Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 11 Jan 2013

1. SAVILE ABUSE REPORT DRAWS APOLOGIES

Britain's most senior prosecutor has apologised to Jimmy Savile's victims after releasing a report revealing police had three opportunities to prosecute the entertainer for sex offences, but failed to do so. Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, said his apology would only have real meaning if the report became a "watershed" for the prosecution of sex offenders.

Savile report: DPP apologies to sexual predator's victims

2. TELEVISION VETERAN ROBERT KEE DIES AT 93

The author and broadcaster Robert Kee has died at 93. His books included A Crowd Is Not Company, based on his experience as a WWII prisoner of war. His distinguished TV career included the BBC series Ireland - A Television History. In 1983 he became one of the original presenters of the mould-breaking breakfast station, TV-am.

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3. EMELI SANDE TOPS BRIT NOMINATIONS

Singer Emeli Sande tops the nominations for this year's Brit Awards released last night. She is up for best female, best album and has two songs in the best single category. Mumford and Sons and Alt-J scored three each. Adele was nominated for her Skyfall theme song, thus scoring a Brit and an Oscar nomination on the same day.

One Direction and Alt-J lead diverse Brit Award shortlist

4. US ORDERS DREAMLINER REVIEW

US regulators have ordered a review of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner after a series of incidents, including a fire, a brake problem, a fuel leak and a crack in the cockpit windshield in the last week. The review will be undertaken by the US Federal Aviation Administration who will look at the design and manufacture of Boeing's flagship plane.

Dreamliner suffers further setback after fire on board

5. CRITICS AGHAST AT MIDDLETON PORTRAIT

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, has described her first official portrait, by artist Paul Emsley, as "amazing" and "brilliant" while Prince William said it was "beautiful". However, most critics were left aghast by the painting, unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery today. The Guardian said it made Kate look like something from the Twilight films.

'Rotten' Kate Middleton portrait like 'something out of Twilight'

6. MPS ARE REFUSED £20,000 PAY RISE

Two-thirds of MPs asked by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority what they should be paid asked for a £20,000-a-year rise, from the current £65,738 to £86,250. More than a third also said they should keep their final-salary pensions. But the Authority says they should abide by the 1% public sector pay cap.

MPs spark angry reaction with call for 32% pay rise

7. SIMON RATTLE TO PASS THE BATON IN BERLIN

Sir Simon Rattle announced yesterday that he is to step down as chief conductor of the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra, the job he has led for 16 years, when his contract expires in five years' time. He will then be 64. He denied rumours of conflict with the musicians, and the orchestra expressed "regret" at his decision.

'Rebellion' rumours as Rattle quits Berlin Philharmonic

8. GENDER ABORTIONS SUSPECTED IN UK

Birth statistics suggest that illegal sex-selective abortions are being carried out within Britain's immigrant communities, a government health minister has admitted. Birth rates for male and female babies vary noticeably according to where the mothers were born and may "fall outside the range considered possible without intervention".

Britain's unwanted girls: stats point to sex-selective abortion

9. STOP BASHING THE FRENCH, PLEADS MEP

European MP Corinne Lepage yesterday demanded that other countries "stop French bashing" and that her fellow countrymen stop treating France like "the scum of the earth" and a "planetary laughing stock". France, she wrote for an on-line magazine, was "blessed by the Gods" and one of the best places on earth to live.

10. HOT TICKET: SHAW'S ANCIENT MARINER

Actress Fiona Shaw is performing Samuel Taylor Coleridge's epic poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' at the Old Vic Tunnels. Phyllida Lloyd directs the recital of the Gothic tale of a sailor who suffers a horrible curse after killing an albatross at sea. "Riveting," says the Financial Times. Until 13 January.

Fiona Shaw's Rime of the Ancient Mariner is 'riveting'