Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 19 Mar 2013

The Week’s super-quick catch-up on the main news talking points, available from 8am daily

Pope Francis
1. 200,000 WATCH POPE FRANCIS INAUGURATION
Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, was today inaugurated in a huge ceremony in St Peter's Square, Vatican City. The church said up to 200,000 spectators packed into the square to watch. Among the invited guests was Robert Mugabe, dictatorial president of Zimbabwe, who is banned from entering the EU - he has an exemption for the Vatican.
Pope Francis inaugurated in Vatican - pictures
Leveson report
2. PAPERS THREATEN TO BOYCOTT PRESS REGS
The Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Express and the Murdoch papers have said they are taking "high-level legal advice" before deciding whether they will sign up to new press regulations to be set up under Royal Charter. They complain that they were not party to the late-night cross-party agreement on the new press watchdog.
A 'poodle' with teeth: the new press watchdog explained
Iraq 2003
3. IRAQ: 48 DIE ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF WAR
At least 48 people have died in a series of bomb attacks in Baghdad – ten years to the day since the Iraq War began. The car and suicide bombings were concentrated in Shia areas of the capital. The BBC reports that Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda have vowed to increase attacks in a bid to destabilise the Shia-led government.
Ten years after Iraq: 'illusion of consensus' that sent us to war
UK News
4. BEHEADING PLAN: JOSS STONE WAS UNAWARE
Soul singer Joss Stone told Exter Crown Court today she was unaware of a plan to rob and murder her until she was told of it by police. The court heard that notes made by Kevin Liverpool, 35, and Junior Bradshaw, 32, who were arrested near her home with a samurai sword in their car, suggested they intended to behead the singer and dump her body in a river.
'Cut the head off' – bizarre plot to kill Joss Stone heard by court
World News
5. SMALL SAVERS COULD ESCAPE CYPRUS LEVY
Cyprus is rethinking the controversial bank levy designed to raise €5.8bn in return for a €10bn bail-out from Brussels. Savers with less than €20,000 in their accounts are now expected to escape any levy. But those with more than €100,000 will still have at least 9.9 per cent removed from their accounts. Wealthy Russians are among those affected.
Cyprus: risk of new 'cold war' as Putin threatens loan pull-out
UK News
6. BORIS: 'I'D LOVE A CRACK AT BEING PM'
Boris Johnson would like to "have a crack" at being Prime Minister, he admits in a new BBC2 documentary. "I think it's a very tough job being Prime Minister. Obviously, if the ball came loose from the back of a scrum... it would be a great, great thing to have a crack at," he said. In the film, his family claims he has a "sense of superiority" over fellow Old Etonian David Cameron.
Boris Johnson reveals he'd love 'a crack' at being PM
People in the News
7. TIGER WOODS DATING US SKI CHAMPION
Golfer Tiger Woods and US ski champion Lindsey Vonn posted the first photographs of themselves together on their Facebook pages yesterday to confirm reports that they are dating. Woods fell from grace with his divorce following multiple affairs, but has been returning to form. Vonn posted that their relationship had "evolved from friendship".
Tiger Woods says he's dating champion skier Lyndsey Vonn
8. GOVT LAUNCHES £1,200 CHILDCARE BREAK
Working parents will be able to claim back up to £1,200 a year - or 20% of estimated average childcare costs of £6,000 a year - from 2015 under a scheme to be launched today. It replaces the existing voucher system, and will apply only to families in which both parents work. Half the cost will be covered by abolishing the vouchers.
Premier League
9. MICHAEL OWEN HANGS UP HIS BOOTS
After a disappointing start at Stoke City - he didn't score until January 19 and has suffered from a thigh problem - 33-year-old striker Michael Owen has announced he will quit football at the end of this season. The former Liverpool star remains the fourth-highest ever scorer for England and is one of only seven players to have scored 150 goals in the Premier League.
Michael Owen to retire after disappointing season with Stoke
Games
10. HOT TICKET: GEARS OF WAR REVIVED
The latest instalment in the 'Gears of War' sci-fi action videogame series is released in Britain this week. A prequel to the main 'Gears' trilogy, 'Judgment' returns to planet Sera weher a military squad attempts to defend humans from hordes of destructive aliens called Locusts. "Blockbuster thrills," says Crave Online.
Gears of War: Judgment – it's more badass than ever