Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 30 May 2012

1. MITT ROMNEY CLINCHES NOMINATION

Mitt Romney is the Republican Party's challenger to US President Barack Obama after clinching the nomination with victory in the Texas primary. Romney is the first Mormon to stand for president. He is under pressure to end his association with Donald Trump due to the tycoon's 'birther' conspiracy theories about where Obama was born.

Romney clinches Republican nomination in Texas primary

2. HOULA CHILDREN KILLED SYSTEMATICALLY

The children killed in the Houla massacre were not hit by random shelling but systematically shot or stabbed to death at close range, says the UN. A spokesman said the "absolutely abominable event" included "summary executions of civilians, women and children". He added: "At this point it looks like entire families were shot in their houses".

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Houla: West acts but what can be done against Assad?

3. ANDY COULSON DETAINED OVER PERJURY

Andy Coulson, David Cameron's former director of communications, has been detained by Scottish police investigating allegations of perjury at the trial of politician Tommy Sheridan in December 2010. The former News of the World editor was detained in London on Wednesday and driven to Glasgow for questioning.

Andy Coulson detained by Scottish police over alleged perjury

4. COURT HEARS BREIVIK IS A "METROSEXUAL"

Anders Behring Breivik is a "metrosexual" who uses footballer David Beckham as a role model, his trial in Oslo heard. The court was told friends had suspected Breivik, who admits to killing 77 people in Norway last July, was homosexual due to the care he takes over his appearance. The trial also heard his life "fell apart" after a failed relationship with a Belarusian internet date.

Breivik had 'Aryan' nose job and wanted to be like Beckham

5. BALOTELLI THREATENS TO KILL RACISTS

Mario Balotelli has threatened to "kill" anyone who throws a banana at him and vowed he will “leave the pitch and go home” if he is subjected to racist abuse while playing for Italy during next month’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine. He added: “I hope that there will not be a problem because I really can’t handle that."

Balotelli threatens to kill racists who throw bananas

6. CABLE TELLS LEVESON OF 'VEILED THREATS'

Business secretary Vince Cable has told the Leveson Inquiry of "veiled threats" made by News Corporation when he was handling their proposed takeover of BSkyB. The Lib Dem said he refused to deal with lobbyist Frederic Michel or James Murdoch while he was overseeing the bid as he thought contact was innapropriate.

Leveson: Vince Cable digs a big hole for Jeremy Hunt

7. ASSANGE LOSES APPEAL CASE

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lost his appeal at the Supreme Court against deportation to Sweden, where he faces allegations of sexual assault. However, he is unlikely to be leaving Britain in the near future as his legal team say they want the appeal to be reheard on a point of law. They now have 14 days to make their case.

Julian Assange loses extradition appeal

8. MUGABE TOURISM APPOINTMENT SLAMMED

President Robert Mugabe's apparent appointment as a UN "leader for tourism" has been greeted with derision. Kumbi Muchemwa, of the Movement for Democratic Change, said: "The man has blood on his hands. Do they want tourists to see those bloody hands?" However, the UN's tourism arm denied he had been given a formal role.

Is Robert Mugabe really the UN ambassador for tourism?

9. SUNDAY AND DAILY MIRROR TITLES MERGE

Trinity Mirror has announced that the Daily and Sunday Mirror titles are to merge. The editors of the two papers, Richard Wallace of the daily and Tina Weaver of the Sunday have both been sacked and former People editor Lloyd Embley has assumed control of the new seven-day-a-week operation.

Sly Bailey blamed as editors are sacked in Mirror merger

10. HOT TICKET: GUNS N' ROSES RETRO ROCK

American hard rockers Guns N' Roses are wrapping up their UK tour with two gigs in London this week. Axl Rose belts out heritage rock classics such as Welcome to the Jungle, It's So Easy and Sweet Child o' Mine. "Kick-ass" says The Times. 31 May, 1 June, O2 Arena.

Guns N' Roses deliver old-style rock for fans prepared to wait