Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 6 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. 'BIN LADEN IS DEAD' SAYS AL-QAEDA Al-Qaeda has confirmed that Osama bin Laden is dead, but has pledged to continue attacking Western targets. In a statement posted on jihadist websites the terror group warned that his death would become a "curse" for the US and it's "agents". It said: "Their happiness will turn into sorrow, and their blood will be mixed with their tears." American makes a killing with Bin Laden T-shirts LIB DEMS HUMILIATED IN LOCAL ELECTIONSThe Liberal Democrats have paid a huge price for forming a national coalition with the Tories, losing control of Hull, Stockport and Sheffield where leader Nick Clegg is an MP. Based on their new share of the national vote, they would be reduced to 21 seats in the Commons if there were a general election now. The SNP has done better than expected in Scotland. Counting of AV referendum votes has yet to start. The Mole: Nick Clegg humiliated in local council elections OBAMA HERALDS EARLY AFGHAN WITHDRAWALPresident Obama said last that the killing of Osama bin Laden would allow him to start withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan in July as there was no longer a need for the "perpetual footprint we have now". Earlier, he made a triumphant visit to the memorial at the Twin Towers, site of the 9/11 attack (above). Today he will meet the Navy Seals who carried out the Abbottabad raid. EMERGENCY SERVICES NOT TO BLAME FOR 7/7 DEATHSThe inquest into the deaths of the 52 people killed in the 7/7 bomb attacks has cleared the emergency services of blame, despite delays to the response. But Lady Justice Hallett did criticise the security services and MI5 for their failings and made several recommendations. She delivered a verdict of unlawful killing on those who died, and ruled out any further inquiries. ARCHBISHOP 'UNCOMFORTABLE' THAT OBL WAS UNARMEDThe Archbishop of Canterbury says the fact that Osama bin Laden was unarmed when he was killed by US special forces has left him with a "very uncomfortable feeling - because it doesn't look as if justice is seen to be done." Dr Rowan Williams also said "the different versions of events that have emerged in recent days have not done a great deal to help". Was Bin Laden death legal - and does it matter? PHOTOS OF PIPPA IN UNDIES SPREAD ON INTERNETPrivate photographs of Pippa Middleton, Prince William's new sister-in-law, stripped to a purple bra are being circulated on websites in the US. The Daily Mail says it refused an offer of the photos, but today publishes one of her in a 'dress' of wrapped toilet paper. Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, are to visit California after Canada. Who is Pippa? The hot bridesmaid-in-chief CHARLIE GILMOUR PLEADS GUILTY OVER STUDENT RIOTCharlie Gilmour, the son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, could face jail after admitting his part in the student riots last December. He pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder and will be sentenced in July. The 21-year-old was photographed swinging from a flag at the Centotaph during the protests and was later caught up in the violence surrouding Prince Charles's convoy in Regent Street. Pink Floyd guitarist's son swung from Cenotaph flag ANOTHER INJUNCTION AS GABBY LOGAN SPEAKS OUTAnother gagging order has been issued by the High Court, this time protecting the identity of a married footballer caught by the Sun kissing teenage model Kimberley West. The injunction came on the same day TV presenter Gabby Logan spoke out against the orders, claiming speculation on the internet had sparked "hurtful" false rumours she had an affair with Alan Shearer. BRITAIN HAS ITS FIRST DIGITAL BILLIONAIRECharles Dunstone, 46, founder of Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk, has become Britain's first digital billionaire. His wealth has increased by 66 per cent to £1 billion over the past year, catapulting him into the top 100 of the Sunday Times Rich List, published this weekend. Banking heir Nat Rothschild tripled his fortune in a year to reach £1 billion. NIGHT STALKER REPORT PINPOINTS POLICE BLUNDERSFailings by the Metropolitan Police in their 17-year hunt for the Night Stalker rapist had "dire consequences", the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) ruled yesterday. Blunders included failing on "basic lines of inquiry" and on the opportunity to arrest Delroy Grant, 53, in 1999. Grant was jailed for life in March. Robert Chesshyre: Police were complacent
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