Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 20 Sep 2012

The Week’s super-quick catch-up on the main news talking points, available from 8am daily

1. OFCOM: SKY IS 'FIT AND PROPER' BROADCASTER

Ofcom has ruled that Sky is a "fit and proper" company to hold a broadcasting licence. The media watchdog had been investigating the satellite broadcaster following the phone hacking scandal that engulfed one of its owners, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. But Ofcom warned that it would reopen its investigations "should further evidence become available".

Ofcom: Sky 'fit and proper' but James Murdoch is slammed

Police shootings

2. POLICE SHOOTING: SECOND MAN ARRESTED

A second man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes in Greater Manchester, police said last night. The 28-year-old is being held in custody on charges of conspiracy to murder; Dale Cregan, 29, remains in custody on suspicion of murder. Police warned of the "threat" of continuing gang wars.

Manchester police shootings: how serious is grenade threat?

3. UK SOLDIER GIVES BIRTH IN AFGHAN CAMP

A Fijian Royal Artillery gunner stationed at Camp Bastion, the British base on the front lines in Helmand, Afghanistan, gave birth on Tuesday, it was revealed yesterday. The baby was 5 weeks premature and the soldier did not know she was pregnant. Paediatric doctors are flying from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to escort mother and child home.

Politics

4. 'CLEGG SINGS SORRY' VIDEO GOES VIRAL

A spoof of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's video apology for breaking his promise not to raise tuition fees has gone viral. The original video was posted yesterday by the Lib Dems to a largely negative reception. But the 'autotune remix' version, in which Clegg 'sings' sorry, has won rave reviews and will be released as a charity single after the Lib Dem leader gave his permission.

Nick Clegg sings sorry: could autotune video rescue deputy PM?

5. SCANDINAVIAN MAGS PUBLISH NAKED KATE PICS

The Swedish celebrity magazine Se & Hoer yesterday published 11 of the pictures of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, sunbathing topless in France, including one in which she is removing her bikini bottoms. The Danish edition of the magazine, Se og Hoer, will today publish the pictures, so far seen in France, Italy and Ireland.

Law

6. CPS TO RETHINK RULES ON TWITTER TROLLS

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, will issue guidelines on how the legal system should deal with people who make abusive comments online. He has said that "if the fundamental right to free speech is to be respected, the threshold for criminal prosecution has to be a high one".

Twitter trolls: CPS to rethink rules on social media abuse

7. AT LEAST 54 CASES OF SEX ASSAULT BY POLICE

Police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission last night reported that it had found 54 cases of "sexual exploitation or assault" where police officers had taken sexual advantage of members of the public, and that "the true figure may be higher". It called for a "code of conduct" to prevent "abuses of trust".

iPhone5

8. APPLE LOSES FANS OVER MAP APP

A new map app released by Apple for its iPhone and iPad devices has been roundly criticised for errors and ommissions. Users have complained about towns and villages appearing in the wrong place, while rail stations are missing. Apple's new map app has replaced what many users think is the superior Google Maps app.

Apple loses its way - and major landmarks - with new Maps app

9. ARCTIC SEA ICE FALLS TO NEW LOW

Arctic sea ice cover reached a new record low this summer. The 2012 ice cover minimum fell to 3.41 million sq km, which is just half the average recorded between 1979-2000. Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Centre (NSIDC) in Colorado, US believe the Arctic could be ice-free in summer within 20 years.

Dance

10. HOT TICKET: SAN FRANCISCO BALLET

A short season of three mixed programmes by San Francisco Ballet has opened at Sadler's Wells London. The programmes include Balanchine's Divertimento No. 15 and recent works including pieces by celebrated choreographers Christopher Wheeldon and Ashley Page. "Fine dancing", says The Independent.

San Francisco Ballet brings California dancing to London