Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 4 Apr 2012

1. CLARKE HITS BACK OVER 'SECRET COURTS'

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has hit back at criticism of his plans to extend the use of "secret courts" by claiming that US intelligence services have been "cutting back" on the amount of information they share with MI5 and MI6. Earlier, Nick Clegg said judges, not ministers, should have the final say on when a hearing should be held in secret.

Ken Clarke's secret court proposals 'inherently unfair'

2. NBC APOLOGISES FOR MISLEADING EDIT

American network NBC News has apologised after it ran a misleadingly edited audio of a phone call between the police and George Zimmerman shortly before he shot Trayvon Martin. During the call Zimmerman said "He looks black" but the edited version omitted the fact that the police asked what ethnic origin Martin was.

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3. GALES LEAVE THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER

Thousands of homes are without power in the north of England this afternoon as wintry weather returned to much of the UK. 30,000 customers of Northern Powergrid in the northeast were cut off after power lines were brought down in gales. The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the north of England and the Midlands.

4. SNP MAN IN 'OLD WITCHES' OUTBURST

The Scottish National Party has suffered a setback in its bid to win a council in a Labour heartland after one of its candidates described Catholic midwives opposed to abortions as “money-grabbing old witches”. In other online postings, Lyall Duff called for bankers to be "burned" and said French people "pong".

5. THREE MORE PRIMARIES FOR ROMNEY

Mitt Romney has taken a step closer to the Republican presidential nomination by winning primaries in Maryland, Wisconsin and Washington DC. His main rival, Rick Santorum, has vowed to continue to campaign despite calls for him to step aside in the name of party unity.

Romney beats off all challengers - at a terrible cost to his beliefs

6. SAMANTHA BRICK: I WAS RIGHT

Samantha Brick, who was mocked relentlessly on Twitter yesterday after writing in the Daily Mail about how people hate her for being so beautiful, has written a follow-up article saying the enormous backlash proves her point. Brick became a trending topic on Twitter as users poured scorn on her.

Samantha Brick: media-savvy beauty or just plain delusional?

7. AIRLINES WARN OF EASTER GRIDLOCK

Britain's airports could face gridlock this weekend due to UK Border Agency staff shortages, the Home Secretary has been warned. Eleven airlines, including Virgin Atlantic and British Airways, are urging Theresa May to employ more staff ahead of one of the busiest air travel weekends of the year.

8. GADDAFI 'WAS A SERIAL RAPIST'

Colonel Gaddafi raped countless women during his 40 years in power, many of whom were attacked within minutes of meeting the Libyan leader, according to a German documentary to be broadcast next week. Based on interviews with members of the late dictator's inner circle, the RTL film will claim that some of his female bodyguards were victims.

Gaddafi 'was a serial rapist, abusing spellbound women'

9. LEVESON TO CALL PRESS BARONS

Newspaper proprietors including Rupert and James Murdoch and Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere are expected to appear before the Leveson inquiry in the coming weeks, Lord Justice Leveson has announced. Meanwhile, private equity boss Nicholas Ferguson is tipped to replace James Murdoch as chair of BSkyB.

Murdoch exits frying pan but can’t escape Leveson grill

10. HOT TICKET - HIRST AT THE TATE

A major survey of Damien Hirst's work from the past 20 years opens at the Tate Modern today. The show features well-known pieces by the star Young British Artist, including the shark in formaldehyde, the diamond encrusted skull and the butterfly paintings. "Hugely ambitious", says The Daily Telegraph. Until 9 September.

Tate marks 20 years of Damien Hirst, maestro of the macabre