Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 22 Jun 2011

published 22 June 2011

Apologies for the late posting of our daily news catch-up service, normally posted Monday to Friday at 8.0am. Technical difficulties meant it and other First Post articles were published later than normal this morning. China frees Ai weiwei on bail Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was arrested by Chinese authorities in April, has been released on bail after pleading guilty to tax evasion charges, according to state news agency Xinhua. The government mouthpiece reported that Ai, 54, had agreed to repay the taxes and was released today for his "good attitude in confessing his crimes". ITALY CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF LIBYA BOMBING Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini has called on Nato to suspend bombing sorties over Libya to allow for a humanitarian aid corridor to be set up. He also wants information about the "dramatic errors" which have led to civilians being killed by Nato missiles. dissident republicans shot PHOTOGRAPHERPolice have blamed dissident republicans for shooting and wounding a press photographer during a second night of sectarian rioting in east Belfast last night. Police said 11 shots had been fired in the worst disturbances in Northern Ireland in ten years, six from the republican side and five from loyalists. Police fired 66 plastic bullets in an effort to regain control. Belfast violence: a lack of police resources? HARRY SPARKS SPECULATION OVER PIPPA'S UNDERWEARPrince Harry has given Pippa Middleton the nickname 'Commando' according to the Sun, sparking speculation that she avoided an unsightly 'panty line' under the dress which caused a sensation at the royal wedding in April by eschewing underwear. She calls the prince 'Captain' after his army rank. Why would Prince Harry call Pippa ‘Commando’? GREEK CONFIDENCE VOTE STAVES OFF COLLAPSEGreek prime minister George Papandreou yesterday won the critical vote of confidence allowing him to appoint a new cabinet. MPs must now pass a €28bn austerity package demanded by EU ministers before they approve an €12bn loan which Greece needs to pay debts and stave off default. The Greek drachma, it worked once - it can work again AMY WINEHOUSE CANCELS ENTIRE TOURAmy Winehouse yesterday cancelled all ten remaining engagements of her European tour following the performance in Serbia which saw her staggering and unable to sing. Her managers said that she "will be given as long as it takes" to "return to her best". Amy Winehouse: staggering disaster in Belgrade PRISON FOR KNIFE CRIME AND A RIGHT TO HOME DEFENCEThe sentencing and legal aid bill outlined by the government yesterday includes mandatory prison for knife crime, a right to use 'reasonable force' to defend home and property, and cutbacks in legal aid. The 50 per cent sentence discount plan has been dropped completely as "too lenient". VIRGIN ATLANTIC PILOTS VOTE TO STRIKEVirgin Atlantic pilots yesterday voted to go on strike for the first time in the airline's history, angry after talks over their first pay rise since 2008 broke down. The Balpa union called for Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson to intervene. The company said it was working to minimise the impact. PORTO MANAGER CONFIRMED AS NEW CHELSEA BOSS Chelsea FC this morning confirmed the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas as the club's new manager. The former Porto boss is the seventh manager at Chelsea since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. He is only 33, but won the Portuguese league, league cup and Europa League last season. Villas-Boas has Chelsea eating out of his hand BRITAIN MUST REVISE 'UNBALANCED' EXTRADITION TREATY MPs called yesterday for the extradition treaty in place with the US since 2003 to be "urgently renegotiated" because "safeguards" for Britons were inadequate. The joint committee on human rights reviewed the treaty after controversy over cases including that of hacker Gary McKinnon.