Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 1 Jun 2012

1. CLEGG 'FUMES' OVER BURIED U-TURN

Nick Clegg is reportedly furious that George Osborne effectively 'buried bad news' by announcing the u-turn on charity tax proposals while the media was focusing on Jeremy Hunt's appearance at Leveson. The dropping of plans to cap tax relief on charitable donations is the third u-turn in four days by the Government, after about-turns on 'pasty tax' and caravan levies.

2. UN CONDEMNS HOULA MASSACRE

The massacre of civilians at Houla in Syria last week may amount to a crime against humanity says the UN high commissioner for human rights. A Syrian inquiry that blamed the deaths on rebel forces has been described as "a blatant lie" by the US ambassador to the UN.

Syria's Assad can count on support of Russian Orthodox Church

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3. BRITISH WEATHER COULD RUIN JUBILEE

The UK is gearing up for a long weekend of celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. However the Great British weather is up to its usual tricks as wind, rain and chilly temperatures are forecast, thanks to tropical storm Beryl, which is making its way across the Atlantic.

Diamond Jubilee weather: Beryl rains on Queen's parade

4. CLINTON UNDERMINES OBAMA STRATEGY

Bill Clinton has described Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney as a “sterling” businessman, undermining weeks of attacks by the Obama camp over Romney's tenure at private equity firm Bain Capital. Romney has been described as a “vulture capitalist” by Obama campaigners in recent weeks.

5. CALL FOR VISA-ONLY OLYMPIC ATMS

The credit card firm Visa, a sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics, has asked the game's organisers to turn off all cash machines within Olympic venues, and replace them with machines that only accept Visa cards. The UK Payments Council has warned that foreign visitors would be particularly inconvenienced by the move.

6. ISRAEL TO UNILATERALLY DRAW BORDERS?

Israel might consider unilaterally withdrawing from the West Bank if peace talks fail, Defence Minister Ehud Barak has stated. He said Israel wants to reach a "comprehensive agreement" with the Palestinians, but added: "If this appears to be impossible, we need to think of an interim agreement, and even unilateral actions".

7. CHILDREN HAVE 'SKEWED' VIEW OF SEX

A generation of children are developing a distorted view of sex due to internet pornography, a court was told yesterday. A 12-year-old boy who was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl of nine after viewing adult websites was spared prison when the judge told him: “You should not and must not regard pornography as any guide at all as to how to behave sexually."

Schoolboy who 'copied internet porn' spared prison in rape case

8. FRAIL OAPS DENIED DIGNITY IN DEATH

Weak elderly patients suffer "undignified and distressing" deaths because NHS hospitals are too quick to try to resuscitate them, claims a watchdog. The researchers also claimed that over one-third of cardiac arrests in hospitals could be prevented if doctors recognise and act on early warning signs more quickly.

9. LAMPARD OUT, HENDERSON IN

Frank Lampard has been ruled out of England's Euro 2012 squad due to a thigh injury he suffered in training on Wednesday. Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will take Lampard's place. "It's a huge blow for the team, especially coming after the loss of another senior player in Gareth Barry," said manager Roy Hodgson.

Lampard out, Parker unfit and England low on confidence

10. HOT TICKET: SCOTT’S ALIEN REVISITED

Prometheus, Ridley Scott’s prequel to his 70s sci-fi horror hit Alien opens in cinemas today. The crew of spaceship Prometheus search for the origins of life, but risk unleashing a monstrous threat to human existence. Starring Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender. “Majestic” and “wild”, says The Daily Telegraph.

Ridley Scott's spectacularly slimy Alien 'prequel' Prometheus