Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 15 Mar 2012

1. PRESIDENT ASSAD'S EMAILS LEAKED

Leaked emails show President Assad sought the advice of Iran on how to handle the Syrian uprising, says The Guardian. As international condemnation mounted he also emailed lyrics of a country and western song to his wife. She, meanwhile, used email to arrange for a friend to obtain a copy of a Harry Potter film.

Assads shopped for luxuries and music while 8,000 Syrians died

2. UK'S AAA RATING UNDER THREAT

Britain could lose its prized AAA rating over its high levels of debt, warns credit rating agency Fitch. The announcement, a month after a similar one by Moody’s, comes the day after George Osborne claimed Britain's finances are stable. The Treasury said Fitch's warning showed Britain must stick to its austerity measures.

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Fitch warns UK could lose AAA rating in next two years

3. PM LAUDS OBAMA'S 'MORAL AUTHORITY'

David Cameron has spoken of Barack Obama's "strength, moral authority and wisdom" at a star-studded state dinner in Washington. "Barack, it is an honour to call you an ally, a partner and a friend," said Cameron in front of guests including George Clooney, Homeland star Damian Lewis and golfer Rory McIlroy.

In pictures: Mr Cameron goes to Washington

4. TESCO UK CHIEF RESIGNS

Tesco UK chief Richard Brasher has resigned following reports of tension in the boardroom and a troubled 12 months during which the supermarket issued a profit warning. Brasher will hand over his duties to CEO Philip Clarke, who said: "You can't have two captains in a team."

Tesco's UK chief quits amid reports of boardroom tension

5. AFGHAN 'WOULD-BE ASSASSIN' DIES

The man who drove a blazing truck on to the runway at Camp Bastion as US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta's plane landed has died of his injuries. David Cameron has promised to review security at the British base. A US soldier accused of massacring 16 civilians has been flown to Kuwait.

6. 'DRUNKEN FANS' BLAMED FOR HILLSBOROUGH

Papers relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster leaked to the BBC show that a senior Merseyside policeman told Downing Street that the disaster was the fault of "drunken Liverpool fans". The papers also reveal that the Chief Constable of Merseyside believed the fact that large numbers of Liverpool fans had turned up without tickets was getting lost because of attempts to blame the police.

Hillsborough: top Liverpool cop blamed tragedy on drunken fans

7. INQUIRY INTO CHELTENHAM DEATHS

The British Horseracing Authority is to launch a full inquiry into Cheltenham racecourse's safety record after the death toll of horses at this year's Festival reached five yesterday. The League Against Cruel Sports, which had warned of dangers at the course, said it is "absolutely appalled and stunned" by the death toll.

HBO cans horseracing series as Cheltenham toll rises

8. JAMES MURDOCH WRITES TO MPS

James Murdoch has sent a letter to MPs in which he admits he could have "taken a more challenging and sceptical view" of evidence of wrongdoing at News International. Former chief reporter of the News of the World Neville Thurlbeck has been arrested on suspicion of intimidation of a witness.

I did not mislead you: Murdoch Jnr begs MPs to believe him

9. CHELSEA'S EURO COMEBACK

Chelsea are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League following an astonishing comeback at Stamford Bridge last night. The Blues were trailing Napoli 3-1 from the first-leg but won 4-1 to overturn the deficit. Skipper John Terry said it was the club's finest European victory. "This tops the lot," he said.

Abramovich thrilled as Chelsea bank on oldies to beat Napoli

10. HOT TICKET: DRAMA FROM FLORENCE

Art pop outfit Florence and the Machine continue their UK tour with gigs in Manchester and Newcastle this week. The current tour of large-scale venues features an Art Deco backdrop, harpist and back-up choir and includes songs from the band’s new album Ceremonials. “A truly dramatic show,” says STV.

Florence and the Machine swap the attic for the arena