Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 20 Nov 2011

1. GADAFFI SON TRIAL COULD SHAME BRITS

Libya's new Prime Minister promises that Colonel Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam will receive a fair trial after being captured in the country’s southern desert. Al-Islam's trial could prove uncomfortable for influential British figures who had links to Gadaffi's regime including Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew.

2. 'CHILLING' PEPPER SPRAY VIDEO EMERGES

A shocking video has emerged of police officers calmly pepper-spraying a line of seated protestors at a Californian university. Some of the students, demonstrating in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement at the University of California, Davis, were taken to hospital. The university chancellor described the footage as “chilling”.

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3. DEFIANT ASSAD VOWS TO CONTINUE

Syrian President Bashar Assad has vowed to continue the crackdown against anti-government unrest in his country, despite growing pressure to end it. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Assad warned that intervention would spark “an earthquake” across the Middle East. Rocket-propelled grenades hit a government building in Damascus overnight.

4. DEADLY CLASHES IN EGYPT

Clashes between protestors and security forces in Egypt have left at least two dead and over 600 injured. The fighting, in Cairo and Alexandria, began when demonstrators tried to start a tent camp to protest against the power given to the military in a draft constitution. Parliamentary elections are due to start in eight days.

5. BORIS CRITICISES CAMERON'S EURO PLAN

Boris Johnson believes David Cameron's European Central Bank 'big bazooka' solution to the eurozone crisis would leave Europe dominated by Germany. The London Mayor tells The Sunday Telegraph: "What I don't think you can do, is just pretend that you can create an economic government of Europe, effectively run by Germany."

6. ADRIAN CHILES SLAMS 'DARK FORCES'

Television presenter Adrian Chiles says he is "angry, upset and acutely embarrassed" that news of his and co-host Christine Bleakley's sacking from ITV's Daybreak has been leaked. Chiles said he is “p****d off” that an agreement to keep the news under wraps until they leave in 2012 was breached yesterday. He blamed "dark forces".

7. MUSLIMS ARE MOST PATRIOTIC BRITS

British Muslims are more patriotic and optimistic than the rest of the population, according to a poll produced by the think tank Demos. It found that 83% of Muslims agreed with the statement “I am proud to be a British citizen”, compared to a 79% average across the population. Only 31% of Muslims felt Britain's best days are in the past, compared with 45% of society as a whole.

8. PRINCE PHILLIP SLAMS WIND FARMS

The Duke of Edinburgh has attacked wind farms, describing them as “absolutely useless”. The outspoken royal accused people who support them of believing in a “fairy tale”. Asked by an MD of a wind turbine company if he would put wind farms on his land, he said: "You stay away from my estate young man".

9. SHADOW MINISTERS FACE UNION QUIZ

Ed Balls and three other senior Labour shadow ministers face a parliamentary inquiry after being accused of amending legislation in favour of unions from which they have received thousands of pounds. The four are accused of failing to register a potential conflict of interest, thereby breaching parliamentary rules.

10. WENGER SCOTCHES QUIT RUMOUR

Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger has confirmed his commitment to the north London club after reports emerged from France suggesting he was considering quitting at the end of the season. Wenger, who is contracted to Arsenal until 2014, said: "I'm completely committed to this club. I'm committed to my contract."

Wenger commits to Arsenal after ‘I could quit’ interview

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