Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 12 Jan 2012

1. VIDEO 'SHOWS MARINES URINATING ON TALIBAN'

The US Marine Corps is investigating a video posted online which purports to show four members of the military urinating on the corpses of three dead Taliban fighters. None of this has yet been verified, but a military spokesman said it was "egregious behaviour and unacceptable for a member of the military".

Pentagon probes video of US Marines urinating on dead Taliban

2. SALMOND PUSHES FOR SCOTLAND REFERENDUM

Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, has laid an amendment before Holyrood, asking MSPs to support his call for a referendum on independence in 2014. He also wants 16-year-olds to be allowed to vote. Meanwhile, negotiations have begun in secret between the UK and Scottish governments.

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Independence for Scotland: a few wee questions

3. NATO 'PLANS SYRIA NO-FLY ZONE'

The Arab League mission to Syria appears to be in crisis after reports that more members of the delegation were close to quitting following Algerian Anwar Malek's resignation. The news comes after nine more people, including a French journalist, were killed in Homs and Russia claimed Nato was planning a no-fly zone, like the one in Libya, over Syria.

Nato planning Libya-style no-fly zone for Syria, claims Russia

4. HS2 OPENS RIFT IN CAMERON'S FAMILY

Lord Astor, David Cameron's stepfather-in-law, has joined the vocal opposition to the PM's support for HS2, a mooted high-speed rail line between, initially, London and Birmingham. The former Tory minister, who owns property on the route, wrote in the Spectator that the plan was "ruining" lives.

Cameron’s father-in-law says HS2 will ruin lives of thousands

5. MICHELLE OBAMA: I'M NOT ANGRY

The US First Lady says a new unauthorised biography of the Obamas paints her as "some kind of angry black woman". The book labels her as a powerful force in the White House, in frequent conflict with Barack's aides and quick to get her own way, but Michelle Obama refutes its claims.

I am not just an angry black woman, says Michelle Obama

6. INDIA DEMANDS BBC TOP GEAR APOLOGY

The Indian High Commission has complained to the BBC over Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear Christmas special, which contained "cheap jibes" and "tasteless humour". During the show Clarkson drove around a slum in a car with a toilet in the boot, and removed his trousers in front of dignitaries to show them how to use a trouser press.

Countries that Clarkson and Top Gear have offended

7. NATALIE WOOD: NO FOUL PLAY

A new investigation into the death of actress Natalie Wood has not discovered any evidence of foul play say police in Los Angeles. She drowned after disappearing from a yacht off the coast of California with her husband Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken in 1981. However, a spokesman said the file had not been closed.

8. POLICE PROBE LIBYAN RENDITION CLAIMS

Scotland Yard has launched a criminal investigation into claims that UK agents helped in the rendition of alleged terrorists to Libya where they were tortured. The announcement came after the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, said MI5 or MI6 officers would not be charged over claims they colluded in the torture of British terror suspects.

9. TESCO SHARES FALL AFTER FESTIVE SLUMP

Tesco shares slumped by up to 15 per cent on Thursday after Britain's biggest retailer announced "disappointing" Christmas sales figures and warned it would see "minimal" profit growth this year. Other chains including Argos, Mothercare, Halfords and Thorntons also reported poor sales over the holiday season.

10. HOT TICKET: DOTTY DAMIEN HIRST

The Gagosian Gallery is displaying art world rock star Damien Hirst’s complete Spot Paintings across its 11 venues worldwide - including both its London spaces - from today. Hirst is offering a free personalised spot print to the first person dotty enough to visit all 11 exhibitions. Until 18 February.