Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 13 Jul 2011

published 13 July 2011

Our popular news catch-up service is posted Monday to Friday at 8.0am. You can rely on it to keep you up to date through the working day with the main news talking points. Mumbai rocked by three explosionsAt least eight people have been killed and 70 injured after India's financial capital Mumbai was hit by three bomb blasts. The BBC reports that explosions hit a bus stop in the crowded neighbourhood of Dadar, a jewellery shop in Zaveri Bazaar and the bustling business district of Opera House. Early reports suggest the explosions are a coordinated terrorist attack. MURDOCH WITHDRAWS BSKYB BIDRupert Murdoch's News Corp has withdrawn its bid to take over broadcaster BSkyB in the face of opposition from all three main political parties, and amid controversy over the conduct of his News International newspaper titles. News Corp owns 39 per cent of BSkyB and wanted to buy the remaining 61 per cent. Earlier this week the bid was referred to the Competition Commission. First reaction: Murdoch humiliated as News Corp kills BSkyB bid The Mole: Three parties unite to break the Murdoch stranglehold Murdoch’s comeuppance will have downsides too Why Murdoch could sell all his London papers THE SUN: 'GORDON BROWN IS WRONG'Under the headline "Brown Wrong", the Sun today claims that it did not obtain the medical records of the former PM's son Fraser, who has cystic fibrosis. Instead, it claims the source of the story was another father whose son has the condition, who has "links with the Brown family" and who says he did not see the medical records. The Mole: Cameron’s reputation is on the line over Murdoch crisis FRANCE: MILITARY ACTION IN LIBYA MUST ENDFrench president Nicolas Sarkozy has surprised his troops in Afghanistan with a visit, revealing he will bring one quarter of them home by the end of 2012. While he was in Afghanistan, his defence minister, Gerard Longuet, told the press military action in Libya must end as "we've shown there is no solution through force". Ahmed Wali Karzai: ‘drug dealer’ Nato could rely on uNEMPLOYMENT FALLS BUT CLAIMANTS RISEUnemployment fell 26,000 in the three months to May according to the Office for National Statistics and stands at 2.45 million. But the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance rose 24,500 in June to 1.52 million, its highest level since March 2010, and the Office for Budget Responsibility says Britain faces decades of austerity. JOHANN HARI SUSPENDED FROM INDEPENDENTThe Independent newspaper has suspended columnist Johann Hari for two months after allegations that he not only committed plagiarism but also invented identities online with which to defend himself on Wikipedia and in other forums. Former editor Andreas Whittam-Smith is to conduct an internal investigation into Hari's conduct. Johann Hari suspended by Indy as accusations mount BRITON WINS £161 MILLION LOTTERY JACKPOTAn unidentified Briton may have become the 418th richest person in the UK after winning the EuroMillions lottery jackpot of £161m, the largest ever win in that lottery. It is possible that the ticket is in fact owned by a syndicate, rather than an individual, but the entire prize has been scooped by one ticket with a correct seven-digit guess. HUHNE'S ENERGY REFORMS COULD COST MORESome analysts claim the true cost to householders of new schemes to shift away from fossil fuel use could be as much as £1,000 per home annually. Chris Huhne outlined his plans yesterday, saying the average household's bills could rise by £160 by 2030 – but today some experts said this was a serious underestimate. MORE VIOLENCE IN BELFASTSeveral police officers were injured and 26 arrests were made during a second night of rioting in Belfast following Tuesday's Orange Order parades. Several policemen were set on fire after being pelted with petrol bombs, they responded with water cannon and plastic bullets, one of which hit a photographer. The worst clashes took place in Belfast's Ardoyne area. In pictures: Belfast riots GANNET PECKS WELDER'S EYE OUTA welder from Cardiff has told of the pain he experienced when a gannet pecked his eyeball out of its socket. Michael Buckland picked the bird up when he found it lying injured on a beach, hoping to help. Its six-inch beach punctured his eyeball three times and split his eyelid, leaving the ball hanging free. He is now blind in that eye.