Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 20 Mar 2014

1. AUSTRALIAN SEA DEBRIS COULD BE MH370

Australian PM Tony Abbott has announced that two large objects spotted in the south Indian Ocean on satellite pictures could be related to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. A Norwegian ship joined planes from Australia, New Zealand and the US in searching the area, but the operation has been hampered by bad weather.

MH370: mysterious 89kg load ‘added to cargo flight list after take-off’

2. OSBORNE DEFENDS BUDGET ON PENSIONS

Chancellor George Osborne has defended his budget proposal to allow pensioners to cash in as much or as little of their plans as they want without an annuity. The National Association of Pensions Funds warned the move would place a “great burden” on people, but Osborne said that was “patronising”.

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Budget 2014: key points from George Osborne's statement

3. ‘PATRONISING’ TORY BUDGET TWEET ROW

A row has erupted online after Tory party chairman Grant Shapps used Twitter to send the message ‘Cutting the bingo tax & beer duty to help hardworking people do more of the things they enjoy’. Coalition colleague Danny Alexander said the tweet was “patronising” while others said it could damage the party.

Toasts to Osborne in Tunbridge Wells: but what about the rest?

4. US IMPOSES RUSSIA SANCTIONS AS EU MEETS

EU leaders were due to meet in Brussels today to discuss their reaction to Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea province. French president Francois Hollande said a summit with Russia in June would be cancelled. In the US President Barack Obama announced further sanctions on Russian officials and a bank.

Ukraine rekindles Nato aspirations, angering Russia

5. HITACHI MOVES RAIL OPERATION TO UK

Japanese engineering and electronics firm Hitcahi has announced it is planning to move its international rail headquarters to the United Kingdom. The move has been described as "unusual" for a Japanese company but will boost its British credentials after it won a contract to build new inter-city trains and ahead of the HS2 project.

Hitachi to move rail HQ from Japan to UK as it eyes HS2

6. COULSON 'KNEW ABOUT HACKING PROJECT'

Andy Coulson, the former editor of the News of the World, knew about an operation to hack phones called 'Project Alexander', the paper's former royal editor has told the phone-hacking trial. Asked whether his Coulson knew about payments made to private investigator Glenn Mulcaire to hack phones Clive Goodman answered "yes".

Hacking trial: Kate Middleton's phone was 'hacked 155 times'

7. G4S GUARDS FACE MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Three G4S guards are to be charged with manslaughter over the death of Jimmy Mubenga, who died as he was being deported from the country in 2010. The 46-year-old died after being restrained on a plane at Heathrow. The CPS originally decided not to prosecute but reviewed the decision after an inquest found that Mubenga had been unlawfully killed.

8. ‘CHICKEN FROM HELL’ DINOSAUR DISCOVERED

A ten-foot dinosaur which lived at the same time as T-Rex and had feathers and claws has finally been named, years after it was discovered in North and South Dakota. Anzu Wyliei has been named after a Mesopotamian bird-demon - but researchers have taken to referring to it casually as the ‘chicken from hell’.

9. FLAPPY BIRD TO RETURN TO APP STORE

The creator of the addictive mobile phone game Flappy Bird has confirmed he will put it back on sale again, after he removed it from the app store, saying its global success was ruining his “simple life”. Vietnamese Dong Nguyen, who was said to earn £30k a day from the game, has not given a date for its return.

10. HOT TICKET: ANGELA LANSBURY ON STAGE

A revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit starring Angela Lansbury has opened at the Gielgud Theatre, London. Lansbury plays an eccentric medium who conducts a seance at a writer's house, which unwittingly summons the ghost of his dead wife. "Deliciously dark," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 7 June.

Blithe Spirit – reviews of Angela Lansbury's stage return