Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 17 Dec 2011

1. UK 'A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY' SAYS PM

Britain is a Christian country "and we should not be afraid to say so", says David Cameron. Speaking to senior clergy, the PM said the Bible goes "to the heart" of what it means to be British. He urged the Church of England to lead a revival of Christian values to counter our "moral collapse".

2. CLEGG TELLS FRANCE TO CALM DOWN

Nick Clegg has told the French Prime Minister to "calm the rhetoric" on the UK economy after cross-Channel tensions intensified. The Deputy PM told Francois Fillon that remarks from French ministers raising doubts over the British economy "were simply unacceptable".

3. LIBYA SANCTIONS LIFTED

The UN has lifted sanctions on Libya's key banks to try and ease the nation's cash crisis. The US says it has also lifted "most" of its sanctions against Tripoli. William Hague, describing the moves as a "significant moment in Libya's transition", says he will free £6.5bn held in Britain.

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4. SPEARS TO MARRY FOR THIRD TIME

Britney Spears is to marry for a third time after getting engaged to her former agent Jason Trawick. It is reported that Trawick proposed over dinner, handing the singer a three-carat stone and diamond engagement ring. Spears previously married Kevin Federline and Jason Alexander.

5. CABINET MEETINGS 'SHOULD BE SECRET'

Freedom of information laws should be amended so Cabinet splits are kept secret from the public, the outgoing head of the Civil Service has told The Times. Sir Gus O’Donnell argues that the Cabinet room should be a "safe space" in which ministers can privately raise concerns.

6. UK CURRICULUM TOUGHENED UP

Pupils will be required to learn their times tables and division by the age of nine as the Government responds to fears that many school-leavers lack a basic grasp of core subjects. An independent review will show that UK pupils lag behind those of many other countries, says The Daily Telegraph.

7. WIKILEAKS TRIAL OFFICER WON'T WITHDRAW

The investigating officer presiding over the preliminary hearing into Bradley Manning's case has rejected the defence's demand that he withdraw. Manning is accused of leaking more than 250,000 US embassy cables to WikiLeaks. His lawyer had argued the investigating officer is biased.

8. ETTA JAMES TERMINALLY ILL

Etta James, famous for songs such as I Just Want To Make Love To You and At Last, is terminally-ill with cancer. The singer's health has been declining for months, but her leukaemia has now been deemed incurable. The 73-year-old's doctor is asking fans to pray for James.

9. SEVEN DEAD IN NEW EGYPT VIOLENCE

At least seven were killed and some 257 wounded yesterday during clashes between Egyptian protesters and security forces. A prominent Muslim cleric is believed to be among the dead. The clashes were sparked when a protestor claimed he had been beaten-up by soldiers.

10. COULD HENRY RETURN TO ARSENAL?

Arsenal's record goal-scorer Thierry Henry could make a shock return to the club. Arsène Wenger refuses to rule-out a bid for New York Red Bulls striker Henry, who is training with the Gunners during the American close season. Wenger will lose two strikers next month during the Africa Cup of Nations.