Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 21 Feb 2012

1. SECOND BAILOUT AGREED FOR GREECE

Eurozone ministers have agreed a second bailout for Greece following 12 hours of crisis talks in Brussels. Athens will be handed a loan worth more than 130bn euros (£110bn) in exchange for strict surveillance of its activity. The euro climbed 0.7 per cent to $1.328 within minutes of the announcement.

The €130 billion question: is EU postponing the inevitable?

2. INQUIRY SLAMS LAX BORDER CONTROL

Up to half a million people have been let into the UK unchecked due to repeated suspension of security checks by the Border Agency, an investigation has concluded. John Vine, the independent inspector of the Agency, said lax security has created an “unacceptable” breach in our defence against terrorism.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up

Immigrants must learn English and join 'common' UK culture

3. SHEERAN AND ADELE TIPPED FOR BRITS

Ed Sheeran leads the nominations at tonight's Brit Awards with four nods. Adele and Jessie J are up for three each, while Coldplay has been tipped to take home the gong for best British group. Blur and Rihanna will perform at the ceremony which will be held in the O2 Arena.

Brit Awards 2012: rerun of last year or full of surprises?

4. TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS, BRITS TOLD

Water companies are urging customers to spend less time in the shower and to turn off taps while brushing their teeth, as southern England officially enters a state of drought. Anglian Water and South East Water have handed out free shower timers giving people just four minutes under the water.

5. MUGABE: I'VE BEATEN CHRIST

Zimbwean president Robert Mugabe has mocked reports that he is suffering from cancer. In an interview to mark his 88th birthday, he proclaimed that he has beaten Jesus Christ because, unlike the son of God, he has "died many times". Mugabe also insisted he would stand in presidential elections this year.

Birthday boy Mugabe says he has 'beaten Jesus Christ'

6. SARAH PALIN IN QUEEN GAFFE

Sarah Palin seemingly believed that the Queen, rather than the Prime Minister, was in charge of British policy in Iraq, according to a new film. Asked in 2008 what she would do if Britain chose to pull out of Iraq, Palin replied that she would "continue to have an open dialogue" with the Queen.

Sarah Palin thought Queen was in charge of military strategy

7. HOT TICKET: TWISTED METAL

The hotly anticipated reboot of the 'car combat' game Twisted Metal has been released to mixed reviews. With its mix of eccentric fun and multiplayer options, it's the "perfect party game", says one reviewer. Unfortunately the experience is let down by game play that feels distinctly old school.

New Twisted Metal revamps a classic with mixed success

8. DSK ARRESTED IN SEX PARTY PROBE

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss Kahn has been arrested in France as part of an investigation into a prostitution ring. He is suspected of 'complicity in pimping' and 'misuse of company funds' in relation to sex parties he attended. DSK says he had no idea the women there were call girls.

DSK arrested in France over sex party 'pimp' claims

9. GIGGS DROPS ANONYMITY ORDER

Ryan Giggs has been named as the footballer who took out an injunction to stop a tabloid printing details of an affair with glamour model Imogen Thomas. He dropped the anonymity order, granted in April last year, at the High Court. His identity was already widely known after he was named in Parliament and on Twitter.

10. BAD NEWS FOR TORIES IN POLLS

The Conservative Party has lost some of the popularity it took into new year according to a Guardian/ICM poll that sees it slip from 40% to 36% since January. Labour is up one point to 37%, and the Lib Dems down two points at 14%. A Times/Populus poll puts Labour at 37%, ahead of the Conservatives on 36%.

Why Andrew Lansley has to go – for health reasons