Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 30 Mar 2012

1. GEORGE GALLOWAY WINS BRADFORD WEST

Respect Party candidate George Galloway has taken the Bradford West parliamentary seat from Labour, describing the result as the "most sensational victory" in by-election history. Galloway, expelled by Labour in 2003, received 56% of votes. He said the outcome is a "massive rejection" of mainstream parties.

Galloway won by taking on 'cosy conspiracy' over Afghanistan

2. PETROL PANIC EARNS TREASURY MILLIONS

Sales of petrol have risen 81 per cent in 24 hours since the Government advised motorists to keep their tanks topped-up and to store extra fuel in jerry cans. It is estimated that the panic buying will raise an extra £32m for the Treasury from fuel excise duty.

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Government blamed for panic at the petrol pumps

3. RICK SANTORUM AND THE N-WORD

Republican Rick Santorum appeared to be in trouble today after a clip emerged which suggested he very nearly used the N-word to describe President Obama. In a speech in Janesville, Wisconsin on Tuesday he called Obama “an anti-war government nig...” before pulling back and stumbling over the next few words.

Did Rick Santorum nearly drop N-bomb on Obama?

4. APPLE'S CHINESE FACTORIES EXPOSED

Apple's Chinese factory staff work 60 hour weeks and often work 11 days or more without a day off, reports the first independent audit into the technology giant's plants. Average monthly salaries at the factories inspected by the Washington-based Fair Labor Association are $360 to $455.

5. DEWANI EXTRADITION HALTED

Shrien Dewani's extradition to South Africa, where he was to face trial for the murder of his wife Anni, has been temporarily halted by the High Court. Judges ruled that it would be "unjust and oppressive" to extradite Dewani while he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. However, they said he should be extradited once he has recovered.

Honeymoon murder: Dewani extradition halted

6. JAPAN THREATENS NORTH KOREA ROCKET

Japan has raised fears of a regional war after it vowed to shoot down the North Korean rocket expected to be launched in April if it enters Japanese territory. South Korea has also vowed to shoot down the rocket if it passes over its own territory. The planned launch has been condemned by the United States.

7. STILLER MOVIE TRAILERS PULLED

Trailers and posters for the new Ben Stiller film Neighborhood Watch have been withdrawn over fears they are insensitive in the light of the killing of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. In the trailers, actor Jonah Hill is seen pretending to shoot at a suburban neighbourhood.

8. KEN REACHES OUT TO LONDON JEWS

Ken Livingstone has attempted to repair relations with London's Jewish community after he reportedly claimed they would never vote for him because they were too rich. Writing in the Jewish Chronicle, he expressed his "regret" and said he accepts "Jewish voters are not one homogenous block".

9. NEW UNIFORM FOR MUSLIM GIRL SCOUTS

Girl scouts are now able to choose a new modest style of uniform following requests from the Muslim community. Both new designs have knee-length dresses and will be available for girl scouts of any background to choose. There are around 2,000 Muslim girl scouts in Britain.

10. HOT TICKET: COMIC PIRATE TRIUMPH

The Aardman team’s latest animation ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists’ opens at UK cinemas today. Hugh Grant voices the hapless captain of a motley pirate crew who team up with Charles Darwin in an attempt to win the Pirate of the Year award. “Comic genius”, says The Daily Telegraph.

The Pirates! High seas triumph from Aardman Animations