Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 20 May 2015

1. CHARLES SPEAKS ABOUT THE TROUBLES

Prince Charles, visiting the Republic of Ireland, has spoken of his anguish at the death of his godfather Lord Mountbatten at the hands of the IRA in 1979, but said the "deep loss" had given him a "profound" understanding of the pain caused by the Troubles. He was speaking ahead of a visit to the village where his great-uncle died.

Prince Charles shakes Gerry Adams' hand in 'teatime miracle'

2. CBI: BUSINESS BOSSES SHOULD SUPPORT EU

The Confederation of British Industry has said business leaders should “speak out early” in favour of Britain remaining in the EU, adding that members of the business organisation “must be crystal clear that membership is in our national interest” and there are “no credible alternatives” to remaining in the EU.

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Remain-voting City lobby group calls for 'dramatic Brexit U-turn'

3. ISLAMIC STATE SEIZES PART OF PALMYRA

Iraq is calling for volunteers to help fight Islamic State as it tries to retake the city of Ramadi. The US said it was considering “how best to support local ground forces”. In Syria, IS fighters have seized part of the World Heritage-listed city of Palmyra in Syria. They have yet to reach the city's ancient ruins.

Islamic State retakes Palmyra in Syria

4. PROFITS BOOST FOR MARKS AND SPENCER

Marks and Spencer has reported its first rise in annual profits for four years. The figures, which showed underlying profits before tax were up 6.1% to £661.2m for the year to 28 March, exceeded expectations. However, food was the main driver and sales of general merchandise, including clothing, were below expectations.

5. 1,400 SUSPECTS IN SEX ABUSE INVESTIGATION

Police probing historical child sex abuse allegations have investigated more than 1,400 suspects, including politicians and celebrities. The figures were released by Operation Hydrant, set up to explore abuse by "prominent public persons". Of the suspects 261 are classed as "people of public prominence".

6. HATTON GARDEN BURGLARY SUSPECTS NAMED

Three of the nine men arrested over the Hatton Garden safety deposit box raid have been named. They are 76-year-old Brian Reader and his 50-year-old son, known as Paul, from Dartford, plus Hugh Doyle, 58, a plumber from Enfield. The nine, all white British males aged between 43 and 76, have been held on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle.

How the real Hatton Garden robbery played out

7. HUNT BACKS KENDALL FOR LABOUR LEADER

Tristram Hunt, the shadow education secretary, will not stand for the Labour leadership and has instead thrown his weight behind Liz Kendall. Hunt said he could not guarantee enough support from fellow MPs to run for leader. He also criticised Ed Miliband's "timid" election strategy of appealing to Labour's core vote.

Jeremy Corbyn is a 'disaster', says Stephen Hawking

8. CANNES HIGH-HEEL ROW RUMBLES ON

The row over high heels at the Cannes Film Festival continues after film producer Valeria Richter, who has had part of her left foot aputated, said she had been stopped on the red carpet for wearing flats. The festival has denied heels are part of the official dress code, despite claims those in flats have been banned.

Eight things women are banned from wearing around the world

9. BANKS FINED $6BN OVER CURRENCY FIX

Five banks, including Barclays and RBS, have been ordered to pay almost $6bn for manipulating foreign exchange and currency rates. The record fines come after Barclays, RBS, JPMorgan and Citigroup agreed to plead guilty to US criminal charges. The fifth bank UBS will admit rigging benchmark interest rates.

10. BRIEFING: IS DEFLATION ALWAYS BAD?

Inflation officially slipped below zero yesterday, and falling prices are not necessarily a cause for celebration. As we experience deflation for the first time since the 1960s, economists are divided about its dangers, and what can be done to get us out of it.

Deflation: UK prices are now falling, but is that a bad thing?