Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 20 Oct 2012

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

1. 'PLEBGATE' ANDREW MITCHELL RESIGNS
Andrew Mitchell has resigned as government chief whip over his confrontation with police officers at Downing Street. Mitchell, who admits he swore at officers but denies he described them as "plebs", said that "damaging publicity" meant he had to stand down. Labour says David Cameron's refusal to dismiss Mitchell left him looking "completely weak".
2. DOUBLE GOOD NEWS FOR ECONOMY?
Official figures to be released next week are expected to show that Britain is on its way out of recession. Economists expect growth of between 0.4 per cent and 1 per cent between July and September, following nine months of decline. Yesterday it was revealed that the government had to borrow far less than predicted in the first six months of the tax year.
3. MURDER ARREST AFTER HIT AND RUN SPREE
A series of 'hit and run' incidents in Cardiff have left a woman dead and 12 people injured. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after collisions occurred in five different locations. Meanwhile, a man has been charged with seven counts of manslaughter over a pile-up on the M5 in Somerset last year.
4. OSBORNE'S FIRST CLASS EMBARRASMENT
George Osborne was caught sitting in the first class carriage of a train yesterday despite only holding a standard class ticket. The chancellor's aide reportedly told the train manager that Osborne 'couldn't possibly' sit in standard class and paid £189.50 for an upgrade. The story became the talk of Twitter, after ITV reporter Rachel Townsend broke the story on the social networking site.
5. ROMNEY ON OBAMA'S 'PETTY ATTACKS'
Mitt Romney says Barack Obama has "no agenda" and that his campaign has been "reduced to petty attacks and silly word games". Speaking at a rally in Florida, he also described Obama's bid for a second White House term as "the incredible shrinking campaign". Earlier in the day, Obama said his rival is suffering from "Romnesia" as he bids to present himself as increasingly moderate.
6. SUPERMARKET WINE DEALS TO BE BANNED?
The government is to ban supermarkets from offering discounts for customers buying multiple bottles of wine, as part of a crackdown on problem drinking. A government source told The Daily Telegraph the move could spark anger among "respectable middle-class families" who are being made to pay for the actions of "yobs getting drunk in parks".
7. KIDS' DEVELOPMENT 'HARMED BY FACEBOOK'
Social networking websites are turning children into poorly-developed, narcissistic characters with short attention spans and a lack of self-control, a leading neuroscientist has told The Daily Telegraph. The comments, from Oxford University professor Baroness Greenfield, come 24 hours after teachers warned that technology is leading to poor attention spans.
8. MURDOCH MULLS MOVE FOR LA TIMES
Rupert Murdoch has made approaches to acquire the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, according to reports. The deals, which could be worth up to $400m, might require a waiver of federal laws that block ownership of newspapers and TV stations in the same market, as Murdoch owns channels in Los Angeles and Chicago.
9. ARMSTRONG: 'I'VE BEEN WORSE'
Lance Armstrong says that, following "difficult couple of weeks", he has "been better, but I've also been worse". Speaking at an anniversary gathering for his Livestrong charity, the former cyclist avoided commenting directly on the doping controversy. The president of cycling's governing body will reveal its response to the Armstrong doping report on Monday.
10. FAN ATTACKS CHRIS KIRKLAND
Sheffield Wednesday's Chris Kirkland required treatment after being attacked by a fan during the Championship clash with Leeds United. The goalkeeper had just conceded an equaliser when the fan ran from the Leeds end and struck him. Wednesday boss Dave Jones described the Leeds fans as "vile animals".