Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 21 Feb 2015

1. LABOUR PLANS TAX RAID FOR TUITION CUT

Labour is planning a tax raid on pensions to pay for a cut in university tuition fees, claims The Times. Shadow chancellor Ed Balls is considering cutting some of the tax breaks handed to pension savers as he tries to find the £2bn needed each year to reduce the fees. Ed Miliband’s plan to cut university fees from £9,000 to £6,000 is proving controversial among senior Labour figures.

2. ARE LONDON GIRLS JOINING ISIS?

Three London schoolgirls are believed to be trying to run away to Syria to join Islamic State. The girls, two aged 15 and one aged 16, are thought to be trying to cross the Turkish-Syrian border to join the terror group. The pupils at Bethnal Green Academy, described as "straight-A students", are close friends with another 15-year-old girl who fled to Syria in December.

3. PUTIN ‘AN OBVIOUS EXISTENTIAL THREAT’

Supporters of the Russian government are to rally in Moscow to mark the first anniversary of what they describe as a "coup" in neighbouring Ukraine. The demonstration has been promoted on state media under the slogan: "We won't forget! We won't forgive!" Meanwhile, a senior British Nato officer said Russian expansionist ambitions could become “an obvious existential threat”.

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4. FARAH WAS TOLD: ‘YOU’RE NOT EUROPEAN’

Mo Farah says that the bad blood between him and rival Andy Vernon dates back to an accusation his British team-mate made that Farah was “not European”. The pair had a spat on Twitter this week, with Farah describing Vernon as an “embarrassment”. Farah says Vernon made the comment after a run last year. “That hurt me,” he said. Vernon insists his remark was a “joke”.

5. RUSSELL BRAND ON WORLD THINKER LIST

Russell Brand has been named alongside the likes of Henry Kissinger and Hilary Mantel on a shortlist of the world's greatest minds. The comedian and activist is included on Prospect magazine's 50-strong World Thinkers 2015 shortlist. Last year, the award was won by Indian intellect Amartya Sen, with the figures such as Pope Francis and broadcaster Mary Beard in the top 10.

6. GREECE SECURES EUROZONE DEAL

Greece has agreed a deal with eurozone nations to extend financial aid following a third round of bailout talks in Brussels. The financial rescue will be extended by four months, agreed finance ministers. Dutch minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the Eurogroup, said that Athens had pledged to honour all its debts. "This is a very positive outcome," he said.

7. MAYWEATHER TO FIGHT PACQUIAO

Floyd Mayweather will fight Manny Pacquiao later this year in what is set to be the richest bout in history, it has finally been confirmed. Considered to be the best two fighters of their generation, American Mayweather, 37, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36, will fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2. The fight is expected to generate as much as £162m ($250m).

8. POLICE RELEASE CHELSEA FAN IMAGES

Scotland Yard has released photographs of three men - believed to be Chelsea fans - who they want to speak to after a black man faced racist abuse on the Paris Metro. Meanwhile, Blues boss Jose Mourinho has said: "I'd like to make clear, on behalf of everyone at the club, our disgust at the incident. We were appalled by what we saw."

9. HUGE BLAZE AT DUBAI TOWER

Fire has swept through one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. The blaze, at the Torch skyscraper in Dubai, was worsened as strong winds helped flames to spread across the 336.1m (1,105ft) high building in the marina district. An eyewitness told the BBC: "There was debris flying everywhere, falling into neighbouring buildings".

10. WILL CHELSEA EXTEND THEIR LEAD?

Chelsea hope to solidify their lead at the top of the Premier League when they host second-bottom Burnley today. However, second-placed Manchester City plan to pounce on any Blues slip-up when they face Newcastle in the tea-time kick-off. Arsenal, meanwhile, are at Crystal Palace, while Manchester United travel to Swansea.