Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 5 Mar 2015

1. CAMERON’S DEBATE PLAN IS ‘BULLYING’

Labour has accused David Cameron of trying to “bully” broadcasters and of running scared after the Tories said the PM would take part in one TV debate - as long as it featured at least seven party leaders, lasted 90 minutes and took place before the end of March. The Lib Dems accused the PM of “dictating terms”.

2. US ENVOY TO S KOREA SLASHED WITH KNIFE

The US ambassador to South Korea has been slashed in the face and hand with a knife by a man demanding Korean re-unification. Dramatic pictures show Mark Lippert bleeding freely after the attack at a breakfast meeting in Seoul. Barack Obama called the 42-year-old to wish him well. The attacker was arrested.

3. POLL: SNP COULD WIN 56 OF 59 SCOTTISH SEATS

A new poll by former Tory party treasurer Lord Ashcroft suggests the Scottish National Party (SNP) could win 56 of Scotland’s 59 seats in the Commons as a backlash inspired by the failure of the Scottish independence referendum sweeps the country. This could wipe out Labour’s gains in England.

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4. BANK OF ENGLAND FACES FRAUD PROBE

The Bank of England is to be investigated by the SFO (Serious Fraud Office) for the first time. The SFO will examine a series of “auctions” during the 2007-2008 financial crisis when banks were encouraged to bid for loans. It is not known whether the Bank’s employees are suspected of rigging the auctions.

5. NUMBER OF ULTRA-RICH RISES TO 173,000

There are now almost 173,000 people worth $30m (£19.7m) or more in the world, with 5,300 added in the past year as the number of ultra-rich individuals rises. Together, their assets total $22tn - more than the national output of the US and Germany combined. London is home to more than any other city.

6. BECKY WATTS: STEP-BROTHER DUE IN COURT

Nathan Matthews, stepbrother of missing Bristol teenager Becky Watts is due in court today to be charged with her murder. The 28-year-old’s girlfriend, Shauna Hoare or Phillips, 21, will be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. Four others are still being questioned on suspicion of aiding an offender.

7. PLUMBERS ‘COULD REPORT COLD HOMES’

NHS advisory body NICE has suggested that plumbers, meter readers and engineers could be trained to help save lives by identifying people at risk from living in cold homes. They could then offer advice on how to improve energy efficiency in homes and how to access grants for insulation and improvements.

8. MICROSOFT FOUNDER FINDS WW2 BATTLESHIP

Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, has found the wreck of a huge Japanese battleship sunk during WW2. Allen’s research team used an autonomous underwater vehicle to find the Musashi, one of the largest battleships in history. The discovery was made from Allen’s super-yacht, M/Y Octopus.

9. SMITHSONIAN BANS THE SELFIE STICK

The Smithsonian in Washington DC, a group of 19 museums and galleries, has banned selfie sticks, its first rule change in years. The group said it was a “preventative measure to protect visitors and objects, especially during crowded conditions”. The sticks help photographers snap themselves.

10. BRIEFING: CITY OF THE MONKEY GOD

A team of archaeologists hunting for an ancient city in the Honduran rainforest have discovered the "untouched ruins of a vanished culture". Accompanied by two former SAS soldiers and Honduran troops, the researchers discovered a "remarkable cache" of untouched structures, stone sculptures and artefacts which could shed light on the ancient civilisation.

City of the Monkey God: have scientists found the lost city?