Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 14 Jul 2012

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

1. RUSSIAN ARMS USED IN SYRIA MASSACRE
Moscow is under renewed pressure to cut its ties with the Syrian regime after footage was released showing Russian-made helicopters and tanks bombarding civilians in the conflict's latest massacre. Russia will be pressed to support a robust UN security council resolution. Kofi Annan, the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, said he is "shocked and appalled" by the killings.
2. RURAL SPEED LIMIT COULD BE CUT
Rural roads could have their speed limits slashed from 60mph to 40mph under Department of Transport plans to reduce road casualties. The move follows the first annual rise in road deaths for 17 years: 1,901 people were killed last year, a 3% rise on 2010. A majority - 68% - of those fatalities occurred on rural roads.
3. ROMNEY DEMANDS OBAMA APOLOGY
Mitt Romney is demanding that Barack Obama apologises for his campaign's statement that the Republican presidential candidate might have lied about his role at Bain Capital. Romney said that Obama is engaging in "destructive" politics that are "beneath his dignity". He also reminded the president of his pledge to raise the tone of politics.
4. STUDY: HOMES MORE AFFORDABLE
House prices are at their most affordable for 10 years due to the lethargic state of the housing market, according to a study. Halifax found that the number of UK towns and cities that are affordable to first-time buyers is at its highest since 2002. However, just 9% of the affordable districts are in the south east, the south west or the east of England.
5. 'FLOOD STORMS' TO MOVE EASTWARDS
Nine flood warnings and 56 flood alerts are in place in the UK as further heavy rainfall is forecast on Saturday. The storms that caused flash flooding in Wales and Shropshire are expected to move into the south-east. An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We are urging people across central and eastern England to remain vigilant".
6. ACQUITTED TERRY COULD FACE FA CHARGE
John Terry faces more scrutiny as the Football Association re-opens its own inquiry into allegations he racially abused Anton Ferdinand. Terry, acquitted by Westminster magistrates court yesterday, could still be charged by the FA and, if found guilty, given a lengthy ban. A decision on whether to charge him is expected next week.
7. G4S COULD LOSE £50M ON OLYMPIC CONTRACT
Security firm G4S could lose up to £50m on its Olympic contract after admitting it is unable to provide enough guards for the tournament. The firm said it is "deeply disappointed" that troops have had to be called up. Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Olympic organising committee, said the current deployment of 17,000 troops may need to be increased.
8. JP MORGAN TRIPLES LOSS ESTIMATE
JP Morgan has admitted that the London trading fiasco has cost it $5.8bn (£3.7bn), almost three times initial estimates. The US bank announced that the executives responsible for the loss, caused during trading in complex financial derivatives, have been dismissed without severance and that it will be clawing back two years of their pay.
9. GORDON BROWN APPOINTED UN ENVOY
Gordon Brown has been appointed as a global education envoy to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. His task is to see 61 million more children enrolled into education by 2015. "Ensuring that every child in the world has the opportunity to go to school and to learn is a longstanding passion of mine," said the former Prime Minister.
10. RANGERS VOTED INTO DIVISION THREE
Rangers Newco have been voted into Division Three by members of the Scottish Football League. The club's chief executive Charles Green says he "accepts" the decision to enter the club into the bottom tier of Scottish football. Ally McCoist's team is now due to face the likes of Peterhead and Annan Athletic next season.