Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 6 Jan 2016

1. North Korea claims to have tested hydrogen bomb

North Korea's state news agency claims the country has successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen bomb for the first time. The claim comes after a suspicious earth tremor was detected in the north of the country by the US. It could take weeks to confirm the claims - but, if true, they will provoke outrage from other nations.

Kim Jong Nam death: murder trial begins in Malaysia

2. Labour reshuffle: frontbenchers quit in protest

Three Labour MPs have resigned from the party's front bench in protest over Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet reshuffle. Jonathan Reynolds and Stephen Doughty stood down over the sacking of shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden for "disloyalty" and Kevan Jones quit his defence job after Maria Eagle was replaced by Emily Thornberry.

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Jeremy Corbyn is a 'disaster', says Stephen Hawking

3. Protests in Cologne after NYE attacks on women

Hundreds of people protested last night in Cologne about sexual assaults and robberies carried out on New Year's Eve by gangs of north African or Arab men. The scale of the attacks, supposedly by hundreds of men and including sexual assaults and rapes, has shocked the country and stirred up anti-immigrant feeling. The police have been criticised for their response.

4. Commons to debate banning Donald Trump from UK

A debate on whether to ban the wannabe US president Donald Trump from entering the UK is to be held on 18 January in the Commons after a petition was signed by more than 560,000. Trump called for Muslims to be barred from entering the US and said parts of London are "so radicalised that police are afraid for their own lives".

5. Oil price sinks below $35 a barrel

The price of oil has fallen below $35 a barrel for the first time in 11 years. Brent crude fell by 4.2% to $34.88 a barrel on Wednesday, its lowest level since July 2004. US crude also fell by 3.3% to $34.77 a barrel. The diplomatic row between Iran and Saudi Arabia had briefly boosted prices before they fell over fears that the row could actually stimulate supply.

Oil price posts two-year highs - but how long can it last?

6. Missing actor Sian Blake: post mortems on bodies

Post mortems are being carried out on three bodies found in the garden of EastEnders actress Sian Blake after she was reported missing with her two children by her partner, Arthur Simpson-Kent. He disappeared three days later and it is feared he may have fled the country. Police are now being investigated over why it took so long to find the bodies.

Sian Blake: Boyfriend admits killing actress and 2 children

7. Obama in tears as he announces gun law changes

Barack Obama was reduced to tears as he spoke about gun control yesterday, despite a reputation for coolness which has seen him nicknamed 'no drama Obama'. It was the recollection of the children who died in the Sandy Hook mass shooting which moved the president as he announced plans to tighten the rules about buying guns.

Tearful Obama announces tightening of gun control

8. Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of 'creating tension'

Iran has demanded that Saudi Arabia ends its "trend of creating tension" as the diplomatic row between the two countries continues. Trouble erupted after Saudi Arabia executed a Shia Muslim cleric at the weekend, prompting protests in Iran. Riyadh then severed ties with Iran. The US has called for calm amid fears sectarian tensions will undermine efforts for peace in Syria.

Tehran accuses Saudis of bombing its embassy in Yemen

9. Black hole caught 'burping' gas in nearby galaxy

Astronomers have detected a black hole in a nearby galaxy in the act of "burping" gas. Swathes of hot, X-ray emitting gas, were seen by Nasa's Chandra space telescope in the galaxy NGC 5194, 26 million light years away. It is thought the black hole keeps the galaxy from becoming too large with this "feedback" mechanism, they say.

Astronomers catch black hole 'burping' gas in nearby galaxy

10. Briefing: UN steps in to Saudi embassy row

The United Nations has condemned the attack on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran and called on the Iranian authorities to "protect diplomatic and consular property and personnel, and to respect fully their international obligations in this regard". The statement came after the building was stormed and set on fire on Saturday in protest at the Saudis' execution of prominent cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on terrorism-related charges.

John Kerry urges Saudis and Iran to stay calm