Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 31 Mar 2012

1. FUEL PRIORITY FOR AMBULANCES PROPOSED

The Government is under pressure to introduce emergency powers giving 999 vehicles priority at petrol stations after it was revealed that ambulance drivers have struggled to get fuel amid recent panic-buying. A 46-year-old woman remains critically ill after suffering 40% burns when petrol ignited as she was pouring it into a container.

2. PC SUSPENDED FOR RACIAL ABUSE

A policeman has been suspended after a man he racially abused recorded the tirade on his mobile phone. “The problem with you is you will always be a nigger, yeah,” PC Alex MacFarlane told the 21-year-old Londoner. The CPS is reviewing its decision not to charge three officers after audio of the incident was published by The Guardian.

3. TORIES IN FRESH DONOR ROW

A former Conservative Party adviser has been accused of offering potential donors the chance to help form policies ahead of the next general election. Ed Staite, a media consultant, was secretly filmed by Sunday Times reporters posing as donors. Writing on his blog, Staite says he only offered them the chance to “make a positive contribution to the political process”.

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4. SOUTH-EAST DROUGHT WORST FOR 90 YEARS

The drought in south-east England is the worst since 1921, it has been declared. Ponds and streams in several areas have evaporated completely. Forecasters predict further unseasonal heat in the coming months. Meanwhile, gardeners are making the most of their last chance to use hosepipes before a ban hits much of the country on Thursday.

5. BIN LADEN 'SPENT NINE YEARS IN PAKISTAN'

Osama Bin Laden spent nine years in Pakistan following the 9/11 attacks, according to information provided to the police by his youngest wife. He lived close to Islamabad from 2003 and then moved between at least five locations, including government hospitals. The information challenges Pakistan's claim that its security services had no idea of his whereabouts.

6. GOVE BACKS 'SENSIBLE' FAITH SCHOOL LIMIT

Debate over faith schools has been reignited by a leaked letter in which Education Minister Michael Gove backs a Roman Catholic school's decision to reserve 50% of places for children from other faiths or none. He describes the plan as “very sensible”. Campaigners say Gove's remark shows the Government increasingly sees faith schools as "unwelcome".

7. DAME HELEN IN ROW WITH NEIGHBOUR

Actress Helen Mirren is mired in a planning row with the neighbours of her palatial Italian home. Dame Helen is to face official questioning over her plans for the 500-year-old house after Anna De Giovanni, who lives next door in Puglia, Italy, complained to the local council. The actress's lawyer describes the row as “very petty” and a “complete waste of time".

8. PAIR GUILTY OF CELTIC BOMB PLOT

Two men have been convicted of plotting to cause severe injury to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and high-profile fans of the club. Rangers supporters Trevor Muirhead and Neil McKenzie face lengthy jail terms after being convicted of sending crude homemade bombs packed with nails to Lennon and others last year.

9. AL-QAEDA RETURNING TO AFGHANISTAN

Al-Qaeda terrorists are back in Afghanistan and are using the country as a base to prepare 9/11-style attacks on Western cities, claims the American ambassador to Kabul. Ryan Crocker told The Daily Telegraph that a premature exit from Afghanistan would leave the West vulnerable to fresh terrorism. "They’ll be back," he said.

10. ROBBIE WILLIAMS TO BE A DAD

Pop star Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field have announced they are expecting their first baby. Williams said the couple cried when they saw the scans of the baby. Announcing the pregnancy, he said: "Me and Ayda are going to be mummy and daddy this year. We had sex! It works!" They are expected to raise the child in America.