Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 13 Feb 2015

1. LABOUR: WE’LL TAKE BACK BANK BONUSES

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has said that under a Labour government bankers would be expected to repay bonuses received as long ago as ten years if found guilty of misconduct. The current limit is seven years but Balls said that was “too weak”. The Tories said nobody would trust a word Balls said.

2. UKRAINE SHELLING RESUMES AFTER TALKS

Fresh shelling has been reported on the front line between government forces and pro-Russian rebels in the east of Ukraine, following a ceasefire agreement reached after all-night talks between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany. The ceasefire is not due to start until 10pm GMT on Saturday.

Obama: Vladimir Putin trying to 'recreate Soviet empire'

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3. MPS: EXTEND ABUSE ENQUIRY TO ALL UK

The Home Affairs cross-party committee of MPs has urged the government to widen the scope of the investigation into child abuse by a high-ranking circle allegedly including MPs in the 1970s and 80s to cover the whole UK, not just England. The new head of the inquiry said she was open to the idea.

4. TRIBUTES PAID TO 80S STAR STEVE STRANGE

Simon Le Bon, Billy Idol and Boy George are among those paying tribute to Steve Strange, pioneer of the New Romantic 1980s music scene, who has died in his sleep in Egypt at the age of 55. Strange was the singer in Visage and ran the Blitz club where Duran Duran, Culture Club and others started out.

New Romantic icon Steve Strange dies

5. UK TEACHER ON LIST FOR $1M PRIZE

A science teacher from Middlesbrough, Richard Spencer, is one of ten finalists for a global prize of $1m, to be awarded to the world’s best teacher. Spencer, who teaches at Middlesbrough College, is the only finalist from Europe. His unusual teaching methods include singing, dancing, and role-play games.

Will all-singing all-dancing UK science teacher win $1m global prize?

6. PUNCHES THROWN IN SA PARLIAMENT

South Africa’s parliament descended into chaos yesterday, with MPs from one left-wing party throwing punches at security guards who tried to expel them because they kept interrupting a key annual speech by president Jacob Zuma. The largest opposition party then walked out in protest at the expulsion.

7. TURKISH PM CRITICAL OF OBAMA ON MURDERS

Turkey’s PM, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has criticised Barack Obama for staying silent on the murder of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. There is no evidence that their faith led to the deaths, however police say they are keeping an open mind. Gunman Craig Hicks has given himself up.

Chapel Hill shooting: thousands mourn slain students at funeral

8. FRED TALBOT FOUND GUILTY OF TEEN ABUSE

Former weatherman Fred Talbot has been found guilty of indecently assaulting two teenage boys on a school barge trip when he was a teacher in the 1970s. The 65-year-old has been remanded in custody for sentencing on 13 March. The jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court cleared him of eight other indecent assault charges.

9. AMERICAN PIE LYRICS TO BE AUCTIONED

Singer-songwriter Don McLean is auctioning the original manuscript of the lyrics to his best-known song, American Pie. He promised that the hand-written and typed drafts would reveal “everything there is to divulge” about the famously enigmatic song. Christie’s expects the pages to make around $1.5m.

American Pie manuscript 'to fetch $1.5m' at auction

10. BRIEFING: THE CRICKET WORLD CUP

The cricket World Cup starts this weekend in Australia and New Zealand. So who do the experts think will triumph Down Under? The hosts, Australia, are favourites at 2-1 and have impressed in their warm-up matches. The reigning champions, India, on the other hand are an outside bet with a very generous 10-1 to retain their title.

Who will win the cricket World Cup? Robot picks Afghanistan