Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 26 Nov 2013

1. SNP MAKES CASE FOR SCOTS INDEPENDENCE

Alex Salmond, the Scottish first minister, has unveiled his government's blueprint for an independent Scotland. A 670-page white paper promises no rise in the basic tax rate, a transformation of the childcare sector and a return to the public sector for Royal Mail.

How Scottish independence would work: blueprint unveiled

2. DEVON: 77-SQ MILE WIND FARM DROPPED

Plans for a huge wind farm off the north Devon coast - the 77-square mile Atlantic Array - have been shelved by developer RWE Innogy, the government says. The firm blamed the “technological challenges and market conditions” for its decision. The plan had attracted criticism from environmentalists and bird lovers.

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Atlantic Array wind farm blown away by 'financing issues'

3. ‘SHOCKING’ CHILD-ON-CHILD SEXUAL VIOLENCE

A report from the children’s commissioner of England says “shocking” sexual violence is being carried out by children against other children as young as 11. The commissioner says rape is seen as “normal and inevitable” in some areas, especially among gangs. It says bullying and sexist attitudes exist across the UK.

Child-on-child rape: 'chilling' levels of sex abuse in England

4. RICHARD III DECISION POSTPONED

A judicial hearing to decide the final resting place of Richard III has been put off until January. The High Court had been set to decide if the king's remains should be buried in York or - as a group that includes some of his descendants want - in Leicester.

King Richard III was a man of courage and never a child-killer

5. LOST PROPHETS SINGER ADMITS RAPE

Ian Watkins, the former frontman of Welsh indie group Lost Prophets, has pleaded guilty to 13 sex offences - including two of attempting to rape a baby, Sky News reports. Watkins had initially denied the charges, but changed his plea to guilty at the start of his trial at Cardiff Crown Court today.

6. SOCIAL MEDIA USE LEADS TO LESS SEX

Pressures of modern life including the distractions of social media and money worries are leading people to have less sex, researchers from UCL say. More than 15,000 Britons were questioned for the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles. Those aged 16-44 were having sex fewer than five times a month.

Recession triggers sex slump as austerity invades bedroom

7. PUTIN MEETS POPE FRANCIS FOR FIRST TIME

Russian president Vladimir Putin has visited Pope Francis at the Vatican, the first time the two have met. Putin arrived 45 minutes late for the 35-minute summit because of transport problems. The two men discussed Christianity but did not venture onto the trickier subject of relations with the Orthodox church.

8. NIGELLA LAWSON HAD 'DAILY DRUG HABIT'

Nigella Lawson took cocaine, cannabis and prescription drugs every day for a decade, but kept her “guilty secret” hidden from her then husband Charles Saatchi, a fraud case against two sisters who used to work for the couple has heard. Lawson’s legal representatives describe the allegations as “totally scurrilous” and untrue.

9. HOT TICKET: SUPER MARIO BACK IN 3D

Nintendo's latest Super Mario game is released in the UK this week. Super Mario 3D World for Wii U consoles sees Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad exploring magical realms to rescue a fairy called Sprixie from the evil sorcerer Bowser. "A technical marvel," says The Guardian.

'Marvellous' Wii U Super Mario 3D World - reviews

10. PLEBGATE OFFICER 'TO BE CHARGED'

One officer involved in the so-called 'Plebgate' incident that cost Tory Andrew Mitchell his job, is to be charged with one count of misconduct in public office, the CPS has said. However, the CPS says there is "insufficient evidence to show that Mitchell was the victim of a conspiracy of misinformation".