Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 26 Feb 2014

1. UKRAINE: CLASHES IN CRIMEA, RUSSIA READY

At least one person has died in clashes between pro- and anti-Russian protesters in Ukraine's Crimea region. The news comes amid reports that Russia, which has accused the West of fomenting rebellion, has tested the combat readiness of troops as fears grow that it could intervene. A new Ukrainian cabinet was due to be announced in Kiev today.

Ukraine rekindles Nato aspirations, angering Russia

2. MID STAFFS NHS TRUST TO BE DISSOLVED

The scandal-hit Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust is to be dissolved, and its services moved to other hospitals. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt made the decision ten months after the trust was placed in administration. Stafford and Cannock Chase Hospitals will now be "operated by other local providers". Campaigners will fight the decision in court.

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Mid Staffs: Jeremy Hunt backs calls to scrap scandal-hit trust

3. WHOLE-LIFE TARIFF FOR LEE RIGBY KILLER

Michael Adebolajo, 29, who murdered soldier Lee Rigby in the street in Woolwich last year, hitting him with a car and then attempting to decapitate him, will spend the rest of his life in jail after being handed a whole-life tariff by a judge at the Old Bailey. Michael Adebowale, 22, his accomplice, will spend at least 45 years in prison. The two had earlier been removed from court after scuffling in the dock.

4. UNITE: LABOUR MUST RULE OUT COALITION

Len McCluskey, the leader of the Unite union, has said Labour must rule out coalition with the Lib Dems after the next election and govern with a minority if necessary. McCluskey told the BBC Ed Miliband should “have the courage of his convictions”. Yesterday it was claimed the Tories will rule out another coalition.

5. CHELSEA FANS STABBED IN TURKEY

Two Chelsea fans have been stabbed in Istanbul in the build-up to the Champions League clash with Galatasaray tonight. The two separate incidents took place near Taksim Square in the city on Tuesday evening. Neither victim needed hospital treatment. Istanbul is already on high alert amid anti-government protests.

Mourinho dismisses Mancini in effort to forget Eto'o-gate

6. FURY AS IRA SUSPECT WALKS FREE

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson has demanded a judicial inquiry into letters given to more than 180 Irish terror suspects during the peace process, promising they would not be prosecuted. It comes after John Downey, the man accused of murdering four soldiers in the IRA Hyde Park bombing of 1982, walked free from court as he had received such a letter.

Bloody Sunday troops ‘should be given immunity’

7. ADIDAS PULLS ‘SEXY’ WORLD CUP T-SHIRTS

Adidas has agreed to stop selling T-shirts designed to tie in with the football World Cup which Brazilian authorities complained sexualised the country’s image. One showed a bikini-clad bottom, another said ‘Looking to score?’. Brazil said the images could contribute to sex tourism and exploitation.

8. SUSPECT GOLD FLOODS WORLD MARKETS

Hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of gold is being traded in international markets in defiance of rules intended to stop human rights abuses in Africa, the Guardian claims. A whistleblower passed the paper confidential papers proving one of the world’s biggest refineries accepted gold with no paperwork.

Dubai gold refinery paid '$5bn in cash and dealt with Congo'

9. SCIENTISTS EXPLAIN WHALE GRAVEYARD

Scientists believe they can explain an astonishing ‘whale graveyard’ found near the Pan-American highway in Chile. They say the fossils, which are more than five million years old, are the result of four mass strandings, thousands of years apart, after the animals ate toxic algae. The skeletons are mostly complete.

Mystery of pre-historic whale graveyard solved by toxic algae

10. HOT TICKET: THIEF GAME REBOOTED

A reboot of the cult stealth video game Thief is released in the UK this week. In a dark fantasy steampunk world, ace thief Garrett must use his skills to steal precious items from the rich, as mob unrest threatens the rule of the local tyrant. "Beautifully designed," says Digital Spy.

Thief – reviews of cult stealth steampunk game reboot