Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 1 Mar 2012

1. PC SHOT BY MOAT FOUND DEAD

David Rathband, the police officer shot and blinded by gunman Raoul Moat, has been found dead at his home in Blyth. Police say the circumstances of his death are not clear but they are not seeking anyone else. A statement from a charity he founded said he had "struggled to come to terms" with his injuries.

Police shocked as Pc blinded by Raoul Moat is found dead

2. SHAREHOLDERS WANT MURDOCH OUT

News Corp shareholders are already drafting resolutions ahead of the media company's AGM to try to force out James Murdoch, son of Rupert and former executive chairman of the firm's UK wing, News International. It was announced yesterday that James Murdoch was to quit the UK.

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James Murdoch: can the son rise again in New York City?

3. US JUDGE SENDS RACIST OBAMA JOKE

A federal judge in Montana has been urged to leave his post after admitting he used his courthouse email to a send a racist joke about Barack Obama to six friends. Judge Cebull said he sent it not because it was racist but because it was “anti-Obama”. US political blog the Daily Kos says he should go immediately.

Federal judge emails racist Obama joke to his buddies

4. SYRIAN TROOPS MARCH ON HOMS

After weeks of heavy shelling, Syrian government forces yesterday launched a ground assault on the city of Homs. Activists claimed they had repelled the troops but the government said it was "mopping up" resistance. Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Baroness Amos says she was denied entry to Syria.

Syria: battle rages in Homs as 7,000 troops move into Baba Amr

5. TORNADOES KILL 12 IN US

A string of powerful tornadoes has killed at least 12 people in the US Midwest. Winds of up to 170mph destroyed town centres, ripping off roofs and damaging buildings. Harrisburg, in southern Illinois, was among the worst-affected areas. Residents began picking through the wreckage of their homes yesterday.

6. GOOGLE LAUNCHES PRIVACY POLICY

Search giant Google is launching its new privacy policy despite the concerns of the EU authorities, who wrote to CEO Larry Page to point out that the policy appears to violate European law. The new policy makes it easier for the company to combine data harvested from a user of its various different services.

Google faces global revolt over privacy changes

7. MONKEES SINGER DAVY JONES DIES

Davy Jones, the British front-man of manufactured 1960s pop sensation The Monkees, has died at the age of 66 of a heart attack in Florida. He was declared dead on Wednesday morning after collapsing at his home in Indiantown the night before. One fan tweeted "part of my childhood has died".

In pictures: Half a century of boy band cuties

8. CIA JOINS KENYA TERROR HUNT

The CIA is assisting the Kenyan authorities as they hunt for members of a British-led terrorist cell who are on the run after a planned attack in Mombassa was thwarted. One of those being hunted may be Samantha Lewthwaite, a British army officer's daughter who was married to one of the 7/7 bombers.

9. COMMONS BRAWL MP 'HAD SECRET AFFAIR'

The Scottish Labour MP Eric Joyce, recently arrested after allegedly head-butting a Tory at the House of Commons, became involved in a secret affair with a schoolgirl who helped on his 2010 election campaign, the Glasgow-based Daily Record claimed today. Joyce denies an affair with the girl, now aged 19.

Eric Joyce denies affair with 17-year-old schoolgirl

10. HOT TICKET – QUO VADIS RISES AGAIN

A refurbished Quo Vadis, the legendary Soho restaurant, has been getting reviews since its recent reopening. New head chef, Jeremy Lee, formerly of the Blueprint Cafe, serves hearty modern British-themed food including oysters, whole fish and roasts. A “beauteous Soho establishment”, says the Independent.

Refurbished Quo Vadis is foodies' favourite once again