Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 6 Aug 2012

1. BOLT SLAMS 'SILLY' OLYMPIC RULES

Jamaica's Usain Bolt has criticised "weird, silly rules" imposed upon him before yesterday's 100m final, which he won, setting a new Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds. Bolt told journalists: "I tried to wear my tie into [the Olympic park]. They said ‘no’. I said why? ‘Because of the rules,’ they said." Bolt was similarly prevented from bringing in his skipping rope.

Usain Bolt slams London Olympics’ ‘weird, silly rules’

2. MURRAY BEATS FEDERER - WITH EASE

Britain's Andy Murray yesterday won the Olympic men's singles, beating his nemesis Roger Federer on Centre Court at Wimbledon in straight sets - 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. He is the first Britain to win gold since Josiah Ritchie in 1908. "Andy had a clear plan," said Federer, who faced Murray across the same net at the Wimbledon final weeks ago.

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3. NASA LANDS CURIOSITY ON MARS

The US space agency landed a one-tonne rover called 'Curiosity' on Mars at 5.14am our time today as scientists hugged each other in joy. Larger than any predecessor, the robotic vehicle will investigate the central Mountain inside Gale Crater, looking for geological signs that the red planet might once have been able to support life.

Nasa delight as rover Curiosity touches down on Mars

4. PARTS OF UK REMAIN ON FLOOD ALERT

Areas in the UK are still on flood alert today after heavy rain caused flooding and disruption yesterday. There are flood warnings or alerts for 28 places across the UK. Yesterday, people were trapped in their cars by waters in Redpost, Cornwall and the Scottish town Jedburgh was badly affected after the river Jed burst its banks.

Floods hit northern England and Scotland - pictures

5. LOUISE MENSCH QUITS AS MP

David Cameron faces an awkward by-election in a marginal constituency following the resignation of Louise Mensch, Conservative MP for Corby and East Northampton. Mensch, an avid twitterer, used the microblogging site to announce she was quitting to move to New York to spend more time with her family.

Louise Mensch’s decision to quit gives Labour by-election chance

6. SYRIAN PM DEFECTS TO JORDAN

Syrian prime minister Riad Hijab has become the highest profile member of President Bashar al-Assad's regime to defect after fleeing to Jordan with his family. It was reported that three fellow ministers defected alongside him, although this has yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile Syrian rebels in Aleppo are bracing themselves for a fresh assault by government troops.

Syrian prime minister Riad Hijab 'defects with three ministers'

7. GUNMAN KILLS SIX AT US SIKH TEMPLE

A gunman opened fire at a Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin yesterday morning, killing six including senior worshippers and injuring three others before he was shot dead by police. Police have described it as an act of "domestic terrorism". The killer is thought to have acted alone but his motive has not yet known.

8. ALGERIAN THROWN OUT OF OLYMPICS

Algerian athlete Taoufik Makhloufi has been thrown out of the Olympic Games after failing to complete his 800m race this morning. The runner, who won Sunday's 1500m semi-final, wanted to withdraw from the 800m but missed the deadline. Today he stopped racing after 200m of his heat. The IAAF said he had been thrown out for not making a "bona fide effort".

9. ITALIAN PM: EUROPE IS BREAKING UP

Italian PM Mario Monti has warned that the crippling debt crisis could rip Europe apart, with nations turning against each other. He told a German newspaper that resentment is growing against Germany in Italy, saying the "pressures already bear the traits of a psychological break-up of Europe" and that he was "concerned".

10. HOT TICKET: JULIEN TEMPLE’S LONDON

‘Great Rock and Roll Swindle’ director Julien Temple’s new documentary ‘London - The Modern Babylon’ has opened in UK cinemas. This collage of film archive material and music paints a picture of the changing face of London throughout the 20th Century. Limited release before its screening on BBC 2 on 11 August. “Brilliant”, says The Guardian.

Julien Temple doc celebrates London - the Modern Babylon