Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 26 Dec 2011
- 1. DEADLY NIGERIA ATTACKS CONDEMNED
- 2. KEEP OUT OF POLITICS, ARCHBISHOP TOLD
- 3. BLOODY SCRAP AT MIDNIGHT MASS
- 4. THIRD NIGHT IN HOSPITAL FOR DUKE
- 5. POLL REVEALS ECONOMY FEARS
- 6. PM MORE POPULAR THAN COALITION
- 7. GINGRICH FUMES OVER VIRGINIA
- 8. MILITARY WIVES TOP XMAS CHART
- 9. TUBE STRIKE BEGINS
- 10. HUGE RALLY FOR KHAN
1. DEADLY NIGERIA ATTACKS CONDEMNED
World leaders have condemned the bombings that killed around 40 people in Nigeria. The White House described the attacks as "senseless violence" and the UK Foreign Secretary called them "cowardly". Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, which calls for a strict Islamic state, said it carried out the attacks.
2. KEEP OUT OF POLITICS, ARCHBISHOP TOLD
The Archbishop of Canterbury is under fire for his "political" sermon which likened those taking part in the summer riots to City "speculators". Gary Streeter, the Tory chairman of the Christians In Parliament group, said Dr Williams "would be wise to leave the politics to politicians".
3. BLOODY SCRAP AT MIDNIGHT MASS
Police were called to a midnight mass service in Southampton when a fight broke out during the priest's sermon. Punches were exchanged and steel chairs were thrown in the packed pews. One man ended-up covered in blood. The cause of the fight, involving a woman and several men, is unknown.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
4. THIRD NIGHT IN HOSPITAL FOR DUKE
Prince Philip, who has spent a third night in hospital, may miss the Royal Family's traditional Boxing Day shoot that he normally leads. Prince William, Prince Harry and six other grandchildren visited the Duke for 45 minutes in Papworth Hospital on Christmas Day evening.
5. POLL REVEALS ECONOMY FEARS
People aged between 35 and 44 are most fearful of what the economy holds over the coming year, according to a Times poll. 72% of that group believe the economy will impact "badly" on them. One in five Brits overall expect living standards to increase next year, including one in four in the South East.
6. PM MORE POPULAR THAN COALITION
David Cameron is doing a good job, say 48% of respondents to a Guardian/ICM poll. However, the coalition he heads fared less well with only 39% of respondents saying they believe it is performing well. Overall, the Conservative Party is on 37%, Labour on 36% and the Lib Dems at 15%.
7. GINGRICH FUMES OVER VIRGINIA
Newt Gingrich has slammed the "failed system" of ballot requirements after failing to collected the required 10,000 signatures to qualify for Virginia's 2012 Republican primary. He promised an "aggressive write-in campaign" but suffered further humiliation when it transpired Virginia does not permit this.
8. MILITARY WIVES TOP XMAS CHART
The Military Wives choir has landed the Christmas number one spot with their single Wherever You Are. Proceeds from the single go to military charities. They pipped X Factor winners Little Mix to the prestigious spot by selling 556,000 copies in the last week - more than the rest of the top 12 combined.
9. TUBE STRIKE BEGINS
London's Underground network faces disruption today as drivers belonging to the union Aslef begin a 24-hour strike. The action, over demands for extra pay for working on the public holiday, will cause disruption to shoppers and football fans. London Underground says it will provide service across as many lines as possible.
10. HUGE RALLY FOR KHAN
An estimated 150,000 people have attended a rally to support Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's bid to take power in 2013. His popularity is rising as he benefits from a wave of voter disillusionment. He told the Daily Telegraph: "I have all the opposition by their balls."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The ultimate films of 2024 by genre
From the Magazine In a year dominated by sequels, here are the releases that impressed the critics, from Hollywoodgate and Twisters to Poor Things and Atomic People
By The Week UK Published
-
The big art stories of 2024
In depth From the rediscovery of a long-lost painting and the year's highest sale price to the artwork eaten by its new owner
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: December 29, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024
Daily Briefing Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win over Haley, 'Oppenheimer' leads the 2024 Oscar nominations, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024
Daily Briefing Haley makes last stand in New Hampshire as Trump extends polling lead, justices side with US over Texas in border fight, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024
Daily Briefing DeSantis ends his presidential campaign and endorses Trump, the US and Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024
Daily Briefing Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000, top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024
Daily Briefing Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response, families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024
Daily Briefing Congress averts a government shutdown, DOJ report cites failures in police response to Texas school shooting, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024
Daily Briefing Judge threatens to remove Trump from his defamation trial, medicine for hostages and Palestinians reach Gaza, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024
Daily Briefing The US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a third time, Trump's second sex defamation trial begins, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published