Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 8 Feb 2010

published 8 February 2010

Slept through the Today programme? Never read the Sunday papers? Unsure whether your Toyota is safe? Missed the latest in the John Terry affair? The First Post's Monday morning service, posted at 8.0 am, is designed to help... TROOPS TO LAUNCH BATTLE AGAINST TALIBANThousands of residents of the southern Afghan town of Marja have fled their homes following a mass leaflet drop by Nato forces warning them of an impending offensive, led by American, British and Afghan troops, to drive out Taliban insurgents. Operation Moshtarak - the biggest operation ever launched against the Taliban - will start within days and involve 4,000 British troops. The government has warned the British public to be prepared for high casualty figures. NEW ORLEANS WIN SUPER BOWL XLIVThe New Orleans Saints went into last night's Super Bowl as underdogs and came out fairytale winners. Led by quarterback Drew Brees, who hit a record-equalling 32 passes for 288 yards, the Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. Brees, voted the game's Most Valuable Player, said: "We knew we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us." The Who led the halftime entertainment with a five-number set, including See Me, Feel Me and Won't Get Fooled Again. More... TOYOTA TO RECALL 300,000 PRIUS CARSToyota's troubles are not over. After recalling 8m Toyotas in January over dodgy accelerator pedals, the Japanese car company will issue a global recall this week of 300,000 Prius hybrids - the green car of choice from Hollywood to Hampstead. As predicted by The First Post last week, owners will be told that the brakes could fail in icy conditions or on bumpy surfaces. The recall will affect the third-generation Prius, launched last year. Models built this year are not affected. FIVE DIE IN CONNECTICUT BLASTUS police used dogs last night to help search through the rubble for more potential victims after a huge explosion killed at least five people and injured 12 others at a natural gas-fired power plant being built by Kleen Energy Systems LP in Middletown, Connecticut. The blast on Sunday morning was felt up to 30 miles away and was mistaken by some locals for an earthquake. Terrorism has been ruled out: the cause was a gas leak. TERRY 'FIRED IN THREE MINUTES'It didn't take England manager Fabio Capello 12 minutes to fire captain John Terry, as the media reported on Friday- it took him only three minutes, according to the Sunday Mirror. The paper's sources said Capello was furious that Terry had not volunteered his resignation, despite having been clearly advised to do so. Meanwhile the Sunday tabloids depicted Vanessa Perroncel, the Frenchwoman with whom Terry had an affair, as both a man-eater and a devoted mother. More... UKRAINE PRESIDENT ELECTEDYulia Tymoshenko showed no sign of conceding in Ukraine's presidential election early today despite exit polls pointing to a comeback for the pro-Moscow opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych, swept from power by the 2004 "Orange Revolution". With more than 70 per cent of votes counted, Yanukovych was estimated to be four per cent ahead. He called on Tymoshenko to quit, but she refused. More... TIGER BACK WITH FAMILYElin Nordgeren is reported to have picked up her husband Tiger Woods at the end of his course of sex addiction therapy at a clinic in Mississippi and taken him home to Florida in time for their son's first birthday. According to US media reports, she has given the golfer six months to prove that he can live with her without contacting other women. There is speculation that Woods could make his return to pro golf with the Arnold Palmer Invitation at the end of March - a warm-up for the Masters. DANKWORTH AND CARMICHAEL DIE Two stalwarts of the British arts scene - jazzman Johnny Dankworth and cinema actor Ian Carmichael - have died. Dankworth, a clarinetist and saxophonist, worked as musical director for Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald and wrote many theme tunes for TV series and films, including The Avengers and The Servant. He was married to the jazz singer Cleo Laine. Ian Carmichael made his names as an upper-class twit in several Boulting Brothers movies before famously playing Bertie Wooster on TV. WINTER GAMES AWAIT SNOW Vancouver has had to ship in tons of snow in an effort to get ready for the Winter Olympics starting later this week. The warmest January in history has left Whistler virtually devoid of the white stuff for the downhill skiing and snowboarding events. Ironically, the East Coast of the States has been hit by snow blizzards. Almost 27 inches of snow fell in Philadelphia on Saturday, while Washington DC was hit by one of the biggest blizzards in the capital's history. Pictures... PETE DOHERTY - NEIGHBOUR FROM HELLThe Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty, who was fined £750 last month for walking into court before Christmas with his coat pockets full of heroin, has been voted the least favourite celebrity neighbour. He was followed in the poll for property website Zoopla.co.uk by Amy Winehouse and Katie Price, aka Jordan. Stephen Fry was voted most desirable neighbour.