Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 15 May 2015

1. ‘SHOWDOWN’ FOR PM AND STURGEON

David Cameron and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon are meeting in Edinburgh to discuss devolving further powers to Scotland. Sky dubs the talks a “showdown” and says the two will clash over EU membership, while The Guardian says the SNP may defy the PM to hold another independence referendum.

Cameron in Scotland for devolution talks with Sturgeon

2. BURUNDI: COUP LEADERS ‘ARRESTED’

The authorities in Burundi say they have arrested the leaders of a coup which president Pierre Nkurunziza insisted yesterday was “imaginary” and had failed. Three renegade generals are being held but the overall instigator, Nkurunziza’s former ally General Godefroid Niyombare was said to be “still on the run”.

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EU cuts financial aid to Burundi as political crisis continues

3. FARAGE: I WON’T STEP DOWN AS UKIP LEADER

Nigel Farage has insisted he enjoys a “phenomenal” level of support and will not step down as Ukip leader. The 51-year-old spoke after a senior figure in the party, MEP Patrick O’Flynn attacked him as a “think skinned, aggressive” man fostering a “personality cult”. Two aides to Farage then resigned.

Nigel Farage: I could lead Ukip again

4. UMUNNA ENDS LABOUR LEADERSHIP BID

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna has withdrawn from the Labour leadership race, just three days after announcing his candidacy. He said in a statement that he was "uncomfortable" with the "added level of pressure" that came with his candidacy. He said he was concerned about "this bid's impact on those close to me".

Chuka Umunna pulls out of Labour leadership contest

5. BLUES GUITARIST BB KING DIES AT 89

Blues legend BB King has died at the age of 89. The Mississippi-born guitarist passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Las Vegas on Thursday, his lawyer said. At one time a farmhand, King become a world figure in blues music, selling millions of records and influencing a generation of younger stars.

BB King dead at 89: the bluesman who influenced a generation

6. JOHNNY DEPP’S DOGS TO FLY HOME TO US

Actor Johnny Depp, filming another Pirates of the Caribbean movie in Australia, is to send his dogs home by private jet after the country’s agriculture minister threatened to have them put down. The terriers were brought illegally into Australia, violating strict bio-security laws designed to protect wildlife.

7. NETWORK RAIL: 24-HOUR STRIKE PLANNED

The first nationwide rail strike for 20 years has been called for bank holiday Monday later this month. Signallers, maintenance and station staff employed by Network Rail will stage a 24 hour walk out from 5pm on 25 May after turning down a pay deal. The main impact will be felt on Tuesday when commuters return to work.

8. POPPY SELLER 'PLAGUED BY CHARITIES'

A 92-year-old woman, found dead in the Avon Gorge last week, had been left "exhausted" by constant requests for money by charities, says a friend. British Legion poppy seller Olive Cooke gave much of her pension to good causes but was plagued by letters and phonecalls asking for more donations.

9. PRE-HISTORIC WOMEN AND MEN ‘WERE EQUAL’

Evidence of gender equality in prehistoric times has been discovered by anthropologists based at University College London. The scientists have studied contemporary hunter-gatherer societies and say that men and women are given equal influence in deciding where their group lives and who they live with.

10. BRIEFING: EL NINO AND EXTREME WEATHER

Meteorologists are predicting that this year's El Nino event will be "substantial" and is likely to lead to extreme weather events around the world. "This is a proper El Nino effect, it's not a weak one," said David Jones, manager of climate monitoring and prediction at the Bureau of Meteorology. The event, which is already underway and could strengthen as early as September, has the potential to cause a colder winter in Europe.

El Nino: what is it and why might this year's be the 'worst ever'?