Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 16 Jul 2013

1. TEENAGER BITTEN IN HALF BY SHARK

A teenage girl from France has been bitten in half by a shark while snorkelling off the same island in the Indian Ocean where a French honeymooner was killed by a shark in May. The 15-year-old, who has not been named, was attacked while swimming just a few metres from the shore in Saint Paul Bay, in the north-west of Reunion Island.

French teen bitten 'in half' by shark on holiday island

2. INDIA: ARRESTS AFTER 4 GIRLS RAPED

Eight men have been arrested over the abduction and gang-rape of four young girls from a convent boarding house in eastern India. The girls aged between 12 and 14 were taken from the hostel in Jharkhand state by men armed with knives, who assaulted them in a nearby forest. The principal and teachers were locked in a room during the attack

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3. LABOUR AND TORIES LEVEL IN POLL

A new poll for the Guardian newspaper by ICM shows the two main political parties neck and neck for the first time since March 2012, leading the paper to claim UKIP's fading appeal has given the Conservatives a much-needed boost. Labour and the Tories both garnered 36 per cent in the survey of voter intentions.

Tories and Labour neck and neck as UKIP vote evaporates

4. EGYPT: 7 DEAD IN FRESH CLASHES

At least seven people have died and 260 were injured in clashes between police and supporters of Egypt's deposed president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo last night. Protesters hurled rocks at security forces who retaliated with volleys of tear gas. A makeshift hospital was set up to deal with injured protesters.

5. PUTIN UNDERWATER FOR LATEST PHOTO OP

Russian president Vladimir Putin’s latest macho photo opportunity involved him piloting a small submersible craft 60 metres down into the Gulf of Finland to view the wreck of the naval frigate Oleg, which sank in 1869. After the 30-minute trip, the action-man politician praised archaeologists studying the ship.

Action man Putin dives in - pictures

6. LIB DEMS WANT FEWER NUKE SUBS

The Lib Dems have released a report on the UK's Trident nuclear deterrent that calls for the fleet of Vanguard submarines to be cut from four now to three. The report says the existing system was designed for the Cold War era and is no longer appropriate. A final decision will be made on Trident in 2016.

7. SELFRIDGES 'BURKA BANDITS: TWO GUILTY

Two members of a gang that disguised themselves as wealthy Muslim women to steal watches worth £1 million from the Selfridges department store on London's Oxford Street have admitted the crime. Sam Curtin, 24 and Connor Groake, 19, pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to conspiracy to rob and aggravated vehicle-taking.

Selfridges 'burka bandits': two men plead guilty to raid

8. MISHAL HUSAIN JOINS BBC R4 TODAY TEAM

Mishal Husain is to replace James Naughtie as a presenter of Radio 4’s flagship Today programme. It has been taken as a clear signal that the BBC’s new chief, Tony Hall, intends to address gender imbalance. Naughtie will begin a new role in the autumn, leading the BBC’s coverage of the Scottish independence referendum.

Mishal Husain to replace James Naughtie on BBC's Today prog

9. HARRY AND DOMINIC WEST RACE TO POLE

Prince Harry and actor Dominic West are to race each other to the South Pole later this year, trekking with two teams of wounded servicemen and women. Harry will be with the UK team, while his fellow Old Etonian, West, will mentor a group from Australia and Canada. There will also be a US team.

10. HOT TICKET: DEUS EX GOES MOBILE

A new instalment of sci-fi action video game Deus Ex has been released in the UK. The Fall, designed specifically for mobile devices, returns to futuristic Panama, where players take on the role of ex-mercenary Ben Saxon on a mission to uncover a drug company conspiracy. "Tremendously enjoyable," says Wired.

New Deus Ex mobile app The Fall is 'hard to put down'