Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 23 May 2012

1. IMF: CUT TAX TO BOOST GROWTH

The International Monetary Fund has urged Britain to cut tax and interest rates to lift the economy out of recession. Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF, said growth is too slow, adding: "Policies to bolster demand before low growth becomes entrenched are needed."

IMF says UK should cut VAT and interest rates to weather euro shock

2. EGYPTIANS VOTE FOR PRESIDENT

Egypt's ruling ministry has insisted it will not attempt to rig the results of today's presidential elections, the first free vote for a leader in 5,000 years. Thirteen candidates are standing in the poll, including Islamists, secularists, revolutionaries and ministers from the Mubarak era.

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Egypt elections: five presidential frontrunners

3. BEECROFT DISMISSES 'SOCIALIST' CABLE

Business Secretary Vince Cable is a “socialist” and unfit for his job, according to Downing Street adviser Adrian Beecroft. Mr Beecroft's comments, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, come after the Liberal Democrats described his recommendations for reform of employment law as "bonkers".

Beecroft claims Vince Cable is a socialist who is 'unfit for office'

4. CAMERON ATTACKS BALLS AND ECHR

Prime Minister David Cameron has been rebuked in Parliament for calling shadow challcellor Ed Balls a "muttering idiot" during fiery exchanges at PMQs today. He also denounced the European Court of Human Rights for demanding that Britain lets prisoners vote. No Lib Dems sat on the front bench during the session.

Cameron declares war on ECHR as Lib Dems perform vanishing act

5. OLYMPIC OFFICIAL IN TICKET TOUT BUST

A senior Olympic official has been suspended after he was caught attempting to sell his London 2012 tickets. Volodymyr Gerashchenko, of Ukraine's National Olympic Committee, told an undercover BBC reporter he was willing to sell up to 100 tickets for cash.

6. IRAN NUCLEAR TALKS IN BAGHDAD

World powers are holding talks with Iran over its nuclear programme. Representatives from the US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany are expected to offer Iranian officials "confidence-building measures" to encourage them to scale back the nuclear programme.

7. BEHEADER THOUGHT HE WAS KILLING ALIEN

A man who beheaded a fellow bus passenger in Canada has announced that he believed he was killing an alien. Vince Weiguang Li, who killed Tim McLean in 2008, told the head of the Schizophrenia Society he heard what he believed was "the voice of God".

8. APPLE DESINGER JONATHAN IVE IS KNIGHTED

Apple designer Jonathan Ive, the man responsible for the look of iconic products including the iPhone, iPod, iMac and iPad has been knighted. The 45-year-old, who is senior vice-president of industrial design for the tech giant, said he was "thrilled" to receive the honour from Princess Anne.

9. SKYDIVER WITHOUT PARACHUTE LANDS SAFELY

A stuntman has made history by becoming the first skydiver to land without using a parachute. Gary Connery jumped from a helicopter 730m above Henley and glided to the ground in a wing suit. The 42-year-old said he was "elated" after his minute-long descent ended with a landing on cardboard boxes.

10. HOT TICKET: CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

The Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Horticultural Society's annual exhibition, has opened. Featuring 16 show gardens, artisan gardens, floral and vegetable displays and a giant pyramid complete with slide, the BBC describes Chelsea as "beautiful and restrained". Royal Hospital grounds until 26 May.

Chelsea Flower Show: the grand dame of gardening shows some leg