Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 16 Oct 2013

1. PLEBGATE: PM CALLS FOR POLICE APOLOGY

Former Tory whip Andrew Mitchell is “owed an apology” from police, Prime Minister David Cameron has said. Police chiefs have refused to back down over a decision not to discipline three officers who allegedly tried to discredit Mitchell in the weeks after he was accused of calling Downing Street officers “plebs”.

Plebgate Q&A: Police apology over 'inadvertent error'

2. US CREDIT RATING AT RISK AS TALKS FALTER

Politicians worked through the night to try to come to a deal on raising the US debt ceiling, after talks in the House of Representatives collapsed. With less than 24 hours until the US hits its $16.7 trillion debt ceiling, Fitch threatened to downgrade the country's AAA credit rating, warning a default would affect its ability to pay its bills.

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US shutdown: Senate is last hope after chaos in House

3. WORLD CUP: ENGLAND EN ROUTE TO BRAZIL

An elated Roy Hodgson said England will have "a chance" in Brazil after qualififying for next year's World Cup. During a tense night at Wembley, in which the manager said he "died a thousand deaths", England beat Poland 2-0, with goals from Wayne Rooney and captain Steven Gerrard, and finish top of their group.

England book place in Brazil with best display for years

4. SAVILE: MY ACCUSERS ARE LIKE 'MIDGES'

In an interview with Surrey Police officers in 2009, Jimmy Savile said abuse allegations against him probably came from women "looking for a few quid", and that he "always got something like this" before Christmas. "Normally you can brush them away like midges," he said. Victims' lawyers said the interview showed "complete disdain".

Jimmy Savile told police 'I brush women away like midges'

5. YOUNGEST WINNER OF MAN BOOKER PRIZE

Eleanor Catton, a 28-year-old from New Zealand, has become the youngest ever winner of the Man Booker literary prize. Judges called her Victorian mystery tale The Luminaries a kind of "Kiwi Twin Peaks" and a "dazzling, luminous work". At 832 pages, it is also the longest novel to win, but critics said it was "vast without being sprawling".

Booker Prize: Eleanor Catton's The Luminaries is 'bold' winner

6. 44 DIE IN MEKONG PLANE CRASH

A Lao Airlines plane on an internal flight has crashed into the Mekong River in southern Laos, killing 44 people, reports say. An airline official quoted by the Bangkok Post said the plane crashed in bad weather just before it was due to land at Pakse on a flight from the capital Vientiane.

7. UK MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 'IN CRISIS'

More than 1,700 mental health beds have been cut since April 2011, a reduction of 9%, with closures in acute adult wars and intensive psychiatric care units in hospitals around the country. Care minister Norman Lamb said the situation was "unacceptable", while one London-based NHS medical director said the service was in "real crisis".

8. MARKSMAN: 'DUGGAN WAS HOLDING A GUN'

A police marksman has told an inquest it was his "honest belief" that Mark Duggan was holding a gun and about to shoot when he took the decision to fire. Marksman 'V53' was part of a specialist firearms unit that was trailing the 29-year-old when he was shot. The inquest has previously heard that the man driving Duggan had not seen a weapon.

9. FATHER OF THE GUMMY BEAR DIES AT 90

Hans Riegel, the man who led the Haribo sweet company for 70 years, growing the firm from small family business into a world-famous brand, has died at the age of 90. His success turned him into one of Germany's richest men. The brand's signature sweet, the gummy bear, was originally inspired by performing circus bears.

10. HOT TICKET: PAUL KLEE AT TATE MODERN

A major exhibition of the art of modernist master Paul Klee opens at Tate Modern today. 'Paul Klee: Making Visible' surveys Klee's whimsical, inventive abstract paintings, drawings and watercolours from 1912-1940, including his work with the Bauhaus school. "Glorious," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 9 March 2014.

Reviews: Paul Klee Making Visible at Tate Modern