Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 8 Dec 2016

1. Sexual exploitation rife in police forces, says watchdog

More than 300 police officers have been accused of sexual exploitation and abuse, according to the industry watchdog, which says the abuse is the "most serious form of corruption" in the service and warns that there may be many unreported cases. More than a third of the alleged incidents involved victims of domestic abuse.

Hundreds of police accused of sexual exploitation

2. MPs back May's timetable for triggering Article 50

MPs last night voted overwhelmingly in favour of the government's timetable to trigger Article 50 in April next year - as long as Theresa May discloses her plans before then. The motion was symbolic and not legally binding, says Sky News, and passed by 448 to 75 votes. May agreed to publish the plan to quash a Tory rebellion.

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Brexit: Theresa May says ‘trust me’ to deliver

3. Giraffes face extinction after 40% decline

Giraffes are facing extinction, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature says. The world's tallest animal suffered a 38% decline in numbers over the past 30 years, from 157,000 to 97,500, and are on the charity's annual "red list" of threatened species. Wild mangoes and wild sunflowers are also on the brink.

4. Real IRA Aidan 'The Beast' O'Driscoll killed

A former leading figure in the Real IRA has been shot dead on a street in Cork. Aidan "The Beast" O'Driscoll died in hospital after being ambushed from behind by two gunmen. No group has claimed responsibility but police say O'Driscoll, who was allegedly the terror group's chief of staff, had enemies in criminal gangs and the IRA.

Veterans 'face fresh investigation into killings during the Troubles'

5. Major banks 'ready to move to Paris'

France's leading financial regulator has said several "large international banks" are in advanced stages of planning to shift their HQs from London to Paris because of the Brexit vote, while "many other companies" have inquired about a move. Speaking to the BBC, Benoit de Juvigny said other cities must also be getting inquiries.

The Business: UK betting income rockets as terminals grow

6. Johnson accuses Saudis of 'twisting Islam'

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been censured after he was filmed accusing Saudi Arabia's leaders of "twisting" Islam and fighting proxy wars against Iran. Downing Street said Johnson's comments do not represent "the government's position". They emerged as PM Theresa May returned from a tour of Gulf states.

Boris Johnson stands by Saudi Arabia remarks on Riyadh visit

7. Mick Jagger a father again at the age of 73

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has become a father again at the age of 73. His 29-year-old girlfriend, ballerina Melanie Hamrick, gave birth to a boy in New York on Thursday. The singer's publicist said they were "both delighted". Jagger already has seven children between the ages of 17 and 45 and he became a great-grandfather last year.

8. Ex-Celtic kit man Jim McCafferty faces child sex charge

Former Celtic kit man Jim McCafferty has been arrested and charged with sexual activity with a child. He handed himself in to a police station in Belfast, where he now lives, and will appear before a district judge this morning. McCafferty, 71, also worked at Hibernian and Falkirk football clubs.

9. DiCaprio talks climate change with Trump

Actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio and the head of his environmental foundation met US president-elect Donald Trump yesterday for talks on climate change. The meeting came after Trump appointed Scott Pruitt, a climate-change sceptic, to run the US's Environmental Protection Agency.

10. Briefing: Why did so many celebrities die in 2016?

First it was David Bowie. Then Terry Wogan – and then Alan Rickman, Ronnie Corbett, Paul Daniels, Victoria Wood and Prince. And that was in just the first four months of 2016, prompting fears that there would be nobody left in the entertainment industry by the end of the year.

Celebrity deaths: Why did so many famous people die in 2016?