Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 31 Dec 2011

1. KNIGHTHOOD FOR APPLE DESIGNER

Apple's Jonathan Ive, 44, the Briton described as Steve Jobs' "spiritual partner" who designed the iMac, iPod and iPhone, becomes a Knight Commander in the New Year Honours list. Actress Helena Bonham Carter and entertainer Ronnie Corbett, 81, become CBEs; golfers Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy become OBE and MBE respectively.

2. NO "AUSTERITY" FOR LONDON OLYMPICS

Britain will not reduce the London Games to an "austerity Olympics", but use the event as an "incredible stroke of luck" to kick-start the economy in 2012, the Olympics secretary Jeremy Hunt tells the Daily Telegraph today. But Lord Lloyd Webber predicted the games will cause "a bloodbath" for London theatres.

3. TUBE STRIKES PUT ON HOLD

Three London Underground strikes planned for January 16 and February 3 and 13 have been put on hold while new talks are held over a rota row, the union Aslef said yesterday. The drivers walk-out caused Boxing Day chaos, but "meaningful" negotiations are now expected to begin next week.

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4. NORTH KOREA WARNS: "NO CHANGE"

North Korea yesterday broadcast a statement telling the international community not to "expect any change" in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death. "We declare solemnly and confidently that the foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet group in South Korea, should not expect any change from us," it said.

5. SYRIAN FORCES RESORT TO NAIL BOMBS

Record numbers of protestors, estimated at more than 400,000, turned out in Syria yesterday to demand the end of the al-Assad regime in front of increasingly distrusted 'monitors' from the Arab League, and were attacked by security forces with automatic gun fire and nail bombs, leaving scores dead or injured.

6. RUSSELL BRAND SPLITS FROM KATY PERRY

Comedian Russell Brand yesterday announced that he has filed for divorce from US singer Katy Perry after 14 months of marriage, confirming rumours sparked when they spent Christmas separately without wedding bands. The couple met in 2008 and married in October 2010 inside a tiger reserve in India.

7. 2011 "SECOND WARMEST" YEAR

The Met Office said yesterday that 2011 had been the second warmest year on record for the UK, with provisional figures showing that only 2006, with an average temperature of 9.73C (49.5F), was warmer that this year's 9.62C (49.3F). It was the warmest April recorded, and a "very mild" New Year is forecast.

8. ARRESTS FOLLOW OXFORD STREET MURDER

Thirteen people were arrested across south London yesterday amid "rising tensions" after the Oxford Street stabbing of 18-year-old Seydou Diarrassouba in a suspected gang fight on Boxing Day. Police targeted addresses after monitoring social networking sites. Suspected offences include robbery and drug dealing.

9. ALERT OVER 'FATAL' FAKE VODKA

Council trading standards officials yesterday warned of the lethal dangers of "counterfeit" vodka as party-goers seek cheap drinks for New Year celebrations. The Local Government Association said recently seized examples, including Drop and Glen's, were laced with methanol and industrial solvents.

10. FOOTBALL: LIVERPOOL BEATS NEWCASTLE

Liverpool boosted their bid for a top four Premier League finish yesterday with a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield. Two goals came from Craig Bellamy and one from Steven Gerrard, back from a season-long injury. Liverpool are now fifth in the League, level on points with fourth-place Chelsea.