Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 3 Feb 2013

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

1. 180 TORY MPS 'TO REBEL ON GAY MARRIAGE'
Around 180 Tory MPs, including six whips and four cabinet members, are ready to revolt against the plan to introduce gay marriage. The Sunday Telegraph reveals 25 local party chairmen and former chairmen have told David Cameron the policy will cause “significant damage” to electoral hopes. “This is a policy dreamt up in Notting Hill," said one, who quit over the issue.
2. TESCO DOMINANCE 'PART OF PROGRESS'
The rise of supermarket giants at the expense of small independent stores is "part of progress", argues a former boss of Tesco. Sir Terry Leahy told Radio 4's Desert Island Discs that high streets are "medieval" and unreflective of modern life. Leahy started at Tesco as a shelf stacker before rising to become chief executive and transforming the chain into Britain's biggest retailer.
3. GOVE TEAM ACCUSED OF TWITTER SMEARS
Members of education secretary Michael Gove's department have been accused of using Twitter to launch personal attacks on political opponents and critical journalists. The Observer reports that an anonymous Twitter account called @ToryEducation may have broken the special advisers' code and the civil service code. The account dubbed one journalist a "stalker".
4. KIDS UNABLE TO WALK AT THREE
Some children as old as three have yet to learn to walk because their parents are leaving them strapped in their buggies in front of the television, government adviser Louise Casey has warned David Cameron. Russell Hobby of the National Association of Head Teachers told the Sunday Times he is aware of five-year-olds who are still in nappies and have yet to learn to speak.
5. AIRLINES RISK JETS 'DROPPING FROM SKY'
Airlines are risking their jets “dropping out of the sky” because they refuse to install detectors that could save pilots from inhaling poisonous cabin air, a toxicologist told the Sunday Express. Former US government adviser Professor Chris van Netten's warning comes after it was revealed two British Airways pilots died in their forties after complaining for years of exposure to toxic fumes.
6. AFRIYIE BACKERS FAVOUR BORIS WIN
More than half of the MPs backing Adam Afriyie's plan to unseat David Cameron want the Windsor MP to prompt a leadership battle which they hope Boris Johnson would ultimately win, reports the Sunday Times. Johnson, who is reportedly “taking a close interest” in Afriyie's manoeuvring, is tipped to return to Westminster in 2015.
7. OBAMA SHOOTING PHOTO RELEASED
The White House has released a photo of Barack Obama shooting clay pigeons in response to doubts over his claim he enjoys the pastime. During an interview this week, he said he goes skeet shooting "all the time" and has "profound respect for the traditions of hunting". Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton have previously been criticised for exaggerating their hunting interest.
8. COMMONS 'NOISIER THAN DEEP PURPLE'
Commons speaker John Bercow has called on party leaders to reduce the noise from MPs, Bercow said the chamber's "decibel level exceeds anything that Deep Purple...would have dreamed of in their heyday". He likened the noise to vandalism of our image abroad. On Wednesday Bercow singled out Tory Michael Ellis for criticism, telling him: "Calm yourself and be quiet. Learn it, man."
9. NETANYAHU: 'IRAN IS MY PRIORITY'
Israeli president Shimon Peres has asked prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government following last month's parliamentary election. Netanyahu says he wants to form “the widest possible national unity government”. He called on the Palestinians to return to peace talks, but said his priority will be to "prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear arms".
10. ROONEY SENDS UTD 10 POINTS CLEAR
A late goal from Wayne Rooney earned Manchester United victory at Fulham yesterday, extending their Premier League lead to 10 points. Arsenal beat Stoke City 1-0 at Emirates Stadium, with Podolski on target for the Gunners. Meanwhile, Moussa Sissoko scored twice on his debut as Newcastle edged a thrilling game against Chelsea 3-2.