Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 18 Jan 2013

Downing Street fears 'multiple' British hostages may be among the 30-plus hostages now thought to have died in Algeria, but the Prime Minister told the Commons today the number "at risk" was "significantly less than 30". David Cameron was critical of the Algerian government for failing to tell him it was about to launch an assault on the gas plant where 41 hostages were being held by militants linked to al-Qaeda.

The entire country is forecast to be blanketed in snow up to six inches deep by 3pm today with warnings issued of travel disruption and potential power cuts. A "stay home" red warning was issued by the Met Office for South Wales, where a foot of snow is expected. Snow and sleet showers are expected to last until Saturday night.

The artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet has third-degree burns after a masked assailant threw acid in his face last night, Bolshoi officials said. Sergei Filin, 42, was returning home from a gala when he was attacked with acid, leaving him with serious burns and damaged eyesight. The attack follows a series of anonymous threats to the former dancer.

France has boosted its troop strength in Mali to 1,400, the French defence ministry said last night, as heavy fighting continued against radical Islamist forces in the north of the country. French warplanes bombed Diabaly, 350 km north of the capital. The first of the promised African troops arrived with 100 Togolese landing in Bamako.

The popular London stage actress Sophiya Haque, who played Sylvia in 'Privates on Parade', has died at the age of 41. She had been diagnosed with cancer at Christmas. The play, with Simon Russell Beale in the lead, has proved a big hit at the Noel Coward Theatre. Director Michael Grandage said cast members were "devastated".