Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 18 Jun 2015

1. NINE KILLED IN SOUTH CAROLINA HATE CRIME

Nine people have been shot dead at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina. Police believe the incident was a hate crime and have named 21-year-old Dylann Roof as their prime suspect. The white male shooter opened fire during a prayer meeting, killing the church’s pastor, Clementa Pinckney, and eight others.

Dylann Roof sentenced to death for Charleston church massacre

2. PREGNANT WOMAN ATTACK: MAN IN COURT

A 20-year-old from south-east London, Kevin Wilson, has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with child destruction and causing grevious bodily harm with intent after an attack on a 21-year-old woman who was 32 weeks pregnant. Malorie Bantala, Wilson's ex-girlfriend, lost her baby in the attack on Monday.

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3. MO FARAH 'MISSED TWO DRUGS TESTS'

British athlete Mo Farah missed two drugs tests before he became double Olympic champion in 2012 the Daily Mail has claimed. The first was in 2010, before he teamed up with coach controversial Alberto Salazar, who has become embroiled in doping allegations. The other missed test reportedly came in February 2011.

4. WIND FARM SUBSIDIES END ONE YEAR EARLY

Subsidies for onshore wind turbines are to be withdrawn from April 1, 2016 - one year earlier than had been promised in the Conservatives’ election manifesto. Projects which already have planning permission will be given a grace period but it is thought 3,000 which are awaiting permission are now in jeopardy.

Solar panel bills to rise by £900 after EU court ruling

5. BORIS JOHNSON SWORE AT TAXI DRIVER

London mayor Boris Johnson has been filmed swearing at a taxi driver, telling him to “f*** off and die”. The driver spoke first, leaning out of his cab to heckle Johnson, who was cycling, about his alleged lack of support for the black cab trade. A source close to the mayor said the driver was a “serial heckler”.

Boris Johnson caught telling taxi driver to 'f*** off and die'

6. NATO EXERCISE IS ‘WARNING TO RUSSIA’

An elaborate training exercise in the Baltic by Nato forces sends a clear warning to Russia, analysts say. The mock landing in Poland took place just 100 miles from Russia’s Kaliningrad naval base, watched by bigwigs including the UK’s defence minister, Michael Fallon. Some observers fear it may heighten tension.

7. POPE CALLS FOR ‘OPEN SPIRIT’ ON CLIMATE

Pope Francis has called for his encyclical on climate change to be received with an “open spirit”. The statement blames human selfishness for man-made global warming and urges an end to reliance on fossil fuels. He adds that humanity is failing its God-given role to look after the Earth and calls on everyone to protect the planet.

8. IMF CHIEF ISSUES GREECE WARNING

IMF president Christine Lagarde has warned Greece that there will be "no period of grace" if it fails to make a payment of €1.6bn, due on 30 June. If the country defaults it could be forced to leave the euro. Her warning came as finance ministers met to try and thrash out a deal over economic reforms, resisted by Greece's Syriza party.

9. £5.7BN TO REPAIR HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT

Restoring the Houses of Parliament could cost as much as £5.7bn and take more than 30 years according to a new report. But if the politicians moved out for six years it would cost just £3.5bn. The buildings need significant restoration work to prevent subsidence, remove asbestos and introduce better communications.

10. BRIEFING: HOW GREXIT WOULD AFFECT THE UK

Britain has stepped up contingency plans to prepare for a possible Grexit, with Chancellor George Osborne warning that there was a "very real risk" the negotiations could fail. British savers have been warned to expect at least ten per cent to be wiped off the value of pensions and share-based Isas if Greece goes bankrupt and leaves the single currency.

Greece finally reaches deal to release €12bn bailout funds