Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 5 Dec 2011

1. MERKEL AND SARKOZY HATCH EURO PLAN

Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy have held talks over the future of the eurozone and say they want a modified EU Treaty, with sanctions for member countries that do not reach deficit targets, to resolve the crisis. They outlined their plans at a press conference in Paris and will present them to an EU summit on Friday.

Week one of the 'Fourth Reich' – or last week of the euro?

2. INCOME INEQUALITY SOARS IN BRITAIN

Income inequality has risen faster in Britain since the mid-1970s than in any other rich country, according to an OECD report today. Just before the banking crisis of 2008, the top 0.1% of earners accounted for 5% of Britain's total pre-tax income. Nick Clegg vowed yesterday to tackle excessive executive pay.

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Nick Clegg vows to get tough over excessive executive pay

3. ASSANGE CAN GO TO SUPREME COURT

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been told he can take his case against extradition to the Supreme Court. Assange is accused of two sex attacks in Sweden and last month the High Court said he could be extradited. But judges agreed his case raised a question "of general public importance" and the Supreme Court could be consulted.

4. ANGER AT POLICE FUELLED RIOTS

Fury at police was a key factor in the summer riots, interviews with 270 rioters have found. The study by The Guardian and London School of Economics also found 70% of interviewed rioters had been stopped and searched in the last year.

Invisible ink and ballot stuffing: Russians point to poll violations

5. MADONNA BOOKED FOR SUPER BOWL

Madonna will perform at half-time of the Super Bowl on February 5. The half-time show is the most-watched musical event of the year, with over 162 million viewers last time. She will collaborate with a team from Cirque du Soleil.

Madonna and Cirque du Soleil to perform at Super Bowl

6. $3 MILLION CAR CRASH

Eight Ferraris, three Mercedes Benz and a Lamborghini were written-off after a highly expensive car crash in southwest Japan yesterday. Ten people were slightly injured in the pile-up involving members of a luxury car enthusiasts’ club.

Supercar pile-up in Japan writes off £2.5m

7. PUTIN'S PARTY LOSES SUPPORT

Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party suffered a significant setback in yesterday's election, early results show. With 95% of votes counted, United Russia had received just under 50% of votes, down from 64% in 2007.

8. POLICE HUNT LODGER AFTER DOUBLE MURDER

Police are hunting 51-year-old Barry Morrow after the bodies of his landlady and her mother were found at the house in Southport where he was a lodger. He is believed to have caught a ferry to France on Saturday. Angela Holgate and her 75-year-old mother, Alice Huyton, were asphyxiated.

Manhunt for lodger as mother and daughter found dead

9. MAN UNITED FACE CITY IN FA CUP

A Manchester derby is the pick of the ties drawn for the FA Cup third round. United will be keen to avenge October's 6-1 thrashing by their neighbours. Other eye-catchers include Arsenal v Leeds, and Tottenham v Cheltenham Town.

Magic of the cup: United land City in 3rd-round showdown

10. HOT TICKET: WINNING LANDSCAPES

The popular Landscape Photographer of the Year award, now in its fifth year, opens at the National Theatre today. Take a View features over 100 photographs revealing breathtaking landscapes from around the country. Book for guided tours by award founder, photographer Charlie Waite. Until 28 January.