Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 20 Oct 2011

last updated 20 October 2011

1. GADDAFI 'DEAD', SAYS NTC Col Muammar Gaddafi, the deposed Libyan leader who has been on the run since February, has reportedly died of his wounds after a shoot-out in Sirte, according to a senior commander of forces loyal to Libya's National Transitional Government. The news, yet to be confirmed, comes as anti-Gaddafi forces claim to have taken full control of the port city.

2. SHOCK NEWS STALLS REPORT ON POLICE SPIES Bernard Hogan-Howe, the new Met Police commissioner, was supposed to present a report today on the use of police spies to infiltrate protest groups. It has been scrapped after The Guardian broke the news that undercover policeman Jim Boyling had lied in court when he gave evidence under a false name - under orders from police chiefs. 3. POLICE TO CLEAR LAST OF DALE FARM PROTESTERS Police kept guard around the Dale Farm travellers' site near Basildon, Essex last night as the last protesters remained chained to their makeshift barricade and are expected to be cut free by bailiffs this morning. 54 unauthorised caravan plots will be cleared. Yesterday’s confrontation resulted in six people injured and 23 arrests. In pictures: Battle of Dale Farm 4. WATSON PURSUES MURDOCHS TO LA Tom Watson, Labour MP and scourge of the Murdoch family over the phone hacking scandal, flew to Los Angeles last night to confront Rupert and James Murdoch at the News Corps shareholders’ meeting on Friday, when their leadership is expected to be challenged. He goes with a "proxy shareholders’ vote" that he has acquired. Pressure piles on Murdochs ahead of annual meeting 5. A GIRL FOR CARLA BRUNI AND NICOLAS SARKOZY Carla Bruni, wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, gave birth to a girl at the Paris clinic La Muette yesterday evening. Sarkozy, who has three sons from previous marriages, hurried back from a Eurozone crisis meeting soon after the birth. The Elysee Palace refused an announcement, saying the birth is a "private family matter". 'Normal' Hollande would beat Sarkozy in an election 6. TABAK ‘SORRY’ FOR KILLING JO YEATES Vincent Tabak has told Bristol Crown Court that he is "so sorry" for killing Jo Yeates and putting her family through "a week of hell". He said that he made a pass at Yeates when she made a "flirty" remark after inviting him into her flat. When she screamed he put his hands over her mouth and throat. He denies murder but admits manslaughter. 7. FOX LASHES OUT AT 'VINDICTIVE' MEDIA Liam Fox, who resigned as Defence Secretary last Friday, has lashed out at the "personal vindictiveness, even hatred" of the "media frenzy" that brought him down. Addressing the Commons, he apologised for breaching the ministerial code through his friendship with Adam Werritty and said he accepted the consequences of his actions. The Mole: Liam Fox is history – but he’s still causing problems 8. ST PAUL’S ASKS 'OCCUPY' PROTEST TO MOVE ON The Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral have asked the ‘Occupy’ protesters who set up 210 tents on their steps to move on. Their presence has forced the closure of the cafeteria and the gift shop, seriously reducing the cathedral’s revenue from tourists. A spokesman denied that the campers would be forced to leave. In pictures: Occupy London 9. CHELSEA AND ARSENAL WIN IN EUROPE Chelsea and Arsenal both triumphed in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Blues romped to a 5-0 win over Genk at Stamford Bridge with Fernando Torres scoring twice. The Gunners left it late against Marseilles, but Aaron Ramsey scored in injury time to earn them a 1-0 win. Both sides are now top of their groups. Last-gasp winner spares Arsenal's blushes Two-goal Torres helps Chelsea rout Genk 10. HOT TICKET: ART IN THE PARK The Affordable Art Fair, showcasing budget-friendly art from more than 100 galleries, returns to Battersea Park today. The ten-year-old showcase is an alternative to the up-market glamour of the Frieze Art fair, offering artworks for the age of austerity, priced from £40 to £4,000. Runs today until Sunday.