Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 6 Apr 2013

1. USA SPY PLANE FOR NORTH KOREA

The USA will deploy an unmanned spy plane in Japan to boost surveillance over North Korea as tensions continue to rise on the Korean peninsula. Washington is also reportedly pressurising China to crack down on Kim Jong Un's regime. The White House says the US "would not be surprised" if North Korea launched a missile.

2. SPEEDING ED BALLS 'BANG TO RIGHTS'

Ed Balls has admitted he was caught speeding on the motorway in his West Yorkshire constituency. Writing on his blog, the shadow chancellor said he was “bang to rights”. After police caught him driving at 56mph in a 50mph zone he paid a fine and attended a speed awareness course. Balls has previously campaigned for 20mph limits around his constituency.

3. HORSE DEATH AHEAD OF NATIONAL

The Grand National will be run under increased scrutiny after a horse died on the course yesterday. Little Josh's death at the 15th fence followed a death from a heart attack of another horse on the course on Thursday. Imperial Commander will aim this afternoon to become the third horse to have won both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National.

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4. RECYCLING WASTE 'DUMPED ABROAD'

Up to 12m tons of household rubbish that has been carefully sorted for recycling is being shipped abroad where much of it is dumped into landfill sites, reports the Daily Mail. Ministers admit that they are largely powerless over what happens to the millions of tons of 'green' waste that is shipped to countries including China, India and Indonesia.

5. OBAMA SORRY FOR 'SEXIST' COMMENT

Barack Obama has apologised to California’s attorney general after his flattering comments about her were criticised as sexist. Speaking to supporters, he praised Kamala Harris' political record, adding: “She also happens to be, by far, the best looking attorney general in the country. It’s true! C’mon.” He later called her to apologise.

6. HISTORIC TAX REFORMS LAUNCHED

The cut in the top rate of income tax from 50p in the pound to 45p has come into effect as part of a huge shake-up in taxation. The reduction affects people earning more than £150,000. Other changes include the introduction of the 'granny tax' and the launch of a new 'real-time' reporting system for employers' Pay As You Earn.

7. URUGUAY PRESIDENT'S 'OLD HAG' GAFFE

Uruguay's president has been caught on microphone calling his Argentine counterpart, Cristina Fernandez, an "old hag". A microphone at a press conference picked him up quietly saying: "This old hag is worse than the cross-eyed man." The “cross-eyed man” is believed to be a reference to Fernandez's late husband. Argentina's government says the comments are "unacceptable."

8. UK CLINGS ON TO AAA CREDIT RATING

The credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has reaffirmed the UK’s AAA status but sounded a warning about the years ahead. S&P says economic growth will be weaker than expected over the next three years and warned that any easing of the government’s austerity programme could lead to a downgrade. In February, Moody's downgraded the UK from triple-A status.

9. FRESH POLL BLOW FOR CONSERVATIVES

Support for the Conservatives among female blue-collar workers has slumped to its lowest level for 16 years, according to a poll in the Financial Times. Only 29% of the group said they would vote Tory at the next election – a 12-point drop since the 2010 election. This is double the overall six-point drop the Tories have suffered.

10. FREEZE DEVASTATES WHEAT CROPS

Britain will be forced to become a net importer of wheat for the first time in a decade after recent cold weather devastated crops, reports The Independent. The National Farmers Union says a terrible 12-month cycle of bad weather has cost farmers around £500m. As Britain looks abroad for wheat, it will have to deal with secretive trading firms which dominate the international market.