Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 1 Feb 2012

1. BACKLASH OVER GOODWIN ‘HYSTERIA’

Business leaders have slammed the decision to strip former RBS boss Fred Goodwin of his knighthood. The Institute of Directors said politicians are creating "anti-business hysteria". Former CBI head Lord Digby Jones said there is "the faint whiff of the lynch mob on the village green".

Goodwin backlash: no need for Westminster lynch mob

2. MITT ROMNEY WINS IN FLORIDA

White House hopeful Mitt Romney has won a clear victory in the Republican primary election in Florida, the biggest primary of the campaign to date. Romney polled 46% to Ginrich’s 32%. "My leadership will end the Obama era and begin a new era of American prosperity," said Romney.

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How Republican establishment blew Gingrich out of the water

3. WILLIAM HAGUE: ‘NAVY PACKS A PUNCH’

Foreign Secretary William Hague says the Royal Navy still “packs a considerable punch” as the UK’s most sophisticated warship is deployed to the Falkland Islands. Hague described HMS Dauntless, an advanced anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic ship, as “a formidable vessel”.

HMS Dauntless to Falklands not provocative act, says PM

4. ENGLISH ‘LIKE SPANKING’ SAYS KEIRA

Keira Knightley says only the English are interested in the sadomasochistic scenes in her film A Dangerous Method. Overseas the scenes are not much discussed, she said, adding: ''In England it's got mentioned all the time… We obviously like spanking.''

The English vice: Why do we love talking about spanking?

5. FOUR ADMIT LONDON TERROR PLOT

Four terrorists inspired by al-Qaeda have pleaded guilty to plotting bomb attacks on the London Stock Exchange and other targets. Mohammed Chowdhury, Shah Rahman, Gurukanth Desai and Abdul Miah pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court. They and five others, who admitted separate charges, will be sentenced next week

6. TALIBAN SET TO RETURN

A secret Nato report predicts that the Taliban is set to retake control in Afghanistan despite a 10-year allied operation to destroy it, says The Times. The report says Pakistan is actively backing the Taliban’s bid to retake control from President Karzai’s government.

Taliban backed by Pakistan, leaked Nato report confirms

7. JOHN TERRY TO STAND TRIAL IN JULY

Chelsea skipper John Terry is to stand trial for the alleged racist abuse of QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in July, a week after the final of Euro 2012. His legal team entered a plea of not guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court today. He is accused of abusing Ferdinand during a match in October.

8. SUPREME COURT HEARS ASSANGE APPEAL

The Supreme Court will today hear Julian Assange’s appeal against extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning regarding accusations of alleged sexual misconduct. Assange’s legal team will argue that the Swedish prosecutor who issued a European arrest warrant is not a valid judicial authority.

Can Julian Assange win his Supreme Court extradition case?

9. MAN UNITED LEVEL WITH CITY

Manchester United drew level on points with leaders Manchester City last night. United beat Stoke City thanks to a penalty each from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov. Former United player Darren Gibson’s goal consigned City to a 1-0 defeat by Everton.

Man Utd and City level at top after Sky Blues lose to Everton

10. HOT TICKET: SHRIGLEY AT THE HAYWARD

The first UK survey of the popular and darkly humorous artist David Shrigley opens at the Hayward today. The exhibition, Brain Activity, features 175 works, including Shrigley’s whimsical stick drawings, wonky cartoons, child-like paintings, photographs, sculpture and animated films. Until 13 May.