Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 5 Mar 2012

1. RUSSIAN ELECTION 'CLEARLY SKEWED'

International election monitors have said the Russian election was "clearly skewed" in favour of the winner Vladimir Putin. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe said the result was never in doubt. Russia's election commission said Putin won 64% of the vote, while an independent watchdog says he polled just over 50%.

Tears and trickery: three ways Putin cheated to win 64 per cent

2. MINISTER: BENEFITS BETTER THAN WORKING

Thousands of British families would be financially better off if they quit their jobs and took benefits, the Employment Minister has admitted. Chris Grayling says some couples' annual income would be £728 higher on benefits than in work due to cuts to working tax credits next month.

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3. RED CROSS DENIED ACCESS TO BABA AMR

The Red Cross have been allowed to deliver aid to parts of the Syrian city of Homs, but have been denied access to the suburb of Baba Amr, amid reports of summary executions and torture by government troops. One woman fleeing the city told the BBC her 12-year-old son's throat had been slit.

4. OBAMA: STOP 'LOOSE' WAR TALK

Barack Obama has complained that "too much loose talk of war" against Iran has benefited Tehran by "driving up the price of oil, which they depend upon to fund their nuclear programme". Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference, he also said "I have Israel’s back."

5. MCILROY GOLF'S NUMBER ONE

Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is golf's number one after winning the Honda Classic by two strokes in Florida. In a tense final day, the 22-year-old withstood a resurgent performance by Tiger Woods. McIlroy is the second youngest player to reach the sport's number one spot.

Can number one Rory McIlroy do better than Wozniacki?

6. CARDINAL: GAY MARRIAGE 'GROTESQUE'

Cardinal Keith O'Brien went on Radio 4's Today programme this morning to call plans to legalise gay marriage "grotesque" and say they would "shame the United Kingdom". But the openly gay Rabbi Lionel Blue was praised by listeners for following up the Cardinal's comments with a "heartwarming" joke about a gay couple.

A gay rabbi and a cardinal walk into a Radio 4 studio…

7. CUTS COULD LOSE FALKLANDS

Argentina is likely to invade the Falkland Islands again and Britain would be unable to recapture them, says a commander from the 1982 conflict. Due to cuts that have left the army without an aircraft carrier, an Argentine invasion would be the "end of story", Major-General Julian Thompson told The Times.

'End of story' if Argentina hits Falklands, says war hero

8. POLICE DEFEND 'PRIVATISATION' MOVE

The Association of Chief Police Officers has defended the plans of two forces to invite private security firms to handle key parts of their operation. A spokesman said a "radical and fundamental" change was needed so forces can cope with the "enormous challenge of the financial cuts".

9. MOURINHO FAVOURITE FOR CHELSEA

José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are among the names linked with the manager's job at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea sacked André Villas-Boas. Roberto Di Matteo will oversee the side for the remainder of the season. Man Utd closed the gap on leaders Man City to two points yesterday by beating Tottenham.

Andre Villas-Boas: sunk by deadly combo of arrogance and naivety

10. HOT TICKET: THE LADY FROM THE SEA

Stephen Unwin’s revival of Ibsen’s ‘The Lady from the Sea’ has opened at the Rose Theatre, London. Joely Richardson takes on the role of Ellida (made famous by her mother and sister), a married lighthouse keeper’s daughter, pining for lost love and the wildness of the sea. “Transfixing,” says The Guardian.

Joely Richardson goes in at deep end with Ibsen remake