Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 16 Dec 2013

1. MAN CHARGED WITH JAYDEN MURDER

A 22-year-old Reading man, Ben Blakeley, has been charged with the murder of teenager Jayden Parkinson, last seen on 3 December leaving Didcot Parkway rail station. A boy of 17 who was also arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody. Police were earlier trying to find a man seen “struggling” with a suitcase in Upton.

Jayden Parkinson: murder charge over missing teenager

2. HELLRAISER PETER O’TOOLE DEAD AT 81

Actor Peter O’Toole, made famous when he played TE Lawrence in David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia, has died at the age of 81 after a long illness. The actor, known for his hell-raising ways, was being treated at the Wellington Hospital in London, his family said. Daughter Kate said she was “overwhelmed” by tributes.

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Peter O'Toole: a 'hell-raiser' who exuded 'sex and danger'

3. 'CRONYISM' AT BBC BOOSTED PAY-OUTS

The Public Accounts Committee has blamed “cronyism” at a “dysfunctional” BBC for senior executives getting larger pay-offs than it says they deserved. The issue surfaced in November 2012 when MPs raised concerns about George Entwhistle, who received a £450,000 ‘sweetener’ after just 54 days as director-general.

4. ANDY MURRAY WINS BBC SPORTS AWARD

Tennis player Andy Murray was last night presented with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The 26-year-old, too busy training to return to the UK for the presentation, was given the trophy in Miami by Martina Navratilova. He apologised for his “boring” voice, promising that he was “very excited right now”.

Andy Murray wins SPOTY but refuses to be a media darling

5. DRAFT SLAVERY BILL TO BE PUBLISHED

The government will today publish a draft bill designed to help end ‘modern slavery’, with tougher sentences for human traffickers - as much as 14 years. The bill also creates a post of anti-slavery commissioner to co-ordinate efforts against those who bring foreign workers to the UK and keep them in appalling conditions.

Sex abuse trafficking: number of UK child victims doubles

6. SPURS SACK MANAGER ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS

Spurs have sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas in the wake of the 5-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Sunday. The loss was Tottenham's worst home defeat for 16 years and leaves them seventh in the Premier League with just two wins in their last seven games. There was also bad news for Spurs' local rivals Arsenal who drew Bayern Munich in the Champions League draw.

Who will replace AVB at Spurs? Capello and Laudrup lead field

7. HORSE MEAT SCANDAL: 21 ARRESTS

French police made 21 arrests today as part of an investigation into claims that meat from horses used for drugs testing found its way into the food chain. The arrests were made at various locations in the south of France following a tip-off that hundreds of horses, including some that had been owned by pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, were sold to abattoirs.

8. ISRAELI SOLDIER SHOT ON LEBANON BORDER

There are fears of renewed fighting on the Israel-Lebanon border after an Israeli soldier was shot dead there by a Lebanese army sniper. The Israeli Defence Force said the soldier was hit as he drove along the border. The Lebanese army has shot at Israeli soldiers in the past, accusing them of incursions into its territory.

Israeli troops shoot Lebanese soldiers in 'retaliation' gunfire

9. WINTER WONDERLAND CLOSED DOWN

A ‘winter wonderland’ in Milton Keynes has been cancelled after complaints from furious parents. One wrote that she had never been “so disgusted” and was left with three “very upset children” by the event. Another claimed ‘Santa’ had arrived four hours late to a ‘grotto’ which was falling down and in bad repair.

10. HOT TICKET: MUSICAL AMERICAN PSYCHO

A musical adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis’s novel, American Psycho, has opened at the Almeida Theatre, London. Dr Who star Matt Smith plays Patrick Bateman, a corporate banker who embraces 1980s consumerist culture, but is secretly disturbed by murderous urges. “Diabolically slick,” says The Independent. Until 1 February.

Matt Smith's American Psycho: reviews of the musical thriller