Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 15 Nov 2011

1. SUN AND MIRROR NAMED IN HACKING INQUIRY

The Leveson Inquiry into press ethics was told on its first day yesterday that the Sun and the Daily Mirror as well as the News of the World had ordered phone hacking from private eye Glenn Mulcaire. His notebooks revealed 2,226 requests for phone hacking against 5,975 targets, from 28 employees of Rupert Murdoch’s News International.

2. DOZENS DIE IN SYRIA AS ASSAD IS TOLD TO GO

Dozens were reported to have died in protests in Syria yesterday, including 20 soldiers killed by army defectors, as King Abdullah of Jordan became the first Arab leader to tell President Bashar al-Assad to stand down. As pressure mounts, The Daily Telegraph reports that the Iranians had been in talks with Syrian opposition leaders.

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As Arabs snub Syria, only Russia pledges support

3. PRE-DAWN SWOOP ON ZUCCOTTI PARK

New York police have moved Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park in a late night raid. Campers were warned on Twitter by the mayor's office that they should "temporarily leave and remove tents and tarps" before police arrived at 1am local time. There were more than 70 arrests and reports that the on-site library and protestors' belongings were destroyed.

Occupy Wall Street cleared: a tactical error by police?

4. HERMAN CAIN GAFFE CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Presidential hopeful Herman Cain appears to have blown his chances of winning Republican nomination thanks to a stunning lack of foreign policy knowledge laid bare in footage of an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In the video Cain has to check that Obama supported the uprising against Gaddafi in Libya. Cain has also faced allegations of sexual harrassment.

Is this the moment Herman Cain fell out of the race?

5. INFLATION FALLS BUT BRITAIN FEARS RECESSION

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate of inflation fell to 5% in October, down from 5.2% in September. The Retail Prices Index (RPI), which includes mortgage interest payments, also fell 0.2% to 5.4%. But the CPI rate remains well above the Bank of England's target of 2% and, according to a ComRes poll, two-thirds of the British public fear another recession.

6. STEPHEN LAWRENCE 'SWALLOWED UP' BY WHITE GANG

The trial of two men accused of killing black teenager Stephen Lawrence at a south London bus stop in 1993 has begun at the Old Bailey. The jury was told that Stephen and a friend were approached by a group of white youths and Stephen was "swallowed up" by the gang and stabbed twice. Gary Dobson, now 36, and David Norris, now 35, deny murder.

7. CAMERON SEES OPPORTUNITY IN EURO CHAOS

Turmoil in Europe is an opportunity for Britain to "refashion" its relationship with Brussels, and powers should "ebb back" to Westminster, David Cameron said last night in a speech on foreign policy to the City of London. The EU was "out of touch" on many things, he said, but it would not be in Britain's interest to exit.

The threat Cameron faces from imperious Germany

8. MISSILES READY FOR OLYMPIC SECURITY

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told MPs yesterday that ground-to-air missiles will be deployed to protect the 2012 Olympic Games in London if deemed necessary, and that the Navy could patrol the Thames. Stung by American criticism and plans to ship-in 500 FBI agents, he said "all necessary measures" will be taken.

US to send 500 FBI agents to London Olympics

9. MALLYA DENIES KINGFISHER AIRLINES COLLAPSE

Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya has denied that Kingfisher Airlines is on the brink of collapse despite making a £58m loss in the three months to September, its 16th straight quarter without a profit. The entrepreneur, who also owns the Force India Formula One team, told a press conference that it was "neither fair nor reasonable" to suggest a grounding.

Vijay Mallya denies Kingfisher Airlines is about to collapse

10. HOT TICKET: LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL

Turning 19 this year, the London Jazz Festival hosts 280 gigs across 50 venues, with enough diversity to satisfy jazz fanatics through to sceptics. Tonight's concerts include Alison Krauss with the Union Station band at the Royal Festival Hall and saxophonist David Sanborn at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The festival runs until 20 November.

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