Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 19 May 2011

published 19 May 2011

Our popular news catch-up service is posted Monday to Friday at 8.0am. You can rely on it to keep you up to date through the working day with the main news talking points. OBAMA TO OFFER MIDDLE EAST AID PACKAGE The US is to offer aid packages to Egypt and Tunisia and other countries in the Middle East embracing democracy. The announcement by Barack Obama was made in a speech in Washington in which he outlined his vision for the region. His address came after a tape from al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden recorded before his death also welcomed the Arab Spring uprisings. Bin Laden trumps Obama with support for Arab Spring Strauss-Khan quits as IMF chiefDominique Strauss-Khan has quit as the head of the International Monetary Fund after being charged with raping a hotel chambermaid in New York. The IMF said it would make an announcement about his successor soon. Germany's Angela Merkel and Jose Manuel Barroso of the European Commission are leading calls for another European to take over because of financial problems in the eurozone. Alexander Cockburn: Was DSK set up by vengeful Americans? Strauss-Kahn and the very French crime of vulgarity FA TO ABSTAIN FROM FIFA ELECTION The Football Association has decided to abstain from the upcoming presidential elections at Fifa. It has chosen not to vote for either the incumbent, Sepp Blatter, or his challenger, Mohamed Bin Hammam from Qatar, after a series of allegations of corruption at football's governing body. In a statement the FA said there were "issues" that "make it difficult to support either candidate". GOODWIN INJUNCTION DETAILS REVEALEDFormer RBS chief Fred Goodwin obtained a super-injunction to hide allegations he had an affair with a senior colleague it has emerged. More details about court ruling came out in the House of Lords this morning in a question to justice minister Lord McNally. As the comment about the relationship, made by Lord Stoneham, is covered by parliamentary privilege it can be reported. Goodwin injunction hid claims of affair DSK ACCUSED OF 'AGGRESSION' IN CALL GIRL CLAIMDominique Strauss-Khan had been accused of "aggressive behaviour" by a call girl in 2006, the 'New York Madam' Kristin Davis, whose sex services brought down the state governor Eliot Spitzer, revealed last night. Strauss-Khan is to appear in court for a second bail hearing today. His accuser, a 32-year-old from Guinea, controversially named in France, testified late yesterday to a Grand Jury. Strauss-Kahn: the charges and allegations pile up LARS VON TRIER BANNED IN CANNESDanish film director Lars von Trier has been declared persona non grata at the Cannes film festival after a press conference where he declared he was "a Nazi" and sympathised with Hitler. Von Trier, whose film Melancholia is being shown at the festival, was banned by festival organisers who said his remarks were "unacceptable, intolerable, and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity". Lars von Trier banned from Cannes film festival QUEEN OFFERS SYMPATHY AND REGRETS TO IRELANDThe Queen said that "we can all see things which we wish had been done differently or not at all" and offered "deep sympathy" in her banquet speech in Dublin Castle last night, but stopped short of an apology. David Cameron joined her at the banquet. There were arrests at demonstrations opposing the first visit by a British monarch to the Republic. Irish diehards show their anger as history moves on KEN CLARKE SORRY OVER 'RAPE IS NOT RAPE' COMMENTJustice minister Ken Clarke has apologised after a row blew up when he disagreed with a Radio 5 Live host who said to him that "rape is rape". Talking about prison sentences for rapists, Clarke said there was indeed a difference between statutory rape involving a willing a underage female and violent rape. Clarke has dismissed calls to quit, but apologised to rape victim Gabrielle Browne, who phoned in to the show to confront him over his views. The Mole: Calls for Clarke to go after Stone Age rape remark Video: What did Ken Clarke actually say about rape? JUDGE QUITS OVER PRIZE FOR PHILIP ROTHOne of the three judges of the Man Booker International Prize has "withdrawn" from the panel in protest at American novelist Philip Roth being given the award. Carmen Callil, founder of Virago, deemed Roth, 78, a "suffocating" writer who used the same themes of sexuality in every book. "It's as though he's sitting on your face and you can't breathe," she said. Booker judge Callil resigns over Philip Roth victory LADY GAGA is FORBES' 'MOST POWERFUL CELEBRITy'Singer Lady Gaga has taken the No 1 spot on the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Celebrities list, knocking Oprah Winfrey down to second place. She scored well for her 32 million Facebook fans, 10 million Twitter followers and for earning £60 million on tour. Disgraced golfer Tiger Woods stayed in the top 10 because he still gets £2 million appearance fees. Move over Oprah: Gaga tops celebrity power list