Daily Briefing

Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 24 Feb 2013

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

1. TORY MPS TURN ON OSBORNE
Backbench Tory MPs are questioning whether George Osborne should remain as chancellor until the next election, reports the Sunday Times. As pressure mounts on the chancellor following Britain's credit downgrade, city experts are warning of a major slide in sterling, with one declaring: “We have all the components for a good old-fashioned sterling crisis.”
2. HOMICIDE CHARGE FOR PISTORIOUS BROTHER
The brother of Oscar Pistorius has been charged with culpable homicide over the death of a female motorcyclist in a traffic accident in 2010. Meanwhile, the father of Reeva Steenkamp, the woman killed by Oscar Pistorius, says of the athlete: “If it didn’t happen the way he said it did, he must suffer, and he will suffer … only he knows."
3. LIB DEMS: CLEGG 'UNAWARE' OF SCANDAL
The Liberal Democrats have denied "categorically" press reports that Nick Clegg was aware four years ago that the party's former chief executive Lord Rennard had been accused of sexual misconduct. The Mail On Sunday has published Facebook messages suggesting Clegg was aware of the allegations, which Rennard dies, as far back as January 2009.
4. GERMAN MINISTER: 'GIVE HORSEMEAT TO POOR'
A German minister has suggested that horsemeat mislabelled as beef should be distributed to the poor. Dirk Niebel said: "We can't just throw away good food." A senior evangelical priest says the proposal should be considered, arguing: "To throw away food that could be consumed without risk is equally bad as false labelling."
5. OSCARS: DAY-LEWIS UP FOR HISTORIC WIN
Daniel Day-Lewis, who could make history this evening by becoming the first man to win a third best actor Oscar, is set to take a five-year sabbatical, according to friends. Adele will make her long-awaited live comeback at the Los Angeles ceremony singing the Bond theme Skyfall, which is nominated in the original song category.
6. TORIES SHOCK LEAD IN EASTLEIGH
The Conservatives have taken a shock lead in a constituency survey ahead of the Eastleigh by-election. According to the Survation poll the Tories are at 33% with the Liberal Democrats at 29%. The poll puts UKIP in third place on 21% with Labour trailing on 13%. The by-election has been billed as "the most important for 30 years".
7. BRITISH CARDINAL REPORTED TO VATICAN
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the head of the Scottish Catholic Church, has been accused of "inappropriate acts" stretching back over 30 years, reports The Observer. Three priests and a former priest have reported the Cardinal to the Vatican and demanded his immediate resignation. The complaints include an allegation that O'Brien made an unwanted advance after a drinking session.
8. TOP TORY DONOR CUTS FUNDING
Lord Ashcroft, whose multi-million pound donations helped the Conservative Party win the 2010 election, has announced he will withhold funding for its next general election campaign. A source close to Ashcroft, who has donated £10m to the party, tells the Sunday Times: “He feels he has done his bit.” Privately, the billionaire is said to fear a Labour renaissance in 2015.
9. UK 'CLOSE TO BLACKOUT' LAST MONTH
One million British homes narrowly avoided a blackout last month as freezing conditions placed enormous strain on Britain’s electricity network. A mass blackout was avoided thanks to a gas-fired station in Hampshire which is due to close before next winter. The outgoing head of energy regulator Ofgem says life-threatening blackouts are likely as we "head downhill fast".
10. MAN UTD GO 15 POINTS CLEAR
Manchester United opened a 15-point lead after beating QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road on Saturday. Arsenal grabbed a much-needed 2-1 win over Aston Villa thanks to two goals from Santi Cazorla. United's nearest challengers, Manchester City, play Chelsea on Sunday. Meanwhile, David Beckham and Joey Barton will come face to face in France as PSG take on Marseille.