Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 7 Jan 2012

1. MILIBAND: 'I HAVE A CLEAR PLAN'

Labour leader Ed Miliband has defended his leadership, telling The Guardian he has a "very clear plan" for the future. He also denied there are splits in the Shadow Cabinet over coalition spending cuts. "I always knew it was going to be a fight," he said of being in opposition. "It is one I relish."

2. US NAVY RESCUES IRANIANS

A United States aircraft carrier at the centre of tensions between Washington and Tehran rescued 13 Iranian fishermen from the captivity of armed Somali pirates yesterday. “It is like you were sent by God,” one of the Iranians told US sailors. Iran recently warned the carrier it would face military force if it returned to the Gulf.

3. IRON LADY PREMATURE, SAYS PM

David Cameron says The Iron Lady film should have been delayed until after Margaret Thatcher has died. "You can't help wondering, why do we have to have this film now?" he told Radio Four. He said the film should have been made "another day", arguing it is more about dementia than an "amazing Prime Minister".

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4. BAIL REOFFENDER FIGURES RELEASED

Over 10 per cent of murders between 2006 and 2010 were committed by criminals released on bail for another crime, figures released under the Freedom of Information Act have shown. Over 900 sexual offences were committed against children by bailed criminals during the same period.

5. NEW RACE ROW HITS LIVERPOOL

Liverpool FC were caught-up in a fresh race controversy last night after Oldham Athletic defender Tom Adeyemi complained he had been racially abused by Liverpool supporters. Play was stopped for a while after the incident, as several players and the referee calmed the tearful Adeyemi.

6. DONOR INFLUENCE SHAKES TRUST

Public trust in Westminster is being undermined by the perception that wealthy donors can 'buy' Government policy, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life has told The Daily Telegraph. Sir Christopher Kelly questioned the "preferential access" donors get to key decision makers.

7. ROONEY EXIT REPORT DENIED

Manchester United and Wayne Rooney issued a joint statement last night denying a report in The Independent that the striker will leave Old Trafford during the January transfer window. The statement said they "retain utmost respect for each other and look forward to working together in the coming seasons."

8. BROADCASTER BOB HOLNESS DIES

Tributes have been paid to the television legend Bob Holness, who died yesterday at the age of 83. Holness, the host of the hugely-popular daytime quiz show Blockbusters, had a broadcasting and acting career that spanned six decades. Broadcaster Henry Kelly said Holness was "everybody's uncle Bob".

9. IMPLANT REMOVAL 'SHOULD BE FREE'

The 40,000 women who received faulty breast implants should not have to pay to have them removed, says the Health Secretary. The taxpayer will fund the removal for women who received them on the NHS, and Andrew Lansley says private clinics have a "moral duty" to remove them free of charge.

10. FOOD 13 TIMES CHEAPER THAN 1862

Groceries cost 13 times less than they did 150 years ago, according to a trade journal. The Grocer magazine used an inflation measure to compare prices for a basketful of items - including eggs and bread - which would now cost £93.95. A 1862 shopper would have been charged £1,254.17 in real terms for the same items.

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