Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 3 Dec 2011

1. HUGE OVERDRAFT CHARGES EXPOSED

UK banks are charging as much as 800,000% on overdrafts, BBC research has shown. In one example, a customer borrowing £100 for 28 days without the consent of Santander would repay £200 - an equivalent APR of 819,100%. The British Banking Association says the industry is willing to look at concerns raised.

2. BRUTAL ROW 'LEFT QUEEN IN TEARS'

The Queen was driven to tears by "brutal" behaviour from the Duke of Edinburgh when she refused to take his surname of Mountbatten, according to a new biography. The book also suggests the ten-year gap between the births of the Princess Royal and the Duke of York was the result of tension over the issue.

3. DELORS: 'EURO INHERENTLY FLAWED'

The euro project was doomed from the start, Jacques Delors, the architect of the single currency, tells the Daily Telegraph. He says the blind eye turned to weaknesses of some member states in the early days is responsible for the current crisis and accuses leaders of doing “too little, too late,” to resolve it.

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4. MACCA: I WAS HACKED

Sir Paul McCartney tells The Times that he believes his phone was hacked by journalists from several newspapers. As his suspicions heightened, he took to addressing potential hackers while on the phone, saying: "If you’re taking this down, get a life." It is believed that the police have shown him evidence of hacking.

5. TEACH KIDS TO GAMBLE, SCHOOLS URGED

Children as young as 12 should be taught in school how to bet, gambling-problem helpline Gamcare has told the Government. Gamcare said pupils should learn that studying the form of horses can improve chances of winning a bet. The proposals have won the support of Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg.

6. SOLDIER JAILED FOR STABBING AFGHAN BOY

A British soldier has been jailed and dismissed from the army for stabbing an Afghan boy for no reason. Grenadier Guardsman Daniel Crook, who was hungover when the incident took place, was unable to explain his action. The Guardian says another soldier serving in Afghanistan is being investigated on suspicion of murder.

7. MORGAN APOLOGISES FOR CNN GAFFE

Piers Morgan has apologised after mistakenly referring to the late comedian Patrice O'Neal as a woman on his CNN chat show. Morgan introduced a clip of Mr O'Neal, who died this week, saying it would "show everyone just how funny she was". He later Tweeted: "I'm sorry. I'd never heard of him before, but that's no excuse."

8. US URGES ISRAEL TO MEND RELATIONS

Israel should "reach out and mend fences" with countries such as Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to reduce its growing isolation, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said. Panetta condemned the "international campaign" to isolate the Jewish state and urged Israel and the Palestinians to restart peace talks.

9. HONOUR ATTACKS ON RISE IN UK

UK police recorded at least 2,823 'honour attacks' last year, figures from 39 out of 52 forces show. Of those forces that could compare to 2009's figures, this was a 47% rise. Honour punishments, including acid-throwing or murder, are carried out for acts judged to shame a family. They are usually inflicted on women.

10. ENGLAND ODDS SLASHED AFTER DRAW

Odds on England winning Euro 2012 were cut from 12/1 to 10/1 after Fabio Capello's team were drawn to face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in their opening games of the tournament. "I’m confident we can do well," said Capello. The Republic of Ireland are drawn against Spain, Italy and Croatia.