Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 3 Jan 2013

The Week’s super-quick catch-up on the main news talking points, available from 8am daily

1. DRONE KILLS SENIOR TALIBAN LEADER
A senior Taliban commander and his deputy were among nine people killed by US drone strikes in the tribal regions of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. Mullah Nazir, an “important commander” for the Wazir tribe was killed on Wednesday night when missiles hit a house in Angoor Adda, a village on the border with Afghanistan.
World News
2. KIRCHNER: 'WE WANT FALKLANDS BACK'
David Cameron has brushed off a demand by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the President of Argentina, to return the Falklands. She made her demand in an open letter to the British PM published as a paid advertisement in The Guardian today. It is the latest escalation in hostility, coming 30 years after Britain expelled Argentine invaders in the Falklands war.
Argentine President Fernandez demands return of Falklands
Weather
3. EXTREME RAINFALL ON THE RISE IN BRITAIN
The frequency of extreme rainfall in the UK may be on the increase, according to the Met Office, mirroring rises in extreme rain seen in other parts of the world. Extreme rain is defined as "the sort of downpour you would expect once in 100 days", the BBC reports, but last it fell every 70 days. 2012 is expected to be confirmed as the wettest year on record.
Extreme rainfall on the rise, is climate change to blame?
4. JIM DAVIDSON BAILED BY SAVILE POLICE
Comedian and television presenter Jim Davidson was one of two men arrested on suspicion of sexual offences yesterday by officers from Operation Yewtree. However, Scotland Yard stressed the arrests were not connected to claims made against the late BBC DJ Jimmy Savile. Davidson, 59, was later bailed. He "vigorously denies" the allegations.
World News
5. THAI PARTY ISLAND 'RISKY' OFFICIALS WARN
Britain's Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, warned tourists to be vigilant following the death of 22-year-old Stephen Ashton caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting on the 'full-moon party' island of Kho Phangan. The Foreign Office said Haad Rin beach, where Ashton died, was particularly risky. A local man has been charged with Ashton's murder.
Heaven or hell? Ashton's death casts new light on Koh Phangan
6. SYRIA UPRISING HAS KILLED AT LEAST 60,000
More than 60,000 people have been killed since Syria's uprising began in March 2011, a study commissioned by the UN human rights commissioner Navi Pillay reported yesterday, an increase of 20,000 over previous estimates. The study collated data from seven different sources, including rebel groups. Pillay said the figure was "truly shocking".
Business
7. MUSIC ALBUM SALES TUMBLE BY 11.2%
Overall UK album sales fell by 11.2% in 2012, according to the British Phonographic Industry, with CD album sales declining by nearly 20% to 69.4 million copies while digital album sales rose 14.8% to 30.5 million. The three bestselling albums, all British, were Emeli Sande's Our Version of Events, Adele's 21 and Ed Sheeran's +.
Digital downloads break £1bn barrier for first time
Premier League
8. QPR BEAT CHELSEA 1-0 AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
Queens Park Rangers, languishing at the foot of the Premier League, astonished pundits last night by beating Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge with a late goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips. "They worked their socks off and they got their rewards," QPR boss Harry Redknapp said of his players. Liverpool beat Sunderland 3-0. Everton beat Newcastle 2-1.
QPR on the charge after epic win ends Chelsea title hopes
9. DEPARDIEU GRANTED RUSSIAN CITIZENSHIP
French film actor Gerard Depardieu has been granted Russian citizenship after his battle with France's attempts to raise taxes to 75 per cent. The Kremlin website said president Vladimir Putin signed the citizenship grant on Thursday. Depardieu said he would turn over his passport and French social security card over the issue.
Games
10. HOT TICKET: THROW A KINECT PARTY
The motion-sensing video game 'Kinect Party' is now available in the UK. The follow-up to Double Fine's popular 'Happy Action Theater' game for Xbox 360 allows up to six players to interact with virtual scenarios such as treasure hunts and castle building. "Great fun," says IGN.
Family-friendly Kinect Party - ultimate in low-hassle gaming