Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 31 May 2012

1. COULSON CHARGED WITH PERJURY

Prime Minister David Cameron's former director of communications Andy Coulson has been charged with perjury. He was arrested by Strathclyde Police yesterday as part of an investigation into evidence at the trial of former MSP Tommy Sheridan. Coulson is accused of lying on oath when he gave evidence about phone hacking at the News of the World.

Andy Coulson charged with perjury: what now for David Cameron?

2. SYRIAN REBELS ISSUE CEASEFIRE DEADLINE

Rebels have given the Syrian regime a 48-hour deadline to observe a UN ceasefire plan. Colonel Qassim Saadeddine of the Free Syrian Army warned there is "no justification" in only one side respecting the truce. Meanwhile, Russia has vowed to block UN support for foreign military intervention in Syria.

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3. DOCTORS CALL FIRST STRIKE FOR DECADES

Doctors insist that patients will not be put at risk during the profession's first strike for nearly 40 years. Non-emergency surgery and routine appointments will be cancelled on June 21 after doctors voted in favour of industrial action over planned changes to their pensions. "[We] will ensure patient safety is protected, " said the Chair of the BMA, Dr Hamish Meldrum.

Ill-judged doctors' strike will undermine public trust

4. SPAIN ECONOMY FACES "TOTAL EMERGENCY"

Analysts fear that Spain could follow in the footsteps of Ireland as its borrowing costs surge to hazardous levels. The European Commission has announced that the rescue fund may have to be deployed to help banks. “We’re in a situation of total emergency, the worst crisis we have ever lived through," said elder statesman and former Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.

Will Spain get Euro bank bail out as financial crisis deepens?

5. DERBY COUPLE CHARGED WITH MURDER

The parents of six children who died in a house fire in Derby have appeared before magistrates after being charged with their children's murder. Mick and Mairead Philpott were arrested on Tuesday following close police surveillance. The Philpotts had made a tearful appearance at a news conference five days after the fire.

Derby couple in court over murder of six children in fire

6. BODY PART FIND SPARKS PORN STAR HUNT

Police in Canada are on the hunt for a gay porn star after a dismembered foot was sent to the office of the Prime Minister. A senior aide who discovered the decomposing foot was overwhelmed by the smell. “It was such a horrible odour," said a party spokesman. "I’m sure many of us will not forget it". Luka Rocco Magnotta, said to have known the victim, is the key suspect.

Former porn actor hunted in Canadian body part case

7. HUNT QUIZZED OVER MURDOCH TEXTS

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt sent a congratulatory text to James Murdoch days before he was put in charge of overseeing News Corp's bid for BSkyB. The message emerged during Hunt's appearance at the Leveson Inquiry. Robert Jay suggested that if Vince Cable was too biased against Murdoch to handle the bid, Hunt leant too far the other way.

Leveson: Cameron clears Hunt despite new Murdoch texts

8. GOVERNMENT DROPS 'CHARITY TAX'

The government has announced another U-turn, this time over its "charity tax" proposals, which sought to limit tax relief on donations. The government said it was not a climbdown but the conclusion of a post-Budget consultation process. Plans for so-called caravan and pasty taxes have also been dropped this week.

9. CUT ALCOHOL INTAKE LEVELS, SAY EXPERTS

We should drink no more than three small glasses of wine a week, Oxford University scientists say. The report, which suggests cutting recommended consumption to just half a unit per day, claims 4,500 lives a year could be saved by the cut. The Department of Health currently says ‘safe’ drinking levels are three to four units a day for men, two to three for women.

10. HOT TICKET: ROYAL ACADEMY’S TIME IN THE SUN

The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition opens this Jubilee weekend. Now in its 244th year, the world’s largest open entry show features over 1,000 works by established and emerging artists including Jayne Parker, Tracey Emin, Anselm Kiefer and Raqib Shaw. Opens 4 June. “A microcosm of British democracy”, says The Daily Telegraph.

Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition finds a new focus