Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 9 Dec 2013

1. THAI PM YINGLUCK TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT

Thailand’s PM, Yingluck Shinawatra, has said she will dissolve parliament and call elections after weeks of protest in Bangkok. All of the opposition MPs resigned yesterday and demonstrators had planned to march on Government House this morning. Protesters claimed her brother was controlling Shinawatra.

Thai army takes power in televised coup d'etat

2. LONG DELAYS AT A&E FOR AMBULANCES

Figures disclosed under a Freedom of Information request by the BBC show that patients throughout the UK are facing long waits in ambulances outside A&E wards before hospitals will take them. The maximum wait is supposed to be 15 minutes, but in the worst case a patient was left in the vehicle for six hours in Wales.

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A&E delays: patients waiting in ambulances for up to six hours

3. SA PARLIAMENT IN MANDELA TRIBUTE

South Africa’s parliament is holding a special sitting today to pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela, who has died at the age of 95. The session starts a week of commemoration including a memorial service on Tuesday and state funeral on Saturday, with many world leaders expected to attend one or the other.

Mandela's memorial a 'security headache' for South Africa

4. IDS SAYS UNIVERSAL CREDIT IS 'ON BUDGET'

Iain Duncan Smith has insisted that the beleaguered Universal Credit scheme will be delivered "on budget" despite warnings that hundreds of millions of pounds could already have been wasted on the flagship Coalition project. The Work and Pensions Secretary said that the major benefits reform is still on track despite admitting that his “this plan is different from the original plan”.

Universal Credit ‘mess’:IDS faces grilling over new delays

5. LEE RIGBY: 'THIS IS WAR' SAYS SUSPECT

One of the men accused of murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby has told the Old Bailey that his defence is that he is "a soldier of Allah" and "this is a war". The court has been hearing evidence from Michael Adebolajo, 28, who along with Michael Adebowale, 22, is accused of hacking Rigby to death with a meat cleaver and knives on 22 May.

Lee Rigby killer sues prison service over lost teeth

6. KIM JONG-UN PURGES ‘DEPRAVED’ UNCLE

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un has expelled his once-powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek, from government. A general once seen as the second power in the secretive state, Jang was accused in an address on state TV of corruption, womanising, “dissolute and depraved” acts - and of “dreaming different dreams”.

Kim Jong-un's uncle 'purged' for drugs, sex and gambling

7. 127 HOURS MAN HELD ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Aron Ralston, the subject of Danny Boyle’s film 127 Hours, has been arrested in Denver on suspicion of domestic violence and “wrongs to minors”. The 38-year-old was forced to cut his own arm off with a penknife after it became trapped under a rock in 2003. He is being held in prison before a court appearance.

Real-life 127 Hours adventurer arrested for domestic violence

8. SYRIA: 1,000 DAYS OF ARMED CONFLICT

Marking 1,000 days since the armed conflict in Syria began, the EU's Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, warned yesterday: "We are witnessing the creation of a lost generation." Because the aid agencies' priority is food, medicine and shelter, tens of thousands of refugee children are receiving no formal education.

Syria conflict, 1,000 days on: a lost generation in the making

9. DJ CAMPBELL 'MATCH FIXING' ARREST

Former Premiership footballer DJ Campbell is among six people being questioned in connection with allegations of fixing in football matches, his club have confirmed. Campbell, who plays for Championship side Blackburn, was one of six people arrested yesterday in relation to the allegations.

DJ Campbell arrested in match-fixing probe

10. HOT TICKET: GRAN TURISMO RETURNS

The latest instalment of the popular Gran Turismo simulation racing video game has been released in the UK. Gran Turismo 6 offers players a choice of 1,200 vehicles and 33 real and invented racing tracks, including a moon-based event using a Lunar Rover vehicle. “Breathtaking,” says the Daily Telegraph.

Gran Turismo 6 – reviews of ‘breathtaking’ sim racing game