Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 12 Mar 2012

1. AFGHAN RAMPAGE SOLDIER 'ACTED ALONE'

The Pentagon has said that the US soldier who walked off base late on Saturday night and murdered 16 civilians, including children, acted alone. The man, who is thought to be a thirty-something father, has been arrested. Barack Obama phoned Afghan president Hamid Karzai to offer condolences - but angry crowds have been gathering outside US bases.

Britain and US fear reprisals as Taliban vow revenge for 16 dead

2. CLEGG FACES MUTINY AT CONFERENCE

Nick Clegg is facing his most serious leadership challenge since he took the Lib Dems into coalition with the Tories after his party's spring conference voted against endorsing the health bill's proposed changes to the NHS by a majority of 314 to 270. There was also a split over plans to tax the rich proportionally.

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

3. HARRY ENDS TOUR WITH BOAST

Prince Harry has come to the end of a tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas to celebrate his grandmother's Diamond Jubilee, boasting that he likes to think he is "funnier than the Queen". The prince said the well-publicised tour had been "a gas" but also an "emotional trip" that has left him exhausted and "choked up".

4. SARKOZY HOLDS MASS RALLY

Incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday attempted to give his flagging campaign to be France's next president a shot in the arm with a mass rally at which he pledged to close Europe's open borders and put in place barriers against foreign exports. Showbiz pals including Gerard Depardieu lent their support.

Schengen threat as Sarkozy targets illegal immigrants again

5. HOSEPIPE BANS FOR SOUTH-EAST

Seven water companies covering the south-east and east of England have announced hosepipe bans following one of the driest Februarys on record. Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, Veolia Central and Veolia South East will bring in restrictions from 5 April, while Anglian and Sutton and East Surrey are yet to name a date.

Hosepipe bans announced across south-east England

6. GAY MARRIAGE: AN ECUMENICAL MATTER

The Church of England and the Roman Catholic church have united to claim legalising gay marriage would be "dangerous". Archbishop John Sentamu, who supports civil partnerships but not gay marriage, said he was pleased with the tone of a letter written by two Catholic archbishops to their congregations.

7. RIGHT-TO-DIE CASE GETS GO-AHEAD

Tony Nicklinson, a man paralysed with locked-in syndrome, has won the right to seek to end his life. The High Court ruled today that his legal case, which if successful would allow a doctor to kill Nicklinson and use a defence of "necessity" against a murder charge, can go to a full hearing.

Locked-in syndrome man: right-to-die breakthrough

8. SWISS VOTE AGAINST MORE HOLIDAY

Switzerland's voters have decided not to give themselves an extra two weeks of time off every year. A national referendum on changing the statutory annual holiday allocation from four weeks to six was roundly defeated after business groups warned that it would have a disastrous effect on the country's economy.

9. UNITED PUSH CITY OFF TOP SPOT

Manchester United are at the top of the Premier League table again after leapfrogging local rivals Manchester City by a 2-0 defeat of West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney continued a scoring run by netting both goals and was hailed by Alex Ferguson as being on a "hot streak".

Balotelli v Yaya Toure fracas as Man City lose lead to United

10. HOT TICKET – ABIGAIL’S STILL PARTYING

A revival of Mike Leigh’s classic 1977 comedy of middle-class manners, Abigail’s Party, has opened in London. Jill Halfpenny plays the monstrous hostess of a suburban party where cracks in social class and relationships emerge over cocktails. “A night of guilty pleasure,” says the Telegraph. Menier Chocolate Factory, until 21 April.

Abigail's Party still a cringe inducing hit 35 years on