Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 7 Dec 2012

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

1. KATE’S NURSE DEAD: SUICIDE SUSPECTED

The hospital nurse who put through a prank call from two Australian DJs seeking an update on the condition of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been found dead in a suspected suicide. It is understood that Jacintha Saldanha had not been disciplined by the King Edward VII Hospital, nor had the royal family complained.

Kate shocked at death of nurse who put through prank call

2. CAMERON 'BACKS GAY MARRIAGE IN CHURCH'

Upcoming legislation to allow marriage - as opposed to a civil partnership - for same-sex couples will also allow the ceremonies to be conducted in church, according to the BBC. Quoting sources close to the prime minister, the BBC says the government will allow those denominations happy to conduct gay marriages to do so.

3. COLD WEATHER ALERT FOR ENGLAND

A Siberian wind, dubbed the ‘Beast from the East’, is set to bring snow, icy winds and temperatures as low as –12C to Britain next week. There will be a mild weekend first with signs of cold being felt on Sunday night. The Met Office has issued a cold weather alert for the whole of England. Flights, trains and roads are expected to be hit.

Leveson report

4. LEVESON CALLS FOR INTERNET PRIVACY LAW

New laws are needed to prevent "mob rule" on the internet and "trial by Twitter", Lord Justice Leveson told an audience in Sydney, Australia, yesterday in his first public comments since issuing his report on the British press. Newspaper editors in the UK said yesterday that they would implement his "broad proposals", but without new laws.

New laws needed to stop 'trial by Twitter', says Lord Leveson

5. MAX CLIFFORD DENIES 'UNTRUE' SEX CLAIMS

Publicist Max Clifford denied "damaging and totally untrue allegations" of sexual abuse made against him after he was released on bail following his arrest by officers from Operation Yewtree, set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. Clifford, the sixth person to be questioned, said it was alleged that two offences had taken place in 1977.

UK News

6. NO 1O COMPLAINS TO BBC ABOUT EVAN DAVIS

The Radio 4 Today programme presenter has insisted he was not “told off “ by his bosses following complaints from Downing Street about his treatment of Chancellor George Osborne in an interview on Thursday. Davis was accused of talking over Osborne and immediately withdrawing questions if he didn’t like the answers.

No 10 complains over Osborne's bruising bout with Evan Davis

Film

7. PRAISE FOR FILM OF LES MISERABLES

First reviews are in for the long-awaited film version of the hit stage musical ‘Les Miserables’. Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Fantine, the seamstress who falls into prostitution, has been widely praised. The Independent says director Tom Hooper has “reinvented the movie musical and created a whole new generation of Les Mis lovers”.

Anne Hathaway shines in epic film version of Les Miserables

8. ANGELA CARTER 'BEST OF THE BEST'

The late Angela Carter's 1984 novel 'Nights At The Circus' has been chosen as the best ever fictional work to win the James Tait Black Prize since its inception in 1919. The story about a winged circus performer beat works by Graham Greene and Cormac McCarthy to win the one-off award, made to mark the 250th anniversary of English literature study at Edinburgh University.

9. ENGLAND EXTEND LEAD OVER INDIA

England captain Alastair Cook was run out in bizarre fashion for 190 as England continued to dominate the third Test against India. Although Cook fell as he tried to avoid being hit by a throw from fielder Virat Kohli, there were half-centuries for Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen as England ended the day on 509-6, a lead of 193.

Film

10. HOT TICKET: SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS

'Seven Psychopaths', a new black comedy from the director of 'In Bruges', opens in UK cinemas today. Colin Farrell stars as a struggling screenwriter who becomes entangled in the Los Angeles underworld when his friends kidnap a gangster's pet dog. With Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson. "Enormously entertaining," says Empire.

Farrell, Walken shine in killer comedy Seven Psychopaths