The day's news in pictures: March 11, 2013 (GALLERY)

Former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce have both been jailed for eight months over a speeding points scandal dating back a decade. The former couple were handed the sentences at Southwark Crown Court for perverting the course of justice in 2003 when Pryce took speeding points for her then-husband.

The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on a bid by Home Secretary Theresa May to overturn a decision allowing radical preacher Abu Qatada to stay in the UK. Mrs May's legal team submitted in a one-day hearing in London that he was a 'truly dangerous' individual who escaped deportation through 'errors of law'.

The threat posed by antibiotic resistance should be ranked alongside terrorism on a list of threats to the nation, the Government's Chief Medical Officer said. The problem is a 'ticking time-bomb' and should be put on the Government's National Risk Register - which also includes 'catastrophic terrorist attacks' and other civil emergencies, Professor Dame Sally Davies said.

Searches are continuing within the grounds of an Islamic school for girls as police investigate claims of sexual assault and false imprisonment. Police were informed at the weekend of an alleged incident involving 'a small number of teenage girls' at Jamea Al Kauthar school in Lancaster last Tuesday.

David Cameron today made clear he will resist pressure from within his Cabinet and on the Conservative backbenches to ditch the protection from cuts which he has granted to the NHS, schools and overseas aid. Little more than a week ahead of Chancellor George Osborne's March 20 Budget, critics of the PM's approach have set their sights on the so-called 'ring-fence' for favoured priorities, arguing that it is forcing departments like justice, transport and the Home Office to bear the brunt of cost-cutting.

Catholic cardinals have gathered at the Vatican for their final day of talks before the conclave to elect the next pope. They meet amid debate over whether the church needs a manager pope to clean up the Vatican or a pastoral pope who can inspire the faithful at a time of crisis.

Japan is marking the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which left nearly 19,000 people dead or missing and more than 300,000 people still displaced. At services in Tokyo and in barren towns along the north-eastern coast today, mourners bowed their heads in silence marking the time, 2.46pm, when the earthquake struck off the coast.

Freezing temperatures mean today is on track to be the coldest March day since 1986, forecasters said. The unseasonably cold weather left travellers battling ice and snow, with the South of England being worst hit.

Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins will stand trial later this summer accused of conspiracy to rape a baby. A handful of female fans gathered at Cardiff Crown Court, South Wales, as the bands lead singer appeared at a hearing via videolink.

The Queen has been forced to cancel her appearance at a major service celebrating the Commonwealth as she is continuing to recover from her recent bout of gastroenteritis, Buckingham Palace said today. The Queen had been due to attend the Commonwealth Day Observance at Londons Westminster Abbey that will see High Commissioners from across the globe in the congregation and a key-note address from Sir Richard Branson.

School leavers should be expected either to get an apprenticeship or to go on to study for a university degree, David Cameron said today. Launching National Apprenticeship Week, the Prime Minister said was important that pupils had a clear idea of which path they wanted to take by the time they reached school leaving age.