Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 9 Feb 2013

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

1. MPS MAY PROBE QUEEN'S FINANCES
The Queen's closest aides could be questioned by MPs over whether the Royal Family provides value for taxpayers’ money, says The Independent. The Public Accounts Committee is expected to take advantage of legislation allowing MPs access to royal accounts. PAC member Austin Mitchell said: “At the moment there is no accountability for spending what is a considerable fortune.”
2. TORY MP LIKENS OSBORNE TO BROWN
A Conservative MP has accused George Osborne of running the economy in the same style as Gordon Brown. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Douglas Carswell, the MP for Clacton, described the chancellor's approach as "Osbrown economics", adding that he is running the economy "the way that Gordon Brown did when he landed us in this mess".
3. ATTENBOROUGH 'IGNORES GAY ANIMALS'
Sir David Attenborough's BBC wildlife documentaries are not a true reflection of nature because they fail to report on animals' "gay" behaviour, says an academic from the University of East Anglia. Dr Brett Mills claims that Attenborough ignores "a wealth of scientific evidence" that animals engage in a variety of sexual activities, including homosexuality.
4. STAFFORD: HUNT CALLS FOR POLICE PROBE
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt says the police should investigate the unnecessary deaths of up to 1,200 patients at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust. He tells the Daily Telegraph it is “absolutely disgraceful” that no doctors, nurses or managers have been held to account over the scandal. He said the current NHS system "crushes" the compassion of staff.
5. HORSEGATE: SCHOOL DINNERS INVESTIGATED
Environment secretary Owen Paterson will meet representatives from the Food Standards Agency, meat retailers and suppliers as fears emerge that school dinners may have contained horsemeat. Meanwhile, horsemeat sold in frozen beef ready meals originated from a Romanian abattoir, says the French supplier.
6. HITLER'S MEALS 'TESTED BY 15 PEOPLE'
A woman who served as Adolf Hitler's food taster says his meals were tested by 15 separate people before being delivered to his headquarters. “Of course I was afraid," said Margot Woelk, now 95. "If it had been poisoned I would not be here today. We were forced to eat it, we had no choice.” She said his vegetarian diet included asparagus, peppers and peas, served with rice.
7. MASSIVE SNOWSTORM BLANKETS USA
An "historic" snowstorm is swamping north east America with as much as three feet of snow predicted in some areas. Millions of residents have been told to remain indoors as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut and Maine are placed on emergency footing. More than 4,300 flights have been cancelled, and New York's three airports are closed.
8. VICTIM SUICIDE AFTER COURT ORDEAL
A woman killed herself after being branded a liar and a fantasist by a barrister defending the man who sexually abused her. Frances Andrade died from an overdose after giving evidence at the trial of choirmaster Michael Brewer and his ex-wife Kay, who were both found guilty yesterday. During one exchange, Andrade had told the court: "This feels like rape all over again."
9. MEASLES CASES REACH 18-YEAR HIGH
Cases of measles in England and Wales reached an 18-year high last year after some parents boycotted the MMR vaccine over fears it causes autism. There were a total of 2,016 confirmed cases in England and Wales in 2012, the highest annual total since 1994 and almost double the 2011 figure. The link between MMR and autism has been discredited.
10. FERGIE: TV HOLDS ENGLISH SIDES BACK
Alex Ferguson says the television fixture schedule is harming English sides' chances of success in Europe. Manchester United play Everton on Sunday, ahead of their Champions League meeting with Real Madrid on Wednesday. "Other countries make sacrifices for their top teams in Europe," he said, pointing to the longer breaks continental sides are allowed ahead of European ties.