Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 27 Dec 2011

1. ARRESTS AFTER LONDON STABBINGS

Fourteen people have been arrested following two stabbings on Oxford Street yesterday. The teenage victim of the first attack died. Hours later a 21-year-old was stabbed in the thigh. The attacks took place as the West End was swamped by shoppers seeking bargains at the sales.

2. NHS MOVE COULD SPLIT COALITION

NHS hospitals will be allowed to earn up to 50% of their income from private work in a controversial move that could further divide the coalition. Senior Liberal Democrats have warned many in the party will oppose the dramatic rise in the private patient income cap of foundation hospitals.

3. IRANIAN WOMAN COULD BE HANGED

An Iranian woman whose sentence of death by stoning for adultery was suspended after an international outcry could be executed by hanging instead, says a leading Iranian judge. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 44-year-old mother of two, was convicted of having an "illicit relationship outside marriage".

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4. RATINGS WIN FOR EASTENDERS

EastEnders won the Christmas Day television ratings war for the third year running. Its peak figure was 10.2million, ahead of Coronation Street on 9.9million and Downton Abbey on 8.6million. Iconic Eastenders character Pat Butcher will leave the soap after 25 years during a 70-minute New Years Day edition.

5. HUNTS DRAW RECORD CROWDS

Record numbers turned out to support the traditional Boxing Day hunts yesterday as ministers call for the ban on hunting with dogs to be repealed. There were more than 300 hunts, which now use an artificial scent trail, with mild weather swelling attendance. Farming minister Jim Paice says the hunting ban is "unworkable".

6. BRAZIL ECONOMY 'OVERTAKES UK'

Brazil has overtaken Britain as the world's sixth largest economy, in the latest league table published by an economic research group. The Centre for Economics and Business Research said its latest World Economic League Table showed Asian countries moving up and European countries falling back.

7. COMPENSATION REFORM FOR CRIMINALS

Convicted criminals will be banned from claiming compensation for their injuries under plans to be unveiled by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke next month. Criminals claim around £5million from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority each year. Clarke wants to direct funds to victims of crime.

8. ARAB LEAGUE ARRIVES IN SYRIA

A group of 50 Arab League observers have arrived in Syria as part of move aimed at ending the violence which has left up to 5,000 people dead. Fighting has intensified recently with activists claiming that government forces have killed several hundred civilians in the past week.

9. CLASHES OVER GENDER ROW IN ISRAEL

Ultra-orthodox Jews have clashed with police in a town near Jerusalem. Tensions have arisen in Beit Shemesh as ultra-orthodox men demand strict gender segregation and "modest" dress for women. PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to end attempts to enforce segregation of the sexes.

10. MAN UNITED AND CITY LEVEL

Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick as Man Utd beat Wigan 5-0 to go level on points with leaders Man City. Utd have scored 16 goals in their last four games. City boss Roberto Mancini has complained about the festive fixture list, which he claims favours Utd. "I'm not happy with the situation," he said.