Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 25 Mar 2012

1. TORY QUITS OVER CASH FOR ACCESS BOAST

The Conservative Party co-treasurer Peter Cruddas has resigned after The Sunday Times revealed footage of him offering to arrange access to the Prime Minister and Chancellor for £250,000. Cruddas said he regrets "any impression of impropriety arising from my bluster" during the secretly-filmed conversation.

2. FERNANDO ALONSO WINS IN MALAYSIA

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso has won a thrilling and hotly-contested Malaysian Grand Prix, leaving Sauber's Sergio Perez in second place. Britain's Lewis Hamilton took third. Alonso took an early lead after a stoppage due to heavy rain. Uncompetitive in the dry, his Ferari performed superbly on the wet course.

3. BRITISH SUMMER TIME BEGINS

Did you remember to put you clocks forward one hour this morning? British Summer Time has begun, appropriately enough, in the midst of the hottest weekend so far this year. The long-range forecast predicts a cooler end to March and slightly lower than average temperatures and heavy showers in April. May should be warmer again.

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

4. SANTORUM WINS IN LOUISIANA

Rick Santorum has won the Republican presidential primary in Louisiana, further closing the gap between himself and the front-runner Mitt Romney. Of the 34 primaries so far Romney has won 21, with Santorum on 11. With most votes counted in Louisiana, Santorum had 49%, to Romney's 26%.

5. HMRC CONSIDERS DEFINITION OF BREAD

HM Revenue & Customs is set to rule on the exact definition of bread amid confusion following the Budget. George Osborne extended VAT to cover all hot take-away foods. As a basic food, bread is exempt from VAT, but questions have been raised over the status of croissants and hot cross buns.

6. TORIES RETHINK THIRD RUNWAY BAN

Conservative ministers are re-considering their decision to rule out a third runway at Heathrow after they were warned by foreign leaders and business figures that EU trade will move elsewhere if the airport is not expanded. The coalition agreement prohibits a third runway but Tories may back the move in their next manifesto.

7. TROOPS TRAINED TO DELIVER PETROL

Soldiers are being trained to deliver fuel to petrol stations amid fears of a possible strike by tanker drivers. The Government says it is determined to avoid a repeat of the disruption caused during the fuel blockades of 2000. The Unite union is balloting around 2,000 of its members over industrial action.

8. CHENEY HAS HEART TRANSPLANT

The former US vice-president Dick Cheney is recovering in hospital following a heart transplant. Cheney, who is 71, has been troubled by heart problems for several decades and has had five heart attacks since the age of 37. He had been waiting for the transplant for 20 months, said his spokeswoman.

9. EIGHT-INCH INSULATION OF HOMES PROPOSED

Climate Change minister Greg Barker is proposing a scheme in which eight million homes could be covered with up to 8in of insulation to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal has sparked anger among heritage experts who say it would destroy the unique character of English villages and towns.

10. MAN CITY BLOW IT AT STOKE

The Premier League title race took a fresh twist when Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City, after a stunning 30-yard volley from Peter Crouch. Manchester United, level on points with City, can go three points clear at the top if they win their game in hand on Monday night.