Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 15 Mar 2013

1. UK, FRANCE: 'READY TO ARM SYRIAN REBELS'

David Cameron and France’s Francois Hollande failed to convince fellow EU leaders to overturn Europe’s ban on arming the Syrian rebels today. Foreign ministers will continue to discuss the issue, but Angela Merkel of Germany poured cold water on the idea. Britain and France could still go ahead together as they did in Libya.

2. PRESS VOTE: TASTE OF FUTURE LAB-LIB PACT?

Labour and Lib Dem MPs are set to defeat the government on press reform after David Cameron, who is against statutory regulations, pulled the plug on cross-party talks and called for a Commons vote on Monday evening. The Daily Mail calls it "an extraordinary foretaste of a potential Labour-Lib Dem coalition after 2015".

George Osborne may be 'toxic' - but he's practically powerless

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3. SAMSUNG LAUNCHES 'EYE-TRACKING' S4

Samsung's new smartphone the Galaxy S4 was launched at New York's Radio City Music Hall last night. With a 5in screen, it can read eye movements and pause a video if the user turns their head. The FT calls it the most sophisticated Android-based handset launched to date but was surprised by the plastic rather than metal casing.

Argos boss: 'George Osborne should freeze business rates'

4. POPE BECAME PRIEST WHEN SPURNED BY GIRL

Pope Francis became a priest after his childhood girlfriend spurned him, according to reports from Buenos Aires. The woman, known only as Amalia, said that the 12-year-old Jorge Mario Bergoglio declared: "If I can't marry you, I'll become a priest." His sister Maria said he did not want to be Pope and now faced a “lifetime of loneliness”.

Pope turned to God after snub by sweetheart Amalia Damonte

5. MP ERIC JOYCE IN NEW COMMONS BRAWL

Independent MP Eric Joyce was arrested last night after reports of a fight in the Sports ad Social Club bar at the Houses of Parliament. Joyce, a former soldier, was convicted of assault in a parliamentary bar last year when he head-butted Tory MP Stuart Andrew, and later resigned from the Labour Party. Joyce is in custody and "inquiries continue".

MP Eric Joyce arrested again after brawl in Commons bar

6. KATE’S NOSE: TOP PICK FOR PLASTIC SURGERY

The Duchess of Cambridge's nose has become the top model for New York plastic surgeons with a surge in demand from their patients, the Daily News reports. Dr Stephen Greenberg has 20 women scheduled for a Kate Middleton nose at $7,000 each. Dr Thomas Romo says women over the age of 28 want a nose that’s "regal, refined and strong".

Kate Middleton nose job: it's what New York women want

7. BOBS WORTH WINS CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

Favourite Bobs Worth won the Cheltenham Gold Cup by five lengths from second favourite Sir Des Champs this afternoon. The win gave trainer Nicky Henderson his second win in three years after the success of Long Run in 2011. Jockey Barry Geraghty guided Bobs Worth through the field in the final stages to win from Sir Des Champs, with Long Run third.

8. PORK FOUND IN HALAL SCHOOL SAUSAGES

Pork DNA has been found in halal chicken sausages served to Muslim children at St Mary's Bryanston Square Church of England primary school in central London, Westminster Council confirmed last night. Pork and lamb had also been found in minced beef served at the Burdett Coutts School in Westminster.

9. EUROPA LEAGUE: NO ALL-ENGLISH TIES

The three remaining English clubs in the Europa League have been kept apart in the draw for the quarter-finals. Chelsea meet Rubin Kazan, Spurs face Basel and Newcastle take on Benfica. The fourth tie is Fenerbahce v Lazio. The two Spanish giants were also kept apart in the Champions League last-eight draw: Barcelona get PSG and Real Madrid face Galatasaray.

10. HOT TICKET: KIDMAN SIZZLES IN PAPERBOY

American noir thriller 'The Paperboy' opens in UK cinemas today. Set in 1960s Florida, 'The Paperboy' stars Nicole Kidman as Charlotte Bless, a promiscuous woman trying to free a death-row inmate with the help of a reporter and his brother. "Kidman is more sensual than she has ever been," says the LA Times.

Nicole Kidman sizzles in sexy southern noir The Paperboy