Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 20 Jul 2012

1. MET APOLOGISES FOR RE-EMPLOYING HARWOOD

The Met police has said it "got it wrong" when it re-employed Pc Simon Harwood, acquitted yesterday of manslaughter after he pushed Ian Tomlinson to the ground during G20 protests in 2009. Harwood was facing disciplinary action in another case when he quit the Met, only to be taken on again some time later.

Pc who pushed Ian Tomlinson acquitted of manslaughter

2. NEWSREADER ALASTAIR BURNET DIES AT 84

Newsreader Alastair Burnet has died at the age of 84. The broadcaster presented the first ever edition of the ITN News at Ten in 1967 and fronted his last bulletin in 1991. He also presented ITV's coverage of elections and royal weddings in the 1970s and 80s. Burnet also had a successful career in print media and was editor of The Econimst for nine years.

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Tributes flood in for ITN newsreader Alastair Burnet

3. SYRIAN REBELS TAKE BORDER POSTS

As Syria's civil war continues, rebels were said last night to have taken control of every border crossing on the country's eastern frontier with Iraq and, at one point, to have control of two posts on the northern border with Turkey. Meanwhile the UN is discussing extending its observer mandate in the country.

Syrian rebels seize borders in latest blow for Assad

4. BORDER STAFF AGREE OLYMPIC STRIKE

UK border staff will strike just before the Olympics, despite fury from critics who say July 26 will be the eve of one of the busiest days in the history of Heathrow as people arrive for the Games. Theresa May said the action was "shameful" and senior Tory MPs said the country was being "held to ransom".

5. MICROSOFT POSTS FIRST EVER LOSS

Tech giant Microsoft has posted its first ever quarterly loss, forced to write off part of its online advertising business. Aquantive's value was written down by $6.2bn after it performed poorly, leading to a $492m loss in the quarter to the end of June this year – MS's first since floating on the market in 1986.

Microsoft posts first loss in its history

6. OLYMPIC SECURITY 'NOT COMPROMISED'

The Home Office says it is satisfied that security for the London 2012 games has not been compromised by the failure of security firm G4S to provide enough staff and the necessity to draft in 3,500 soldiers instead. It has emerged that a further 1,200 troops have been put on standby to assist if needed.

7. FARMERS BLOCKADE MILK PLANTS IN PROTEST

Hundred of farmers across England are blockading milk processing centres because of yet more cuts in the price suppliers pay for the product. Farmers for Action estimated 1,000 people were involved in two protests outside Arla dairies and said at least another two blockades were taking place elsewhere.

8. 12 DEAD IN DENVER BATMAN MASSACRE

A masked gunmen has shot dead at least 12 people and wounded up to 50 others at a screening of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, at a cinema in Denver, Colorado. The shooter reportedly detonated a smoke or tear gas canister before opening fire into the audience at a midnight showing of the film at the Century Aurora 16 Movie Theatre. A 24-year-old suspect has been arrested and named as James Holmes.

Denver Batman massacre: masked gunman shoots dead 12

9. 'TAKE US SERIOUSLY' SAY VOLLEYBALLERS

The Daily Mail reports the women of Britain's first-ever beach volleyball Olympic side have vowed to keep wearing bikinis, even though they are fed up with the attention the revealing outfits garner. Players have been given the option of wearing a long-sleeve top and a pair of shorts but find them constricting.

10. HOT TICKET: BATMAN’S EPIC FINALE

The Dark Knight Rises, the conclusion of director Christopher Nolan’s Batman movie trilogy, opens in cinemas today. In this final instalment, Batman (aka Bruce Wayne) is forced out of self-imposed exile when a masked terrorist starts a campaign of destruction in Gotham City. “Ferociously satisfying”, says The Daily Telegraph.

Dark Knight Rises is more Godfather than superhero film