Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 Aug 2012

1. HAZELL CHARGED WITH SHARP MURDER

The partner of Tia Sharp's grandmother has been charged with murdering the 12-year-old. Stuart Hazell was arrested on Friday evening after a body was found at the home of the girl's grandmother, Christine Sharp. Scotland Yard has apologised to Sharp's mother for not discovering Sharp's body sooner, blaming "human error".

2. CLOSING CEREMONY TO BE 'BEST PARTY'

The artistic director of the Olympic closing ceremony says the two hour and 45-minute extravaganza will be "the best after-show party of all time". Kim Gavin's "mashed-up symphony" will focus on 50 years of British music. George Michael has confirmed his participation, with the Spice Girls, Jessie J and Tinie Tempah hotly tipped to take part.

3. ROMNEY UNVEILS RUNNING MATE

The appointment of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate for the presidential election was overshadowed when Romney accidentally introduced Ryan as "the next president of the United States". Ryan, 42, is the Republican congressman for Wisconsin, having been elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 28.

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4. COALITION SPLIT ON SUNDAY TRADING

The coalition is facing a new rift as ministers disagree over whether to extend the relaxed Sunday trading laws that were put in place for the duration of the Olympic Games. Conservatives believe extending the scheme would be “pro-growth” but Liberal Democrats, spearheaded by Business Secretary Vince Cable, oppose it.

5. DEADLY EARTHQUAKES HIT IRAN

Two earthquakes in Iran have killed at least 250 people and injured at least 2,000 more. The 6.4 and 6.3 earthquakes hit northwest Iran on Saturday afternoon. State television says at least six small villages were completely flattened. Iran stands on a number of major fault lines and is prone to devastating quakes.

6. SEA ICE LOSS 50% HIGHER THAN PREDICTED

The rate of Arctic sea ice loss is 50% higher than previously believed, according to new satellite imagery. Data from a European Space Agency probe suggests that 900 cubic kilometres of summer sea ice has disappeared over the last year, at which rate the Arctic could, within a few years, be entirely free of ice in the summer.

7. BRAND SLAMS METHADONE TREATMENT

Russell Brand believes methadone is the wrong way to treat heroin addicts and advocates abstinence as the route to recovery. The comedian, who was addicted to heroin in his 20s, said: "We might as well let people carry on taking drugs if they're going to be on methadone. Obviously it's painful to abstain, but at least it's hope-based."

8. TALIBAN POLICY PAPER TO WOO WEST?

A new Taliban policy paper promises "a level ground for women’s education", voting rights for minority ethnic groups and a robust stance against terrorism. The paper, seen by The Sunday Times, is believed to be part of an outreach to the West, and an attempt to spark peace talks on the future of Afghanistan.

9. EURO MP FACES JAIL FOR CORRUPTION

A Euro MP could be jailed for a decade after being filmed agreeing to amend legislation in the European parliament in exchange for money. Ernst Strasser has been charged with corruption by Austrian prosecutors. He claims he knew the men he made the promise to were not real lobbyists and played along as he believed they were secret service agents he wished to expose.

10. FARAH AND DALEY ADD TO GB HAUL

Mo Farah won a second Olympic gold and Tom Daley grabbed a bronze in an exciting penultimate day of action at London 2012. Farah won the 5,000m race, thrillingly taking the lead for the final 600m. Teenage diver Daley came third in a top-quality 10m platform final, in which American David Boudia took gold, consigning the much-fancied Qiu Bo to second place.