Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 5 Apr 2012

1. SKY NEWS ADMITS HACKING

Sky News has admitted to phone hacking on two separate occasions. The broadcaster, part-owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, said it had hacked the email accounts of canoeist John Darwin, who faked his own death, and a suspected paedophile. Sky News said both incidences of hacking were in the public interest.

2. HOSEPIPE BANS BEGIN

Hosepipe bans affecting around 20 million people have been introduced in southern and eastern parts of England. Anyone breaking the bans will face fines of up to £1,000. Water companies say they had no choice but to impose the restrictions which follow one of the driest two-year periods since records began.

3. CLASHES AFTER GREEK 'CUTS' SUICIDE

Demonstrators have clashed with riot police in Athens after a 77-year-old man shot himself dead outside parliament, leaving a suicide note blaming government cuts to his pension for his action. Furious protestors hurled petrol bombs at police who responded with tear gas.

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Tragedy of Greek pensioner puts focus on rising austerity suicides

4. AMAZON IN CORPORATION TAX ROW

Amazon, Britain’s biggest online retailer, is reportedly under investigation by the UK tax authority. Despite generating £3.3 billion in sales in 2011 the company paid no corporation tax on the profit, The Guardian claims. Amazon declined to comment on its tax affairs.

How does Amazon minimise its tax payments?

5. AMERICA EASES BURMA SANCTIONS

The United States says it will ease sanctions against Burma following the by-elections on Sunday. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that travel and financial restrictions would be relaxed, Burmese leaders will be allowed to visit the America and the US will name an ambassador to Burma.

6. DRUG KIT FOUND IN WHITNEY BATHROOM

Whitney Houston was discovered lying face down in an overflowing bath tub, with drug paraphernalia and a white powdery substance found nearby, says the coroner's report into her death. The report also found the singer had a perforated nose, a sign of long-term drug abuse.

7. MILLIONAIRE'S GIRL GUILTY OF BURGLARY

Laura Johnson, the daughter of a millionaire, has been found guilty of burglary and handling stolen goods during the August 2011 London riots. Inner London Crown Court heard that Johnson, who was 19 at the time, drove her gangster boyfriend and his friends to a retail park for a looting spree.

8. 9/11 SUSPECTS SET FOR MILITARY TRIAL

Five suspected al-Qaeda terrorists accused of planning the 9/11 terror attacks will appear at a military commission hearing early next month. The five, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed who has confessed to being the architect of the attacks, could face the death penalty.

Who are the 9/11 suspects and what are they charged with?

9. CHELSEA REACH EURO SEMIS

Chelsea have reached their sixth Champions League semi-final in nine years with victory over Benfica at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Frank Lampard and substitute Raul Meireles set up a 3-1 aggregate win over the visitors. The Blues will face Barcelona in the semis, with the first leg at Stamford Bridge on April 18.

Chelsea beat Benfica – but is this the end of the road?

10. HOT TICKET – TITANIC SAILS AGAIN

Titanic 3D, the revamped 3D re-release of James Cameron’s 1997 high-seas romance blockbuster, opens in cinemas today. Wealthy passenger Rose (Kate Winslet) falls in love with poor artist, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) aboard the infamously doomed ship. “Dazzling”, says Time Out.

Cameron's dazzling Titanic 3D revamp confirms its epic power