Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 8 Oct 2010

published 8 October 2010

Our popular news catch-up service is posted Monday to Friday at 8.0 am, and on weekends at 11.0 am. You can rely on it to keep you up to date with the main news talking points... Alan johnson is shadow chancellorLabour leader Ed Miliband has surprised everyone by making former home secretary Alan Johnson his shadow chancellor. Yvette Cooper, who had been favourite for the finance portfolio, is shadow foreign secretary, while her husband Ed Balls will be shadow home secretary. The appointment of Johnson, who supported Miliband's brother David in the Labour leadership contest, is possibly an attempt to unite the party, although some see it as a sign of weakness. TUTU RETIRES FROM PUBLIC LIFE – AGAINVeteran South African peace campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu today began the first day of his retirement on board a cruise ship. But Tutu has "retired" several times before - and this latest attempt is viewed sceptically by his admirers. As if to give the lie to his own claim, Tutu was only onboard for work, delivering a lecture. FRENCH BURKA BAN CLEARS LAST HURDLEFrance's highest legal authority last night gave the green light to the controversial new law banning the burka. In an unexpected ruling, the Conseil Constitutionnel decided the law does not infringe fundamental liberties. Meanwhile, opponents released a video (above) showing women in miniskirts and niqabs walking the streets of Paris. Video: Niqabitches taunt French authorities NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR CHINA DISSIDENTThe Nobel Peace Prize for 2010 has been awarded to a Chinese dissident, who was jailed for ten years in December last year for calling for democracy and respect for human rights in China. Liu Xiaobo was described by the Nobel committee as "the foremost symbol of the wide-ranging struggle for human rights in China". X FACTOR CHER 'WAS SCHOOL BULLY' A teenager has told the Sun that X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd bullied her at school. Seventeen-year-old Ophelia Blakeway accused Lloyd of “verbal torture” saying she called her “bitch”, “slag” and “dickhead” when they were both pupils at Dyson Perrins High School in Worcestershire. Blakeway says she has been depressed since. X Factor's Gamu Nhengu to fight deportation order OBAMA 'EXAGGERATED' TERROR THREATThe US deliberately exaggerated the scale of a recent terror threat for political ends, senior European intelligence officials and a high-ranking Pakistani diplomat have told the Guardian. The US claim that ‘commando-style’ attacks were imminent across Europe was an excuse for drone attacks which were in fact pre-emptive, officials said. Afghanistan peace talks: Who are the Haqqani? BRAGG UNVEILS HUGHES' LAST POEMA never-before-seen poem by former poet laureate Ted Hughes, who died in 1998, is to be made public after his widow, Carol Hughes, revealed it to Melvyn Bragg. Lost Letter is the only poem by Hughes which deals directly with the night his estranged wife, the poet Sylvia Plath, committed suicide. “I could not believe my eyes,” said Bragg. Betting suspended on Booker Prize favourite McCarthy SHOT BARRISTER'S WIFE 'RESPECTS' VERDICTThe wife of Mark Saunders, who was shot dead by police in his Chelsea home after a drunken stand-off in 2008, says she respects the verdict of the jury at his inquest, who found police had acted lawfully. Elizabeth Saunders added: "He was a loving and much-loved husband, son, brother and friend. He is very much missed." NAVY TO SLIM DOWN TO KEEP CARRIERSThe navy has proposed a new plan under which it would be slimmed down to its smallest size since the time of Henry VIII, with the number of warships reduced by almost 50 per cent to just 25. The cuts would allow the service to keep two new aircraft carriers currently in the pipeline but threatened by cuts in defence spending. Rugby Union player blinded during matchWelsh police have begun an investigation after Llanelli rugby player Gavin Quinnell was blinded in the left eye during a match with Cross Keys at the weekend. Although he underwent surgery after the incident medics could not save his sight. Llanelli have complained to Welsh Rugby Union, though it is not clear if 'gouging' was involved. Rugby thuggery in the dock as Quinnell blinded