Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 21 Mar 2017

1. Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness dies aged 66

Former Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness has died at the age of 66, just weeks after announcing he was taking a break from politics. McGuinness, who went from being an IRA commander to toasting the Queen at a Windsor Castle banquet, was instrumental in the peace process that ended the Troubles.

Former IRA commander Martin McGuinness dies

2. Tillerson 'will skip first Nato meeting'

US Secretary of State, oil baron Rex Tillerson, is planning to skip the first meeting of Nato foreign ministers since he took office, in April, reports say. He will instead attend a visit by the Chinese president and will travel to Moscow later that month, which critics see as Tillerson placing Moscow's interests above Nato's.

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3. Climate change enters 'uncharted territory'

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is saying today that the world has entered "truly uncharted territory" with climate change. A new report by the group lists unprecedented high temperatures across the planet, rising sea levels and reduced polar ice. One expert said the report showed the need for "concerted action".

4. Macron and Le Pen clash in debate

The two leading candidates to be France's next president clashed repeatedly last night in a TV debate. Independent candidate Emmanuel Macron accused far-right Marine Le Pen of lying and seeking to divide France after she said he was in favour of the burkini. The other three main candidates also took part in the debate.

5. Johnson to overlook wiretap claims

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will not focus on claims made by US President Donald Trump that the UK spied on him for Barack Obama during a visit to Washington today, after the US pledged not to repeat the allegations. Yesterday, the FBI director said no wiretap had happened. Johnson will discuss a post-Brexit US-UK trade deal.

Donald Trump sued by two states over business links

6. Baby teeth removals up 24% in a decade

Thousands more young children every year in England need to have their baby teeth extracted because of sugar in their diets, data compiled by dentists' groups shows. There were 9,206 extractions carried out on children of four or under between April 2015 and March 2016, an increase of around 24% on a decade earlier.

7. UK joins US in banning electronics on flights

Travellers flying to the UK from six Middle East and North African countries will no longer be allowed to bring laptops or tablets in their cabin baggage. Other larger electronic goods, including cameras and games consoles, will also be banned but phones will be allowed. The UK restrictions come after a similar US Department of Homeland Security ban.

Laptop ban on flights 'ineffective for keeping passengers safe'

8. Inspector Morse creator Colin Dexter dies at 86

Inspector Morse creator Colin Dexter has died at the age of 86, his publisher has announced. The Oxford-based author wrote 13 Morse novels between 1975 and 1999, which were adapted for the long-running ITV series starring John Thaw. His characters also featured in spin-off shows Lewis and Endeavour.

9. Poll: 'May doing better job than Sturgeon'

A poll conducted by Sky News suggests Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has lower approval than Prime Minister Theresa May in Scotland, as MSPs vote on whether to push May for a second independence referendum. Of the 2,000 people surveyed, a majority said May was doing a good job, but most said Sturgeon was not.

10. Briefing: Martin Schulz, the man who could topple Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel will face the most serious challenge to her 12 years as German chancellor when the country goes to the polls in September.

She will be up against Martin Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament who on Sunday was named the new leader of Germany's left-leaning Social Democratic Party after winning all 605 delegate votes – a "record result", says The Guardian.

But who is Martin Schulz and can he win on 24 September?

Martin Schulz: Who is the man who could topple Angela Merkel?