Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 17 Apr 2013

1. CAMERON: 'WE ARE ALL THATCHERITES NOW'

Thousands of people lined the streets of London for Baroness Thatcher's funeral today. There were some protests, but police said no-one was arrested. David Cameron defended the public cost of the funeral claiming "We are all Thatcherites now" - on the basis that "everyone" now accepts the "big arguments" she had about the trade unions and privatisation.

We're all Thatcherites now, says PM, as Labour slumps in poll

2. IMF TELLS OSBORNE TO EASE UP ON AUSTERITY

The International Monetary Fund's chief economist, Olivier Blanchard, has urged Chancellor George Osborne to moderate his austerity programme, saying the pace of cuts was too severe for the fragile UK economy. The warning came after the IMF lowered its forecast for UK growth this year from 1% to 0.7%.

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Osborne 'playing with fire' on austerity, warns IMF chief

3. BOSTON BOMBER USED PRESSURE-COOKERS

The bombs that killed three and wounded more than 170 at the Boston Marathon were made from pressure-cookers and hidden in backpacks, it was reported last night. Investigators said that the bombs were probably detonated by timers, rather than cell phones. President Obama said that who placed the bombs and why remains "speculation".

Boston: whoever did it knows how Taliban make their bombs

4. BLACK RIBBONS FOR LONDON RUNNERS

Runners in the London Marathon on Sunday will be given a black ribbon to wear in commemoration of the bomb victims in Boston, and there will be a 30-second silence at the start, race director Hugh Brasher said yesterday. Organisers wanted to "show support". The Foreign Office is checking reports that a Briton is among the Boston injured.

5. PICKLES BACKS DOWN ON EASY EXTENSIONS

Communities secretary Eric Pickles yesterday backed down on plans to allow the size of home extensions to double before planning permission is required, following protests from Tory and LibDem MPs. Ministers will now present a "revised approach" and a "sensible compromise" when the bill goes to the House of Lords next week.

6. NEXT CEO DONATES £2.4M BONUS TO STAFF

Lord Wolfson, the chief executive of fashion chain Next, announced yesterday that he will give up his £2.4m bonus this year and donate the money to the company's staff as a "gesture of thanks" for "hard work through some very tough times". The bonus will be shared by 19,400 staff, equal to £200 on a £20,000 annual salary.

Who is Lord Wolfson, Next boss who gave away bonus?

7. ABU QATADA: PUSH FOR SURPEME COURT APPEAL

The Home Office wants to take its fight to deport Abu Qatada to the highest court in the land. It has asked the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court over a decision to allow the radical cleric to stay in the UK. The move comes after judges last month rejected the latest in a long line of attempts to deport the terror suspect to Jordan.

8. CARDIFF CITY TO JOIN PREMIER LEAGUE

Cardiff City won promotion to the Premier League yesterday with a goalless draw at home to Charlton Athletic. The single point for the draw was enough to Cardiff to end its 51-year absence from the top football league. Cardiff will join Swansea as the second Welsh team in the Premier League next season.

Debt-ridden Cardiff City 'sold soul' for Premier League

9. BOSTON BOMB: TRAGIC VICTIM MIX-UP

The devastated family of Krystle Marie Campbell, a 29-year-old restaurant manager killed by a bomb at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, were initially told she had survived the attack. Campbell’s father William was told his daughter had been taken to hospital, but subsequently discovered it was her friend who was in the ICU and his daughter was dead.

Father of Boston victim Krystle Campbell was told she was alive

10. HOT TICKET: CIRCUS AT THE ROUNDHOUSE

The latest show from Cardiff-based contemporary circus company NoFit State, 'Bianco', has opened at the Roundhouse in London. 'Bianco' is an immersive, promenade show with live music, theatre and circus performances, inspired by José Saramago's novel 'The Elephant's Journey'. "Exhilarating," says The Guardian. Until 27 April.

Bianco circus at Roundhouse is 'exhilarating and joyful'