Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 25 Nov 2015

1. Russian pilot says Turkey 'gave no warning'

The pilot of a Russian warplane shot down by the Turkish airforce says no warning was given and that there was "no way" it was in Turkish air space. Konstantin Murakhtin was rescued by special forces after crashing in Syria. His co-pilot was shot dead by Syrian rebels. A US official claims the heat signature of a Russian fighter jet proves it was in Turkish airspace.

US and Russia spar over vetoed Syria sanctions

2. Osborne scraps cuts to tax credits

Chancellor George Osborne has scrapped controversial plans for tax credit cuts in his Autumn Spending Review. The £4.4bn savings the cuts would have generated will be covered by higher-than-expected tax receipts, he said. The decision means that the government will breach its self-imposed cap on welfare spending. In the statement Osborne also ruled out cuts to police budgets.

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Autumn Statement 2015: who will win and who will lose?

3. Chicago: appeal for calm over police shooting

The mayor of Chicago has appealed for calm after a police video was released showing a white officer shooting dead a black teenager, allegedly armed with a knife, as he ran away. Jason Van Dyke is facing a murder charge after firing 16 shots into Laquan McDonald, 17, in October last year, 30 seconds after arriving on the scene.

4. Winter deaths worst since 1999

Last year saw almost 44,000 extra deaths over winter in England and Wales, the highest number since 1999. Although the winter was relatively mild the excess deaths have been put down to the flu virus and a less effective vaccine than in previous years. Most victims were over 75 and influenza and pneumonia were the underlying causes in more than a third of the cases.

5. Schools and metro re-open in Brussels

After four days of closure, schools and the metro system in Brussels are expected to be open today - though not every metro line will be running. Belgium remains on its highest level of terrorism alert, with hundreds of armed police and soliders on the streets of the capital. The authorities still fear a Paris-style attack may happen.

6. MP withdraws from SNP whip over funds inquiry

Glasgow East MP Natalie McGarry has withdrawn from the SNP whip while facing allegations of funding irregularities. McGarry said she has done "nothing wrong" but it was in the party's best interests she step down. She is the second SNP MP to quit the party while being investigated for alleged financial irregularities since May.

7. New York: real baby abandoned in nativity scene

A baby found abandoned in a church nativity scene has been dubbed a "Christmas miracle". The newborn boy was left wrapped in blankets in a 'manger' outside the Church of Holy Jesus in Queens. Pastor Christopher Heanue said: "A young couple in our parish would love to adopt this child and keep this gift in our community."

Baby boy found abandoned in manger at New York church

8. Australia: drones to hunt sharks at surfing beaches

Drones are to patrol the ocean off the coast of New South Wales to look for sharks after a series of attacks. The drone trial is one of several measures to be introduced after a 'shark summit' on keeping surfers safe, including 'smart' fishing lines which will alert officials when sharks are snagged on baited hooks hung from floats.

9. Junior doctor dispute: government agrees to Acas talks

The government has called on junior doctors to call off a series of strikes planned for next month after agreeing to talks at the Acas conciliation service. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had ruled out going to Acas, but has now backed down. In a letter to the British Medical Association he said it was "time to work together" to "avoid harming vulnerable patients".

10. Briefing: what to expect from the Autumn Statement

George Osborne will today stand up in the House of Commons to deliver the third package of fiscal policy measures this year. The majority of attention is focused on cuts to spending and how this is balanced with demands for greater funding in some critical areas ­ as well as pledges to soften savings in others. Can Osborne make his figures add up?

Autumn Statement 2015: who will win and who will lose?