Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 23 Apr 2012

1. SARKOZY BEATEN INTO SECOND PLACE

Socialist Francois Hollande won the first round of the French presidential election yesterday, taking 28.6% of the vote against 27.1% for incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. The big shock was that 18.1% voted for Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration National Front. The Hollande vs Sarkozy run-off will be on 6 May, with the Socialist the clear favourite.

Hollande beats Sarkozy, but one in five vote for Le Pen

2. WOMAN RUNNER DIES IN LONDON MARATHON

A woman runner aged 30 collapsed and died near Buckingham Palace about a mile from the finish line of the London Marathon yesterday. The 35th Marathon was won by Kenya's Wilson Kipsang in the men's race in 2.04.44 and by fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany in the women's in 2.18.37. Briton David Weir won the wheelchair race.

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3. MINISTERS MUST FIND £16BN MORE CUTS

Government ministers are under orders to identify £16bn in potential further public expenditure cuts – five per cent - as David Cameron seeks to bring a month of political turbulence to an end and focus the coalition on its "core mission" of reducing the national debt. Labour called it "a relaunch from a panicking Prime Minister".

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4. SKY CHIEF APOLOGISES FOR HACKING

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom is to investigate Sky News over email hacking. The Rupert Murdoch-owned news channel admitted earlier this month that it had hacked the accounts of 'canoe man' John Darwin and his wife, and a suspected paedophile "in the public interest". The head of Sky News, John Ryley, today apologised to the Leveson Inquiry.

5. FOOTBALL RAPE VICTIM ABUSED ON TWITTER

A TEAM-MATE of Ched Evans, the footballer jailed for rape last week, is under investigation after attacking the victim on Twitter. Connor Brown, who plays for Sheffield United, called the teenager a "money grabbing little tramp". Police are also investigating after the girl's anonymity was breached on the site.

6. BODY-IN-BAG SPY WANTED TO LEAVE MI6

The inquest into the death of spy Gareth Williams, whose body was found in a locked hold-all in his flat in 2010, has heard that he did not enjoy the culture of drinking and 'flash cars' at MI6. His sister Ceri Subbe told the inquest that he wanted to leave MI6 and return to his old job at GCHQ.

7. BREIVIK TRIED TO SURRENDER DURING MASSACRE

Norwegian killer Anders Behring Breivik has told his trial in Oslo that he rang the police to surrender during his gun rampage on Utoeya island last July but when they did not return his call he thought: "I will carry on until I die." He also accused those who claim he is insane are trying to discredit him.

8. PREMIER LEAGUE RACE OPENS UP

The Premier League title race has opened up again after Manchester United threw away a 3-1 lead over Everton on Sunday to finish 4-4. With Man City beating Wolves, it means that if City can win the 30 April Manchester derby, they will go top again on goal difference. As widely predicted, Robin van Persie won PFA Player of the Year.

Man City back in the race after United throw away victory

9. STRICKEN BEE GEES STAR 'CONFOUNDS' DOCTORS

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb has "confounded" his doctors by recovering from a coma brought on by pneumonia. Gibb, 62, had been undergoing treatment for cancer of the liver and colon when he deteriorated. Doctors at The London Clinic in London, said Gibb is now breathing unassisted, is lucid and speaking to his family.

Robin Gibb beats 'incredible odds' to recover from coma

10. HOT TICKET: JACK WHITE GOES SOLO

Former White Stripes singer and guitarist Jack White plays at London's HMV Forum tonight as part of an international tour to promote his new album, Blunderbuss. White's debut solo album fuses blues, rock, folk and country in songs about love gone wrong. "A masterpiece," says The Daily Telegraph.

Jack White's Blunderbuss a strange, thrilling masterpiece

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