Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 10 Dec 2011

1. CLEGG CHANGES TUNE ON EU VETO

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned Conservative MPs against “rubbing their hands in glee” in response to the UK's veto of the EU treaty. After talks with his party, Clegg, who had initially toed the Coalition line, said he fears a "two-speed Europe in which Britain’s position becomes more marginalised".

2. PALESTINIANS AN 'INVENTED' PEOPLE

The Republican frontrunner for the White House Newt Gingrich has described the Palestinians as an "invented" people whose leaders represent "an enormous desire to destroy Israel". The former US House speaker made the remarks during an interview with a Jewish cable television station.

3. STORM MAY LEAVE £100M BILL

Thursday night's storm could cost the UK economy up to £100m say business experts. Power cuts, blocked roads, power outages and absent workers caused a huge drop in revenue and productivity. England faces further storms on Monday, when gales and driving rain are expected to sweep the country.

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4. 'STOP WHINING' FEMALE SURGEONS TOLD

Female surgeons who complain their profession is sexist are “not up to the mark” and simply making excuses, says one of Britain’s leading female neurosurgeons. Helen Fernandes, who runs a group dedicated to increasing the number of women in surgery, told The Times female doctors should not “whine” about childcare.

5. VIRGINIA GUNMAN ATTENDED NEARBY UNI

The Virginia Tech gunman was a 22-year-old student from a nearby university. Ross Truett Ashley, who was studying at Radford University, about nine miles from Virginia Tech, is believed to have stolen a Mercedes Benz sports car. Police are yet to discover a motive for the shootings which left a policeman and Ashley dead.

6. OVER 800 PEOPLE HACKED BY NOTW

The final total of victims of phone hacking by the News of the World will be in excess of 800 people, the head of Scotland Yard’s inquiry has told The Times. “We are confident we have personally contacted all the people who have been hacked or are likely to have been hacked," said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers.

7. 'X FACTOR CULTURE' CAUSED RIOTS

Iain Duncan Smith says a celebrity culture exemplified by The X Factor and miscreant footballers was one element behind the summer riots. Speaking to The Guardian, Duncan Smith, chair of the social justice cabinet committee which has examined the riots, complained that a 'get rich quick' mentality had been installed in the young.

8. EXECUTED SOLDIER WAS SEARCHING FOR KIT

A British soldier executed by the Taliban in July was captured after leaving his checkpoint at 2am to search for a comrade's misplaced night goggles. Highlander Scott McLaren, who was tortured and shot five times in the head, was last seen on CCTV taking a sudden detour in his search for the missing kit, an inquest has heard.

9. NO NEW ALBUM FOR YEARS SAYS ADELE

Adele has told fans not to expect a new album for up to three years. The 23-year-old told Billboard magazine: "I imagine I'll be 25 or 26 by the time my next record comes out". She has become the first female singer to be named top artist, and have a top album and top single all in one year on the Billboard charts.

10. VILLAS-BOAS BLASTS GARY NEVILLE

Chelsea Manager Andre Villas-Boas has launched an attack on former Manchester United star Gary Neville, who is now a television pundit. Villas-Boas described Neville as "ridiculous" and said his comment that Blues defender David Luiz played as if he was controlled by a 10-year-old using a PlayStation was "comic".

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