Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 9 Apr 2012

1. BANK HOLIDAYS 'COST UK £19BN'

A leading think thank estimates that the British economy would receive a £19bn boost if all bank holidays were scrapped. The Centre for Economics and Business Research says each bank holiday costs the UK economy up to £2.3bn. Britain currently has 10 bank holidays.

2. SYRIA CEASEFIRE IN DOUBT

The forthcoming ceasefire in Syria is under threat after rebels rejected a last-minute demand by the regime that they provide a written guarantee they will end violence. The government is now backing away from its promise to withdraw troops ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

3. MINISTER DENIES FLOUTING HOSE BAN

Environment minister Richard Benyon, who backed the hosepipe ban, has denied claims he left a hosepipe "gushing" in the grounds of his private estate in Berkshire. Benyon claims that reporters from The People newspaper turned on the tap as part of a "sting".

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4. BOAT RACE PROTESTOR SPEAKS

Boat race protestor Trenton Oldfield says is willing to go to jail. Oldfield, who has been charged with a public order offence, wrote on his Twitter page: “Thank you for the supportive messages and tweets. Will reply soon. I'm 100% behind my actions, if its jail time, so be it.”

5. ISRAEL BANS GERMAN AUTHOR

Israel has barred Nobel laureate Günter Grass from entering the country after he wrote a poem claiming the Jewish state is endangering world peace through its policy on the Iranian nuclear programme. Israeli minister Eli Yishai described the poem as a "distorted and mendacious" work.

6. SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS BAD NEIGHBOURS

A quarter of Britons do not know the names of our next door neighbours and 3.5m of us have never even seen the person that lives next door, a survey by a property website has found. Over 20% of respondents said they have had an argument with a neighbour in the past five years.

7. NORTH KOREA FACES NUCLEAR CLAIMS

As North Korea continues preparations for its controversial long-range rocket launch it is also facing claims it is planning a fresh nuclear test. South Korean officials claim that satellite images show suspicious activity at Punggye-ri, the site of former nuclear tests.

8. BUBBA WATSON WINS MASTERS

America's Bubba Watson won the 76th Masters at Augusta after beating South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen in a thrilling play-off. It is the 33-year-old's first major title. “I never got this far in my dreams,” said Watson, who burst into tears upon his victory.

9. UK 'APPROVED LIBYAN'S RENDITION'

The British government approved the 2004 rendition of a suspected terrorist to the Gaddafi regime, reports the BBC. A letter from an MI6 officer, referring to the suspect Abdel Hakim Belhaj, congratulates the Libyans on the "safe arrival" of the "air cargo".

10. UNITED EIGHT POINTS CLEAR

Manchester United are eight points clear in the title race after beating QPR 2-0 at Old Trafford yesterday. Manchester City blew the chance of making up ground when they lost 1-0 at Arsenal. Roberto Mancini implied Mario Balotelli's City career may be over following a red card against the Gunners.