Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 22 Dec 2014

1. NYC COP KILLER TOLD PASSERS-BY ‘WATCH ME’

A man who shot dead two New York City police officers as they sat in their car, before fleeing to a subway station where he killed himself, told passers-by: “Watch what I’m going to do,” detectives say. Ismaaiyl Brinsley also asked people nearby to follow him on Instagram before carrying out the killings.

Gunman who killed two NYPD officers sent 'chilling' warning

2. NORTH KOREA THREATENS US OVER SONY

North Korea has issued a series of threats against the US as the row over the Sony cyber-attack escalates. The US believes North Korea was behind the attack, but the communist regime has vehemently denied the claim. In a statement it described the US as a "cesspool of terrorism" and praised the "righteous action" of the hackers, but denied knowing who they were.

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South Korea conducts nuclear drill after hack attack

3. NHS DNA STUDY TO PUT UK AT FOREFRONT

Eleven ‘Genomics Medicine Centres’ are being set up at English hospitals to gather DNA information and devise targeted treatments for diseases with research which will put the UK at the forefront of medical science, according to David Cameron. Some patients will have their DNA compared with family members.

4. ACTRESS BILLIE WHITELAW DEAD AT 82

Billie Whitelaw, the actress best known for her close collaboration with playwright Samuel Beckett, has died in a London nursing home at the age of 82. Whitelaw got an early start playing Dixon’s daughter in police TV drama Dixon of Dock Green and later won two Bafta awards and was made a CBE.

5. HART IN HAMPSHIRE BEST PLACE TO LIVE

Hart in Hampshire, which centres on the town of Fleet, has been named the most desirable place to live in the UK for the fourth year running. Elmbridge in Surrey an Winchester in Hampshire came second and third in the list compiled by Halifax, which collates factors including life expectancy and health.

6. CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS WANT NEW INQUIRY

Dozens of victims of child abuse have petitioned the home secretary, Theresa May, to scrap a troubled inquiry into allegations of an elite paedophile ring including MPs in the 1970s and 80s, replacing it with a more powerful body which could compel its witnesses to give their evidence under oath.

Child sex abuse inquiry: First public hearings finally begin

7. HUMAN RIGHTS FOR BUENOS AIRES APE

A court in Argentina has granted a “shy” orangutan some basic human rights. The ape, kept in Buenos Aires zoo but seemingly embarrassed by human attention, will have to be moved to a sanctuary in Brazil unless there is an appeal. In December, a court in New York threw out a request to grant a chimpanzee rights.

8. 'EXHAUSTED' SEAL DISCOVERED IN ST HELENS

A grey seal, who got lost after travelling up the river Mersey, is recovering at an RSPCA sanctuary after being dicovered 17 miles from the nearest coastline. The "exhausted" sea mammal was found by a dog walker in a field at Newton-le-Willows, near St Helens. The seal was herded into an RSPCA trailer by police, animal rescue officers and a farmer.

9. SIX FEARED DEAD IN GLASGOW CRASH

Six people are feared dead in Glasgow city centre after a bin lorry crashed into a crowd of pedestrians outside Queen Street station. The out of control lorry mounted the pavement near the Millennium Hotel in George Square and ploughed into shoppers waiting to cross the road. There were reports of bodies at the scene and many more injuries.

10. HOT TICKET: CITY OF ANGELS AT DONMAR

A revival of noir comedy musical City of Angels has opened at the Donmar Warehouse, London. In 1940s Hollywood a writer turns his detective novel into a screenplay but finds the fictional world becoming all too real. "Stupendous," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 7 February.

City of Angels – reviews of 'dazzling' noir musical revival