Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 23 Apr 2013

1. BOSTON BOMB SUSPECT CHARGED

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the19-year-old suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings has blamed his older brother for the attacks. Dzhokhar said 26-year-old Tamerlan - who was killed in the aftermath of the bombings - was the 'driving force' behind the plot. The teenager has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction, an offence that carries the death penalty.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: 'Boston bombs were Tamerlan's idea'

2. FRANCE VOTES FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

French lawmakers have legalised same-sex marriage and adoption after months of bruising debate and street protests that brought hundreds of thousands to Paris. Today's 331-225 vote came in the Socialist majority National Assembly. France’s justice minister, Christiane Taubira, said the first weddings could be as soon as June.

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3. VAN PERSIE HAT-TRICK BAGS MAN UNITED TITLE

Manchester United are today celebrating their 20th league title after a first-half hat-trick by Robin van Persie brought down Aston Villa. Villa - now four points above the relegation zone - rallied in the second half but could not score. A delighted Sir Alex Ferguson said victory was “sweet” and praised his side’s consistency.

Magnificent Man Utd crowned champions with RVP hat-trick

4. CANADA: TERROR ATTACK ON TRAIN FOILED

Canadian police have announced that they thwarted a terrorist plot to derail a passenger train in Toronto. Two foreign men, Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35, were arrested in Montreal and Toronto yesterday and have been charged. Police say the two were aided by al-Qaeda elements in Iran, though not by the Iranian state.

Canada foils al-Qaeda-backed plan to derail passenger train

5. WOODSTOCK OPENER RICHIE HAVENS DIES

The folk singer who opened the 1969 Woodstock festival, Richie Havens, has died at the age of 72 of a heart attack, his agent has said. Born in Brooklyn, Havens recorded more than 25 albums and played at US president Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration. He stopped performing in 2010 due to poor health.

Five reasons Woodstock star Richie Havens stood out

6. ‘BREAK UP BANKS’ SAYS JUSTIN WELBY

The recently-enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for Britain’s banks to be broken up into a series of regional lenders, saying the London-centric concentration of the industry is a “great danger”. The former oil executive also called for bankers to have to study for a professional qualification.

Archbishop Justin Welby: time to break up the banks

7. GOVT'S ABU QATADA APPEAL REJECTED

The Court of Appeal has refused the government permission to take its fight to remove radical cleric Abu Qatada from the UK to the Supreme Court. Home Secretary Theresa May had wanted the Supreme Court to overturn a decision by a lower court to halt the cleric's deportation. The Home Office said it would petition the Supreme Court directly for permission to appeal.

8. £250M HOUSE TO BE UK’S MOST EXPENSIVE

A six-storey, Grade I listed mansion in London's St James's area will become the UK’s most expensive home if it makes its asking price of £250m. According to newspaper reports, 18 Carlton House Terrace is on sale on the "grey market", meaning it is so exclusive that its availability has not been officially publicised.

Yours for £250m: Inside the world's most expensive house

9. CHRIS GAYLE HITS FASTEST CRICKET 100

Chris Gayle hit the fastest century in the history of professional cricket as he plundered 175 off just 66 balls for the the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament today. The West Indian reached three figures off just 30 balls and hit 17 sixes and 13 fours during his innings as his side scored a record-breaking 263 for five.

10. HOT TICKET: DEXYS SOAR ON WEST END

Dexys (formerly Dexys Midnight Runners), are presenting a musical theatre show at the Duke of York Theatre, West End. The band, known for 80s hits, 'Come on Eileen' and ‘Geno’, perform songs from 2012 album ‘One Day I’m Gonna Soar’ along with classic material. “Near perfect,” says the Daily Mail. Until 27 April.

Dexys Duke of York show 'near-perfect' theatre and pop