Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 Feb 2012

1. WHITNEY HOUSTON DIES AT 48

The singer and actress Whitney Houston has died in Los Angeles at the age of 48. She was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Houston is one of the most celebrated female singers of all time. Her hits included I Will Always Love You and Saving All My Love For You.

2. MURDOCH: THE SUN MUST GO ON

Rupert Murdoch says he is committed to publishing The Sun newspaper, despite the arrest of five of its employees over alleged corrupt payments to police and public servants. News International chief executive Tom Mockridge issued a memo to Sun staff admitting "today we are facing our greatest challenge".

3. PM BACKS LANSLEY ON HEALTH BILL

The Prime Minister insists he is "at one" with Andrew Lansley as the future of the Health Secretary is questioned amid controversy over his NHS bill. Writing in the Sunday Times, David Cameron declared his support for the NHS, but added: "While the values are right, the system isn't. It needs to change."

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4. QUEEN TO FIRE LASER BEAM

The Queen is set to fire a laser beam down The Mall as the climax of her diamond jubilee concert in June. Standing outside Buckingham Palace she will fire the laser-beam over the heads of spectators to light a national beacon of celebration 1,000 yards away by Admiral Arch.

5. BIN LADEN TOLD KIDS TO LIVE IN US

Osama Bin Laden told his children to go to university in America or Europe rather than become involved in terrorism, his brother-in-law tells The Sunday Times. Zakaria al-Sadah, whose sister Amal was the fifth wife of the al-Qaeda head, said Bin Laden was adamant his offspring “should not follow him down the road to jihad”.

6. OSBORNE 'KOWTOWING' TO LIB DEMS

Chancellor George Osborne has ruled out the introduction of tax breaks for married couples in next month’s Budget, risking the wrath of Conservative backbenchers. Tory MP Stewart Jackson accused him of "kowtowing to the Liberal Democrats" and said the decision showed a “failure of leadership” by the PM.

7. SUAREZ 'A DISGRACE' SAYS SIR ALEX

Sir Alex Ferguson has called Luis Suarez a "disgrace" for refusing to shake Patrice Evra's hand prior to the match between Manchester United and Liverpool. It was the first meeting between the sides since Suarez completed his suspension for racially abusing Evra. "He could have caused a riot," said Sir Alex.

8. BRITISH MAN 'GIVES BIRTH'

A man who was born as a woman has reportedly given birth despite his sex change operation after having hormone treatment to reactivate his womb. The man, who is in his thirties, is believed to be Britain's first "male mother" and only the third globally. The baby was likely to have been delivered by caesarean section.

9. IRAN TRAILS NUCLEAR NEWS

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the Islamic Republic will soon announce significant achievements in the nuclear field. Speaking at a rally in Tehran, he said: "God willing, the world will witness the inauguration of great achievements in the nuclear sphere in a few days”.

10. MITT ROMNEY WINS MAINE - JUST

Mitt Romney is set to narrowly win the Maine caucuses with 39% of the vote, ahead of Ron Paul who took 36%. The win puts Romney back on track in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. His main rivals Rick Santorum and Newt Ginrich did not campaign hard in Maine.