Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 29 Jun 2013

1. SNOWDEN'S ECUADOR OPTION UNRAVELS

Ecuador is cooling on the idea of giving asylum to Edward Snowden, amid tension between the Ecuadoran government and Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. President Rafael Correa has revoked Snowden's temporary travel document over concerns that Assange is “running the show”, according to leaked diplomatic correspondence.

2. HOME OWNERSHIP SINKS AMONG YOUNG

A generation of young families in rented properties could turn away from the Conservative Party, experts are warning, as the Office for National Statistics revealed the number of 25 to 34-year-olds who own their home has fallen from 2m to 1.3m in a decade. Only 40% of young adults are now home owners, compared with 58% in 2001.

3. WEST MISSED TALIBAN OPPORTUNITY IN 2002

The West should have spoken to the Taliban a decade ago, the UK's top general in Afghanistan has said. Gen Nick Carter told The Guardian it would have been easier to find a solution when the Taliban had just been toppled from power. His comments days after the latest attempt to bring the insurgent group to the negotiating table stuttered to a halt.

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4. IAN BRADY: I KILLED FOUR MORE

Moors murderer Ian Brady claims he killed four more people, in previously unpublished letters published in the Daily Telegraph. Brady, who yesterday lost his legal bid to be transferred from Ashworth maximum security hospital back into the prison system, also said the body of his victim Keith Bennett is buried in Yorkshire.

5. HALF UK MOSQUES ATTACKED SINCE 9/11

Around half of Britain's mosques and Muslim centres have been subjected to Islamophobic attacks since 9/11, research has found. As the English Defence League prepares to march to the scene of Drummer Lee Rigby’s death, the report shows anti-Muslim attacks increased by as much as tenfold in the days following the Woolwich murder.

6. ANDREW MARR: WIFE TOLD I WAS A 'GONER'

Andrew Marr says his wife was warned he “was a goner” as he was treated following his stroke in January. Speaking to the Daily Mail, the broadcaster says his wife was told: “If I was very lucky, I would be a vegetable, unable to move, see, hear or speak.” He says that leading up to the stroke he “had been grossly overdoing things.”

7. OBAMA HAILS 'HERO' NELSON MANDELA

Barack Obama has described Nelson Mandela as a "hero for the world". Obama is set to meet South African president Jacob Zuma, as the country continues to hold prayers and vigils for the critically-ill Mandela. The US president is not expected to visit Mandela, whose ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said he remains “clinically...still unwell”.

8. MURRAY AND ROBSON EASE THROUGH

Andy Murray sailed through to the second week of Wimbledon with a 6-2 6-4 7-5 win over Tommy Robredo in round three. Speaking after the tie, Murray dismissed growing clamour that he can win the tournament. “It would be a lot easier if we just concentrated on each match at a time,” he said. Laura Robson beat Mariana Duque-Marino 6-4 6-1.

9. STONES READY TO SATISFY GLASTONBURY

The Rolling Stones will tonight perform at the Glastonbury Festival for the first time in their 50 years together. Up to 100,000 fans will watch the headline set from the rock veterans, who have a combined age of 277. Arctic Monkeys were last night's headliners at the muddy festival, after Beady Eye had opened with a surprise early morning slot.

10. CAVENDISH EYES YELLOW AT TOUR

The 100th Tour de France starts today, with Chris Froome hoping to become the second British winner. With last year's winner Sir Bradley Wiggins ruled out, Froome will lead the Team Sky squad. Mark Cavendish hopes to win stage one and take the yellow jersey. Meanwhile, UCI President Pat McQuaid says the tournament can now be won without drugs.