Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 18 Nov 2011

1. SYRIA TO ACCEPT ARAB LEAGUE MISSION

Syria is to allow Arab League observers into the country to monitor the implementation of peace proposals aimed at ending unrest in the country. Syria was suspended by the League on Wednesday and told to allow a mission into the country or face sanctions. Britain, Germany and France have tabled a UN resolution calling for an end to human rights violations in Syria.

2. CAMERON AND MERKEL SAY THEY ARE UNITED

Angela Merkel and David Cameron have put on a united front after talks over the eurozone and other issues in Berlin and stressed they have the "same plan" for European growth. The British Prime Minister said he was committed to a "strong and sustainable" euro. But Merkel admitted they did "not make progress" on the idea of a financial transaction tax.

Number Ten concerned by 'Nazi' depiction of Merkel

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3. NATALIE WOOD: POLICE TO REINVESTIGATE

One of Hollywood's enduring mysteries, the death by drowning of the actress Natalie Wood in 1981, is to be re-investigated by LA police after they were "made aware" of comments made by the skipper of the yacht Wood fell from. She had been drinking on board with husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken.

LA police to reinvestigate Natalie Wood's death

4. BLATTER APOLOGISES FOR RACISM COMMENT

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has apologised for suggesting that racism could be solved with a handshake. "I am sorry," he told the BBC. Prime Minister David Cameron, sports minister Hugh Robertson, shadow sports minister Clive Efford and Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor have all joined the calls for him to resign.

The appalling Mr Blatter and the spectre of the World Cup

5. OCCUPY LONDON 'REPOSSESSES' BUILDING

Occupy London protesters have taken over an empty office block in London belonging to UBS bank. A spokesman described the action as a "public repossession", and said they intended to set up a so-called "bank of ideas" there. In New York there were more than 200 arrests during an Occupy Wall Street day of action on Thursday that attracted tens of thousands.

Thrown out of their camps, can the Occupiers return stronger?

6. SUU KYI TO RUN FOR PARLIAMENT IN BURMA

Burma's leading reformist Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy, are to re-enter the political process and contest parliamentary elections. They boycotted the last polls in 2010 but Suu Kyi said that the introduction of a civilian government earlier this year gave hope. "I don't think it's been this open since the coup of 1988", she said.

Burmese Spring? Aung San Suu Kyi to stand in election

7. NEUTRINOS STILL FASTER THAN LIGHT

The scientists who shocked the world in September by appearing to prove that particles called neutrinos can travel faster than the speed of light - in contravention of Einstein’s theories - have done it again. They repeated the experiment with more precise measurements and will now submit a scientific paper for peer review.

Neutrinos still faster than speed of light, say scientists

8. MARRIAGE OVER FOR MOORE AND KUTCHER

Movie star Demi Moore, 49, announced last night that she is to divorce Ashton Kutcher, 33, ending her 'cougar' marriage after six years. In September, a 22-year-old woman claimed that she had had "unprotected sex" with Kutcher, and last night Moore said "as a woman, as a wife, there are certain values and vows I hold sacred".

9. US MAN CHARGED WITH ASSASSINATION BID

A 21-year-old man has been charged with attempting to assassinate US President Barack Obama after firing an AK47 assault rifle at the White House last Friday. Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez allegedly fired at least two shots at the building, one of which cracked a window of the family's living quarters. Obama was in Hawaii when the incident took place.

10. HOT TICKET: AUSSIE SNOWTOWN

For those who want to avoid the hype and teen angst of Twilight, the chilling Australian murder tale Snowtown also opens today in UK cinemas. Based on a series of actual murders in Adelaide, strong performances and psychological realism give this sparse, bleak film its dramatic power. Empire magazine dubs it "silence of the Kangaroos".

Stunning, bleak and chilling - the true story of Snowtown