Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 12 Sep 2013

1. PUTIN PLAN IS 'DOABLE, BUT DIFFICULT'

Russia's plan to dismantle Syria's chemical arsenal is "doable but difficult", US officials said. They made the comment ahead of today's meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Geneva. Earlier, president Putin warned against a US strike in a letter published in The New York Times.

Putin 'eclipses' Obama as he addresses US on Syria

2. ROYAL MAIL PRIVATISATION TO START

The government has said the process of floating the Royal Mail on the stock market as a private company will begin in “the coming weeks”. It has not said how much of the company will be sold off but it is expected to be the majority. Ten per cent of the new shares will be given to employees and the rest sold to investors.

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Royal Mail sell-off: a vital lifeline or 'preposterous' plan?

3. CARNEY 'RATTLED' BY MPS' GRILLING

Mark Carney's honeymoon as the governor of the Bank of England may be over. The 48-year-old looked rattled at times as he faced tough questioning from MPs over his pledge to keep interest rates at a record low for up to three years. He also "ducked" chances to confirm George Osborne's assessment that the economy has turned a corner.

Mark Carney's 'ingenious' reversal of forward guidance

4. EXPERTS: START SCHOOL AT SEVEN

A group of 127 experts has written to the Daily Telegraph to warn that the education system is “damaging” children and say they should start lessons at six or seven after an early focus on play, bringing the UK system in line with Scandinavian models. Signatories include Lord Layard and Sir Al Aynsley-Green.

Does starting school at four cause damage to children?

5. BOWIE FAVOURITE FOR MERCURY WIN

David Bowie is the bookies' favourite to win the Mercury Prize after his first album in ten years, The Next Day, was included on the shortlist. The list was described as more "mainstream" than last year's thanks to the inclusion of acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Laura Marling and Foals.

David Bowie's The Next Day tipped to win Mercury Prize

6. APPLE SHARES FALL 5% DESPITE LAUNCH

Tech giant Apple’s shares fell more than five per cent yesterday as investors fear its latest products - two new iPhone 5 models - will not help increase its share in emerging markets against rivals Samsung and Huawei. Even the basic 5C is thought to be priced too highly for such markets, retailing at $740 (£469).

iPhone 6 bending reports 'overblown' says test firm

7. KATE MCCANN ATTENDS LIBEL HEARING

Kate McCann, whose daughter Madeleine disappeared in Portugal more than five years ago, has attended a court in Portugal where her family's libel action against a former local police chief, Goncalo Amaral, is being heard. Amaral published a book making allegations against the McCanns. She is not expected to give evidence.

What happened to Madeleine McCann? A timeline of the case

8. PRINCE WILLIAM LEAVES RESCUE SERVICE

Prince William has left his Armed Forces job as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot after more than seven years of full-time service. The royal carried out his last shift on Tuesday and is now working towards expanding his core charitable interests particularly in the field of conservation of endangered species.

9. US PASTOR 'WANTED TO BURN KORANS'

Terry Jones, the 61-year-old Florida pastor who caused international uproar three years ago with his plans to burn copies of the Koran, has been arrested with thousands of "kerosene-soaked" copies of the Muslim holy book in the back of his truck. It is alleged he was about to burn the books in nearby park to commemorate the 9/11 attacks.

10. HOT TICKET: SECRET AGENT AT YOUNG VIC

Theatre O’s Edinburgh Fringe production of ‘The Secret Agent’ has transferred to the Young Vic, London. The play, based on Joseph Conrad’s political thriller about a woman who realises her husband is a double agent in an anarchist cell, adds a Vaudeville twist. “Ambitious,” says Metro. Until 21 September.

Conrad's Secret Agent gets timely staging at Young Vic