Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 25 May 2013

1. MI5 'APPROACHED WOOLWICH SUSPECT'

MI5 asked Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo if he wanted to work for them just months before the killing, a friend has told the BBC. Abu Nusaybah also said Michael Adebolajo claimed he had been sexually abused during an interrogation in Kenya. Michael Adebowale, the other suspect, reportedly once witnessed a friend being “sliced to pieces” by a bare knuckle fighter.

2. AUDIT: GOVT POLICIES 'UNACHIEVABLE'

Flagship coalition projects including the universal credit welfare system, the High Speed rail two train link and the replacement of Britain’s aircraft carriers are “unachievable” or “in doubt”, a Whitehall audit has concluded. The report, from the Major Projects Authority, warns that billions of pounds of public money is in jeopardy because of the poorly-managed reforms.

3. PIANO BEFORE POLITICS FOR BALLS

Ed Balls concedes that he may not be selected for any future Labour cabinet, reports the Yorkshire Post. The shadow chancellor said he “would love” to be chosen for a Labour cabinet, but that the issue is not “an all-consuming passion” for him. He added: “I’m more bothered, in a personal sense, about getting to grade 8 piano by the time I’m 50.”

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4. TIGER ATTACK ZOO WORKER DIES

A woman attacked by a tiger at the Cumbria wildlife park where she worked has died of her injuries. Sarah McClay, 24, was attacked by a Sumatran tiger in an enclosure at South Lakes Wild Animal Park yesterday. Park owner David Gill told the BBC there was "no reason" for her to be in the enclosure with the tigers. "We will never know why she entered without telling anyone,” he added.

5. SCHOOL BUS TRAGEDY IN PAKISTAN

At least 17 children have been burned to death after a gas cylinder exploded on their school bus in Pakistan. The incident took place on the outskirts of the city of Gujrat, in eastern Pakistan. Police have told local media that the driver had survived the explosion. Compressed natural gas is widely used in Pakistan as a cheaper alternative to diesel and petrol.

6. TORONTO MAYOR DENIES CRACK USE

Toronto mayor Rob Ford has denied smoking crack cocaine a week after claims a video has emerged showing him taking the drug. "I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine,” said Ford. The Toronto Star says it had been approached by drug dealers trying to sell the video. Ford added: “I cannot comment on a video that I have never seen or does not exist."

7. TEEN INVENTS FAST PHONE CHARGER

An American teenager has invented a gadget which can charge a mobile phone in 20 seconds. Eesha Khare, 18, a high school pupil from San Jose, California, says her device, known as a supercapacitor, “uses a special nanostructure, which allows for a lot greater energy per unit volume”. She says she has been bombarded with interest from technology companies, including Google.

8. BBC SCRAPS FAILED £100M PROJECT

The BBC axed a £100m digital archive project yesterday and admitted it had wasted a “huge amount of licence fee payers’ money”. One senior member of staff has been suspended after director general Lord Hall announced he is scrapping the scheme, which was supposed to save money by giving BBC journalists access to digital content from its vast archive more easily.

9. PRINCE HARRY SHOPS AT TK MAXX

Prince Harry has been spotted shopping at discount store TK Maxx, reports the Daily Mirror. The royal bought a T-shirt, hoody and an iPhone case at the Kensington branch. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has been spotted browsing at the bargain chain on several occasions. TK Maxx, which opened in 1994, offers designer goods at huge markdowns.

10. KLOPP ANTICIPATES “PERFECT” FINAL

Borussia Dortmund face Bayern Munich in the all-German Champions League final at Wembley this evening, with Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp declaring it a “special game” in the “perfect place against the perfect opponent”. The 45-year-old added: "If this is my only final and I die in 60 years, it won't have been so bad."