Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 2 Mar 2012

1. RED CROSS BLOCKED FROM BABA AMR

Syrian authorities have prevented the Red Cross from entering the Baba Amr suburb of Homs, despite earlier assurances that they would be allowed to deliver food and medical supplies. The district was overrun by government forces yesterday after the Free Syrian Army beat a "tactical retreat" following a month-long siege.

Red Cross to enter Baba Amr after rebels' 'tactical retreat'

2. KAUTO STAR HURT IN TRAINING FALL

Kauto Star, looking to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on 16 March, has only a 50 per cent chance of being fit for the race after falling during a routine training exercise. Trainer Paul Nicholls said it had been "a pretty awful fall" and that "even if there is the slightest doubt in our minds, then he stays at home".

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Fingers crossed for the great Kauto Star after training fall

3. JOYCE TO STAND DOWN AT NEXT ELECTION

Labour MP Eric Joyce, who faces assault charges after a disturbance in a Commons bar, is to step down at the next general election after he admitted to having an affair with a teenage girl. But Joyce, MP for Falkirk, said his relationship with 17-year-old volunteer Meg Lauder was not sexual.

Eric Joyce denies affair with 17-year-old schoolgirl

4. ITALY BANS CRUISE SHIP 'SALUTES'

Italy has announced a ban on cruise ship "salutes" like the one that caused the Costa Concordia to run aground off the island of Giglio in January. The announcement came on the eve of a massive investigative hearing in Tuscany into the shipwreck that took 25 lives. Another seven remain missing, presumed dead.

Italy bans cruise ship 'salutes' to prevent another Costa tragedy

5. MOAT 'HAUNTS ME LIKE VOLDEMORT'

PC David Rathband, who is thought to have hanged himself at his Blyth home on Wednesday, said in his last interview that he was still "haunted" by the killer who blinded him with a shotgun, Raoul Moat. He said he had flashbacks and Moat was "like the evil Voldemort from Harry Potter".

Police shocked as Pc blinded by Raoul Moat is found dead

6. 'FAKE SAMARITAN' RIOTERS CONVICTED

Two men have been convicted of robbing a Malaysian student as they pretended to help him during last summer's riots in London. Fake Samaritans John Kafunda and Reece Donovan were filmed helping Ashraf Rossli to his feet after he had been attacked, and then stealing items from his bag. They were told they would be jailed.

7. I RODE BROOKS' HORSE, ADMITS PM

Prime Minister David Cameron has confessed that he did ride a retired police horse called Raisa that had been lent to former Sun editor Rebekah Brooks by the Metropolitan Police. He apologised for the "confusing picture" that had developed and which has led to questions about his relationship with the tabloid editor.

8. HUMPERDINCK PICKED FOR EUROVISION

Seventy-five-year-old crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, aka Arnold George Dorsey, is the UK's surprising choice to enter this year's Eurovision song contest. The Please Release Me singer was described by the BBC, who chose him, as "an international music legend representing the UK".

Engelbert Humperdinck: who, what and why?

9. BLACK MARKET SURGEON ARRESTED

A transgendered black-market plastic surgeon thought to be connected to the death of a British student after an illegal butt-lift operation has been arrested in Philadelphia as she prepared to inject other clients at her home. Padge Victoria Winslowe was held in Philidelphia after another patient fell ill being injected.

Illegal butt-lift surgeon blamed for Brit girl’s death is arrested

10. HOT TICKET: GRITTY ARGENTINE THRILLER

Carancho, a noirish crime drama from Argentina, opens at UK cinemas today. A world-weary, ambulance chasing lawyer (Ricardo Darin) starts a troubled affair with a young doctor (Martina Gusman) after meeting her at an accident scene. “Grown-up drama”, says Time Out.

Carancho, an Argentine crime drama not to be boycotted