Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 22 Nov 2011

1. CAMERON ADMITS DEBT PLAN FAILING

David Cameron has admitted for the first time that the Government could miss its target to cut most of the country’s debt before the next election. “We are well behind where we need to be,” said the PM. A Guardian/ICM poll finds that 30% of voters blame the last Labour government for the crisis, while 24% blame the current administration.

2. COOGAN TELLS OF COULSON 'STING'

Comedian Steve Coogan, a flag bearer for vicitms of press intrusion, told the Leveson Inquiry that former Downing Street spin doctor Andy Coulson once tried to catch him in a sting when he edited the News of the World. He also told the inquiry that it was not the "Steve and Hugh show", a reference to Hugh Grant who was accused of "mendacious smears" by the Daily Mail today.

'This is not the Steve Coogan and Hugh Grant show'

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3. 'SALVATION' GOVERNMENT IN EGYPT

Egypt's military junta has reportedly agreed to form a "national salvation government" to accelerate the process towards democratic presidential elections, which will take place before the end of June next year. The move follows dozens of deaths and violent clashes at Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Arab Winter: will Islamists be the next dictators?

4. EXECUTIVE HIGH PAY 'CORROSIVE' WARNS REPORT

High salaries of UK executives are "corrosive" to the economy and are creating inequalities not seen since Victorian times, says the High Pay Commission. The Commission - set up to investigate boardroom pay - proposes a 12-point plan, including forcing companies to publish a ratio between the top-paid executive and company median.

Cable welcomes report which slams excessive executive pay

5. CIA SPY RING SMASHED IN IRAN

Dozens of US CIA agents have been captured in Iran and Lebanon after American spy rings there were uncovered. It is now feared that dozens could be executed in the fall-out. Former CIA operations officer Bob Baer said the US was now "flying blind" in the two countries and described it as a "catastrophe".

US 'flying blind' in Iran and Lebanon after CIA ops busted

6. SAIF GADDAFI TO BE TRIED IN LIBYA

Col Gaddafi's heir, Saif al-Islam, will be tried in Libya rather than the Hague after the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, said the country was capable of holding the trial. He said the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for Saif in the summer, would offer to help Libya stage the case.

Did rebels cut off Saif Gaddafi's fingers in revenge?

7. GUESTS BLACKMAIL WITH TRIPADVISOR

Holiday-makers are trying to blackmail hotel owners into giving upgrades or refunds by threatening to write damning reviews on the travel website TripAdvisor. Blackmailers have posted fabricated accusations of food poisoning and theft after hoteliers refused their demands. A B&B owner says TripAdvisor has "become a monster".

Hoteliers accuse Tripadvisor reviewers of blackmail

8. X-FACTOR JUDGE TULISA IN OFCOM PROBE

X-Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos is under investigation from Ofcom after complaints that she is using a tattoo on her arm to advertise her perfume brand on the show. The N-Dubz singer has launched a scent called The Female Boss, but has the same words tattooed on her forearm and displays them to the camera at the start of each show.

9. THOMAS COOK SHARES SLUMP

Shares in Thomas Cook plummeted by 70 per cent at one point this morning following the news that it is in talks with banks over how much it can borrow. The travel company has been hit by a slump in demand for holidays in strife-torn North Africa and flood-hit Thailand. It is the second time in a month it has renegotiated its finances.

Thomas Cook shares plummet as company meets with banks

10. HOT TICKET: JAMES CORDEN AT THE ADELPHI

The National Theatre’s summer comedy hit One Man and Two Guvnors has opened in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre. James Corden, co-creator of TV’s Gavin & Stacey, stars in Richard Bean’s hilarious update of the Carlo Goldini classic Servant of Two Masters. The Guardian called it “a triumph of visual and verbal comedy”.

James Corden wins raves for West End play transfer