Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 8 Jan 2013

In the first big Commons vote of 2013, Tory and Lib Dem MPs are being urged to back the coalition’s controversial one per cent cap on welfare benefits tonight. Labour argues that it represents an attack on working people. Benefits have historically risen in line with inflation so a one per cent rise is a cut in real terms.

David Bowie has made his first single for a decade to coincide with his 66th birthday. 'Where are We Now?' was released today on iTunes in 119 countries. Bowie, who has not performed live since 2006, raising speculation that he might be unwell, used Twitter to announce the release. A new album, The Next Day, will follow in March.

South-eastern Australia is facing "catastrophic" fires stoked by high winds and record temperatures. More than 100 fires have also been reported in New South Wales. Prime minister Julia Gillard said residents had to stay alert as "this is a very dangerous day." Temperatures have reached 39C five days in a row.

Lionel Messi, the 25-year-old Argentinian forward who plays for Barcelona, won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Fifa Ballon D'Or award in Zurich last night after a year in which he scored 91 goals to beat Gerd Muller's old record of 85 in a calendar year. Messi beat team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for the honour.

President Hamid Karzai arrives in Washington today for talks billed as crucial to Afghanistan's relationship with America after troop withdrawals in 2015. President Obama is expected to outline how many troops will stay on, and to play tough with Karzai's shopping list for weaponry and medical support.