Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 6 May 2012

1. PM RETREAT ON GAY MARRIAGE

David Cameron is ready to delay the implementation of gay marriage and House of Lords reforms to appease angry Tory backbenchers who blame him for party’s losses in last week’s local government elections. Conservative Nadine Dorries MP has warned Cameron he could face a challenge to his leadership by Christmas.

Cameron 'rips up' Queen's Speech as Boris Johnson's star rises

2. SHAMBOLIC OPENING TO 9/11 TRIAL

The opening of the military trial of five leading 9/11 suspects prompted chaotic scenes at Guantanamo Bay. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his four co-defendants refused to enter pleas or answer questions during the nine-hour hearing. One shouted that Americans might kill him before the trial is over.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

3. DROP THE 'E' WORD, QUEEN ADVISED

The Queen's lords lieutenants, key advisers to monarch and an embodiment of the British establishment, have called for an end to use of the term 'Empire' in honours such as the OBE, reports The Observer. One adviser described the use of the word as "anachronistic and inappropriate to a post-imperial UK".

4. CLARKSON: RACISM COULD SOLVE QUEUES

Jeremy Clarkson has sparked controversy by arguing that lengthy queues for border control checks at Heathrow Airport could be solved by “a bit of racism.” He added that "bleeding-heart liberals" prevent officials targeting only "high-risk" passengers. Meanwhile, Heathrow is offering a £1,800 fast-track service for wealthy passengers.

Jeremy Clarkson advocates racism to beat airport queues

5. BECKHAM TOPS SPORT RICH LIST

Footballer David Beckham is number one on The Sunday Times Sport Rich List, with an estimated personal wealth of £160m. The 100 sports personalities on the list have a combined wealth of £3.022 billion. This is an increase of 8.9% on last year’s total of £2.776 billion and nearly 23% higher than two years ago.

6. FRENCH VOTE FOR PRESIDENT

The French are voting in a 'run-off' poll that could elect the country's first socialist president since 1988. Francois Hollande won 28.6% of the vote in the first round, ahead of incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy on 26.2%. Hollande argues that France is in "serious crisis" and needs change. Sarkozy promises to preserve a "strong France".

7. STABLE CHILDREN 'HEAR 23M MORE WORDS'

Children from stable middle-class homes hear an average of 33m words before they start school - 23m more than kids from poor households - according to the government's adviser on poverty. He claims that by the age of three, a child from a stable home have heard 440,000 more positive comments than a child from a dysfunctional background.

8. HEADS ATTACK 'CULTURE OF FEAR'

Head teachers have accused the chief inspector of schools in England of creating a "culture of fear" in England's educational establishments. The National Association of Head Teachers are to debate a motion attacking Sir Michael Wilshaw's "negative rhetoric" and vowing to "pursue whatever action it deems appropriate" to defend heads.

9. CHELSEA WIN THE FA CUP

Chelsea won the FA Cup beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium. Didier Drogba became the first man to score in four FA Cup finals when he netted the winner in the second half. Liverpool were left fuming after an Andy Carroll strike was ruled out. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech insists the ball did not cross the line.

Andy Carroll insists he scored Liverpool’s disallowed FA Cup goal

10. 'SUPERMOON' SEEN IN SKY

A 'supermoon' was seen overnight, with best viewing around 4.30am BST. The moon can appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than when it is furthest from the planet due to the occurrence known as a perigee full moon. Scientists dismiss speculation that the phenomenon could lead to natural disasters, though it can cause higher tides.