Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 8 May 2013

1. IMMIGRATION FOCUS OF QUEEN'S SPEECH

Government plans to toughen the UK's immigration rules were the focus of the Queen’s Speech today. The rules are designed to make it easier to deport foreign criminals and those who enter the country illegally. Other measures announced in the speech include bills to cap social care and a single state pension of £144.

Immigration Bill passes buck to doctors and buy-to-let landlords

2. CLEVELAND POLICE FIND ROPES, CHAINS

Ahead of expected charges in the Cleveland, Ohio kidnap case, the city’s police chief Michael McGrath said today that investigators had removed ropes and chains from the house on Seymour Avenue where three local women were rescued on Monday. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight had been held captive for a decade.

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Were Cleveland women raped after they were kidnapped?

3. RUSSIA AND US AGREE TO HOLD SYRIA TALKS

Russia and America have agreed to work towards holding an international conference on Syria to seek a political solution to the country’s brutal civil war. Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry announced the plan as Kerry visited Moscow, holding lengthy discussions with Vladimir Putin.

Israel air strikes prompt US and Russia to seek Syria deal

4. DEATHS AS SHIP RAMS DOCK TOWER IN ITALY

At least three people have died, with as many as six others missing, after a ship rammed a dockside control tower in the Italian port of Genoa. Around 10 people were in the tower when the Jolly Nero container ship hit it late last night. Part of the structure then fell into the water, triggering a search for survivors.

5. ‘BATMAN KILLER’ TO PLEAD INSANITY

The man accused of killing 12 people at a premier of the recent Batman film in Denver, Colorado in July last year, 25-year-old James Holmes, is to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, his lawyers say. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty but if the plea is accepted, Holmes will be moved to a psychiatric unit immediately.

6. MOYES 'TO REPLACE FERGUSON AT MAN UTD'

Everton manager David Moyes is set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, according to latest reports. British football's most successful manager announced his retirement today after 27 years in charge at Old Trafford. He will become a director and ambassador for the Premier League champions.

Only Mourinho has the clout to succeed Ferguson at Man Utd

7. SPECIAL EFFECTS KING HARRYHAUSEN DIES

Ray Harryhausen, whose stop motion effects terrified several generation of movie-goers, has died at the age of 92 in London. The Oscar-winner will be best remembered for his work on Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans. Star Wars director George Lucas said he had been an “inspiration”.

Monster man: effects guru Ray Harryhausen dies at 92

8. TIA SHARP WAS 'CLOSE' TO ACCUSED KILLER

Schoolgirl Tia Sharp was very close to the man accused of murdering her, her grandmother told the Old Bailey today. Jurors were read a statement by Christine Bicknell, whose former partner Stuart Hazell is accused of murdering the 12-year-old. "He loved Tia, she idolised him," Bicknell's statement said. Hazell, 37, denies Tia's murder.

Tia Sharp jury shown video of schoolgirl with Stuart Hazell

9. IMRAN KHAN ‘STABLE’ AFTER FORKLIFT FALL

Cricketer turned leading Pakistani politician Imran Khan is in hospital but ‘stable’ after receiving a head injury when he fell from a forklift truck yesterday as it lifted him onto a stage at an election rally. Khan appeared on television last night from his hospital bed, urging voters to turn out in Saturday’s parliamentary poll.

10. HOT TICKET: SORCERY GAME SOUL SACRIFICE

Sony’s fantasy action console game ‘Soul Sacrifice’ has been released in the UK. Players take on the role of an imprisoned slave who must enter a demonic book, do battle with monsters and learn magic to defeat an evil sorcerer who is trying to sacrifice them. “Unhinged brilliance,” says The Guardian.

Sorcery game Soul Sacrifice is 'a work of unhinged brilliance'