Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 30 Aug 2012

1. BRIT PARALYMPIANS BREAK WORLD RECORDS

British swimmer Jonathan Fox and cyclist Sarah Storey broke world records in their heats at the Paralympics today. The home team has several gold medal prospects on the opening day. The games were declared open by the Queen last night at a spectacular ceremony watched by 11 million people in the UK.

Paralympics opening ceremony is an 'uncompromising' triumph

2. BARCLAYS PROMOTES ANTONY JENKINS TO CEO

Barclays has promoted Antony Jenkins, its head of retail and business banking, to CEO to replace Bob Diamond, who resigned over the Libor scandal. The news follows last night's announcement that the Serious Fraud Office is investigating payments between the bank and an arm of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund during the financial crisis of 2008.

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New Barclays boss unveiled as fraud office probes Qatar loan

3. SORRELL BACKS CLEGG'S WEALTH TAX

Sir Martin Sorrell, the multimillionaire head of the world's biggest advertising firm, WPP, has said he supports Nick Clegg's idea of an emergency tax on the wealthy "at this time". He gave his support as WPP announced it was returning its HQ from tax exile in Dublin as the coalition relaxes fiscal rules for overseas firms.

WPP boss Sorrell backs Nick Clegg's wealth tax

4. LEVESON 'DIATRIBE' AGAINST PRESS

A "diatribe" against the bad practices of the press written by Lord Leveson as a letter of advance notice to the industry before he publishes his hacking report was revealed last night by the editor of the Independent, Chris Blackhurst. He said it was "completely one sided" and seemed to be "loading a gun" for an attack on press freedom.

Leveson on warpath after Indy editor slams his 'diatribe'

5. RACE INCIDENT MARS REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

An incident in which two attendees threw peanuts at a black female CNN television camerawoman and called out "this is how we feed animals" yesterday marred Mitt Romney's Republican nominating convention in Florida. They were ejected for "inexcusable behaviour". Vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan promised an "economic turnaround" under Romney.

Republicans taunt black woman - but is story being ignored?

6. PENSIONERS STAY HEALTHY FOR LONGER

English and Welsh pensioners are enjoying more years of good health than ever before, the Office for National Statistics reported yesterday. Women can expect to be 77 before experiencing serious health problems, and live on to 85.8. The average man will be healthy until 75.3, and live to 83.2.

7. ISAAC LOSES STEAM AS FLOODS CONTINUE

Hurricane Isaac, downgraded to a tropical storm last night, is petering out over Louisiana after the centre of the storm passed over New Orleans. But nearly a million people across four states in the region are still without power. Dozens of residents in low areas outside flood barriers were rescued yesterday after a levee burst south of the city.

Hurricane Isaac floods Louisiana - pictures

8. LAURA ROBSON BEATS KIM CLIJSTERS

British tennis hope Laura Robson recorded the biggest victory of her career at the US Open last night as she beat former champion Kim Clijsters in two sets. The 18-year-old sent the Belgian into retirement with some outstanding tennis. Andy Murray also progressed as he beat Ivan Dodig in straight sets.

Robson stuns Clijsters with 'breakthrough' win at US Open

9. SYRIA WALKS OUT ON EGYPT PRESIDENT'S SPEECH

Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi has sparked a walk-out by the Syrian delegation at the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement after saying that the uprising against Bashar al-Assad is a "revolution against an oppressive regime". Syrian foreign minister Walid Muallem said Mursi's words "incite continued bloodshed in Syria".

Egyptian president annoys US, Iran and Syria at summit

10. HOT TICKET: FINEST 'TRANSFORMERS' YET

The new Transformers game, Fall of Cybertron, is out and has been welcomed by critics. In a dig at Michael Bay's blockbuster film series, Game Informer calls the game "the most faithful treatment" of the 'robots in disguise' franchise "across any medium in recent years".

Fall of Cybertron: game that outshines Transformers films