Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 4 Aug 2012

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

1. LIB DEMS THREATEN LORDS REVENGE
Senior Liberal Democrat figures have warned there will be 'consequences' for the Conservatives after David Cameron prepares to shelve plans to reform the House of Lords. A major rift in the coalition is likely, with Lib Dems considering withdrawing their support for plans to redraw constituency boundaries ahead of the next election in 2015.
2. AGENCIES 'FAILED' HONOUR KILLING VICTIM
Campaigners claim that 'honour killing' murder victim Shafilea Ahmed could still be alive had the agencies she turned to for help responded correctly. Karma Nirvana, a charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse, said the authorities should not have mediated between family members. Criminologist Dr Aisha Gill said agencies made a 'catastrophic failure'.
3. RUSSIA SLAMS UN SYRIA RESOLUTION
Russia has claimed that a UN General Assembly resolution on Syria, which criticises both the UN Security Council and the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is one-sided and undermines peace efforts there. Meanwhile, the battle for Aleppo is intensifying as reinforcements continue to bolster the Free Syrian Army.
4. HACKING COPS POCKET £300K PAY-OFF
The senior Scotland Yard figures who resigned in the midst of the phone-hacking scandal were given pay-offs totalling £300,000, reports The Daily Telegraph. Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner John Yates and Director of Public Affairs Dick Fedorcio, received £176,838, £86,382 and £50,503 respectively.
5. POLICE 'ASSASSINATED' DUGGAN, SAYS MOTHER
The mother of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police in Tottenham last summer sparking riots across the capital and beyond, has claimed her son was 'assassinated'. Pamela Duggan told Sky News: 'I don't say killed, I say assassinated, because he was.' She said she had many unanswered questions, including why Duggan was shot twice and surrounded by 31 officers.
6. AMBASSADOR WARNS ISRAEL OVER SUPPORT
The British ambassador to Israel says that international support for the Jewish state is eroding among the world's political mainstream, with settlement expansion in the West Bank and restrictions on Gaza to blame. Matthew Gould warned: 'Israelis might wake up in 10 years' time and find... that patience for continuing the status quo has reduced'.
7. BORIS MAKES 'HIROSHIMA' QUIP
Boris Johnson has joked that his 'Hiroshima Tube announcement' is responsible for London's transformation into a ghost town during the Olympic Games. After central London restaurants and theatres experienced a huge drop in customers, the Mayor's recorded announcement, warning the transport network could be busy, has been dropped.
8. BUENOS AIRES BANS BRITISH SHIPS
British ships have been banned from docking in Buenos Aires under new legislation passed yesterday in the province. The law will be viewed as another provocation from Argentina, as the 30th anniversary of the Falklands Islands conflict approaches. Patricia Cubría, who proposed the bill, said it 'continues our fight for the sovereignty and natural resources of the Malvinas'.
9. PRINCES JOKE ABOUT 'PARACHUTING' GRANDMOTHER
Princes William and Harry were unaware the Queen was to take a role as a 'Bond Girl' in the Olympic opening ceremony. During a surprise interview on the BBC, William said they were kept ‘completely in the dark’ about the segment. Harry joked about 'our grandmother’s secret hobby... of parachuting, which went down unbelievably well'.
10. OLYMPIC 'SUPER SATURDAY' ARRIVES
A total of 25 medals will be one today as the Olympics enters 'Super Saturday'. Team GB hopes to add to yesterday's haul, which saw them win seven medals - three of which were cycling and rowing golds. Jessica Ennis in the women's heptathlon and Mo Farah in the men's 10,000m are among the medal hopes on Saturday.