Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 14 Nov 2011

1. MARIO MONTI TAKES OVER IN ITALY

Mario Monti, the former EU Commissioner, was yesterday asked to form a new Italian government to tackle the acute debt and economic crisis which prompted the resignation of Silvio Berlusconi. Monti, supported by most parliamentary parties, has begun talks on forming a cabinet to "build a future of hope and dignity for our children."

Mario Monti not the first banker brought in to save Italy

2. LEVESON BEGINS INQUIRY INTO HACKING

The Leveson inquiry into the "culture, practices and ethics of the press" in the wake of the News of the World phone hacking scandal has heard that private investigator Glenn Mulcaire had the names of 28 News International employees in his notes. He also wrote the words 'Daily Mirror' in the book, prompting speculation that he may have worked for other papers.

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What is the Leveson Inquiry - and will there be fireworks?

3. CRICKETER PETER ROEBUCK COMMITS SUICIDE

Peter Roebuck, 55, the former Somerset cricket captain who caused Sir Ian Botham to quit the club, jumped to his death from a sixth-floor hotel room in Cape Town, South Africa, after being questioned by a detective about an alleged sexual assault, it was reported last night. In 2001, he was given a suspended sentence for caning three boys.

Peter Roebuck joins long list of cricket suicides

4. US SENDS IN FBI 'ARMY' FOR LONDON OLYMPICS

The US plans to send 500 FBI agents and at least another 500 security men to protect its athletes and officials at the London 2012 Olympics, The Guardian reports this morning. There is anger in the cabinet over the "size of the US footprint", but Olympic officials admit they need to double the number of security guards they had planned.

US to send 500 FBI agents to London Olympics

5. BRITAIN FACES JOB MARKET MISERY

British workers face a "slow, painful contraction" of the labour market according to a report from an employment think tank. It claims employers are reluctant to hire staff but are also holding back from making people redundant. "Firms appear to be locked in 'wait and see' mode," said the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

UK jobs market 'contracting' but not everybody is gloomy

6. TWO IN COURT OVER LAWRENCE MURDER

Two men have appeared at the Old Bailey charged with the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence at a bus stop in Eltham, south London, 18 years ago. Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, both of south London, have pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to start this week and last up to two months.

7. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS GIVES FIRST TV INTERVIEW

US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head during a rally in January, has spoken publicly about her recovery for the first time. She told ABC's 20/20 programme that she had to relearn acts like nodding and smiling. She said she felt "pretty good" but added: "It's difficult". She was in hospital for five months after the attack.

8. DSK WIFE ‘TO QUIT’ OVER LATEST SCANDAL

Anne Sinclair, 63, the millionairess wife of fallen IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Is reported by the French newspaper Le Figaro to be planning to separate following the latest scandal involving criminal investigations into prostitutes, and to be demanding repayment of the fortune she spent on his defence in New York.

Is Anne Sinclair ready to split from the incorrigible DSK?

9. SYRIANS STORM DAMASCUS EMBASSIES

Supporters of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad stormed the Saudi and Qatar embassies in Damascus and a Turkish diplomatic office yesterday after the Arab League voted to suspend Syria over its slaughter of civilians. In response the League promised Syria a hearing at a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. Assad's forces killed nine more protestors.

10. HOT TICKET: LEONARDO IN LONDON

An unprecedented show of works by Italian master Leonardo da Vinci has opened at the National Gallery, London. More than 60 paintings and drawings, some never seen in the UK, are on display. See celebrated masterpieces The Lady with an Ermine and the Virgin of the Rocks, and the controversial Salvator Mundi. Until 5 February 2012.