Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 15 Dec 2013

1. NELSON MANDELA FUNERAL UNDERWAY

The state funeral for Nelson Mandela began on Sunday morning. South Africa’s first black leader will be buried in his ancestral home in Qunu in the Easter Cape following the funeral which will be attended by around 4,500 people. Among those attending are the Prince of Wales, several African presidents and Oprah Winfrey. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is also present despite claims he had been excluded by organisers.

2. GRAMMAR SCHOOLS 'DON'T HELP POOR'

Grammar schools are “stuffed full” of middle-class children and do nothing to improve social mobility, says the chief inspector of schools. Sir Michael Wilmshaw also tells The Observer that school summer holidays are too long and that a big influx of Romanian and Bulgarian children in January could stretch teaching resources in British schools.

3. HORROR VIDEO PROMPTS ANGORA BAN

Dozens of high street chains have stopped buying angora wool after an undercover video showed live rabbits having their fur ripped from their skin on farms in China. The video, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, showed rabbits screaming in pain as workers tore the fur. Around 90% of the world’s angora is produced in China.

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4. CAMERON CALLS FOR ‘SELFIE’ AUCTION

David Cameron has called for the controversial ‘selfie’ photograph from the Nelson Mandela memorial service to be preserved, reports the Sunday Times. Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt was so embarrassed by the controversy over the photo she took with Cameron and Barack Obama that she intended to delete it. However, Cameron has reportedly pleaded with her to auction it for charity.

5. TEHRAN DETAINS A BRITISH ‘MI6 SPY’

Iranian authorities say they have captured a British spy. Officials say a businessman in his fifties is being detained on suspicion of gathering intelligence for the British security services. They claim he has confessed to meeting MI6 agents on 11 occasions. The news comes at a sensitive time diplomatically. Iran and Britain broke off official contact after an attack on the British Embassy in Tehran two years ago.

6. OSBORNE HUMILIATED IN FESTIVE POLL

The British public would rather spend Christmas with David Cameron than Ed Miliband, according to a festive poll. Asked if they would rather share Christmas with Cameron, Miliband, Nick Clegg, George Osborne or Nigel Farage, 11% opted for Cameron with 10% choosing Ed Miliband. Just 1% chose George Osborne. However, 60% answered: “don’t know”.

7. HOME OFFICE MULLS MIGRANT CAP

The government is considering a cap of 75,000 on annual EU immigration, reports the Sunday Times. A leaked government report raises the prospect of a cap, barring EU migrants’ access to benefits and tax credits for their first five years here and giving British citizens a “national preference” by explicitly reserving jobs for them. The proposals are in a Home Office paper on free movement of people.

8. AUSSIES BUILD FORMIDABLE LEAD

Australia have built a considerable lead on day three of the third Ashes test. England, who crumbled in the morning, were all out for 251 at lunch, handing the Aussies a 134 first-innings lead. The hosts then reached tea on 123 without loss, to extend their lead to 257. David Warner lead the way with an unbeaten 81, as Australia close in on a series-clinching victory.

9. SEVEN-DAY WEEK FOR TOP DOCTORS

Senior doctors and key diagnostic tests will become available seven days a week under new plans. The measures form part of reforms announced by NHS England to tackle higher death rates at weekends. Research has revealed that death rates are 16% higher for patients admitted on Sundays compared to those admitted on Wednesdays. Patients in intensive care will be reviewed by a consultant twice a day.

10. MAN CITY THRASH JITTERY GOONERS

Manchester City have sent a strong message to their title rivals by thrashing leaders Arsenal 6-3 at Etihad Stadium. City are now three points behind the Gunners after a rampant victory. Chelsea, in second, also piled the pressure on the leaders with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Manchester United are at Aston Villa this lunchtime, hoping to bounce back from recent league defeats.