Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 28 Dec 2011

1. MINIMUM ALCOHOL PRICE PLANNED

The Prime Minister is planning a minimum price for alcohol to tackle a growing health crisis, says The Daily Telegraph. Mr Cameron wants to stop the sale of alcohol at below 40p to 50p a unit in shops and supermarkets. A recent study claimed that setting a minimum price of 50p would prevent over 2,000 premature deaths a year.

2. FUNERAL BEGINS FOR KIM JONG-IL

Two days of funeral services for North Korea's Kim Jong-il have begun with a procession in the capital, Pyongyang. Tens of thousands of soldiers bowed their heads as a huge portrait of the late leader was carried through snowy streets. His son and successor Kim Jong-un wept as he walked behind the hearse.

3. PRINCE PHILIP GOES SHOOTING

Prince Philip joined a shooting party immediately after leaving hospital. The Duke of Edinburgh is back at the Sandringham estate after spending four nights in hospital following a heart scare. He smiled and waved at crowds as he left Papworth Hospital, near Cambridge. He has also thanked medical staff for their "excellent care".

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up

4. CLEGG WARNS OF TOUGH 2012

Nick Clegg says the coalition has pulled the UK economy "back from the brink" and warned that 2012 "poses many great challenges for everyone". In a New Year message to his party, Clegg said the government remains focused on its "economic rescue mission". He told his party: "There are no easy years when you are in government".

5. O'CONNOR 16-DAY MARRIAGE OVER

The fourth marriage of Irish singer Sinead O'Connor has ended after 16 days. She married Barry Herridge on December 8 but they split on Christmas Eve. She blamed "certain people" in Herridge's life for conspiring against them. The couple had married after she advertised on Twitter for a “very sweet sex-starved man”.

6. RECORD TAKINGS AT HIGH ST SALES

A record £4.3billion was spent at high street sales during the last two days, with shops taking an average of £4.6million a minute. Experts predict consumers will have spent at least £22.8billion by the third week of January – £338million more than in the equivalent period last year. Mild weather and huge discounts have helped.

7. COE PROMISES NO SIEGE FOR 2012

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe has promised the capital will not become a "siege city" during the Olympic Games, despite reports that security measures will include a warship on the Thames and surface-to-air missiles on standby. "There has to be proportionality here," he told The Guardian, adding visitors must be feel welcome as well as safe.

8. IRAN ISSUES OIL STRAIT THREAT

Iran has threatened to stop the flow of oil through the strait of Hormuz if sanctions are imposed on its crude exports because of its nuclear programme. Meanwhile, Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, the American man accused by Iran of being a CIA spy, could face the death penalty, the semi-official Fars news agency has reported.

9. ISRAELIS RALLY AGAINST EXTREMISTS

Thousands of Israelis have rallied in the town of Beit Shemesh against the extremism of some ultra-Orthodox Jews. The protest follows tensions over ultra-orthodox demands for strict gender segregation and "modest" dress for women. Israel's Prime Minister and President have vowed to tackle extremism.

10. BALE DUO FIRES SPURS TITLE TALK

Gareth Bale struck twice as Tottenham strengthened their title credentials with a 2-0 victory over Norwich City last night. Harry Redknapp's third-placed team are now just seven points off the top spot with a game in-hand on all of the top five. In-form Spurs have collected 38 points from their last 15 Premier League matches.