Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 19 Jan 2012

1. KEN LIVINGSTONE PULLS AHEAD

Labour's Ken Livingstone has narrowly overtaken Tory Boris Johnson in the race for City Hall, according to the Evening Standard. A YouGov opinion poll suggests that in the first round of voting on May 3 Livingstone would get 46% and Johnson 44%, with Lib Dem Brian Paddick way behind on 7%.

2. CONCORDIA CAPTAIN 'TRIPPED' INTO LIFEBOAT

Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino has denied abandoning his ship before all the passengers had been rescued, claiming he tripped and fell into a lifeboat. He said the cruise ship was listing so violently there was nothing he could do to get back on board.

3. POLICE CHARGE LITHUANIAN OVER COUPLE'S MURDERS

West Midlands police have formally charged Lithuanian national Rimvydas Liorancas with the murders of Carole and Avtar Kolar. The couple were found dead at their home in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham by their son Jason, a serving policeman, on 11 January.

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4. NURSING UNIONS OPPOSE NHS REFORMS

The unions representing Britain's nurses and midwives have toughened their stance on the Government's proposed NHS reforms, expressing their "outright opposition" to the bill. The two groups had earlier expressed concern but said they would work on the plans with ministers. Now, they want them dropped.

5. RICK PERRY QUITS REPUBLICAN RACE

Texas governor Rick Perry has pulled out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed his rival Newt Gingrich. Perry had been polling poorly ahead of Saturday's South Carolina primary. Money was also a factor with a spokesman admitting the campaign had spent the bulk of its funds.

6. NI SETTLES WITH HACK VICTIMS

Celebrities, politicians and other victims of hacking have settled with News International at the High Court. Jude Law, John Prescott and Ashley Cole were among those named. However law firm Bindmans claimed that senior figures within the Murdoch empire were guilty of "a cover-up and the destruction of evidence/email archives".

7. NEW HEATHROW TERMINAL FOR GAMES

A new temporary Games Terminal will be opened during the Olympics to help Heathrow deal with the flow of departing athletes after the closing ceremony later this year as part of BAA's £20m spend on the games. There will be no new runway, with athletes bussed from the terminal to their various flights elsewhere.

8. PAKISTAN HUMBLE ENGLAND IN DUBAI

England's cricketers were humiliated as they lost the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai by ten wickets. Pakistan were set a target of just 15 after England were skittled out for just 160 in their second innings after conceded in 146 run deficit in the first. Spinner Saeed Ajmal took ten English wickets in the match.

9. DEPP AND PARADIS 'LIVING SEPERATE LIVES'

Rumours are circling that Johnny Depp’s 14-year relationship with Vanessa Paradis, with whom he has two children, may be on the rocks. Eyebrows were raised when Depp attended the Golden Globe awards on Sunday night with his partner conspicuous by her absence.

10. BECKHAM SIGNS LA GALAXY DEAL

David Beckham has signed a new two-year contract with US soccer champions LA Galaxy and will now end his career in America despite interest from clubs in Europe including Paris Saint Germain in France. The 36-year-old's contract is said to include a clause allowing him time off to play for Great Britain in the Olympics.