Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 1 Jan 2012

1. FIREWORKS HERALD LONDON OLYMPICS

London's Olympic year started with a bang – about 12,000 of them in fact - as an elaborate fireworks display was triggered by Big Ben striking midnight. The 11-minute spectacle had a 2012 Games theme, with fireworks in the shape and colours of the Olympic rings. "This is just the beginning," said Mayor Boris Johnson.

2. IRAN PRODUCES FIRST NUCLEAR FUEL ROD

Iranian scientists have produced the country's first home-made nuclear fuel rod, according to an Associated Press report. Making their own rods was the only way to get around a ban on Iran buying them on foreign markets. The rods contain pellets of enriched uranium that provide fuel for nuclear power plants.

3. JANUARY BOOZE BLITZ 'FUTILE'

Cutting out alcohol in January in a bid to get over Christmas and New Year excess is a "medically futile" gesture, according to the British Liver Trust. A short break can put additional pressure on the liver once drinkers resume the habit. A better solution is to take a few days off booze every week throughout the year.

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4. ARCHBISHOP BACKS THE YOUNG

The public should not allow the images of looting and violence during the summer riots to distort their feelings about young people, the Archbishop of Canterbury says in his New Year message. Only a minority were involved and young people can give a lot to the community "when they feel safe and loved".

5. ARSENAL GO FOURTH AS CHELSEA LOSE 3-1

Arsenal reached fourth position in the Premier League for the first time this season after beating QPR 1-0 while London rivals Chelsea were beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa. Manchester United also suffered a shock defeat, losing 3-2 to Blackburn. Arsenal's goal came from Robin van Persie - his record-breaking 35th league goal in 2011.

6. HONOURS ROW OVER TORY DONORS

Labour has accused David Cameron of using the New Year Honours – touted as the 'Big Society Honours' - to reward four Conservative Party donors. Paul Ruddock, Doug Ellis, James Wates and James Lupton together gave the party almost £1m. The first two received knighthoods and the other two were made CBEs.

7. MURRAY MAKES LENDL HIS COACH

In time for the Australian Open, Andy Murray has appointed former world number one Ivan Lendl as his full-time coach. Murray is ranked fourth in the world but has never won a Grand Slam title. For the Czech-born Lendl, who retired from pro tennis in 1994 with eight titles, it will mean taking a break from the golf course.

8. CRACKDOWN ON COUNCIL SUBLETS

The Government is to target the estimated 160,000 council house tenants who illegally sublet their homes. Calling tenancy abuse "a scandal", Housing Minister Grant Shapps also announced plans to force those tenants earning £100,000 or more to pay market rates instead of enjoying "fantastically subsidised" rents.

9. KATY PERRY 'PUT FAME BEFORE FAMILY'

The breakdown of Russell Brand's 14-month marriage to Katy Perry, announced on Friday, came about because the 27-year-old singer refused to put her career on hold in order to start a family, according to reports. "I don't think Katy really understood what marriage was about," a friend of Brand's is quoted as saying.

10. LLOYDS BOSSES SUED OVER HBOS DEAL

Sir Victor Blank and Eric Daniels, former chairman and CEO of Lloyds, are to be sued in the US by American shareholders critical of the bank's takeover of HBOS in 2008. According to The Sunday Telegraph, the shareholders are unhappy about "misleading" statements made about the quality of the deal.