Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 18 Jan 2012

1. UK UNEMPLOYMENT HITS 2.685M

UK unemployment jumped by 118,000 between September and November to 2.685 million, the highest figure since the mid-1990s. It took the unemployment rate up to 8.4 per cent. However, the number of people claiming Jobseelers Allowance only rose by 1,200 last month, rather than the expected 10,000.

UK jobless rate at 17-year high - but how is rest of world doing?

2. UK SOLDIERS 'ABUSED AFGHAN CHILDREN'

David Cameron is said to be "deeply shocked" by the news that a sergeant and a private in the Merican Battle Group have been arrested by military police and charged with the sexual abuse of an Afghan boy and girl of 10. The men allegedly encouraged the children to touch them, filming it with a laptop.

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3. HOPES FADE FOR 24 ON CRUISE SHIP

With 24 people still unaccounted for, work is to begin today on salvaging the Costa Concordia cruise liner, which sank off the coast of Tuscany on Friday night. Rescuers have been through almost all of the ship which remains above water without finding any more survivors. So far, 11 bodies have been recovered.

Captain under house arrest as survivors launch class action suit

4. GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE 'BORIS ISLAND'

The futuristic plan to build a new major airport on partly-reclaimed land in the Thames estuary, with planes approaching the runway and taking off over the water, is to be considered in a formal Government consultation. The scheme has been dubbed 'Boris Island' because of the London mayor's support.

Lame duck Nick Clegg caught in Barmy Boris's propeller

5. WIKIPEDIA BLACKOUT UNDERWAY

Wikipedia has blacked out its English language site for a day in protest at proposed anti-piracy legislation in the US. Visitors to the site were asked to "Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge". The encyclopaedia's mobile version was still working in case of "emergencies".

Wikipedia alternatives: where to go during piracy blackout

6. YAHOO CO-FOUNDER YANG RESIGNS

The end of an internet era came yesterday when Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, infamous for rejecting a lucrative takeover offer from Microsoft in 2008, announced his resignation from the company's board. He had been expected to quit after ex-PayPal president Scott Thompson became chief executive.

Yahoo: Why did co-founder Jerry Yang resign?

7. GIBSON INQUIRY INTO TORTURE SCRAPPED

The controversial Gibson Inquiry into allegations that British security services colluded in the torture of detainees has been scrapped. Justice Secretary Ken Clarke told MPs the probe, launched in 2010, could not continue because of a Metropolitan Police investigation into claims that agents were involved in the secret rendition of Libyans in 2004.

8. CELEB MAG EDITORS GIVE EVIDENCE

Celebrity magazine editors have given evidence to the Leveson Inquiry. Lucie Cave of Heat said it was in the public interest to expose hypocritical role models. Rosie Nixon editor of Hello! admitted that some public figures would sell pictures of themselves in order to limit harassment from paparazzi.

9. MEMOIR TO REVEAL BRITNEY'S 'ORGIES'

Britney Spears's former minder Fernando Flores, who has tried to sue her for alleged sexual harassment, says he has a million-dollar deal with a publisher to write a tell-all memoir about the star's life on tour. He says he will tell stories of threesomes and wild orgies held by the Toxic singer on tour.

Ex-bodyguard claims Britney Spears enjoyed orgies

10. HOT TICKET: LONDON ART FAIR

The London Art Fair, showcasing collections from more than 100 galleries from around the UK and overseas, opens today. The fair features special art projects from the Saatchi, Whitechapel and Serpentine galleries as well as contemporary photography. Business and Design Centre, Islington, until 22 January.