Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 15 Apr 2014

1. UKRAINE: ANTI-TERROR OPERATION BEGINS

Ukraine's acting president, Olexander Turchynov, has announced the start of an "anti-terrorist operation" against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country. It comes after US President Barack Obama spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and urged him to tell Russian irregular forces in Ukraine to lay down their arms.

Ukraine rekindles Nato aspirations, angering Russia

2. MH370: SUBMARINE MISSION CUT SHORT

The first attempt to use a robotic submarine to search for the black box flight recorder from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, believed to be at the bottom of the southern Indian Ocean, was cut short yesterday when it exceeded its operating depth of 15,000ft. Another attempt is to be made later on today.

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3. NIGEL FARAGE FACES EXPENSES COMPLAINT

Ukip leader Nigel Farage is facing an investigation by the EU anti-fraud body after a former party official raised questions about his parliamentary expenses. Ukip says the allegations - that Farage receives £15,500 annually to run an office which actually only costs around £3,000 to maintain - “lack substance”.

Nigel Farage 'may sue' after EU expenses allegations

4. TERROR CHIEF LEADS BIRMINGHAM PROBE

A former counter terrorism chief has been appointed to lead an investigation into claims that Muslim exremists tried to gain control of 25 schools in Birmingham and force them to adopt more Islamic cultures. The choice of Peter Clarke to oversee the probe has been described as "desperately unfortunate" because of the sensitive nature of the claims.

5. PISTORIUS: CROSS-EXAMINATION ENDS

Oscar Pistorius has finished giving evidence at his murder trial in Pretoria after five days of tough cross examination by prosecutor Gerrie Nel. The Paralympian, accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, said he was "overcome" when he realised he had shot her thought the toilet door at his home. He says he thought she was an intruder.

Oscar Pistorius out of legal options as request to appeal rejected

6. LIVERPOOL HONOURS HILLSBOROUGH DEAD

The city of Liverpool fell silent today at 3.06pm, exactly 25 years after 96 football supporters were killed in a crush at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield during an FA Cup semi-final. Church bells tolled 96 times and the Mersey Ferry blew its whistle in tribute. An annual memorial service also took place at Anfield stadium

Hillsborough: Former police chiefs face charges

7. UK INFLATION FELL TO 1.6% IN MARCH

The Consumer Prices Index, Britain’s primary measure of inflation, fell to 1.6 per cent in March – the lowest rate recorded since October 2009. The falling price of petrol, clothes and shoes all contributed to the drop, which marked the third consecutive month in which inflation was below the Bank of England’s target rate of 2 per cent.

1.6% inflation: is this the turning point for Tory election prospects?

8. COULSON DENIES HE KNEW OF DOWLER HACK

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has denied involvement in the decision to hack the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler in 2002, when he was Rebekah Brooks's deputy. He told the hacking trial at the Old Bailey he was vaguely aware of hacking and did not realise it was illegal, but he added he disapproved of the practice.

9. BERLUSCONI ORDERED TO WORK AT CARE HOME

Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister of Italy, must perform a year of community service at an old people's home in Italy. The sentence comes he was convicted of tax fraud last year in a court case involving his TV company, Mediaset, and dating back to the 1990s. The 77-year-old billionaire will work one half-day a week at a home for the elderly and disabled.

10. HOT TICKET: MILLER CLASSIC REVIVED

A revival of Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge, has opened at the Young Vic theatre, London. Mark Strong stars as a Brooklyn longshoreman whose dark side is exposed when his Sicilian cousin woos his beloved niece. "Superb," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 7 June.

A View From the Bridge – reviews of 'great' Miller revival