Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 24 Jul 2012

1. AURORA: ‘JOKER’ APPEARS IN COURT

James Holmes, accused of shooting dead 12 people in a cinema in Aurora, Colorado, has appeared in court for the first time. His wild-eyed appearance and apparent trouble staying awake prompted speculation he was medicated. One victim’s relative in the public gallery said to him: “You’re no tough guy now!”

Killers who come from nowhere, set on chaos and destruction

2. GERMAN CREDIT RATING WARNING

The euro crisis gripped the heart of the eurozone last night as credit agency Moody’s warned that Germany’s AAA credit rating was under review. The influential firm put Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on ‘negative outlook’, the first step in the process of downgrading a nation’s credit rating.

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Moody's threatens Germany downgrade as Spanish bonds soar

3. SYRIA: FIGHTER JETS 'ATTACK ALEPPO'

Fighter jets and helicopter gunships are reported to have attacked parts of Syria's second city Aleppo as government troops try and oust rebels. It was also claimed that prisoners were killed by security forces during a mutiny at the city's jail. Meanwhile, Barack Obama yesterday warned Syria that any use of chemical weapons would be "completely unacceptable".

Syria chemical weapons warning- threat or reassurance?

4. BROOKS CHARGED OVER PHONE HACKING

Eight former News of the World employees, including Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson, have been charged over phone hacking, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced. All eight are charged with conspiring to intercept communications between 13 October 2001 and 9 August 2006.

Phone hacking: Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson charged

5. EX-BOSS OF ANGLO IRISH BANK CHARGED

Sean FitzPatrick, the former head of Anglo Irish Bank, has been charged with 16 offences relating to a failed attempt to inflate the company's share price before it collapsed in January 2009. The 64-year-old was arrested early this morning at Dublin airport after arriving from the US and arranging to give himself up to officers.

Sean FitzPatrick of Anglo Irish charged over alleged fraud

6. RESCUE OPERATION AFTER DORSET LANDSLIDE

A major rescue operation was underway this afternoon after a landslide at Burton Bradstock on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. At least one person was reported trapped in the slip, caused by recent rains. The area is popular with holidaymakers and fossil hunters, but last week Dorset County Council urged visitors to watch out for landslides.

7. CASH-IN-HAND IS ‘MORALLY WRONG’

Treasury minister David Gauke told a newspaper yesterday it was “morally wrong” to pay tradesmen cash in the hope of avoiding paying VAT on a bill, the third use of the term by the coalition in recent weeks. But Labour MP Austin Mitchell said his remarks were “petty” and would be “impossible to police”.

8. HARRY TO WATCH BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Prince Harry will watch the final of the women’s beach volleyball at the Olympics, it has been announced. And it is rumoured that US boxer Muhammad Ali will appear at the opening ceremony, alongside footballer David Beckham. The two flew to London yesterday and will present an award together on Tuesday.

Olympic opening ceremony is 'out of this world'

9. 1,200 MORE TROOPS FOR OLYMPICS

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has said 1,200 more troops are to be deployed to boost security at the Olympics. The armed forces were already providing 3,500 extra personnel after security firm G4S admitted earlier this month it would not be able to meet its commitments. Hunt said: "We don't want to leave anything to chance."

'Olympic whinge' finally ends as media get behind the Games

10. HOT TICKET: TIMON OF ATHENS REVISITED

Shakespeare’s least performed play, Timon of Athens, has been given a magical modern work-over by director Nicholas Hytner at the National Theatre. Set in today’s London, starring Simon Russell Beale in the title role, this production is “freshly-minted for the Credit Crunch generation,” says the Telegraph.

Timon of Athens: a timely, viciously funny revival