Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 27 Dec 2012

1. BRITAIN SPLASHES £3BN AT BOXING DAY SALES

An estimated 10m people spent £3bn at yesterday's Boxing Day sales. Police were called to maintain public order as the number of shoppers increased by 20% on last year. Many shoppers camped out overnight to get first pickings, while wealthy tourists from China, Nigeria and the Middle East are believed to have boosted trade.

2. GROWING MAJORITY BACKS GAY MARRIAGE

Some 62% of British voters support gay marriage, according to an ICM poll. The poll shows a significant shift since March, when just 45% of voters backed the reform. Meanwhile, the culture secretary Maria Miller has signalled that the government may use the 'nuclear option' of the Parliament Act to force the reform onto the statute book.

3. CAMERON WANTS MORE ETHNIC CANDIDATES

David Cameron has ordered his party to increase its number of black and Asian parliamentary candidates. The Conservative Party fears it is losing popularity among ethnic minority voters, pointing to the defeat of Mitt Romney, who was spurned by black and Hispanic voters in America. One MP tells The Independent the Tories face an "existential" crisis.

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4. OBAMA CUTS HOLIDAY AS 'FISCAL CLIFF' LOOMS

US president Barack Obama has cut short his holiday in Hawaii to return to Washington and address the looming "fiscal cliff". Unless a deal is struck, major spending cuts and tax increases will come into force on January 1, placing the US in danger of a return to recession. The deadline was struck to try and force the president and Congress to agree on financial policy.

5. HOSPITAL DATABASE TO SPOT ABUSE VICTIMS

An online database is to be launched so hospitals across England can identify and log children who may be in danger of abuse by "devious parents". The £8.6 million scheme will allow medical staff at accident and emergency wards to see if children have had urgent treatment at other hospitals or have suffered suspicious injuries in the past.

6. THUNDERBIRDS CREATOR DIES

Gerry Anderson, who created the television shows Thunderbirds, Stingray and Joe 90, has died. Anderson, who has suffered from Alzheimer's since 2010, was 83. Actor Brian Blessed, who worked with Anderson, said: "I think a light has gone out in the universe." TV presenter Jonathan Ross tweeted: "For men of my age, his work made childhood an incredible place to be."

7. PICKLES BARRED FROM HOMETOWN PUB

Community Secretary Eric Pickles has been banned from a pub in his home town of Keighley after he told Desert Island Discs: "I hate going back to Yorkshire.” As well as banning Pickles, the Great Northern pub placed a photograph of his face on its dartboard. Pickles insists he has "great affection" for his Yorkshire roots.

8. GEORGE BUSH SNR IN INTENSIVE CARE

Former American president George H W Bush is in intensive care with a "stubborn fever" after suffering a "series of setbacks", says his spokesman. Bush, 88, has been in hospital since November 23 and was moved to intensive care on Sunday. "He's conscious and he's able to engage in humorous banter with his doctor," said the spokesman.

9. KEEP MORGAN, UK TELLS THE US

Piers Morgan is feeling the heat from both sides of the Atlantic as a UK petition urges the US to keep the CNN anchor "because the UK doesn't want him". It was launched as a counter to a US petition demanding Morgan be deported over his robust views on US gun laws. He has campaigned for a ban on high-powered assault rifles and high-capacity gun magazines.

10. UNITED GO SEVEN CLEAR IN PREM

Manchester United came from behind three times to beat Newcastle United 4-3 at Old Trafford yesterday. The victory extended the Old Trafford side's lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points, as Sunderland beat second-placed Manchester City 1-0. Chelsea continued their renaissance with a 1-0 win over Norwich City.