Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 25 Feb 2012

1. YOU DON'T OWN MARRIAGE, CHURCH TOLD

The church does not "own" marriage nor does it have the exclusive right to decide who can get married, says Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she urged the church "not to polarise this debate". Critics of same-sex marriages accuse her of “bulldozing ahead” with reform.

2. RED CROSS RESUMES HOMS EVACUATIONS

The Red Cross has resumed its efforts to evacuate women, children and injured civilians from the besieged city of Homs as the Syrian regime becomes increasingly isolated. Yesterday, Saudi Arabia backed the idea of arming the Syrian opposition, while Hamas publicly backed the rebels.

3. JEB BUSH TO JOIN WHITE HOUSE RACE?

Speculation is mounting that former Florida governor Jeb Bush - the brother of George W Bush - might join the race for Republican presidential nomination. Speaking at an event in Dallas he was critical of the current field of candidates. Bush's popularity in the must-win swing state of Florida would be a major advantage.

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4. DOCTORS CONSIDER STRIKE BALLOT

Doctors' leaders are holding an emergency meeting to discuss the possibility of balloting for industrial action after doctors rejected the Government's "final" offer on pensions. The British Medical Association says anger is "running deep". It would be the first time doctors have been balloted for action since 1975.

5. 'SIN BINS' FOR DISRUPTIVE PUPILS

Disorderly pupils will be educated in “sin bin” schools that will have the freedom to set their own curriculum, reports The Daily Telegraph. The schools, recommended by a government review after last summer's riots, will concentrate on basic skills such as reading and writing.

6. IRAN ACCELERATES NUCLEAR WORK

Iran has dramatically accelerated production of enriched uranium and failed to co-operate with inspectors, says The Guardian. In a confidential report, the International Atomic Energy Agency says Tehran had tripled its production rate of uranium enriched to the level of 20% over the past three month.

7. BACK TO WORK CZAR QUITS AGAIN

Emma Harrison is stepping down as chairman of her welfare-to-work firm A4e the day after she quit her role as a Downing Street adviser amid a police investigation into her firm. Harrison said she was leaving as she does not want the "continuing media focus" on her to be a "distraction" for the company.

8. BBC 'PEDDLES ROYALIST PROPAGANDA'

The BBC is accused of a censoring anti-monarchy voices after emails were leaked in which documentary makers said they would not interview anyone who had a "bad word" to say about The Queen. The pressure group Republic said the BBC is peddling “propaganda in support of the Jubilee”.

9. EXTRADITED BRIT IN TEXAS JAIL

The Briton extradited to the US yesterday on suspicion of illegally exporting weapons parts to Iran has spent his first night in American jail. Retired businessman Christopher Tappin, who lost his two-year battle against extradition last week, will appear in court in El Paso on Monday.

10. REDKNAPP: WENGER MUST STAY

Arsenal fans should stop calling for Arsène Wenger's dismissal - that's the verdict of Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp ahead of this weekend's north London derby. "Arsenal can't do any better than what they've got, can they?'' he said. "Having said that, let's hope we can make it a miserable weekend for them."