Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 27 Mar 2012

1. FIRST-CLASS STAMPS TO COST 60P

The price of a first-class stamp will rise from 46p to 60p on April 30 after Royal Mail price controls were removed. The price of a second-class stamp will also go up 14p, from 36p to 50p. Royal Mail has been given the freedom to set its own prices for first-class stamps although the price for second-class has been capped at 55p.

2. CCTV OF GIRL'S SHOOTING RELEASED

A CCTV video of five-year-old girl being shot as she danced in the aisle of her uncle's shop has been released for the first time. Thusha Kamaleswaran, who had dreamed of becoming a dancer when she grew up, was left paralysed by the shooting in a south London shop. Three men were found guilty of the shooting at the Old Bailey yesterday.

3. PLANNING LAWS SET FOR REFORM

Planning laws are set to be significantly simplified today as reforms are announced that are expected to make a “presumption in favour of sustainable development”. Countryside campaigners are concerned by reports that new draft of the National Planning Policy Framework will be cut from 1,000 pages of planning regulation to just 50.

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4. STRAUSS-KAHN IN PROSTITUTE INQUIRY

Former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn is under investigation in France over alleged involvement in a prostitution ring. He faces preliminary charges of procuring prostitutes and involvement in an "organised gang", said one of his lawyers. He resigned from the IMF last year after being accused of attempted rape. That charge was dropped.

'Complicity in pimping': latest humiliation for Strauss-Kahn

5. ARCHERS IS 'BORING' SAYS FIVE LIVE MAN

The Archers is "boring", "humdrum" and only listened to by people who "pretend to enjoy it as they think it makes them look superior", claims broadcaster Richard Bacon. The Five Live presenter expressed astonishment that five million listeners tune in to the Radio Four soap opera "every single ruddy day".

Attack on The Archers leads to debate over multiculturalism

6. STUDENT JAILED FOR MUAMBA TWEETS

A student who posted racist messages about footballer Fabrice Muamba on Twitter has been jailed for 56 days by Swansea magistrates. Liam Stacey made the abusive comments on the website after Muamba collapsed during a match last week. He admitted a racially-aggravated public order offence.

Man U fanzine Red Issue starts huge row with Muamba cover

7. AL-JAZEERA CANS TOULOUSE VIDEO

Al-Jazeera has said it will not broadcast a video of Toulouse gunman Mohammed Merah shooting dead seven people. The video montage was sent to the news channel the day before Merah was shot dead by police in his flat following a 30-hour siege. Al-Jazeera said the video "does not add any information that is not already in the public domain".

Al-Jazeera will not show footage of Toulouse shootings

8. FRIENDS REUNITED RELAUNCHES

The pioneering social network site Friends Reunited has re-launched in the hope of regaining its past glory. The UK-based website, which first appeared in 2000, is now encouraging people to sign up for its nostalgic "memories" service. "It's about every blast from your past - every kind of great memory you have," said chief executive Chris van der Kuyl.

Are nostalgic memories enough to save Friends Reunited?

9. UNITED GO THREE POINTS CLEAR

Wayne Rooney's 29th goal of the campaign sent Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League table despite a tepid display against Fulham. United are now three points ahead of rivals Manchester City. Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped United would score more goals, as he expects goal difference to be an "issue" come the end of the season.

Manchester United lucky to go three points clear again

10. HOT TICKET: MAD MEN BACK FOR SERIES FIVE

The Madison Avenue drama ‘Mad Men’ returned to US TV screens on Sunday, and hits Britain tonight (Sky Atlantic). It is May 1966 and Don Draper (John Hamm), Joan (Christina Hendricks), Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) et al are “strutting their familiar stuff”. Newsday called the series five premiere “flawless”.

Pour yourself a bourbon, it's time for Mad Men again

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