Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 21 Sep 2012

1. POLICE MURDERS: DALE CREGAN REMANDED IN CUSTODY

Dale Cregan, 29, has been remanded in custody after appearing at Manchester Magistrates Court charged with the murders of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes in Tuesday's grenade and gun attacks in Greater Manchester. He has also been charged with the murders of Mark Short in May and his father David in August, and with the attempted murder of four further victims. Cregan will appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

2. CHIEF WHIP APOLOGISES TO POLICE

Government chief whip Andrew Mitchell last night apologised for angry insults to police who made him get off his bicycle as he left Downing Street, although he denied reports that he called officers "f**king plebs". The Conservative MP said: "I accept I did not treat the police with the respect they deserve."

Andrew Mitchell's outburst at police officers 'toxic for Tories'

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3. MPS DEMAND G4S FORFEIT OLYMPIC FEE

MPs demanded in a scathing report from the Home Affairs Committee last night that the Olympics security firm G4S forfeit its £57m management fee after failing to supply the required number of security staff and creating an "11th hour fiasco". It should also compensate recruits who signed up but were given no work, and be "blacklisted" from government contracts, the MPs say.

4. APPLE FANS QUEUE FOR IPHONE 5

Thousands of die-hard Apple fans have been queuing in cities around the world to get their hands on the new iPhone 5, which was released today. Staff at Apple stores in Sydney, London and New York high-fived the first customers to walk through the doors, many of whom had been camping outside for days. The iPhone 5 has been well-received, despite being technically inferior to its rivals in key areas.

Apple accused of ripping off Swiss clock for new iOS6 app

5. POLICE QUIZ CHATEAU STAFF OVER KATE PHOTOS

Staff at the £15m French chateau where Kate Middleton was snapped topless are being interviewed by police amid suspicions that one of them may have tipped off the press. A criminal investigation is under way to find and prosecute the photographer who could face a year in jail and a £36,000 fine.

6. UK BORROWING RUNS 26% OVER TARGET

Government borrowing for the first five months of the financial year rose to 26.7 per cent more than the same period last year. The official target was supposed to be 0.5 per cent. Official figures showed that the deficit in August hit a record high.

Sir Mervyn King gives green light to miss UK debt goal

7. PAKISTANI PROTESTERS TORCH TWO CINEMAS

Protesters have torched two cinemas in north-western Pakistan as clashes broke out over the anti-Islam film 'Innocence of Muslims'. Protests by thousands of Pakistanis left three dead and dozens injured. A day earlier America bought $70,000 of airtime on Pakistani television to show clips of President Obama denouncing the film.

8. MI5 LINKS 'REDACTED' FOR LITVINENKO PROBE

The Government has ordered potentially vital information about whether murdered former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko had links with the British intelligence service MI5 to be redacted from police reports at his inquest, which will begin early in 2013 after being officially opened yesterday. Claims that the Russian government was involved will be examined.

9. OFFICIAL: MONEY DOES BUY HAPPINESS

The controversial survey from the Office for National Statistics commissioned by David Cameron at a cost of £2m to gauge Briton's "emotional wellbeing", as distinct from measurements of wealth, has come to a conclusion, it was reported last night: money is the key to happiness. The poorest are the least happy, while those in the higher tax bracket are most satisfied.

10. HOT TICKET: PITT KILLS THEM SOFTLY

Crime film 'Killing Them Softly', starring Brad Pitt, opens in cinemas today. Pitt plays a hired killer investigating a heist at a mob-run poker game in post-financial crisis New Orleans. With Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini. "Massively pleasurable", says Time Out.

Brad Pitt shines in recession crime caper Killing Them Softly