Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 29 Feb 2012

1. UN: SYRIA DEATH TOLL OVER 7,500

A senior UN official said last night that the death toll in Syria since security forces started cracking down on dissent almost a year ago has now passed 7,500. Meanwhile, it has emerged that as many as 13 Syrian activists died smuggling wounded Sunday Times photographer Paul Conroy out of Homs.

2. JAMES MURDOCH QUITS NI

James Murdoch has quit as executive chairman of News International. Murdoch, who has faced pressure over his handling of the News of the World phone hacking scandal, said: "I deeply appreciate the dedication of my many talented colleagues at News International who work tirelessly to inform the public." James's father Rupert said: "We are all grateful for James's leadership at News International and across Europe and Asia."

James Murdoch quits as News International chairman

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3. ROMNEY TAKES MICHIGAN AND ARIZONA

US wannabe Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney yesterday won another two primaries: Arizona and Michigan, which had been hailed as a 'must-win' state. Romney's father was governor of Michigan and he grew up there. He polled 41 per cent there, with Rick Santorum taking 38 per cent.

Romney beats Santorum, but he'll never take the White House

4. UNION CALLS FOR OLYMPICS STRIKE

Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, has told the Guardian that public sector employees should consider using strike action to disrupt the Olympics later this year. He said government attacks on public sector workers were "so deep and ideological" that targeting the games would be justifiable.

'Olympics are an opportunity to protest,' says Unite union boss

5. KENYANS HUNT 7/7 BOMBER'S WIDOW

Kenyan anti-terrorist officers believe a woman they are seeking in connection with a planned terror plot in the country may be Samantha Lewthwaite, the widow of July 7 bomber Jermaine Lindsay, who blew up a tube train in 2005. Lewthwaite is the daughter of a UK army officer who converted to Islam.

6. SCOTT PARKER TO CAPTAIN ENGLAND

Caretaker England manager Stuart Pearce has named Spurs midfielder Scott Parker as England captain for tonight's friendly against Holland at Wembley. Parker, who only has ten caps, was picked ahead of more experienced players like Steven Gerrard to take over the armband after John Terry was sacked.

Pearce prepares for Euro 2012 with Scott Parker as captain

7. BROOKS HORSE WAS IN 'POOR CONDITION'

A retired police horse, Raisa, loaned by the Met to former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks was in a "poor but not serious condition" when she returned it aged 24 after three years in 2010. The Met is in the habit of lending no-longer working horses to individuals who ask and live near London.

Rebekah Brooks and the case of the on-loan police horse

8. THIRD DEATH IN CHARDON SHOOTING

A third teenager has been pronounced dead after a high school shooting in Ohio on Monday. The family of Demetrius Hewlin said he was a "happy young man who loved life". The suspect, identified locally as 17-year-old TJ Lane, is likely to be charged and tried as an adult, Ohio's attorney general says.

High school shooter T. J. Lane 'was silent the whole time'

9. MOURINHO SPOTTED IN CHELSEA

Jose Mourinho has been snapped by the Sun house hunting in Chelsea, prompting speculation that the former Chelsea manager could be planning a return to Stamford Bridge… or perhaps he's heading for Tottenham, if Harry Redknapp is taking on England. Mourinho has said he plans to quite Real Madrid this summer.

Mourinho seen house-hunting - is he coming back to Chelsea?

10. HOT TICKET: NOEL COWARD REVIVAL

Howard Davies’s revival of Noel Coward’s 1924 comedy ‘Hay Fever’ has opened in London’s West End with Lindsay Duncan heading the cast. The bohemian Bliss family embarrass their unsuspecting guests in order to spice up their unsatisfying lives. “Never feels dated,” says the Telegraph.

Lindsay Duncan helps blow the dust off Coward's Hay Fever