Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 30 Apr 2013

1. POLICE: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE FOR VIOLENCE

Police in England and Wales dealt with 10,000 cases of ‘serious violence’ without cautions or prosecutions last year, data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows. Instead, restorative justice ‘community resolutions’ - which are intended for minor offences and don’t lead to a criminal record - were used.

Community resolutions used in 10,000 serious violence cases

2. PRISONERS ‘MUST EARN PRIVILEGES'

The government has said prisoners will no longer receive privileges including television for an absence of bad behaviour. From November, they will actively have to earn the right to watch TV through good behaviour. And 18-certificate films will be banned in prisons. Critics say the measures will not work.

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3. HOLLAND'S QUEEN BEATRIX ABDICATES

The streets of Amsterdam were awash with orange-clad well-wishers today as Holland’s Queen Beatrix abdicated the throne in favour of her 46-year-old son, Prince Willem-Alexander. The 75-year-old monarch signed the ‘instrument of abdication’ after 33 years on the throne at a ceremony this morning.

Holland's Queen Beatrix abdicates - in pictures

4. AMANDA KNOX GIVES FIRST TV INTERVIEW

Amanda Knox, the American facing a retrial after being released on appeal by an Italian court which first convicted her of the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher, has appeared on US television, protesting her innocence. Promoting her memoir, she told ABC News she wants to be “reconsidered as a person”.

Amanda Knox tells Diane Sawyer it 'could happen to anyone'

5. 'FEMALE DNA' FOUND ON BOSTON BOMBS

Investigators have found "female DNA" on at least one of the pressure cooker bombs that killed three people at the Boston Marathon. Meanwhile, federal agents yesterday visited a Rhode Island house belonging to the parents of Tamerlan Tsarnaev's widow Katherine Russell and left with "evidence including DNA samples", says the BBC.

'Female DNA' found on Boston bombs, widow's home searched

6. KINKY BOOTS LEADS TONY AWARD NOMS

Kinky Boots, an American musical based on the British film released in 2005, has dominated the nominations for this year's Tony Awards. The show earned 13 nominations, one more than the British production, Matilda. Tom Hanks earned a best actor nod for his performance in Nora Ephron's Lucky Guy.

7. WHITE HOUSE PRAISES GAY NBA ATHLETE

The White House has issued a message of support for Jason Collins, the NBA basketball star who came out as gay yesterday. Collins is the first pro athlete in America to come out while still playing sport. His friend Bill Clinton also lauded Collins, asking fans, colleagues and the media to show support.

Gay NBA star Jason Collins wins plaudits for his bravery

8. SIX PLEAD GUILTY TO EDL ATTACK

Six men have pleaded guilty to plotting a deadly attack on an English Defence League rally. Omar Mohammed Khan, Mohammed Hasseen, Anzal Hussain, Mohammed Saud and Zohaib Ahmed and Jewel Uddin admitted preparing an act of terrorism between May 1 and July 4 last year. They were stopped by police on the way to the march.

9. WARBURTON LEADS LIONS, BUT NO WILKO

Johnny Wilkinson has been left out of the Lions squad to tour Australia this summer. Coach warren Gatland chose just two fly-halves, England's Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton of Ireland in his 37-man squad, which will be captained by Sam Warburton of Wales. There are 15 Welshmen in the squad and ten English players. Nine come from Ireland and three from Scotland.

Wilkinson could still join Lions squad as cover says Gatland

10. HOT TICKET: MODERN CLASSIC THE WEIR

A revival of Conor McPherson's 'The Weir' has opened at the Donmar Theatre, London. Brian Cox and Ardal O'Hanlon star as locals competing for the attention of a mysterious woman visiting their pub by telling her ghost stories. "A modern classic," says The Daily Telegraph. Until 8 June.

Brian Cox 'magnificent', in modern classic The Weir