Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 28 Jul 2012

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

1. OLYMPICS OPEN WITH GRAND CEREMONY
Danny Boyle's 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony included the Queen, David Beckham, Mr Bean, James Bond and Paul McCartney. The extravagant Isles of Wonder show began with iconic images of Britain and representations of British history and achievement. Seven young athletes were given the honour of lighting the ceremonial flame.
2. UK 'TO KEEP AAA CREDIT RATING'
The UK will keep its AAA credit rating, according to the Standard & Poor's agency. S&P expects the economy to improve in the second-half of 2012. It said its "stable outlook" was based on the belief the government "will implement the bulk of its fiscal consolidation programme". The IMF argues Britain should the UK should ease budget cuts if the economy does not recover.
3. FRESH SYRIA MASSACRE FEARED
Western nations are warning that the Syrian government's attack on Aleppo could lead to a new massacre, as a pro-Assad newspaper warns that the "mother of all battles" is about to start. However, a defecting army general says the regime is on the brink of collapse due to a lack of morale and supplies.
4. CONTENTIOUS ORGAN DONOR PLANS REVEALED
Doctors could be allowed to keep 'brain dead' patients alive purely to harvest their organs, under reforms being proposed by the NHS. There are also calls for the 19 million people on the Organ Donation Register to be given preference on waiting lists for those who need organs. The British Medical Association has called for a debate on the plans.
5. AURORA SUSPECT 'SAW PSYCHIATRIST'
Colorado shootings suspect James Holmes was being treated by a psychiatrist at his university, according to court records. It has also been revealed that Holmes sent a notebook describing a massacre to his psychiatrist. Lawyers for Holmes - who will be charged on Monday - argue media coverage of the case is jeopardising his chances of a fair trial.
6. MP SORRY FOR 'MULTI-CULTURAL CRAP' GAFFE
Conservative MP Aidan Burley has apologised after describing the Olympic opening ceremony as "leftie multi-cultural crap". Burley's statement on Twitter provoked a flood of condemnation, including from fellow Tory MP Gavin Barwell. Burley was sacked as a Commons aide last year after attending a Nazi-themed stag party.
7. UK WITHOLDS AID FROM RWANDA
The government has announced it will withhold £16m of aid from Rwanda due to the regime's alleged backing of rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo. The Netherlands and the US have also decided to delay aid to Rwanda. The regime has denied aiding the rebels, describing the UN report alleging the connection as "one sided".
8. FA CHARGES JOHN TERRY
The Football Association has charged Chelsea captain John Terry with using "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour" against QPR's Anton Ferdinand last season. The FA's statement added: "It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Ferdinand." Terry denies the charge.
9. WORK IN LATE PREGNANCY RISK REVEALED
Women who continue to work late into pregnancy are likely to give birth to babies with lower birth-weight, increasing the chances of ill-health and slow development. Researchers at the University of Essex compared the effect to that of smoking during pregnancy. The number of women working into late stages of pregnancy has risen over recent decades.
10. TWO MEDAL HOPES FOR GB ON DAY ONE
The first full day of the Olympic Games includes road cycling, swimming, shooting and rowing. Mark Cavendish says he hopes to "light the fire" for Team GB in his road race over 250 kilometres. Britain's other medal hope on Saturday is swimmer Hannah Miley, who is fancied in the women's 400m individual medley.