Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 7 Dec 2013

1. MANDELA SET FOR HISTORIC FUNERAL

Crowds in South Africa have spent a second night on the streets in tribute to former president Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday. People danced and sung in front of his former home in Soweto. World leaders are preparing to gather at Mandela’s funeral, which could be the biggest global gathering of powerful people in modern history.

2. ‘INTOLERABLE’ CANCER DELAYS EXPOSED

More than 50% of family doctors in England don’t refer cancer patients within the timeframe stated in NHS guidelines, GP league tables have shown. Experts say the revelation explains why Britain has worse survival rates for major cancers than many countries in Eastern Europe. Charities said the findings were “intolerable”.

3. LONDON ‘MUSLIM PATROL’ MEN JAILED

Three members of a ‘Muslim patrol’ have been jailed for attacking, harassing and intimidating people on the streets of east London. The three men told a woman in Stepney she would be punished in “hellfire” because of how she dressed, terrorised a couple for walking through Bethnal Green holding hands, and attacked a group of men drinking in Shoreditch.

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4. ENGLAND HANDED ‘GROUP OF DEATH’

England have been given a tough draw for the World Cup in Brazil next summer. Joining Roy Hodgson’s men in Group D will be Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. England will have to travel 1,777 miles from their Rio base for their first tie in Manaus. Earlier this week, Hodgson described Manaus as “the place to avoid”. FA chair Greg Dyke made a ‘cut-throat’ gesture after the draw was made.

World Cup draw: the intelligent punter's guide

5. PUBLIC TO PAY FOR OSBORNE’S £12BN HOLE

British householders will foot the bill for a £12bn hole in George Osborne’s austerity plans, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The think-tank says the chancellor is relying on “uncertain revenues” to make his plans work. “We are still in a big hole,” said IFS director Paul Johnson. “There is an awful lot of austerity to come.”

6. POLICE TASER SPECIAL NEEDS BOY

Police have tasered a schoolboy with learning difficulties, reports The Times. Officers from Devon and Cornwall police were called to a special school in Plymouth after reports of an alleged assault on a teacher. The force has confirmed that they deployed a taser during the incident after reports that knives were brandished as officers.

7. FARAGE CRASH PILOT FOUND DEAD

The pilot who flew the plane in which Nigel Farage crashed in 2010 has been found dead at his home. Justin Adams was left suffering from depression after the crash, and accused the UKIP leader of “ruining his life”. He was given a two-year community order for five counts of threatening to kill Farage. Adams was found dead by police last month. Police have yet to establish the cause of his death.

8. SNORING LINKED TO FATAL STROKES

Heavy snorers are twice as likely to suffer a fatal stroke than those who sleep peacefully, says the International Journal of Cardiology. The study, by scientists from Shandong University in China, also found that snorers are 80% more likely to have heart disease. Around three million people suffer from the snoring condition sleep apnoea.

9. ELTON JOHN IN MOSCOW PROTEST

Elton John has made a fresh appeal to Russia to end discrimination against gay people as he performed in Moscow. The British singer said he was “sad to learn” of new legislation banning the “propaganda of homosexuality”. He described the law as “inhumane” and isolating”. Madonna and Lady Gaga have also used concerts in Russia to speak out against anti-gay measures.

10. DAVID MOYES: ‘WE’LL GET IT RIGHT’

David Moyes has vowed to turn things around at Old Trafford. Speaking ahead of today’s visit of Newcastle, the Manchester United boss said: "We have to do better. But we will get it right. I am sure of that." His side is 12 points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Second-placed Chelsea are at Stoke, while third-placed Liverpool host West Ham.