosting a satire programme, is to leave The Daily Show, Comedy Central says. With no word yet on his successor, the network says Stewart will leave this year. He has been in the job since 1999.

Jon Stewart quotes - departing Daily Show host's best lines

9. PREMIER LEAGUE RIGHTS SELL FOR £5BN

The rights to show live Premier League football matches in the UK have been sold for more than £5bn, at a cost of more than £10m per game to the broadcasters, Sky and BT Sports. The deal, which runs from 2016 to 2019, represents a 70% increase on the previous arrangement brokered in 2012. Sky and BT had to fork out extra to see off other bidders.

£5bn Premier League deal: bad news for fans and TV viewers?

10. BRIEFING: IS FREE BANKING DEAD?

On the face of it, current accounts appear to be free, but in reality customers pay for them through high overdraft fees and charges. So would current accounts with upfront fees make more sense? Several banks have begun offering competitive current accounts with up-front fees. However, there are still many good free current accounts that offer solid rates of interest - but pay attention to their hidden charges.

Should you pay for your current account?