Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 21 Dec 2011
- 1. TERRY TO BE CHARGED WITH RACIST ABUSE
- 2. N KOREA 'LYING' ABOUT KIM DEATH
- 3. MORGAN 'UNAWARE' OF PHONE HACKING
- 4. RIOTING ARSONISTS COULD BE SHOT
- 5. CZECHS MOURN VACLAV HAVEL
- 6. SUNNIS WARN OF IMMINENT IRAQ CHAOS
- 7. FRENCH IMPLANTS NO RISK, SAYS UK
- 8. COALITION PLANNING REFORMS SLAMMED
- 9. UK CREDIT RATING COULD BE CUT
- 10. HOT TICKET: FIRST OF THE PANTOS
1. TERRY TO BE CHARGED WITH RACIST ABUSE
Chelsea and England captain John Terry is to appear before West London magistrates on February 1 to answer a “racially aggravated public order” charge following comments allegedly made to QPR defender Anton Ferdinand on 23 October. The chief Crown Prosecutor for London said today there was “sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction”.
John Terry vows to clear his name over racism charge
2. N KOREA 'LYING' ABOUT KIM DEATH
North Korea is lying about the circumstances of the death of Kim Jong Il, says a spy from South Korea. Won Sei Hoon, director of the National Intelligence Service, told the country's parliament that Kim could not have died during a rural trip on his personal train as it remained stationary in the capital at the time of his death.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kim didn't die on his train, says South Korean spy chief
3. MORGAN 'UNAWARE' OF PHONE HACKING
Piers Morgan told the Leveson Inquiry that he was unaware of any phone hacking while in charge at the Daily Mirror. Giving evidence via video-link from the United States, Morgan refused to disclose how he came to listen to a voicemail left by Sir Paul McCartney for Heather Mills during a rocky period in their marriage.
Piers Morgan on celebrity bins and other ethical matters
4. RIOTING ARSONISTS COULD BE SHOT
Rioters who endanger life by setting fire to businesses that adjoin homes could justifiably be shot by police during future disturbances, a report from a policing watchdog noted yesterday. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary also said water cannons are a 'good option to protect vulnerable areas and premises'.
Police watchdog says it's OK to shoot arsonists - just bravado?
5. CZECHS MOURN VACLAV HAVEL
Thousands of mourners thronged the streets of Prague today to see late leader Vaclav Havel’s coffin born through the streets with a military escort, followed by his grieving wife and daughter, to Prague Castle. Havel’s coffin will lie in state there for three days of national mourning until his funeral, attended by world leaders, on Friday.
In pictures: Czechs line Prague streets to mourn Vaclav Havel
6. SUNNIS WARN OF IMMINENT IRAQ CHAOS
Two leading Iraqi Sunnis have warned of imminent sectarian chaos in the wake of the US withdrawal, claiming that Nouri al-Maliki's government is promoting an anti-Sunni agenda. Meanwhile, Iraq's vice-president Tariq al-Hashimi, has denied ordering a recent car bombing near the Iraqi parliament.
Civil war alert as Saudis and Iran take fight to Baghdad
7. FRENCH IMPLANTS NO RISK, SAYS UK
British health experts say there is no evidence that British women with silicone breast implants manufactured by French company Poly Implant Prosthese should have them removed. French authorities are expected to tell 30,000 women to have them removed after they were linked to the death of a cancer patient.
8. COALITION PLANNING REFORMS SLAMMED
Coalition planning reforms prioritise economic growth over care for the environment and have created an "inevitable" risk of more development in England's greenest parts, a cross-party group of MPs has warned. The report, by the Local Government Committee, also said the reforms could create a "lawyers' charter".
9. UK CREDIT RATING COULD BE CUT
The British economy faces “formidable and rising challenges” and could lose its AAA credit rating, it was claimed last night. Leading credit analysis agency Moody’s Investor Services issued the warning in its annual review. Meanwhile, writing in The Guardian, Business Secretary Vince Cable has attacked the "whingeing" City.
10. HOT TICKET: FIRST OF THE PANTOS
The critics’ pick of this year’s crop of pantomimes, Cinderella, written and directed by Susie McKenna, has opened in London. The original rags-to-riches tale comes complete with ugly step-sisters, a flying coach, singalongs and a Bollywood-style ending. The Telegraph calls it “a hoot”. Hackney Empire until 8 January.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2024
Daily Briefing Trump closes in on nomination with New Hampshire win over Haley, 'Oppenheimer' leads the 2024 Oscar nominations, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 23, 2024
Daily Briefing Haley makes last stand in New Hampshire as Trump extends polling lead, justices side with US over Texas in border fight, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 22, 2024
Daily Briefing DeSantis ends his presidential campaign and endorses Trump, the US and Arab allies push plan to end Gaza war, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2024
Daily Briefing Palestinian death toll reportedly passes 25,000, top Biden adviser to travel to Egypt and Qatar for hostage talks, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 20, 2024
Daily Briefing Grand jury reportedly convened to investigate Uvalde shooting response, families protest outside Netanyahu's house as pressure mounts for hostage deal, and more
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 19, 2024
Daily Briefing Congress averts a government shutdown, DOJ report cites failures in police response to Texas school shooting, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 18, 2024
Daily Briefing Judge threatens to remove Trump from his defamation trial, medicine for hostages and Palestinians reach Gaza, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
10 things you need to know today: January 17, 2024
Daily Briefing The US strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a third time, Trump's second sex defamation trial begins, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published