Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 29 Jan 2013

1. UK TO SEND TROOPS TO MALI UNDER EU PLAN

Britain will send 40 troops to Mali to support French forces and up to 200 to train African forces outside the country as part of a joint EU mission. Overall 330 military personal will be sent to West Africa by the UK. Downing Street has denied the move represents "mission creep", saying the forces will have no combat role.

Britain sends troops to Mali: five things you need to know

2. MURDOCH SORRY FOR ANTI-ISRAEL CARTOON

Rupert Murdoch has apologised for a "grotesque, offensive cartoon" by Gerald Scarfe in the Sunday Times which led to complaints of anti-Semitism. It featured Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu building a wall containing the limbs of Palestinians with the caption: "Will cementing peace continue?" Scarfe says he was unaware it was Holocaust Memorial Day.

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Murdoch sorry for 'offensive' Scarfe cartoon

3. CANCER 'MANAGEABLE' WITHIN FIVE YEARS

Cancer could become a "manageable disease" rather than a death sentence within five years thanks to DNA sequencing, according to the Institute of Cancer Research in London. All cancer patients will have their tumour's DNA and its genetic code sequenced, allowing specialists to give precisely the correct drugs to keep the disease at bay.

DNA profiling promises cancer breakthrough in five years

4. TORIES TRY TO APPEAL TO BLACKS AND ASIANS

David Cameron has told cabinet ministers to produce policies that will appeal to ethnic minorities, according to The Times. The PM is said to be worried that his modernising approach has done little to improve the party's image among black and Asian voters. Unless something is done, changing demographics could mean the Tories losing seats.

5. DUTCH QUEEN HANDS CROWN TO HER SON

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced yesterday that she is abdicating in favour of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, and will stand down on 30 April this year. Approaching her 75th birthday, she said it was "the moment to lay down my crown". She became Queen when her own mother abdicated in 1980.

Does Dutch Queen's abdication raise Prince Charles' hopes?

6. BRITISH MAN HELD IN NIMES OVER MURDER

A British man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of a 33-year-old woman in Nimes in southern France. The woman was so severely beaten that her face was unrecognisable. The man is said to have moved to France from Chatham in Kent and lives with his mother close to where the victim, of Tunisian descent, was found.

Nimes murder: Brit arrested in France after woman killed

7. OSBORNE WAS AT MURDOCH DINNER

Chancellor George Osborne was also a guest at the Rupert Murdoch dinner party for which Boris Johnson was criticised for attending, it has emerged. Johnson, who as mayor of London oversees the Met Police, was attacked by the Hacked Off campaigners for dining with the media mogul when his editorial staff are the subject of police inquiries.

8. PROSTITUTE VISITS TO CARE HOME DEFENDED

Helena Barrow, former manager of the Chaseley nursing home in Eastbourne, last night defended her use of "outside contractors" in a row with East Sussex council over prostitutes visiting the home. "Sex workers are allowed by law to sexually enable people but care workers are not," she said. Nurses place red socks on doors to notify that patients are engaged with prostitutes.

Are sex surrogates putting vulnerable people at risk?

9. MPS TELL FOOTBALL TO SHAPE UP

English football was told last night it must introduce reforms over financial management, the balance of power between the Premier League and the FA and transparency within a year or the government will impose changes by legislation. The ultimatum came in a report from the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

10. HOT TICKET: JUERGEN TELLER'S NAKED CELEBS

An exhibition of photographs by celebrated German fashion photographer and artist Juergen Teller entitled 'Woo!' has opened at the ICA. See photos of Lily Cole, Vivienne Westwood and Kate Moss, as well as Teller's more recent landscapes and intimate family portraits. "Captivatingly raw," says The Independent.

Woo! exposes Juergen Teller's sexy and sensitive sides at ICA