Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 14 Dec 2011

1. BODY FOUND IN LIEGE KILLER'S SHED

Police have discovered the body of a woman in a shed belonging to a man who killed four people in a gun and grenade rampage in Liege yesterday. Nordine Amrani killed himself after the shooting spree, in which he wounded 125 people. Police are yet to uncover a motive for the 33-year-old's actions.

Liege killings: woman's body found in Amrani’s shed

2. MURDOCH: I DIDN'T READ EMAILS

James Murdoch has written to the culture select committee to say that he did not read to the bottom of an email chain that was forwarded to him with the information that phone hacking was not the work of a single 'rogue' reporter. Murdoch said it was a Saturday and he was viewing the email on his Blackberry.

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Email etiquette – why James Murdoch finds himself in a fix

3. CAMERON CHALLENGED IN CABINET

David Cameron was directly challenged over his veto of proposed EU treaty changes in cabinet yesterday. In a breach of conventional protocol, energy secretary and Lib Dem, Chris Huhne, twice interrupted the Prime Minister to tell him he had no authority from the coalition to veto the Lisbon treaty revision.

Europe needs an FDR to break the mould and bring prosperity

4. DIAMOND JUBILEE DETAILS ANNOUNCED

Members of the Royal Family will jet off around the Commonwealth to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year, while she and Prince Philip will tour the UK. William and Kate will visit Malaysia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu while Prince Harry will tour Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

5. TRACEY EMIN TO BE PROFESSOR AT RA

Tracey Emin said today she was "really excited" to be appointed professor of drawing at the Royal Academy. She was reacting to news in The Times that the controversial decision, yet to be announced formally, was taken last week. One academician said Emin’s talent as "for celebrity" not drawing.

Shock of the news: Tracey Emin becomes RA professor

6. UK STILL A KEY EU PARTNER SAYS MERKEL

German chancellor Angela Merkel has told the German parliament that she regrets David Cameron's decision not to join the rest of the EU on the journey towards "genuine political union". But she said that the UK would remain an "important partner" in the EU.

7. UNEMPLOYMENT AT 17-YEAR HIGH

Unemployment in the UK rose by 128,000 in the three months to October, according to the Office for National Statistics. At 2.64 million, or 8.3%, it is now at its highest since 1994. Among 16- to 24-year-olds, unemployment is 22% - an increase of 1.2% from the previous quarter.

8. ADAM WERRITY SPEAKS OUT

Adam Werrity, a close friend of Tory MP Liam Fox, has given his first full account of the "mistakes" which ended Fox's tenure as defence secretary. Werrity admitted he had been "naïve" but asked: "What had this villainous Adam Werrity actually done?" He also revealed he will spend Hogmanay with Fox.

9. TREKKIES AND STAR WARS FANS 'MUST UNITE'

George Takei, the actor who played Mr Sulu in Star Trek, has posted a video attempting to calm tensions between fans of his show and those of the Star Wars franchise. Takei says: "What is needed more than ever now is star peace, for there is an ominous mutual threat to all science fiction. It's called Twilight."

10. HOT TICKET: BEST OF BRITISH ART

An exhibition of ten of Britain’s most important post-war painters, including Frank Auerbach, Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and David Hockney, has opened at London’s Haunch of Venison gallery. ‘The Mystery of Appearance’ reveals the stories and relationships behind their work. Until 18 February.