Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 30 Nov 2011

1. UK EXPELS ALL IRANIAN DIPLOMATS

Foreign Secretary William Hague has expelled all Iranian diplomats from the UK and ordered the closure of the country's embassy in retaliation for the storming of the British compound in Tehran yesterday. Diplomats have been given just 48 hours to leave. Hague told MPs that the UK had now evacuated all of its own diplomatic staff from Iran.

Second huge blast in 20 days at Iranian nuclear facility

2. MASS STRIKE: THOUSANDS MARCH

Up to 2 million public sector workers have staged the biggest day of industrial action since the 1979 Winter of Discontent. Most of Britain's state schools were closed, but airports were largely unaffected, despite dire predictions. Tens of thousands attended protests up and down the country, but Prime Minister David Cameron described the strike as a "damp squib".

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Police support staff join strike; passport staff nicer than normal

3. CAMPBELL CALLS PRESS 'PUTRID'

Alastair Campbell has told the Leveson inquiry into media ethics that the press has moved downmarket en masse and is "frankly putrid in many of its elements". He said budget cuts by managers mean journalists are largely desk-bound and rely on private investigators to get stories.

British press is 'frankly putrid' says Alastair Campbell

4. JACKO DOCTOR GETS FOUR YEARS

As Dr Conrad Murray begins a four-year jail sentence for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson, prosecutors are considering a bid to have Murray sent to a higher category prison. Murray was ordered to serve his sentence in a county jail, which would normally mean he would serve just half his sentence.

5. AUSTRALIA TO LIFT SAMSUNG GALAXY BAN

An Australian court has lifted an injunction taken out by Apple that prevented rival tech firm Samsung from selling its Galaxy tablet computer. Apple claims Samsung has copied its iPhone and iPad devices, but the court said Apple would be unlikely to win a court case. The injunction will stay in place until December 2. Apple will have to appeal to extend it further.

6. BBC 'SEXISM' SPORTS ROW

The BBC is accused of sexism by female athletes after it announced a shortlist for the 2011 Sports Personality of the Year that had no women on it. The list omitted several female world champions in Olympic sports in favour of ten male stars. The BBC says it will review the voting process for next year's awards.

Why are no women up for the BBC sports personality award?

7. IVORY COAST EX-HEAD AT ICC

The former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo is at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, where he will become the first former head of state to be tried by the ICC since it was set up in 2002. The ICC is investigating alleged war crimes committed in unrest after last year's disputed elections. He is expected to face charges within days.

8. WORLD'S CENTRAL BANKS JOIN FORCES

The world's biggest central banks have announced a programme of joint action designed to help the global finance system. The plan, that makes it easier for banks to buy dollars and other major currencies, involves the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank (ECB), the Bank of England and others. Stock markets rose on the announcement.

9. WINEHOUSE DRESS SOLD FOR £43,200

A dress worn by Amy Winehouse on the cover of her hit album Back to Black has been sold for £43,200 at auction. The money raised from the sale of the polka dot chiffon dress has been donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, a charity, set-up in her memory by her father Mitch, which helps vulnerable young people.

10. HOT TICKET: ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA

Roald Dahl’s Matilda has opened in London to rave reviews. Writer Dennis Kelly, comedy songsmith Tim Minchin and director Matthew Warchus have created a “an evening of unadulterated bliss” (The Guardian) - a witty, adult-friendly adaptation of Dahl’s tale of a clever girl who confronts bullies at home and school. Cambridge Theatre until 12 February.

Tim Minchin's Matilda is the musical of the moment