Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 30 Dec 2011

1. RECESSION TO RETURN TO EUROPE NEXT YEAR

Europe will fall into recession next year as the Eurozone crisis continues, according to 25 of 27 leading economists who advise the Bank of England, a BBC poll revealed yesterday. Nearly half predict the break-up of the Eurozone. CBI leader John Cridland said the crisis posed a "significant threat" to the British economy.

2. THATCHER THE THRIFTY 'IRONING LADY'

The thrifty side of the Iron Lady, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was illustrated yesterday when the National Archives released documents from the Property Services Agency in which she queries £19 of taxpayers' money spent on an ironing board for Number 10 and adds: “I will pay for the ironing board.”

3. TOUGH TIMES PROMPT BOOM IN HAPPY PILLS

Prescriptions issued for drugs such as anti-depressants and sleeping pills have jumped 20% in just three years, NHS Information Centre figures showed yesterday, with the use of anti-depressants jumping 28% to 43.4 million from 2008 to 2011. Experts said stress from recent economic turmoil was a leading reason.

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4. US SELLS FIGHTER JETS TO SAUDI ARABIA

The White House yesterday announced the sale of $30 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as tensions with Middle East rival Iran continued to escalate over nuclear weapon development and Iran's threat to close oil shipping lanes. The sale involves 84 new aircraft, and will create 50,000 US jobs.

5. MONITORS IN SYRIA FAIL TO STOP MORE DEATHS

At least 40 more anti-government protestors were killed in Syria yesterday, many of them in the suburbs of the capital Damascus, as the intervention by monitors from the Arab League continued ineffectually with demonstrators turning out to appeal for their help. There were calls for a mass rally today.

6. TITANIC TREASURES GO UP FOR AUCTION

More than 5,500 items recovered from the wreck of the Titanic, with an estimated value of $189 million, are to be auctioned by Guernsey's in New York in April by Premier Exhibitions Inc., parent of RMS Titanic Inc. Results of the sale are to be published on April 15, the 100th anniversary of the sinking.

7. FACEBOOK TEENS NOT REGISTERING TO VOTE

Officials of the Electoral Commission expressed concern yesterday after a study revealed that while Facebook has 1.08 million 18-year-old users in Britain, only 520,000 of them have registered to vote after reaching voting age in 2011. They "follow" issues, but had little faith in the ballot box.

8. ROONEY KICKS OFF HAIR TRANSPLANT BOOM

Demand for hair transplants for men has boomed since Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, 26, underwent a £30,000 operation last June, making the procedure the second most popular cosmetic surgery for men after nose jobs. Inquiries have risen by 65%, according to the surgery firm Transform.

9. CAPELLO CALLS FOR CONTROLS ON 'POACHNG'

England coach Fabio Capello yesterday called for UEFA to act to stop top European clubs poaching young players from other teams, creaming off youngsters after their home clubs have made the initial investment in training them. Poorer clubs and countries were being stripped of home-grown talent.

10. BRITAIN'S MOST EXPENSIVE STREET

Campden Hill Square in Holland Park, West London, has become Britain's most expensive address with an average house price of £4.9m, a survey by Lloyds TSB suggested yesterday. Kensington and Chelsea dominates Britain's top ten streets, but the second costliest is Parkside, Merton, at an average £4.8m.